The Strand Study Bible

REVELATION

Author : John, The Beloved (Rev 1:1,4,9 & 21:2 & 22:8) Theme : CHRIST'S End Time Program

About the Author : John, whose name means “gift of God,” was a Jew of the city of Bethsaida near the Sea of Galilee. He and his family were fishermen and seemed to have made a good living at their trade (Mk 1:20 and Jn 19:27). His father’s name was Zebedee and his mother’s name was Salome. He was the younger brother to James (Mt 4:21). Right after the miracle of the draught of fishes (Lk 5:9-10), John and his brother became apostles. He was, in all probability, the youngest of the disciples and lived the longest (until c. AD 100). John became one of the three apostles closest to Christ. Peter and James were the other two. While on the cross, Christ personally asked John to care for his earthly mother (Jn 19:26-27). Sometime later, after Christ's resurrection, John lost his brother James to martyrdom (Acts 12:12). Fifteen years after Pentecost we still find John in Jerusalem. He and Peter, Paul and others, took part in settling the controversy over circumcision (Acts 15 and Gal 2:9). From this time forward we know nothing of John’s life until we find him decades later on a deserted island called Patmos where he wrote Revelation . About the Book : Revelation (meaning, “the unveiling of things yet unrevealed”) records for us five major events that will take place during the end times. In chronological order they are: the Rapture (Rev 4-5), the Great Tribulation (Rev 6-19), the Second Coming of Christ (Rev 19), Christ's Millennial Kingdom (Rev 20), and the Eternal State (Rev 21,22). A full understanding of the book of Revelation is possible when viewing it in light of the book of Daniel. Both Daniel and Revelation were written in such a way that their meaning becomes clear with the unfolding of current world events. Certainly we are seeing the beginning of the end times take place in our lifetime. Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev 22:20). Helpful Background : Revelation is a letter written by the Apostle John from the island of Patmos (Rev 1:9) to seven different churches in Asia Minor: Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7), Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11), Pergamos (Rev 2:12-17), Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29), Sardis (Rev 3:1-6), Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13), and Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22). Tradition has it that it was the wicked Emperor Domitian (AD 51-96) who banished the aged John to the small rocky island in the Mediterranean Sea for his fidelity to the Word of God (Rev 1:9). Revelation was written to answer the many questions that plagued the growing Church during that day. Where did Christ go and when was He coming back? The book of Revelation was written to answer those questions. Notes of Interest : 1. Revelation quotes the OT 3 times. All 3 quotes ( Rev 3:7 & 14:8 & 18:2 ) refer directly to CHRIST . Note - Isaiah is the OT book most often quoted in the book of Revelation ( 3 quotations). 2. Prophecies are referred to 42 times in Revelation . 3. Prophecies concerning CHRIST are referred to 32 of those 42 times. 4. There are 18 OT characters referred to in Revelation : Enoch, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Manasseh, Moses, Balaam, Balak, David, and Elijah Note - David is the OT character most often referred to in the book of Revelation ( 3 times). 5. There are 2 inset maps used in the Book of Revelation . They are numbered chronologically (#74-75). Outline of Revelation : 1. The things which thou hast seen (Rev 1) 2. The things which are (Rev 2,3) 3. The things which shall be hereafter (Rev 4-22) 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 1:1 a This word ( Revelation ) is the Greek word ΑΠΟΚΑΛΥΨΙΣ ( APOKALUPS - apocalypse) and means “ to unveil .” Revelation is the unveiling of CHRIST’S End-Time Program for the world (I Pet 1:13). 1:1 b This word ( servants ) comes from the Greek word δουλος ( douloς ) and means “ bond slave; one who gives himself up to the will of another; yielded ones. ” The promise goes to those who learn to “surrender” their will for God’s ( I Cor 2:13 ). 1:3 The blessings of God belong to those who read God’s Word, understand it (hear), and then obey ( keep ) what they heard (Jn 8:30-32). James said in James 1:22; But be ye doers of the word , and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 2140 Revelation 1 The revelation of JESUS CHRIST Date Written - c. AD 96 1 The Revelation 1 of Jesus Christ, which 2 GOD gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must 3 shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his 1. or, “from” 2. or, “God the Father” - Rev 4:3- 11 & 5:13 & 6:16 & 7:9-10 3. that is, “suddenly; without warning” 4. or, “messenger”- Rev 19:10 & 22:6-9 4 angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.