Revelation 1-3

By David Maas
{CHAPTERS 1 - 3}

[Click on the title below to open an article]


{STRUCTURE & INTERPRETATION}
  1. Unsealing Daniel - (Unlike in Daniel, in Revelation, the scroll is unsealed. With the Resurrection of Jesus, the time of fulfillment has arrived) - {PDF Copy}
  2. Introduction to Revelation - (An introduction to and overview of the book) - {PDF Copy}
  3. Fourfold Structure - {PDF Copy} - (The book has four major literary divisions marked by John finding himself "in the spirit")
  4. Common Errors of Interpretation - {PDF Copy} - (The real-life relevance of Revelation is easily lost if we approach the book with incorrect presuppositions)
  5. Literal and Nonliteral Language - {PDF Copy} - (The book of Revelation informs the reader from the start that it communicates symbolically)
  6. Isle of Patmos - {PDF Copy} - (John was exiled to Patmos for his testimony – A fellow participant in the Tribulation and Perseverance in Jesus)
  7. Revelation's Recipients - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation was addressed to seven actual churches in the province of Asia in the first century A.D.)
  8. Provided Interpretations - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation communicates symbolically and provides many of the necessary interpretations of its images)
  9. Season of Fulfillment - (Revelation 1:1-3 - Daniel's Sealed Scroll is unsealed in Revelation. The time of fulfillment dawned in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus) - {PDF Copy}
  10. Linear Chronological Sequence? - {PDF Copy} - (Are Revelation’s visions presented in chronological sequence? If so, how do we explain the many parallel descriptions that link them?)
  11. The Church in Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (Final victory over the “Dragon” means the redemption of men and women from every nation who follow the “Lamb wherever he goes”)
  12. Unlocking Prophecy - (Jesus is the key that unlocks Bible prophecy, unveils God's nature, and reveals His previously hidden mysteries) - {PDF Copy}

{SEVEN CHURCHES}
  1. The Prologue to Revelation - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 1:1-3 - The Prologue presents the key themes and characters of the book)
  2. Greetings from the Throne - {PDF Copy} - (The salutations from the throne highlight key themes of the book, especially the victory and present reign of Jesus)
  3. Call to Action - {PDF Copy} - (Through a series of seven beatitudes, Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite persecution)
  4. Seven Churches - Overview - {PDF Copy} - (The visitation of Jesus to the churches of Asia prepares the reader for the visions that follow the seven letters)
  5. His Supremacy - (The faithful witness, Jesus, now reigns supreme over the kings of the earth and even his enemies) - {PDF Copy}
  6. Tribulation, Kingdom, Endurance - {PDF Copy} - (Exiled on Patmos, John is a “fellow-participant” in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that is in Jesus – Revelation 1:9)
  7. First Vision - Son of Man - {PDF Copy} - (The first vision presents the image of Jesus as one like a Son of Man who walks among the churches of Asia – Revelation 1:9-20)
  8. Tree of Life - Ephesus - {PDF Copy} - (The messenger at Ephesus is commended for rejecting false apostles, chastised for leaving his first love, and summoned to return to his first works)
  9. Faithful Until Death - {PDF Copy} - (After persevering through persecution, the ever-faithful church at Smyrna was promised even more tribulation but also great rewards)
  10. Hold Fast My Name - Pergamos - {PDF Copy} - (Pergamos receives praise for remaining faithful to his name, but correction for tolerating the teachings of “Balaam”)
  11. Inhabitants of the Earth - {PDF Copy} - (The inhabitants of the Earth represent the men and women who are omitted from the Book of Life because they submit to the Beast)
  12. The Nicolaitans - {PDF Copy} - (Deceivers within the seven congregations were encouraging believers to compromise with the idolatrous rites of pagan society)
  13. Thyatira - {PDF Copy} - (The call to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches begins to intensify after the warning about the teachings of Jezebel – Revelation 2:18-29)
  14. Food Offered to Idols - (Daniel and his three companions refused to participate in the religious rituals of the Babylonian Empire – Daniel 1:14) - {PDF Copy}
  15. Sardis - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation 3:1-6 - The church in the city of Sardis receives no commendation, only warnings, and a summons to repent)
  16. Pillar in the Temple - Philadelphia - {PDF Copy} - (Philadelphia receives no correction since she has remained faithful, and therefore, she will be kept from the hour of trial)
  17. Kept from the Hour - {PDF Copy} - (The hour of trial will come upon the whole habitable earth, but overcoming saints will not experience this final judicial act – Revelation 3:10)
  18. Laodicea - {PDF Copy} - (Laodicea receives no commendation, only corrections, and warnings. Its hope lies in becoming “gold refined by fire”)

{RELATED TOPICS}
  1. Pillar in the Temple - Philadelphia - (The one like a Son of Man from Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man) - {PDF Copy}
  2. People of the Last Days - {PDF Copy} - (The church is the battlefield where the final war is being waged between the Lamb and the Ancient Serpent, Satan)
  3. The Season is at Hand - (In Revelation, the period known as the last days began following the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth) - {PDF Copy}
  4. Kingdom of Priests - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples reign with Jesus and fulfill their royal role as “priests” who render service in his Tabernacle)
  5. The Shepherd King - {PDF Copy} - (The Lamb’s reign commenced with his death and resurrection, and since then, he has been shepherding the nations)
  6. Beginning of the Creation - (Revelation looks forward to the reign of Jesus in the New Creation, a reality inaugurated by his Death and Resurrection) - {PDF Copy}
  7. THAT Son of Man - (The one like a Son of Man in Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man) - {PDF Copy}

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