Revelation Lesson 1 – Introduction

This blog has decided to make a post for each teaching lesson of Tim Warner’s Revelation study containing his supplied notes for each session which can be found on his Website 4WindsFellowship.

This blog has viewed/read many bible teachers on what the book Revelation means for Israel, eschatology and the worldwide church. These teachers include IHOP Mike Bickle, David Pawson and FAI Joel Richardson and Dalton Thomas. Tim Warner believes in a post tribulation rapture as taught by the early church leaders and uses a literal as possible understanding of the text of Revelation.

He draws on his understanding of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants that form part of the foundation for this book as God is going to give Israel one last chance to repent and come back to Him as their God as He restores all the land promised to Abraham which is given to all His Seed In Christ Jesus. Tim shows that John is using the OT Prophets Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Jeremiah and more to describe that the Time of the End looks like during the last 7 years as outlined in Daniel 70 weeks prophecy.

Following are Tim’s Introduction Notes for his Revelation Study and are helpful for anyone looking to understand what this amazing book is trying to say to us who are looking forward to Jesus Second Coming and the restoration of all things.

Revelation Lesson 1 – Introduction

Author:

John (author of a Gospel, 3 Epistles after deaths of other Apostles & destruction of Jerusalem

A. One of Jesus’ youngest Apostles (early 20’s), older brother was James

B. Never mentioned himself by name ex. in Revelation; used vague terms: “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (6 times); “the other disciple” (5 times).

C. He stood with Jesus when all of the rest fled (Mk. 14:50, Jn. 18:10-17)

D. Jesus entrusted the care of His widowed mother to John (Jn. 19:25-27)

E. Lived well into his 90’s, and died about AD 100 (70 yrs. after crucifixion).

1. Jesus’ statement about John’s long life (John 21:17-24)

F. John’s main emphasis in his Gospel and Epistles is carried into Revelation – WHO Jesus really is – “Logos,” the “only-begotten Son,” and the “Messenger of YHVH!”

II. Circumstances:

A. The other Apostles were dead; false teachers, false apostles, and false prophets were invading the assemblies and leading many away from the REAL Jesus.

B. John took over the care of assemblies established by Paul

1. John’s writings provide eyewitness support for Paul’s theology concerning the REAL Jesus.

2. John was entrusted by Peter and Paul to close out the NT Canon.

C. With Jerusalem destroyed (as the capitol of Christianity), John had become the last “eyewitness” to whom the assemblies could appeal for clarification.

D. John spent his last decades living in Ephesus, and personally discipled several younger men until his death.

1. Polycarp, whom John ordained as pastor in the assembly at Smyrna, Papias, Ignatius (of Antioch – Paul’s former home assembly).

E. During his last decade, John was arrested, tortured (but survived), and was then banished to Patmos by Domitian where he saw his visions.

F. John was released after Domitian’s death, and returned to Ephesus, and died.

III. Understanding Revelation

A. Not a shortcut to understanding Bible Prophecy, advanced crescendo

B. A riddle to be solved, using symbols that must be understood from great familiarity with the OT Scriptures.

C. Paul often directly quoted the OT, using the “rabbinic” style of teaching.

D. John was more subtle, using short phrases from the OT and allegorical imagery primarily from the following prophets: Isaiah; Ezekiel; Zechariah.

1. Those prophets prophesied about events current to them.

2. Understanding what their prophecies meant in their historical setting provides the keys to understanding what the same symbols mean in the end-time setting.

3. Understanding Israel’s HISTORY & Prophets are essential to interpreting Revelation.

E. Revelation is the “Capstone” of Bible Prophecy & revelation about who Jesus is.

F. Revelation is a communication from Jesus, from the Father’s side, to His assemblies, giving His assessment of their progress (66 yrs. after Pentecost), and urging them to persevere.

G. The human Jesus was now in the middle of His 100th year (99.5), on the anniversary of His resurrection.