“I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 1:9 NASB

How NOT To Read Revelation

•           Don’t read to much of our modern world into it

•           Don’t get caught up in speculation

•           Don’t over analyze the imagery

How To Read Revelation

•           Read it with the title in mind

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place…” Revelation 1:1 NASB

•           Read the entire letter through the backdrop of the first eight verses

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:1-8 NASB

•           Read it like you would a play

-Different acts

-Different scenes

-Different characters

-ONE main character

•           Read it as if you were part of the original audience

-War, politics, wealth, and power

“…He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”  Revelation 1:6 NASB

•           Read it reverently

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 NASB

              “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“I am the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Me all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created by Me and for Me. I am before all things, and by Me all things hold together. I am also the head of the body, the church; and I am the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that I myself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Me, and through Me to reconcile all things to Myself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of My cross.” Colossians 1:15-20 NASB (Emphasis mine)