Studying God’s Word is an exciting, never-ending journey. We can study the Bible alone or with others. Getting to know the Creator of the universe is fascinating and so is getting to know the people He has created. God gives each of His children insight and wisdom that they can share to help each other understand. Read Insights on Interpretation (following this lesson) to get a unified perspective on interpreting the Bible. Also, it is very important to pray before each study to invite the Holy Spirit to teach us.
What does the Bible say about the future? The only way to know for sure is to study, study, study–asking the Holy Spirit to open your mind and heart. Then you will see truth for yourself. You will “no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” Ephesians 4:14
1. Read through Revelation 1 aloud. Who is this revelation about?
“Revelation”–apokalupsis–unveiling. Prophetic literature points to something; it unveils what is to come.
2. What is God doing (Daniel 2:28-29)?
3. Why was the Revelation of Jesus Christ written (Revelation 1:1, 3 Romans 13:11)? “Soon” (shortly, KJV)–entachei–with a swiftness, speedily. Revelation was written about 95 A.D., so it doesn’t mean it will happen tomorrow. Possibly it means that when these events begin to occur, they will happen with great rapidity.
4. What was the process of making Revelation known (Revelation 1:1-2; 22:6, 16)? In other words, who wrote it to whom? “made it known”–(communicated, NASB, signified, KJV)–semanio–to show something through signs.
5. Read John 12:49, 17:8. How is Jesus following the same pattern as He did while on earth?
6. List the characteristics of angels (Genesis 28:12; 32:1 Job 1:6; 4:18; 38:7 Psalm 78:25, 49; 91:11 (Matthew 4:6 Luke 4:10); 103:20 Matthew 4:11; 13:39, 41, 49; 16:27; 18:10; 22:30 (Mark 12:25); 24:31 (Mark 13:27), 36 (Mark 13:32); 25:31, 41 Mark 8:38 Luke 2:15, 9:26; 12:8-9; 15:10; 16:22; 20:36; 24:23 John 1:51; 20:12 Acts 7:53, 23:8 Romans 8:38 1 Corinthians 4:9; 6:3; 11:10; 13:1 Galatians 3:9 2 Thessalonians 1:7 1 Timothy 3:16 Hebrews 1:4-7, 13-14; 2:2-9, 16, 22 1 Peter 1:12; 3:22 2 Peter 2:4, 11 Jude 6).
7. What is the role of angels in Revelation (Revelation 1:20; 3:5; 4:9; 5:11; 7:1-2, 11; 8:2, 6, 13; 9:14-15; 12:7-9; 14:10; 15:1, 6-8; 16:1; 17:1; 19:10; 21:2,12; 22:8-9)?
8. Who are his servants? How might Exodus 21:2-6 (or Deuteronomy 15:12-17) relate to being a servant of Jesus Christ?
9. What did John see (Revelation 1:2)? Describe the word of God (Hebrews 4:12). What is the testimony of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:6 Revelation 6:9; 12:17; 19:10)?
10. List the benefits connected with hearing, studying and obeying the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:3; 22:7 Luke 11:28).
“Blessed”–makarizo–pronounce happy; “…ultimate well-being and distinctive spiritual joy…the first of seven beatitudes in the book (see 14:13; 16:19; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14).” NIV Study Bible
11. What are the seven churches in the province of Asia (Revelation 1:11)?
“seven churches. Located about 50 miles apart, forming a circle in Asia moving clockwise north from Ephesus and coming around full circle from Laodicea (east of Ephesus). They were perhaps postal centers serving seven geographic regions. Apparently the entire book of Revelation including the seven letters) was sent to each church (see v. 11).” NIV Study Bible
“Asia. A Roman province lying in modern western Turkey.” NIV Study Bible
12. Who is him “who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Exodus 3:14-15; Romans 1:7; Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:4, 8; 4:8; 11:17; 16:5)? How does this title relate to “the Alpha and the Omega” (“The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet” NIV Study Bible) (Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13)? How does “Almighty” describe the Godhead (Genesis 17:1; 1 Samuel 1:3; Romans 9:29; 2 Corinthians 6:18; James 5:4; Revelation 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22)?
13. “Grace and peace to you.” (v. 4) Each of these words could be a Bible study in itself. However, from your basic understanding of these terms, where in Revelation 1 can you find a clear demonstration of God’s grace? What has Jesus done for us (Revelation 1:5-6)? To whom would the book of Revelation bring peace? How?
