Revelation 1:1~22:21
REVELATION , Sarah Barry
THE REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST
Passage: Revelation 1:1~8
Key verse: 1a
INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION
'Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.' (22:12-13) The writer introduces this book as 'the revelation of Jesus Christ...to his servant John.' John was a shepherd of the churches in Asia Minor, who was in exile due to his gospel ministry (1:9). Most scholars say it was written in 95 AD, at the end of Emperor Domitian's reign - a time of intense persecution on the early church. A prophetic epistle, Revelation (in Greek 'apocalypse' - unveiling or disclosure) uses dramatic images, numbered progressions and metaphors to show what God will do in the future. Jesus' purpose in revelation is to comfort his church with his presence, encourage us to endure suffering with patience, and live a holy life with hope in Jesus' final victory. Jesus is coming soon! Outline 1. Jesus' words to the 7 churches (1-3) 2. The throne, the scroll and the Lamb (4-5) 3. The 7 seals (6:1-8:1) 4. The 7 trumpets (8:2-11:19) 5. The dragon, the beasts and the Lamb (12-14) 6. The 7 bowls (15-16) 7. 'Rejoice! Babylon is fallen' (17:1-19:5) 8. The New Jerusalem (19:6-22:21)
THE REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST
Prayer: Father, thank you for this revelation from Jesus Christ. Help me take it to heart today.
One Word: Who are you in Jesus?
'Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.' (22:12-13) The writer introduces this book as 'the revelation of Jesus Christ...to his servant John.' John was a shepherd of the churches in Asia Minor, who was in exile due to his gospel ministry (1:9). Most scholars say it was written in 95 AD, at the end of Emperor Domitian's reign - a time of intense persecution on the early church. A prophetic epistle, Revelation (in Greek 'apocalypse' - unveiling or disclosure) uses dramatic images, numbered progressions and metaphors to show what God will do in the future. Jesus' purpose in revelation is to comfort his church with his presence, encourage us to endure suffering with patience, and live a holy life with hope in Jesus' final victory. Jesus is coming soon! Outline 1. Jesus' words to the 7 churches (1-3) 2. The throne, the scroll and the Lamb (4-5) 3. The 7 seals (6:1-8:1) 4. The 7 trumpets (8:2-11:19) 5. The dragon, the beasts and the Lamb (12-14) 6. The 7 bowls (15-16) 7. 'Rejoice! Babylon is fallen' (17:1-19:5) 8. The New Jerusalem (19:6-22:21)
THE REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST
1. Blessed is the one (1-3)
God gave this revelation to Jesus, who gives it to us (his servants) by way of John. To be blessed by Revelation, we need to read it aloud, hear it, and take to heart what is written because the time is near. These are not fancy stories, but God's history unfolding in our day.
2. Jesus made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father (4-8)
John's letter is to the seven churches in the province of Asia, who were suffering persecutions. Jesus, the faithful witness who rose from the dead and rules the kings of the earth, is with them to bring grace and peace. Jesus loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood. On this basis he gives us a glorious identity and mission as a kingdom and priests to serve our God. We do this with confidence in Jesus' glorious return as judge of all the earth. God reminds them and us that he is the Alpha and Omega, the Almighty. We can trust his words to come true as he said.
Prayer: Father, thank you for this revelation from Jesus Christ. Help me take it to heart today.
One Word: Who are you in Jesus?
