UNROLL
The bare, rocky island of Patmos rising steep and brown out of a calm, deep blue sea at dawn, first light on its ridges, one small boat moored in the bay at its foot.

The Book of

Revelation Intro

For churches under pressure, a vision of the risen Jesus: He reigns, He is coming, so hold on.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min22 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

An old apostle on a rocky island, far from home.

The risen Jesus speaks to seven churches.

A throne, a scroll, and a Lamb who was slain.

Evil rages against God’s people, and falls.

The King comes. God makes all things new.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

John

A brother in suffering, on an island far from home

  • He names himself simply John, God’s servant.Revelation 1:1
  • Since the second century the church has held that he is the apostle John.Church tradition
  • He was on the island of Patmos for his testimony about Jesus.Revelation 1:9
  • Written to seven churches in Asia, most likely about AD 95; some date it earlier.Most scholars

Where it was written

PatmosAsiaEphesusSmyrnaPergamumThyatiraSardisPhiladelphiaLaodicea

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

Patmos and the seven churches

John was on Patmos. The seven cities lie on a loop of Roman roads, in the order of the letters, as a messenger landing at Ephesus might carry them.

How to read it

A prophecy, seen in visions, sent as a letter.

It speaks in pictures, many drawn from the Old Testament.

Christians have read its visions in different ways.

All agree: Jesus wins, so stay faithful. He is coming soon.

God will judge evil and make all things new.

How it’s built

The book’s own movement

Sevenchurches1–3 · Christ amongHis lampstandsSeals andtrumpets4–11 · the throneand the scrollThe greatconflict12–16 · the dragonand the bowlsThe Kingcomes17–20 · Babylonfalls; Lamb winsAll things new21–22 · a new heavenand earth

Whiteboard

From the risen Christ among His churches to God living with His people, with songs of heaven all along the way.

Big themes

Four threads to follow

Watch for

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it

Revelation 1:3

Start reading

Question

Quick question

Revelation often tells you one thing and then shows you another. In chapter 5 an elder tells John to look at a lion.

When John turns to look, what does he see?

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