Revelation of John 1:1
Book Introduction - Revelation
Read first chapter of Revelation WRITER: The Apostle John ( 1:1) DATE: A.D. 96 THEME: The theme of the Revelation is Jesus Christ ( 1:1), presented in a threefold way:- As to time: "which is, and which was, and which is to come" (1:4);
- As to relationships--the churches (1:9-3:22), to the tribulation (4:1-19:21), to the kingdom (20:1-22:21);
- In His offices--High Priest (8:3-6), Bridegroom (19:7-9), King-Judge (20:1-15).
- Things past, "the things thou hast seen," i.e. the Patmos vision, 1:1-20.
- Things present, "the things which are," i.e. things then existing--obviously the churches. The temple had been destroyed, the Jews dispersed: the testimony of God had been committed to the Churches (1 Timothy 3:15). Accordingly we have seven messages to seven representative churches, 2:1-3:22. It is noteworthy that the church is not mentioned in chapters 5-18.
- Things future, "things which shall be hereafter," lit. "after these," i.e. after the church period ends, 4:1-22:21. The third major division, as Erdman (W.J.) has pointed out, falls into a series of six sevens, with parenthetical passages, making, with the church division, seven sevens.
- The seals, 4:1-8:1.
- The seven trumpets, 8:2-11:19.
- The seven personages, 12:1-14,20.
- The seven vials (bowls), 15:1-16:21.
- The seven dooms, 17:1-20:15.
- The seven new things, 21:1-22:21.
- The Jewish remnant and the tribulation saints, 7:1-17.
- The angel, the little book, the two witnesses, 10:1-11:14.
- The Lamb, the Remnant, and the everlasting Gospel, 14:1-13.
- The gathering of the kings at Armageddon, 16:13-16.
- The four alleluias in heaven, 19:1-6. These passages do not advance the prophetic narrative. Looking backward and forward they sum up results accomplished, and speak of results yet to come as if they had already come. In Re14:1, for example, the Lamb and Remnant are seen prophetically on Mount Sion, though they are not actually there till Re20:4-6.
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