Bible Study - The Book of Revelation

January 16 – 22, 2022

Key Text

“Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7

Study Help: The Acts of the Apostles, 578–585; Early Writings, 110, 285–289

Introduction

“In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation.” The Acts of the Apostles, 585

Sunday

1 REVELATION — NOT A MYSTERY

1.a. Who is the author of the book of Revelation? Revelation 1:1. What is the meaning of the word “Revelation”?

Note: “God gave this revelation [of the truth for these last days] to Christ, and Christ communicated the same to John.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, 150

“In the past teachers have declared Daniel and the Revelation to be sealed books, and the people have turned from them. The veil whose apparent mystery has kept many from lifting it, God’s own hand has withdrawn from these portions of His word. The very name ‘Revelation’ contradicts the statement that it is a sealed book. ‘Revelation’ means that something of importance is revealed. The truths of this book are addressed to those living in these last days.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 113

1.b. Why is it that many do not appreciate the study of the book of Revelation? 2 Timothy 4:3, 4; 2 Corinthians 4:3

Note: “The study of the Revelation directs the mind to the prophecies of Daniel, and both present most important instruction, given of God to men, concerning events to take place at the close of this world’s history.” The Great Controversy, 341

Monday

2 WRITTEN FOR THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION

2.a. What can we understand from the words “which must shortly come to pass” written in Revelation 1:1?

Note: “Christ came to John exiled on the Isle of Patmos to give him the truth for these last days, to show him that which must shortly come to pass. Jesus Christ is the great trustee of divine revelation. It is through Him that we have a knowledge of what we are to look for in the closing scenes of this earth’s history.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, 150

“The book of Revelation, in connection with the book of Daniel, especially demands study. Let every God-fearing teacher consider how most clearly to comprehend and to present the gospel that our Saviour came in person to make known to His servant John—‘The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass.’ Revelation 1:1. …

“ ‘Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.’ Revelation 1:3.” Education, 191

2.b. Why is it important to heed the messages contained in the book of Revelation? Revelation 1:3

Note: “It was Gabriel, ‘His angel,’ whom Christ sent to open the future to the beloved John; and a blessing is pronounced on those who read and hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things written therein. …

“God has given these things to us, and His blessing will attend the reverent, prayerful study of the prophetic scriptures.” The Desire of Ages, 234

“The Lord will bless all who will seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the Revelation. This book contains so much that is large with immortality and full of glory that all who read and search it earnestly receive the blessing to those ‘that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.’ One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation—that the connection between God and His people is close and decided.” The Faith I Live By, 345

Tuesday

3 A WONDERFUL PROMISE

3.a. What is the message of the words used by John in his greetings to the churches in Asia? Revelation 1:4–6

Note: “Why is it that there are so many who feel in uncertainty, who feel that they are orphans?—It is because they do not cultivate faith in the precious assurance that the Lord Jesus is their sin-bearer. …

“We should daily exercise faith; and that faith should daily increase as it is exercised, as we realize that He has not only redeemed us, but has loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and the Father.” Sons and Daughters of God, 287

“The Lord would save us from the corruptions of the world; for He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Jesus, our precious Saviour, has redeemed us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has clothed us with the garments of salvation, even in His own robe of righteousness.” The Signs of the Times, May 2, 1892

3.b. In the upper room, what assurance had the Saviour given to His disciples? John 14:1–3. When and how was this promise repeated and further described? Acts 1:9–11

Note: “It was the compassionate Saviour, who, anticipating the loneliness and sorrow of His followers, commissioned angels to comfort them with the assurance that He would come again in person, even as He went into heaven.” The Great Controversy, 339

“Jesus is coming, but not as at His first advent, a babe in Bethlehem; not as He rode into Jerusalem, when the disciples praised God with a loud voice and cried, ‘Hosanna’; but in the glory of the Father and with all the retinue of holy angels to escort Him on His way to earth. All heaven will be emptied of the angels, while the waiting saints will be looking for Him and gazing into heaven, as were the men of Galilee when He ascended from the Mount of Olivet. Then only those who are holy, those who have followed fully the meek Pattern, will with rapturous joy exclaim as they behold Him, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.’ ” Early Writings, 110

Wednesday

4 A SOLEMN AND GLORIOUS PROMISE

4.a. What prophetic event is repeated in the very first chapter of Revelation? Revelation 1:7

Note: “Many think lightly of Christ now. They despise and reject Him, and say, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning.’ But we read, ‘He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him.’ The same Jesus whose atonement has been rejected, whose followers have been despised and reviled, will be revealed from heaven … .” The Review and Herald, November 22, 1898

4.b. What else should we understand about this wondrous scene? 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10

Note: “One of the most solemn and yet most glorious truths revealed in the Bible is that of Christ’s second coming to complete the great work of redemption. To God’s pilgrim people, so long left to sojourn in ‘the region and shadow of death,’ a precious, joy-inspiring hope is given in the promise of His appearing, who is ‘the resurrection and the life,’ to ‘bring home again His banished.’ The doctrine of the second advent is the very keynote of the sacred Scriptures. From the day when the first pair turned their sorrowing steps from Eden, the children of faith have waited the coming of the Promised One to break the destroyer’s power and bring them again to the lost paradise. Holy men of old looked forward to the advent of the Messiah in glory, as the consummation of their hope.” The Great Controversy, 299

4.c. As believers in Christ’s glorious return, what solemn truths must we realize? 1 John 3:2, 3; Matthew 16:27

Note: “It is through faith in Jesus Christ that the truth is accepted in the heart, and the human agent is purified and cleansed. … He has an abiding principle in the soul that enables him to overcome temptation. ‘Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not.’ 1 John 3:6. God has power to keep the soul that is in Christ who is under temptation.” The Faith I Live By, 130

Thursday

5 AN APPROPRIATE TITLE

5.a. How does Jesus identify Himself to John the Revelator, and what truths does this signify? Revelation 1:8

Note: “When the students of prophecy shall set their hearts to know the truths of Revelation, they will realize what an importance is attached to this search. Christ Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Genesis of the Old Testament, and the Revelation of the New. Both meet together in Christ.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1092

“The first gleam of light that pierced the gloom in which sin had wrapped the world, came from Christ. And from Him has come every ray of heaven’s brightness that has fallen upon the inhabitants of the earth. In the plan of redemption Christ is the Alpha and the Omega—the First and the Last.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 367

5.b. What distinct aspects of Jesus Christ should we keep in mind? Revelation 22:12, 13

Note: “What a Saviour we have! … None but just such an ever-living, mighty God, could pay the ransom to save sinners.” The Review and Herald, February 18, 1896

“The return of Christ to our world will not be long delayed. Let this be the keynote of every message.

“The blessed hope of the second appearing of Christ, with its solemn realities, needs to be often presented to the people. Looking for the soon appearing of our Lord will lead us to regard earthly things as emptiness and nothingness.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 406

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Why is the book of Revelation important to us today?

2 How should the Christian approach Revelation?

3 Why are many wandering in hopelessness?

4 What are some key aspects to Christ’s second coming?

5 What is significant about the title “Alpha and Omega”?