Revelation (1-3)

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"He that overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne."

{BACKGROUND AND STRUCTURE}

[Click on the title below to open an article]
  1. A Brief Introduction to the Book of Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (Background information plus an outline of the Book)
  2. The Isle of Patmos - {PDF Copy} - (John was exiled to the island of Patmos because of his testimony)
  3. The Fourfold Division of the Book of Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (The major literary divisions of the book)
  4. An Outline of the Second Literary Division of Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (A Proposed Outline of the Second Major Literary Division of Revelation, chapters 4-16)
  5. 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 Interpreting Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (The real-life relevance of Revelation is easily lost if we approach the book with incorrect presuppositions)
  2. Provided Interpretations in Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation provides many interpretations of its images and symbols)
  3. Literal and Nonliteral Language - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation informs the reader from the very first verse of the book that it communicates symbolically)
  4. Linear Chronological Sequence in Revelation? - {PDF Copy} - (Are Revelation’s visions presented in chronological sequence?)

{SEVEN CHURCHES}
  1. The Prologue to Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:1-3 - The opening paragraphs presents the key themes of the book and introduces its intended audience)
  2. Greetings from the Throne - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:4-8 - The salutation from the Throne to the seven churches of Asia highlights the main themes of the book, especially the present reign of Jesus)
  3. Ruler of the Kings of the Earth - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:4-6 - According to the book of Revelation, Jesus already rules over the kings of the earth)
  4. The First Vision - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:9-20 - John sees the risen Son of Man walking among the churches)
  5. Seven Churches - Introduction - {PDF Copy} - (The visitation of Jesus to the churches prepares the reader for the visions that follow)
  6. The Church at Ephesus - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 2:1-7 - The messenger of the assembly at Ephesus is commended for rejecting false apostles but chastised for losing his “first love")
  7. The Church at Smyrna - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 2:8-11 - The church at Smyrna is promised more tribulation based on its past faithfulness in persecution)
  8. The Church at Pergamos - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 2:12-17 - The church at Pergamos is corrected for tolerating the teachings of “Balaam”)
  9. The Nicolaitans - {PDF Copy} - (The deceivers and their false teaching in the churches of Asia)
  10. The Church at Thyatira - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 2:18-29 - The prophetess, “Jezebel,” deceived many saints at Thyatira into accommodating idolatrous practices)
  11. The Church at Sardis - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:1-6 - The church in the city of Sardis receives no commendation, only warnings, and a summons to repent)
  12. The Church at Philadelphia - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:7-13 - Like the church at Smyrna, Philadelphia receives no correction. She is faithful and, therefore, will be kept from the hour of trial)
  13. The Church at Laodicea - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:14-22 - The church at Laodicea receives no commendation, only correction)
  14. 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}
  15. Kept from the Hour - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:10 - Did Jesus promise to remove the church at Philadelphia from the earth?)
  16. Call to Action - Seven Beatitudes - {PDF Copy} - (Seven Beatitudes in Revelation summon the churches to faithfulness in suffering)

{RELATED TOPICS}
  1. End-Time People of Jesus - (The church is the battlefield where the final war is being waged between the Lamb and the Ancient Serpent) - {PDF Copy}
  2. Lamb and King - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb began his messianic reign following his death and resurrection, and now he is shepherding the nations)
  3. The Church in Tribulation - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, faithful saints experience tribulation, whereas, the unrepentant undergo wrath)
  4. Embracing the Mark - {PDF Copy} - (The “inhabitants of the earth” willingly venerate the Beast and receive its mark, although Christians are not immune from its allure)

Photo by Stéphane Bernard on Unsplash
Pyrenees, France, Photo by Stéphane Bernard on Unsplash

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