01 Discerning Revelation, 1: General Introduction

APPROACHING REVELATION WITH DISCERNMENT, PART 1
TEXT: HEBREWS 1:1-4; REVELATION 1:1-3

SUMMARY: In order to best discern God's purposes in giving us the book of Revelation, we must understand the book's style, its spiritual purpose, and its structure.

I. WE MUST CONSIDER ITS STYLE, VV. 1-2.
A. We must consider what the book IS.

1. It is to “His servants,”
2. It is a testimony of “all things that he [John] saw.”

B. We must consider what the Book is NOT.

1. It is NOT merely historical narrative.
2. It is NOT merely didactic literature [direct teaching].

II. WE MUST CONSIDER ITS SPIRITUAL PURPOSE, V. 3.
A. A blessing to those who know its content.
B. A blessing to those who keep it.

Conclusion:
I. A WORD TO THE UNCOMMITTED: BE DILIGENT!
II. A WORD TO THE PRESUMPTUOUS: BE HUMBLE!
III. A WORD TO THE WISE. BE THANKFUL!