Introduction to Revelation

No media available

Reference

Revelation 1-22

Sermon Notes

Intro to Revelation Student Notes.pdf

Session Overview

In this first session of our study, we simply introduce ourselves to the book of Revelation through discussing and answering the following questions.

1) Does God even want us to understand the book of Revelation?

2) What does God desire to reveal to us through Revelation?

3) What are some important things to keep in mind as we study Revelation? Is there more than one way to look at the book? How can I understand all the symbols?

4) Who wrote and when did they write the book of Revelation? Why should I stay awake for this part?

5) What's the best outline to use for understanding the book of Revelation?

Session One Notes / Outline

Introduction to the Book of Revelation

1. What does Revelation mean?

2. What does the book of Revelation unveil?

A. God’s _____________ for the end times - including key people and events. (1:19)

B. God’s holiness, justice, and believe it or not even his ________ and __________.

C. A fuller or more complete picture of ___________! (19:10)

3. Does God want us to understand Revelation?

Revelation ____:____ (NLT)

"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart (obey) what is written in it, because the time is near."

________.

Further Reading: Why Should We Study Prophecy Part 2

4. What do we have to keep in mind when studying Revelation?

A) Humble dependence on the Holy Spirit to teach us.

Why? It is a revelation from God Himself about His plans and His Son for His Son to His Church.

Revelation 1:1-2 (NLT)

"The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Scripture for Further Thought:

1 Corinthians 2:11-12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 John 2:26-27; 2 Peter 1:19-20; John 16:12-15, 17:16

B) Interpretive Differences.

Four Main Views for Interpreting Revelation

Preterist (_______)

_____________ (Present)

___________ (Timeless)

Future (Future)

Discussion: Revelation 13:11-18

Further Reading: The Four Major Views for Interpreting Revelation

Preterist (Past)

Historicist (Present)

Idealist (Timeless)

Future (Still to Come)

C) The book’s use of Symbolism.

Every symbol points to something literal…that is the whole point of a symbol.
A literal reading while remembering the genre is best.
Context. Context. Context.

Same _________
Same __________
The Bible as a ____________

Same Chapter Exercise: Revelation 1:12-16

Same Book Exercise: Revelation 2:28

Bible as a Whole Exercise: Revelation 1:13

Further Study: Keys for Unlocking the Symbols in Revelation

5. Who wrote Revelation and when did he write it?

A) Human Author: ___________ the Disciple (Apostle)

B) Two Views of Dating:

During __________ reign around 65 AD
Towards the end of ____________ reign around 95-96 AD

- External Evidence (Evidence from ____________ the Bible.)

- Internal Evidence (Evidence found ________ the book of Revelation.)
  - i. The Seven ________________
    - All seven churches show the symptoms of being second-generation churches, with six of them having serious problems.