“The revelation of Jesus Christ” (English Standard Version, Rev. 1.1) in the Book of Revelation is most likely written by John the apostle while he was in exile on the Island of Patmos (Elwell and Yarbrough 358). It is apocalyptic literature addressed to seven actual churches in AD 95 in Asia Minor. While the book covers the seven years of tribulation in the end times, it is mainly written to give hope to persecuted Christians and to provide a vision of Christ’s return and the eternal glory of heaven. Revelation’s central message is God’s sovereignty over all the world.
The church in the first century is suffering, and the book of Revelation begins with letters from Jesus Christ Himself concerning both commendation and criticism. Most of the original apostles have been persecuted for their belief, including the author John in exile. The immediate future looks bleak in such overwhelming opposition. Christians need spiritual and emotional stability to continue in the face of trials (Foster 484). The overall purpose of this letter is to encourage and support those believers, to reinforce the truth that God will overcome the evils of the world and will bring justice to all who oppress His people (Elwell 358).
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The nature of Jesus as the Redeemer is shown when the final judgment of the world is taking place. Jesus will be the Judge, or the ruling Lion. Here is the beginning of the wrath of God. The great moment of justice that all suffering believers pray for will come to pass in the judgment by Jesus (Foster 486). Yet He is also the Savior of all, the suffering Servant, or the Lamb (Elwell 364). As the Lamb, Jesus takes the sin of mankind so that all might stand before God redeemed. Eventually there will be a great marriage ceremony between God’s people and the Lamb with the return of