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Date around A.D. 95 in reign of Domitian (so says Bishop Irenaeus in around A.D. 180)Author: Unknown John not the apostle.May have used John as a Pseudonym Greek in which it is written is very poor, suggesting a native Aramaic speaker who has moved from Palestine / Syria to Ephesus.

1234567PatmosEphesusSmyrnaPergamumThyatiraSardisPhiladelphiaLaodicea

But what is the purpose of this book and how come it found its way into the Canon of Scripture (the Bible)? Is it of any use to us today? If so how are we to interpret its message?

Arises out of troubled times when hope of resolution in time has all but disappearedRevelation is a politically subversive document. Written so that only insiders with the necessary background could understand the message hence the rich use of symbols and images drawn from the OT.Revelation as Apocalyptic literature But how are we to access this for ourselves today, and how can we benefit from reading it? Some hints found in the way the author describes his work at the beginning of the book.

Revelation (1.1): helping us see into the spiritual dimension that lies behind the physical structures of human society and events of human history. Symbolic language drawn from OTHebrew imagery creating an impression to the ear rather than to the eye Listen to the symphony rather than dissect the music into notesElicits emotions that cannot be put into wordsSymbolic numbers Heaven and Earth: correlative realities

Prophecy (1.3) Prophecy has a future orientation, but is aimed at helping us cope with the present. Uses past events to speak of the present and futureThe order of events in the book is logical, not chronological. God is in control and history is moving creation purposefully towards the goal of perfection. The challenge is to live our lives in the present in the light of God's future, so that we will have a part in that future.

A letter (1.4/5) Addressing the situation of the Church in the present age. This age is the last days, the period of time between the first and second comings of Christ. Each scene except the eighth or final scene spans the whole of this age. Its purpose is mainly pastoral

Outline and structure of the book of Revelation1.1-8 Prologue and greetingScene 1 Challenges: letters to 7 churches 7 ideals to aim at, 7 challenges to overcome, 7 promises to overcomers

Scene 2 Sufferings: Seven seals broken

Ch. 7 - Interlude: The sealing of the Faithful Scene 3 Warnings: Seven trumpets blownCh. 10 & 11 - Interlude The Witness of the Faithful1.9-3.224.1-8.1Scene 4 Behind the scenes: Seven portents of cosmic conflict 8.2-11.18 The end times = entire age of the church11.19-15.4 7th sealSilence7th TrumpetWorship15.2-4 Interlude The Worship of the Faithful

Outline and structure of the book of Revelation15.2-4 Interlude The Worship of the Faithful7th signScene 5 Just deserts: Seven bowls of God's wrath 15.5-16.21 Scene 6 Babylon the Whore: Seven words of Justice17.1-19.10 7 Reasons why the world domination system (Babylon) must be judgedScene 7 The Drama Behind History: Seven visions of reality 19.1121.8 Ends with a preview of the final scene (21.1 8)Scene 8 The New Creation: Seven final revelations that take us beyond the Seventh Day of creation

20.21-22 Epilogue21.922.19

The first scene opens with a vision of Christ central in his Church (1.9 20)

7 Lampstands = congregations in the 7 towns to whom letters are addressed; the structures that carry the light of Christ7 stars = the angels = messenger or inner life of the congregations, the message part that shines.

Seven steps to the throne

The Seven Letters (2.1 3.22)7 churches7 virtues7 challenges7 promisesLaodiceaHumilityIndependent PrideEnthronementPhiladelphia FaithfulnessHold on to the goodSecuritySardisRealityNominalismCitizenshipThyratiraPurityCompromiseAuthorityPergamumIntegrityLoss of virtueNourishmentSmyrna EnduranceFearVindicationEphesusWarm loveLuke warm faithLife