Gospel Outreach International

This Bible study explores the profound depths of the Book of Revelation, focusing particularly on Revelation 1:3 and its promise of blessing for those who read, hear, and heed God’s prophetic word. What makes studying Revelation so essential for Christian growth and understanding? The study reveals that Revelation is not merely a book about future events, but a comprehensive revelation of Jesus Christ in His resurrected glory, containing spiritual principles and promises that strengthen and encourage believers in their daily walk with God.

I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. Isaiah 43:11

• The book of Revelation is fundamentally about drawing back the curtain to reveal what God wants us to see for our spiritual benefit
• There are four major schools of interpretation: preterist (all fulfilled in the past), historicist (church history from John to Second Coming), spiritual/idealist (principles valid throughout church life), and futurist (chapters 4-22 are future events)
• Christians should approach Revelation study with an “agree to disagree” attitude, maintaining love for one another despite interpretive differences
• The word “revelation” means something previously concealed that is now revealed by the Spirit of God, like drawing back curtains
• The book contains 404 verses, with 275 having references back to the Old Testament, requiring extensive Bible study for full understanding
• Seven major reasons make Revelation study essential: it reveals Christ’s glory, emphasizes His return, brings us face to face with eternity, shows judgment of the wicked, contains rich promises for Christians, provides eternal spiritual principles, and requires deep Bible searching
• Prophecy’s primary purpose is not foretelling the future in detail, but creating witnesses to God’s already expressed truth

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3

This Bible study beautifully captures the heart of why we should dive deep into Revelation - it’s all about Jesus! The teacher’s enthusiasm shines through as he describes how this magnificent book reveals Christ “not as the victim on the cross, but in all his resurrected glory.” What struck me most was his reminder that we sometimes “get too familiar with the Lord and miss out on the wonder of His majesty and His glory and His beauty and His power.” The study challenges us to see Jesus with fresh eyes through Revelation’s pages, where we glimpse Him in the glory He had with the Father before the world began. It’s not just about end times - it’s about encountering the risen, glorified Christ who transforms how we live today. As the teacher puts it, once you get a vision of that glory revealed in Revelation, “you’re never in doubt again.”

Bible References

• Revelation 1:3
• Revelation 1
• Isaiah 43:10-13
• 2 Corinthians 3
• 2 Corinthians 6:14
• John 16:13-14
• 2 Peter 3:10-11