Personalities of the Apocalypse

The ExileLesson 1 06/28/15

A Prophetic Book

A Prophetic Book

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John.

Revelation 1:1

I. A PROPHETIC BOOKThe key word is “revelation,” which is the translation of the Greek word apokalui (apokalypsis) or “apocalypse,” and means “an uncovering; an unveiling; a manifestation of.”

I. A PROPHETIC BOOKThe key prophetic phrase used in verse 1 is translated: “must shortly take place.” It indicates rapid progression after something commences.

A Personal Book

A Personal Book

John … bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Revelation 1:2

What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

Revelation 1:11

II. A PERSONAL BOOKThe seven letters we find in chapters 2 and 3 were personal letters written to actual congregations in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) at the end of the 1st Century AD.

II. A PERSONAL BOOKEach of the letters begins with the phrase: “I know your works” and contains a promise to the one “who overcomes.”

Each message was personally tailored to the needs of the church to which it was addressed, to the letters need to be read in their own context.

II. A PERSONAL BOOKThe Lord’s recommendations to these seven churches could solve all the problems modern churches face.

II. A PERSONAL BOOKThe Lord’s recommendations to these seven churches could solve all the problems modern churches face.

This is confirmed by the fact that all seven letters were contained in a single parchment, meaning that each of the churches was required to read the letters written to the others.

A Pictorial Book

A Pictorial Book

He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

Revelation 1:1-2

III. A PICTORIAL BOOKSymbols occur throughout Scripture as vehicles for divine revelations, but this book contains more symbols than any other.

III. A PICTORIAL BOOKSymbols occur throughout Scripture as vehicles for divine revelations, but this book contains more symbols than any other.

III. A PICTORIAL BOOKSymbols occur throughout Scripture as vehicles for divine revelations, but this book contains more symbols than any other.

III. A PICTORIAL BOOKSymbols occur throughout Scripture as vehicles for divine revelations, but this book contains more symbols than any other.

III. A PICTORIAL BOOK• Symbolism is not weakened by time.

III. A PICTORIAL BOOK• Symbolism is not weakened by time.

• Symbols impart values and arouse emotions.

III. A PICTORIAL BOOK• Symbolism is not weakened by time.

• Symbols impart values and arouse emotions.

• Symbols function as a kind of spiritual code that was generally understood by believers but not by outsiders.

A Profitable Book

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3

Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:7

IV. A PROFITABLE BOOKRevelation is the only book in the Bible that motivates its readers by promising a blessing for those who will read and obey it. It is made at both the beginning and end of the book.

IV. A PROFITABLE BOOK• Profitable for Personal Application: what we read in this book should govern our conduct.

He who has an ear, let him hear.

Dr. Louis Talbot

IV. A PROFITABLE BOOK• Profitable for Personal Application: what we read in this book should govern our conduct.

• Profitable for Public Assembly:

IV. A PROFITABLE BOOK• Profitable for Personal Application: what we read in this book should govern our conduct.

• Profitable for Public Assembly: public reading and exhortation were an integral

part of gathers in the early church.

IV. A PROFITABLE BOOK• Profitable for Public Assembly: public

reading and exhortation were an integral part of gathers in the early church.

• Profitable for Prophetic Anticipation:

IV. A PROFITABLE BOOK• Profitable for Public Assembly: public

reading and exhortation were an integral part of gathers in the early church.

• Profitable for Prophetic Anticipation: the expression “the time is near” does not necessarily mean the event will occur

immediately. It indicates nearness from the standpoint of prophetic revelation, which operates according to its own timetable.

A Practical Book

William E. Blackstone

V. A PRACTICAL BOOK• Studying prophecy motivates us to live

productive lives: the more aware we are of His impending return, the more motivated we’ll be in our work for Him in these last days.

V. A PRACTICAL BOOK• Studying prophecy motivates us to live

productive lives: the more aware we are of His impending return, the more motivated we’ll be in our work for Him in these last days.

• Studying prophecy motivates us to live positive lives: we begin to realize that everything that happening in our world

today is heading somewhere.

V. A PRACTICAL BOOK• Studying prophecy motivates us to live

positive lives: we begin to realize that everything that happening in our world

today is heading somewhere.

• Studying prophecy motivates us to live pure lives: Revelation is a practical book

with tangible benefits, and those who study it are happier, holier, healthier people.

A Purposeful Book

VI. A PURPOSEFUL BOOK• The Return of the King

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.

Revelation 1:7

VI. A PURPOSEFUL BOOK• The Return of the King

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.

Revelation 1:7

Parousia (parousia) – an entrance that immediately changes the existing situation it enters.

VI. A PURPOSEFUL BOOK• The Reign of the King

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the LORD, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:8

VI. A PURPOSEFUL BOOK• The Reign of the King

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the LORD, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:8

As the A & , Christ is eternal and His power is all-inclusive.

VI. A PURPOSEFUL BOOK• The Reign of the King

As the A & , Christ is eternal and His power is all-inclusive.

As the A & , Christ is greater than the bounds of time.

VI. A PURPOSEFUL BOOK• The Reign of the King

As the A & , Christ is eternal and His power is all-inclusive.

As the A & , Christ is greater than the bounds of time.

Because of Christ’s triumph, His people are presented as overcomers – those who conquer; those who win the victory.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming

quickly.” Amen.

Revelation 22:20a

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20b