Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

The Book of Revelation

CHAPTER 1

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

• 1) To note that the Revelation was written to churches of things that would soon take place
• 2) To appreciate the implications of what is said about Jesus, both in the greeting by John and in the words of Jesus Himself

SUMMARY

The Revelation of Jesus Christ begins with a clear statement of origin and purpose. Given to Jesus by God to show His servants things which must soon take place, it is designed to bless those who read, hear and keep the words of the prophecy (1-3). John then addresses the seven churches in Asia (western Turkey), offering grace and peace from each member of the Godhead with descriptive terms which become more significant later in the epistle (4-6). His greeting is followed with a declaration concerning the Lord's coming, and a self-designation as expressed by the Lord Himself (7-8). At this point John explains how he was commissioned to record the Revelation. While on the island of Patmos (likely in exile for preaching the word of God), he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day when he heard a loud voice behind him. The voice identified itself as "the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last", and then charged him to write what he saw to seven churches in Asia (9-11). Turning to see the voice, John saw seven golden lampstands and in their midst the Son of Man. Describing the awesome appearance of the Son of Man and his own reaction, John then records how Jesus comforted and then charged him to write what he has seen and will see (12-19). The chapter ends with the Lord's explanation that the seven stars in His right hand represent the angels (messengers?) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands signify the seven churches themselves (20).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-8)

A. INTRODUCTION AND BENEDICTION (1-3)

• 1. Introducing the Revelation of Jesus Christ (1-2) a. Which God gave Him to show His servants b. Regarding things which much shortly take place c. Sent and signified by His angel d. To His servant John, who bore witness... 1) To the word of God 2) To the testimony of Jesus Christ 3) To all things that he saw
• 2. The benediction (3) a. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear this prophecy b. Blessed are those who keep those things written in it, for the time is near

B. GREETINGS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES (4-6)

• 1. From John, to the seven churches in Asia (4a)
• 2. With grace and peace (4b-6) a. From Him who is and who was and who is to come b. From the seven Spirits who are before His throne c. From Jesus Christ 1) The faithful witness 2) The firstborn from the dead 3) The ruler over the kings of the earth 4) Who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood 5) Who made us kings and priests to His God and Father -- To Whom be glory and dominion forever and ever!

C. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHRIST'S COMING (7)

• 1. He is coming with clouds
• 2. Every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him
• 3. All the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him -- Even so, Amen (so be it)

D. THE SELF-DESIGNATION (8)

• 1. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End"
• 2. "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty"

II. THE VISION OF THE SON OF MAN (9-20)

A. JOHN'S CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING UP TO THE VISION (9-10a)

• 1. Their brother and companion (9a) a. In tribulation b. In the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ
• 2. On the island called Patmos (9b) a. For the word of God b. For the testimony of Jesus Christ 3. In the Spirit on the Lord's Day (10a)

B. WHAT HE HEARD BEHIND HIM (10b-11)

1. A loud voice, as of a trumpet (10b)

2. Saying to him... (11) a. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last" b. "What you see, write in a book" c. "Send it to the seven churches which are in Asia..."

C. WHAT HE SAW, AND HIS REACTION (12-17a)

• 1. Turning to see the voice, he saw... (12-16) a. Seven golden lampstands b. In the midst of the seven lampstands, One like the Son of Man 1) Clothed with a garment down to the feet, girded about the chest with a golden band 2) His head and hair white as wool, white as snow 3) His eyes like a flame of fire 4) His feet like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace 5) His voice as the sound of many waters 6) In His right hand, seven stars 7) Out of His mouth, a sharp two-edged sword 8) His countenance like the sun shining in its strength
• 2. Seeing Him, John fell at His feet as dead (17)

D. THE LORD'S WORDS TO JOHN (17b-20)

• 1. "Do not be afraid" (17b-18) a. "I am the First and the Last" b. "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen." c. "I have the keys of Hades and of Death."
• 2. "Write..." (19) a. "The things which you have seen" b. "The things which are" c. "The things which will take place after this"
• 3. "The mystery of the seven stars...and the seven golden lampstands" a. "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches" b. "The seven lampstands...are the seven churches"

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter? (1-8)

2) What was Jesus intending to show His servants? (1)

3) How is John described in verse 2?

4) Who is this book designed to bless? Why? (3)

5) To whom was the book addressed? (4,11)

6) How is God described in the greeting from John? The Holy Spirit? (4)

7) How is Jesus Christ described by John in this greeting? (5-6)

8) What is said about the coming of Christ? (7)

9) How does the Lord designate Himself? (8)

10) How does John identify himself to His readers? (9a)

11) Where and when did John receive the Revelation? (9b-10)

12) What did he hear a loud voice say? (11)

13) When he turned to see the voice, what did he see? (12-13)

14) How does John describe the Son of Man? (13-16)

15) What was John's reaction when he saw Him? What was he first told? (17)

16) How does the Son of Man identify Himself? (17-18)

17) What is John told to write? (19)

18) What is the explanation of the seven stars and seven golden lampstands? (20)

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