Revelation Study Book

By Richard D. Craft

Revelation Study Book: KJV Study Bible Second Edition by Richard D. Craft. Features; Chapter Objectives/Chapter Summaries/Chapter Questions. Perfect for Teachers and Bible Study Groups! Great for Young-Learners and Young-Adults.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9781105724435

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Revelation Study Book

REVELATION STUDY BOOK

KJV Study Book

by

Richard D. Craft

King James Version Bible

SECOND EDITION

Revelation Study Book by Richard D. Craft

Copyright © 2017 by Richard D. Craft

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

Introduction

THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE BOOK

Revelation is very different from the other books of the New Testament. Many people conclude it is just too mysterious to understand. But it was actually written to make things clearer! The word revelation in the Greek is apokalupsis, which means an uncovering or unveiling. It is therefore a book designed to uncover or unveil, not conceal. Part of the challenge in understanding the book is the style in which it is written. It is an example of what is called apocalyptic literature which was quite popular from 200 B.C. to 200 A.D..

THE DIFFICULTY IN UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK

It is likely that the early church had no problem understanding the book. They were well acquainted with the style of apocalyptic literature and they were living at a time when the symbols of the book would have been familiar to them (similar to how a picture of a donkey fighting an elephant would be understood by us as depicting conflict between the Democratic and Republican parties). It may be that the book was originally intended to be understood by a casual hearing, as implied by the opening beatitude:

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. (1:3)

FOUR GROUPS OF INTERPRETATION

The preterist view - The book refers to events that were fulfilled in the first century A.D., or shortly thereafter. It was written primarily to encourage the original readers. Its value for today would therefore be didactic (teaching the value of faithfulness to God).

The historicist view - The book provides a panoramic view of the future of the church from as it goes through history. This view finds in the book such events as the rise of Catholicism, Islam, the Protestant reformation, world wars, etc., ending with the return of Christ. As such it would encourage Christians no matter when they lived.

The futurist view - Apart from the first few chapters, the book depicts events which immediately precede the second coming of Christ. Therefore most of the book has yet to be fulfilled (or is being fulfilled now), and its value is primarily for Christians who will be living at the time Jesus returns.

The idealist view - The book does not deal with any specific historical situation. Instead, it is simply enforcing the principle that good will ultimately triumph over evil. As such the book is applicable to any age.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

It’s purpose is clearly stated at the beginning and end of the book (1:1,3; 22:10,16): In particular, it is a revelation from Christ Himself of the judgment to come upon those who were persecuting His people (6:9-11; 16:5-7). This judgment was directed especially toward two enemies:

•                     Babylon, the harlot (17:6; 18;20,24; 19:2)

•                     The beast which supported the harlot (17:7-13)

KEY VERSE: Revelation 17:14

"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Chapter One

REVELATION

Author: John the apostle

Date Written: About A.D. 95, from the island of Patmos.

Purpose: To encourage believers to remain faithful to Jesus Christ and to give them hope that they will ultimately be victorious.

CHAPTER ONE OBJECTIVES

•                     To note that the Revelation was written to inform the churches of things that would take place.

•                     To appreciate .the implications of what is said about Jesus.

Prologue

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:

2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

John’s Greeting to the Seven Churches

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;

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Vision of the Son of Man

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

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.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

19 Write the things