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You are here: Home / 101Study Help / Resources by Book / Revelation Bible Study Resources

Revelation Bible Study Resources

August 24, 2020 By Krisan Marotta

Revelation Bible Study Resources | WednesdayintheWord.com

Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study the New Testament book of Revelation.


There are basically 4 main approaches to interpreting the book of Revelation: Preterist; Historist; Idealist; Futurist. Different scholars and different commentators use different approaches. Make sure you know the difference and which approach the source you’re consulting takes.

See: Understanding Apocalyptic literature

Jump to: Background; ** Maps; ** Key Words; ** Encyclopedias; ** Commentaries; ** Articles; ** GotQuestions ** Next **

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Basics

  • Author: John, the Apostle (Rev 1:1; Rev 1:4; Rev 1:9; Rev. 22:8)
  • Audience: Clue comes from Rev 1:9 where the author calls himself “your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus.”
  • Date: Main debate is about which Roman emperor’s persecution should be understood as the background for the book: Nero (60s AD) or Domitan (90s AD).
  • Relation to John’s Gospel: deep harmony of outlook and expression (Examples: Jesus as Lamb of God; Jesus as the “beginning” of creation and “beginning and end”; metaphors of water, light and life associated with Jesus).

Important Literary Features

  • hymns and doxologies (4:8-11; 5:9-14; 7:9-12; 11:15-19; 15:3-4; 19:1-8)
  • prophetic call and commissioning narratives (1:12-20; 10:1-11:2)
  • seven blessings (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14)
  • visions interpreted
  • virtue and vice lists (9:20-21; 13:4-8; 14:4-5; 21:8; 21:27; 22:7; 22:14)
  • use of common stock images in a creative way (e.g. thrones, white)
  • pre-announcements (e.g. 14:6-20 announces what is developed in chapters 7-20)
  • extensive cross-references (e.g. 1:9-20 with chapters 2-3, as well as 19:11-16; 7:17 and 21:4 on wiping away tears)
  • dramatic contrasts (e.g beast vs lamb; great harlot vs bride of the Lamb)
  • interludes (especially visions and hymns)
  • use of numerical structures (e.g. 3 plague septets)

Structure

  • 1:1-3 – General introduction
  • 1:4-8 – Christological prologue
  • 1:9-20 – prophetic commissioning
  • Ch 2-3 – Prophetic oracles to 7 churches
  • Ch 4-5 – Heavenly vision (fulfilled divine purposes)
  • Ch 6-16 – Three cycles of sevenfold conflict
  • Seven seals 6:1-8:5
  • Seven trumpets 8:6-11:19
  • Parenthesis: great conflict between the people of God and forces of darkness 12:1-14:20
  • Seven bowls of wrath 15:1-16:21
  • 17:1-19:10 The approach of the end (fall of the great city)
  • Collapse of the world empire, Babylon Ch 17
  • Lament over the collapse of Babylon Ch 18
  • End of the kingdom of antichrist ushers in kingdom of God and marriage supper of the lamb Ch 19:1-10
  • 19:11-20:15 – The advent of the kingdom of God (victory of Christ)
  • 21:1-22:5 – New Jerusalem and River of life
  • 22:6-21 – Epilogue: concluding exhortations

Some important themes

  • Christ as victor (especially chapter 5)
  • The church as a prophetic community bearing witness to Jesus
  • Divine judgment – destruction of evil and blessing of eternal life

Genre: Understanding Prophecy

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Section 1: Background

Background & Outlines

  • Early Church Heresies
  • Map of NT Churches
  • Blue Letter Bible: Chronology of Acts/Epistles
  • Blue Letter Bible: Outline of Revelation
  • Ray C. Stedman: Overview of the Book
  • John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background
  • ESV: Introduction to Revelation
  • ESV: The Global Message of Revelation
  • NIV: Introduction to Revelation
  • David Malick (Bible.org): An Introduction To The Book Of Revelation
  • David Malick (Bible.org): An Argument of the Book of Revelation (part 1); An Argument of the Book of Revelation (part 2)
  • James van Dine: Intro to Revelation
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Section 2: Maps

