The Revelation of Jesus Christ” is from Him and about Him (1:1). The detailed content is unique to Scripture in that what the OT only hints at while Revelation explains. Its time focus is primarily future (1:19). Revelation can easily be outlined in three parts: (1) Christ’s Glory (ch. 1); Christ’s Churches (chs. 2; 3); and (3) Christ’s Future Plans (chs. 4–22). In every sense, Revelation is the grand finale of Scripture, the capstone of biblical revelation, and the magnum opus of the prophets and apostles.
Revelation is the greatest book ever written, as illustrated by these features:
• HOPE: it vastly expands one’s understanding of heaven (chs. 4; 5).
• CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: it verifies the Second Coming and kingdom prophecies of the OT (chs. 6–20).
• CHARACTER OF GOD: it focuses on the sovereignty, power, holiness, and righteousness of God (chs. 1–22).
• CHRIST: it enhances Christ’s beauty (ch. 1).
• REWARD: it promises blessing for obedience (1:3; 22:7).
• EVANGELISM: it reminds one of the ultimate judgment on those who refuse to believe (chs. 6–20).
• CHURCH GROWTH: it sets forth Christ’s standards for the church (chs. 2; 3).
• WORSHIP: it reveals how perfect worship is to be conducted in heaven (chs. 4; 5).
• CHRISTIAN LIVING: it tells of God’s ultimate triumph over sin and emphasizes His demand for holy living in this life (chs. 19; 20).
• EXPOSE OF SATAN: it warns in detail about the deceitful schemes and final demise of the devil (chs. 12; 20).
Christ’s future plans unfold in three sequential stages. First, there is a future time of Tribulation lasting seven years which corresponds to Daniel’s seventieth week (Dan. 9:26, 27) and the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7) in Revelation 6–18. Second, this period of Tribulation ends and Messiah’s one-thousand-year kingdom on earth is established with the Second Coming of Christ in Revelation 19:1–20:6. Third, there is a transition from time to eternity, from the Millennium to eternity future with the final judgments of Satan and all unbelievers throughout time, followed by the inauguration of the new heaven and the new earth in Revelation 20:7–22:21.
In a very real sense, Scripture ends where it began. What was interrupted in Genesis 3 is renewed and completed in Revelation 19–22.
1. Genesis portrays man’s beginning in a gorgeous paradise (Gen. 1; 2); Revelation pictures the wonderful paradise of eternity future (Rev. 21; 22).
2. Genesis reveals Satan for the first time (Gen. 3:1–5); Revelation indicates his final doom (Rev. 20:10).
3. Genesis unveils Satan’s initial attempt at undermining God’s Word (3:1–5); Revelation declares that such will be cursed (Rev. 22:18, 19) and have no place in the new Jerusalem (Rev. 22:15).
4. Genesis records man’s first disobedience of God (Gen. 3:6, 7; Revelation envisions a future time when there will be perfect obedience (Rev. 21; 22).
5. Genesis introduces the curse (3:15–19); Revelation anticipates when the curse will be lifted (Rev. 22:3).
6. Genesis warns that Satan’s head would be bruised (Gen. 3:15); Revelation verifies that this was fulfilled (Rev. 19:20–20:3).
7. Genesis tells how man lost the privilege of eating from the Tree of Life (Gen. 3:22–24); Revelation promises that man will once again eat of this tree (Rev. 22:2).
8. Genesis recounts the tragedy of sin (Gen. 3; 4); Revelation looks to a time when there will be no sorrow (Rev. 21:4).
9. Genesis chronicles the first murderer, polygamist, and rebel (Gen. 4); Revelation points to a place where all residents will live in perfect righteousness (Rev. 21; 22).
10. Genesis reports the first death (Gen. 4:8); Revelation says that in the future there will be no dying (Rev. 21:4).
Christ’s final promise in Scripture is found in Revelation 22:20a, “Surely I am coming quickly.” To which the apostle John and all Christians afterward have responded “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20b).