Revelation

[Nashboo]

I have been quite interested in this book, and I thought by typing out each verse, I will gain some knowledge....

soo...



First, I want to begin with an overview;

Author
Four times the author identifies himself as John (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8). From as early as Justin Martyr in the second century A.D. it has been held that this John was the apostle, the son of Zebedee. The book itself reveals taht the author was a Jew, well versed in Scripture, a church leader who was well known to the seven churches of Asia Minor, and a deeply religious person fully convinced that the Christian faith would soon triumph over the demonic forces at work in the world.
In the third century, however, an African bishop named Dionysius compared the language, style and thought of the Apocalypse with that of the other writigns of John and decided that the book could not have been written by the apostle John. He suggested that the author was a certain John the Presbyter, whose name appears elsewhere in ancient writings. Although many today follow Dionysius in his view of authorship, the external evidence seems overwhelmingly supportive of the traditional view.

 

[Nashboo]

Date
Revelation was written when Christians were entering a time of persecution. The two periods most often mentioned are the latter part of Nero's reign and the latter part of Domitian's reign. Most interpreters date the book c.95.

 

[Nashboo]

Occasion
Since Roman authorities at this time were beginning to enforce emperor worship, Christians--who held that Christ, not Caesar, was Lord--were facing increasing hostility. The believers at Smyrna are warned against coming opposition (2:10), and the church at Philadelphia is told of an hour of trial coming on the world (3:10). Antipas has already given his life (2:13) along with others (6:9). John has been exiled to the island of Patmos for his activities as a Christian missionary (1:9). Some within the church are advocating a policy of compromise (2:14-15, 20), which has to be corrected before its subtle influence can undermine the determination of believers to stand fast in the perilous days that lie ahead.

 

[Nashboo]

Purpose
John writes to encourage the faithful to resist staunchly the demands of emperor worship. He informs his readers that the final showdown between God and Satan is imminent. Satan will increase his persecution of believers, but the must stand fast, even to death. They are sealed against any spiritual harm and will soon be vindicated when Christ returns, when the wicked are forever destroyed, and when God's people enter an eternity of glory and blessedness.

 

[Nashboo]

Literary Form
For an adequate understanding of Revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. Although its visions often seem bizarre tot he Western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation.

 

[Nashboo]

Rev 1:1
The revelation of 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,

 

[Nashboo]

1:2
who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

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1:3
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

 

[Nashboo]

1:4
John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,

 

[Nashboo]

1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

 

[Nashboo]

1:6
and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen

 

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1:7
Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen

 

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1:8
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

 

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1:9
I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

 

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1:10
On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

 

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1:11
which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadephia and Laodicea."

 

[Nashboo]

1:12
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

 

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1:13
And Among The Lampstands Was Someone "like A Son Of Man," Dressed In A Robe Reaching Down To His Feet And With A Golden Sash Around His Chest.

 

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1:14
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

 

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1:15
His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.