If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 1

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.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 2

Revelation 1:1

Comments

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him, to show to His servants things which must shortly come to pass.

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.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 3

Just like the other Bible books, Revelation is a source of truth:

«And [the angel] said to me, “Write, Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”» (Revelation 19:9) «And He that 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) «And [the angel] said to me, “These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show to His servants the things which must shortly be done.”» (Revelation 22:6)

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 4

Revelation 1:3	Comments
Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. For the time is at hand.	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 at hand», 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.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 5

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 6

Revelation 13:18

Comments

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».)

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 7

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 8

Revelation 22:10	Comments
And [the angel] said to me, «Seal not the sayings 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.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 9

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 10

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 11

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 12

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 13

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 14

Revelation 22:12

Comments

And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

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.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 15

Revelation 1:3	Comments
Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. For the time is at hand.	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.
Revelation 22:7
Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 7
	The Book of Revelation
	Screen 16

«The smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God.» (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.

 The test of Lesson 7 is waiting for you!

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.), p.286. Used by permission. Copyright ©1959, 1987 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. 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.), p.166. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. 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.), p.197. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. 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.), p.181. Picture edited by Cyberspace Ministry. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. 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 for the purpose of non-commercial scholarly commentary or criticism in accordance with section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law, and with article 29 of Canada Copyright Act (Chapter C-42), which by law can be without the consent or endorsement of the copyright holder. Images lacking attribution are either known or assumed to be in the public domain, or have an as yet undetermined status. Anyone having knowledge of proper attribution for an image is requested to contact us via email below so that it can be correctly noted. It is our intent to comply fully with applicable laws regarding intellectual property rights.

 The test of Lesson 7 is waiting for you!