Verse by Verse

Through the

Book of Revelation

by

Dr Grant Richison

Copyright © 1995-2005 by Dr. Grant Richison

http://www.crusade.org/word

Introduction

Dr. Grant C. Richison

I. IMPORTANCE OF THE BOOK

Revelation is the culmination of all books of the Bible

Revelation brings to conclusion the many prophesies of the Bible

Revelation puts in context the end-time events for God’s purpose for creation

II. AUTHOR

A. Justin Martyr directly affirms that John was the author.

B. Irenaeus (disciple of Polycarp, who in turn was a pupil of the apostle John) attributes the writing of Revelation to John.

• “Not very long time since, but almost in our day towards the end of Domitian’s reign.” [Domitian died in a.d. 96, John was then allowed to return to Ephesus]

C. Others: Clement, Origin, Tertullian, Hippolytus

D. John’s name occurs as the author: 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8; (cf. 21:2)

E. Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Eusebius, Apollonius, and Theophilus, the bishop of Antioch all accepted Revelation as inspired Scripture

F. By the 3rd century Revelation was widely quoted as Scripture

III. OCCASION OF WRITING

A. Direct command (1:10–23)

B. Condition of the churches

1. Fierce persecution at times (not a universal policy)

• One Christian already executed, 2:13

2. Serious problems within the churches

• Ephesus, 2:2

• Smyrna, 2:10

• Pergamum, 2:13

• Thyatria, 2:22

• Philadelphia, 3:10

IV. DATE OF WRITING – a.d. 96

V. PLACE OF WRITING – Patmos, a penal colony (where John was exiled)

• A small rocky island in the Aegean Sea, 30 miles from Ephesus

• 6–8 miles long and one mile wide

VI. PURPOSES

A. To give the final truth about Jesus Christ – the unveiling of his person, power and purpose (1:1)

B. To show the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of Christ

C. To give a new perspective on history

D. To give incentive to holy living

E. To show that God will ultimately deal with the problem of evil

F. To give a preview of future events

VII. THEME: — the revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1 (cf. 1:7; 3:11 22:30)

• Revelation is Christ centered

VIII. KEY WORDS:

• “revelation” [unveiling]

• “lamb” [29 times]

IX. KEY VERSE: 1:19

“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”

X. ADDRESSEES, 1:11

A. All churches situated in Proconsular Asia

B. Churches selected as representatives for churches today

C. Located in the western third of Turkey today

D. John came to Ephesus in a.d. 67–70
[Ephesus, the capital of Procounsular Asia]

XI. REASONS REVELATION SHOULD BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD

A. It is a “revelation” (apocalypse) which means an unveiling.
[contrast an apocryphal book which is hidden]

B. Revelation is not a sealed book (22:10)

C. A blessing is promised to the person that reads and to them that hear the words of this prophecy (1:3)

D. The last analysis of the book is simple (1:19)

XII. THEOLOGY — Christological (1:1–3; cf. 5:47; 19:11, 16, 17; 21:9)

A. Person of Christ – chapter one

B. Glorious reign of Christ [complete victory over Satan] ...