The Book of Revelation: Session 1 – End Times – It’s All About Jesus

Notes:

It’s all about Jesus

  • The Book of Revelation is prophecy of a distinct kind – apocalyptic prophecy. The purpose of the narratives of the Bible is to show that God active in history. Revelation tells us that God will bring an end to history, not just a conclusion, but a dramatic finale in judgment. It will reach a climactic conclusion.
  • Eschatos – end times; last things. This began when Jesus rose from the dead, 1 Pet.1:20; 1 Jn.2:18.
  • Rev. 1:1-2. Jesus is God’s final message and total message to this world. He has no plan or purpose for this planet which is not centered ultimately in His Son. It is not the revelation of the book of revelation, or even the end times, but the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is an account of the triumph of the kingdom of God and Satan’s kingdom. Christ will crush Satan and reign, etc.
  • Satan tries to stop people from reading this book because it tells of his downfall.
  • Rev. 1:1-3. Revelation means that which is unveiled. The end times are not a mystery. They once were, Dan.12:9. But not now, Rev.22:10. Revelation is not a sealed book, but an open book.
  • Rev. 1:3. This is the first of the seven beatitudes of Revelation. It’s the only one that relates to today. Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14.
  • Rev. 1:7-8. To the world, the message is: ‘Behold He is coming!’ The One God appointed as your Saviour and you rejected, is now coming as your Judge, (feet of brass are a symbol of judgment Rev. 1:15-16).
  • Rev. 1:11. There is much in this book to depress us – apostasy, breakdown of law and order, rise of the Antichrist, unprecedented evil on the earth, persecution, wars, etc. But the end belongs to Him!

Three NT Greek words are used to describe His coming:

  • Parousia – Meaning ‘presence’. It denotes both an arrival and a consequent presence with. Now the Spirit is present with us; then the Son. When used of the rapture of the Church, it signifies not merely His momentary coming for the saints but his presence with them until His revelation to the world.
  • Apokalupsis – Meaning ‘an unveiling of that which was previously hidden.’  2 Thes.1:7;  1 Pet.1:7, 13; 4:13.
  • Epiphaneia – Meaning ‘the shining forth’ of the glory of His deity to mankind. Rev.1:17. The incarnate glory He had with the Father before His birth on earth,  2 Thes.2:8;  1 Tim.6:14;  2 Tim.4:1-8; Titus 2:13.

Stages of a Hebrew wedding

1) The groom’s father chose a bride for his son. “pray for those whom You have given Me…” (Jn.17:9).

2) The groom proposes to the bride. He tests her acceptance by pouring a cup of wine and sliding it to her. If she accepts she will drink it. If she wants to wait for another man she will push it away (Mt.26:27-28).

3) If she accepts he will pay the dowry to her father, ( 1 Cor.6:20;  1 Pet.1:18-19).

4) He will present gifts to her to remind her of him in the time of betrothal, (Jn.14:26)

5) They are officially betrothed. They take a ritual bath as a symbol of cleansing. She will wear a veil in public signifying she has been set apart for her husband, (Eph.5:25-26; Tit.3:5;  2 Cor.11:2).

6) The groom prepares the bridal chamber, (Jn.14:2&3)

7) He will return for His bride. She will be alerted of the general time but not the day or hour. She will be arrayed in fine garments and will wait with the bridesmaids with oil in their lamps. Of the day and hour no one knows…but it will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps to meet the Bridegroom, (Matt.24:36; 25:1).

8) When close to the bride’s home the bridegroom and friends will shout and blow the shofar, ( 1 Thes.4:16)

9) After the consummation of the marriage the marriage supper will begin, (Rev.19:7-9; 21:9)

  • Rev. 1:13. We need to see Jesus as the Alpha and Omega. At the beginning of the Church Age He is in the midst of the candlesticks; at the end He is outside (Rev.3:20). What Jesus had to say to those churches at times is harsh. It contains stern rebukes, because He is coming and the Church is not ready (Rev.3:19).
  • John’s purpose is to encourage the Church to remain faithful to Christ in the midst of suffering, false teaching, worldly temptation, etc.
  • One of the key words is ‘overcome’. Faithful believers are described as those who overcome the world, the flesh and the devil. This is mentioned in each letter.
  • Those who make Jesus Lord in this age will rule with Him in the next.
  • The Second Coming of Christ is the supreme hope of the Church. It is a purifying hope,  1 Jn.2:28.


# Answers to this quiz are found in the notes above. Click on quiz to commence. Only correct spelling is recognised. A minimum 70%  correct is required to advance to the next session.