Name
The title “Revelation ” comes from the book; it is the divine inspiration of Revelation to John the apostle (v. 1).
Author
John, the apostle, is the accepted author of Revelation. John refers to himself in Revelation 1:4, 1:9, and 22:8. Additional internal evidence is the number of situations that fit only John’s life: he labored in Ephesus many years, he was exiled by Domitian to the island of Patmos, and afterward, he returned to Ephesus where he died.
External evidence comes from a number of early church fathers who ascribe authorship to John, including Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen.
Genre
Prophetic
Literary Form
The book of Revelation is prophetic in that it foretells events that will occur in the future. It is apocalyptic, meaning it reveals what was previously unknown, and it also has the form of an epistle (letter).
Time Frame
There are two views on the date of Revelation. Those who support the older view puts the date in the late A.D. ’60s. This date’s rationale is the reference to the persecuted churches, which is well documented during Nero’s reign in the late ’60s.
Other scholars date the book in the mid-’90s, perhaps A.D. 96. Early church father documented the reign of Domitian, who exiled John to the island of Patmos. Additionally, the mention of seven kings, five of whom had fallen in Revelation 17:10, occurred during Domitian’s reign. This date is the most logical and supported by the majority of scholars.
Emphasis
The emphasis of Revelation is on revealing events that will take place immediately before, during, and after Christ’s second coming, His millennial reign, and the state of man in the new heaven and New Jerusalem.
Outline
- Prologue & Salutation (1:1-8)
- The vision of the Son of Man and the command to write (1:9-20)
- The letters to the seven churches (2:1-3:22)
- The heavenly throne (4:1-5:14)
- The seven seals (6:1-8:1)
- The seven trumpets (8:2-11:19)
- The signs before God’s judgment 12:1-14:20)
- The seven bowls of judgment (15:1-19:5)
- The second coming of Christ (19:6-20:15)
- The new Jerusalem (21:1-22:5)
- Conclusion (22:6-21)
