Revelation: Introduction

Setting

Revelation, the last book in the Bible, is in this position because it shows how all the prophecies, promises and covenants written in the previous 65 books are fulfilled. This book by God the Father, was delivered to His Son, to show to His servants things that must shortly come to pass; Jesus Christ then signified it to His servant John by His angel, Revelation 1:1.

John was instructed by Christ Jesus to write the things that he had seen, which are, and which shall be hereafter, and these things were addressed to the seven churches, which are in Asia, Revelation 1:4. It is important to rightly divide the Word of God, 2Timothy 2:15, and understand to whom this book is addressed, who penned this book, and which of God's two plans does this book falls under. God has a separate future plan for both Israel and the Body-of-Christ, which are the prophetic plan for Israel, and the mystery program for the Body-of- Christ.

The book of revelation was written primarily to believers in the prophetic plan for Israel, for their preparation of the tribulation, which they will go through. The tribulation period, which will the worst experience since Israel was ever a nation, Daniel 12:1, will follow soon after the snatching away (rapture) of the Body-of-Christ. Afterwards, the Jewish churches will be reformed. So this book is directed to them, though it is also for the Body-of-Christ today for edification and learning of God's overall plan for the ages. The following are reasons for this position:

  • John is the one who penned this book
  • John was the apostle, a pillar, to the circumcision, Galatians 2:8-9
    • Peter opened the door of the kingdom of God to the Gentiles, Acts 10:34-46, Acts 15:7-11, but,
    • Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles, Romans 11:13
    • There was a division of effort to minister and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to Israel and the Gentiles, where:
      • John would continue to minister to the circumcision (Israel)
      • Paul would continue to minister to the uncircumcision (Gentiles), Galatians 2:7-9
  • Revelation is a prophetic book, Revelation 1:3, Revelation 22:7, 10, 18-19
  • Revelation is addressed to the seven synagogues (churches) that were under John's apostleship
  • The book is steeped in Israel’s history that the Body-of-Christ does not share in

The book of revelation is also written for the Body-of-Christ. Though the epistles written by Paul, from Romans through Philemon, were written directly to the Body-of-Christ, all other portions of scripture are written for our learning that through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope, Romans 15:4. Paul also showed how the actions of Israel in the past led to God's judgments, 1Corinthians 10:1-5, serve as examples to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they did, 1Corinthians 10:6. Similarly, the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation are also for our learning, understanding and discernment with respect to our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. From the book of Revelation, we can be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, to the end that we would walk worthy of the Lord, being pleasing to Him, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, Colossians 1:9-10.

As with many of the other prophetic books in the Old Testament, there was no understanding given to them of a Jewish New Testament church. That was first revealed by Jesus to His apostles, Matthew 16:18. During the earthly ministry of Jesus, he prepared His apostles to lead His church after His death, burial, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the father. He referred to His apostles as His "little flock," Luke 12:32, then they led the Jewish church after the Lord's ascension. But after the spiritual leaders of Israel rejected the rebuke of the Holy Spirit three times. These rebukes came through the Lord's followers who were filled with the Holy Spirit. The first to appear before Israel's religious leaders were Peter and John, Acts 4:1-23, then all 12 apostles, Acts 5:17-40, and finally with the martyrdom of Stephen, Acts 6:11-15 through Acts 7:1-60. Then Israel fell temporarily, and salvation was given to the Gentiles, Romans 11:11. From that time, the Jewish church faded away as God began His work with the Body of Christ, Romans 11:11-12. The Body-of-Christ will continue on earth until the snatching away (rapture). From that moment, the Jewish church will resume and continue on through the tribulation. The following chart illustrates God's prophetic program for Israel.


To reemphasize the previous thought, as Israel goes through the tribulation, the Body-of-Christ will be in the presence of God in His throne room. The following graphic depicts the New Testament church from the resurrection of Christ Jesus until the temporary rejection of Israel, and the emergence of the Body-of-Christ, which will last until the time of the snatching away (rapture) of the church. Afterwards, the earthly Jewish churches emerge almost immediately, and continue through the tribulation. The following chart illustrates God's mystery program for the Body-of-Christ.

At the end of the tribulation, when the Lord returns, there will be surviving believers in Christ Jesus, Jew and Gentile. They are the ones who will see the literal, physical and visible return of Christ Jesus. They are the ones who will repopulate the earth during the Lord's millennial reign.

The book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ to Israel for their preparation to go through the tribulation, to show them when, relative to all the events to occur in the tribulation, when His kingdom will come, Acts 1:6, and then eternity future. This revelation also shows the place of the New Testament church, its purpose, and the Lord's will concerning them through all eternity.

The book of Revelation can be divided into:

  • Revelation 1 - The introduction to the book of Revelation
  • Revelation 2-5 - Instructions and events for the young tribulation churches
  • Revelation 6-19 - The tribulation
  • Revelation 20 - The millennial reign of Jesus Christ
  • Revelation 21-22 - Eternity future and the conclusion to this book

It is best to have a working knowledge of the entire Bible in order to gain a fuller understanding of the book of Revelation and receive the richest blessings from the study of this book. The purpose in the construction of these webpages is to provide a convenient means to the viewer to quickly access relevant passage from scripture that relate to the passages in Revelation being studied and aid the reader's understanding.

Revelation 1:3, blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.