11/7/2013 A Study On Revelation: Week OneScriptures: Revelation 1:1-3, Revelation 13:4, Revelation 13:8 To understand this book of Bible, we must first understand why it was written: the book's very name means to reveal or to unveil. The book was written to open our understanding to what we otherwise could not comprehend. The first verse states that this book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Therefore Jesus is the one who reveals the meanings of this book's symbols, visions and descriptions. To better understand the book we need to understand the circumstances under which this book was given to John. Christianity began at the time of the Roman Empire and during this time Romans introduced and enforced emperor worship. Christians found themselves in an intolerable situation and their beliefs put them into direct conflict with Roman authorities. Many Christians were executed for their beliefs. Christians were regarded as subversive and potentially dangerous. During this time, John the writer was imprisoned on the island of Patmos, so he was writing at a time of great suffering and persecution. The book of Revelation reveals the conflict between the forces of good and the forces of evil. At the heart of the conflict is a crucial question: who will mankind worship? God or Satan. If we look at Revelation 13:4 is tells us that at the end times "they worshipped the beast." Taking a look at Revelation 13:8 we see that any whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be worshippers of the beast, the worship of evil will be extensive. Because of this worship of the beast, Satan's control on humanity will intensify. God sends a clear message through the book of Revelation: the time is coming when God will no longer will tolerate humanity's rejection of Him or its worship of the devil. Revelation reveals the circumstances under which God's people will finally have their prayers for justice answered in full and God's faithful will be revealed as the real winners. God will intervene in world affairs and His great power will become visible to all nations! Revelation was written at a time when Jesus' followers desperately needed encouragement and an understanding of their future, and they need to get back on track spiritually. Jesus revealed the future to John through symbols, visions and descriptions about evils, demise and how goodness shall reign. We must also be reminded of the promises Jesus has given to the faithful: they will eat from the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God, they will receive a new name, they will be given power over the nations, they will be clothed in white garments, they will be pillars in the temple of God, they will sit with Jesus on His throne, their tears will be wiped away, they will have no more sorrow or pain and God himself will be with them. Revelation is a book about the our future victory and Satan's soon defeat! Comments are closed.
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