Session #3 -The Theme of the Book of Revelation - Bible Verse Hand Book

Session 3 The Theme of the Book of Revelation

I. INTRODUCTION

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him [Jesus] to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. He sent and signified it by His angel to…John. (Rev. 1:1)

J. Paul gladly gave up everything as he saw the magnificence, or excellence, of Jesus!

8 I count all things loss for the excellence [magnificence] of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:8)

K. The Spirit was given to us to be our escort into the deep things of God’s heart.

13“The Spirit…will guide [escort] you…14for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” (Jn. 16:13-14)

10The Spirit searches…the deep things of God…12We have received…the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
(1 Cor. 2:10-12)

L. The Spirit is raising up those who will proclaim the riches of Jesus.

8 To me…grace was given that I should preach…the unsearchable riches of Christ.
(Eph. 3:8)

M. Jesus is seen as the Son of Man who leads the Church through history as
Prophet, Priest, and King.

13…One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet. (Rev. 1:13)

2. As the Son of Man He stood before the throne of God to be commissioned by the Father (Ancient of Days) to rule all the nations on earth

13“Behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven…14Then to Him was given dominion…His dominion is an everlasting dominion. (Dan. 7:13-14)

II. A SUMMARY OF THE THEME OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

A. The Father’s commission to make known specific truths about Jesus

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.
(Rev. 1:1)

B. Scripture promises a blessing for anyone who reads or hears this prophecy.

3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy. (Rev. 1:3)

C. This information was given to John to give to the churches

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, (Rev. 1:4)

John was commanded twelve times to write this prophecy for the benefit of the Church

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

19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
(Rev. 1:11, 19)

1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.

12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
(Rev. 2:1, 8, 12, 18)

1 To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. (Rev. 3:1, 14)

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
(Rev. 14:13)

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” (Rev. 19:9)

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Rev. 21:5)

This was to be taught in the churches. It can be understood by all.

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: grace to you and peace from Him…
(Rev. 1:4)

III. THE FATHER IS COMING TO THE EARTH

A. A key to living with confidence is to see the Father’s involvement and commitment to the earth.

4 …peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come. (Rev. 1:4)

3 The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them [on the earth]. (Rev. 21:3)

IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS BEFORE THE FATHER

A. The Holy Spirit is described in His great diversity, position of honor, and posture of humility.

4…peace from Him…and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne. (Rev. 1:4)

B. Seven Spirits:

2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. (Isa. 11:2)

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (Rev. 3:1)

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. (Rev. 4:5)

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Rev. 5:6)

9 See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. (Zech. 3:9)

10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” (Zech. 4:10)

V. THREE FOUNDATIONAL TITLES OF JESUS

5 …from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. (Rev. 1:5)

1. Jesus was the faithful witness in His earthly ministry

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn 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, (Rev. 1:5)

7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. (Rev. 3:7, 14)

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. (Rev. 19:11)

C. Firstborn among the dead:

15He is…the firstborn over all creation. 16By Him all things were created...18He…is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Col. 1:15-18)

D. Ruler of the kings of the earth:

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn 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,
7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen. (Rev. 1:5, 7)

15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15)

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the nations. (Rev. 15:3)

16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev. 19:16)

24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. (Rev. 21:24)

In the Millennium, all the kings of the earth will be saved and worship Him

11All kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him. (Ps. 72:11)

15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD,
all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. (Ps. 102:15)

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, LORD,
when they hear what you have decreed. (Ps. 138:4)

11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth, (Ps. 148:11)

2 The nations will see your vindication,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. (Isa. 62:2)

VI. JESUS LOVED US AND MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS

5 To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father… (Rev. 1:5-6)

C. Jesus will govern the earth in partnership with resurrected saints

26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. (Rev. 2:26-27)

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Rev. 3:21)

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:10)

4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Rev. 20:4- 6)

5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 22:5)

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Mt. 19:28)

21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” (Mt. 20:21-23)

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Mt. 25:23)

17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ (Lk. 19:17-19)

29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Lk. 22:29-30)

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Rom. 8:17)

2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! (1 Cor. 6:2-3)

4 I saw thrones, and they sat on them…and reigned with Christ for a thousand years…6 They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Rev. 20:4-6)

VII. JESUS IS COMING TO THE EARTH

7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev. 1:7-8)

A. The primary theme and storyline in the book of Revelation is Jesus coming to the earth on the clouds to be received as king.

30“And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Mt. 24:30)

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. (Rev. 1:7)

Jesus will come to the earth to create the context for the Father to come.

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,
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev. 1:4, 8)

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
(Rev. 21:3)

B. All unbelievers in all the nations will see Him.

10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. (Zech. 12:10)

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

9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21)

VIII. JESUS, THE SON OF MAN: LIVING FASCINATED

A. John was not focused on his limitations and tribulations; he was awestruck.

9 I, John…was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God…12I turned to see the voice that spoke…and having turned I saw…13One like the Son of Man. (Rev. 1:9-13)

B. Jesus revealed His majesty as the Son of Man who is Prophet, Priest, and King

14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters…16out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. (Rev. 1:14-17)

C.Jesus’ eyes:

14…His eyes like a flame of fire. (Rev. 1:14)

D. Jesus’ voice:

10A loud voice, as of a trumpet…15His voice as the sound of many waters. (Rev. 1:10, 15)

E. Jesus’ hair:

9 “As I looked,
“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze. (Dan. 7:9)

14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow. (Rev. 1:14)

F. Jesus’ garments:

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Heb. 4:15)

13…clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded…with a golden band. (Rev. 1:13)

G. Jesus’ right hand:

16In His right hand seven stars…20The seven stars are the angels [messengers]… (Rev. 1:16, 20)

H. Jesus’ feet and sword:

15His feet were like fine brass…16Out of His mouth went a two-edged sword… (Rev. 1:15-16)

His Word is compared to a sword

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:17)

I. Jesus’ countenance: Jesus’ glorious radiance exhilarates the saints and destroys His enemies.

16His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (Rev. 1:16)

7 Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. (Rev. 22:7)

Introduction and Overview of the Book of Revelation

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