Why Study the Book of Revelation?

Breaking the Code
Why Study the Book of Revelation?

I. Introduction

A. Revelation 1:1-2 (NLT) ¹This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, ²who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

B. Acts 1:7 (NLT) He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.”

C. Mark 13:32-33 (NLT) ³²“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. ³³And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!”

1. We are not going to be the kind of church that engages in foolishness and unbiblical about the return of Christ.

II. Why Study the Book of Revelation?

A. Because it’s in the !

1. II Timothy 3:16-17 (NAS) ¹⁶All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

B. Because it carries a promise of .

1. Revelation 1:3 (NLT) God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

2. John is writing to people who don’t feel “.”

3. Being “blessed” means you’re going to live in the and of Almighty God!

C. Because it will sharpen our ability to the Bible.

1. “Hermeneutics” has to do with the science of .

2. To understand the Book of Revelation, we have to learn to recognize the “figurative” use of and metaphor—because the Book of Revelation is full of them.

3. John 10:9a (NLT) “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.”

4. Jesus is the to God—the way to God.

5. “What did John when he used this image?”

III. Four Images John Uses in the Book of Revelation

A.

1. Revelation 1:16a (NLT) He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth.

2. In John’s day, a “sword” was the means of exercising and power.

3. Whose do you allow to carry weight, or have power, in your life?

B.

1. Revelation 1:4-5a (NLT) ⁴This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; ⁵and from Jesus Christ.

2. The “Mark of the Beast” has to do with to Jesus.

3. Exodus 13:9 (NLT) This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the LORD: ‘With a strong hand, the LORD rescued you from Egypt.’

4. The sign on their forehead refers to their and attitudes. The sign on their hand refers to their —the work of their hands.

C.

1. Psalm 46:6 (NLT) The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!

2. All human beings are shown to be before God!

D.

1. John uses images to convey things that oftentimes aren’t easily understood if you didn’t live in that !

2. Revelation 5:5a (NLT) But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory.”

3. Revelation 5:6a (NLT) Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered.

4. Jesus’ Blood was shed—and the cause. I’m the reason. It’s because of my sin.

IV. Conclusion