Maps from Bible-History.com

  • Israel in NT Times
  • Kingdom of Herod the Great
  • Herod’s Kingdom Divided
  • New Testament Cities
  • Apostles’ Journeys
  • The 7 Churches in Asia Minor
  • The Seven Churches of Asia
  • Map of the World of the New Testament

Maps from Studylight.org

  • The Kingdom of Herod Agrippa I
  • The Kingdom of Agrippa II
  • Pentecost and the Jewish Diaspora
  • Expansion of the Early Church in Palestine
  • Churches of the Revelation
  • The Roman Empire ca. 117 CE
  • Palestine from 73-135 CE
  • The Bar Kokhba Revolt, 132-135 CE
  • Hadrian‘s Jerusalem
  • Christian Expansion in the 2nd & 3rd Century
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Section 3: Key Words

Key Words

  • Jesus (14x/12v); Christ (7v)
  • Lamb (30x) – Strong’s G721b in Rev 5:6; Rev 5:8; Rev 5:12; Rev 5:13; Rev 6:1; Rev 6:7; Rev 6:9; Rev 6:16; Rev 7:9; Rev 7:10; Rev 7:14; Rev 7:17; Rev 8:1; Rev 12:11; Rev 13:8; Rev 13:11; Rev 14:1; Rev 14:4; Rev 14:10; Rev 15:3; Rev 17:14; Rev 19:7; Rev 19:9; Rev 21:9; Rev 21:14; Rev 21:22; Rev 21:23; Rev 21:27; Rev 22:1; Rev 22:3.
  • Alpha & Omega – Rev 1:8; Rev 21:6; Rev 22:13; first & last – Rev 1:17.
  • The One who is and who was and who is to come – Rev 1:4; Rev 1:8; Rev 4:8; Rev 11:18; Rev 16:5.
  • The Lord God the Almighty (9v) – Rev 1:8; Rev 4:8; Rev 11:17; Rev 15:3; Rev 16:7; Rev 16:14; Rev 19:6; Rev 19:15; Rev 21:22.
  • The One who sits on the throne (7x) – Rev 4:9; Rev 5:1; Rev 5:7; Rev 5:13; Rev 6:16; Rev 7:15; Rev 21:5.
  • throne (35v) – Strong’s G2362 in Rev 1:4; Rev 2:13; Rev 3:21; Rev 4:2; Rev 4:3; Rev 4:4; Rev 4:5; Rev 4:6; Rev 4:9; Rev 4:10; Rev 5:1; Rev 5:6; Rev 5:7; Rev 5:11; Rev 5:13; Rev 6:16; Rev 7:9; Rev 7:10; Rev 7:11; Rev 7:15; Rev 7:17; Rev 8:3; Rev 12:5; Rev 13:2; Rev 14:3; Rev 16:10; Rev 16:17; Rev 19:4; Rev 19:5; Rev 20:11; Rev 20:12; Rev 21:3; Rev 21:5; Rev 22:1; Rev 22:3.
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Section 5: Commentaries

Commentaries & Study Bibles

  • Ligionier.org Top 5 Commentaries: Revelation
  • Tim Challies Best Commentaries: Revelation
  • Commentary Reviews: Revelation
  • Alford Exegetical: Revelation
  • Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Revelation
  • Matthew Henry: Revelation
  • Albert Barnes Notes: Revelation
  • Reformation Study Bible Notes: Revelation
  • Geneva Study Bible: Revelation
  • Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Revelation
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Section 4: Encyclopedias

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

  • Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology: Revelation, Theology Of
  • American Tract Society: Revelation
  • Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Revelation, Book Of
  • Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Revelation, Book Of
  • Fausset Bible Dictionary: Revelation of John, The
  • Fausset Bible Dictionary: Revelation, the Book Of
  • Holman Bible Dictionary: Revelation, the Book Of
  • Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Revelation, Book Of
  • Morrish Bible Dictionary: Revelation, The
  • International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Revelation of John:
  • McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia: Revelation, Book Of.
  • The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Revelation, Book Of
  • The Jewish Encyclopedia: Revelation (Book Of)

Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology:

  • Revelation – Theology of Revelation
  • Mark of the Beast
  • Second Coming of Christ
  • Apocalyptic Genre
  • Abyss

Author

  • John – Holman Bible Dictionary
  • John, the Apostle – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
  • John, the Apostle – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
  • John, the Apostle – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
  • John, the Evangelist – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature

