Revealing Jesus

Welcome to this unique opportunity to interact with the last book of the Bible -- a book written especially for people living close to the return of Jesus. In this Bible study you will expand your awareness of God and His amazing Word. This Revelation Bible study is an adventure in Biblical understanding, and spiritual growth.

Some of the study guides examine the chapters of Revelation in sequential order from chapter one through chapter twenty-two, while others look at the dominant symbols of Revelation. Each study guide will have a warm-up segment -- a time to relate to the feelings the topic invokes. This is the Relational Section. The second section is Educational -- where the Word is examined, studied, researched and explored. This is a time to really grow in Biblical knowledge. Prophecy and Scripture will come alive. The third section is Devotional -- a beautiful opportunity for spiritual growth.

There are a number of basic principle involved in the study of Revelation. These principles, if remembered, will help dispel the mysteries and speculations which have led some people to miss the fantastic blessings God has for those who hear and take to heart Jesus' beautiful message for Christians today. Here are some important things to remember:

Where were you living when you were thirteen and what experience from that year do you remember most vividly?

What have others said?

PROLOGUE "1) The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2) who testifies to everything he saw -- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."	As the book of Revelation is studied, never forget that this is supremely a Revelation of In what ways will this Revelation affect your attitude toward this amazing series of prophetic messages? What have others said?
"3) Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."	In John's day someone would read the scroll aloud while others listened. It is not just listening that brings a blessing but listening and
GREETINGS AND DOXOLOGY "4) John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5) and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the rulers of the kings of the earth."	Seven Churches: This is a spiritually complete message for the church. How many other sevens can you find in Revelation? Cross Reference: Check Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 5:1. Why are grace and peace so real for Christians? What have others said? If you haven't already -- please accept Jesus' love and forgiveness now. It's free and will open a new life for you.
"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6) and has bade us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father -- to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen."	Cross Reference: How does Peter explain the priesthood of Christian believers? 1 Peter 2:9 What have others said?
"7) Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the people of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen."	Revelation gives a number of graphic pictures of the second coming of Jesus. How is the Jesus who returns also described in Acts 1:11?
"8) 'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.'"	Alpha and Omega -- the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. See the mini-study at the end of this chapter.
ONE LIKE A SON OF MAN "9) I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus."	What is the testimony of Jesus and how is it a sign of God's people near the time of His return? Check Revelation 19:10 and 12:17. What have others said?
"10) On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,"	In a later study guide you will see the link between the Lord's day and the Lord's seal.
"11) which said: 'Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.'	This is the first of John's major visions. Jesus is seen as the great High Priest in the Temple of Heaven.
"12) I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13) and among the lampstands was someone 'like a son of man,' dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet with a golden sash around his chest."	Cross Reference: In what dramatic way did Jesus emphasize to His disciples that He retained His humanity after the resurrection? Luke 24:36-43.
"14) His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15) His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters."	The "blazing" eyes see all, the bronze feet symbolize judgment. Do you find this a frightening or encouraging picture of Jesus?
"16) In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."	Cross Reference: How does Scripture explain the sword? Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12.
"17) When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: 'Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18) I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.'"	'Hades' means the grave. Jesus' resurrection power is the 'key.' Do you see Jesus using the 'key' in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17?
"19) 'Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.'"	Two Study Clues: Some events in Revelation would take place close to John's time while others would cover future history.
"20) 'The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.'"	Here is an indication that very vivid symbolism is going to be used throughout Revelation. For example, the lampstands represent churches. But what do the churches represent? The study of Revelation 2 and 3 will explain this.

Here is a verse study showing that it was none other than the Almighty God who paid the wages of sin -- death.

What estimate of the heavenly value of your life is revealed by the fact that your Saviour Jesus is the Almighty God?

What have others said?

"Blessed" means happy -- What happiness can come from reading a book that tells both the good and the bad about the future?

What have others said?

How does the certainty of the resurrection make Jesus' love and forgiveness special for you?

What have others said?

John considers himself a brother of those who study this book in faith. Who are your Christian relatives?

What have others said?

It is extremely important to ask God to lead you in the study of His Word. Always pray for the help of the Holy Spirit. He will lead you to discover the truths that are important for you at this time.

You can check words and topics throughout the Bible by using a good concordance. Young's gives the word in English followed by a brief meaning and then the Greek or Hebrew word. Strong's concordance gives a number by which you can check the Hebrew or Greek and its meaning at the back of the concordance.

A good Bible Dictionary can be helpful at times, but Bible Commentaries may give biased interpretations and should be used with caution.

If everything in Revelation is understood literally, then all sorts of strange conclusions will result. For example Jesus will be a fourfooted Lamb covered in blood; He will have a sword coming out of His mouth, and He will have seven eyes! The saved will do their laundry in blood and after death will end up crying out from under the altar in heaven. Locusts with women's hair will attack the earth. Obviously this graphic language is to be taken symbolically.

"No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter 1:20 KJV. So all of the symbols used must be interpreted from within Revelation or the rest of the Bible.

Also, the yearly religious events of Israel figure prominently in the symbolism, especially centering on the events of the autumn with:

Nations are often represented as beasts, just as this type of symbolism is used today.

You will meet other assorted symbols that will become clear as the book is studied, for example:

You may wonder why God inspired the writing of Revelation in a code using so much symbolism. If He had not done so, this book would not be here today because its truths have stood in opposition to the corrupt political and religious systems throughout the ages. It emphasizes also that truth will triumph. If you study this book sincerely seeking the guidance of God, then "you will know the truth and the truth will make you free."

In the 20 study guides of the Snapshots of Revelation Bible study, you will discover the meaning of a large part of this book. It will be impossible, however, to cover every little detail, but you will see the larger picture and will be motivated to continue exploring God's Word for the rest of your life.

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