Read Revelation 1:10 along with Exodus 31:13, Isaiah 58:13, and Matthew 12:8. According to these texts, what day is clearly specified in the Bible as the Lord’s? How meaningful must this day have been for John in the midst of his hardships? “It was on the Sabbath that the Lord of glory appeared to the exiled apostle. The Sabbath was … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 1:9. What does John tell us of the circumstances in which he received the visions of Revelation? Patmos is a barren, rocky island in the Aegean Sea; it is ten miles long and six miles across its widest part. The Romans used it, together with other surrounding islands, as a penal colony for banished … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 1:9-18; Acts 7:54-60; Matt. 12:8; Exod. 20:11; Dan. 10:5-6; Rev. 1:20; Rev. 2:1-7. Memory Text: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7, NKJV). Psalm 73 describes the psalmist’s bewilderment as he observed the boastful pride of the ungodly. They lived in abundance and ease, in contrast to the … Continue reading –>
By Miguel Manuel Mafugula I was born into a Sunday-keeping family in Milange, a town located just 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Mozambique’s border with Malawi. My introduction to the Seventh-day Adventist Church came through a girl named Adelina. She was 16 and in the seventh grade, and she asked me for help with her … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Study of the Books of Daniel and the Revelation”, pages 112-119, in Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers. “This revelation was given for the guidance and comfort of the church throughout the Christian dispensation. … A revelation is something revealed. The Lord Himself revealed to His servant the mysteries contained in … Continue reading –>
The conclusion of the prologue of Revelation points to the true focus of the whole book: the return of Jesus in power and glory. Christ’s promise to come again is reiterated three times in the conclusion of the book (Rev. 22:7, Rev. 22:12, Rev. 22:20). Read Revelation 1:7-8. The wording of this text is derived from several prophetic texts: Daniel … Continue reading –>
Revelation begins with a greeting similar to the ones found in Paul’s letters. The book was sent ostensibly as a letter to the seven churches in Asia Minor in John’s day (Rev. 1:11). However, Revelation was not written for them only, but for all generations of Christians throughout history. Read Revelation 1:4-5 and Romans 1:7. What common greeting is … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 13:1, Daniel 7:1-3, and Ezekiel 1:1-14. What is the one thing that all these visions have in common? Revelation 1:1 further states: “And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John” (NKJV, emphasis added). Here we find a very important word in the book. The word “signified” is a translation of the Greek word semaino, meaning “to show … Continue reading –>
Revelation 1:1 also tells us that the purpose of the book is to show future events, starting from the time when the book itself was written. Anyone familiar with Revelation will notice that the prediction of events – whether those already fulfilled (at least from our perspective today) or those events still future (again, from our perspective … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 1:1-2. What is the significance of the full title of the book? What does the title teach us in terms of whom the book is really about? Revelation 1:1 states the title of the book as “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”. The word “revelation” comes from the Greek word apokalupsis (apocalypse), which means “uncovering” or “unveiling”. … Continue reading –>
