PROPHECY DECIPHERED

Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. Matt 13:16

Studies into the books of Daniel and The Revelation

Revelation Historical Context

The date for the writing of Revelation is within the reign of Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus (81-96AD). He is known as Domitian

Tradition states that John was beaten, scourged and then placed in a cauldron of boiling oil. When he didn’t die Domitian exiled him to the island of Patmos.

Characteristics 4 Major characteristics of Apocalyptic writing

Cosmic Context A universe context that addresses the conflict

between Christ on one side and Satan on the other Visions and Dreams

Primary mode of delivery is “in the Spirit” (ch1:10), which uses visions and dreams, that often defy description by human language.

Allegory The use of symbols for lessons.

Literary Form Prose not poetry.

Chiastic in Nature

The Number Seven

Seven Blessings Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of

this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it: for the time is near. (1:3)

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.(14:13)

Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments. (16:15)

Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lord. (19:9)

Blessed and holy is he who is part of the first resurrection. (20:6)

Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. (22:7)

Blessed are those who do His commandments (22:14)

Chapter One Vs 1 Revelation of Jesus – Greek work

apokalypsis = an unveiling or an uncovering

Signified –Gr semaino = to show by a sign or symbol

Shortly come to pass: repeated 7 times. 1:1, 1:3, 3:11,22:6, 22:7, 22:12, 22:20.

Vs 2 Saw – visual method used 73 times audio method used 38

times

The Godhead “The One who is and who was and who is

coming” The Seven Spirits who are before His

Throne Jesus Christ

Faithful Witness Firstborn of the Dead Ruler of the Kings of the Earth

They that pierced Him Matthew 26:64 Zechariah 12:10 Psalms 22:16

Alpha and Omega Three times in this chapter, vs 8, 11, 17 Isaiah 41:4

Where is Patmos?

Vs 9 Romans 8:17

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Philipians' 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of

Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake

Verse 10 Vision

2 Cor 12:1-2 1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I

will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

Trumpet 1 Thess 4:16

Vs 12 7 Candlesticks

Exodus 25:37 Zechariah 4:2

So the question is where is this place?

Vs 13 One like the Son of Man

Parallels the description given in Dan 7:13-14, and Ezekiel 1:26-27

Used in reference to Christ in the following verses: Matt 24:30, 37, 39, 44; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 19:10

Vs 16 What is the two edged sword?

Isaiah 49:2 Ephesians 6:17 Hebrews 4:12

Vs 18 Death and Hades

Greek words thanatos and hades Thanatos means the act of death or ceasing

life Hades means the place where the dead go.

“You are my witness,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.

I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no saviour.

I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are my witnesses,” says the Lord, “that I am God.

Indeed before the day was, I am He; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and ho will reverse it?”

Isaiah 43:10-13