Study of the Book of Revelation Chapter 1: “Revelation of Jesus Christ”

Revelation 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.” “Shortly Take Place”

Revelation 1:2 “Who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.” “Bore Witness”

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.” “The Time Is Near”

Revelation of Jesus Christ Revelation (GK “apokalupsis”) “to uncover” God revealed to Jesus; Jesus revealed to John Things “which must shortly come to pass” “Sent” Communicated by “signs” By “His angel”

“Shortly Come to Pass” Does “shortly” indicate thousands upon thousands of years? It means what it says! “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly.” (1 Timothy 3:14) “…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

“Signs” “Signified” Revelation is a book of signs and symbols. Greek—”semaino” Means “to give a sign” (Strong’s) Revelation is a book of signs and symbols. John 12:32-33 Never forget this fact when examining and seeking to understand the book of Revelation.

John’s Witness John bore “witness” He was an “eye-witness” of what he saw Of the “word of God” and “testimony of Jesus Christ” No distinction between the two “Testimony of Jesus” is part of God’s word! God, Christ, and John—three witnesses!

Who is the Blessed Man? Blessed (”Makarios”): a person’s state or condition because of inner spiritual life (Matt.5:3-11) Who reads Who hears the words of this prophecy Who heeds the things which are written Infers that it can—and must be—understood! The book contains seven references to “blessed” (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14)

Revelation 1:4 “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.” Seven Churches of Asia

Revelation 1:5 “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.” Washed in Blood

Revelation 1:5 “And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Made Kings and Priests

Revelation 1:7 “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.” Every eye will see Him!

Author The author is John the Apostle. John was the brother of James. They were the sons of Zebedee. Jesus labeled the brothers “Boanerges” (“sons of thunder”) (Mark 3:17). Jesus said they would all drink from the same cup of suffering (Mark 10:35ff). James was the first to die (Acts 12:1,2). John was the last.

Message Addressed To the seven churches of Asia Modern day western Turkey There were other churches in Asia Troas (Acts 20:5) Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13) Colossae (Colossians 1:2) “Seven,” a favorite number used by John, means complete—signifies “all” churches

Source of the Message The Eternal Father Seven Spirits—Holy Spirit “Is, was, and is to come” (Exodus 3:14) Seven Spirits—Holy Spirit John 15:26; 16:13 Two parts of the Godhead

Third Part of the Godhead Ruling and Redeeming Son—Jesus Christ Faithful witness (John 8:14,18) Firstborn from the dead—Occupies first place; raised to die no more (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Hebrews 1:2,3) Rules over the kings of earth (Matthew 28:18) Washed us in His own blood (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18,19; Romans 5:9) Reigning NOW (Acts 2:29-35)

The Lord’s Three-Part Work faithful witness who faithfully declared that He had seen God and was God (John 1:18) “ruler over the kings” (Ps. 89:27; Rev. 19:16) PROPHET PRIEST KING JESUS 1)“Faithful witness” Jesus is faithful, and he is a witness (Gk. martus). Jesus is a faithful witness because He faithfully declared what He saw, even unto death. He saw God, was with God, and declared God (Jn. 1:18). 2) “Firstborn from the dead” There were others who were resurrected from the dead, but this phrase denotes more than just being resurrected. Jesus was resurrected to die no more! Compare 1 Corinthians 15:20, Acts 13:34, and Rom. 6:9. Through such a work, He destroyed the power of the devil (Heb. 2:14, 15). It also denotes His priority and preeminence among others (Col. 1:18). It was the critical part of his priestly service (Heb. 9:23-28; 10:19-22) 3)“Ruler over the kings of the earth” Ethan spoke in Psalm 89, “Also, I will make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth” (v. 27). He is King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). No doubt that this thought would have comforted the disciples and reassured them that Jesus really is in control of everything (cf. 1 Pet. 3:22). The fact that Christ’s kingdom survived Rome’s kingdom shows that He really does rule over men and is King over even the mighty kings of history. “firstborn from the dead” gives him preeminence and was critical in his priesthood (Heb. 9:23-28)

Vital Point Premillennialists miss this point about the rejection of Christ! Jesus’ rejection and death fulfilled prophecy (John 12:27) Led to remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22) Death and rejection were foreknown (Isaiah 53) Kingdom is preceded by rejection (Luke 17:20-25; Revelation 13:8) Jesus had power to not die (John 10:17,18)

His Love… Cleansed us and made us kings and priests (1 Peter 2:9,10) Allowed us to sit in heavenly places—in Christ (Ephesians 2:6) Made us a kingdom (collectively) Made us priests (individually) For His “God and Father”

His Return Comfort for the persecuted Christians Will it occur in the “immediate future?” Because this is an apocalyptic book, it does not mean that EVERY single bit is figurative or literal. Comes in “judgment” has some reference to the impending doom of Rome. Context of Revelation Reference to Isaiah 19:1

His Return Jesus will come again (Acts 1:9-11). Judgment will be universal (Romans 14:10-12). Even the infidels who killed him All nations will be gathered (Matthew 25:32). All will behold him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Revelation 1:8 “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.” Alpha and Omega

Revelation 1:9 “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.” In the Kingdom

Alpha and Omega The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet Absolute completeness—nothing lacking; He has complete control He wills life’s beginning and its end. Our Savior is the beginning, and the end, and everything in between! Has all the attributes of the Father and the Son—He is Deity!

