
The End of the World - Revelation Chapters 1-3
In this powerful kickoff to the “End Times” series, Pastor Erik takes us into the book of Revelation, chapters 1–3. The book of Revelation is not about fear, but about Jesus—His glory, His return, and His message to the Church. From John’s vision on the island of Patmos to the letters to the seven churches, we’ll explore how these ancient words still speak to us today. This message will challenge you to live readily, worship faithfully, and examine the type of church which lives in your heart.
Society is fascinated with topics found in the book of Revelation. The subject of the end times has been the center of best-selling books and movies. The theme of Revelation is Jesus is on the throne, in control, and He is coming back!
The Apostle John, author of Revelation, was the last living apostle at 95 years old. He was exiled on the isle of Patmos by Roman Emperor Domitian when he wrote the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:1 NKJV “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place.”
Revelation of Jesus is not a book about the antichrist, rather it is about
Plan like Jesus is not coming back in our lifetime, but live like He is coming back
2 Peter 3:8 NKJV “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Revelation 1:3 NKJV “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keeps those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
Some say Revelation is too complicated and confusing to read
Revelation 22:10 NKJV “And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.”
1. The Bible often speaks in symbolism
2. John would see things he did not have a way to describe
Revelation 9:7-10 NKJV “The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails.”
3. The book of Revelation comes with its own outline
Revelation 1:19 NKJV “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”
• Chapter 1: Jesus Resurrected
• Chapter 2-3: Church History
• Chapter 4-5: Church Raptured
• Chapter 6-19: The Tribulation
• Chapter 20: Millennial Reign of Christ
• Chapter 21-22: Judgement and New Earth
Revelation 1:10-11 NKJV “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia…”
The Roman Emperor tried to kill John by boiling him alive in oil. When that did not work, John was banished to
On the Lords Day, Sunday, while John was still worshipping God, he was shown a vision
Revelation 1:17 NKJV “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.”
Jesus’ presence was so powerful that he falls down as dead because he lacked the strength to stand
John was the Apostle closest to Jesus. He was the disciple whom Jesus loved and had the best
The Bible says every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
Jesus starts this revelation telling John to send a message to 7 churches in Asia Minor (Turkey)
1 Peter 4:17 NKJV “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God…”
To the angels (messengers) of 5 churches, He says repent or else I will remove your lamp stand. Jesus is addressing the Pastors of these churches. Jesus tells them, if they do not repent of sin and correct themselves, they will lose the light of their influence.
• Ephesus: Religious without relationship – working for God but lost love for God
• Smyrna: Persecuted church – no correction given
• Pergamos: Compromised church – objectional marriage of church and state
• Thyatira: Sexually immoral church – embraced doctrine of Jezebel
• Sardis: Had a reputation of being alive but were spiritually dead
• Philadelphia: Brotherly love and evangelism – no correction given
• Laodicea: Luke warm church
Is your heart a member of one of these churches? You may physically attend a church, but spiritually you attend somewhere else.
Which church above possesses your heart?
MY NOTES: