Revelation 1-3
{CHAPTERS 1 - 3}
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{STRUCTURE & INTERPRETATION}
- Unsealing the Scroll - (Daniel was commanded to seal the Scroll, but the angel sent by Jesus commanded John NOT to do so since the season is now – Revelation 22:10) - {PDF Copy}
- Fourfold Structure - {PDF Copy} - (The book has four major literary divisions marked by John finding himself "in the spirit")
- Common Errors of Interpretation - {PDF Copy} - (The real-life relevance of Revelation is easily lost if we approach the book with incorrect presuppositions)
- Literal vs Nonliteral - {PDF Copy} - (The Book of Revelation informs the reader from the start that it communicates visually and symbolically)
- Revelation's Recipients - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation was addressed to seven actual churches in the province of Asia in the first century A.D.)
- Provided Interpretations - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation communicates symbolically and provides many of the necessary interpretations of its images)
- Linear Chronological Sequence? - {PDF Copy} - (Are Revelation’s visions presented in chronological sequence? If so, how do we explain the many parallel descriptions that link them?)
- Decoding Bible Prophecy - (Jesus, the Word become flesh, is THE one and only interpretive key that unlocks the Hebrew Scriptures and Bible prophecy) - {PDF Copy}
{SEVEN CHURCHES}
- Revelation of Jesus Christ - {PDF Copy} - (The Prologue of Revelation presents the key themes of the Book and declares that the season of fulfillment has arrived – Revelation 1:1-3)
- What Things Must Occur - {PDF Copy} - (From the start, Revelation declares its purpose is to show God’s servants what things must SOON COME TO PASS – Revelation 1:1-3)
- The Season is Here! - (In Revelation, the period known as the Last Days began following the death, resurrection, and enthronement of Jesus) - {PDF Copy}
- Call to Action - {PDF Copy} - (Through a series of seven beatitudes, Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite persecution)
- Seven Churches - Overview - {PDF Copy} - (The visitation of Jesus to the churches of Asia prepares the reader for the visions that follow the seven letters)
- Greetings from the Throne - {PDF Copy} - (The greetings from the Throne highlight key themes of the Book, especially the past victory and the present reign of Jesus)
- The Seven Spirits of God - (Greetings are sent to the Seven Assemblies of Asia from God, Jesus, and the Seven Spirits of God that are before the Throne) - {PDF Copy}
- Jesus, the Faithful Witness - {PDF Copy} - (In the salutation sent to the Seven Assemblies, Jesus is called the Faithful Witness because of his self-sacrificial death)
- Firstborn of the Dead - (Jesus is the Firstborn of the Dead, a reference to his resurrection and the basis for the future resurrection of the saints – Revelation 1:5) - {PDF Copy}
- The Supreme Ruler - (Jesus, the Faithful Witness, now reigns supreme over the Kings of the Earth, and he is shepherding the nations to the Holy City of New Jerusalem) - {PDF Copy}
- Kingdom of Priests - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples reign with Jesus as priests who render service in his Tabernacle and mediate his light and Word in the World)
- Isle of Patmos - {PDF Copy} - (John was exiled to Patmos because of his testimony – A fellow participant in the Tribulation and Perseverance in Jesus - Revelation 1:9)
- Tribulation, Kingdom, Endurance - {PDF Copy} - (Exiled on Patmos, John is a fellow participant in the tribulation, the kingdom, and the endurance that are in Jesus – Revelation 1:9)
- Martyrs and Overcomers - (In the Book of Revelation, overcoming saints persevere in their testimony for Jesus whatever the cost, even a martyr’s death) - {PDF Copy}
- Priestly Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (The first vision presents the image of Jesus as one like a Son of Man, a priestly figure who walks among the Assemblies of Asia – Revelation 1:9-20)
- Tree of Life - Ephesus - {PDF Copy} - (The messenger at Ephesus is commended for rejecting false apostles, chastised for leaving his first love, and summoned to return to his first works)
- Faithful Until Death - {PDF Copy} - (The Assembly in Smyrna has faithfully persevered and is exhorted to continue to do so, even UNTIL DEATH - Revelation 2:8-11)
- Hold Fast My Name - Pergamos - {PDF Copy} - (Pergamos receives praise for remaining faithful to his name, but correction for tolerating the teachings of “Balaam”)
- Inhabitants of the Earth - {PDF Copy} - (The Inhabitants of the Earth represent the men who are omitted from the Book of Life because they embrace the Beast from the Sea)
- The Nicolaitans - {PDF Copy} - (Deceivers within the seven congregations were encouraging believers to compromise with the idolatrous rites of pagan society)
- Food Offered to Idols - (Daniel and his three companions refused to participate in the idolatrous rituals of the Babylonian ruling class and the imperial cult – Daniel 1:14) - {PDF Copy}
- Faithful Philadelphia - {PDF Copy} - (Philadelphia receives no correction since she has remained faithful, and therefore, she will be kept from the hour of trial – Revelation 3:7-13)
- Kept from the Hour - {PDF Copy} - (The hour of trial will come upon the whole habitable earth, but overcoming saints will not experience this final judicial act – Revelation 3:10)
{RELATED TOPICS}
- WHO and WHEN - {PDF Copy} - (The Church is the battlefield where the final war is being waged between the Lamb and the Ancient Serpent, the Devil)
- The Shepherd King - {PDF Copy} - (The Lamb’s reign commenced with his death and resurrection, and since then, he has been shepherding the nations toward New Jerusalem)
- Beginning of the Creation - (Revelation looks forward to the reign of Jesus in the New Creation, a reality inaugurated by his Death and Resurrection) - {PDF Copy}
- THAT Son of Man - (The one like a Son of Man in Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man and his authority) - {PDF Copy}
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| [Lighthouse photo by David Pye on Unsplash] |
