Revelation

Theme of Revelation

"A disclosure of Jesus Christ's exalted position and end-time program"

Date of Revelation

A minority of scholars places the time of writing in the 60s, the majority situate Revelation in the mid 90s,

Occasion/Contents of Revelation

John was commanded in Revelation 1:19 to "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this" (compare Rev 1:1; 22:6) The letters to the 7 churches. Describes seven seal judgments, seven trumpet judgments, and seven bowl judgments. Angelic beings assist in the revelation and implementation of these judgments. In between these judgments, Revelation describes key characters of the end times, including the Lamb (Jesus Christ), the 144,000 sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel, Apollyon and his minions, the two witnesses, the woman (Israel) persecuted by the Dragon (Satan), the beast from the sea (Antichrist), the beast from the earth (the false prophet), and the harlot of Babylon. Chapter 19 describes the Lamb's coming and His destruction of the armies gathered for a final great battle at Armageddon (cf. Rev 16:16). Satan is then bound for one thousand years (the "millennium"), followed by the "Great White Throne Judgment" (Rev 20). Chapter 21 describes the descent of the New Jerusalem. Chapter 22 closes with final warnings and exhortations.

Provenance of Revelation

John wrote from the island of Patmos

Author of Revelations

The author names himself as John (Rev 1:4, 9; 21:2; 22:8).

Audience of Revelation

The book of Revelation was given to God's servants (Rev 1:1). Specifically, Revelation was addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (Rev 2-3). These churches faced oppression, Jewish opposition, pagan immorality, and false teaching.