TEXT: Revelation 1:3
PROPOSITION: We can not avoid any portion of God's Word.
QUESTION: Why?
KEY WORD: Reasons
SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. Many avoid the book of Revelation.

2. Too hard to understand – too many symbols – too many theories

3. How can I study and learn from this book?

Why should we teach and study Revelation?

1. It is part of God's Word – the Bible

   1. There is no book in the Bible to be ignored

   2. We must learn from each book

2. Interest is high in the teachings of this book

   1. 666 – Mark of beast – rapture – end of time

   2. Preacher holding sign – End is Near – Turn Now; car passes by and goes into the river; Preacher says, “Maybe the sign should say “Bridge Out.”

3. We must learn how to interpret Scripture

   1. Not just Revelation – all of the Bible must be interpreted

   2. Figures of speech – parables, poetry, history, law

4. Church must learn how to live in a hostile world

   1. Revelation was written to help churches during a period of persecution

   2. We must learn that we live in a hostile world

5. This book helps us deal with suffering / persecution

   1. Individual suffering is no different than church suffering

   2. How to keep the faith in times of stress / persecution / suffering

6. There is a blessing to those who read and hear this book

   1. Read = public oral reading of the text

   2. Hear = listens to the reading of the text

Guidelines

1. It is NOT hard to understand

   1. We need to not allow the many misconceptions to influence us

   2. Do not “read into” the text what is not there

2. It is a “moving picture” book – movie more than a document

3. Do not get bogged down in the details

   1. Go to a movie – notice that a house is yellow brick – start thinking about the meaning of yellow – Why was the house yellow? Symbol of being a coward? - You will miss the whole movie wondering about the yellow brick house.

   2. Revelation paints a scene – then zooms in on the action

4. Value is found in the plain – not the obscure

   1. We can discuss and study the obscure – find it interesting

   2. BUT the real message from God is in PLAIN language