Introduction - 1:1-3
This is the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation or Apocalypse means "unveiling".
It came from God the Father and given to the Lord Jesus.
An angel received it from Christ and gave it to John.
John now relates to us what he heard and saw.
Revelation (not revelations) concerns world events leading up to the Second
Coming.
This book is for all believers of all ages, but especially the last.
As always John is faithful in recording the truth.
His visions and symbolism illustrate the words.
To many Revelation is a mysterious book.
They relate mystery with "too hard to understand".
Therefore they do not bother to read it.
Religious leaders even warn people away from this book.
Such a blessing is lost thereby.
There is a special blessing for those who read, hear and study it.
The blessing is established if we obey its guidance and warnings.
If it is not important then why the command to obey?
Here we have vital information for the last days.
The time is at hand - the Lord is coming soon.
We must heed Revelation's warnings.
We must obey Revelation's guidance.
We must live by Revelation's principles.
Only then can we spiritually respond to the events relating to the end of the
world.
Introductory Message to the Seven Churches - Revelation 1 :4-6
This message is to seven literal churches in Asia.
We will study the seven churches / ages in chapters 2-3.
Notice that this greeting is directed from Heaven to earth.
"Who is, who was, and who is to come" - The Eternal One.
Are the seven spirits really the seven angels over the seven churches?
Are the seven spirits actually manifestations of the Holy Spirit?
But - notice that they are before the throne, not on it.
Best seen as angels (read Hebrews 1:7).
Jesus Christ is the Faithful Witness not Joseph Smith or John Taze Russell.
He is the only reliable source of eternal truth.
The same Jesus that died on the cross for our sin, not the New Age version.
The same Jesus who loved us enough to spill His blood for our salvation.
The same Jesus who forgives all our iniquities.
We can believe this Witness - He is Faithful and True.
He has made us to be Priests and Kings (or Kingdom of Priests).
We do not need priests to lead us to God.
We believe in the priesthood of all believers.
Though we are kings - Jesus has the dominion!
Do not glory in yourself, rather glorify the Prince of kings.
Vision of Christ's Return - 1:7-8
Look! Jesus is coming with or on the clouds of Heaven (Shekinah Glory).
This means that He is coming from outside this universe.
Some teach that Pentecost was the Second Coming.
"Every eye shall see Him" proves that theory false.
Every person of every nation will see this event.
Was not the World Cup broadcast around the world?
The Jews will recognise Him as Messiah at last.
The one they crucified and have long rejected (see Daniel 7:13 & Zechariah
12:10).
The whole world will weep bitter tears - but too late (Matthew 24:30).
What a terrible awakening that will be.
Except for the believing Jews and Gentiles all will be doomed.
All their mocking, blasphemy and rebellion will cease.
Doomed. Why? = The followed the antichrist instead of Jesus.
Look who Jesus declares Himself to be:
Alpha - We talk of 'alpha males' - He is the Supreme Lord.
Omega - He is the fulfilment of all things.
Beginning - He is the Creator Lord (Genesis 1) - it all
originates with Him.
Ending - It begins and ends in Jesus (Revelation 22:21).
Which is - Ever Present Deity.
Which was - From Eternity past He is God.
Which is to come - To Eternity future He is God.
[This speaks of the fact that He is
the unchangeable God]
The Almighty - wake up to reality Mr. JW.
Jesus is the Lord Jehovah - The Great I AM - The Lord of all.
It is this Jesus who is coming again - are you ready?
The Patmos Vision - 1:9-11
John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos by the Romans.
This was during the 1st Century persecution of Christians.
Note: Rome opened the Christian era with persecution, and she will end it the
same way.
John was caught up in the Spirit on the Lord's Day.
"Lord's Day" does not mean Sunday but the Day of the Lord.
The Day of the Lord is the Second Coming of Christ.
He was spiritually transported to the Last Days of world history.
John has already seen what is happening today!
The vision began with a trumpet blast.
Remember the trumpet blast on Mt. Sinai? (see Ex. 19:16,19).
Paul calls it "the trump of God" (1 Cor. 15:52).
The voice of God - the mighty voice of Christ.
Jesus declares Himself to be the pre-eminent one.
There is no one before Him or after Him.
Remember - He is the focal point of the whole book.
Revelation only makes sense if He is in it.
Again John is commanded to write to the seven churches.
Are we listening to the voice of Jesus as we read scripture?
A trumpet blast ought to wake us up not allow us to sleep on.
Revelation is a wake up call to a sleepy church.
Will she hear the Lord when He comes?
Vision of the Glorified Christ - 1:12-16
Turning to see the source of the trumpet-like voice .....
John sees seven lampstands with one walking in the midst of them.
How is Jesus revealed today?
Answer - Walking and moving in His true Churches.
What He was wearing:
A priestly robe.
Adorned as one having supreme authority.
Golden breastplate.
Dressed like the High Priest.
This description reveals to us several things:
Gold represents His eternal nature and righteousness.
He is the only priest that the true Church has anything to do
with.
He is both High Priest and Great King.
He is our final and absolute authority.
His likeness:
Hair as white as wool / snow.
No, not some father christmas figure with fluffy white hair.
Santa is simply a counterfeit Christ to the children of this world.
White hair represents wisdom and glory.
He speaks with both (Daniel 7:9).
He is like the Ancient of Days in Daniel 10:6.
Eyes of fire.
These burn like lasers into even the darkest of hearts.
He can see even the most secret of sins in our lives.
Feet like polished bronze.
He is strong, faithful and reliable to His people.
Voice like torrents of water converging into a single waterfall.
His voice is majestic and powerful.
Seven stars represent the seven angels over the churches.
Sharp two-edged sword - His word - our authority.
Both the church and the word are His - they are under His dominion.
All must be measured by His word as contained in Holy Scripture (Bible).
It alone, through Christ's will, is the standard for faith and practice.
His word is sharp enough to cut away heresy and all that offends the truth.
His Face.
It is brighter than the sun - too beautiful for mere human words.
His face is too beautiful for human eyes to look upon.
John had seen something of this on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Paul saw something akin to it on the Damascus Road.
Have we seen His glorious appearance as we have searched His word?
Symbols Explained - 1:17-20
Those who experience such glory as this must fall upon their faces.
Awesome glory produces holy fear towards God.
Our relationship is with the Almighty and Eternal God.
Notice :18 describes Jesus our Saviour and Lord.
He is the authority over every persons eternal destiny.
He alone has the keys of Hell and Death because He conquered both.
John is again commanded to write everything in a book.
This repetition proves just how important Revelation is to the Church.
Symbols explained:
a) Seven stars represent the seven angels who are over the
seven churches.
May be real angels.
May be messengers (pastors).
But a man is never called an angel elsewhere in Scripture.
Is there any reason to suppose they are not real angels?
b) Seven golden lampstands represent the seven churches.
Notice that they are all Gentile Churches.
Note also:
1. Not Jewish - the Jewish church
became legalistic.
2. Not Roman - the Church of Rome
paganised Biblical Christianity.
3. Not Greek - the Greek church
became Gnostic.
Notice too that the three churches mentioned all became so-called Orthodox.
The true Church is that where Jesus Christ is honoured according to Biblical
standards.