The
Book of Revelation
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Let's pray together:
Our Lord and God,
After the book of Daniel and the Chapter 24 of the Gospel according to Matthew, we now
move on to the third main part of Your prophetic word: the book of Revelation.
We ask once again for Your presence, so that we may better understand the organization of
this book, knowing that this will help us to fully grasp its message.
In Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to
show His servants - things which must shortly take place.
Thus begins the book of Revelation, possibly the most famous prophetic work.
Strangely, although it has the reputation of having mystified men for centuries, the book
begins with the words «The Revelation»...
It is interesting to note that «Revelation» comes from the Greek «apokalupsis» which
means «an unveiling» (from «apo», meaning «away from», and «kalupsis», meaning
«veil»).
Therefore it is possible to understand its content.
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Just like the other Bible books, Revelation is a source of truth:
«Then he said to me, "Write: Blessed are those who
are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" And he said to me, "These are
the true sayings of God."» (REVELATION 19:9)
«Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He
said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."» (REVELATION 21:5)
«Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of
the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take
place.» (REVELATION 22:6)
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Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of
this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
A special blessing is granted to us as students of the book of Revelation.
In addition to finding help in better preparing ourselves, «for the
time is near», we will discover the extraordinary richness of this book whose
structure and content, highly organized, will surely fill us with wonder.
Let's begin with a short outline.
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Revelation 13:18
Here is wisdom.
A careful study of the book of Revelation's structure discloses a big
surprise...
The first and last halves perfectly reflect each other as if a mirror had been placed in
the middle of the book, except for a clever twist (or cross-over) at the very center!
Now let's take a look at this amazing architecture. (The following tables are based on the
work of C. Mervyn Maxwell, as presented in his excellent book «God Cares».)
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Revelation 22:10
And [the angel] said to me,
«Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.»
Let's take a few moments to scrutinize each one of the sections of the book of
Revelation, so as to parallel the historical part with the eschatological part
(«eschatological» means «about the end times events»).
We will then see more clearly the richness and complexity of this mirrorlike organization.
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Revelation 22:12
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with
Me, to give to every one according to his work.
All this splendid literary architecture must not make us lose sight of the main
purpose of the book of Revelation, which is the same as that of the other prophetic books:
to help us properly prepare ourselves for the day of the glorious return of our Savior
Jesus Christ.
Jesus keeps a reward which He will grant to each one of us on the day of His return,
according to the work accomplished for Him here on earth.
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Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of
this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is nea.
Revelation 22:7
Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the
words of the prophecy of this book.
This twofold blessing, at the beginning and the end of the book of Revelation,
testifies to the importance of this prophetic text in the sight of God.
We will thoroughly study this book in the next lessons.
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«The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of
the saints, ascended.» (Revelation 8:4)
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for having revealed to us, in this lesson, the fascinating organization of
the book of Revelation.
Please grant us Your Holy Spirit, as we go deeper into our study of this important
prophetic book, not only to know what the future keeps in store for each of us but, above
all, to better know and serve You.
Help us to prepare ourselves for the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In
His name we pray.
Amen.
Source of the Pictures of this Lesson
Screen 1: Photo by ROBBINS, Ken. «The Sunwapta River, Jasper
National Park, Alberta». In «The Elements: Air», Henry Holt and Company - New York,
1995, p.46. Screen 2: HARLAN, Russell. In: «Votre Bible
et Vous» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), Press Publishing Association, p.286. Screen 3:
MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI
Software, JM250.BMP. Screen 4: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (August 1,
1991), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.18. Screen 5: MANISCALCO,
Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software,
JM225.BMP. Table of Screen 5: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Revelation
Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #1 («Une aventure avec la prophétie»),
p.1. Screen 6: «One-way mirrors cover a Toronto, Canada, building.» In:
«Deluxe Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia CD - 1998 Edition», Compton's Home Library,
1997. Screen 7: SCHLAIKJER, Jes. In: «The Bible Story, volume 10»
(MAXWELL, Arthur S.), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1957, p.166. Screen 8:
In: «Revelation Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #17 («Prophètes
et Visions Modernes»), p.1. Screen 9: JUSTINEN, Lars. In:
«Questionnaire Adulte de l'Ecole du Sabbat», Pacific Press Publishing Association, Third
Quarter, 1996, front cover. Table of Screen 9: In: «Revelation
Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #2 («L'Etoile du drame de l'Apocalypse»),
p.1. Screen 10: PROVONSHA, Clyde. In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (March
1993), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.8. Table of Screen 10:
PROVONSHA, Clyde. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press
Publishing Association, 1985, p.88. Screen 11: HEASLIP, William. In:
«The Bible Story, volume 10» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), Pacific Press Publishing Association,
1957, p.197. Table of Screen 11: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Revelation
Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #9 («Les Quatre Cavaliers de
l'Apocalypse»), p.1. Screen 12: In: «Revelation Seminars», Seminars
Unlimited, 1986, lesson #23 («Les Trompettes Annoncent la Chute de Rome»), p.1.
Table of Screen 12: Unknown source. Screen 13: MANISCALCO, Joe.
In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software,
JM246.BMP. Table of Screen 13: Unknown source. Screen 14:
REMMEY, Paul. In: «The Bible Story, volume 9» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), Pacific Press
Publishing Association, 1957, p.181. Picture edited by Cyberspace Ministry. Screen
15: In: «Questionnaire Adulte de l'Ecole du Sabbat», Pacific Press Publishing
Association, First Quarter, 1996, front cover. Screen 16: Photo by
ROBBINS, Ken. «Monument Valley, New Mexico». In «The Elements: Water», Henry Holt and
Company - New York, 1994, p.11.
Any copyrighted images not bearing a statement of permission, are used
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The test of Lesson 7
is waiting for you!