_Introduction to the Book of Revelation, for the Guide Investiture Achievement
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The Book of Revelation is the last in the New Testament, and was written by the Apostle John near the end of his life. Despite its apparent complexity, The Revelation really has a clear and simple message. It was a prophetic work written to the 7 churches of Asia Minor during a time of great persecution. It encourages the faithful to stand firm for what they know, and to be true against persecution and compromise. It promises a glorious future with the imminent return of Christ where the church will be victorious over evil. Ultimately it is a message of hope to Godʼs people throughout the centuries promising them that the faithful will be triumphant!
Together with the Old Testament book of Daniel, Revelation is the basis for the distinct Adventist beliefs on last day events. Seventh-day Adventists have spent considerable time studying and understanding the symbols and events of Daniel and the Revelation, and there are frequent evangelistic seminars drawing on the imagery and significance of the prophecies of these two books. At times, though, in only focusing on the details, one can lose site of the clear message of hope that pervades Revelation; a hope for those of the early Christian church, and for those of us living today, in the ultimate triumph of Good over evil, of Christ over Satan, the triumph of the faithful.
In Revelation, we see the letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor. John spoke of issues specific to each of these real churches, but there is, as often seen in the Bible, a prophetic element that transcended the time of Johnʼs writing and gave additional insight into the future development of the Christian church throughout the centuries. As we read and study together, we will compare the state of the seven churches to different eras of Christianity, and see why we consider ourselves living in the time represented by the church of Laodicea, a church lukewarm in its faith. If we are in a general time of lukewarm Christianity, what can and should each of us do about this?
The Book of Revelation can be daunting for some, given the symbolism. In some respects, then, it is like the book Ezekiel, a book filled with odd images and mysterious creatures. We will spend time as we read together working through these symbols, understanding their significance, and keeping them in the context of the overall message of hope so prevalent in Revelation. This hope was needed in the First Century Christian church, which, at the time of Johnʼs writing, was facing persecution and in some cases, a trend toward compromise over steadfastness. It is a hope that is needed no less today.
Revelation gives us a glimpse of a New Heaven and a New Earth, the elimination of the blight of sin and the return of perfection. The descriptions of the future home of the saved at the end of the book of Revelation are beautiful, vivid images, made all the more glorious by the knowledge that God will dwell with us. Revelation gives us something to hold onto in the future, to help us hold fast to our beliefs, to overcome temptation, persecution and compromise. A place where “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 NKJV)
The Book of Revelation is the last in the New Testament, and was written by the Apostle John near the end of his life. Despite its apparent complexity, The Revelation really has a clear and simple message. It was a prophetic work written to the 7 churches of Asia Minor during a time of great persecution. It encourages the faithful to stand firm for what they know, and to be true against persecution and compromise. It promises a glorious future with the imminent return of Christ where the church will be victorious over evil. Ultimately it is a message of hope to Godʼs people throughout the centuries promising them that the faithful will be triumphant!
Together with the Old Testament book of Daniel, Revelation is the basis for the distinct Adventist beliefs on last day events. Seventh-day Adventists have spent considerable time studying and understanding the symbols and events of Daniel and the Revelation, and there are frequent evangelistic seminars drawing on the imagery and significance of the prophecies of these two books. At times, though, in only focusing on the details, one can lose site of the clear message of hope that pervades Revelation; a hope for those of the early Christian church, and for those of us living today, in the ultimate triumph of Good over evil, of Christ over Satan, the triumph of the faithful.
In Revelation, we see the letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor. John spoke of issues specific to each of these real churches, but there is, as often seen in the Bible, a prophetic element that transcended the time of Johnʼs writing and gave additional insight into the future development of the Christian church throughout the centuries. As we read and study together, we will compare the state of the seven churches to different eras of Christianity, and see why we consider ourselves living in the time represented by the church of Laodicea, a church lukewarm in its faith. If we are in a general time of lukewarm Christianity, what can and should each of us do about this?
The Book of Revelation can be daunting for some, given the symbolism. In some respects, then, it is like the book Ezekiel, a book filled with odd images and mysterious creatures. We will spend time as we read together working through these symbols, understanding their significance, and keeping them in the context of the overall message of hope so prevalent in Revelation. This hope was needed in the First Century Christian church, which, at the time of Johnʼs writing, was facing persecution and in some cases, a trend toward compromise over steadfastness. It is a hope that is needed no less today.
Revelation gives us a glimpse of a New Heaven and a New Earth, the elimination of the blight of sin and the return of perfection. The descriptions of the future home of the saved at the end of the book of Revelation are beautiful, vivid images, made all the more glorious by the knowledge that God will dwell with us. Revelation gives us something to hold onto in the future, to help us hold fast to our beliefs, to overcome temptation, persecution and compromise. A place where “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 NKJV)