I. INTRODUCTION
A. The title of this study, “Revealing Revelation,” is purposefully redundant to make a point.
1. The title of the book of Revelation, or the Apocalypse, is taken from the Greek word apokalupsis in 1:1, which means “uncovering” or “revelation.” It is a common word throughout the New Testament.
2. The fact that this book is a revelation indicates that it is not intended to be a mystery. This book was not given to create confusion, but rather to reveal truth.
3. Note: Do not confuse “apocalyptical” with “apocryphal,” which means “to hide away.” The apocryphal books are the false, uninspired writings that are included in the Septuagint (Greek O.T.) and Vulgate (Catholic Bible).
B. As we begin this series, it is vital that we approach the book of Revelation with a proper perspective.
1. This lesson is essential for us to have a solid foundation for interpreting the book.
2. As we proceed through the book, we will often refer back to the information from this first lesson.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE BOOK
A. The book of Revelation was written by the apostle John from the island of Patmos around 96 A.D.
1. John is clearly stated as the writer in 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8. From the beginning, this book has been accepted as the writings of the apostle.
2. John stated that he received this revelation of Christ while on the island of Patmos (1:9), which was a Roman place of exile in the Aegean Sea reserved for criminals and troublemakers.
3. Some believe that the date of writing was earlier (prior to 70 A.D. and the destruction of Jerusalem). Rather than now giving a detailed explanation for why 96 A.D. is preferred, the interpretation of the book will demonstrate this to us as we study it.
B. At the time of this writing, Roman hostility against Christianity was increasing.
1. Let us first understand the role of religion in the Roman Empire.
a. The Roman government viewed religion as a means of maintaining peace, unity, and loyalty among their subjects. In the first century, the Roman gods were officially recognized, but other religions had been tolerated according to Rome’s purposes.
b. However, when John wrote Revelation, the Romans’ disdain for Christianity was increasing, for it was seen as a radical, new superstition that threatened Roman rule.
2. Due to Rome’s perception of Christianity, imperial persecution steadily increased from the establishment of the church until Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 A.D.
a. The first imperial persecution against Christians occurred in 64 A.D. when the emperor Nero blamed Christians for a great fire that burned much of Rome.
b. Later, Domitian (emperor from 81 to 96 A.D.) was the first Roman emperor to demand worship of himself. He is believed by many to have waged a heavy persecution against both Jews and Christians.
c. Systematic, imperial persecution of Christians continued to increase throughout the second and third centuries, resulting in many who were imprisoned, tortured, thrown to lions for sport, burned, beheaded, and otherwise executed.
C. The purpose of this book at the time of its writing was to give comfort and encouragement to Christians who would suffer persecution for their faith. Today, it still serves that same purpose.
1. The main message of the book is the blessing that awaits those who overcome in Christ.
a. Notice 17:14 – “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
b. Seven times in chapters 2 and 3, the phrase “he who overcomes” is used.
2. This book is addressed to the seven churches of Asia (1:4), but it is also commended to all who will read it and heed the things that are written (1:3).
a. John wrote that it is a blessing to hear and read these words (1:3).
b. Seven times in chapters 2 and 3, the phrase “he who has an ear, let him hear” is used.
III. INTERPRETATION OF THE BOOK
A. There are several keys to interpreting the book of Revelation that are crucial for us to get the correct understanding. To be consistent in our interpretation, we must apply these keys throughout the book.
1. The revelation that John received was given to him in signs.
a. Notice that 1:1 says that Christ “communicated” or literally “signified” (sign-i-fied) these things by His angel to John.
b. Signs are figures that represent or communicate something other than themselves. For example, the dragon in chapter 20 does not mean a literal dragon. Instead, it represents Satan.
2. John wrote of “things which must shortly take place” (1:1; also 1:3; 22:6, 10). Any interpretation of events in this book must fit within a reasonable timeframe relative to when John was writing.
3. Any interpretation of this book must be meaningful to the Christians who originally received it.
4. Any interpretation of signs and figures that conflicts with plain, literal passages of inspired Scripture must be rejected.
5. If any interpretation of a passage conflicts with another interpretation of another passage, then at least one of these interpretations must be wrong.
6. Many of the signs used in Revelation can also be found in the apocalyptical books of the Old Testament: Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. Therefore, understanding the signs in these O.T. books will help us in our understanding of Revelation.
B. For the sake of being informed, let us consider some of the most common methods used to interpret this book.
1. Preterist (praeter is Latin for “past”) method – This method sees Revelation as a symbolic description of Roman persecution, emperor worship, and divine judgment. According to this method, all the prophecies of Revelation were fulfilled in the first century, and thus an early date must be assumed for John’s writing (67-68 A.D.).
2. Futurist method – This method interprets revelation as a prophecy of the end-time events that will happen shortly before the second coming of Christ.
3. Historicist method – This method considers Revelation as a symbolic prophecy of world history from the end of the first century until the second coming of Christ. Often this method interprets many figures as symbols of the Roman Catholic church.
4. Idealist, spiritual, or symbolic method – This method does not interpret the signs of Revelation as representative of specific events or people, but rather it sees them as representing the underlying forces behind all historical events.
C. Rather than using any of these methods, we will use a historical background method.
1. This method maintains that the signs and symbols of Revelation were fulfilled during the Roman Empire, but that they still hold great value for us now.
2. This is why it is so important for us to understand the historical background of the times when John wrote this book and the events in the years that followed.
D. One point of interest is the use of numbers in the book of Revelation. Keep the symbolism of these numbers in mind as you study this book.
1. One represents unity.
2. Two represents strength and confirmation (“at the mouth of two or three witnesses”).
3. Three represents the Trinity and is the “divine number.”
4. Four is the “world number” (four winds, four corners of the earth).
5. Six represents evil (one short of seven).
6. Seven represents completeness and perfection.
7. Ten represents full human power.
8. Twelve represents religion (twelve tribes, twelve apostles).
9. Three and a half represents a broken number (half of seven).
IV. CONCLUSION
A. Most of the book of Revelation centers around three sets of sevens:
1. Seven seals of judgment;
2. Seven trumpets of judgment;
3. Seven bowls of judgment.
B. However, the book begins with letters to the seven churches of Asia, which is where we will begin in the next lesson (1:1-2:11).
