Writer of Revelation

REVELATION

(First of a series)

 

This book is literal for Israel and spiritual for Gentiles. It is A Revelation (or Apocalypse, Heb: "Unveiling") of Jesus Christ"; the focus is on Jesus. Rev.1:1 & 2

 

> There are over 500 references to the Old Testament; many from Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah and Daniel.

> The information in this book came from God to Jesus to John by way of an angel (with understanding coming through the Holy Spirit, 2Pet.1:20).

> The author was the youngest disciple, one of the sons of Zebedee, he saw Jesus as God in flesh, was one of the three frequently named as being in attendance (Peter, James and John) and the one whom Jesus loved; because John was the one who understood that God is love. John came to understand God's plan of redemption and the part Jesus played. Jn. 1:1-3, 1:14 John could have been as young as 13 when he was called as a disciple. Although there is no exact date, Revelation was probably written around 90 - 95 AD, making John about 106 years old. He was favored to care for Jesus' mother and the only disciple spared from martyrdom. The name John translates from Hebrew to "Grace"; John represented the grace of God. (All believers are under God's loving grace since the resurrection of Jesus.)

> John was in exile on the very small isle of Patmos, one of 12 islands called the Sporades (meaning "scattered"): the 12 tribes of Israel were scattered; the 12 disciples scattered to preach the gospel to all the earth. The name Patmos is so old it is unclear the meaning or language it comes from. Abarim Publications defines the meaning as "getting stepped on".

 

> Among many symbols in this book, the number "7" is used over 50 times. Among this is the seven beatitudes (blessings), which I will discuss as we encounter them.

> There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and 22 chapters in this book; not a coincidence. Each chapter relates to the meaning of each alphabetical letter - in order.

> The first chapter relates to the first letter of the alphabet "alef" which also represents the number 1. The meaning of this first letter is "leader", "ox", "first" and "strong". Jesus is ruler over the universe, He is our sacrifice (the bullock is the only sacrifice of the ox, lamb or dove that the priest laid his hands on to transfer our sins to the bullock before sacrifice), Jesus is the first born of God's children and our strength.

> In Greek translation, John is called Jesus "bond" servant just as believers are referred to as "bond" servants in Rev. 1:1. We were purchased by the unsolicited sacrifice of Jesus and become indentured when we accept Him as savior; we belong to Him.

 

> Verse 3 gives us the first of the seven beatitudes I mentioned. "Blessed is the one who reads out loud this prophecy". Blessed is to be happy, envied. To read out loud is to see and to hear the word of God. To read out loud is a reference to reading in assemblies (churches, V. 1:20) of believers.

> Based on the Passover and the book of Exodus, Revelation reveals the end times will be like the time of Israel before their escape from Egypt (Heb: "stress") on a worldwide scale. Then, the great and final victory comes. This book is relevant to every generation since but most relevant to those alive in the end.

> Isa.46:9 & 10, 2Cron.33:7