Author: Scott Chafee

I have a series of Bible study books by a scholar named, Irving L. Jensen, so below are a few outline notes from the one on the Revelation. Why the Revelation? My church has an adult Bible study where we just started a study in this book. This is an outline of Jensen’s work with a few of my own additions.

1. The venue in heaven (Revelation 4:1) a door standing open.
2. The voice of the Son of Man (Revelation 4:1) a voice like a trumpet.
3. The vision of the throne (Revelation 4:2-11)
   1. Occupant of the throne (Revelation 4:2-3)
      1. In the spirit.
      2. Jasper and ruby.
      3. Rainbow like emerald encircled the throne.
   2. Others seated on 24 thrones (Revelation 4:4)
      1. There are 24 elders.
      2. Dressed in white.
      3. Wearing crowns of gold.
   3. Observation of what John saw (Revelation 4:5-11)
      1. Concerning the phenomena (voices, lamps, spirits)
         1. Flashes of lightning.
         2. Peals of thunder.
         3. Seven lamps blazing.
         4. Seven spirits of God.
      2. Creatures (Revelation 4:6)
         1. A sea of glass.
         2. Four living creatures in the center of the throne.
         3. Covered with eyes front and back.
      3. Characteristics of the creature (Revelation 4:7-8, Ezekiel 1:10)
         1. A lion.
         2. An ox.
         3. The face of a man.
         4. A flying eagle.
         5. Each had six wings and covered with eyes.
         6. A continuous praise, SAYING: holy, holy, holy.
            1. The Lord God Almighty.
            2. Who was, who is, and who is to come.
      4. Confession of the creature and the elders (Revelation 4:9-11)
         1. Giving glory, honor, and thanks.
         2. To the one who lives forever and ever.
         3. The elder fall down in worship.
         4. The elders lay their crowns at his feet.
         5. The elders SAY…
            1. You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power.
            2. You have created all things by your will.
4. The victor (Revelation 5:1-5)
   1. Sealed scroll (Revelation 5:1)
      1. With writing on both sides.
      2. With seven seals.
   2. Strong angel (Revelation 5:2) proclaiming, who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?
   3. Silenced sorrow (Revelation 5:3-5)
      1. There was no one in heaven or on earth.
      2. John wept because there was no one to open the scroll.
      3. One of the elders: see the lion of the tribe of Judah.
5. The verdict (Revelation 5:6-14)
   1. The lamb is worthy to open the book (Revelation 5:6-7)
      1. As if he was slain.
         1. With seven horns.
         2. With seven eyes.
         3. Which are the seven spirits of God sent out into the earth.
      2. Standing at the center of the throne.
      3. Surrounded by the living creatures and elders.
      4. He took the scroll from the right hand of the one seated on the throne.
   2. The loyal worship of the hosts of heaven (Revelation 5:8-12)
      1. Once taken, the creatures and the elders fall down before the lamb.
      2. Each one had a harp.
      3. Each one held a golden bowl of incense (the prayers of God’s people).
      4. They SANG a new song, SAYING:
         1. You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals.
         2. You were slain.
         3. You purchased people from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
         4. You made them to be a kingdom of priests to serve God.
         5. They will reign on the earth.
      5. Myriads of angels encircled the throne with the creatures and elders.
         1. They were SAYING…
         2. Worthy is the lamb who was slain.
         3. To receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise.
   3. The lamb-lion: the wonder of creation (Revelation 5:13-14)
      1. Every creature (in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea).
      2. They were SAYING…
         1. To him who sits on the throne.
         2. To the lamb.
         3. Be praise, honor, glory, and power, forever and ever.
      3. With a final response:
         1. The creatures say “amen.”
         2. The elders fell down and worshiped.

