Rev. 1:1-2

1. The revelation of Jesus Christ… apocalupse- unveiling or uncovering
2. Same word used in 2Thess. 1: 7-8… “revealed”
3. English word “apocalypse” has come to mean chaos, or catastrophe
4. The “curtain is pulled back” so things hidden can be made known
5. The Lamb of God who died for our sins on the cross is now about to be revealed as the Lion from the Tribe of Judah who will finally deal with sinful man.
6. Notice the order, from the Father, to the Son, to His servants  (John 1:8; John 17:6-8)
7. This book is an unveiling or uncovering of a Person, not events

Rev. 1:3

1. Blessing for all who read, hear, and keep the things written in Revelation
2. Seven “blessed” in this book (Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14)
3. The word “reads” means to read aloud

Rev. 1:4-6

1. Grace and peace… the grace of God brings us the peace of God
2. These verses picture for us the Trinity

            …from Him who is, who was, and who is to come (Father)  Ex. 3; Ps 90:2; Is. 57:15

            …the seven spirits (Holy Spirit)  Is. 11:2

            …from Jesus Christ (Son)  Phil. 2:8; 1Cor. 15:20; Rom. 8:11; Phil. 2:9-10

a.       the faithful witness

b.      the firstborn from the dead

c.       the ruler over the kings of the earth

Worship- … who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and made us kings and priests to His God and Father… Rev. 1: 5-6

Rev. 1:7-8

1. Revelation is a book of Victory!
2. Reference to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ  Matt. 26:63-64; Zech. 12:10, 13-16
3. Jesus will come previously at what we refer to as the Rapture   1Thess. 4:16-17
4. Zechariah prophesied of Jesus’ Coming   Zech. 14:4
5. Verse 8 is a beautiful reference to the Deity of Christ.

Rev. 1:9-11

1. John was identifying with other Christians who would be reading this letter.
2. John was exiled to Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ
3. the Lord’s Day- Sunday?  The point is, when we are truly worshipping the Lord, we put ourselves in a position to hear from Him

Rev. 1: 12-16

1. The majesty and power of the Risen Lord Jesus are revealed in this chapter
2. No longer the Lamb of God, but the Lion from the Tribe of Judah
3. Jesus is also revealed as the Great High Priest, King, Prophet, All Knowing One, Judge, All Powerful One, the Head of the Church, the Word of God, and the Glory of God

Rev. 1: 17-18

1. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Risen One, is the One who calms all our fears.  Alive forever!  No more death.
2. Jesus is saying not to be afraid because…

a.       He is the “First and the Last”                         Life is in His hands.

b.      He is “alive forevermore”                               Eternity is in His hands.

c.       He has the “key of Hades and Death”                       Death is in His hands.

Rev. 1:19  * key verse

1. God’s outline for the Book of Revelation
2. This book is divided into three sections

a.       …the things which you have seen- Chapter one- The Risen Christ

b.      …the things which are- Chapters 2&3-  The Church Age

c.       …the things which will take place- Chapters 4-22

                                                              i.      Chapters 4 & 5:           Scene in heaven around God’s throne

                                                            ii.      Chapters 6-19:             Tribulation Period on earth

                                                          iii.      Chapters 20-22            Consummation of all things

Rev. 1:20

1.  The Lord Jesus gives the explanation for the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands