Bible Book

Revelation

Revelation • New Testament • 22 Chapters

Summary

The New Testament’s only book of prophecy; the twenty-seventh book of the New Testament; the sixty-sixth book of the Bible.

Author: The apostle John, mentioned in verse 1.

Audience: Revelation was written for all believers (Revelation 1:3), but especially for the believers in the seven churches addressed in chapters 2—3. These churches were all located in modern Turkey, consisting largely of Gentile believers, meeting in house churches, who faced much persecution. Each church was given specific information in addition to the overall vision shared to all believers.

Date: John was on the island of Patmos, off the coast of modern Turkey, during the last part of the first century as punishment for his Christian faith. This book contains the final words of the New Testament, written in approximately AD 95—96. Some argue for an earlier date in the 60s, though John would not have been on Patmos at this time.

Illustrative Verse

“He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.”

Revelation 21:6

Explanation

Along with the book of Daniel, Revelation often falls into a category known as apocalyptic revelation. These are future prophecies full of less obvious imagery and meaning. The apostle John received the visions in Revelation while on the Island of Patmos. It's found at the end of the New Testament, closing the Christian canon.

Study Resources

McGee Notes

Synopsis on Bible Hub

Introduction on ESV

Author Summary

Read Chapters

Rev. 1 Rev. 2 Rev. 3 Rev. 4 Rev. 5 Rev. 6 Rev. 7 Rev. 8 Rev. 9 Rev. 10 Rev. 11 Rev. 12 Rev. 13 Rev. 14 Rev. 15 Rev. 16 Rev. 17 Rev. 18 Rev. 19 Rev. 20 Rev. 21 Rev. 22