Gnosticism & Early Heresies

  • Gnosticism – Holman Bible Dictionary
  • Gnosticism – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
  • Gnosticism – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
  • Gnosticism – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
  • What is Docetism? – Zondervan Academic
  • Early Church Heresies from ChurchHistory101
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Section 6: Articles

Articles

  • J Daryl Charles: Imperial Pretensions and the Throne-Vision of the Lamb- Revelation 5
  • David Cooper: Exposition of the Revelation – literal
  • Trevor P Craigen: Eternal Punishment in John’s Revelation
  • Robert Dean: The Meaning of Angels in Revelation 2 and 3
  • Bob Deffinbaugh: Revelation 21:1-22:5 A Heaven to Seek
  • Bob Deffinbaugh: The Purpose of Prophecy 
  • Charles Dyer: Revelation 18-19 – The Biblical Argument for the Rebuilding of Babylon 
  • Charles Dyer: The Identity of Babylon in Revelation 17-18 Part 1
  • Charles Dyer: The Identity of Babylon in Revelation 17-18 Part 2
  • Jonathan Edwards: Revelation 5:5-6 The Excellency of Christ
  • Keith Essex: The Rapture and the Book of Revelation
  • Jim Fletcher: Opposing Joshua—The Modern Evangelical War on Israel
  • Gordon Franz: The King and I: The Historical Setting of Revelation 1:9 and the Apostle John on Patmos
  • Arnold Fruchtenbaum: The use of the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation
  • Arnold Fruchtenbaum: Premillennialism in the Old Testament (or here)
  • Arnold Fruchtenbaum: Israel’s Right To The Promised Land
  • Arnold Fruchtenbaum: The Prophetic Promise of the Land of Israel in the Abrahamic Covenant
  • Tony Garland: Criticism of the Futurist Interpretation of Revelation
  • Tony Garland: The Manchild of Revelation 12
  • Tony Garland: Seven Spirits of God – Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, 5:6
  • Tony Garland: What is the Chronological Order of Revelation 13 relative to chapters 17 and 18-
  • Tony Garland: Critique of R C Sproul’s “The Last Days According to Sproul”
  • Tony Garland: Critiquing R C Sproul’s Preterist Interpretation of Prophetic Passages
  • Robert Gromacki: Revelation 20: A Premillennial Analysis
  • Robert Gromacki: The Times of the Gentiles
  • Robert Gromacki: Where is “the Church” in Revelation 4–19?
  • Gregory H Harris: Can Satan Raise the Dead? Toward a Biblical View of the Beast’s Wound in Revelation 13 (or here)
  • Gregory H Harris: Must Satan be Released? Indeed He Must Be: Toward a Biblical Understanding of Rev 20:3
  • Gregory H Harris: What is New About the New Heaven and the New Earth?
  • Gale Heide: Interpretive Models for the Book of Revelation
  • Greg Herrick: Interpretive Models for the Book of Revelation as a Whole
  • Mark Hitchock: Debate on the Date of the Book of Revelation
  • David Hocking: The Rapture in Revelation
  • David Hocking: The Positive Aspects of Premillennial Theology
  • Opeyemi Oladosu: The Use of the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation Revelation
  • RC Sproul: The Last Days According to Jesus
  • Richard Mayhue: New Covenant Theology and Futuristic Premillennialism
  • Richard Mayhue: Why A Pre-tribulation Rapture?
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Section 7: Got Questions

GotQuestions.org

Treat like any commentary: Read carefully, read thoughtfully and require proof.

