(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Revelation – also known as the Apocalypse of John; derived from the Greek word apokalypsis, meaning “unveiling” or “disclosure”
• Definition: A prophetic and apocalyptic book revealing the ultimate triumph of God through Christ, written to encourage persecuted believers with the hope of divine justice, cosmic renewal, and eternal victory

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: John, identified as a servant of Christ and exiled on the island of Patmos (1:1, 1:9); traditionally understood to be John the Apostle, though some scholars propose another early Christian prophet named John
• When: Written around AD 95 during the reign of Emperor Domitian, a period marked by increasing hostility towards Christians in the Roman Empire
• Audience: Seven churches in Asia Minor (1:4, 2–3), each facing specific spiritual, social, or theological challenges
• Purpose: To strengthen believers facing persecution, expose the spiritual dimensions of historical events, warn against complacency and compromise, and offer a vision of God’s final victory over evil

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Apocalyptic genre combining prophecy, poetry, and epistolary features; uses symbolic language, vivid imagery, numerology, and Old Testament allusions extensively
• Key Themes: Sovereignty of God, lordship of Christ, judgment of evil, perseverance of the saints, spiritual warfare, new creation, and worship
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ Christ is the Lamb who was slain (5:6), the victorious Rider (19:11–16), the Alpha and the Omega (22:13), and the returning King
○ Redemption is central, seen in the blood of the Lamb (5:9), the sealing of the saints (7:3–4), and the promise of the New Jerusalem (21:1–4)
○ Christ’s return is portrayed as climactic judgement and renewal, fulfilling prophetic hope and eschatological expectation
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ The Lamb, Dragon, Beast, Woman, Babylon, and New Jerusalem represent spiritual realities and forces in cosmic conflict
○ Numbers like 7 (completeness), 12 (tribes/apostles), and 666 (imperfect man) carry theological weight
○ Scrolls, seals, trumpets, and bowls structure the unfolding of divine judgement and redemption

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Prologue (1:1–8), letters to seven churches (2:1–3:22), throne and seals (4:1–8:1), trumpets (8:2–11:19), signs and conflict (12:1–14:20), bowls and judgement (15:1–16:21), fall of Babylon and triumph (17:1–19:21), millennium and new creation (20:1–22:21)
• Canonical Significance: Final book of the Christian Bible, concluding the scriptural narrative with the consummation of all things and the eternal reign of God
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Completes the narrative arc of Genesis (creation–new creation), Daniel (apocalyptic visions), Ezekiel (temple imagery), Isaiah (new heavens and earth), and Matthew 24 (eschatological discourse)
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Rich in allusions to Psalms, Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Exodus, and Zechariah; uses symbols such as plagues, beasts, and temple to interpret present and future realities
○ Connections to the New Testament: Reflects and completes themes from the Gospels, Pauline epistles (e.g. 1 Corinthians 15), and 1 Peter on suffering, endurance, and hope
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Depicts Christ as fulfilment of Messianic prophecy (e.g. Lion of Judah, Root of David); echoes apocalyptic messianism and Day of the Lord themes
○ Connections with Judaism: Shares Jewish apocalyptic worldview but centres on Christ as divine Lord and eternal King
○ Connections with Islam: Affirms divine justice, eschatology, resurrection, and the struggle between good and evil; diverges on Christ’s divinity and final role
• Key Passages or Verses: Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is, and who was, and who is to come”
Revelation 5:9 – “You were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe…”
Revelation 12:11 – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb…”
Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe every tear from their eyes…”
Revelation 22:20 – “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: John acts as a prophet and seer who records heavenly visions and delivers messages to the churches under divine inspiration
• Who are the Main Characters: Jesus Christ as Lamb and Judge, the Dragon (Satan), the Beast, the False Prophet, the Woman, Babylon, the 24 elders, the martyrs, angels, the saints, and the new Jerusalem

