1. Revelation Introduction - Christian Hjortland AFCOE Europe 2014

3. Illustration: Bartek Ambrozik

4. Blessed is he...
“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.”
Revelation 1:3

5. Overview and Structure
Daniel 2, 7, 8, 11 – a continuation
Author: John.
OT+NT
Photo: Tomisti

6. Overview and Structure
“The rulers of the Jews were filled with bitter hatred against John for his unwavering fidelity to the cause of Christ....John was accordingly summoned to Rome to be tried for his faith. Here before the authorities the apostle's doctrines were misstated... John answered for himself in a clear and convincing manner, and with such simplicity and candor that his words had a powerful effect. His hearers were astonished at his wisdom and eloquence. But the more convincing his testimony, the deeper was the hatred of his opposers.... John was cast into a caldron of boiling oil; but the Lord preserved the life of His faithful servant, even as He preserved the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace.”
{AA }

7. Overview and Structure
“...By the emperor's decree John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, condemned "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:9. Here, his enemies thought, his influence would no longer be felt, and he must finally die of hardship and distress. Patmos, a barren, rocky island in the Aegean Sea, had been chosen by the Roman government as a place of banishment for criminals; but to the servant of God this gloomy abode became the gate of heaven. {AA 570}

8. Overview and Structure
Around AD
Emperor Dominitian, and Nerva.
Chiastic structure

9. Overview and Structure
Historical
1: – Prologue 1:10-3:22 – 7 Churches 4:1-8:1 – 7 Seals 8:2-11:18 – 7 Trumpets 11:19-14:20 – Great Controversy
Eschatological
15:1-16:21 – 7 Last Plagues 17:1-19:10 – Fall of Babylon 19:11-21:8 – The Millennium 21:9-22:9 – The New Jerusalem 22: – Epilogue

10. Understanding Revelation
Is it sealed?
Rev 22:10
When is the end time?
- Daniel 12:4-7.
- Little book. - “Knowledge shall increase”.
Connection with Old Testament
Out of 404 verses, 276 of them are taken from stories and prophecies in the Old Testament.

11. Understanding Revelation
“The book of Revelation opens to the world what has been, what is, and what is to come; it is for our instruction upon whom the ends of the world are come. It should be studied with reverential awe. We are privileged in knowing what is for our learning. But do we treat the word of God with the reverence which is his due, and with the gratitude which God would be pleased to see? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." {RH, August 31, 1897 par. 4}

12. Understanding Revelation
Symbols and numbers
Number seven – perfection/completeness.
- Genesis 2:1-4, Psalms 119:164, Exodus 20:8-11.

13. 7 Beatitudes of Revelation
1:3: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
14:13: ...Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
16:15: Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.
19:9: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

14. 7 Beatitudes of Revelation
20:6: Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
22:7: “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
22:14: Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

15. Jesus in the book of Revelation
Photo: Mikhail Lavrenov

16. Jesus in the book of Revelation
- Who is it revealing? - To whom is it written?
Christ in the Bible - Old Testament - Gospel - Revelation

17. Jesus in the book of Revelation
“The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation should be carefully studied and in connection with them the words “Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
(GW 148)
John 1:14
- skenoo
Rev 1:17 - Johns reaction
Photo: Zsolt Zatrok

19. The Ultimate Sacrifice

20. 1. His honor and glory
Photo: Robert Michie

21. 1. His honor and glory
“The highest angel in heaven had not the power to pay the ransom for one lost soul...the reconciliation of man to God could be accomplished only through a mediator who was equal with God {RH, December 22, 1891 par. 1}
“The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that he might in the presence of all the angels confer special honor upon his Son. The Son was seated on the throne with the Father, and the heavenly throng of holy angels was gathered around them. The Father then made known that it was ordained by himself that Christ should be equal with himself; so that wherever was the presence of his Son, it was as his own presence. His word was to be obeyed as readily as the word of the Father...His Son would carry out his will and his purposes, but would do nothing of himself alone. {ST, January 9, 1879 par. 2}

22. 1. His honor and glory
Revelation 13:8: ...Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Philippians 2:5-9
Hebrews 2:17-28: Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Jesus accepted humanity when it had been weakened 4000 years (Desire of Ages p.48)

23. Photo: Paul Bica

24. 2. Earthly interests and resources
Childhood
Luke 2:49: And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Matthew 8:19-22
Matthew 4:1-4, Tempted in the wilderness.
Acts 2:44-45 – The mindset of the disciples

25. 3. Time Matt 4:18-23 - fishermen
“When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”
Matthew 14:13-14

26. 4. Life Big work of preparation
“The Saviour lived not to please Himself. We read of Him that He went about "doing good." He spent His life in loving service, comforting the sorrowing, ministering to the needy, lifting up the bowed down, He had no home in this world, only as the kindness of His friends provided one for Him as a wayfarer. Yet it was heaven to be in His presence. Day by day He met trials and temptations, yet He did not fail or become discouraged He was always patient and cheerful, and the afflicted hailed Him as a messenger of life and peace and health {ML 166.2}

27. 4. Life
"The Son of God, now at the Father's right hand, still pleads as man's intercessor. He still retains His human nature, is still the Saviour of mankind."
(ST July 15, 1908; par. 7).
What was one of the last things Jesus said on this earth?
- Mattew 28:18-20

28. 4. Life 2 Cor 11:23-28 – Paul's trials.
“And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”
Acts 14:19-20

29. 4. Life
Romans 12:1
Photo: Milan Jurek

30. Photo: Milan Jurek
Photo: Ian Smith

31. “I hope everybody could get rich and famous and will have everything they ever dreamed of, so they will know that its not the answer.”
- Jim Carrey

32. “Only by following Christ's example can we find true happiness
“Only by following Christ's example can we find true happiness. When He is accepted the heart is subdued and its purposes are changed.
- Ellen White {ML 166.5}