Approaching Revelation—part 1

APPROACHING REVELATION-I—Revelation 1:1-3

My approach toward my father & brother with the Gospel.

Requires revealing my true convictions thru writing

Need:

We are frightened of studying the book of Revelation

Its symbolism confuses us.

We cannot be dogmatic about some portions of it.

We are uncomfortable about uncertianties because they make us feel a sense of separation from God.

We feel as if it is not meant for us to understand....That we can lead perfectly healthy Christian lives apart from those things which are unveiled in this prophecy.

But that would be to deny its opening verses & thus all that follows.

Revelation must be approached in a specific manner or rather with a particular attitude.

The proper attitude toward the book of Revelation determined its value for its recipients.

A particular attitude toward the book of Revelation is necessary to discovering its worth.

What attitudes should govern a practical approach to the book of Revelation?

7 attitudes governing a practical approach to the book of Revelation.

1—This revelation must be approached with an attitude of

EXPECTANT UNVEILING(:1a-b)

—Explanation:(:1a-b) Anticipation

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ,...”

“Revelation”—apokaluyiV—‘Apocalypse’—‘to uncover, unveil, lay open what has been veiled or covered up; Disclose, make bare; To make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown.’—‘make visible to all.’

“Of Jesus Christ”—Possession of Jesus. Jesus is the “Christ”/Messiah—One Anointed to save mankind.

“... which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants,...”

“Gave”—Grace gift.

—Argumentation:

2Pet. 3:10-12—“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar & the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, & the earth & its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct & godliness, looking for & hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, & the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens & a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

Lk. 2:25—“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; & this man was righteous & devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; & the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

—Illustration:

Christmas presents/Not exactly known what we’ll receive/ EXPECTANT UNVEILING

Uncle Wolf/birthday gift/Always gave something good/EXPECTANT UNVEILING

—Application:

?You Approaching Revelation with EXPECTANT UNVEILING?

?You Approaching God’s Revelation with a proper Attitude?

2—This revelation must be approached with an attitude of

THANKFULNESS(1b) Gift/Grace

—Explanation:(:1b)

“... which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants,...”

“Gave”—Grace gift.

“Show”—That God’s people may know the truth.

—Argumentation:

Rom. 1:20-21—“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power & divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, & their foolish heart was darkened.”—We can be guilty of the same if we are ungrateful for God’s gift.

—Illustration:

Winter/Home with heat/Thankful

Women under Taliban rule—Blue robes covering ankles—Hoods—Face coverings/Freed/Thankful

—Application:

?You Approaching Revelation with THANKFULNESS in mind?

?You Approaching God’s Revelation with a proper Attitude?

3—This revelation must be approached with an attitude of

TIMELINESS(:1c)

—Explanation:(1c) Urgency

“... the things which must shortly take place;...”

“Shortly”—tacoV—Speedily, swiftly, quickly.

Imminence—Closeness

OR

Within a short time span—

God is always In time On time & For the times.

“Take place”—ginomai— ‘Become, arise, appear.’

—Argumentation:

1Thes. 5:1-3—“Now as to the times & the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace & safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; & they shall not escape.”

Mat. 24:37-39—“For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. “For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating & drinking, they were marrying & giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, & they did not understand until the flood came & took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.”—A new era is Set in motion

Rom. 8:19—“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”

Rom.11:25—“For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in;”