Alpha and Omega The Lord God—”Who is and who was and who is to come” Deity is Almighty. Comfort for the persecuted Christians Any doubt who will win this conflict?

John in the Kingdom! John’s position—”brother and fellow partaker (companion)” Why not as an apostle? In the tribulation In the kingdom Perseverance and steadfastness Suggests a close, personal relationship with the letter’s immediate recipients

John in the Kingdom! On the island called “Patmos” A small rocky island in the Aegean Sea About ten miles long and five or six miles wide Closest to the church in Ephesus Used by the Roman government as a place to banish criminals.

John in the Kingdom! Why is John there? For the “testimony of the Lord” Because he was a Christian—spreading the gospel of Christ 1 Peter 4:16 Others had been killed for the same type of conduct!

Revelation 1:10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet.” In the “Spirit”

“In the Spirit” More than likely, John is in some sort of “trance.” Acts 10:10 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 Ezekiel 3:12 Empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit—for the visions he would be seeing Lord’s Day—first day of the week (only occurs here in the New Testament)

Revelation 1:11 “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.’” Write in a Book

“Write in a Book” “Loud voice,” as a trumpet, being of such quality as to be of great volume and penetrating—such a voice demands ATTENTION! Commanded to “write in a book” what you see “Write” 1:19; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14; 14:13; 19:9 John to send it to the “seven churches” of Asia

Churches Identified Ephesus (nearest to Patmos in the Aegean Sea) Smyrna (Northwest of Smyrna) Pergamos (North of Smyrna) Thyatira (Southwest of Pergamos) Sardis (Southeast of Thyatira) Philadelphia (Southeast of Sardis) Laodicea (Southeast of Philadelphia)

Seven Golden Lampstands Revelation 1:12 “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands.” Seven Golden Lampstands

Revelation 1:13 “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.” Like the “Son of Man”

Seven Golden Lampstands One to represent each church (1:20) Lampstand—giver of light Seven—perfection Golden—precious The Church is to be the bearer of the light of Jesus Christ Matthew 5:14-16 Philippians 2:14-16

One Like “the Son of Man” The word means “a man.” Ezekiel was given this name in Ezekiel 2—to indicate that a prophet was among them God is not man; He is a Spirit (John 4:24) Jesus, the Messiah, was the “suffering servant” because He was also man. It was comforting to know Christ was in their midst. Should also motivate fear!

The God-Man “Son of Man” (v. 13) “Son of God” (2:18) Speaks of his Humanity and Divinity Romans 9:5. “Of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen”

Symbols and Attire of Son of Man “A robe reaching to the feet.” The garment of a high priest. “Girded across His breast with golden band.” The royal/golden girdle of a king.

Revelation 1:14, 15 “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.” His Appearance

Revelation 1:16 “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.” His Appearance

Symbols and Attire of Son of Man Head and hair were like white wool or snow. Symbols of purity and wisdom (Isaiah 1:18). His eyes were like a flame of fire. All-seeing; everything became visible (Hebrews 4:13). His feet were like fine brass, refined in a furnace. Strength in judgment (19:15). His voice was like the sound of many waters. Powerful—breakers on the shore of Patmos (14:2).

Symbols and Attire of Son of Man His right hand. Seven stars/angels of the churches; right is the hand of favor. Out of His mouth came a two-edged sword. Not a short sword in the scabbard attached to a belt, but a great, long sword. (Isaiah 11:4; Ephesians 6:17) His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. Brilliant splendor and radiance! (Matthew 17:2)

Revelation 1:17 “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.’” Effect on John

Revelation 1:18 “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.” Keys of Death and Hades

Revelation 1:19 “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” Write What He Sees

Revelation 1:20 “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” The Mystery Revealed

Effect on John Overwhelmed at the sight of Him John had experienced this before. (Matthew 17:1-5) Fell at his feet as if dead He is then encouraged with compassion and comfort. “First and the Last” mentioned three times in this chapter. (vs.8,11,17)

Do Not Be Afraid! First and Last Jesus is God—Deity Alpha and Omega Beginning and the End All revelation All human history All work and plan for the kingdom He lives evermore!

Keys of Death and Hades “Keys” of death—Jesus conquered death and now has authority (keys) over it. Hebrews 2:14,15; John 11:25; Romans 8:1,2 “Keys” of Hades—The victorious Christ of the lampstand also overcame that realm! Psalm 16:8-10; John 5:28, 29 All power and authority is in His hands!

Vision Explained Write down the vision and its explanation. “The things which you have seen” “The things which are”—seven churches “The things which will take place after these things” Visions of judgment and redemption Not things from John’s imagination—but what he saw!

Mystery Revealed Seven stars—angels of the seven churches Messengers sent by God Seven lampstands—the seven churches In the next two chapters, the messengers will give a message for each of the churches.

Mystery Revealed Seven lampstands—are the seven churches. The light bearers. Christ is still alive and everything is in His control. The destinies of the churches are in His right hand, and He walks in their midst!

Conclusion The Revelation message is vital to Christians in every generation; it answers the question, “Is the struggle worth the effort?”. Even when the wicked prosper and appear to have more power? The Revelation answer is that even when the world, or the church, is in turmoil, Jesus is in control!