“Grace. The Christian adaptation of a common Greek form of greeting…peace. The common Hebrew form of greeting…” NIV Study Bible
14. Who are the seven spirits (v. 4)? Read Isaiah 11:2-5; Zechariah 4:2-10; Revelation 3:1; 4:5; 5:6. “‘Seven’ symbolizes fullness, completeness or perfection.” NIV Study Bible
15. Who are a kingdom and priests (Revelation 1:5-6; 5:10; 20:6 Romans 8:37 1 Peter 2:5)?
16. How is Jesus coming? Who will see Him and how will they react?
17. Who are those who “pierced him” (Revelation 1:7 Psalm 22:16; 40:6; 53:5 Zechariah 12:10 John 19:34, 37)?
18. How does John describe himself? What does this imply about other believers?
19. Where was John when he wrote Revelation? When did he write Revelation?
“The Lord’s day. A technical term for the first day of the week—so named because Jesus rose from the dead on that day. It was also the day on which the Christians met (see Acts 20:7)and took up collections (see 1 Corinthians 16:2).” NIV Study Bible
20. John was “in the Spirit” (Read Revelation 4:2, 17:3, 21:10). Explain.
“in the Spirit. In a state of spiritual exaltation—not a dream, but a vision like Peter’s in Acts 10:10.
21. What are the three things John was to write (v. 19)? On what did he write his message and where was he to send it (v. 11)?
“scroll. Pieces of papyrus or parchment sewn together and rolled on a spindle. The book form was not invented until about the second century A.D.
22. How does Jesus describe Himself (Revelation 1:5, 8, 17-18)? (We will study these statements closely in other lessons.)
23. How is Jesus Christ described (Revelation 1:13-16)? (We will examine these symbols closely in other lessons.)
24. Who are the seven stars? Who are the seven lampstands?
25. A simile is an implied comparison of things or ideas that uses the words “like” or “as.” Example: “His eyes were like a flame of fire.” Revelation 1:14b
A metaphor is an implied comparison of two different things NOT using words of comparison such as “like” or “as.” Example: “I am the bread of life.” John 6:48
What similes or metaphors in Revelation 1.
26. What would you say if you were asked why anyone should try to study and understand Revelation? How would you include what you observed in Revelation 1 in your answer? How has studying Revelation 1 blessed you already?
INSIGHTS ON INTERPRETATION
A. Scripture will NEVER contradict Scripture. The Bible has all the doctrine you will ever need to know, and it presents a unified statement of doctrine. The best interpretation of Scripture is Scripture. If Scripture seems to contradict Scripture, then your interpretation is wrong!!
B. Always seek the full counsel of the Word of God. To have the full understanding of what God says on any given subject, you must consider all that the Bible has to say on that subject. This is called a topical study. Because many Christians are ignorant of the whole counsel of God, they often accept a teaching simply because they have seen it in one or two places in the Word. The problem is that some Scriptures have been taken out of context, or pertinent passages have been ignored that would lead to a different understanding on that teaching. Therefore, it is vital that Christians read the Bible extensively and regularly. Saturate yourself with the Word of God, for it is the only safeguard against false doctrine.
C. Always interpret Scripture literally. The Scriptures are to be interpreted literally. The Bible is not a book of mysticism, nor is it to be spiritualized. God spoke to us that we might know truth as it is! Therefore, take the Word of God in its natural, normal sense as you would other writings.
D. Know that some truths in the Word of God may seem paradoxical. We find it difficult to reconcile in our minds two seemingly contradicting truths. An example of this would be the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. When we come to two or more truths that are clearly taught in the Word but are irreconcilable in our minds, then, we must remember that we have finite minds. His ways are not our ways! His ways are higher and we must recognize and accept this even though we cannot fully understand how these truths can be reconciled.
E. Never use an obscure passage to contradict the clear teaching of Scripture. An obscure passage is simply a passage in which the meaning is not clear. These passages are difficult to interpret even when proper principles of interpretation are used. Therefore, these passages should never be used as a basis for establishing doctrine.
F. Consider the type of literature you are studying. Every book of the Bible does not consist of the same type of literature. Therefore, when you interpret the Word of God, you must discern and consider the type of literature you are reading. For instance, poetical literature will not necessarily stay within the same time sequence as historical literature, nor would poetical writing flow logically like a didactical (teaching) writing. Some examples of types of literature are as follows: Historical–Acts, Biographical–Luke, Poetical–Psalms, Proverbial–Proverbs, Prophetical–Revelation, Didactical–Romans, Epistle–2 Timothy.
G. Remember context is always king in interpretation. Therefore, your interpretation of that passage must always be considered within the following types of context:
1. Immediate context–the context immediately preceding and following the scripture under consideration. Remember always that Scripture never contradicts Scripture.
2. Remote context, which takes the scripture under consideration and interprets it in the light of its relationship to the book it is in and its relationship to the whole Bible.
3. Grammatical context, which requires us to consider carefully the laws of grammar when interpreting Scripture. For instance, if the passage is in the framework of an allegory, it must be interpreted as allegories are interpreted.
4. Cultural, social and religious contexts, which should cause us to ask, “Is there a custom to be considered?” “Does this passage go beyond the culture of its day?”
5. Historical context, which raises the question, “Will or did this event happen within a specific time frame?” If so, it is important to re-create the historical setting in which something will or did take place. In consider prophecy ask, “Does this speak of a near fulfillment or a later fulfillment?”
H. Always look for the single meaning of a passage. Unless the author indicates that there is another meaning to what he says, the interpreter has no right to say there is another meaning.
Condensed from How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur