The Study of Eschatology (The Doctrine of the End of Times)

Introduction to Eschatology

John the Revelator
- John the Apostle, son of Zebedee, brother of James (Mark 3:17).
- One of the original Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus (Matthew 4:21–22).
- Part of Jesus’ inner circle (with Peter and James)—present at the Transfiguration,
Gethsemane, and raising of Jairus’ daughter.
- Known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, John 19:26).
Credited with writing five books of the New Testament:

1. The Gospel of John – presenting Jesus as the Son of God.
2. 1 John – emphasizing love, truth, and assurance of salvation.
3. 2 John – warning against false teachers.
4. 3 John – encouragement in walking in truth.
5. Revelation – the prophetic vision of the end times.
- Became a leader in the early church, especially in Ephesus, where he ministered before
and after his exile.
- Church tradition says he cared for Mary, the mother of Jesus, after the crucifixion (John
19:26–27).
Exile on Patmos
Around A.D. 95, under Emperor Domitian’s persecution, John was exiled to the small rocky
island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea (Revelation 1:9).
There, he received the visions recorded in Revelation.
Unlike the other apostles who were martyred, John lived to old age (possibly into his 90s).
Tradition holds that he was the only apostle not martyred, though he suffered greatly.
** So here he is, boiled alive, eyes pocked out, left to die on Patmos. **
- The 7 churches are modern day Turkey
Revelation 1: 3  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and
keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
4  John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is
and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
  5  and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the
kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
  6  and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion
forever and ever. Amen.
7  Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And
all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who
was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of
Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony
of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
11 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: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to
Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden
lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment
down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many
waters;
16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and
His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 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.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the
keys of Hades and of Death.
19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will
take place after this.
Part one: The church of Ephesus
Revelation 2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds
the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2  “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.
And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3  and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and
have not become weary.
  4  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will
come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
6  But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
 Every church has a reputation. Some are known for their programs, some for their
preaching, some for their music, and others for their outreach.
- But the most important reputation a church can have is being known as a church that
loves Jesus above everything else.
- You can’t love Jesus, if you don’t love each other.
1. Christ’s Commendation for Their Works (vv. 2–3, 6)
“I know your works, your labor, your patience…”

Ephesus was a hardworking church: laboring to exhaustion for the gospel.
 They were doctrinally sound: they tested false teachers and refused error.
 They were enduring: they stood strong under pressure and did not quit.
 They even hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (false teachers promoting compromise).
- Just because you are busy, doesn’t mean you are Holy
2. Christ’s Correction of Their Heart (v. 4)
“Nevertheless, I have this against you: you have left your first love.”
 Despite all their strengths, they had drifted from their love for Christ.
 They were busy working for Him, but not walking with Him.
 Their service had become routine, their passion had cooled.
Illustration: A married couple can live together, pay bills, raise children, and function as a
household—but if love is gone, the marriage is hollow. So it is with the church.
3. Christ’s Command for Restoration (v. 5)
“Remember… Repent… and do the first works.”
a. Remember: Think back to when you first met Christ—your passion, your joy, your
hunger for His Word.
b. Repent: Turn away from cold religion and back to vibrant relationship.
c. Repeat: Do the works motivated by love—worship, prayer, witnessing, devotion.
Warning: If they refused, Christ said He would remove their lampstand (their effectiveness and
influence).
Application: The greatest danger for any church is not persecution from outside, but losing love
from the inside.
Jesus is asking:
- Do you still love Me the way you did when you first believed?
- Have you drifted into routine without relationship?
- Will you remember, repent, and return?
Closing Illustration
Imagine a candle. A candle can have the right shape, the right wick, and the right container, but
if there is no flame, it is useless. The church at Ephesus still had the form, but it had lost the
flame. Christ is calling us to reignite our first love for Him.
 Church, let’s not be known only for our works or our doctrine. Let’s be known as a
people who love Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.