Lesson 15: Revelation – Discovery

Our last book in the Bible is The Revelation of Jesus Christ. I give you the entire title because it is important to note, as you study this book, that the book is NOT primarily to tell us about things which are to come.

An important principle in studying this book, aside from the principle given in lesson 10 on studying books of prophecy, is the key in chapter 1 verses 8 and 19. God had called Himself the One who always was, who is now, and who is yet to come. He also commanded John to write about things that had been, that were now true, and that were yet to come. Prophecy is always about God – His plan, His glory, His desire to have us trust Him.

Repeat – prophecy is always about God and His plan, His glory. Whenever we search through prophecy so we can learn what is coming for our own benefit, God will always hide His way from us. When we search through prophecy to see God, however, He shows us His power, His love, His plan and much more in ways we could never have imagined seeing any other way.

As you study the Revelation of Jesus Christ, keep in mind the three different time factors in the book. For example, the story of Jesus’ birth into the Jewish nation is seen, at times, in almost the same sentence as the events surrounding His second coming. We must know these prior events so we can recognize them and see them as a part of the whole picture of Jesus’ plan for what is yet to come.

We need to also understand the prophecies of the Old Testament, especially those in the book of Daniel, to understand which prophecies are now in our past though they were yet future for Daniel. We need to be able to see Jesus in our history.


Another important principle is that most prophecy in the Bible in some way centers around God’s people, Israel. Satan’s hatred for God extends to His people – both to Israel and to Christians. If we cannot see and understand this, much of prophecy will not make sense. If we allow Satan’s lies to draw us into hating His people, we will never understand any of what He gives us in prophetic word.

A final principle in understanding this book is to realize John saw things he did not understand and could not describe from any experience he’d ever had. How can someone who has never even heard of an airplane describe it? How can someone who has never even dreamt of a rocket which can go to the moon describe it? So as you read descriptions, picture in your mind exactly what is being described, from the point of view of someone who has never seen even what we accept as everyday things to us, to see if you can understand what he is trying to describe.

Always ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you study Scripture. He will.

*What has Jesus taught you about Himself in this study of how the Bible is all about Him?