Note.—These lessons are not to be a book study, but an outline study of the leading prophecies in the book. They will be but a survey of a book which we have been especially exhorted to study earnestly and prayerfully, in order that we may understand the past history of the people of God, and the closing work under the Third Angel's Message of the fourteenth chapter, which gives the special burden and key-note of the Gospel message for our time.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is the inspired title of this book? Who is the Author of this revelation? For what purpose was it given? How was it brought to men? Rev. 1: 1.
2. Of what did John bear testimony? Verse 2.
3. What had it cost John to bear witness for Christ? Verse 9. Note .
4. Need one despised or persecuted by earthly princes be ashamed of the Christian calling? What has it cost Jesus to bring the revelation of His saving power? Verses 5, 6.
5. What special blessing may we claim as we take up studies in this book? Verse 3. Note .
6. Round what grand event does all the revelation center? Verse 7.
7. When were the scenes of this book opened to John? Verse 10. What day is this? Mark 2:28; Isa. 58:13.
8. To whom was this revelation sent? Rev. 1:11. Note .
9. What did John see as he turned to learn from whence the voice came that spake to him? Verses 12, 13.
10. Describe His appearance. Verses 14-16.
11. Who does this One declare Himself to be? Verses 11 (first part), 18.
12. What did He hold in His right hand? Verse 16.
13. What do the seven stars and the seven candlesticks represent? Verse 20.
14. Need we fear to deal with this all-glorious One? Verses 17, 5, last part.
15. With what purpose is He ministering in the heavenly courts and overruling in the affairs of earth? John 14:1-3.
16. What help may we claim in a faithful study of God's revelations? Deut. 29:29.
NOTES.
1. "On account of the desolate character of this island, it was used, under the Roman Empire, as a place of banishment, which accounts for the exile of John thither. The banishment of this apostle took place about the year 94, as is generally supposed, under the Emperor Domitian; and from this fact the date assigned to the writing of the Revelation is A.D. 95 or 96."—Thoughts on Revelation.
2. The blessing promised to those who read and hear comes only as the third condition is fulfilled, by the keeping of the things written. We are not studying merely to learn interesting facts regarding the past fulfillment of prophecy. These are all essential in the proper understanding of the book, but the study will be of lasting value only as we seek God for grace to learn how to keep in our own lives the lessons of the past and the warnings and counsels, all written for us. The "sayings of the prophecy of this book" are things to be daily kept by those who would be prepared for the coming of Christ. Rev. 22:7.
3. "The seven churches." Under the names of the seven churches in Asia, the Holy Spirit has delineated seven different stages of the Christian church, which appear in succession, extending from the apostolic days to the coming of the Lord and the consummation of all things. In other words, these messages to the seven churches constitute a connected prophecy of the church of Christ on earth, during seven periods of time, covering the entire history of the church from the first to the second advent. The messages to all the churches therefore come to us who live in the last days.
