Revelation

Overview

Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ — that is its first line and its subject. John, exiled for the word of God, is told to write what he sees and send it to seven churches, each getting a letter addressed to its own condition.

Then the scene moves to a throne, a sealed book, and a Lamb as it had been slain who alone can open it. Seals, trumpets and vials follow, and beasts, and a woman on a scarlet beast — and at the end a rider called Faithful and True, a judgment, and a new heaven and new earth where God dwells with men.

Background

Christians were being pressed to say Caesar is Lord, and refusal cost trade, standing and sometimes life. Several of the seven cities held temples to the emperor.

Its imagery is drawn almost entirely from the Old Testament — hundreds of allusions, especially to Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah and Exodus. Godly readers have long differed on how the middle chapters are arranged in time; the beginning and the end are not in doubt.

Key themes

• Jesus Christ is Lord of history, and the throne is never empty.
• The Lamb that was slain is worthy to open the book.
• Faithfulness under pressure, even to death, is what is asked of the churches.
• Evil is real, organized and doomed.
• God will dwell with His people, and there will be no more death.

Outline

1. The vision of ChristChapter 1

   One like unto the Son of man among the lampstands — write the things which thou hast seen.

2. Seven lettersChapters 2–3

   Ephesus to Laodicea: commendation, rebuke and a promise to him that overcometh.

3. The throne and the LambChapters 4–5

   A door opened in heaven, a sealed book, and a Lamb as it had been slain.

4. Seals and trumpetsChapters 6–11

   Riders, martyrs under the altar, silence in heaven, and two witnesses.

5. The conflictChapters 12–14

   A woman, a dragon, two beasts, a mark, and the Lamb on mount Sion.

6. Vials and BabylonChapters 15–18

   Seven last plagues, and the fall of the great city that traded in the souls of men.

7. The King returnsChapters 19–20

   The marriage supper, a white horse, the beast taken, and the great white throne.

8. All things newChapters 21–22

   A new heaven and earth, the holy city, the river and the tree — and come, Lord Jesus.

Key passages

• Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.
• Revelation 1:17-18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.
• Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.
• Revelation 5:9 Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.
• Revelation 7:9 A great multitude, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.
• Revelation 19:11 A white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True.
• Revelation 21:4 God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
• Revelation 22:20 Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Christ in Revelation

The book is named for Him. He walks among the lampstands holding the stars, is the Lion of the tribe of Judah who turns out to be a slain Lamb, rides out as King of kings and Lord of lords, and is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The Bible opens with a garden lost and closes with a city where the Lamb is the light of it.

Reading it

• Read chapters 1–3 first; the letters set the terms for everything after.
• Look up the Old Testament allusions — they explain more of the imagery than any commentary.
• Hold your timeline loosely and the throne firmly; the book is about who reigns.