01 Introduction

The Revelation to John: God Wins! Session 1

Opening Pandora’s Box “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” Rev. 1:3 Two Ways of Reading Revelation 1) _______________ - Each event follows the previous event until you reach the end. 2) _______________ - The prophecy of the book is repeated. Left Behind Series assumes a _______________ view of Revelation. I will assume a _______________ view of Revelation. Significance of Revelation 1) It is the ______________ book of the Bible. 2) The picture of _______________ in Revelation.

3) The picture of the ______________ in Revelation The Character of Revelation: Prophetic _______________ (Revelation) 1) Apocalyptic literature: Divine _______________ are revealed to

_______________ creatures through an _______________. 2) Apocalyptic literature stresses a dualism between _______________ and _____________ in which _______________ wins. 3) As a prophetic book, Revelation calls the Christian to _______________, _______________ and _______________ The Purpose of Revelation: To Prepare for Christ’s _______________ 1) It is my hope that our hearts will long to be _______________ Christ.

2) It is my hope that our hearts will long to bear _______________ to Christ. The Message of Revelation 1) The terrifying _______________ on earth. 2) The exalted _______________ of Christ who reigns in heaven. 3) The greater the _______________ the more we see the _______________ of Christ. The Author: John the _______________ 1) Three Johns in the Bible: 1) John the ______________, 2) John _______________ and 3) John the son of _______________. 2) Highlights of John’s Life a. He experienced the _______________ of John, Acts 1:21-22 b. _______________ who followed Jesus, Mark 1:19-20 c. He, along with Peter and his brother James were a part of Jesus ______________ circle of the Twelve. i. Raising of Jairus’ daughter

ii.Transfiguration iii.Agony in Gethsemane d. John may have been the _______________ of the Twelve. e. The only one of the Twelve who _______________ Jesus’ entire passion. Style: _______________ not _______________ An Interesting Possibility: _______________ was written before the Gospel of _______________ 1) The Revelation of John stresses the _______________ Christ. 2) The Gospel of John stresses the _______________ of Christ.

Outline: 1) Introduction, Rev. 1:1-3:22 2) The Prophetic Message, Rev. 4:1—22:5 a. Introductory Vision: 4:1—5:14 b. Seven Seals: 6:1—8:5 c. Seven Trumpets: 8:6—11:19 d. Cosmic War 12:1—14:20 e. Seven Censer-Angels: 15:1—16:21 f. The End 17:1—22:5 3) The Epilogue, 22:6-21 Revelation 1:1-3  “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” = both the revelation ____________ Jesus Christ and the revelation ______________ Jesus Christ.  God wants us to know what will ______________ take place. God’s perspective of time.  Revelation is recorded in order that both the _______________ and the

_______________ will be _______________ For Discussion How do these first three verses lead you to… 1) …repentance 2) …faith, and 3) …worship?