1. Eschatology, a Broad Perspective
From Genesis to Revelation
9/25/2016

2. Our Considerations Overview and The Old Testament The New Testament
Principle Views, Timeline, and Major Prophetic Events
Four Covenants and Seven Feasts
Daniel (Ch 2, 7-9, 11); Ezekiel 37-39
The New Testament
Gospels (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21)
The Great Apostasy (II Thess 2, II Tim 3, II Peter 3)
The Rapture (I Cor 15, I Thess 4, Revelation 4)
Christ with His Church in the Parable of the Wedding Feast
The Book of Revelation

3. A Synopsis of the Four Views
9/25/2016

4. Basic Outline
Three major divisions; John was commanded to write concerning
Things past, “the things which you have seen,” i.e. the Patmos vision (1:1-20)
Things present, “the things which are,” i.e. the existing churches (2:1-3:22)
Things future, “the things which shall take place after these things,” i.e. events after the Church Age ends (4:1-22:5).
Note: same phrase used in 4:1
Note: symbolic representation of translation/rapture of the Church
“Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things.” (Rev 1:19) NASB
9/25/2016

5. Vision of the Glorified Christ
Preface, 1: 1-3
The revelation of Jesus Christ
Given Him by the Father
To show His servants what will soon take place
Communicated by His angel
Recorded by John
Note: “shortly”…same Greek word translated “speedily” in Lk 18:8
The blessing of Jesus Christ
Blessed is the one who reads & hears the prophecy
Note: Privilege to be given insight
Blessed is the one who heeds the prophecy
Note: Hearing requires a response
9/25/2016

6. Vision of the Glorified Christ
Greeting, 1: 4-8
John to the seven churches in Asia
Note: original audience was these seven churches in current day Turkey
Grace & Peace
From the Father – the One “who is and who was and who is to come”
Note: God is eternal; outside the limitations of time; ever present in time
From the Holy Spirit – the seven spirits before His throne
From Jesus Christ
The faithful witness
The firstborn from the dead
The Ruler of the kings of the earth
The One who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood
The One who made us a kingdom
9/25/2016

7. Vision of the Glorified Christ
From Jesus Christ (cont)
The One who has made us priests to His God and Father
The One to whom glory and dominion will be given forever
First of 7 doxologies in Rev (4:9,11; 5:12,13; 7:12; 19:1)
The One who will come with clouds visible to all (Acts 1:9-11; Mt 24:30)
The One who is the Alpha and the Omega
Who is and who was and who is to come
The Almighty
Greek pantokrator…pas “all” & kratos “might, power”
Is 44:6 “I am the first and I am the last; apart from Me there is no other God”
Is 48:12 “I am He; I am the first and I am the last”
9/25/2016

8. Vision of the Glorified Christ
The Vision of Christ, 1: 9-20
John
Brother
Fellow partaker of what is in Jesus (common things we share in Christ)
Tribulation – trouble, affliction, distress – general troubles, problems, sufferings that all Christians experience (John 16:33)
Kingdom – Christ’s rule, his present & future kingdom
Perseverance – “hupomone” … idea of endurance, the ability to abide under pressure, regardless of the intensity or length of time
The Setting
Patmos – small island in Aegean Sea ~37mi SW of Ephesus; used as a Roman penal colony
“Because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus”
9/25/2016

9. Vision of the Glorified Christ
The Setting (cont)
In the Spirit
Beyond & Above normal human perception & understanding
Enabled to transcend the world – Holy Spirit takes him into the presence of God with a view of things impossible to see with normal eyes
On the Lord’s day – Sunday
The commission from God
Heralded & spoken by a trumpet
Note: trumpets associated with a call to action or assembly
Expressed in two commands
Write what you see
Send the record to the seven churches
9/25/2016

10. Vision of the Glorified Christ
The Vision of Christ – First look at the glorified Christ since the transfiguration in the Gospels
A voice speaking with John
Among seven lampstands – the seven churches
One like the Son of Man – title points to his true humanity & messianic character
Clothed in a robe held close by a golden sash – judge
His head & hair white like white wool & snow – Christ’s absolute purity
Eyes like a flame of fire – judgment
Feet of burnished glowing bronze – holy from head to feet; He will trample down sin & wickedness
Voice like the sound of many waters – powerful/absolute authority
Holding seven stars in His right hand – explained in 1:20
9/25/2016

11. Vision of the Glorified Christ
One like the Son of Man (cont)
Sharp two-edged sword coming out of His mouth – God’s Word; He will judge every person by the standard of His Holy Word
Having a face shining like the sun – deity & holiness of Christ
Brings John to the ground as “a dead man”
The same John who laid his head on Jesus’ chest; saw Jesus at the transfiguration – to see the unveiled glory of Jesus is all consuming
Immediately places His right hand upon John
Wonderful expression of God’s grace
Speaks to John
Do not be afraid
I am the first and the last
I am the living One who was dead
I am alive for evermore
I have the keys of death & Hades
9/25/2016

12. Vision of the Glorified Christ
Speaks to John (cont)
Write
What you have seen
The things that are
What will take place afterward
The mysteries are made plain
Seven stars are the angels of the seven churches
Seven lampstands are the seven churches
How then should we respond?
9/25/2016

13. The Next Several Weeks
Oct 2 The Letters to the Churches, Ephesus Chris Oct 9 IBC Band (No Morning Song) Oct 16 Smyrna Chris Oct 23 Pergamum Jim Oct 30 Thyatira Jon Nov 6 IBC Band (No Morning Song) Nov 13 Sardis Jim Nov 20 Philadelphia Clint

14. See you NEXT week!

15. 2/18/2019

16. When will the end come?