Who wrote Revelation?

The apostle John (according to tradition), who names himself “John” (1:1, 9; 22:8). Written: Around AD 95 (according to tradition; some propose around AD 68)

Prophecy · New Testament · 22 chapters

The book of Revelation

The Lamb’s victory

Author: The apostle John (according to tradition), who names himself “John” (1:1, 9; 22:8)
Written: Around AD 95 (according to tradition; some propose around AD 68)
Time covered: The end of the 1st century; the prophecy embraces the church’s struggle until Christ’s return and the new creation
Key word: Victory

Revelation, “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1), lifts the veil on the battle between God and evil, and on its outcome. Exiled on Patmos, John sees the glorified Christ, who sends seven letters to the churches of Asia (1-3). In heaven, the slain Lamb, alone worthy, receives the sealed scroll (4-5). Three series of seven judgments — seals, trumpets, bowls — strike a world that refuses to repent, while God marks and protects his own (6-16). The dragon and his two beasts persecute the saints (12-13), but Babylon the Great falls (17-18). Christ returns as King of kings, Satan is defeated, the dead are judged (19-20), and God makes all things new (21-22).

Main theme

Jesus Christ, the slain and conquering Lamb, already reigns and will return: despite the fury of Satan and his allies, God judges evil, keeps his people, and makes all things new.

Outline

Revelation 1-3 — Christ and the seven churches
Vision of the glorified Son of Man and letters to the seven churches of Asia.
Revelation 4-5 — The throne and the Lamb
Heavenly worship and the slain Lamb, alone worthy to open the sealed scroll.
Revelation 6-11 — The seals and the trumpets
Two series of judgments, with pauses in which God protects and calls his witnesses.
Revelation 12-14 — The great conflict
The woman, the dragon, the two beasts, and the Lamb standing on Mount Zion.
Revelation 15-18 — The bowls and the fall of Babylon
The last seven plagues and the ruin of the seductive great city.
Revelation 19-22 — The King comes, all things become new
Christ’s return, Satan’s defeat, the final judgment, and the New Jerusalem.

Key points

The glorified Christ walks among the seven lampstands, which are the seven churches: he knows their works (1:20; 2:2).
Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only churches to receive no rebuke; Laodicea, lukewarm, receives no praise (2:8-11; 3:7-22).
The Lion of the tribe of Judah is revealed to be the slain Lamb, alone worthy to open the scroll (5:5-9).
The judgments intensify: a fourth of the earth at the seals (6:8), a third at the trumpets (8:7-12), the whole sea at the second bowl (16:3).
Despite the plagues, people refuse to repent: judgment reveals hardness of heart (9:20-21; 16:9).
Believers conquer the dragon by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (12:11).
Babylon the Great falls in one hour; God calls his people to come out of her (18:4, 10).
God will dwell with men, wipe away every tear, and make all things new (21:3-5).

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 1:17–18 — The living Christ holds the keys of death and Hades: there is nothing to fear.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20 — Christ’s personal invitation to open the door to him and to live in his fellowship.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Revelation 5:9 — The slain Lamb has redeemed by his blood people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.

Jesus in Revelation

Revelation is first of all “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1). He appears in it as the glorified Son of Man who holds the keys of death (1:17-18), the Lion of Judah who conquered by becoming the slain Lamb (5:5-6), and the rider “Faithful and True,” King of kings, who returns to judge and to reign (19:11-16). The book closes the Bible where Genesis opened it: the tree of life is regained and God dwells with men (22:2-3; Gen 2:9).

Did you know?

“Apocalypse” comes from the Greek apokalupsis, “unveiling” or “revelation” (1:1): the book is first about what God unveils, not simply about catastrophes.
The book contains seven beatitudes beginning with “Blessed” (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14).
In the King James Version, the word “Alleluia” appears only in Revelation 19 (19:1, 3, 4, 6); in the Psalms, the same Hebrew expression is translated “Praise ye the LORD.”

Quiz on Revelation

On which island was John when he received the revelation?

Which church does Christ rebuke because it is “neither cold nor hot”?

Who is found worthy to open the scroll sealed with seven seals?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.