INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION

The Introduction Proper to the Book of Revelation 
Chapter One

Outline of Chapter

                   1.   The preface to the book. 1:1-3 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:" "Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw." "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."

                   2.   The transition to the theme of the book. 1:4-11 "John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;" "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet," "Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea."                3.   The presentation of the Person of the book. 1:12-16 "And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;" "And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle." "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;" "And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters." "And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."               4.   The explanation of the content of the book. 1:17-20 "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:" "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;" "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."

The Preface of the Book. 1:1-3

These opening verses very clearly and concisely point to the nature, content, and value of the book. The nature is described in verse 1, the content in verse 2, and the value in verse 3. 1"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:" 2"Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw." 3"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."

- The Nature of the Book of Revelation. 1

- Revelation: this is the purpose of the book.

+ The meaning of revelation. "Revelation" (apokalupsis)

It is the first word of the book and sounds both purpose and meaning of the book.
It is without the article and therefore lays particular emphasis upon the nature of the book. It is something revealed, that is, uncovered or unveiled; not something concealed, that is, covered or hidden. Daniel 12:4, 9; cf. Rev. 10:4 - both things sealed. But Revelation is something that is unsealed (Rev. 22:10). Olmstead's remark in teaching Revelation.

This book is the drawing aside the veil from:

                    The Person              (Chapter 1)

His Position            (Chapters 2-3)

His Power         (Chapters 4-18)

His Presence            (Chapters 19-20)

His Preeminence         (Chapters 21-22)