1. Jesus’ Message to the Seven Churches of Asia
The Book of Revelation
Introduction to the Book

2. )Apoka/luyi$ )Ihsou= Xristou
Revelation 1:1 Begins:
Apokálupsis Iesoú Christoú
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ…” NKJV

3. The Apocalypse Rev 1:1, Apokálupsis
NT:602 apokalupsis (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis); from NT:601; disclosure:- appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.
Apocalypse - ancient Greek: ἀποκάλυψις apokálypsis, from ἀπό, meaning “off” or “away from” and καλύπτω, meaning “to cover up.”
Literally "an uncovering.“
Apocalyptic writings often employ copious symbolism.
Persecution of the church was heavy. To be caught with religious literature about Jesus could be death, but this would seem like a strange story to the casual reader.

4. Who wrote Revelation?
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants — things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. NKJV
Rev 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia… NKJV
Rev 1:9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ… NKJV
Rev 22:8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. NKJV

5. Who wrote Revelation?
John, apostle of Jesus, son of Zebedee, author of the Gospel of John and I,II, and III John.
Dionysius, the third-century bishop of Alexandria, believed that the writer was “John the Elder,” someone other than the apostle. He was disturbed at the millennial concept, taught as a literal 1,000 year reign of Jesus (Rev 20). He claimed that the apostle could not have written the book, noting, for instance, that the author never claimed to be the disciple that Jesus loved.

6. Who wrote Revelation?
Dionysius, of the third-century, claimed that the apostle could not have written the book, noting, for instance, that the author never claimed to be the disciple that Jesus loved.
2 John 1 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, NKJV
3 John 1 The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in Truth: NKJV

7. Contention of Authorship?
Revelation 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Requires post-apostolic author? The apostles were well aware of the greatness of their office:
I Corinthians 9:1 1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
I Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
I Thessalonians 2:6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

8. Contention of Authorship?
Justin Martyr (~135 AD), Irenaeus(~180 AD), Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria and other early church fathers believed that John the Apostle wrote Revelation.
The literary styles of the Gospel of John and the Revelation are different. The Gospel is a recounting that John would have done thoroughly through many years, thus polishing his account with well rehearsed verbiage. The Revelation is a vision he received in his old age while in exile in a foreboding land, which may not have received near the rehearsal before it was time to put ink to parchment.

9. Contention of Authorship?
The Gospel of John and the Revelation both draw strong contrasts between Light & Darkness, good & evil, etc.
Christ is the Word – John 1:1, Revelation 19:13
Christ is the Lamb – John 1:29, Rev 5:6
Christ is the Shepherd – John 10:11, Rev 7:17.

10. Date of Authorship
Many folks place the writing at AD for various reasons.
I believe the book itself suggests that it was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

11. Date of Authorship
I believe the book itself suggests that it was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. NKJV

12. Date of Authorship
I believe the book itself suggests that it was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. NKJV

13. Date of Authorship
I believe the book itself suggests that it was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Revelation 22:6 Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. 7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." 10 And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."
12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." NKJV

14. Date of Authorship
I believe the book itself suggests that it was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly.“ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! NKJV

15. Blessings Jesus Offers:
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. NKJV
Rev 14:13 Then I heard a voice from Heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'“ "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." NKJV
Rev 16:15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." NKJV
Rev 19:9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." NKJV
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. NKJV
Rev 22:7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” NKJV
Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter through the gates into the city. NKJV

16. Outline:
Introduction - 1:1-8 First Vision – Christ and the Church - 1:9-3:22 Second Vision – Christ and the World – 4:1-16:21 Third Vision – Christ and Victory – 17:1-21:8 Fourth Vision – Christ and Eternity – 21:9-22:5 Christ’s Call – 21:22-22:5

17. The Conclusion:
Revelation 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the Throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the Tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. NKJV

18. The Conclusion:
Revelation 22:6 Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. 7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." 10 And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." NKJV

19. The Conclusion:
Revelation 22:12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices The Lie. 16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. NKJV

20. The Conclusion:
Revelation 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book. NKJV

21. The Conclusion:
Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. NKJV

22. “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”
Hear The Gospel (John 5:24; Romans 10:17)
Believe it (John 3:16-18; John 8:24)
Repent Of Your Sins (Luke 13:1-5; Acts 2:38)
Confess Jesus as Christ (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10)
Be Baptized (Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27)
Remain Faithful for Life (John 8:31; Rev. 2:10)
For The Erring Child of God:
Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I John 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)