Visions Given to the ApostleJohn
The Apostle John is the author of the book of Revelation, who wrote while on the island of Patmos in approximately 90AD, as an eyewitness to the revealed visions of future events. He was told to “write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later,” (Rev. 1:19).1 The Bible tells us that “all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).2 Do you believe that the word of God is the inerrant holy inspired word of God? That all verses, chapters and books are true and holy inspired? I have heard that “the book of Revelation isn’t hard to understand – it’s hard to believe!”3 So, as you start through Revelation, what is your starting point? Do you believe the Bible as a whole, believe only some of it or maybe you do not believe in the Bible at all. No matter your starting point, we should all read and study the book of Revelation with a sense of spiritualurgency!
John was the beloved disciple of Jesus whom he loved. But under the Roman Emperor Nero (37-68AD) John faced martyrdom as he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil, but was miraculously delivered from death. As a result of surviving this horrific death sentence, John was sentenced to exile on the island of Patmos, a small island in the Aegean Sea just off the coast of modern-day Turkey. While on the island, John was given a series of visions along with prophecies and recorded those visions in the book of Revelation as a result, the last and 66th book of the Bible. I found this description quite appropriate from Mark Batterson in his bookWhisper: How to Hear the Voice of God as he wrote “the entire book of Revelation is a moving picture recorded by John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos.”4 Revelation is also a picture of how the Lord is in control and the Sovereignty of the LordJesus.
John’s original, intended audience were the seven churches in the province of Asia, but is still very much relevant for all mankindtoday.
Before we get into the actual Tribulation events that will take place in the future, I want to examine the experience John had “On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,” (Rev. 1:10).5
John experienced visions for the entire book while in the Spirit, but Chapters 1, 4, 5, 10 were a manifestation of the Lord Jesus; explaining why He has the authority to bring judgment on the earth and all of mankind as “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being,” (Rev. 4:11).6
Below is a short overview of each chapter followed by a deeper review of thesechapters.
Chapter 1
The revelation from Jesus Christ toJohn
Promisedblessings
Vivid imagery of the “son ofman”
Chapters 4
John in the throneroom
Sees the twenty-fourelders
Sees the 4 livingcreatures
Chapter 5
The Scroll and theLamb
“Title deed to theearth”
Verse 9 establishes why Jesus is worthy and has the authority tojudge
Scroll in layers with each next successivejudgment
Chapter 10
Angel and the LittleScroll
Scroll is nowopen
Although not actually during the Tribulation, John sees the Lord Jesus in a future settingTribulation
Verse 6 “there will be no moredelay”
John is told to eat the scroll per (Revelation 10:9)7 “Take It and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but “in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” This refers to the Lord’s saints participating in the judging of non-believers and angels. “Do you not know that we will judge angels? (1 Corinthians 6:3)8
Now let’s take a deeper look into these fourchapters.