Page 38 - C060_Revelation 1-The Vision

John’s Vision

God Himself is the author of the book of Revelation. God dictated it,
through Christ, by an angel to John who was the human instrument of
writing. He then sent what he saw to the seven churches listed in Asia
Minor. ough written to these seven churches, this vision is for all

people everywhere to show what will happen in the last days.

John was well suited to pen this last book of the Bible. Of the disciples,
he was likely the closest earthly friend to Christ. He was a beloved
disciple and pastor and penned the Gospel of John as well as other New

Testament books. While banished on the Isle of Patmos, likely under
the persecution that occurred under Domitian, God opened up Heaven
and the future and gave John this prophetic glimpse.

ere are primarily four schools of thought and interpretation
regarding the book of Revelation:

Preterist – Is a school of interpretation that sees these things as
happening at that time and refers to the church’s struggle with the
Roman Empire and persecution.

Historical – Believes that the book is a “Vision of the Ages” and is a

panoramic look at all of church history and up to the return of Christ.

Futurist – Is an interpretation that believes the book only deals with
the coming of the Lord and the time of the end.

Spiritualist – Holds that the imagery of the book is neither historical
nor the time of the end but merely gurative imagery to describe
principles of divine government applicable to all times.

Many (including this publisher) ascribe to the view that the book is a
combination of both historical and futurist interpretations. at is, it
shows church history but also forecasts and accurately describes the
upheavals and dramatic last days of planet earth. Also, the book goes

on to describe how these ‘birth pangs’ will culminate in the return of
Christ to set up his millennial kingdom and eventually his celestial one.