Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
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WHY STUDY THE BOOK of REVELATION?
REV 1:1-3, & 19

INTRODUCTION
We need to study the book of Revelation because it is the word of God. That is the obvious reason. The book promises a blessing to those who read it. I like blessings don't you?

As we consider this book I want to emphasize two major reasons for this series of sermons. We want to study this book because:

1. Because the Revelation is . . Revealing.

2. Because the Revelation is . . Rewarding.
 
 
 

1.    Because the Revelation is. .Revealing. v 1-2

A.     Reveals the . . Character of God. v 1
        "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him . . . "

        1.    God Reveals Himself.
                a.    He wants you to know Him.
        2.    Reveals Jesus
        3.    Reveals God's Plan

B Reveals the . . Candidness of God. v 1 b
    ". . . to show His servants--things which must shortly take place." And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

        1.    The People of His . . Candidness.
                ". . . To show to His Servants, . . . "

            a.    His Bond Servants.

        2.    The Period of His . . Candidness.
            ". . . things which must shortly take place; . . . "

        1.    Things = Events 48 times in NKJV

GILL and these were to come to pass quickly, in a very little time; not that they would all be fulfilled in a short space of time, for there are some things not fulfilled yet,

ATR     {Must shortly come to pass} . . .It is a relative term to be judged in the light of 2 Pet. 3:8 according to God's clock, not ours. And yet undoubtedly the hopes of the early Christians looked for a speedy return of the Lord Jesus.

2 Pet 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. NKJV

Rom 16:20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (NAS)
 

C.     Reveals the . . Communication of God. v 1 c
        "And He sent and signified it by His angel . . . "

        1.    The . . Means of Communication.
        2.    An Angel Messenger.
                a.    Would you believe an angel?
                b.    Zacharias did not believe. Lk 1:19-20
                    19 And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of
    God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute
    and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words
    which will be fulfilled in their own time." NKJV

        2.    The . . Man of the Communication.
            ". . . to His servant John, . . . "

D.    Reveals the . . Cautiousness of God's servant. v 2
        "who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, {even} to all that
        he saw.

        1.    John Cautiousness Heard - - John Told. v 2 a
                "who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, . . . "

        2.    John Cautiousness Heard - - John Told All. v 2 b
                ". . . {even} to all that he saw."

E.    Reveals the . . Construction of the Book. v 19
        "Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which
shall take place after these things.

        1.    Commanded to Write.
                a.    The Written Word of God.

        2.    Things which you have seen.
                a.    Things 48 times in Revelation, NKJV

        3.    Things which are.

        4.    Things which will take place after these things.

ILLUSTRATION Jesus gives the outline of the Book and He is the out line of the Christian Life.
Legh Richmond, in his "Dying Cottager," tells of his last visit to the death-bed of that young convert he had led to Jesus. He asked the girl in the valley of the shadow what was her hope for eternity. Putting her thin, wasted fingers on the Bible that lay beside her she said, "Christ here!" Then, placing her hand on her heart she said, "Christ here!" And then pointing upward, she said, "And Christ there!" Glorious hope! Sure three-fold pledge of the safe arrival in glory of that passing soul!

And, my friends, even just so, it is most striking to notice, has this Jesus himself done. Three times to express the same identical truths he has used this. First, Rev. I, 8, "I am A. and Z." of the written book; second, Rev. xxi, 6, "I am A. and Z." of the thirsty heart; and third, Rev. xxii, 13, "I am A. and Z." of the coming home. The Lord Jesus Christ, the all and in all of that Bible, this soul and you heaven! -- By J. Wilbur Chapman, "Present Day Parables."

Application

Do you want the revelation of God? Then study this book and all the book.
 
 
 

2.    Because the Revelation is Rewarding. v 3

A.    Rewarding to Read the Prophecy. v 3 a
        "Blessed is he who reads . . ."

        1.    This Is the Only Book In the Bible that gives this specific promise.

        2.    All scripture reading can be rewarding, this is specific
 

B. Rewarding to Hear the Prophecy. v 3 b
        "and those who hear the words of the prophecy, . . . "

        1.    In New Testament Times Some would Read to Others.
            a.    Try this with Children
            b.    Teach a Reverence for the Word.

C. Rewarding to Heed the Prophecy. v 3 c
        ". . . and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

        1.    Reward In . . Lifestyle.

        2.    Reward in . . Learning.
 

1:3 GILL
for the time is at hand; when these things should begin to be fulfilled.

1:3 ATR
{For the time is at hand} (gar kairos eggus). Reason for listening and keeping on.

Phil 4:5
5 Let your forbearing {spirit} be known to all men. The Lord is near. (NAS)
 

ILLUSTRATION
I read a story about a rich baker who sent for 20 of the poorest children in town and said to them, "In this basket is a loaf of bread for each of you. Take one and come back every day and I'll give you more." Immediately the youngsters began quarreling about who would get the largest loaf. Snatching from the basket, they left without even thanking the baker.

Gretchen, a poorly dressed little girl, patiently waited until the others had left. She then took the smallest loaf, which remained in the basket, kissed the old man's hand, and went home. The next day the scene was repeated. But when Gretchen's mother sliced this loaf, she found many shiny sliver pieces inside.

When Gretchen took the money back to the baker, he said, "No, my child, it was not a mistake, I put them into the smallest loaf to reward you."

He had a reward for the one who simply sought what he wanted to give.
 

APPLICATION

Why Study the Book of Revelation?

1. Because the Revelation is Revealing.

2. Because the Revelation is Rewarding.
 

Gill - Gill Commentaries.

ATR = A. T. Robertson Word Studies