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| Author | John the Apostle. John also wrote the fourth Gospel and the 3 epistles, which bear his name. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date
Written |
Between A.D. 90 and 96 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title | This book is so named because it is the “revelation” of Jesus Christ as given to the Apostle John. It is also called the “Apocalypse,” which means “revealing” or “unveiling.” | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Background | The Roman government exiles John to Patmos, a small island off the coast of Greece, for preaching the Word of God. His exile is only part of an intense period of persecution against the Church, which follows the Roman emperor Domitian's proclamation that he should be worshiped as deity. According to the first verse, God gave this Revelation to Jesus, who then gave it, through an angel, to John on Patmos. Whereas the first book of the Bible—Genesis—tells of the beginning of sin and Satan's triumph, the last book of the Bible—the Revelation—tells of sin's end and Satan's defeat. A special blessing is promised to all who read, hear, and obey this book. But also, a special curse is promised to those who add to or take away from these words. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Where
Written |
On the island of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To Whom | To 7 churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | The Revelation is an evocative description of the visions, which Christ showed John. The fact that it may at first seem too complex is no reason to avoid this book, for it contains a blessing for every person who reads, understands, and obeys it. Some of the more vivid pictures in this book are: the series of devastations poured out upon the earth; the mark of the beast; the climactic battle of Armageddon; the binding of Satan; the reign of the Lord; the Great White Throne Judgment, and the eternal city of God. The summation of the whole book is that the result will find Christ and his people victors over Satan and his servants. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Themes |
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| Key
Words |
“Revelation”, “Jesus Christ”; “Seven.” This book is a thorough “revelation” of the total person of “Jesus Christ”: His glory, power, and wisdom; His judgment, Kingdom, and grace; and the Lamb of God from Alpha to Omega. Several numbers have significant symbolism in the Revelation, but the number “seven” is dominant throughout with 7 letters, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 signs, 7 plagues, 7 dooms, and 7 new things. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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