Revelation

Holy Writer

The writer identifies himself several times as John: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants----things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw” (Revelation 1:1-2; cf. Revelation 1:4, 9; 21:2; 22:8). Although he did not refer to himself as “John the apostle,” only an apostle could speak with such authority to the seven churches, and thus to all churches of New Testament Christianity. The viewpoint that John the apostle wrote Revelation was widely held and virtually unchallenged through the second century. Unfortunately, certain differences between Revelation and other books written by John led some to question the previous consensus that he wrote Revelation. There are significant differences between the Greek of Revelation and that of the Gospel and epistles of John. One other difference is that this is the only one of John’s inspired writings where he makes use of his name.However, we can’t overlook a number of remarkable similarities between Revelation and the other books which John wrote. We notice in particular his use of terms like:

•          “lamb” (no other New Testament writer calls Jesus “the Lamb” but John, cf. John 1:29,36; Rev. 5:12, 13; 7:10, 14, 17; 21:9);

•          “true” (used most often in the Gospel of John and Revelation);

•          “testimony” and “testify” (these two words are related, coming from the same Greek root, and are often used together in John’s writings, cf. John 3:26-33 and Revelation 1:2);

•          calling Jesus the “Word” (cf. John 1:1,14 with Revelation 19:13);

•          and portraying Christ as the “water of life” (cf. John’s use of: “Living water” - John 4:10, 7:38 with the phrase “water of Life” - Revelation 7:17; 21:6; 22:1,17).

In addition, many of the differences can be explained by the unusual circumstances surrounding this book. Since it has the content of supernatural visions and prophecy, the style was bound to be different from the style John used in his Gospel or the three epistles he wrote.

Date and Place of Writing

Revelation was written at a time when Roman hostility to Christianity was erupting into persecution. John says, “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (1:9); and “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (2:10). Some people believe that this book was written around the time of Nero’s persecution in 64 A.D. but the evidence suggests a much later date, near the end of Domitian’s reign in the mid-90’s A.D. Here are several reasons:

•          Church tradition from the second century testifies to a later date during the reign of Domitian. It also says that John didn’t move to Ephesus until 67 A.D. and so he would not have been able to establish his ministry in the area of Asia until after the time of Nero.

•          The contents of Revelation indicate that the Asian churches had been in existence for a number of years, long enough to have reached a point of complacency and decline.

John was released from Patmos and probably returned to Ephesus after his release. Passages throughout the book suggest that it was completed before he left the island of Patmos. It is likely that John wrote this book in 95-96 A.D.

Original readers

Based on Revelation 1:4, we can identify the original readers as the “seven churches which are in Asia” (cf. 2:1,8,12, 18; 3:1,7,14). We also recognize that these churches had the type of problems that are prevalent in churches of every century. While speaking to the “seven churches,” John was also speaking to every congregation of believers in the New Testament age. These prophecies which looked ahead to the New Testament era and the second coming of Christ are meant for us as much as it was for the Christians of Asia Minor at the end of the first century.

Literary Structure

Though parts of the book are written like an epistle (chapters 2-3), much of the book contains visions and symbolic images. Thus the figurative language of Revelation requires figurative interpretation. The book also contains future prophecy, even as John indicates in 1:19: “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” In the prophetic visions that John was permitted to see, we note similarities with the visions of Daniel (cf. Daniel 7 with Revelation 13), as well as clear connections to Genesis (references to the “tree of life” and “Paradise of God” - Revelation 2:7) and other parts of the Old Testament.

A very unique feature of Revelation is the symbolic use of numbers, which have been understood as given in the summary below:

•          The number three is God’s number, symbolizing the Trinity.

•          The number four is the number of the world (“four winds,” “four corners of the earth”).

•          The number seven is the holy number, the number symbolizing God at work in the world that He created (3+4=7).

•          The number ten is the number of completion.

•          The number twelve is the number of the Church.

Purpose

Revelation brings the written Word of God to a close and shows the divine plan of redemption coming to completion through the New Testament Church and the future events of the last day. The word “revelation” is a translation of the Greek word from which we derive the term “apocalypse.” It refers to the unveiling of that which would otherwise remain hidden. In the Revelation to John, God inspired the writer through the visions he saw to prophesy events in his own day and also in the future.

We have in the book of Revelation a symbolic portrayal of the Church from the first century until the end of time. In a series of vivid pictures, John shows how the Church would endure many dreadful conflicts with the satanic forces of persecution, ungodly rulers, and false prophets and ultimately gain victory through the glorious Lamb.

So there are two themes that resonate for the comfort of all believers. During the coming tribulations the battled Christian should have patience: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). To generate this patience, the Christian is also given the vision of the final victory: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5). As you read Revelation, look for these themes of patience and victory throughout the contents of the book.

The book concludes: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). May this continue to be our prayer!

Outline

I.      The things which you have seen (chapter 1).

II.    The things which are (chapters 2-3).

III.   The things which will take place (chapters 4-22).

         A.     Prophecies of Tribulation (4:1-17:18).

         B.     Prophecies of the Second Coming (18:1-20:15).

         C.     Prophecies of the Eternal State (21:1-22:5).

         D.     Conclusion (22:6-21).

Note: This study was prepared for the Bible Class at Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew.

If you would like more information about this study,
please contact Pastor Mayhew