THE BOOK OF REVELATION

1. Why do we know so little about this important book in the NT? THE BOOK OF REVELATION

2. Revelation 1:1-3 • 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. 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.

3. Introduction • We often avoid the study of this book – too difficult, can’t understand it • God promises a 3-fold blessing on those who: • Read – public oral reading of this book • Hear – listens to the words being read • Keep – obey the commands in this book

4. Introduction • In one sermon I can not cover all the details of the book of Revelation. • A few years ago I wrote a commentary on this book – available on my website http://searchersclass.net/Books/Revelation.htm • I want to examine the purpose of this book.

5. The Revelation of Jesus Christ • NOTE: Singular “revelation” – This is not the book of “Revelations.” • “Revelation” means: • To reveal, open the curtain • We are allowed to see what had been hidden

6. Reasons to study Revelation 1 – God sees their tears, pain and persecution. • for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17

7. Reasons to study Revelation 1 – God sees their tears, pain and persecution. • And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

8. Reasons to study Revelation 2 – Their prayers rule the world. • Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8

9. Reasons to study Revelation 2 – Their prayers rule the world. • 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. Revelation 8:3-4

10. Reasons to study Revelation 3 – Their death is precious in His sight. • 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." Revelation 14:13

11. Reasons to study Revelation 3 – Their death is precious in His sight. • And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4

12. Reasons to study Revelation 4 – Their final victory is assured. 2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! 4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested." Revelation 15:2-4

13. Reasons to study Revelation 5 – Their blood will be avenged. 9 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 testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Revelation 6:9-11

14. Reasons to study Revelation 5 – Their blood will be avenged. Sixth seal is the answer - 12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

15. Reasons to study Revelation 5 – Their blood will be avenged. Sixth seal is the answer - 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Revelation 6:12-17

16. Reasons to study Revelation 6 – Christ rules forever. 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!“ Revelation 5:11-12

17. Reasons to study Revelation 6 – Christ rules forever. 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" 14 Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever. Revelation 5:13-14

18. Reasons to study Revelation 7 – Christ is coming again to receive His own. 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. Revelation 22:12-14

19. Reasons to study Revelation 7 – Christ is coming again to receive His own. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a 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. Revelation 22:15-17

20. God Promises a Blessing • On those who READ • On those who HEAR • On those who KEEP • Revelation is part of God’s inspired Word. • We must not pick and choose what parts of the Bible to read and what parts to skip and ignore. • Will you be part of the final victory?