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 –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 1:1-8; John 14:1-3; Deut. 29:29; John 14:29; Rom. 1:7; Phil. 3:20; Dan. 7:13-14. Memory Text: “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” (Revelation 1:3, NKJV). The prophecies of Revelation were revealed in vision to the apostle John … Continue reading –>
The Good News From Patmos Almost two millennia ago, the apostle John was exiled on a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea because of his faithful witness to the gospel. The aged apostle endured all the hardships of Roman imprisonment. On one particular Sabbath, he had a special visit from Jesus Christ, who came … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “Behold, I Come Quickly”, pages 355-359, in Counsels for the Church. Read the articles “Resurrection”, pages 1082-1084, and “Heaven and New Earth”, pages 863, 864, in The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia. “The resurrection and ascension of our Lord is a sure evidence of the triumph of the saints of God over death and the grave, … Continue reading –>
By Bob Stuart The doctor looked me straight in the eye. “You have inoperable prostate cancer”, he said. “You have 18 months to live.” Back at home, my family and I sat down to compile a bucket list of things to accomplish in my last 18 months. One of my four sons said he wanted … Continue reading –>
Read Isaiah 35:4-10, Isa. 65:21-25. How different will life then be from what we experience now? Several times in the book of Isaiah we read of something new: “new things” (Isa. 42:9, Isa. 48:6), “a new song” (Isa. 42:10), “a new thing” (Isa. 43:19), “a new name” (Isa. 62:2). What is new in chapter 65 is a new order of things. … Continue reading –>
