Introduction to Revelation

Dr. Gail E. Terrell
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church , Hamilton , Ohio

  1. Author.   Five times the author’s name is shown to be John (1:1, 4, 9; 21:2; 22:8).   He identifies himself as Christ’s servant (1:1) and as a brother and companion in tribulation on the isle of Patmos (1:9).   John the apostle had been banished to this island for preaching Christ by Roman emperor Domitian who ruled in 81-96 A.D.   Patmos was a small desolate island in the Aegean Sea about 60 miles southwest of Ephesus, where the apostle John was pastor in his earlier years.   John probably wrote Revelation in about 96 A.D.
  2. Recipients.   Revelation is addressed to the seven churches in Asia (1:4,11; 2:1 ff; 22:16), all servants of Christ and all who read and hear the words of this prophecy Revelation (1:3; 3:20; 22:7, 17-19).
  3. Theme.   The Revelation of Jesus Christ concerning future events.
  4. Key verses.   1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 1:11 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.   1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.   22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.   Amen.   Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
  5. Key words used in Revelation: angel – 70 times; seven – 59 times; beast – 59 times; I saw, beheld, looked – 49 times; book – 30 times; church – 19 times.
  6. References to the Lord’s church in Revelation:   the word church appears in Revelation 19 times.   Every reference is to a specific church.   The angels, (Greek, messengers ) of the churches are probably their pastors.
    1. 1:4 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;
    2. 1:11 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. 1:20 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.
    4. 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
    5. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
    6. 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
    7. 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
    8. 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
    9. 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
    10. 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass.
    11. 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
    12. 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
    13. 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
    14. 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
    15. 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
    16. 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
    17. 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
    18. 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.   I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
  7. Revelation has 22 chapters, 404 verses, and about 12,000 words.