The Revelation of Jesus Christ
The word revelation means: “That which is revealed” Websters Dictionary 1828, so then the Book called REVELATION can not only be understood by God’s people, but must be thoroughly studied and understood by them. And their understanding and interpretation must come from the WORD of GOD.
We should also compare what we read with history to see if our interpretation of prophecy is in harmony with facts.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
2Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
The Law = Moses = Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
Testimony = other Prophets = The rest of the Bible writers
Because Revelation 19:10 says: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Questions
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
1. What is the inspired title of this book.
Revelation 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”
2. Who is the Author of this revelation?
Revelation 1:1 “which God gave unto him,”
3. For what purpose was it given.
Revelation 1:1 “to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass”
4. How was it brought to men?
Revelation 1:1 “he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John”
5. Of what did John bear testimony?
Revelation 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
6. What had it cost John to bear witness for Christ?
Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Note: “On account of the desolate character of this island, it was used, under the Roman Empire, as a place of banishment, which accounts for the exile of John thither. The banishment of the apostle took place about the year 94, as is generally supposed, under the Emperor Domitian; and from this fact the date assigned to the writing of the Revelation is A. D. 95 or 96.”—Thoughts on Revelation.
7. Need one despised or persecuted by earthly princes be ashamed of the Christian calling? What has it cost Jesus to bring the revelation of His saving power?
Revelation 1:4-5 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
8. What is promised to us as we take up the studies in this book?
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
NOTE: The blessing promised to those who read and hear comes only as the third condition is fulfilled, by the keeping of the things written. We are not studying merely to learn interesting facts regarding the past fulfilment of prophecy. These are all essential in the proper understanding of the book, but the study will be of lasting value only as we seek God for grace to learn how to keep in our own lives the lessons of the past and the warnings and counsels, all written for us. The “sayings of the prophecy of this book” are things to be daily kept by thoie who would be prepared for the coming of Christ. Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”
9. Round what grand event does all the revelation center? And how many of the living will see Him?
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
10. When were the scenes of this book opened to John?
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11.What day is this?
Mark 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
12. To whom was this revelation sent?
Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Note: “The seven churches.” Under the names of the seven churches in Asia, the Holy Spirit has delineated seven different stages of the Christian church, which appear in succession, extending from the apostolic days to the coming of the Lord and the consummation of all things. In other words, these messages to the seven churches constitute a connected prophecy of the church of Christ on earth, during seven periods of time, covering the entire history of the church from the first to the second advent. The messages to all the churches therefore come to us who live in the last days.
13. Who did John see as he turned to learn from whence the voice came that spake to him?
Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14. Describe His appearance.
Revelation 1:14-15 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
15. Who does this One declare Himself to be?
Revelation 1:11, 18 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell (the grave) and of death.
16. What did He hold in His right hand?
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17. What do the seven stars and the seven candlesticks represent?
Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
18. Need we fear to deal with this all-glorious One?
Revelation 1:17, 5 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Note: We only need to fear Him in the sense that we fear to trust in ourselves because we might bring shame or harm to His people or cause (MINISTRY). Psalms 89:7 “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.” And what is the definition of reverence? Answer: Fear mingled with respect and esteem; veneration. 1828 Websters Dictionary And if we are not in His care we do need to fear Him.
19. With what purpose is He ministering in the heavenly courts and overruling in the affairs of earth?
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
20. What help may we claim in a faithful study of God’s revelations?
Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
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