The Significance of Revelation

As part of the requirements for one of my seminary classes, all students were required to follow a guided template in explaining the significance of certain books of the Bible. Below is the one about Revelation.

The summary follows four main parts: The purpose of the book (including the argument), a short summary of the book, what I want the audience to know regarding knowledge and action, and finally how this book will affect my personal character development. Each of us will be different in how Revelation challenges us to grow and it is also dependent on the season of life we are in. Certain themes are more prominent in different seasons that help us grow and stick out more to us. God will speak into our lives through Scripture to tell us what He wants us to hear. You can read the same passage a year later and be reminded of a different truth that is important.

This post will focus on the significance of Revelation.

The Significance of Revelation to Your Life & Ministry

1. State briefly the purpose and argument of the book? (Give references to support your statements). What I want you to do here is (1) discern the importance of what this book teaches well enough to remember it; (2) the argument is trying to assess how the author develops and accomplishes his purpose.
   1. Purpose (Major Theme or Purpose): The purpose of Revelation is to show the things that are to come (1:1). Those who read and heed the message of Revelation is promised blessing (1:3). The main or central idea of Revelation is the prophetic events that will occur in the last days. At the center of these events is Jesus Christ. The theme of Revelation is how the events of Revelation emanate from Christ, the focal point (1:8), and a description of the events that will occur in the final days.
   2. Argument (What is the author trying to accomplish and how is he doing it?): John accomplishes his purpose by promising those that listen and obey will be blessed (1:3). Similarly, John provides a stern warning to those that ignore the message as well as those that would alter it (22:18-19). The urgency and importance of the message is seen in John’s writing. John uses the term “shortly” to indicate the events will be sudden, not necessarily soon. Also, John uses the word “quickly” seven times to further the sense of urgency (2:5, 16; 3:11; 11:14; 22:7, 12, 20). John helps move his readers along the flow of events by describing the things which were past at the time of writings (ch. 1), the things that are in the present (chs. 2-3), and the things that are in the future (chs. 4-22). John repeatedly uses the phrase “in the Spirit” to show the authenticity of the vision and that the vision or events were led by the Holy Spirit (1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10). John uses “insets” and “interludes” as a way to offer explanatory notes of what just happened (7:1-17; 10:1-11:14; 12:1-14:20; 16:13-16; 17:1-18:24). Revelation also has some distinct features like symbolism, Christocentric, and numerology that help the readers. While God does not delight in judgment but demands it, we see the finality of God’s plan and the hope He offers to those who believe.

2. Give a short paragraph of how this book fits into the overall message or argument of the whole Bible. Support your statements with passages from the OT & NT. Give cross-references from both Testaments—(like chapter and verse, 2:12 for example; “passages” means more than one)?

