Book of Revelation Chapter 1 Prologue, Greetings, Doxology, and Vision

WeekDateTopic 111 Mar 15Introduction 218 Mar 15Prologue, Greetings, Doxology, and Vision: Chapter Mar 15To the Seven Churches: Chapter 2 and Apr 15The Throne in Heaven and The Scroll: Chapter 4 and Apr 15The Seals: Chapter 6 and Apr 15The Seventh Seal: Chapter 8 and Apr 15The Angel and the Two Witnesses: Chapter 10 and Apr 15Woman, Dragon, and the Beast: Chapter 12 and May 15The Lamb and Seven Angels: Chapter 14 and May 15God's Wrath: Chapter 16 and May 15Babylon: Chapter 18 and May 15Thousand Years - A New Heaven and Earth: Chapter Jun 15Eden Restored: Chapter 22 Book of Revelation

What We Learned Last Week The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John around 70 A.D., at one of the worst times in Christian and Jewish history We approach this part of the Bible from primarily Preterist viewpoint – most events have already occurred The first 19 chapters revolve around events that occurred during the first century A.D. The Roman Empire was in a significant state of turmoil as a result of Nero’s suicide in 68 A.D. and subsequent struggle for power among four successive emperors (Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian) in 69 A.D. Nero had started a Roman-Jewish war in 66 A.D. which ended under Vespasian’s rule in 70 A.D. The temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. Christian’s were summarily hunted down and executed by the empire at the time

This Week Learn about the Rome and Jerusalem during the time that the Book of Revelation was written Learn about the where the book was written Learn about the purpose of the book Learn about what John saw and the Lord’s response to John

Year of the four emperors 69 a.d. Nero ruled from A.D. Most of Rome is destroyed by a fire in 64 A.D. Christians confessed to the crime, but it is not known whether these confessions were induced by torture Began the first Roman-Jewish War in 66 A.D. In 67, Nero dispatched Vespasian to restore order Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. A civil war followed Nero’s death The social, military, and political upheavals of the period had empire-wide impacts Four emperors ruled in succession – Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian in 69 A.D. Galba’s Praetorian Guard killed him in the Forum Otho committed suicide Vespasian’s loyalists tracked down and killed Vitellius The first Roman-Jewish war ends in 70 A.D. with the Temples destruction

Rome and Anti-Christian Policies Eusebius, a Roman historian in the late 200/early 300 A.D. wrote that great multitudes of Christians were killed during the late first century Provincial governors in the Roman Empire had a great deal of personal discretion and power to do what they felt was needed in their jurisdiction Nero ushered in a new level of violence against Christians, once limited to Jewish on Christian persecution During the 60’s A.D., James I executed by the Sanhedrin and Paul is executed in Rome by Nero around A.D. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired...Eusebius - Annals XV.44

Patmos

Chapter 1 - Overview The book was written to specific churches of things that would soon take place, in the midst of great persecution Opens with a statement of the origin and purpose of the text Given to Jesus by God To show His servants things which must soon take place It is designed to bless those who read it John addresses the seven churches in Asia John explains how he was commissioned to record the Revelation while on the island of Patmos He interacts with Jesus, the Son of Man We learn about the seven stars in His right hand and the seven lampstands

Introduction (1:1-8) Introduction and benediction (1:1-3) Introducing the Revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1-2) Which God gave Him to show His servants Regarding things which much shortly take place Sent and signified by His angel To His servant John, who bore witness To the word of God To the testimony of Jesus Christ To all things that he saw The benediction (1:3) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear this prophecy Blessed are those who keep those things written in it, for the time is near

Introduction (1:1-8) Greetings to the seven churches (1:4-6) From John, to the seven churches in Asia (1:4a) With grace and peace (1:4b-6) From Him who is and who was and who is to come From the seven Spirits who are before His throne From Jesus Christ The faithful witness The firstborn from the dead The ruler over the kings of the earth Who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood Who made us kings and priests to His God and Father -- To Whom be glory and dominion forever and ever! Announcement of Christ’s coming (1:7) With the cloud Every eye shall see Self-designation (1:8) Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End

Vision of the Son of Man (1:9- 20) John’s circumstances (1:9-10a) Their brother and companion (1:9a) In tribulation In the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ On the island called Patmos (1:9b) For the word of God For the testimony of Jesus Christ In the Spirit on the Lord's Day (1:10a) What He Heard (1:10b-11) A loud voice, as of a trumpet Saying to him... (1:11) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last" "What you see, write in a book" "Send it to the seven churches which are in Asia..."

Vision of the Son of Man (1:9- 20) John’s Reaction Turning to see the voice, he sees (1:12-16) Seven golden lampshades In the midst of the lampshades, One like the Son of Man Clothed with a garment down to the feet, girded about the chest with a golden band His head and hair white as wool, white as snow His eyes like a flame of fire His feet like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace His voice as the sound of many waters In His right hand, seven stars Out of His mouth, a sharp two-edged sword His expression like the sun shining in its strength John responded by falling prostrate as if he were dead (1:17)

Vision of the Son of Man (1:9- 20) The Lord’s words to John (1:17b-19) Do not be afraid Write these things which you have seen, which are, and which will take place after this The mystery of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands (1:20) The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches The seven lampstands are the seven churches

Summary Text Next Week: Chapter 2