NOTES:

1. A door was opened in heaven (Revelation 4:1) – one futurist view sees the church as being raptured before the events listed in this chapter. The church so prominent in chapters 2-3 are not seen again until Revelation 22:16, and Revelation 19:7 (the wife of the lamb).
2. The 24 elders (Revelation 4:4) – the office of elder would be the ruling body of a congregation, originating in the OT (Exodus 4:29, 12:21, Numbers 11:25, 1 Kings 8:1) and carried into the NT (Acts 14:23, 15:6, 16:4, 20:28). The number 24 could be made up of 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. The symbolism may be the people of God in OT times and NT times.
3. Lightnings, thunderings, and voice (Revelation 4:5) – these phenomena happen before judgments fall, a pattern repeated in Revelation 8:5, 11:19, 16:18.
4. Four beasts (Revelation 4:6) – more accurately “the four living beings” (Ezekiel 1:5, 19), representing the four supreme orders in the world.
   1. Mankind: among all created beings.
   2. Eagles: among birds.
   3. Ox: among domesticated animals.
   4. Lion: among wild animals.
5. The song of the four living creatures (Revelation 4:8) and the 24 elders (Revelation 4:11) may be viewed as a pair. These could represent his church and the animated world (the former by the 24 elders and the later by the four living beings).
6. A scroll with seven seals (Revelation 5:1) – the seals represent a series of judgments that being in chapter 6. The contents is unsure; some believe it is a book of destiny. Others say it may the whole counsel of God. Other say it may be man’s losing his lordship over creation and the regaining of authority of saints by the Messiah.
7. We shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10) – perhaps a reference to an earthly reign of the saints with Christ (for one view, in the millennium mentioned in Revelation 20:6).

I have a series of Bible study books by a scholar named, Irving L. Jensen, so below are a few outline notes from the one on the Revelation. Why the Revelation? My church has an adult Bible study where we just started a study in this book. This is an outline of Jensen’s work with a few of my own additions.

Seven letters to seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 2:1-3:22)

1. Ephesus – The careless church (seaport) (Revelation 2:1-7)
   1. To the orthodox but unloving church.
   2. From Christ, the faithful companion.
   3. How does a church lose it’s first love?
   4. What is the remedy?
      1. Remember.
      2. Repent.
      3. Return.
   5. Compare the promise of Revelation 2:7 with the fulfillment in Revelation 22:2.
2. Smyrna – The crowned church (dead 600BC-AD290) (Revelation 2:8-11)
   1. To the materially poor, yet spiritually rich church.
   2. From Christ, the loving Savior.
   3. How is LIFE a key phrase in this letter?
   4. What are the enduring riches (Revelation 2:9)?
   5. How does this crown of life relate to these riches (Revelation 2:10)?
3. Pergamum – The compromising church (library) (Revelation 2:12-17)
   1. To the tolerant (of false teaching) church.
   2. From Christ, the warring Lord.
   3. The church is guilty of what? (Revelation 2:14-15).
   4. Compare this church to Ephesus (Revelation 2:2).
   5. How do you account for the two words YOU and THEM? (Revelation 2:16)
   6. Compare the phrase “new name” (Revelation 2:17) with references in Revelation 3:12, 22:4, 21:1-5).
4. Thyatira – The corrupted church (huge ovens) (Revelation 2:18-29)
   1. To the church slipping into idolatry.
   2. From Christ, the heart-searcher.
   3. What is the impact of the word, “withstanding” (Revelation 2:20)?
   4. Compare Revelation 2:27 with Revelation 19:15.
   5. What is symbolized by the morning star (Revelation2:28, 22:16)?
5. Sardis – The crippled church (1500′ plateau) (Revelation 3:1-6)
   1. To the lifeless church.
   2. From Christ, the coming judge.
   3. Study the theme of watchfulness in this letter (Matthew 24:36-51).
   4. Compare Revelation 3:5 with Revelation 20:12 (the Book of Life).
6. Philadelphia – The committed church (door) (Revelation 3:7-13)
   1. To the faithful church.
   2. From Christ, the sovereign Lord.
   3. What is meant by “open door” (Revelation 3:8)?
   4. The word “temptation” means trial (Revelation 3:10).
   5. What does it mean “to keep you from the hour of”?
   6. Compare Revelation 3:12 with Revelation 21:2, 3, 22.
7. Laodicea – The comatose church (aqueducts) (Revelation 3:14-22)
   1. To the lukewarm church.
   2. From Christ, the reigning king.
   3. What spiritual condition is described by the word, lukewarm (Revelation3:16)?
   4. What is the sin of Revelation 3:17?
   5. Is this common today?
   6. What is the solution (Revelation 3:18)?
   7. Compare Revelation 3:21 with Revelation 22:3.
   8. How does Revelation 3:20-21 serve as a conclusion to the entire group of seven letters?