3. What do I want my congregation, audience, or study group to apply after studying this book? What would I want them NOT to forget? What does it do for YOU? KNOWING/MEMORY – Give four (4) PRINCIPLES (values; ethical standards; doctrines; main beliefs) that you gleaned from this book and that you and your congregation will think of and remember when the book is named. These should be appropriate to the text, so GIVE REFERENCES (chapters and verses) for each. 
   • In order for God to be just, He must show justice and that justice will result in a pouring out of wrath and judgment on unbelievers (Revelation 6-19, 20:11-15).
     • I want the audience to remember that God does not delight in judgment and wrath, but His justice demands it. It is part of His character and who He is. If He did not issue judgment on those who denied Him, then how could He be a just God. The rebellion of Satan and mankind leads to divine judgment. Judgment is throughout the book of Revelation. Christ is the judge of the churches (chs. 1-3). God’s judgment is poured out on the antichrist and the rebellious people during the tribulation (chs. 618). There will be judgment at the Second Coming and the great white throne judgment (chs. 19-20). However, throughout all these judgments we are reminded of all the ways God has shown patience to us. He offers us salvation through Christ and reveals Himself in many ways. This is also a reminder to evangelize to loved ones that do not know Christ or have rejected Him.
   • God is worthy of all praise and worship (Revelation 5:8-14; 19-10; 22:9).
     • I would like the audience to remember that throughout Revelation, there are many passages about people and angels praising and worshipping God. The angels and saints sing joyfully to the holiness of God. These stories show that they are in awe and wonder at God and we should be the same. Many times, we lose that awe, but this book reminds us that God is more marvelous than we could ever imagine.
   • Revelation centers on the final victory of Jesus over sin, Satan, and death (Revelation 1:1-2, 8; 19).
     • I want the audience to remember that Jesus is not only the center of Revelation, but of the Bible and God’s plan of redemption. Jesus is the main object throughout the book of Revelation. Jesus is the Savior, Sustainer, and Judge (chs. 1-3). He is the Lamb who purchased redemption by His death and the Lion who is worthy to rule it all (chs. 4-5). Christ pours out His wrath on His adversaries on earth throughout the tribulation (chs. 6-18). Christ returns triumphantly to earth as conqueror to judge the nations and the antichrist (ch. 19). Finally, in the new heavens and earth, Christ is on the throne (chs. 20-22). Every enemy that we face, sin, death, and Satan will be defeated by Christ. The war has already been won. All we can do is look to Christ every day to fight our daily battles.
   • Revelation reveals the ultimate plan of God and how there is an eternal hope for those that believe in Him (Revelation 19-22).
     • The audience should remember that while there are many things that go horribly wrong in this world, God is here through it all. Satan will tempt and attack us saying that God is not real or has left us. Many will believe that there is no life after death or that this is the best it gets. However, Revelation shows that from the beginning, He has had a plan of redemption. God informs the readers of what will happen. He lays out the problems and destruction to come. He shows us why we need to live every day like it is our last just in case Christ comes and we are not left on this earth during the tribulation. He shows us that while it appears Satan is winning now or at times, God has the ultimate victory.

4. DOING/ACTION – What you will lead others to do that is based on the text or passage that suggested this action. You are required to do two (2) of these and be sure to give references It must be supported by a particular text, so be sure to give chapters and verses, example 2:12.

• Develop a practical simplified Revelation guide to be used to explain the symbolism and timing
  • Develop and provide small groups and Sunday school classes with a chart and reference guide about the churches (1-3), the judgments (6-19), and potential end times scenarios (20-22). This will help people keep the various events in place and provide a simple reference guide to events for more knowledge and wisdom
    • Develop a special teaching series on Revelation that discusses the various eschatological views about the millennium and tribulation (19-22).
    • Offer several resources in the library and book store for the congregation to check out if they would like more information.
• Develop ways to help others worship and praise God as the angels and saints did (Revelation 5:8-14; 19-10; 22:9)
  • Conduct a special night of worship event for the church outside of normal church service hours. This night of worship will be about singing and praising God, as well as praying for those in need. There will be stories of victory and how God has worked in lives. o Take all the ways Revelation mentions worship and praise and put it in a 30 day daily devotional guide for the church to use to encourage worship.
    • Encourage small groups to dedicate one meeting to just praising and worshipping God for what He has done and will do.

5. BEING/PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT –What one (1) thing touched your heart, as you were reading/studying this book? Tell what it was and what text influenced you – Scripture reference(s) required. What you are going to do about it?

• The thing that touched me most about Revelation was the reminder of how God is in control. It is amazing to see how God has laid out His plans for the future, which does not happen that often. He shows us how dire things will be and prompts us to respond to Him daily. It is amazing to think about the tragedies that await this earth and how many people will suffer (Rev 6-19). It is very sad, yet God shows His plan to us. He tells us what is going to happen and how we have a blessed hope to hold onto. He leaves us with a great future to look forward to with Christ returning (Rev 19-20) and a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21). We often do not know what God has planned, but with Revelation, some of His plan has been revealed whether we are on this earth or not. It is amazing to think about and see how patient God is and how great of a future He has planned for us.
• What am I going to do: First, I will take time daily to thank God for Him, His love, His will, and His plan (Rev 1:1-3). Second, I will look for ways to talk to close family members who are not saved or denied Christ. In an effort to save them from the awful hell that awaits them, reading Revelation makes me want to do everything in my power to help them, including praying for their salvation and talking to them. Finally, I will take time to stand in awe and sing praises to God as the angels did (Rev 5:8-14; 19-10; 22:9). This will be a time to just focus on God and not focus on my needs, but be thankful and grateful to Him, as well as worship Him.