Revelation - Introduction

INTRODUCTION

This book of Revelation was written by a well-known and influential elder named John. Most Bible scholars believe that this John is the beloved disciple of Jesus (John 13:23), who also wrote John’s Gospel and the three New Testament letters of John. The book of Revelation was written toward the end of the first century A.D.

This entire book is the exact description of a revelation or vision that John received from God. The revelation is mainly about the last days¹ before the end of the world and about the final struggle between Christ and Satan.

In one sense, the “last days” had begun in John’s time. Terrible persecution had begun to fall upon all Christians from the rulers of the ROMAN EMPIRE. This revelation, therefore, was given to John so that John might encourage the believers of his time to stand firm under this persecution. But this revelation was also given for the sake of believers in every generation, that they too might have courage to stand firm during trials and troubles. And we also, in our generation, can receive encouragement from studying this revelation.

However, even though John’s revelation refers in part to events of his own time, it particularly refers to events which will take place at the end of the world. Just as in John’s time the church was facing great persecution, so in the final conflict at the end of the world the church will face even greater persecution.

There are a number of different interpretations of the book of Revelation. This commentary attempts to explain only what is written in the text. The commentary tries to avoid controversial theories, as well as predictions about the future.

OUTLINE

A. Vision of the Son of Man (1:1-3:22).

1. Introduction (1:1-8).

2. The Son of Man Among the Lampstands (1:9-20).

3. Letters to the Seven Churches (2:1-3:22).

B. Vision of the Scroll, Trumpets, Signs, and Bowls (4:1-19:10).

1. The Seven-sealed Scroll (4:1-7:17).

2. The Seven Trumpets (8:1-11:19).

3. The Seven Signs (12:1-14:20).

4. The Seven Bowls (15:1-19:10).

C. Vision of the Return of Christ (19:11-20:15).

1. The Rider and the Beast (19:11-21).

2. The Binding of Satan and the Thousand Years (20:1-6).

3. The Release and Final End of Satan (20:7-10).

4. The Resurrection and the Last Judgment (20:11-15).

D. Vision of the New Heaven and New Earth (21:1-22:21).

1. The New Jerusalem (21:1-27).

2. The River of Life (22:1-6).

3. Conclusion (22:7-21).