Notes:

1. Nicolatians (Revelation 2:6, 15) – likely a sect advocating deeds of abomination and impurity such as pagan feasts and “free love.”
2. Tribulation 10 days (Revelation 2:10) – likely symbolizing a short period of suffering.
3. Satan’s seat (Revelation 2:13) – likely a reference to the massive altar for Zeus, in Pergamum, the altar of Satan. There was much persecution; Antipas was a victim. This altar was discovered and unearthed and moved to Berlin, and the backdrop for Hitler’s rise to power.
4. Doctrine of Balaam (Revelation 2:14) – (a reference to Numbers 22-25, 31) likely about teaching that the people of God should intermarry with pagans and compromise into idolatrous worship.
5. That woman Jezebel (Revelation2:20) – likely a reference to Jezebel on the OT (1 Kings 16:31-33, 19:2, 21:1-16, 2 Kings 9:33-35), who corrupted her followers with immorality and idolatry.
6. I will keep you from the hour of trial (Revelation3:10) – likely not an exemption from trials but the hour or event of the trial. Premillennialists see this as being raptured before the seven year tribulation. However, this teaching apparently mocks the early church’s suffering when those who happen to be at the end times will miraculously avoid such suffering.
7. How are these churches similar to the churches of today?
   1. Sins?
   2. Spiritual threats?
   3. Source of power?
   4. Mission?
   5. Action to be taken against false teaching?
   6. Being an overcomer (1 John 5:4-5)?
   7. Patience and perseverance?
   8. What is meant by Jesus removing their candlestick (Revelation2:5) and spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:16)?

I have a series of Bible study books by a scholar named, Irving L. Jensen, so below are a few outline notes from the one on the Revelation. Why the Revelation? My church has an adult Bible study where we just started a study in this book. This is an outline of Jensen’s work with a few of my own additions.

Revelation 1:1-20

1. Title paragraph (Revelation 1:1-3) He reveals to us.
   1. What is meant by “revelation”? (Luke 2:32)
   2. Angels appear. What is angelic ministry? (Hebrews 1:4-14)
   3. Reference to time. (Compare 2 Peter 3:8).
2. General Salutation (Revelation 1:4-7) He gives himself to us.
   1. Is the trinity referenced here?
   2. Compare the grace and peace (unto you) with glory and dominion (unto him).
   3. He is coming quickly.
3. Lord’s testimony (Revelation 1:8) He describes himself to us.
   1. Language changes from HE to I, compare to Revelation 22:13.
   2. Why is this recorded here at this point?
4. John’s vision experience (Revelation 1:9-20)
   1. He commissions us (Revelation 1:9-11)
      1. How does John relate to his reader?
      2. Why is he on Patmos?
      3. What is meant by, “I was in the spirit”?
      4. Are these the only churches in Asia Minor?
   2. He stands with us (Revelation 1:12-16)
      1. Son of Man was Jesus’ favorite title of himself (Luke 7:34, John 5:27).
      2. What is your impression of this representation of Jesus?
      3. What are the symbols in this vision of Christ?
         1. His person (Revelation 1:13, 20) his location and clothing.
         2. His character (Revelation 1:14) his head, hair, and eyes.
         3. His activity (Revelation 1:15-16a) his feet, voice, hand, mouth.
         4. His glory (Revelation 1:16b) his countenance.
   3. He consoles and inspires us (Revelation 1:17-20)
      1. What is John’s reaction?
      2. How did Jesus console or inspire John?

