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Introduction to Revelation
Revelation promises a blessing to every disciple who reads, hears,
and keeps its words (Revelation 1:3). This book unveils Jesus to
suffering saints and calls us to faithful endurance with living
hope. Tonight we begin by hearing what the first hearers heard and
by obeying what Christ reveals.
The Blessing
and Aim of Revelation
God attached a blessing to this book. That means He intends us to
understand its message and submit to it. Revelation is not a riddle
to entertain curiosity; it is a word from the risen Christ to steady
the church under pressure. When we read, hear, and keep, God
strengthens our courage and deepens our loyalty to the Lamb
(Revelation 1:3; 17:14).
Who Wrote and
To Whom
“The revelation of Jesus Christ… sent and signified… to His servant
John” introduces the book’s source, method, and messenger
(Revelation 1:1–2). John, the apostle, writes to seven congregations
in Roman Asia—Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis,
Philadelphia, and Laodicea (Revelation 1:4, 11). Christ walks among
His lampstands and knows every congregation’s condition (Revelation
1:12–13).
When and
Why
The evidence points to the late first century, when emperor worship
and official hostility pressed believers to compromise. Some were
imprisoned; some were martyred (Revelation 2:10; 2:13). Revelation
comforts and corrects the churches and calls them to overcome by
faithful witness to Jesus (Revelation 12:11; 17:14).
How to Read
a Book of Signs
John says the message was “signified”—given in signs (Revelation
1:1). Symbols are God’s chosen language here. We therefore interpret
by Scripture, context, and audience. Nearness statements anchor us
in the original setting: “things which must shortly take place… the
time is near” (Revelation 1:1–3). Reading through first-century eyes
keeps us from forcing foreign ideas into the text and helps us hear
what those churches first heard.
Survey of
Common Approaches
Many treat Revelation chiefly as future global chronology; others
compress almost everything into A.D. 70; some map it as a timeline
of Western history. A contextual, first-century reading asks, “What
did this mean to those seven churches?” Then we apply its calls to
repentance, endurance, and hope to our own condition (Revelation
2–3).
The Heart
of the Message
Revelation unveils the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. He is the First
and the Last, the Living One who conquered death (Revelation
1:17–18). He reigns, shepherds, and judges. The church conquers by
faithful allegiance to the Lamb—holding the word of testimony,
refusing idolatry, and enduring to the end (Revelation 2:10; 12:11).
The end is certain: the Lamb wins, and His people share His victory
(Revelation 17:14; 21:1–7).
How This
Helps Us Today
Christ still walks among His congregations. He still commends love,
truth, and endurance; He still calls for repentance where we have
fallen (Revelation 2:4–5; 3:19). He still promises a crown of life
to the faithful and fellowship at His throne to those who overcome
(Revelation 2:10; 3:21). Hearing and keeping His words will steady
our hearts in every trial.
Introduction to Revelation Sermon Outline:
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Background and Audience
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Source
and method: revelation “in signs” from Jesus Christ through
John (Revelation 1:1–2).
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Recipients: seven churches of Asia under cultural and
political pressure (Revelation 1:4, 11; 2:10; 2:13).
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Purpose
and Blessing
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Blessing
attached to reading, hearing, and keeping (Revelation 1:3).
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Comfort,
correction, and courage for disciples under persecution
(Revelation 2–3; 17:14).
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How to
Study
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Let
Scripture interpret Scripture; keep the first audience and
“near” statements in view (Revelation 1:1–3).
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Follow
the book’s flow: throne, seals, trumpets, bowls—visions that
display the same conflict from heaven’s perspective,
culminating in the Lamb’s triumph (Revelation 4–22).
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Views
in Brief
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Futurist: places most of 4–22 wholly ahead; weak connection
to immediate comfort (Revelation 1:1–3).
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Preterist (extreme): compresses nearly all into A.D. 70;
clashes with promises extending beyond Jerusalem (Revelation
20–22).
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Historicist: maps visions onto long secular timelines; loses
the seven churches’ urgency.
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Contextual first-century: asks what it meant to them and
then applies to us (Revelation 2–3; 1:1–3).
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The
Central Hope
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Christ’s
present reign among His people (Revelation 1:12–18).
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The
church conquers by faithfulness under pressure (Revelation
2:10; 12:11).
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The
Lamb’s certain victory and the saints’ inheritance
(Revelation 17:14; 21:1–7).
Call to Action
Open your heart and home to this book. Read Revelation aloud this
week (Revelation 1:3). Pray for courage to repent where Christ
corrects and perseverance where He commends. Resolve to follow the
Lamb in your choices, speech, and loyalties. Hold fast to His
promise: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of
life” (Revelation 2:10).
Key
Takeaways
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Revelation
is an unveiling to be read, heard, and kept, with blessing
promised (Revelation 1:1–3).
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Christ walks
among His churches and speaks to real conditions (Revelation
1:12–13; chs. 2–3).
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The nearness
statements and first audience guide sound interpretation
(Revelation 1:1–3).
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The church
conquers by faithful witness and endurance (Revelation 2:10;
12:11).
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The Lamb
wins, and His people share His victory (Revelation 17:14;
21:1–7).
Scripture
Reference List
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Revelation
1:1–3 — Source, signs, blessing, nearness.
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Revelation
1:12–18 — Christ among the lampstands; the Living One.
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Revelation
2:4–5 — Christ’s correction and call to repent.
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Revelation
2:10 — “Be faithful until death… crown of life.”
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Revelation
2:13 — Faithful witness under martyrdom.
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Revelation
3:19, 21 — Loving discipline and the promise to sit with Him.
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Revelation
12:11 — Conquering by the blood of the Lamb and word of
testimony.
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Revelation
17:14 — The Lamb overcomes; His people are called, chosen,
faithful.
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Revelation
21:1–7 — New creation and the saints’ inheritance.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
