Transcript NT Survey I - Berachah Bible Church

NT Survey II
Revelation
Christian Churches in A.D. 100
Seven Churches of Revelation
Introductory Matters for Revelation




Author: The Apostle John. John came to
Ephesus shortly after Paul’s martyrdom and
oversaw churches in Asia Minor until his exile.
Date: About A.D. 95, during the reign of the
Roman Emperor Domitian.
Audience: The immediate audience was the
seven churches of Asia Minor.
Character of the book: The most prophetic book
of the NT, Revelation describes events that close
world history as we know it and culminate with
the return of Jesus Christ.
Different Interpretive Approaches
to the Book




Preterist – This view maintains that the book describes
first century conditions in the Roman Empire. Christ’s
“coming with the clouds” in chap. 1 is not a literal
coming to earth, but a judgment that came upon
Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Continuous-historical – This view treats the book as a
panorama of church history from John’s time until the
Second Advent, finding correspondences between the 7
churches and various epochs in church history.
Idealist – This view maintains that Revelation depicts
the eternal conflict between good and evil in every age,
and that the details should not be pressed.
Futurist – This is the best approach if one is committed
to a literal hermeneutic. It views the book as focusing
on the last periods of world history, culminating with the
return of Jesus Christ to the earth.
Major Themes in Revelation


The Return and Glory of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:7)
The Old Testament



Of the 404 verses in Revelation, 278 make some
allusion to the Old Testament. Books drawn upon
include Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Psalms.
The Wrath of God
The Future Work of God



Judgment
Establishment of His Kingdom
Blessing of His People
Purpose Statement for Revelation

John records the revelation given to him
by Christ to rebuke believers concerning
sin and to encourage them to hold fast
until Christ comes, describing the events
that will precede and follow that coming.
Outline of Revelation

Part One: “The Things Which You Have Seen”
(1:1-20)



Introduction (1:1-8)
Vision of the Glorified Christ (1:9-20)
Part Two: “The Things Which Are” (2:1 – 3:22)







Message
Message
Message
Message
Message
Message
Message
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
Ephesus (2:1-7)
Smyrna (2:8-11)
Pergamos (2:12-17)
Thyatira (2:18-29)
Sardis (3:1-6)
Philadelphia (3:7-13)
Laodicea (3:14-22)
Outline of Revelation

Part Three: “The Things Which Will Take
Place After These Things” (4:1 – 22:21)


Visions of the Father and the Lamb as the
Source of Judgment (4:1 – 5:14)
Vision of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (6:1 – 19:6)
Daniel’s 70th Week and the SevenRapture of
Return of
Sealed Scroll
the Church
Christ to the
Earth
Abomination of Desolation
3 1/2 Years
Beginning of Birth
Pangs
3 1/2 Years
Great Tribulation
The Seventh Seal
Outline of Revelation

Part Three: “The Things Which Will Take
Place After These Things” (4:1 – 22:21)


Visions of the Father and the Lamb as the
Source of Judgment (4:1 – 5:14)
Vision of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (6:1 – 19:6)
Seven Seals of Judgment (6:1 – 8:5)
 Seven Trumpets of Judgment (8:6 – 11:19)
 Explanatory Prophecies (12:1 – 14:20)
 Seven Bowls of Judgment and Rejoicing over the
Fall of Babylon (15:1 – 19:10)

Outline of Revelation

The Closing Visions of John (19:11 – 22:5)
The
 The
 The
 The
 The
 The
 The


Coming of the King of Kings (19:11-16)
Great Supper of God (19:17-21)
Binding of Satan (20:1-3)
Thousand-Year Kingdom (20:4-10)
White-Throne Judgment (20:11-15)
New Heaven and New Earth (21:1-8)
Holy City (21:9 – 22:5)
Epilogue (22:6-21)