I have a series of Bible study books by a scholar named, Irving L. Jensen, so below are a few outline notes from the one on the Revelation. Why the Revelation? My church has an adult Bible study where we just started a study in this book. This is an outline of Jensen’s work with a few of my own additions.

1. Stepping-stone approach: biting off in piece, start with the basics and proceed in the proper order.
   1. Order of procedure: as with any Bible study.
      1. Observation: what did the text say?
      2. Interpretation: what does the text mean?
      3. Application: How does this relate to life?
      4. You cannot interpret correctly unless you have first observed it correctly. Correct application depends upon proper interpretation.
   2. Order of content: there is always the problem of difficult passages, even when you have the proper order of things. The key is to move from the clear passages to the unclear passages.
      1. At the center are doctrines and exhortations that are clear (like letters to churches in chapters 2-3, and the doctrine of redemption in chapter 14).
      2. The next ring is clear, broad movements prophesied (where will world history culminate?)
      3. The third ring is clear events prophesied (like the great white throne judgment in chapter 20).
      4. The outer ring is the less clear movements and events (this is a fair amount in the Revelation). the key is to interpret the unclear in the light of that which is clear.
2. Important things to recognize:
   1. As prophecy, the Revelation is didactic (teaching doctrines) as well as predictive. This is similar to the OT prophets’ role of forthtelling and foretelling.
   2. The last book of the Bible is meant to teach about the consummation of world history.
   3. While there are visions, they describe real events in history, even for the future.
   4. The book is beneficial to those who read it, hear it read, and obey the words in it.
   5. That which is clear is essential.
   6. Look to the Holy Spirit for help to understand (John 16:13).
3. Some laws of interpretation to follow:
   1. The law of plain sense: we should take the words seriously and literal unless the context advises otherwise. In some passages, literal interpretation may be allowed yet not preferred over a figurative one.
   2. The law of balance: Even when the first law is followed, much of this book is to be interpreted figuratively, such as the many symbols in the book.
   3. The law of setting: Let the language and the historical setting of John’s first century throw light on the choice of words and the visions themselves. Example, don’t thrown in the phrase “atomic fallout” to explain a vision.
   4. The law of context: Immediate context is always important but also allow for a distant context of parallel OT passages being taken into account.
   5. The law of structure: Don’t force any system or structure upon the book. Look for clues to the structure but the book stand as it was originally written.
   6. The law of prophetic perspective: the book is not addressing every future event but John is describing certain visions he received; using the mountain peak illustration of immediate, future, and distant future events.
4. The symbolism of the Revelation: full of numbers, colors, animals, stones, persons, groups, places, and actions.
   1. Symbols that are interpreted in the text (Revelation 1:20).
   2. Symbols that are interpreted in light of the Old Testament.
   3. Symbols that have no apparent biblical connection. Be careful of how you might arrive at an interpretation of various symbols.
5. Schools of interpretation:
   1. Preterist approach holds that the majority of the prophecies in Revelation were fulfilled in the first century, primarily in the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the persecution of the early church under the Roman Empire. Proponents see the book as addressing the immediate situation of its original audience, with symbols pointing to Nero, the fall of the Temple, and Rome’s temporary dominance, while still affirming a final future consummation of God’s kingdom.
   2. Historicists interpret Revelation as a continuous, chronological prophecy outlining the major movements of church and world history from the apostolic age through the present and into the end times. Key symbols are mapped onto successive historical eras—such as the rise of the papacy, the Reformation, the rise of Islam, or modern political developments—so that the book is understood as an ongoing record of God’s sovereign control over history rather than a primarily past or purely future document.
   3. Futurists maintain that most of Revelation (especially chapters 4–22) describes events that remain future from our present vantage point, particularly a coming period of intense tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist, the second coming of Christ, the millennium, and the final judgment. This perspective is especially common in dispensational theology, which often distinguishes between God’s program for Israel and the church and anticipates a literal fulfillment of the book’s dramatic judgments and cosmic upheavals still ahead.
