Preamble to Revelation
Thematic overview of the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST TO JOHN The book of Revelation unpacks itself like a Russian doll. The entire book (22 chapters) is “contained” in the first chapter: Chapter 1 Content introduced Content unpacked 1.10-11 Introduces the 7 churches to whom letters will be sent. Chapters 2-3 1.8 The Lord God, the Almighty, declares himself to be “the Alpha and the Omega” (i.e. the beginning and the end). A vision of his throne room is given in chapters 4-5. Chapters 4-5 1.1-3 Announces the soon-to-be-fulfilled prophecy of the thrice-repeated series of 7 judgments (seals, trumpets, bowls = “the wrath of the Lamb”) which will befall the rebellious world. Chapters 6-16 1.4-7, 12-20 Description of Jesus Christ as: -The faithful witness -The firstborn of the dead -The ruler of the...