1. A quick glance at Revelation The hidden book of the bible.

2. At the Start

3. Main Takeaways Revelation is different than the rest of the New Testament Revelation is different than the rest of the New Testament The Artist content is high- Great source for music, art and other artistic elements The Artist content is high- Great source for music, art and other artistic elements Strong message about two alternatives: Good and Evil; Heaven and Hell; God and the Devil- No gray area. Strong message about two alternatives: Good and Evil; Heaven and Hell; God and the Devil- No gray area.

4. Revelation requires you to go through a change in perspective.

5. Revelation is different. The book was written in a different style: The book was written in a different style: -“Apocalyptic” -“Apocalyptic” There are lots of ‘codes’ in the text. Words and images can mean many things: There are lots of ‘codes’ in the text. Words and images can mean many things: The numbers 7 and 12 have meaning The numbers 7 and 12 have meaning You have to use your artistic side to understand the text- don’t take it literally: You have to use your artistic side to understand the text- don’t take it literally: One scene has a sword coming out of Jesus’s mouth. That cannot be taken literally. One scene has a sword coming out of Jesus’s mouth. That cannot be taken literally. More than one understanding could be correct. More than one understanding could be correct. If someone claims they have the “key”, don’t believe it. If someone claims they have the “key”, don’t believe it.

7. A few bits of intro: It was written by John. Some think the apostle John and others a respected ‘bishop’. It was written by John. Some think the apostle John and others a respected ‘bishop’. It was written between 50 and 110 AD. The exact date gets scholars all worked up. If it was before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, one set of interpretations is wrong. If after a different set is wrong. It was written between 50 and 110 AD. The exact date gets scholars all worked up. If it was before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, one set of interpretations is wrong. If after a different set is wrong. It was written on the Island of Patmos. It was written on the Island of Patmos. There are many different groups of interpretation: There are many different groups of interpretation:

9. Revelation 1 A Vision of the Risen Lord 9 I am John, a follower together with all of you. We suffer because Jesus is our king, but he gives us the strength to endure. I was sent to Patmos Island, because I had preached God's message and had told about Jesus. 9 I am John, a follower together with all of you. We suffer because Jesus is our king, but he gives us the strength to endure. I was sent to Patmos Island, because I had preached God's message and had told about Jesus.

10. We are going to make a scary climb.

11. Rev. 1 10On the Lord's day the Spirit took control of me, and behind me I heard a loud voice that sounded like a trumpet. 11The voice said, "Write in a book what you see. Then send it to the seven churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." 12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13There with the lampstands was someone who seemed to be the Son of Man. He was wearing a robe that reached down to his feet, and a gold cloth was wrapped around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white as wool or snow, and his eyes looked like flames of fire. 15 His feet were glowing like bronze being heated in a furnace, and his voice sounded like the roar of a waterfall. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp double-edged sword was coming from his mouth. His face was shining as bright as the sun at noon. 10On the Lord's day the Spirit took control of me, and behind me I heard a loud voice that sounded like a trumpet. 11The voice said, "Write in a book what you see. Then send it to the seven churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." 12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13There with the lampstands was someone who seemed to be the Son of Man. He was wearing a robe that reached down to his feet, and a gold cloth was wrapped around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white as wool or snow, and his eyes looked like flames of fire. 15 His feet were glowing like bronze being heated in a furnace, and his voice sounded like the roar of a waterfall. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp double-edged sword was coming from his mouth. His face was shining as bright as the sun at noon.

12. 17When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person. But he put his right hand on me and said: Don't be afraid! I am the first, the last, 18and the living one. I died, but now I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to death and the world of the dead. [g] 19Write what you have seen and what is and what will happen after these things. 20I will explain the mystery of the seven stars that you saw at my right side and the seven gold lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the lampstands are the seven churches. 17When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person. But he put his right hand on me and said: Don't be afraid! I am the first, the last, 18and the living one. I died, but now I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to death and the world of the dead. [g] 19Write what you have seen and what is and what will happen after these things. 20I will explain the mystery of the seven stars that you saw at my right side and the seven gold lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the lampstands are the seven churches.g

13. What ‘codes’ are in this photo?

14. An example of a code word: 20I will explain the mystery of the seven stars that you saw at my right side and the seven gold lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the lampstands are the seven churches. 20I will explain the mystery of the seven stars that you saw at my right side and the seven gold lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the lampstands are the seven churches. Seven also means complete or all Seven also means complete or all So 11The voice said, "Write in a book what you see. Then send it to the seven churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." So 11The voice said, "Write in a book what you see. Then send it to the seven churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." Becomes: 11The voice said, “Write in a book what you see. Then send it to the complete church. Becomes: 11The voice said, “Write in a book what you see. Then send it to the complete church.

