An Introduction to the Book of Revelation: The Faithful Witness

The book of Revelation is often ignored, but God says: “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” (Revelation 1:3). This article is based on Pastor Adrian Rogers' message, Living on the Edge of Eternity, and coordinates with our in-depth study, The Revelation of Jesus Christ: The Faithful Witness.

What Is the Book of Revelation About?

It is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1a). We get apocalypse from the Greek apokalupsis, which means “an unveiling.” This book is the unveiling of Jesus Christ. At His first coming, His glory was veiled; now, Revelation shows Christ coming as the sovereign “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

The Purpose and the Promise

  • The Purpose: To show His servants things which must shortly take place. Servants is translated from the Greek douloi, meaning “bondslave.”
  • The Promise: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear. The blessing from hearing Bible prophecy is that you understand the mystery of history.
  • The Prophecy: For the time is near. 2,000 years ago, John said, “The time is at hand.” The time is always at hand; it is always imminent.

An Outline of the Book of Revelation

The Apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos for preaching Christ’s gospel. God gave him this commission: “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this” (Revelation 1:19).

  • The things you have seen (Revelation 1): John saw the glorified Christ. In Revelation, Christ is not pictured as Savior, but as Judge.
  • The things which are (Revelation 2-3): The Church age began with Pentecost and will end with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Seven churches are mentioned here, representing all churches of all times.
  • The things which will take place after this (Revelation 4-22): This section provides a panorama of end-times prophecy.

Lesson 3: What the Spirit Says to the Churches

This material coordinates with Lesson 3, “What the Spirit Says to the Churches,” on pages 17–23 in The Revelation of Jesus Christ: The Faithful Witness. The title of this lesson makes direct reference to the Holy Spirit. In Lesson 2, John writes that he’s sharing in the tribulation of his fellow Christians, which has led to his exile on the island of Patmos. While there he hears a voice like a trumpet telling him to write the vision he’s about to be shown and send it to seven early Christian communities.

The author of the book of Revelation treats these seven communities as representative of the universal Church. Many commentaries about the book of Revelation gloss over the letters to the seven churches, but these letters introduce important themes. The refrain throughout is: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Approaching Scripture with Prayer

It’s always wise to begin any Bible study with prayer, whether reading the Scriptures alone or meeting with others in a discussion study group. We especially like the following prayer: Lord Jesus, you promised to send your Holy Spirit to teach us all things. As we read and study your word today, allow it to touch our hearts and change our lives. Amen.

A Song of Praise

“Great and wonderful are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the ages! Who shall not fear and glorify your name, O Lord? For you alone are holy. All nations shall come and worship you, for your judgments have been revealed.” —the book of Revelation 15:3–4