Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos
(Rev. 1:9-11)
Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992
Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site

In the latter part of 1997, when I began putting up this site one of the goals I posted on it was to do a Bible study on Revelation. That goal was up there so long unrealized that finally in some embarassment I took it down thinking perhaps I had "bitten off more than I could chew" or perhaps it was not the Lord's will after all. But just recently while I was involved in a study course on "Personal Holiness,"I was reading 1 Peter 1:13: Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober {in spirit,} fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The words "...the revelation of Jesus Christ" grabbed ahold of me. That's the title of the Book of Revelation, I thought. So I started looking up the cross-references - and found that the phrase , "the revelation of Jesus Christ" (or a variation of it) is used several times in the New Testament, referring to His second coming. In Luke 17:30, Jesus Himself referred to "...the day that the Son of Man is revealed." Other references are: 1 Cor. 1:7; Col. 3:4; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Peter 4:13. All this was enough once again to get my sight focused on Revelation, but this time with the result that many hours were spent doing an actual in-depth study. The fruit of that is now here online. I have tried to be selective in what I have included, wanting only to use that which appeared to be truly relevant and valid from my research, the thirty years I have studied the Bible and what the Spirit of God was revealing. It is only because of Him that I have within me the perseverance to see this (or anything else for that matter) through to the finish. But the result of having done this study has been a very greatly enhanced personal perspective of the reality of the coming of my Lord and the New Jerusalem. My hope is that reading this series of pages will help enhance your's as well. So enjoy!

Genesis is a book of "beginnings," involving the four great events of: (1) the Creation, (2) the Fall, (3) the Flood (4) and Babel. Revelation is a book of "culmination," disclosing to the understanding reader God's plans to (1) purify and ultimately deliver His saints or righteous ones, (2) purge the ungodly, wicked, unrighteous ones from the earth, (3) bring to an end Satan's reign and influence, but most significantly there will be (4) the glorious triumph of the Son of God and the introduction of His millennial kingdom. The Old Testament prophets saw two very different aspects of the expected Messiah. They saw His "suffering" and they saw His "glory." But they saw it obscurely in a "mystery," as the apostle Paul wrote in his writings - they saw "...through a glass, darkly..." (1 Cor. 13:12) They did not understand that the Messiah would come twice - first to suffer and be rejected. Secondly, He was to come in His glory. Some Jews thought there would be two Messiahs: (1) "Messiah ben Joseph - son of Joseph" who was rejected by his brothers and sold by them into slavery and exile, but who became their deliverer; (2) "Messiah ben David - son of David," Israel's greatest warrior king. Israel did not understand that there was to be one Messiah and two comings - first as the "Lamb of God" to be sacrificed, and second as the "Lion" to rule. It was a "mystery" to them. Of this Peter wrote:

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- things into which angels long to look. (1 Pet 1:10-12)

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Pet 3:1-18)

The word "Revelation" is best understood by examining the Greek word from which it is translated:

"Apokalupsis: revelation, uncovering, unveiling, disclosure. One of three words referring to the Second Coming of Christ (1 Cor. 1:7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7, 13). The other two words are epiphaneia and parousia . Apokalupsis, a grander and more comprehensive word, includes not merely the thing shown and seen but the interpretation, the unveiling of the same."[1]

Vine's Expository Dictionary states the following about the word Apokalupsis:

"....an uncovering"...."is used in the NT of (a) the drawing away by Christ of the veil of darkness covering the Gentiles, Luke 2:32; cf. Isa. 25:7; (b) `the mystery,' the purpose of God in this age, Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:3; (c) the communication of the knowledge of God to the soul, Eph. 1:17; (d) an expression of the mind of God for the instruction of the church, 1 Cor. 14:6,26, for the instruction of the Apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 12:1,7; Gal. 1:12, and for his guidance, Gal. 2:2; (e) the Lord Jesus Christ, to the saints at His Parousia, 1 Cor. 1:7, RV (KJV, `coming'); 1 Pet. 1:7, RV (KJV, `appearing'), 13; 4:13; (f) the Lord Jesus Christ when He comes to dispense the judgments of God, 2 Thes. 1:7; cf. Rom. 2:5; (g) the saints, to the creation, in association with Christ in His glorious reign, Rom. 8:19, RV, `revealing' (KJV, `manifestation'); (h) the symbolic forecast of the final judgments of God, Rev. 1:1 (hence the Greek title of the book, transliterated `Apocalypse' and translated `Revelation')."[3]

Revelation was apparently written around 90-95 A.D. Eerdman's Concise Bible Handbook has this to say about it:

"The early Christians lived in eager expectation of Christ's return. But 60 years after His death this hope was still unrealized. It was only human for some to waver. So the letters to the churches, and the book as a whole, were needed to encourage them to stand firm. God is in control, no matter how things may look. Christ, not the emperor, is the lord of history. He has the key of destiny itself. And He is coming again to execute justice. There is a glorious, wonderful future for every faithful believer - and especially those who lay down their lives for Christ. This world and all that happens in it are in God's hands. His love and care for His people is unfailing.

John's message was conveyed in a form designed to inspire as well as instruct. The vivid symbols, only too clear to those who first heard his circular letter to the churches, would have meant little to the authorities (who were always ready to pounce with a charge of sedition). More important, they would be equally vivid to Christians of every age.

Christians are still enduring the pressures of totalitarian regimes. The victory of Christ and His people is vitally relevant today, when the machine, or the state, so often takes the place of God."[4]

Revelation is indeed about the second coming of Jesus Christ, the admonishment and encouragement of believers - but it also very strongly warns unbelievers about the consequences of sin. In my latest and most intensive study of this book I have found that the key to understanding Revelation and having the proper perspective of it is found in Rev 19:7-9 :

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. And he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God."

"The constant refrain which connects reward with persistence and judgment with actions should caution believers against teaching a way of salvation which is cheap and easy. It should urge each of us to forsake any person, institution, or practise which might lead us to be unfaithful to or unfruitful for Christ. (The Book of) Revelation should lead us to hold high the message that salvation includes yielding to Christ as Lord and that faithfulness means loyalty to Jesus even in the face of persecution and death. Having learned Revelation's lessons, we should have new courage and new hope to face a world of trouble and suffering in the confidence that faith in Christ leads to rule with Him."[5]

Maranatha!

(This study of the book of Revelation will be done utlizing various resources, including teachings made available by Pastor Jack Hayford of Living Way Ministries, Marvin J. Rosenthal of Zion's Hope and R. C. Sproul of Ligonier Ministries. Reference will be made in the "Footnotes" where possible. Although of course my own point of view concerning understanding of Revelation will be evident, relevant mention will be made of other interpretations. There of course will be points where dogma is evident, for example concerning the fact that Jesus Christ will be returning physically to establish His millenial reign on earth.)

[1] The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible: Lexical Aids to the New Testament - © by Spiros Zodhiates and AMG International Inc. d/b/a/ AMG Publishers - p. 1667)
[2] (Ibid. - p. 1541)
[3] From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 228, 229. (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
[4] (p. 378 - © 1973 Lion Publishing)
[5] Disciple's Study Bible - © 1988 by Holman Bible Publishers - p. 1634

Chapter 1

CONTENTS