15. After our break, back …

16. Rev. 1 10On the Lord's day the Spirit took control of me, and behind me I heard a loud voice that sounded like a trumpet. 11The voice said, "Write in a book what you see. Then send it to the seven churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." 12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13There with the lampstands was someone who seemed to be the Son of Man. He was wearing a robe that reached down to his feet, and a gold cloth was wrapped around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white as wool or snow, and his eyes looked like flames of fire. 15 His feet were glowing like bronze being heated in a furnace, and his voice sounded like the roar of a waterfall. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp double-edged sword was coming from his mouth. His face was shining as bright as the sun at noon. 10On the Lord's day the Spirit took control of me, and behind me I heard a loud voice that sounded like a trumpet. 11The voice said, "Write in a book what you see. Then send it to the seven churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." 12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13There with the lampstands was someone who seemed to be the Son of Man. He was wearing a robe that reached down to his feet, and a gold cloth was wrapped around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white as wool or snow, and his eyes looked like flames of fire. 15 His feet were glowing like bronze being heated in a furnace, and his voice sounded like the roar of a waterfall. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp double-edged sword was coming from his mouth. His face was shining as bright as the sun at noon.

17. Does this text drawn on something similar in the Old Testament?

18. Daniel 10 2Daniel wrote: For three weeks I was in sorrow. 3I ate no fancy food or meat, I drank no wine, and I put no olive oil on my face or hair. 4Then, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing on the banks of the great Tigris River, 5when I looked up and saw someone dressed in linen and wearing a solid gold belt. 6His body was like a precious stone, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming fires, his arms and legs like polished bronze, and his voice like the roar of a crowd. 7Although the people who were with me did not see the vision, they became so frightened that they scattered and hid. 8Only I saw this great vision. I became weak and pale, 9and at the sound of his voice, I fell facedown in a deep sleep. 2Daniel wrote: For three weeks I was in sorrow. 3I ate no fancy food or meat, I drank no wine, and I put no olive oil on my face or hair. 4Then, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing on the banks of the great Tigris River, 5when I looked up and saw someone dressed in linen and wearing a solid gold belt. 6His body was like a precious stone, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming fires, his arms and legs like polished bronze, and his voice like the roar of a crowd. 7Although the people who were with me did not see the vision, they became so frightened that they scattered and hid. 8Only I saw this great vision. I became weak and pale, 9and at the sound of his voice, I fell facedown in a deep sleep.

19. Notice the half-eaten fish?

21. Much of Revelation has bad things happen. Rev. 19 The Rider on the White Horse The Rider on the White Horse 11I looked and saw that heaven was open, and a white horse was there. Its rider was called Faithful and True, and he is always fair when he judges or goes to war. 12He had eyes like flames of fire, and he was wearing a lot of crowns. His name was written on him, but he was the only one who knew what the name meant. 13The rider wore a robe that was covered with blood, and he was known as "The Word of God." 14He was followed by armies from heaven that rode on horses and were dressed in pure white linen. 15From his mouth a sharp sword went out to attack the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod and will show the fierce anger of God All- Powerful by trampling the grapes in the pit where wine is made. 16On the part of the robe that covered his thigh was written, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." 17I then saw an angel standing on the sun, and he shouted to all the birds flying in the sky, "Come and join in God's great feast! 18You can eat the flesh of kings, rulers, leaders, horses, riders, free people, slaves, important people, and everyone else." 11I looked and saw that heaven was open, and a white horse was there. Its rider was called Faithful and True, and he is always fair when he judges or goes to war. 12He had eyes like flames of fire, and he was wearing a lot of crowns. His name was written on him, but he was the only one who knew what the name meant. 13The rider wore a robe that was covered with blood, and he was known as "The Word of God." 14He was followed by armies from heaven that rode on horses and were dressed in pure white linen. 15From his mouth a sharp sword went out to attack the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod and will show the fierce anger of God All- Powerful by trampling the grapes in the pit where wine is made. 16On the part of the robe that covered his thigh was written, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." 17I then saw an angel standing on the sun, and he shouted to all the birds flying in the sky, "Come and join in God's great feast! 18You can eat the flesh of kings, rulers, leaders, horses, riders, free people, slaves, important people, and everyone else." 19I also saw the beast and all kings of the earth come together. They fought against the rider on the white horse and against his army. 20But the beast was captured and so was the false prophet. This is the same prophet who had worked miracles for the beast, so that he could fool everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol. The beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into a lake of burning sulfur. 21But the rest of their army was killed by the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse. Then birds stuffed themselves on the dead bodies. 19I also saw the beast and all kings of the earth come together. They fought against the rider on the white horse and against his army. 20But the beast was captured and so was the false prophet. This is the same prophet who had worked miracles for the beast, so that he could fool everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol. The beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into a lake of burning sulfur. 21But the rest of their army was killed by the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse. Then birds stuffed themselves on the dead bodies.

