Revelation (1-3)

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{CHAPTERS 1 - 3}

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{BACKGROUND AND STRUCTURE}
  1. Introduction to Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (An introduction to and overview of the book)
  2. Isle of Patmos - {PDF Copy} - (John was exiled to Patmos for his testimony – A fellow participant in the Tribulation and Perseverance in Jesus)
  3. Fourfold Structure - {PDF Copy} - (The major literary divisions of the book are each marked by John finding himself "in the spirit")
  4. Revelation's Recipients - {PDF Copy} - (The book is addressed to seven real churches that existed in the province of Asia in the first century A.D.)

{INTERPRETATION}
  1. Common Errors of Interpretation - {PDF Copy} - (The real-life relevance of Revelation is easily lost if we approach the book with incorrect presuppositions)
  2. Provided Interpretations - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation communicates symbolically, and it provides the reader with many key interpretations of its images)
  3. Literal vs Nonliteral - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation informs the reader from the very first verse of the book that it communicates visually and symbolically)
  4. Linear Chronological Sequence? - {PDF Copy} - (Are Revelation’s visions presented in chronological sequence? If so, how do we explain the many parallel descriptions that link them?)

{SEVEN CHURCHES}
  1. Revelation of Jesus Christ - {PDF Copy} - (The Prologue of Revelation presents the key themes of the Book and declares that the season of fulfillment has arrived – Revelation 1:1-3)
  2. Greetings from the Throne - {PDF Copy} - (The salutations from the throne highlight key themes of the book, especially the victory and present reign of Jesus)
  3. The Ruler of Kings - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus, the Faithful Witness, now reigns supreme over the Kings of the Earth, and he is shepherding the nations to the Holy City of New Jerusalem)
  4. His Witnesses - {PDF Copy} - (The men purchased from every nation by the Lamb become his priestly witnesses who persevere in the Testimony of Jesus)
  5. Priestly Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (The first vision presents the image of Jesus as one like a Son of Man, a priestly figure who walks among the Assemblies of Asia – Revelation 1:9-20)
  6. Seven Churches - Overview - {PDF Copy} - (The visitation of Jesus to the churches of Asia prepares the reader for the visions that follow the seven letters)
  7. Tree of Life - Ephesus - {PDF Copy} - (The messenger at Ephesus is commended for rejecting false apostles, chastised for leaving his first love, and summoned to return to his first works)
  8. Faithful Until Death - Smyrna - {PDF Copy} - (The Assembly in Smyrna has faithfully persevered and is exhorted to continue to do so, even UNTIL DEATH - Revelation 2:8-11)
  9. Hold Fast My Name - Pergamos - {PDF Copy} - (Pergamos receives praise for remaining faithful to his name, but correction for tolerating the teachings of “Balaam”)
  10. The Nicolaitans - {PDF Copy} - (Deceivers within the seven congregations are encouraging disciples of Jesus to compromise with the idolatrous rites of pagan society)
  11. Thyatira - {PDF Copy} - (The call to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches begins to intensify after the warning about the teachings of Jezebel – Revelation 2:18-29)
  12. Food Offered to Idols - (Daniel and his three companions refused to participate in the religious rituals of the Babylonian Empire – Daniel 1:14) - {PDF Copy}
  13. Sardis - {PDF Copy} - (The church in Sardis receives no commendation, only warnings, and is summoned to repent while time remains – Revelation 3:1-6)
  14. Faithful Philadelphia - {PDF Copy} - (Philadelphia receives no correction since she has remained faithful, and therefore, she will be kept from the hour of trial)
  15. Kept from the Hour - {PDF Copy} - (The hour of trial will come upon the whole habitable earth, but overcoming saints will not experience this final judicial act – Revelation 3:10)
  16. Laodicea - {PDF Copy} - (The messenger in Laodicea receives no commendation, only corrections and warnings. The only hope is refinement in fire – Revelation 3:14-22)
  17. Beginning of the Creation - (Revelation looks forward to the reign of Jesus in the New Creation, a reality inaugurated by his Death and Resurrection) - {PDF Copy}

{RELATED TOPICS}
  1. An End-Time People - (The church is the battlefield where the final war is being waged between the Lamb and the Ancient Serpent, Satan) - {PDF Copy}
  2. The Shepherd King - {PDF Copy} - (The Lamb’s reign commenced with his death and resurrection, and since then, he has been shepherding the nations toward New Jerusalem)
  3. Tribulation of the Church - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, faithful saints experience tribulation, whereas, the unrepentant undergo wrath)
  4. Time of Tribulation - (The “tribulation” is coming upon the saints such as the people of God had never experienced - Daniel 12:1-13) - {PDF Copy}
  5. His Priestly Kingdom - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples reign with Jesus as priests who render service in his Tabernacle and mediate his light and Word in the World)
  6. Jesus Reigns - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus triumphed over Satan and Sin through his Death and Resurrection, therefore, he now reigns from the Messianic Throne)

Crossroads - Photo by Jens Lelie on Unsplash
[Crossroads - Photo by Jens Lelie on Unsplash]

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