MAJOR LESSONS FROM REVELATION

 
Although Revelation was primarily written to the church in Asia in the 1st century AD, the theological lessons that can be learned from Revelation are just as relevant today as they were in the 1st century.
These major theological lessons include the following:
  1. God has a plan for his creation which plan he has been working since before the foundation of the universe.  Scholars call this plan God's heilsgeschichte.  Note Rev 13:8 (NIV or original Greek text.  The RSV and NRSV are poor translations!)  Note also Eph 1:3-12.
  2. God is in control of his creation (neither Satan or anyone else is in control).
  3. God is actively concerned for his creation and people.
  4. The whole godhead is involved and concerned; God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus.  Also the angels, the four living creatures in heaven, and Michael the archangel.
  5. God knows that his people will suffer at the hands of Satan and his agents.  Therefore God has planned in advance for this through Jesus and his death on the cross.
  6. God warns his people in advance of suffering that they must be prepared for opposition, trials and suffering.
  7. God encourages his people to get their faith sorted out and focused in the right place, that is, in Jesus.
  8. Through faith in Jesus' death and resurrection and God's own faithfulness, Christians are assured of a victory over Satan and his agents.
  9. Satan has already been defeated.  The victory is already won.  The faithful already share in that victory through Jesus.
  10. Christians are called to an uncompromising faith in Jesus and God's power to deliver.
  11. Suffering and trials are an inevitable part of this world, but Christians are assured of strength and help in these trials and suffering. 
  12. Christians may have to die for their faith, but death is not defeat.  Through faithfulness and death (martyrdom) Christians share in the victory of Jesus.
  13. Death for Jesus is not disgrace, but victory.
  14. God is able to transform the worst defeat into a magnificent victory.
  15. The conquerors become the conquerors through their faith in Jesus!
  16. The theology of Revelation is Victory in Jesus!
  17. "We are more than conquerors through him who loved us...!" (Rom 8:37 ff.
 

Pay particular attention to the following Scriptures:
Rom 8:37-39
Rev 12:10,11
Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26
Rev 3:5, 12, 21
Rev 19:1,2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Providing Bible, Missions, Ministry, and Leadership Resources
for the Enrichment of Christians and Churches throughout the World
        the Center for Church Resources