Introduction to Revelation

Jesus, Paul, and Peter gave numerous prophecies about the things leading up the Lord’s return. The Apostle gives us more details than any of the others, in the Book of Revelation.  Matthew, John and James were written in Hebrew within about six or seven years after the crucifixion.  Mark and Luke were written in Greek about fifteen or twenty years later, around 53-55AD.  Paul’s writings and Acts were written between that time and about 70 AD, as were John’s, Peter’s and Jude’s epistles.  John wrote Revelation around 90-95 AD, making it the last of the Apostles’ writings.  Some have questioned whether it is actually John’s writing, since the Greek in Revelation is much cruder than that used in John.  That is not surprising, since according to the book John was writing it himself, and Greek was not his native language, while his gospel had been translated by more educated Greek speakers. 

John starts out by explaining that his prophecies were given to him by God to believers about what was to come in the future, in Revelation 1:1-3.  “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  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.”  Those who listen and act on what they learn from the prophecies will be blessed by God. 

Jerusalem had been destroyed twenty or twenty five years before, and the churches of Israel had been dispersed.  John wrote to the churches in Asia, which were some of the strongest churches of the time, in Revelation 1:4-8, reminding them who Chris is.  “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

While John was doing the writing, he wanted them to understand the Message was from God and from Jesus Christ.   He goes into some detail as to how he received the message, in Revelation 1:9-16.  “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.  I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”

Efforts to wipe out Christianity in the areas around Rome had resulted in many Christians fleeing to Asia.  Effort to kill John had failed, and he was banished to the prison isle of Patmos to die.  It was while he was there he saw the visions described in this book, starting with a vision of the glorified Lord.  The Lord commissioned him to write the book, as Revelation 1:17-20 describes.  “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

There were three things John was to write about.  First, he was to write about the thing he had seen, his vision of the Lord, which is what he is doing with this chapter.  Secondly, he was to write about the things which were going on at that time, and finally, he was to write about what would happen in the future.