1. The Return of the King, and the End of the Story
Revelation

2. The first Four Centuries of the Church
The resurrection of the body. “…and the dead in Christ will rise first…” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
The imminent return of Jesus Christ.
The literal, personal, bodily return of Jesus Christ. “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)

3. Augustine (5th Century) Amilennialism
The Kingdom to come isn’t literal, but symbolically describes the time between Jesus’ ascension and His return.

4. Daniel Whitby (1600s) Postmilennialism
The church will advance in triumph throughout the world, ushering in a 1000 year reign before Jesus returns.

5. John Nelson Darby (1830) James Brooks (1840s) C.I. Scofield (1929)
“Rapture” of the church. 7 year tribulation Israel at the geographic center of it all

6. The context of Revelation
John the Apostle. “…was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus…” (Revelation 1:9) Domitian.

7. The context of Revelation
It is written to a persecuted people It is apocalypse.

8. Apocalypse

9. Apocalypse

10. Apocalypse
Apocalypse isn’t about zombies, catastrophe, or charts depicting future major players in world events. Apocalypse is an approach to writing that allows the author to reveal truth via symbolic means unknown to outsiders.

11. A Vision of the Glorified Christ (1:1-1:20)
“Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and hades.” (Revelation 1:17-19)

12. A Message to His Churches. (2:1-3:22)
Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea

13. An Unveiling of the Future: But Whose Future?
Preterist: The future until the Roman Empire

14. An Unveiling of the Future: But Whose Future?
Preterist: The future until the Roman Empire Futurist: Nothing past Revelation 4:1 has happened yet

15. An Unveiling of the Future: But Whose Future?
Preterist: The future until the Roman Empire Futurist: Nothing past Revelation 4:1 has happened yet Historicist: Themes and events that will repeat themselves over time until the coming of Jesus.

16. Examples of Historical Cycles in Revelation
Seals,Trumpets, and Bowls. (6:1-8:5; 8:6-11:19; 15:1-16:21)

17. Examples of Historical Cycles in Revelation
Seals,Trumpets, and Bowls. (6:1-8:5; 8:6-11:19; 15:1-16:21) “Mark of the Beast” “And it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of his name.” (13:16-17)

18. Our life should be primarily about the future world, not this one.
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…” (19:11) “..and the devil, who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (19:10) “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (20:15) “Then I saw a new heaven, and a new earth.” (21:1)

19. Our life should be primarily about the future world, not this one
“He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” Genesis 3:24 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7

20. The Invitation (22:7-21)
“And they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” (22:4-5) “Behold I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (22:12-13) “The Spirit and the Bride say ‘Come’ And let the one who hears say ‘come’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (22:17) “Amen, come Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (22:21)

21. Lessons from the End of the Story
This world is not our home.

22. Lessons from the End of the Story
This world is not our home. This world will put some of us to death. “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer; until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” (6:9-11)

23. Lessons from the End of the Story
This world is not our home. This world will put some of us to death. Our victory over this world is assured. “And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands,” (15:2)

24. Lessons from the End of the Story
This world is not our home. This world will put some of us to death. Our victory over this world is assured. Jesus lives and reigns forever! “And he who was seated on the throne said ‘Behold, I am making all things new.” (21:5) “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me.” John 5:39.

25. The Story, from beginning to end, is about a PERSON!
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me.” John 5:39.