A Study of the Past and Present Revelations

By Kenneth Straughn

The study of the first three chapters of the book of Revelation and the past and present are designed to help the reader easily understand each verse. Following each verse are explanations of key words as well as phrases to help understand the book of Revelation. There also are cross-reference verses from other scriptures referring to the verse of topic. Also, a simple explanation is attached at the end of each verse. At the end of each chapter, there are questions with the answers found in the corresponding chapter. The only questions without answers are the opinion questions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637104118

Book preview

cover.jpg

A Study of the Past and Present Revelations

Kenneth Straughn

Copyright © 2021 Kenneth Straughn

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books, Inc.

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2021

ISBN 978-1-63710-410-1 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63710-412-5 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-63710-411-8 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Revelations Chapter 1 Study Questions

Chapter 2

Revelations Chapter 2 Study Questions

Chapter 3

Revelation Chapter 3 Study Questions

Chapter 1

Deals with the Past

The Prologue (Chapter 1, Verses 1–8)

The Superscription (Verses 1–3)

Verse 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.

Here are key words and their meanings to help understand revelations!

Key words and phrases

Revelation. The word revelation is the Greek word apokalupsis. It means the uncovering, the unveiling, or the disclosing. In short, revelation is the uncovering of something hidden? Which God gave unto him?

For I have not spoken of myself, but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. God told Jesus what to say and how to say it. (John 12:49)

Servant. Is the one who follows Jesus?

Angel. A heavenly being that serves God.

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:16)

Shortly. This word does not mean that the events recorded in the book of Revelation will occur soon, but when they do begin to take place, they will happen quickly or swiftly.

Verse 1: God gave the book of Revelation to his son Jesus, which, in turn, used one of his angels to give it to John. John recorded it for all.

Verse 2

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

Key words and phrases

Who bare record? John recorded the Word of God.

Testimony. What Jesus told John.

Verse 2: John was to record what he saw, the testimony of Jesus.

Verse 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.

Key words and phrases

Blessed. Happy; this is the first of seven beatitudes found in the book of Revelation!

Prophecy. What will happen in the future.

Hear the words. One who needs to keep the things that he reads and hears in his mind and in his heart.

But he said, yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (Luke 11:28)

The time is at hand. While we do not know when the judgment will take place, we must be ready at all times, for when it happens, it will be swiftly, and there will be no time left for salvation. No second chance.

Verse 3 may be one of the most important verses in the book of Revelation. God’s Word is so powerful that one only needs to hear it and act on it in order for salvation.

John wanted Revelation to be read allowed in the churches of that day.

Verse 3: A blessing is received when one reads or hears and keeps the Word of God, when we receive Jesus, and do the things that he has outlined for us (salvation), for no one knows when the rapture will take place, but when this event takes place, it will be quickly.

The Salutation (Verses 4–8)

Verse 4

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace is 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.

Key words and phrases

Seven. The number seven occurs fifty-four times in revelations, appears more often than any other number. In the Bible it is associated with completion, fulfillment, and perfection. In Revelation, there are seven churches and seven spirits (Revelation 1:4), seven lampstands (Revelation 1:12), seven stars (Revelation 1:16), seven seals on the Scroll (Revelation 5:1), seven horns and seven eyes of the lamb (Revelation 5:6), seven angels and seven trumpets (Revelation 8:2), seven thunders (Revelation 10:3), seven heads of the dragon (Revelation 12:3), seven heads of the beast (Revelation 13:1), seven golden bowls (Revelation 15:7), and seven kings (Revelation 17:10)

Seven churches. These represent the seven church periods of the church age, which started fifty days after Jesus was raised from the dead on the Jewish holy day called Pentecost, also known as the feast of weeks.

Church age. The church age started fifty days after Jesus was raised from the dead and ends when the church is raptured.

Church period. The time that the church is on the earth; from Pentecost to the rapture!

Asia. Is now called Turkey.

Grace. God’s free gift.

Peace. When we receive the gift of salvation, we also have peace from him, which is, which was, and which is to come: Jesus Christ.

Seven spirits. This is another name for the Holy Spirit. The seven spirits of the Holy Spirit are as follows:

spirit of the Lord—the nature for Jesus

spirit of wisdom—the ability to make the right decision

spirit of understanding—the ability to understand everything

spirit of counsel—the ability to give sound advice

spirit of might—the power