Introduction Lesson 1.1

 Hermeneutics “The science of Biblical interpretation” From the Greek “Hermeneuo” Means “to interpret” or “explain” or “translate” Hebrews 7:2  Eschatology “The study of last things” From the Greek “Eschatos” Means “last” Revelation 22:13

 John (Revelation 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8) John is also the author of the gospel according to John, as well as 1 John, 2 John, & 3 John. John was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus along with his brother James  Matthew 4:18-22 and Mark 3:14-19 records the calling of John as a disciple  James and John were nicknamed “The Sons of Thunder”

 John directed this prophetic word to seven selected churches in the Roman province of Asia (1:3-4)  Because of John’s effective witnessing for Christ, Roman authorities exiled him to the small, desolate island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea (1:9)

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 Scholars continue to debate over the exact date that this book was written  Suggestions range from 67 AD to 96 AD

“For [the vision] was seen…almost in our own day, toward the end of Domitian’s reign” – Irenaeus (2 nd century) “Ante Nicene Fahers,” Vol 1, p 559, Irenaeus

 Domitian (Ruled AD) Persecution (20:4) & “Banishing” Demanded to be worshipped (13:4)  Attitude Toward the Roman Empire Acts 16:36-40 Acts 23:12-31 Romans 13:1-7 1 Peter 2: Thessalonians 2:7

 Roman Empire Revelation 17:5-6, 9  Worship of Caesar Demanded by Domitian (81-96 AD) Revelation 13:8 Repealed by Nerva, Domitan’s successor.  The Churches  95 AD

 Recipient Seven Churches Asia Minor/Turkey (1:4) Believers throughout the Church Age (22:18)  Purpose Comfort (7:17; 21:4) Vengeance (6:9; 8:3) Assurance of Victory (15:2; 19:11-15) Past, Present, Future (1:19)

 Non-literal or Allegorical The book does not necessarily predict the future Symbolism is a key to understanding  Preterist The book is associated with history more than the future Little, if any, future significance Symbolism is a key to understanding

 Historical The book presents the totality of Church history concluding at the Second Coming Historical and spiritual interpretations  Futurist The majority of the book is descriptive of future events Literal and chronological interpretation is necessary

VICTORY OF THE CHURCH OVER THE WORLD (1-11) VICTORY OF CHRIST OVER THE DRAGON (12-22) 1. Christ & the Lampstands (1-3) 2. Book with Seven Seals (4-7) 3. Seven Trumpets (8-11) 4. The Woman & Child Persecuted by the Dragon (12-14) 5. Seven Bowls (15-16) 6. Fall of the Harlot & Beasts (17-19) 7. Judgment of the Dragon New Heaven & Earth New Jerusalem (20-22)

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