Revelation

Author: John
Type of Book: Prophetic
Date of Writing: AD 96
Theme: The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Just as Genesis tells us how everything started, Revelation tells us how it all ends. Revelation is the last chapter in history and foretells the future. Even more exciting is the fact that the book is the revelation of Jesus Christ, as it says in the first verse.

The word "revelation" means "unveiling" or "disclosure". The Gospels tell the partial story of Jesus, including His birth, life, death, and resurrection. John's gospel even tells us about the preexistence and deity of Jesus in the first chapter. But the book of Revelation unveils the future and eternal picture of Jesus Christ.

The apostle John wrote Revelation while in exile on the isle of Patmos. Jesus Himself appeared to John and told him to write this book (Rev. 1:10-11). It was addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor, but is of relevance to anyone who is a part of the church of Jesus Christ.

The outline of the book is found in Rev. 1:19, where Jesus tells John, "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this." The first division, "the things which you have seen", refers to the vision of Jesus as recorded in the first chapter. In this section John saw Jesus in all of his glory.

In the second section, chapters 2-3, we find the letters to the seven churches. Though written specifically to these churches, the letters are also an interesting survey of church history, as each successive church represents a specific phase in the history of the church. The church age is what Jesus refers to when He says "the things which are".

Then the final section, "the things which will take place after this," refers to future events that will occur after the rapture of the church, described in chapters 4-22.

The Greek words for "after this" are meta tauta. These same words are used in Rev. 4:1, and are translated "after these things". The scene shifts to heaven, as the church has been taken up into heaven, ending the church age. The rest of the book describes the events in heaven and on earth following the rapture of the church.

The book of Revelation has been seen by some as difficult to understand, and there have been many different approaches and interpretations of the book, causing many to shy away from reading it. But Revelation promises, "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it..." (Rev 1:3). There is a built-in blessing for those who read the book of Revelation.

This book also provides a fuller revelation of Jesus Christ Himself. If you want to know Jesus more fully, study this book. We have seen over the years what a powerful impact the study of Revelation can have on the lives of believers. Dig in and enjoy!

-from Pastor Chuck Smith from The Word for Today Bible