THREE KEYS TO UNLOCKING REVELATION By Johnny D. Taylor
(NOTES, OUTLINE AND REFERENCES FOR THE VIDEOS)
LINK TO VIDEO: https://www.johnnydtaylor.com/three-keys-to-unlocking-revelation-key-one/
KEY #1: REVELATION IS ARRANGED BY THEME, NOT CHRONOLOGICALLY
INTRODUCTION
PERCEIVED AS BEYOND UNDERSTANDING, CLOTHED IN MYSTERY…
BUT ITS WAS WRITTEN TO BE READ AND UNDERSTOOD.
Revelation 1:1 (NKJV)
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
Revelation 1:3 (NKJV)
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
I DON’T UNDERSTAND ALL OF REVELATION, BUT NOT THE GOSPELS EITHER.
GOD GAVE US THE REVELATION OF HIS SON, SO HE INTENDS FOR US TO READ, STUDY, AND UNDERSTAND IT, AND UNDERSTAND HIM!
REVELATION BECOMES MUCH MORE UNDERSTANDABLE WHEN YOU HAVE THESE THREE MAJOR KEYS.
KEY #1: REVELATION IS NOT WRITTEN IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OVER ALL, BUT ARRANGED INTO A COMPLEX TAPESTRY OF THEMES.
EXAMPLES: THE BIBLE IS ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THEME, NOT CHRONOLOGICALLY.
O.T.: THE LAW, HISTORY, POETRY, AND PROPHETS ARE THEMATICALLY ARRANGED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
N.T.: GOSPELS ARE NOT ALWAYS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER SINCE THE WRITERS WERE EACH PRESENTING CHRIST FROM A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE. THE EPISTLES ARE ARRANGED BY WRITER, NOT BY CHRONOLOGY.
IN REVELATION much of the destructive events on earth are presented by theme, many happening simultaneously, not sequentially.
EXAMPLES: Chapter 5 shows us Tribulation martyrs in Heaven, but we don’t see their death by the hand of the Antichrist until Chapter 7:9-14, 12:17, and 17:6.
Chapter 6 tells of the Four Horsemen and the devastation of humanity because of tyranny, world war, ensuing famine, and unchecked disease. It closes with the return of Christ and the battle of Armageddon which we see in more detail in chapter 19:11-21.
Chapter 8 shows us the events of this time period in terms of what happens to the natural world (8:6-12). Chapter 9:1-11 what happens in the spiritual realm (supernatural locusts). Verses 13-19 part of the military world. Chapter 11 shows parts of the spiritual realm and interaction between heaven and earth.
Chapter 13 covers thousands of years. From Genesis and the founding of the nation of Israel (vs. 1), to the birth of Christ (vs. 2), to Satan’s origin before the days of Creation (vs. 3), his attempt to kill Christ in Bethlehem (vs. 4-5), Christ’s ascension after His death, burial, and resurrection (vs. 5), and Israel’s protection for half of the Tribulation years (vs. 6)
So trying to get the Book of Revelation to fit into a chronological timeline as written is impossible.
So don’t worry that the Rapture/2nd Coming appears to take place in Chapter 1:7, and in chapter 6:15-17, and in chapter 11:15-18, and in chapter 19:1-16. (Key #3 will help explain that)
For a timeline, think of the Book of Revelation first this way:
Church Age where we are living now (Chapters 1-3).
Rapture of the Church and beginning of the 7 year Tribulation. (Chapter 4:1-2)
Multiple, thematic descriptions of the seven year tribulation period from various perspectives, sometimes in detail, and sometimes in broad generalities. (Chapter 4 through 19:10)
The Second Coming of Christ to earth. (Chapter 19:11-21)
Millennial Reign of Christ on earth. (Chapter 20:1-6)
Destruction of the earth and Great White Throne Judgment for the unbelievers. (Chapter 20:11-15)
The new Heaven, new Earth, new Jerusalem and eternity. (Chapter 21-21)
So, read Revelation a section at a time asking yourself
What is the theme of this section?
How is God interacting with humanity?
How is Jesus Christ being “revealed” in this section?
What does it mean to me in my life today?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more resources please visit my website: www.johnnydtaylor.com
Email: johnny@johnnydtaylor.com
Leave A Comment