      1. Some see chapters 2-3 as church history up to the rapture.
      2. Others see chapters 2-3 as descriptive of the churches in John’s day (and churches of today), rather than prophetic.
   4. Idealists read Revelation as a timeless, symbolic portrayal of the perpetual conflict between good and evil, God and Satan, the church and the world, rather than a detailed roadmap of specific past or future historical events. The vivid imagery is understood to illustrate recurring spiritual realities and principles that apply in every age, encouraging believers to persevere in faith amid persecution while assuring them of God’s ultimate victory, without tying the symbols to particular dates or persons.
6. Millennial views:
   1. Premillennialists hold that Jesus Christ will return before the millennium begins. After a period of tribulation, Christ will come again to earth, defeat evil, and establish a literal thousand-year reign of peace and righteousness on earth, during which Satan is bound. At the end of this millennium there will be a final rebellion, the last judgment, and the eternal state. This view is subdivided into historic (or classic) premillennialism, which sees the church going through the tribulation, and dispensational premillennialism, which typically teaches a pre-tribulation rapture of the church and a sharp distinction between God’s programs for Israel and the church.
   2. Postmillennialists believe that Jesus Christ will return after the millennium. Through the gradual success of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit, the world will experience a long period of widespread righteousness, peace, and Christian influence—the “millennium”—before Christ returns. This golden age is not necessarily a literal 1,000 years but a extended era of spiritual prosperity on earth. Only after this period of success will Christ return for the final resurrection, judgment, and consummation of all things.
   3. Amillennialists teach that there is no future literal earthly millennium of the kind described by the other two views. The “thousand years” of Revelation 20 is understood symbolically as the present church age between Christ’s first and second comings. During this time Christ reigns spiritually from heaven, Satan is bound in the sense that he cannot prevent the advance of the gospel, and believers already share in Christ’s reign. The age ends with a single, final return of Christ, the general resurrection of all people, the last judgment, and the immediate inauguration of the eternal new heavens and new earth.
7. The second coming: (Revelation 2:25, 3:11, 22:20)
   1. Preterists generally distinguish between two “comings.” Much of the “coming” language in Revelation (especially the judgments associated with the seals, trumpets, and bowls, and the fall of “Babylon”) is understood as Christ’s coming in judgment upon Jerusalem in AD 70 and/or upon the persecuting Roman Empire in the first centuries. At the same time, most preterists still affirm a future, final, bodily second coming of Christ at the end of history to raise the dead, judge the world, and inaugurate the eternal state. Thus the book’s dramatic “coming” imagery is largely past, while the ultimate second coming remains future.
   2. Historicists see Revelation as a prophetic outline of church history from the apostolic age to the end. The second coming is therefore a still-future event that occurs at the climax of that historical process. After the various eras of persecution, apostasy, reform, and conflict depicted in the book have run their course, Christ returns visibly and gloriously to bring history to its conclusion, defeat evil finally, and establish the eternal kingdom.
   3. Futurists place the second coming firmly in the future and treat it as one of the central events of the book. After the future tribulation period described in Revelation 6–19, Christ returns bodily and visibly from heaven (often linked with Revelation 19), defeats the Antichrist and the forces of evil, and (in premillennial forms of futurism) inaugurates the millennial kingdom. The second coming is therefore a dramatic, still-awaited historical event that stands near the end of the prophetic sequence.
   4. Idealists regard the imagery of Revelation as a timeless portrayal of the ongoing conflict between God and Satan, the church and the world. The second coming is affirmed as the final, decisive victory of Christ at the end of the age, when he will return to judge, resurrect, and consummate all things. However, the book is not read as a detailed chronological roadmap leading up to that event; rather, the various “comings” and victories depicted throughout Revelation illustrate the repeated and ultimate triumph of Christ that will be fully realized at his final return.

Paragraphs listed in items 5, 6, and 7 are summary paragraphs from Grok.

