The Amplified Bible

The Amplified Bible - Revelation

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THE

REVELATION

TO JOHN

Introduction: The author of this book is identified through out as John: (1.1,4,9; 21.2; 22.8). Tradition identified him as the beloved disciple, the apostle of the Lord. Both the content of the book and external testimony indicate that the author had a place of unquestioned leadership among the churches of Asia. At the time of writing he was on the small island of Patmos, off the coast of Greece. Although banished for "the word of God and the testimony (the proof, the evidence) of Jesus Christ" (1.9-10), John was the recipient of this vision, and he subsequently addressed it to the seven churches with which he was familiar. Very likely he had previously ministered to them. Tradition points to Ephesus as the burial place of John.

Having some of the characteristics of apocalyptic literature - use of metaphors and pseudonyms, symbolic language, dreams, visions, excessive us of numbers, celestial and demonic powers accomplishing God's purpose, hope for the persecuted in times of despair - the book of Revelation is often known as the Apocalypse of the New Testament. Consequently the problem of interpretation is complex.

Four main views of interpretation prevail among New Testament scholars. The preterist view understands the book exclusively in terms of its first-century setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place. It relates the content of this book as describing the strunggle between imperial Rome and the church, so that everything was fulfilled at that time. The historical view takes it as describing the long chain of events from Patmos to the end of history. The idealist interpretation regards this book as reflecting the ageless struggle between God and the forces of evil with no particular historical reference, that is, it views it as symbolic pictures of such timeless truths as the victory of good over evil. The futurish view interprets the first three chapters as historical, with the remainder awaiting fulfillment during the "Great Tribulation" and the establishment of the everlasting kingdom.

The first verse of the book, "the revelation of Jesus Christ," identifies Jesus Christ as the central figure of this book. From the beginning to the end the person of Christ is dominant. Jesus is the Lamb who was provided redemption. He will execute judgment and ultimately subdue all opposition, so that the everlasting kingdom will be supremely established. Chronological sequence prevails throughout the book in the unfolding of the developments, offering a divine perspective of history. In the ultimate kingdom are fulfilled all the promises throughout the Old and New Testaments concerning the resturation of the kingdom and the establishment of a period of absolute peace, where righteousness and justice prevail without disruption.

Three views are commonly held concerning the interpretation of the thousand years mentioned in chapter 20. According to the postmillennialist, the triumph of the gospel inaugurates the millennium; some advocates regard the thousand years as figurative, others as literal. The amillennial view spiritualized this passage, holding that the binding of Satan occurred with the death and resurrection of Christ and that the thousand years as a literal period is not-existent. The premillennial view maintains that Christ at His return will initiate the thousand-year period that extands beyong the final rebellion as the everlasting kingdom.

Outline:

Christ reveals Himself to John 1.1-20
Christ portrayed to the seven churches 2.1-3.22
Christ as related to the world 4.1-16.21
A.The heavenly throne 4.1-5.14
B.The seven seals 6.1-8.5
C.The seven trumpets 8.6-11.19
D.The seven figures 12.1-14.20
E.The bowls of wrath 15.1-16.21

Christ the Victor 17.1-20.3
A.Babylon judged 17.1-19.10
B.Beast and false prophet judged 19.11-21
C.Satan judged 20.1-3