BACKGROUND NOTES ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Schools of interpretation
There are various approaches to the interpretation of Revelation, influencing how we approach the book, and how we lay out its structure.
 
¤ Futurist: Views most of the book as prophecy yet to be fulfilled (mainly) in the future, particularly in a future period of tribulation, Christ's second coming, and the establishment of His millennial kingdom.
¤ Historicist: Interprets Revelation as a symbolic representation of the history of the church from the apostolic age to the end times - fulfilled in stages and specific events in church history.
¤ Preterist: Believes that most of Revelation was mainly (or entirely) fulfilled in the 1st Century AD, particularly with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the persecution of the early church.
¤ Idealist (Symbolic): Fundamentally symbolic, being fulfilled generally throughout the Church Age (Timeless Principles/Spiritual Realities), rather than predicting specific historical events.
¤ Progressive parallel (Modified Idealist): Fulfilment consists in both specific past historical events (1st Coming) as well as specific future events (2nd Coming)... but it is also symbolical of the unfolding of world history in-between, described in Seven Parallel Visions. In other words, the seven parallel visions describe the same period, between the first and second coming of Christ, seen from different perspectives. This is the view we follow for these notes.
 
 
Author
The author of Revelation is identified as John (Revelation 1:1, 1:4, 1:9), traditionally understood to be the apostle John, the son of Zebedee. Conservative scholars affirm this view based on early church testimony and the book's similarities in style and themes to the Gospel of John and 1-3 John. John wrote the book while exiled on the island of Patmos, under persecution from the Roman authorities.
 
Why was it written?
Revelation was written to encourage and strengthen persecuted Christians, assuring them of God's ultimate victory over evil. The book reveals the spiritual battle between Christ and Satan, warns believers of coming trials, and exhorts them to remain faithful. It was first and foremost intended for John's immediate hearers in the 7 churches in Asia Minor, who were going through various degrees of persecution and experiencing apostacy and attacks from within, but it also addresses the church through the ages going through the same struggles.
 
How and when was it written?
Revelation was written around AD 95, during the reign of Emperor Domitian, a period of intense persecution against Christians. The book was composed in highly symbolic and apocalyptic language, a style common in Jewish prophetic literature.
 
First audience and destination
The book was addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) facing persecution and internal challenges. These churches – Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea – received specific messages from Christ in chapters 2-3, while the rest of the book reveals the battle between good and evil, and God's ultimate plan between the comings of Christ.
 
Literary style
Revelation is a unique combination of epistle, prophecy, and apocalyptic literature. It contains vivid imagery, symbols, and dramatic visions depicting the cosmic struggle between good and evil, both from an earthly and a heavenly (spiritual) perspective. The book draws heavily from Old Testament prophecies, particularly Daniel, Ezekiel, and Isaiah.
 
Themes
· The central theme of Revelation is simply "The Lamb Wins!", further expressed through various sub-themes:
· The sovereignty of God: God reigns supreme over history and evil.
· The victory of Christ: Jesus is the triumphant Lamb who conquers Satan.
· Judgment and redemption: The final judgment of the wicked and the salvation of the faithful.
· The call to perseverance: Encouragement to remain faithful in suffering.
· The hope of a new heaven and new earth: God's ultimate restoration of creation.
 
Special features
· Vivid descriptions, "like bold brush strokes on a canvas".
· Extensive use of symbolic and apocalyptic imagery.
· Strong connections to Old Testament prophecy.
· Sevenfold patterns throughout the book (seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, etc.).
· A dramatic portrayal of the final judgment and the eternal reign of Christ.
 
General structure
¤ The struggle on earth (Chapters 1-11)
· Vision 1: Chapters 1:1-3:22 - Christ among the lampstands (John's vision and greeting to the churches; and letters to the seven churches.)
· Vision 2 : Chapters 4:1-8:5 - The vision of heaven and the seven seals
· Vision 3: Chapters 8:6-11:19 - The seven trumpets of judgment and warning
¤ The deeper spiritual background (the battle in the heavenlies) (Chapters 12-22)
· Vision 4: Chapters 12:1-14:20 - The persecuting dragon and his beasts
· Vision 5: Chapters 15:1-16:21 - The seven bowls of God's wrath
· Vision 6: Chapters 17:1-19:21 - The fall of Babylon and the beasts
· Vision 7: Chapters 20:1-22:21 - The big picture: Victory through Christ
 
Click here for an extended structure, based on diagrams and teaching of pastor Clinton Stone, Honeyridge Baptist Church, Johannesburg, South Africa.