I have a series of Bible study books by a scholar named, Irving L. Jensen, so below are a few outline notes from the one on the Revelation. Why the Revelation? My church has an adult Bible study where we just started a study in this book. This is an outline of Jensen’s work with a few of my own additions.

1. The author: identified as John the youngest disciple and apostle connected to the church at Ephesus (Revelation 1:1:4, 9, 22:8).
2. Date and destination: written around AD 96 at the end of the reign of Domitian (AD 81-96). John was exiled to the island of Patmos because of his stand on Christianity. The designated list of recipients is in the text (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 19, 3:6, 13, 22).
3. Historical setting:
   1. John’s ministry moved from Jerusalem to Asia Minor (Ephesus).
   2. The age of the churches when the Revelation was written, founding around AD 52-56).
   3. Increasing intensity of imperial opposition to Christianity.
   4. John’s writing came over three decades after all the other New Testament writings.
4. John’s experience of inspiration: not wild dreams but dramatic God-sent visions (Revelation 1:10) and he was an active participant in the book (Revelation 5:1-5). For the most part he is only a recorder of what he sees and hears.
5. The title of the book: Revelation is actually apocalypse, meaning unveiling or uncovering something that was previously hidden. John is revealing what is hidden (Galatians 1:12, Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:7, 13, 4:13, 5:1, Daniel 2:19, 22, 28, 30, 47, 10:1, 11:35).
6. The Theme: twofold theme of the book is 1) revealing the person Jesus Christ, and 2) revealing instructions to the Christian church.
   1. The person of Jesus:
      1. About him: he is judge, redeemer, and triumphant king, the climax of Christianity.
      2. From and by him: in word (Revelation 1:2, 2:1-3:22) and in deed (Revelation 5:5).
   2. Instructions to the church:
      1. Prophecy: predicting future event to those in John’s day and those at the end of time.
      2. Historical perspective: showing the history of the end times as God see it, and describe his justice to both individuals and nations.World history is controlled by God (Revelation 11:5).
      3. Doctrinal instruction: if this was the only surviving book of the NT, we would still know much about man, sin, angels, Satan, judgment, salvation, church, worship, heaven, hell, and God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
      4. Spiritual application: exhortation is another theme of the book. Notice Revelation 1:3 (the words reads, hears, keeps).
7. Purposes: the message to believers and unbelievers is loud and clear
   1. Believers must overcome and persevere persecution.
   2. Believers must be warned against apostasy.
   3. The Revelation does not give all the prophetic details.
      1. It describes the great white throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
      2. It describes large movements and trends in world history.
      3. It teaches spiritual principles underlying God’s redemptive plan.
8. Apocalyptic writing:
   1. Main eschatological.
   2. Written in times of persecution.
   3. Employ the use of visions.
   4. Style is generally figurative with an abundance of symbols.
9. Relation to other Scriptures: Genesis 1:1 is about beginnings, Revelation 22:5, 13 is about the end.
   1. Jeremiah 51 / Revelation 18
   2. Daniel 7, 8 / Revelation 13
   3. Zechariah 4 / Revelation 11
   4. Daniel 12:7 / Revelation 12:14
   5. Exodus 19:6 / Revelation 1:6
   6. Daniel 7:13, Zechariah 12:10, 12 / Revelation 1:7
   7. Daniel 7:9, 13, 10:5 / Revelation 1:14
   8. Daniel 10:6, Ezekiel 1:24 / Revelation 1:15
   9. Isaiah 11:4, 49:2 / Revelation 1:16
   10. Isaiah 44:6, 48:12 / Revelation 1:17
   11. Isaiah 38:10 / Revelation 1:18
10. Relation to the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:1-25:46, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36).
11. Relation to other writing from John: the gospel of LIFE
    1. Biography – eternal life for the Christian (John’s gospel).
    2. Epistles – divine life in Christian living (John’s letters).
    3. Visions – victorious life for now and for eternity (John’s apocalypse).