Book Report~Revelation

Notes taken from New Spirit Filled Life Bible-NKJV-

Writer: The Apostle John
Date: A.D. 70-95
Theme: The Lord Our God the Almighty Reigns
Key Words: Throne, Lamb, Overcomes, Seven, I Saw

Chapter 1:3~'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."

That is why I keep on reading Revelation. I want to 'hear' the words and keep them.

Revelation was most likely written during a time or terrible persecution for Christians. This persecution may have been started by Nero after the great fire which nearly destroyed Rome in July of A.D. 64 and continued until he killed himself in June of A.D.68. Four years of extreme persecution. (He placed blame on the Christians for starting the fire.)

Listen to this quote from my notes. Does this sound familiar?

"Under the inspiration of the Spirit and the Old Testament, John had no doubt been reflecting on the horrifying events occurring both in Rome and Jerusalem when he was given "the prophecy" of what was impending-the intensification of the spiritual warfare confronting the church perpetrated by an anti-Christian state and numerous anti-Christian religions. The purpose of this message was to provide pastoral encouragement to persecuted Christians by comforting, challenging, and proclaiming the sure and certain Christian hope, together with the assurance that in Christ they were sharing in the sovereign God's methods of totally overcoming the forces of evil in all its manifestations..."

The central theme of Revelation is "THE LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNS!"

My favorite part of Revelation is the description of Jesus in Chapter 1:13-16.

"...and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man,
clothed with a garment down to the feet
and girded about the chest with a golden band.
His head and hair were white as wool, as white as snow,
and His eyes like a flame of fire;
His feet were like fine brass,
as if refined in a furnace,
and His voice as the sound of many waters;
He had in His right hand seven stars,
out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,
and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength."

Jesus then gave messages to the seven churches
which most often included a word of encouragement,
then a word of rebuke,
and then a word of encouragement.
He 'sandwiched' His rebuke and advice
with words of encouragement.
I love that about Him.
There were two churches that He did not rebuke.
His advice to them was to "Keep the faith."
He had no praise for one of the churches.
Their sin was indifference.

Jesus gives such great gifts to those who overcome.
The tree of life.
The crown of life.
Hidden manna and a stone with a new name.
Rule over nations and receive the morning star.
Faithful honored and clothes in white.
A place in God's presence, a new name, and the New Jerusalem.
Share Christ's throne.

We could be here all night.

Instead I will leave you with these words of mercy and warning from Chapter 21:6-8.
"And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirst.
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Surely, I am coming quickly.
Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus. Come.
(Rev. 22:20)