THE BOOK OF REVELATION
by Pastor Bill Hoganson
The Book of Revelation – The End Times
No BOOK of the Bible is more discredited than Revelation except for its counterpart in the Old Testament, the Book of Daniel. Revelation deals with prophecy and the future, it exposes Satan as a deceptive fraud, the archenemy of mankind, hence the onslaught of efforts to discredit this BOOK.
The fascination with the Book of Revelation and its future events is not limited to ‘fundamentalism’ or ‘extremists’ or the ‘under-educated’ or ‘those easily convinced’; it’s about the fascination with what are future events and our relationship to them.
Revelation, apokalypsis, the unveiling; exposed to a view, is a detailed description of the future. Everyone is concerned about what happens to them after they die, and everyone else for that matter. Revelation makes it clear who is a ‘castaway’, who is ‘left behind’, who is an ‘overcomer’ and who wins in the end; Christ [Messiah] and His Christians.
In the Book of Genesis was the ‘beginning’; now in the study of this Book of Scripture, Revelation, God lays out His final chapter, the finality of His purposes for His favorite creatures---the human race.
For those who study the Bible, a proper understanding of this BOOK clarifies what God’s apokalypsis has in store for us before it comes to pass and the world comes to it ultimate end. Because of His merciful grace, we may prepare and be prepared for the final events and not taken unaware. It instills confident faith which we use to confront the political, social, and religious chaos that is imminent. Only the biblically unaware will not see that these are the last days.
Because of it we can apologetically present ‘the Gospel’ evangelistically with the confidence of heaven itself.
Proper understanding of Revelation motivates the Christian to consistent dedication and service. It lifts their spirits, gives them a hope and joy in the future which no other BOOK in the Bible provides. The study of the is BOOK will give you a vital unconditional love for Jesus, the souls of lost people around you, a revelation that the Lord and His plan to redeem His Church are real, NEVERTHELESS so is the disclosure of the awful plight of this world and those who reject Him.
Reasons for studying the Book of Revelation are:
- A special blessing is promised to those who read and hear the works this Book [1:3]. The Book closes with a restatement of this blessing for those who, in addition to reading and hearing the Word, but also ‘keep it’ [22:7].
- It reveals the plan of God for the End Times. I AM who I AM and I cannot change. World conditions today are uncertain, filled with anxiety, and anxious believers ask, ‘What’s next?’ Now, because of Revelation, we can study and know firmly the answer.
- This Book gives a clearer detail concerning Bible prophecy; clearer than any of those leading up to it. [Example Revelation 19].
- As the Word of God, this Book completes the circle of Biblical truths. Scripture predictably reveals planning and organization. The great truths begun in Genesis and other passages of Scripture are completed in Revelation.
This study will be taught by using the Expository Method; chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse, line-by-line, precept upon precept. This Berean study is for those who want to go deeper into the Word of God, i.e., the Book of Revelation. To do that you must go deeper in your commitment and with your relationship with Him. In the end, the goal is to enable you to be able to teach or explain the events in the Book of Revelation to others of or in ‘the faith’.
Thanks be to God – Amen.
Class Details
No text book will be used other than the NKJV Bible.
Each week the class will be recorded and a compressed MP3 file will be posted here (at left). Use Windows Media Player or another good audio player to listen to it.
This class is a BIBLE STUDY and not affiliated with any College, Seminary, Church or denomination.
REGISTRAR: Frank Bostrom | 310.374.2188 | fbostrom@verizon.net. All donations meet 501 [c] 3 criteria.
CLASS PROSPECTUS and PROTOCOLS
Recommended Text Book: ‘The Revelation of Jesus Christ’ by: Dr. John Walvoord.
TEACHING METHOD / STYLE:
- This class will be taught by the Expository Method, verse by verse, line by line, chapter by chapter. This study for those who want to go deeper into the study of the Word of God, i.e., the Book of Revelation. The level of teaching is college or seminary level. The goal is to enable the student to be able to teach or explain the events in the Book of Revelation to others of ‘the faith’.
CLASS EXAMS / TESTS / HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:
- HOMEWORK: Each week you will be given reading assignment for you to read from you Bible to prepare you for the following week. This is your devotional time for the class.
- MID-TERM and FINAL EXAMS: You will receive a multiple choice take home exam as your mid-term and final exam. You will have two weeks to do it and bring it back to class. They will be graded and all the questions gone over in the following class. This is for you to gauge yourself on how much you are learning and to help Pastor Bill to know how well he is doing AND what areas he needs to emphasize so everyone learns the key points to understanding the Book of Revelation.
CLASS NOTES:
- Each class will come with Xeroxed class notes for each participant –OR—a download of the Notes for that class in MS Word. If you have a lap top you are encouraged to bring it and take advantage of the wifi and use the electronic form for the notes.
- In general, the notes are given so you don’t have to take them but can listen and give full attention to listening and participating in the lectures.
- AIBI International is providing a website with all the notes and MP3 class lectures will be available to go and download them in case you miss a class. The call sign for the website is: http://www.globalchristians.org/revelation