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – The enthroned Creator and source of divine judgement and redemption
○ The Son – The slain Lamb, risen King, and ultimate Judge who returns to defeat evil and establish God’s eternal kingdom
○ The Holy Spirit – Speaks to the churches (2:7), empowers prophecy (19:10), and invites all to come to life (22:17)
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Believers are made a kingdom of priests (1:6); John functions as prophet; Christ is the eternal King of kings
• Role of the Church: Called to endure, worship, remain faithful, and overcome evil through witness and suffering
• Role of Men and Women: The Woman symbolises Israel or the Church; both men and women are included among the redeemed and judged according to deeds

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Written from Patmos to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) facing persecution, syncretism, and spiritual apathy
• Historical Context: Under Roman imperial rule, likely during Domitian’s reign, Christians experienced pressure to conform to imperial cult and pagan society
• Cultural Context: The letter challenges the worship of empire, idolatry, and moral compromise, urging believers to spiritual discernment and covenantal faithfulness

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Builds upon Jewish apocalyptic literature, including 1 Enoch, 4 Ezra, and Daniel
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Roman imperial symbolism (e.g. beast imagery) critiques political idolatry; Greek myths influence cosmic conflict motifs
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Calls for resistance to materialism, sexual immorality, and spiritual complacency in a pluralistic and corrupt culture
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Participation in imperial cults, trade guilds, and idol feasts are denounced; worship of the true God is exalted above all earthly systems

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Brings together creation, covenant, prophecy, and fulfilment; reveals the ultimate purpose of redemptive history
2. Theological Significance: Emphasises Christ’s sovereignty, God’s justice, cosmic redemption, the problem of evil, and the victory of the Kingdom of God
3. Spiritual Themes: Endurance, worship, spiritual warfare, divine sovereignty, resurrection, judgement, hope, and new creation
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: Remain faithful. Worship God alone. Reject falsehood. Await Christ’s return. Hope in the new heavens and new earth
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Central to eschatology, apocalyptic theology, ecclesiology, and worship studies; shaped liturgy, imagination, and Christian worldview
6. Historical Reception: Initially viewed with caution due to interpretive difficulty; later embraced as canonical and revered for its majestic vision of divine triumph

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Completes the biblical arc from Genesis to Revelation, from creation to new creation, fall to restoration
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Builds on apocalyptic motifs, temple imagery, and messianic hopes rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures
3. Connections with Islam: Shares themes of final judgement, resurrection, divine throne, and angelic mediation; diverges in portrayal of Jesus and trinitarian theology
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Shaped art, literature, politics, and philosophy; influenced movements from mediaeval mysticism to Reformation eschatology
5. Scientific Perspectives: Explored through psychological symbolism, literary structure, sociological responses to persecution, and metaphorical cosmology
6. Global Perspective: Offers hope and resilience to persecuted Christians worldwide; invites all cultures into a vision of cosmic renewal under Christ’s eternal reign

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Inspired mystics and visionaries; subject of symbolic, allegorical, and numerological interpretations across traditions
2. Comparative Mythology: Echoes ancient mythic structures of cosmic battle, yet redefines them through historical and Christocentric fulfilment
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Confronts the nature of evil, suffering, divine justice, and ultimate destiny; invites reflection on perseverance, hope, and truth
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Refuse compromise with idolatry and injustice
   ○ Be faithful unto death
   ○ Resist the Beast through spiritual allegiance to Christ
   ○ Live in hope of resurrection and renewal
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Speaks to global injustice, persecution, environmental ethics, and the hope of renewal; provides ethical clarity amid societal confusion

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Symbolism, chronology, genre classification, and application of apocalyptic language present interpretive complexity
2. Theological Debates: Millennial views (premillennialism, amillennialism, postmillennialism), nature of the rapture, the identity of Babylon and the Beast, and the timeline of eschatological events
3. Key Questions Addressed: Who is truly sovereign? What is the destiny of creation? How should the Church respond to suffering? What does final justice look like? How does hope endure in the face of empire?