The primary objectives of these studies are a) to get you to read the Bible and b) to take in what you have read. At the end of each page of studies (normally a chapter) there will be a 'Recap' to remind you of what you have read. At the end of every 'set' (see the front Contents page) there will also be a 'Summary' and a 'Conclusions' that cover the pages in that set.

INTRODUCTION to Revelation

Background :

The apostle John had been arrested and banished to the isle of Patmos to work there in the mines. While he was there he received the visions shown in this book.

Approach :

These studies will take us as far as chapter 12 of the book of Revelation. We will follow the natural structure of the book as follows:

Part 1 : Chapter 1 :   Introduction and vision of Jesus

Part 2 : Chapters 2 & 3 :   Letters to the 7 churches of Asia Minor

Part 3 : Chapters 4 & 5 :   Visions of heaven

Part 4 : Chapters 6 - 12 :   The things to come

Purpose :

Many people get caught up in the book of Revelation wondering whether the interpretation should be:

a) past i.e. it has already been fulfilled

b) historical i.e. it describes history from Jesus' first coming onwards

c) ideal i.e. not actual events but simply gives spiritual principles

d) futurist i.e. most of it is yet to come.

We will follow d) and also emphasise spiritual principles as we go. As we do this we need to remember that the purpose of the book of Revelation is NOT to give dates to watch for, but to give revelation of the greatness of God and the wonder of Jesus as Lord over history. May our hearts be thrilled at this fuller revelation of Jesus, may our lives be made more steadfast at the realisation that history is not accidental, and may faith and worship be released in us in new measure.

PART 1 : Introduction and Vision of Jesus

As you read this Part, see how much it tells us about Jesus and His Father, God. Here we will find a very different Jesus revealed from that seen in the Gospels. He is the ascended Lord of the church.

Chapter: Rev 1

Passage: Rev 1:1-3

A. Find Out:

1. Whose revelation is this? v.1a

2. Why did God give it to him? v.1b

3. How did he communicate it? v.1c

4. What was John shown? v.2

5. Who will be blessed? v.3b

6. Why? v.3c

B. Think :

1. What is the chain of communication noted here?

2. What does it say about each one involved?

3. Why should such a chain be used do you think?

C. Comment :

In Matthew 24:36 Jesus had said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father". Thus it is that God the Father now shares with His ascended Son the structure of things to come. Jesus is God's communication with men (John 1:1,14) and so Jesus has the privilege of sharing it, but as he is central to the affairs of heaven (see later) he uses an angel to share. There is a sense of immediacy about the message, "what must soon take place", and "the time is near". The letters to the seven churches (chapters 2 and 3) were indeed in the immediate future, instructions for the church of that day giving warnings of what would shortly happen.

First of all comes the word of God, instructions from God to the seven churches, then comes the testimony of Jesus Christ, the revelation that John had of Jesus' position in all that follows.

Blessing is promised for the reader of this book. A young twelve year old with no previous church background became a Christian at a children's mission and went home and read straight through this book. He shared of the wonder of what he had seen and was obviously thrilled by what he had read. May we be similarly!

D. Application?

1. God's word always comes with practical content to today's church.

2. God's word reveals the glory of God to release faith in His followers.

Chapter: Rev 1

Passage: Rev 1:4-8

A. Find Out:

1. How is God first described? v.4a

2. How is the Holy Spirit described? v.4b

3. What threefold description is given of Jesus? v.5a

4. What has he done? v.5b,6

5. What is going to happen? v.7

6. How is God finally described? v.8

B. Think :

1. As a greeting to the seven churches what does it first convey in terms of

wishes from the Godhead?

2. What impact, do you think, would the descriptions of the Godhead have had on the churches?

3. How does time come into this passage?

C. Comment :

Initially we have a greeting to the seven churches in Asia Minor from the Lord in the form of a blessing of grace and peace. When the Lord wishes peace for you, you know that is good! Peace is also conveyed by a reminder of who it is who sends it. Thus it is important to observe the descriptions of God.

First of all there is God the Father who once said to Moses, "I AM", God who is, who always has been and always will be. A sense of eternity puts present history into perspective. Following a mention of the perfect (seven = perfect or complete) Spirit, comes the reminder of who Jesus is, the one who has come to witness to the truth and to God's love, the one who rose from the dead, and who is now seated at His Father's right hand ruling, the one who is in control, the one who died for us, to free us from sin, guilt and shame. With Jesus for us who can be against us! Not only that, there is a clear plan and purpose of God being worked out which will involve Jesus' triumphant return. Yes, all of these things should bring a deep sense of peace as we allow the truth to settle in our hearts.

