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Reading Guide
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
January 19-25
Author: The author identifies himself as “John”; there is considerable external evidence that it was John the Apostle. Date: Approximately 95 AD
Occasion: The first three words of the book are “Revelation Jesus Christ”. The first verse explains the occasion or purpose for the book: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place."
Here is what I would like you to do as you read:
Forget everything you know about the modern world. Specifically, do not speculate about today’s events and how they might fit into Revelation.
Walk a mile in their shoes: You are living in Asia Minor under the rule of the powerful Roman Empire, which as far as you know, rules the entire world.
You are living in a city with a population between 100,000 and 250,000 people.
The Roman empire dominates the economy and religion.
The emperor, Domitian, claims to be god and demands allegiance.
The culture is full of temples and idols for worship of many other gods.
If you do not participate in temple activities or have idols, you are called an “atheist” because you do not acknowledge the gods of the culture.
You may be discriminated against economically and socially because of your beliefs.
Some people you know may have been imprisoned or executed for their commitment to Jesus and their refusal to compromise.
You also know people who are compromising with the culture around them to avoid persecution - participating in temple worship and immorality.
What did Revelation mean to these people?
Some things to look for:
Heard something; then saw something - Several times John said he heard something, then he said he saw something. Here are two examples:
5:1-10 - heard (v5), saw (v6)
7:1-12 - heard (v4), saw (v9)
Seven blessings throughout the book - “Blessed are…” or “blessed is…”
The Lamb - Where is he? What is his appearance? What is he doing?
Lampstands - What do they represent?
Sword - Where is Jesus’ sword?
Tribulation - consider this term in context
If you read Revelation over more than one sitting, here is a suggestion for reading segments:
Chapters 1-3; chapters 4-5; chapters 6-7; chapters 8-11; chapters 12-14; chapters 15-16; chapters 17-19; chapters 20-22