Introduction to Revelation: Victory Belongs To Christ

 

Introduction to Revelation: Victory Belongs To Christ

Collin Leong. October 6, 2025


A. Historical Summary

1. Author and His Background

  • Author: Identified as John, traditionally understood to be John the Apostle, son of Zebedee and author of the Gospel of John and the three epistles.

  • Background:

    • John received the visions while exiled on the island of Patmos for his faith (Revelation 1:9).
    • Early church fathers like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian affirmed apostolic authorship.
    • His writing in Revelation is more apocalyptic and symbolic than his other works, but shares theological parallels—especially the portrayal of Jesus as the Lamb and the Word.

2. Audience and Their Background

  • Recipients: Originally addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day western Turkey): Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (Revelation 2–3).

  • Background:

    • These churches were facing persecution, compromise, and doctrinal challenges.
    • Revelation was written to encourage endurance, warn against spiritual complacency, and reveal the cosmic battle behind their earthly struggles.
    • Though specific in address, the message is intended for all churches across time.

3. Date and Location of Writing

  • Date: Most scholars place the writing around AD 94–96, during the reign of Emperor Domitian.

  • Location: Written from Patmos, a small island in the Aegean Sea where John was exiled for preaching the gospel (Revelation 1:9).

4. Purpose and Theme

  • Purpose:

    • To reveal Jesus Christ in glory and His ultimate victory over evil.

    • To encourage believers to remain faithful amid persecution and deception.

    • To unveil spiritual realities behind earthly events and affirm the certainty of God’s final judgment and restoration.

  • Themes:

    • Christ’s Sovereignty: Jesus reigns over history, judgment, and eternity.

    • Spiritual Warfare: The church is engaged in a cosmic battle against Satan and his forces.

    • Judgment and Justice: God will judge evil and vindicate the righteous.

    • Hope and Restoration: A new heaven and earth await, where God dwells with His people forever


B. Key Messages

1. Christ Revealed as Lord of the Church (Revelation 1–3)

Message: Jesus walks among His churches, intimately aware of their strengths and struggles. He calls each one to overcome through repentance, endurance, and faithfulness. 

Application:

  • Examine your spiritual health regularly—Jesus sees beyond appearances.
  • Respond to correction with humility and action.
  • Hold fast to truth and love, even when culture or comfort pulls you away.

2. Christ Enthroned as Worthy Judge (Revelation 4–5)

Message: Heaven declares Jesus—the Lamb—as worthy to open the scroll of history. Worship surrounds the throne, affirming His authority and sacrificial victory. 

Application:

  • Let worship be your response to Christ’s worthiness, not just a Sunday routine.
  • Trust that Jesus holds history in His hands—even when life feels chaotic.
  • Live with reverence, knowing that judgment belongs to the One who died for you.

3. Christ Overseeing Judgment and Redemption (Revelation 6–16)

Message: God’s judgments unfold through seals, trumpets, and bowls. Evil is exposed, the faithful are preserved, and opportunities for repentance remain. 

Application:

  • Don’t ignore the seriousness of sin—God’s justice is real and righteous.
  • Stay faithful under pressure—your endurance is part of God’s redemptive plan.
  • Be a voice of truth and mercy in a world that often resists both.

4. Christ Conquering Evil and Reigning as King (Revelation 17–20)

Message: Jesus returns in glory, defeats the beast and false prophet, and establishes His reign. Satan is judged, and the dead are raised for final accountability. 

Application:

  • Live with confidence—evil will not have the final word.
  • Submit to Christ’s kingship now, not just in the future.
  • Let hope in His return shape your priorities, values, and courage.

5. Christ Restoring All Things for Eternity (Revelation 21–22)

Message: God creates a new heaven and earth. The New Jerusalem descends, and God dwells with His people forever. Death, pain, and evil are gone. 

Application:

  • Anchor your hope in eternity—not in temporary comforts or achievements.
  • Pursue holiness and readiness—Jesus is coming soon.
  • Invite others into the story of redemption and restoration.


C. Framework

1. Christ Revealed as Lord of the Church (Revelation 1–3)

Jesus appears in glory and speaks directly to His churches. He affirms their strengths, confronts their failures, and calls them to overcome through repentance, endurance, and faithfulness.

  • Ch 1: The Vision and the Voice. John receives the revelation while exiled on Patmos. Jesus appears in radiant glory and commands him to write what he sees—past, present, and future.

  • Ch 2–3: The Churches and the Challenges. Jesus addresses seven churches in Asia Minor. Each message includes praise, rebuke, instruction, and a promise to those who overcome.

2. Christ Enthroned as Worthy Judge (Revelation 4–5)

John is taken into heaven and sees God’s throne surrounded by worship. The Lamb—Jesus—is declared worthy to open the scroll, symbolizing His authority over history and judgment.

  • Ch 4: The Throne and the Worship. Heaven is filled with praise as living creatures and elders worship the Creator.

  • Ch 5: The Scroll and the Lamb. No one is found worthy to open the scroll—until the Lamb appears. All of heaven erupts in worship as Jesus takes His rightful place.

3. Christ Overseeing Judgment and Redemption (Revelation 6–16)

Jesus opens the seals, unleashes trumpet and bowl judgments, and oversees both wrath and mercy. Believers are sealed and protected while the world faces escalating consequences for rebellion.

  • Ch 6–7: The Seals and the Sealed. The Lamb opens the seven seals, revealing conquest, war, famine, death, and cosmic upheaval. God seals His servants for protection.

  • Ch 8–11: The Trumpets and the Testimony. Seven trumpets bring intensified judgment. Amid chaos, God’s witnesses proclaim truth, and heaven celebrates His reign.

  • Ch 12–14: The Conflict and the Conquerors. A cosmic battle unfolds between the woman, the dragon, and the beast. Believers are called to endure and remain faithful.

  • Ch 15–16: The Bowls and the Wrath. Seven bowls of God’s wrath are poured out, completing His judgment against rebellion and injustice.

4. Christ Conquering Evil and Reigning as King (Revelation 17–20)

Babylon, the symbol of corrupt power and false religion, is judged. Jesus returns in glory, defeats evil, and establishes His millennial reign. Satan is bound, and final judgment is executed.

  • Ch 17–18: The Fall and the Lament. Babylon is exposed and destroyed. Earthly powers mourn her fall, but heaven rejoices.

  • Ch 19: The Return and the Victory. Jesus returns as King of kings, leading heavenly armies to defeat the beast and false prophet.

  • Ch 20: The Reign and the Judgment. Christ reigns for a thousand years. Satan is released and defeated. The dead are raised, and final judgment is rendered.

5. Christ Restoring All Things for Eternity (Revelation 21–22)

God creates a new heaven and new earth. The New Jerusalem descends, and God dwells with His people forever. Death, pain, and evil are gone. The book ends with a call to readiness and worship.

  • Ch 21: The New Creation and the Bride The old order passes away. The New Jerusalem is revealed, radiant and holy. God wipes away every tear.

  • Ch 22: The River and the Return The river of life flows from God’s throne. Jesus promises to return soon. Believers are called to remain faithful and invite others to come.

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