D. Application?

1. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are working together for our good.

2. Be at peace for God is working out His sovereign purposes.

Chapter: Rev 1

Passage: Rev 1:9-16

A. Find Out:

1. What did John say he shared in? v.9a

2. Why was he on Patmos ? v.9b

3. What did the voice tell him to do? v.11

4. Where was the speaker standing? v.12,13

5. How were his features striking? v.14-16

6. What was he holding? v.16

B. Think :

1. Why, apparently, was John on Patmos ?

2. What commission was he given?

3. By whom?

C. Comment :

Tradition has it that John had been exiled because of his faith, to work on Patmos in the marble quarries there. On a day of the Lord's choosing the Lord comes to him in a vision and brings him a command to write to the seven churches in Asia Minor .

The manner of the Lord's revelation is significant. In the vision he appears standing in the midst of the seven churches (v.20), holding seven stars, the seven angels or leaders of those churches. He is clearly coming as Lord of the church. He is dressed in the manner of a priest or judge of that day. In that form his characteristics are even more significant. His white hair indicates age and wisdom. His eyes penetrate and see everything. His mouth speaks words that cut right through to the heart of the matter and destroy all opposition. His face shines with absolute purity, there is no doubt whatsoever that what this Being says will be absolutely right.

We see Jesus here in a very different form from that seen in the Gospels, as the Lord of the church, one who comes on behalf of the church of God (see 1 John 2:1,2), and yet one who comes with corrective and challenging words to His church. He is Lord AND Saviour (judge and priest)!

D. Application?

1. The church belongs to Jesus (see Acts 20:28c)

2. Jesus alone has the right and the ability to correct and discipline His

church, for He alone can be judge and intercessory priest.

Chapter: Rev 1

Passage: Rev 1:17-20

A. Find Out:

1. How did John respond when he saw Jesus? v.17a

2. What did Jesus do? v.17b

3. How did Jesus describe himself? v.17c,18

4. What did he say he held? v.18c

5. What 3 things did he tell John to do? v.19

6. Who are the stars and the lampstands? v.20

B. Think :

1. Why do you think John fell as though dead?

2. How do these descriptions clearly indicate this person is Jesus?

3. What position does he hold?

C. Comment :

When John saw this being he was overcome and fell lifeless at his feet. Such was the awesome presence of Him! He then touched John, apparently to restore him, and encouraged him with one of the Bible's 366 "fear not"s. He described himself as one who exists in eternity (first and last), who is living, but was dead, and who, because he was resurrected, now lives for ever. Without a doubt this is the risen and reigning Lord Jesus. Because of what he has done and who he is, he also has the authority to say who enters death, who enters Hades (hell) and when. He is the supreme overseer over life and death. He has earned that right.

Jesus comes to reassure and the way He does it is by revealing the wonder of who He is Himself. Before He commissions John he reassures and strengthens him. Then he goes on to instruct John to record

a) what he has seen,

b) what is happening (Revelation 2 & 3) and then

c) what he will be shown will happen later on (Revelation 4 onwards).

In conclusion He reveals Himself as the one who speaks as Lord over the church, and what follows in the next two chapters is His word to these churches.

D. Application?

1. "Familiar Jesus" or the awesome risen Son of God?

2. Jesus who is "friend & saviour" or also the holy Lord of the church?

RECAP No.1 "Introduction and Jesus" Revelation 1

SUMMARY :

In these 4 studies we have seen:

- the order of communicating this revelation

- God eternal

- Jesus, the triumphant saviour and Lord of the church who will

   return again

- the call to John to write to the 7 churches

- Jesus the wise, all knowing, all seeing priest and judge coming

   to his church

COMMENT :

God is eternal ruler over all things, and Jesus His Son comes to challenge and encourage His church. Challenge and encouragement comes not from just hearing words but from understanding the wonder of who it is who brings them. Thus from the start, we are startled by the wonder of the revelation of the person of Jesus Christ here.

LESSONS :

1. There is divine order in divine communication.

2. The reminder that Jesus loves us, died for us, and desires to bring peace

and blessing to us.

3. Jesus is the strong, wise, all seeing, all knowing Lord of the church

4. Nothing can be hid from His eyes.

5. Our church is in His hands.

PRAY :

Worship the risen Lord of the Church today, the one who holds each local church in His hand.

PART 2 : "The Letters to the Seven Churches"

As we read Jesus speaking to these seven churches look particularly for

a) how He describes Himself to each of them

b) what he commends them for

c) what he rebukes them for

d) what he promises the overcomer in each case.

May we check the lives of our own churches against these churches, and may they challenge us today!