Blessed is the man who comprehends the words of this book. That was the take of this book’s author: John the Apostle. Church tradition has it that Rome tried to boil John in a vat of oil, but he would not cook. The island of Patmos became the home of his exile and there he wrote this book.
Peter had been particularly unfaithful to Jesus in the days leading up to the crucifixion. After the resurrection Jesus took Peter on a walk down the beech. Jesus had long forgiven Peter for denials at the trial, but forgiveness does not always restore relationship. The walk along the beech was to smooth out the awkwardness that surely Peter conjured.
I don’t really know why John was along that day, but he was also walking on the beech. He was behind Jesus and Peter, and after Jesus foretold the manner of Peter’s death Peter had a question. He looked over his shoulder and said, “What about him?” Jesus made it plain that the manner of John’s death was none of Peter’s business. “If I want him to remain alive until I return what is that to you?” was the reply.
Jesus did not say that John would live until he came back. It is curious to me, though, that John was left until he saw prophecies of Christ’s return. That return would be millennia in the future, but he saw it. John put a premium on faith, and was given more sight than anyone else the world had known.
Chapter 1: “Write what you have seen…”
- Revelation 1:1-3 »» God’s revelation of truth1
- Revelation 1:4-5a »» A Truth Challenge from John. Study Revelation and be blessed.2
- Revelation 1:5b-6 »» Making real worship out of real world experiences3
- Revelation 1:7-8 »» Ready or not here I come!4
- Revelation 1:9-11 »» John: humility, communion, and Spirit guided understanding5
- Revelation 1:12-16 »» Magnificence is missed when seeing scripture like young Bitzer6
- Revelation 1:17-18 »» Doubt antidotes. Reminders from Jesus himself 7
- Revelation 1:19-20 »» George Kennan, the cold war and write therefore 8
Chapter 2: “Write what is now…” The first four get their letters
- Revelation 2:1-7 »» The Message to Ephesus: Manner is good; Motivations aren’t (anymore).9
- Revelation 2:8-11 »» The Message to Smyrna: Some Suffer10
- Revelation 2:12-17 »» The Message to Pergamum: Pergamum needs a purge11
- Revelation 2:18-29 »» The Message to Thyatira 12
Chapter 3: “Write what is now…” The last 3 get their letters
- Revelation 3:1-6 »» The Message to Sardis: Do what you know is right…or else13
- Revelation 3:7-13 »» The Message to Philadelphia: God is your keeper14
- Revelation 3:14-22 »» The Message to Laodicea: Abandon Apathy15
Chapter 4: An eternal worship service
- Revelation 4 »» Worship “after this” an eternal view16
Chapter 5: Who knows the future?
- Revelation 5:1-5 »» The glory of God is to conceal a matter 17
- Revelation 5:6-14 »» Jesus was no reluctant hero, but God 18
Chapter 6: Here come da seals
- Revelation 6:1-8 »» The future will not be pretty19
- Revelation 6:9-17 »» Martyrs and Cavemen20
Chapter 7: Eye of the storm
- Revelation 7 »» An Eye in the Storm: Honor for Christ’s followers21
Chapter 8: God winds down project earth
- Revelation 8:1-5 »» The earth needs purified22
- Revelation 8:6-13 »» Demolition earth, God’s job not ours23
Chapter 9
- Revelation 9 »» Smoky locusts need God’s permission24
Chapter 10
- Revelation 10 »» Angels and stomach aches25
Chapter 11
- Revelation 11:1-14 »» Spiritual warfare past and future26
- Revelation 11:15-19 »» The process of God’s kingdom27
Revelation Timeline from 12 to 2028
Chapter 12
- Revelation 12 »» There is victory in Jesus…forever.29
Chapter 13
- Revelation 13:1-10 »» Satan wants what God has. He counterfeits to get it.30
- Revelation 13:11-18 »» Puppets, deceit and scary number 666.31
Chapter 14
- Revelation 14:1-5 »» The Lamb, his 144,000 and a New Concert.32
- Revelation 14:6-11 »» Angels>>Missionaries of an Eternal Gospel.33
- Revelation 14:13-20 »» God’s written record of rest, reward and reproof.34
Chapter 15
- Revelation 15 »» Prelude to finish God’s wrath.35
Chapter 16
- Revelation 16:1-9 »» Four bowls of badness (3 more later).36
- Revelation 16:10-21 »» Technology trips and a trip to Armageddon37
Chapter 17
- Revelation 17:1-7b »» Ramblings about a whore and her blasphemous beast. 38
- Revelation 17:7b-18 »» People don’t want to serve God….or Satan. 39
Chapter 18
- Revelation 18:1-5 »» Bad company corrupts good manners. 40
- Revelation 18:6-8 »» Payback goes both ways, aka: The chickens come home to roost. 41
- Revelation 18:9-10 »» Avoidance. Even kings do it.42
- Revelation 18:11-17 »» Good merchandise in a malignant market.43
- Revelation 18:17-20 »» The little man sees Babylon’s smoke44
- Revelation 18:21-23a »» Splash, gone! The violent disappearance of Babylon45
- Revelation 18:23b-24 »» God’s ways can be knowable. Conclusion of Revelation 1846
Chapter 19
- Revelation 19:1-3 »» Ultimate worship gives ultimate advantage for the now47
- Revelation 19:4-10 »» Arrived. A Christmas surprise48
- Revelation 19:11-16 »» Heaven will be opened and Jesus seen49
- Revelation 19:17-21 »» Victory so assured God only calls the birds50
Chapter 20
- Revelation 20:1-3 »» Angels sometimes bring chains51
- Revelation 20:4-6 »» The thousand year theocracy52
- Revelation 20:7-10 »» The coordinated countdown53
- Revelation 20:11-15 »» The Great White Throne: Final Judgment54
Chapter 21
- Introduction »» Plagued by strong opinions55
- Revelation 21:1-4 »» More than we can imagine56
- Revelation 21:5-8 »» The “is-ness” of getting accomplished57
- Revelation 21:9-21 »» Jerusalem descending58
- Revelation 21:22-27 »» No temple will be needed in the glow of living glory59
Chapter 22
- Revelation 22:1-5 »» More than sufficient60
- Revelation 22:6-9 »» People do predication; God gives prophesy61
- Revelation 22:10-11 »» Forever sticks62
- Revelation 22:12-13 »» Uncertainty breeds better behavior63
- Revelation 22:14-15 »» Probing for proper perception64
- Revelation 22:16-21 »» Branching in the direction of God65