- Revelation
Our plan is to study the book of Revelation by adding a lesson each week, as the Lord permits. I hope you are helped and blessed. Feel free to add any comments or questions.
LET’S STUDY REVELATION-# 1
The Book of Revelation is the introduction to the “Day of the Lord,” wherein Jesus Christ returns to this earth to defeat Satan and his host and reclaim that which He created and redeemed. In that day it will be revealed that He is the rightful and only Lord God Almighty. Paul charged Timothy in the sight of the mighty Christ to: “…keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” (1 Timothy 6:14-15). Revelation 1:1-19:11 is the account of events which precede the appearing or unveiling of King Jesus.
There are several errors some commentators make when considering the Book of Revelation. The first, being the assumption that Revelation 1:19 gives the key outline of the book. This is the traditional approach, and it has blinded readers to any other consideration. The second error is the assumption that Revelation is written in chronological order. It is not. Finally, there is the wrong interpretation of symbols, such as making that which is literal, symbolic; and that which is symbolic, literal. Until the reader understands these matters and applies them properly, he will always be confused as to the true purpose and meaning of Revelation.
In chapter 1, we deal at length with the first problem. We believe the key to the book is not verse 19, but rather verse 10; and that it gives a clear understanding of the “Day of the Lord.”
The Book of Revelation is not chronological, but rather it is several accounts of the same events. This principle can be clearly understood from the four gospels. Although they are different, each is an account of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ with added details. Below, we give extensive examples of this principle for the reader’s consideration, in the hope it will aid in the understanding of the Revelation.
The Rule of Looping Parallelism:
Looping parallelism is demonstrated where the first account of an event gives the quick “scope” or overview of the subject matter. The first account will be very general and broad. The second account loops back to a particular beginning point; will cover the same time period and give additional details or information of the same event.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.
By Ken Blue