23. Revelation also talks about other topics: The four horsemen The four horsemen The end of the earth The end of the earth The Prostitute The Prostitute 666 666 The two watchman. The two watchman. But two that I want to cover are the throne and heaven. But two that I want to cover are the throne and heaven.

24. While some think ‘likes’ are thrones……..

25. And some think their phones are ‘hot’…..

26. And others worship cars…

27. Revelation 4 1After this, I looked and saw a door that opened into heaven. Then the voice that had spoken to me at first and that sounded like a trumpet said, "Come up here! I will show you what must happen next." 2Right then the Spirit took control of me, and there in heaven I saw a throne and someone sitting on it. 3The one who was sitting there sparkled like precious stones of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. 4Twenty-four other thrones were in a circle around that throne. And on each of these thrones there was an elder dressed in white clothes and wearing a gold crown. 5Flashes of lightning and roars of thunder came out from the throne in the center of the circle. Seven torches, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning in front of the throne. 6Also in front of the throne was something that looked like a glass sea, clear as crystal. Around the throne in the center were four living creatures covered front and back with eyes. 7The first creature was like a lion, the second one was like a bull, the third one had the face of a human, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and their bodies were covered with eyes. Day and night they never stopped singing, 1After this, I looked and saw a door that opened into heaven. Then the voice that had spoken to me at first and that sounded like a trumpet said, "Come up here! I will show you what must happen next." 2Right then the Spirit took control of me, and there in heaven I saw a throne and someone sitting on it. 3The one who was sitting there sparkled like precious stones of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne. 4Twenty-four other thrones were in a circle around that throne. And on each of these thrones there was an elder dressed in white clothes and wearing a gold crown. 5Flashes of lightning and roars of thunder came out from the throne in the center of the circle. Seven torches, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning in front of the throne. 6Also in front of the throne was something that looked like a glass sea, clear as crystal. Around the throne in the center were four living creatures covered front and back with eyes. 7The first creature was like a lion, the second one was like a bull, the third one had the face of a human, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and their bodies were covered with eyes. Day and night they never stopped singing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, the all-powerful God, who was and is and is coming!" "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, the all-powerful God, who was and is and is coming!" 9The living creatures kept praising, honoring, and thanking the one who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever. 10At the same time the twenty-four elders knelt down before the one sitting on the throne. And as they worshiped the one who lives forever, they placed their crowns in front of the throne and said, 9The living creatures kept praising, honoring, and thanking the one who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever. 10At the same time the twenty-four elders knelt down before the one sitting on the throne. And as they worshiped the one who lives forever, they placed their crowns in front of the throne and said, 11"Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. You created all things, and by your decision they are and were created." 11"Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. You created all things, and by your decision they are and were created."

28. What about hunger and other pains?

29. Revelation 21 1I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. 1I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. 2I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. 2I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. 3-5I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. 3-5I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new.

31. Rev 22 Then the Angel showed me the Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations. Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service— worshiping, they’ll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God. Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age Then the Angel showed me the Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations. Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service— worshiping, they’ll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God. Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age

33. My view: Theme 1: The Power of God Theme 2: Christ is our Savior Theme 3: The relationship between God and humans. Theme 4: The War between Satan and God. Theme 5: Our God is Just, but to be just, God has to Judge. Theme 6: Heaven is an Incredible Place! Theme 7: We must act. Want to know more about my commentary? Want to know more about my commentary? Commentarybye.org Commentarybye.org

35. Main Takeaways Revelation is different than the rest of the New Testament Revelation is different than the rest of the New Testament The Artistic content is high- Great source for music, art and other artistic elements The Artistic content is high- Great source for music, art and other artistic elements Strong message about two alternatives: Good and Evil; Heaven and Hell; God and the Devil- No gray area. Strong message about two alternatives: Good and Evil; Heaven and Hell; God and the Devil- No gray area.

36. Question for small groups: 1) Have you ever had a dream that was very unusual? 1) Have you ever had a dream that was very unusual? 2) What does the images of Jesus and God tell you about who they are? 2) What does the images of Jesus and God tell you about who they are? 3) Why is Revelation so black and white? How do you react to this? 3) Why is Revelation so black and white? How do you react to this?