Transcript Revelation Introduction AFCOE Europe 2014

Revelation Introduction - Christian Hjortland
AFCOE Europe 2014
Illustration: Bartek Ambrozik
Blessed is he...
“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.”
Revelation 1:3
Overview and Structure
Daniel 2, 7, 8, 11 – a continuation
Author: John.
OT+NT
Photo: Tomisti
Overview and Structure
“The rulers of the Jews were filled with bitter hatred
against John for his unwavering fidelity to the cause of
Christ....John was accordingly summoned to Rome to be
tried for his faith. Here before the authorities the apostle's
doctrines were misstated... John answered for himself in
a clear and convincing manner, and with such simplicity
and candor that his words had a powerful effect. His
hearers were astonished at his wisdom and eloquence. But
the more convincing his testimony, the deeper was the
hatred of his opposers.... John was cast into a caldron of
boiling oil; but the Lord preserved the life of His faithful
servant, even as He preserved the three Hebrews in the
fiery furnace.”
{AA 569-570}
Overview and Structure
“...By the emperor's decree John was banished to the
Isle of Patmos, condemned "for the word of God, and for
the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:9. Here, his
enemies thought, his influence would no longer be felt, and
he must finally die of hardship and distress. Patmos, a
barren, rocky island in the Aegean Sea, had been chosen by
the Roman government as a place of banishment for
criminals; but to the servant of God this gloomy abode
became the gate of heaven. {AA 570}
Overview and Structure
Around 94-95 AD
Emperor Dominitian, and Nerva.
Chiastic structure
Overview and Structure
Historical
1:1-8
1:10-3:22
4:1-8:1
8:2-11:18
11:19-14:20
– Prologue
– 7 Churches
– 7 Seals
– 7 Trumpets
– Great Controversy
Eschatological
15:1-16:21 – 7 Last Plagues
17:1-19:10 – Fall of Babylon
19:11-21:8 – The Millennium
21:9-22:9
– The New Jerusalem
22:10-17
– Epilogue
Understanding Revelation
Is it sealed?
Rev 22:10
 When is the end time?
- Daniel 12:4-7.
- Little book.
- “Knowledge shall increase”.
 Connection with Old Testament
 Out of 404 verses, 276 of them are taken from stories
and prophecies in the Old Testament.

Understanding Revelation
“The book of Revelation opens to the world what has
been, what is, and what is to come; it is for our
instruction upon whom the ends of the world are come.
It should be studied with reverential awe. We are
privileged in knowing what is for our learning. But do
we treat the word of God with the reverence which is
his due, and with the gratitude which God would be
pleased to see? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the
man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works." {RH, August 31, 1897 par. 4}
Understanding Revelation
Symbols and numbers
Number seven – perfection/completeness.
- Genesis 2:1-4, Psalms 119:164, Exodus 20:8-11.
7 Beatitudes of Revelation
1:3: 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.
14:13: ...Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from
now on.Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from
their labours; and their works do follow them.
16:15: Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he
who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk
naked and they see his shame.
19:9: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage
supper of the Lamb! And he said to me, “These are the
true sayings of God.”
7 Beatitudes of Revelation
20:6: Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first
resurrection. Over such the second death has no
power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
22:7: “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who
keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
22:14: Blessed are those who do His commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may
enter through the gates into the city.
Jesus in the book of Revelation
Photo: Mikhail Lavrenov
Jesus in the book of Revelation
Revelation 1:1
- Who is it revealing?
- To whom is it written?
Christ in the Bible
- Old Testament
- Gospel
- Revelation
Jesus in the book of Revelation
“The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation should be
carefully studied and in connection with them the words
“Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of
the world.” John 1:29
(GW 148)
John 1:14
- skenoo
Rev 1:17
- Johns reaction
Photo: Zsolt Zatrok
The Ultimate Sacrifice
1. His honor and glory
Photo: Robert Michie
1. His honor and glory
“The highest angel in heaven had not the power to pay the
ransom for one lost soul...the reconciliation of man to God could
be accomplished only through a mediator who was equal with
God {RH, December 22, 1891 par. 1}
“The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that he might in
the presence of all the angels confer special honor upon his Son.
The Son was seated on the throne with the Father, and the
heavenly throng of holy angels was gathered around them. The
Father then made known that it was ordained by himself that
Christ should be equal with himself; so that wherever was the
presence of his Son, it was as his own presence. His word was to
be obeyed as readily as the word of the Father...His Son would
carry out his will and his purposes, but would do nothing of
himself alone. {ST, January 9, 1879 par. 2}
1. His honor and glory
Revelation 13:8: ...Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Philippians 2:5-9
Hebrews 2:17-28: Therefore, in all things He had to be made
like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High
Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins
of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being
tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Jesus accepted humanity when it had been weakened 4000 years
(Desire of Ages p.48)
Photo: Paul Bica
2. Earthly interests and resources
Childhood
Luke 2:49: And he said unto them, How is it that ye
sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my
Father's business?
Matthew 8:19-22
Matthew 4:1-4, 8-11. Tempted in the wilderness.
Acts 2:44-45 – The mindset of the disciples
3. Time
Matt 4:18-23 - fishermen
“When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship
into a desert place apart: and when the people had
heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the
cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude,
and was moved with compassion toward them, and he
healed their sick.”
Matthew 14:13-14
4. Life
Big work of preparation
“The Saviour lived not to please Himself. We read of
Him that He went about "doing good." He spent His life
in loving service, comforting the sorrowing, ministering
to the needy, lifting up the bowed down, He had no
home in this world, only as the kindness of His friends
provided one for Him as a wayfarer. Yet it was heaven
to be in His presence. Day by day He met trials and
temptations, yet He did not fail or become discouraged.
. . . He was always patient and cheerful, and the
afflicted hailed Him as a messenger of life and peace
and health. . . . {ML 166.2}
4. Life
"The Son of God, now at the Father's right hand, still
pleads as man's intercessor. He still retains His human
nature, is still the Saviour of mankind."
(ST July 15, 1908; par. 7).
What was one of the last things Jesus said on this
earth?
- Mattew 28:18-20
4. Life
2 Cor 11:23-28 – Paul's trials.
“And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and
Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having
stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had
been dead.
Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he
rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he
departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”
Acts 14:19-20
4. Life
Romans 12:1
Photo: Milan Jurek
Photo: Milan Jurek
Photo: Ian Smith
“I hope everybody could get rich and
famous and will have everything they
ever dreamed of, so they will know that
its not the answer.”
- Jim Carrey
“Only by following Christ's example can
we find true happiness. When He is
accepted the heart is subdued and its
purposes are changed.
- Ellen White {ML 166.5}