Lesson 2: The Book of Revelation

by Rev. Manson B. Johnson
Special to the NNPA from the Houston Forward-Times

A CHRISTIAN LIFE CONNECTION SERIES

DEVELOPING MY NEW LIFE RELATIONSHIPS:

The Book Of Revelation

Bible Fact: The Book of Revelation is given by Jesus and written by John to strengthen our hope of the future.

Bible Text: Revelation 1:1; Matthew 24:1-51

Aim: To help students to become aware of what to expect in time and eternality to come.

In obedience to the command, John writes the things which he had seen.

He saw the glorified Lord, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. He has seen the seven golden candlesticks (lampstands) and in the midst of the seven candlesticks he saw One like unto the Son of God. John described the vision of the Living Lord: His garments, eyes, head, hair, feet, voice. John saw in the right hand of the Lord “seven stars” (v.16). What were these “candlesticks” and “stars”? John tells us in v.20, the seven stars are the “angels”–messengers actually pastors of the “seven churches.” “The seven candlesticks are the seven churches.”

I. Greetings from John the writer, and from Jesus Christ in heaven, vv. 4-8

A. From John, to the seven churches in Asia (4a)

B. With grace and peace (4b-6)

1. From Him who is and who was and who is to come

2. From the seven Spirits who are before His throne

3. From Jesus Christ:

a) The faithful witness

b) The firstborn from the dead

c) The ruler over the kings of the earth

d) Who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood

e) Who made us kings and priests to His God and Father — To Whom be glory and dominion forever and ever!

II. The post-incarnate Christ in a glorified body, judging His church (the great High Priest in the Holy of Holies), vv. 9-18

III. Time division of the contents of the apocalypse, v. 19

IV. Interpretation of the seven stars and seven lampstands, v. 20