Lesson 2 December 29, 2002

Chain of Mediation of the revelation.

1. Ultimate source is God the Father; God gave it to Jesus Christ

2. The Son, Jesus Christ; it was given to him for a purpose; to show it to his bond-slaves. (C/A saints in general)

3. Through the agency of his messenger, a teaching angel

He sent and communicated; sent = avposte,llw, had authority for his mission; communicated that message by signs = shmai,nw (Rev. 1:1) to signify; to make know by signs and symbols by His angel also à (Rev 22:6,8,16)

4. Christ's bond-servant John; who inscripturated it under the ministry of the Holy Spirit. John 6:13

2. Purpose of the book; indicated by the phrase;

"to show to his bond-servants," [to testify these things for the churches, Rev 22:16]

 

 

 

See here also who the book is for! bond-servants douloij

3. Contents of the Book

Since this is a disclosure, a revelation of what? "the things which must shortly take place"

#1 certainty; dei/ expresses absolute certainty;

#2 Rapidity; of the events, shortly;

 

4. Author; John, Christ's bond-servant. His bond-servant John,

- The point of the term doulos is the relationship of the one referred to with the Master!

 

In 1:2 we see some other characteristics of John; and these are specifically of his relationship to the Word of God.

- John's whole life every facet witnessed to the Word; he communicated it and he lived it!

* John gives us here a strong requirement of a faithful communicator;

- he must report accurately what is there; demands intellectual honesty, and diligence.

 

5. The Promise of the Book 1:3

blessed = maka,rioj means to be fully satisfied; content; therefore speaks of spiritual prosperity not material

- Seven beatitudes of Revelation: 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14

** Prin: You can be spiritually prosperous in anytime frame, under any conditions!

Description of those who receive the "blessing;"

#1 "he who reads" (the one reading - singular);

#2 "those who hear" (plural)

#3 "and heed the things which are written in it;"

 

- So its more than just info; interesting info; it demands concentration on its message and a response to it.

What we should learn:

"for the time [is] near."