  • Book of Revelation – Bible Survey
  • How can I understand the Book of Revelation?
  • Why is apocalyptic literature so strange?
  • What is the futurist interpretation of the book of Revelation?
  • What is the idealist interpretation of the book of Revelation?
  • What is the importance of Patmos in the Bible?
  • What are the seven blessings of Revelation?
  • Are the ‘angels’ of the churches in Revelation 1–3 real angels, or are they human messengers?
  • What do the seven stars represent in Revelation?
  • What does it mean that Jesus will come in the clouds (Revelation 1:7)?
  • What does it mean that Jesus is the alpha and the omega?
  • What are the keys of death (Revelation 1:18)?
  • What does it mean to have left your first love (Revelation 2:4)?
  • What is the Jezebel spirit?
  • Who are the Nicolaitans mentioned in Revelation 2:6, 14-15?
  • What is the hidden manna mentioned in Revelation 2:17?
  • Why is God going to give us a white stone with a new name (Revelation 2:17)?
  • What are the seven candlesticks / lampstands of Revelation?
  • What do the seven churches in Revelation stand for?
  • What was Jesus’ message to the church in Ephesus in Revelation?
  • What was Jesus’ message to the church in Smyrna in Revelation?
  • What was Jesus’ message to the church in Pergamum in Revelation?
  • What was Jesus’ message to the church in Thyatira in Revelation?
  • What was Jesus’ message to the church in Sardis in Revelation?
  • What was Jesus’ message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation?
  • What was Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation?
  • What is the doctrine of Balaam?
  • What is the Key of David?
  • Why did Jesus speak so strongly against lukewarm faith?
  • What is the synagogue of Satan in Revelation?
  • What did Jesus mean when He said, “I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20)?
  • Who are the four living creatures in Revelation?
  • What does it mean that God is holy, holy, holy?
  • What is the sea of glass mentioned in Revelation 4:6 and 15:2?
  • Who are the four horsemen of the apocalypse?
  • Who are the twenty-four (24) elders in Revelation?
  • What is the verse about casting our crowns before the feet of Jesus?
  • What are the prayers of the saints in Revelation 5:8?
  • What does the Bible mean when it refers to the four winds?
  • How should we understand the Lion and the Lamb passage?
  • Why is there silence in heaven for half an hour in Revelation 8:1?
  • What is the bottomless pit (Revelation 9:1-12)?
  • Who or what is Abaddon/Apollyon?
  • What does Revelation chapter 12 mean?
  • What does it mean that Satan is the accuser?
  • What is the prophecy of 1,260 days in Revelation?
  • What is the Great Tribulation?
  • What is the meaning of wormwood in Revelation?
  • Who is the beast of Revelation?
  • Who is the antichrist?
  • Who is the false prophet of the end times?
  • What is the mark of the beast (666)?
  • Who are the two witnesses in the book of Revelation?
  • Why do Daniel and Revelation give varying counts of 1,260, 1,290, and 1,335 days for the tribulation?
  • Who are the 144,000?
  • What is the whore of Babylon / mystery Babylon?
  • Who/what is the Lion of the tribe of Judah?
  • What are the seven seals and seven trumpets in the Book of Revelation?
  • What are the seven seals of Revelation?
  • What are the seven trumpets of Revelation?
  • What are the seven bowls/vials of Revelation?
  • What are the three woes of Revelation?
  • What do the seven thunders in Revelation 10:1-7 mean?
  • What is the everlasting gospel in Revelation 14:6?
  • What is the Apocalypse?
  • What is the abomination of desolation?
  • What is the battle of Armageddon?
  • What does it mean that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords?
  • What are Gog and Magog?
  • What is the Second Coming and why is it important?
  • Why is Jesus going to return on a white horse?
  • Did Jesus have a tattoo (Revelation 19:16)?
  • What is the marriage supper of the Lamb?
  • Is the millennium literal or figurative?
  • Who will occupy the Millennial Kingdom?
  • Why is God going to release Satan after the 1000 years?
  • What happens at the final judgment?
  • What is the Great White Throne Judgment?
  • What is the second death?
  • What are the New Heavens and the New Earth?
  • What does Revelation mean when it says, “There was no longer any sea”?
  • What is the significance of the twelve gates in Revelation 21?
  • Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem?
  • Will there be tears in heaven?
  • What is the river of life?
  • What is the water of life?
  • Will there literally be streets of gold in heaven?
  • Does the warning in Revelation 22:18-19 apply to the entire Bible or just the Book of Revelation?
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Section 8: Next

Back to the beginning: Genesis

Previous: John’s letters

Series: Resources by Book

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Related posts:

  1. “Has God said?” The role of personal revelation in Bible teaching
  2. Jude Bible Study Resources
  3. Esther Bible Study Resources
  4. 1Thessalonians Bible Study Resources
  5. 1 Peter Bible Study Resources

Filed Under: Resources by Book Tagged With: resources, revelation

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