Revelation - Overview
Several things you should know even before you study the Book of Revelation.
1. There is no "s" on Revelation. The book is about only one revelation.
2. The shortened name of the book is Revelation.
3. The official name of the book is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ."
4. Check the title in your Bible that was decided by man and it is incorrect in some Bibles.
5. The revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Revelation is called apocalyptic literature because it speaks about end time events. Daniel is the only apocalyptic book in the Old Testament, and Revelation is the only apocalyptic book in the New Testament. Both are books of prophecy about things that will come in the future.
The word "revelation" means unveiling." When you read the Book of Revelation, you will see a lot of things that John unveils.
Revelation is the only book that promises blessings for reading it. There are seven times we are told about those blessings. Mark them in your Bible so you will be reminded of them when you get to them in your reading.
Revelation 1:3
Revelation 14:13
Revelation 16:15
Revelation 19:9
Revelation 20:6
Revelation 22:7
Revelation 22:14
The Author
The author of the book is John who also wrote the Gospel of John, I John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation.
According to Revelation 1:1, the revelation is from Jesus Christ that God gave to his servant John to let others know what must take place based on what he saw.
The Setting
The initial setting of the book is on the Isle of Patmos where John had been put there as a punishment. Most of the other apostles who stood up for Jesus had been martyred. John had been exiled alone on the island. It was on the Lord's Day when he encountered his vision from God.
The settings move from earth to things that are going on in heaven. Pay close attention to the change in settings.
Notice throughout the book that John records what he sees and what he hears. John is instructed to do certain things in the book. So, pay attention to what John is told to do and not do.
Revelation is divided into three time periods: past, present and future.
Chapter 1 is about the past, "things you have seen."
Chapters 2-3 are about the present, "things which are."
Chapters 4-22 are about the future, "things which will take place."
Notice that there are more things to take place in the future than in the past and present.
There are many symbols, numbers, and colors in the Book of Revelation.
There are many different titles for Jesus in Revelation.
Seven Churches
There were not seven letters to the churches. There was one letter known as a circular letter because it was circulated to the seven churches. Each church read the letter and then sent it to the next church until all seven churches had read the one letter.
Each church was given a commendation, a criticism, instructions, a promise, and a warning. Pay attention to what was said to each of the churches.
Enjoy your study of the Book of Revelation and be blessed as John promised. Take your time and read the questions and commentary beneath each section.
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