INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND, AND
REVELATION 1:1-3
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The author of Revelation is the Apostle John.
A. Revelation 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8 give the author’s name as that of John.
B. The early church leaders including Papias, Justin Martyr, Iranaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Origen, Methodius and the Muratorian fragment all attest to the Apostle John as the writer.
C. Internal evidence inside the book of Revelation compared with John’s other writings (The Gospel of John, I, II, III John) show many similarities and few differences. Some examples are:
1. The use of “The Word” (John 1:1, I John 1:1, Rev. 19:13).
2. The use of “fellowship with” or “companion in: (I John 1:3, 6, 7; Rev. 1:9, 18:4).
3. The use from the quote from Zech. 12:10 in exactly the same way
(John 19:37, Rev. 1:7).
D. The Apostle John’s five books show a rich and full dynamic of Yahweh’s salvation found only in Jesus Christ.
1. The Apostle John wrote the Gospel of John to give instruction on justification (believing in Christ) and sanctification (believers living out their life in Christ) (John 20:31).
2. He wrote his letters of I, II, III John to the churches in Asia Minor concerning doctrinal issues (I John 4:2, 3; II John 7) and how to have real fellowship in Yahweh Father and Yahweh Jesus (sanctification,
I John 1:3, 4)
3. He wrote Revelation to reveal the glorified Christ to the churches of Asia Minor (sanctification, Revelation chapters 2 and 3) and to reveal Jesus judging this earth, setting up His Earthly and Eternal Kingdom reign, the bodily resurrection of the dead, and rewarding His faithful believers (glorification, Revelation chapters 1, 5-22).
E. The Apostle John became one of Jesus’ closest disciples while ministering with Him. John reclined close to Jesus at the Lord’s supper (John 13:23), He witnessed the transfiguration (Luke 9:28), and was entrusted with the care of Mary (the mother of Jesus, John 19:26-27).
Thought: How do we determine teaching and preaching credibility today in our churches?
II. A date for the writing of Revelation that is the most plausible and historically substantiated is around 95 A.D.
A. This date best agrees with the early church leaders who place John’s exile to Patmos during the time of the Roman emperor Domitian (81-96 A.D.).
B. One possible scenario: John took care of Mary (Jesus’ mother) after 33 A.D. where the apostles headquartered in Jerusalem. He might have become an evangelist – church planter in Asia Minor setting up his missionary headquarters in Ephesus. He might have written the Gospel of John at Ephesus (as per Irenaeus) between 48-52 A.D. to strengthen the seven churches when he moved back to Jerusalem. He participated in the Apostle Paul’s concordat of missionary division around 48 A.D. (Gal. 2:1-10). At the time of the writing of
I John (probably 64-65 A.D.), he seems to be back in Jerusalem with the other apostles (I John 2:19). After the Jewish war (66 A.D.) broke out and the destruction of the Jewish temple (70 A.D.), he moved back to Ephesus and continued his ministry for another 25-30 years in Asia Minor. He is exiled to Patmos and writes Revelation around 95 A.D.
C. Some Bible scholars and commentators prefer an earlier date for the writing of Revelation under the Roman emperor Nero (54-68 A.D.). Many of these commentators see the events of Revelation as primarily historical and dealing with the things Christians struggled with under Nero. Primarily a futurist exegesis of Revelation is thought to follow the rules of the literal-historical- grammatical interpretation of prophecy and so will be used in this study. Mention will be made to those that have other persuasions.
III. The Apostle John was given a wonderful message by the God of the Universe (Yahweh) which he was instructed to write down and share with all of Yahweh’s servants (Rev. 1:1-3).
A. It is called the revelation of Jesus Christ (verse 1).
1. The English word revelation comes from the Greek word “apokalypsis.” The word has a prefix “apo” (away or take away) and the root “kalypsis” (a cover) bringing out the ideas of taking away a cover, an uncovering, or unveiling. Thus, revelation discloses or reveals something which has been concealed. It’s amazing!
2. This message is specifically going to unveil the message and glory of Jesus Christ our Yeshua Ha Meshiach (Savior Messiah or Annointed Savior). We will be able to see Jesus in a whole new way!
B. It is going to speak of things that “must soon take place” or “must happen soon” which concerns future events (verse 1). The idea is probably a Scriptural fulfilling of already mentioned prophetic events (see the similar wording of Daniel 2:28, 29, 45; Mark 13:7; Rev. 4:1, 22:6). The idea of “soon” can be looked at from Yahweh’s timetable (Luke 18:8; 2 Peter 3:8-13). It’s important!
C. John assures his readers that the things he is writing about is the very “Word of God” and the very “testimony of Jesus Christ” (verse 2). It’s reliable!
D. It is a prophecy which brings a blessing to those who will read it, hear it, and apply it (verse 3). It will bless you!
Thought: Let’s commit ourselves to reading, hearing, and applying this amazing, important, reliable, blessing producing book of Revelation!
