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 guide covers key concepts summarizing the lessons of the overreaching message of Jesus’ Revelation, and is intended for personal study while reading this book of the Bible. Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are from the book of Revelation.
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Jesus Christ is a mighty yet loving Savior who sees and cares for each one of His own – through all trials and through all time.
Jesus Christ is Lord of the Church and is actively present all the while…
…to receive our worship (5:8-14) as the Enthroned Majesty and Sovereign of His Kingdom
…to evaluate our actions (2:1-3:22) as our Master and Leader
…to sustain us in trial (1:9-20; 2:8-11; 3:7-13) as our Strength and Sustainer
…to lead us to overcoming victory (Chapters 2, 3, 12:7-12) as our Savior and Deliverer
Jesus Christ is Lord of the Earth, and as Creator/Redeemer
…He has unfolded the “deed” (scroll) to reclaim it actively (5:1-7; 6:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12; 8:1). The manifest warrior enroute to manifest victory.
…He has commissioned His own to evangelize it (6:1; 10:8-11; 11:1-6; 22:17). The baptism with the Holy Spirit enabling His disciples to manifest His love, life, grace and person.
…He is executing justice and judgment toward its ultimate cleansing and renewal, and will ultimately rule the Earth in righteousness (19:11-20:6). The God of history and Judge of all humanity.
God is tireless in His continued dealings with Israel as a people/nation/land:
…Spiritually, He is constant in reaching to each Jew in a personal sense now (7:1-8); overseeing the apple of His eye according to His everlasting processes. The Ruach ha-Kodesh blowing upon and breathing life into the dry bones.
…Nationally, historically, His dealings were suspended. Now, over the past four generations, He has evidenced His intent about realizing His purpose for them in a national sense (11:1-2). This has phenomenally manifested in our time.
…Ultimately, the finale will be realized in a way yet undefined (14:1-5; see Rom. 11:12, 15, 25-27), resulting in (a) a global awakening of all Israel and (b) a worldwide move of God’s Spirit among all nations.
The Adversary, the Devil, is a relentless, age-long foe.
…He is manifest in the world system by manipulating it and deceiving its participants. The deceiver is relentlessly systematic in opposing God by blaspheming all that pertains to Him (13:1-4; 17:1-9; 8:24);
…He is merciless in his deployment of demon beings to torment and destroy mankind (9:1-21); and
…He is to be ultimately and conclusively judged and consigned to eternal torment (20:7-10).
This world is on a certain “path” of deterioration unto destruction through human failure and Satanic hatefulness.
…All its environment is deteriorating as man violates it (6:5-8; 8:1-4);
…All its political, economic and spiritual systems are limited at best, and ultimately doomed to desolation, destruction and damnation (17:1-18:24); and
…It will ultimately be disintegrated and replaced by a new creation (21:1; see 2 Pet. 3:10-13), a new heaven and a new earth exceeding our imagination and description (Isa. 65:17; 1 Cor. 2:9).
As members of His Living Church, His Body, Jesus calls you and me:
…To ever live in faithful anticipation of Jesus’ return (2:25; 3:11; 16:15; 22:7, 12, 20);
…To stand firm when experiencing apparent defeat, being confident of ultimate victory (13:7-10; 14:9-13; 19:1-10);
…To faithful intercessory prayer and constant praise-filled worship “Unto Him Who is worthy!” (5:8-10);
…To hear the Spirit’s voice, to know the Father’s Word, and to walk the Savior’s pathway of obedience (2:7, 11, 17, 26-29; 3:5, 6, 12-18, 21, 22); and
…To anticipate an eternal destiny of joy and purpose with Christ (19:1-10; 20:4-6; 21:1-22:4).
Copyright 2012 by Jack W. Hayford. All rights reserved
