Study of Revelation

Chapter 1

 

This is a series of lessons that I taught in my church on Wednesday nights.                                                       

I want to greet all of you who have taken the time to come here tonight to begin this very important study of this book of Revelation. I realize that there are more qualified people who could teach this class, but God has laid it on my heart. I believe it is imperative that we study this book and get a grasp of it. I believe that we are living in the days just prior to the coming of the Lord, and the fulfilling of all that God has intended for this present age.

Most of us here would agree to that.

This study began as a planned home bible study because there were many questions and a great interest about the end times. The book of Revelation is considered a difficult book to understand, and therefore it is neglected both by individual study and by corporate worship.

Henry Ironside said this about this book concerning its difficulty, “It begins and ends with a blessing on those that read and keep what is written (Revelation 1:3 and 22:7).  God did not mean to mock us by promising a blessing on all who keep what they cannot understand.”  End of quote.

Just your being here is a testimony that you want to be blessed.  Because of its length (22 chapters), and only meeting every other Wednesday night, it will be a lengthy study. It will take some time, but it will be time well spent because God has pronounced a blessing on those that will endure the entire study.

I also realize that this book is very controversial, and there are varied opinions as to the many topics included in this book. You may have different opinions and understandings of what some things mean, and that is alright. We cannot be too dogmatic on some things but the one thing that I will be dogmatic about is that it all will be fulfilled as God has written. How we understand what has been written is another matter.

This will be an open discussion time. I want your questions and feedback. It is vital to this study.

I have many resources to refer to. Here are some:

Henry Ironside; Clarence Larkin; Dwight Pentecost; Tim LeHaye; David Levy; Smart Guide to the Book of Revelation by Duck and Richards; Warren Wiersbe; John Walvoord; Dr. E.W. Bullinger; plus, other authors that have commentary on biblical books related to the book of Revelation and bible prophecy. All these men mentioned are authors I greatly respect and I am confident in their abilities to be used of God in explaining these scriptures. However, it should be pointed out, that they do on occasion differ on explanations and understandings. As I go through these scriptures and I use these authors, I will try to credit them. However, it may be that I will neglect to do so for time constraints. 

I want to also point out that there will be many scriptures used in this study, most of which I will not take time to read. However, this study is for all our benefit and anyone that wants to have the class look them up, then that is alright, we will take the time. But for time’s sake please look them up in your private Bible study.  

Before we begin, I think it is important to understand why we should study this book and Bible prophecy. There are several reasons that I want to give briefly:

1. It is for the equipping of the Saint, to the end that each one will be thoroughly furnished for all good works. It is a part of inspired scriptures and “all scripture is given by God and is profitable for doctrine (teaching) for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2Timothy 3:16);

2.  Bible prophecy is from one third to one fourth of the bible and much of it is yet unfulfilled;

3.  Jesus, and His disciples thought it important enough to teach;

4.  There is a special blessing pronounced on those that read and keep its writings;

5.  It is a great encouragement to live a life pleasing to God seeing His coming is imminent;

6.  It is a great encouragement to be bolder in our witness and testimony to the unsaved;

7.  There is a growing expectancy that something major is about to happen, and we need to be informed so we can explain it to others.

It is of no wonder that this book of the Bible is shunned by many churches and is neglected by many Christians. It is one of the “devices of Satan” to get people to neglect a Book that foretells his casting as the Prince of the Powers of the Air,” and the god of this age, out of the heavens; of his imprisonment in the bottomless pit for a thousand years, and his final casting into the Lake of Fire. The books of Genesis and Revelation are especially hated by Satan because it tells of his entry into the world we live in and his exit from the presence of God.

The Book of Revelation is focused on God’s judgments. These judgments are concerning Israel and the Jewish people. It will be what is known as “the time of Jacob’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7).  It will also be a time of judgment on the nations (Joel 3:2, 9-15). It will also be a time of judgment on Satan and his hosts of heaven, as well as the Anti-Christ (Revelation 19:20, 20:1-3).

And lastly, it is a time of God’s judgment on all those that have rejected Christ as Savior and followed Satan (Revelation 19:17-19; 20:11-15).

This book can be divided into three divisions (chapter 1:19):  First the things which thou hast seen (chapter 1); second the things which are (chapters. 2-3); third the things shall be hereafter (chapters 4-22).

It is also important to know that none of the things mentioned in this book from chapter 4 onward will take place prior to the rapture of the church as explained in 1Corinthians 15:51-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; and from the point after the command to “come up hither’” in Revelation 4:1, the church is not mentioned or referred to until it returns with Christ at the end of this time of tribulation . There are numerous places in scripture both written and shown by type or picture throughout the Bible that shows the redeemed will not go through this time of tribulation. 

When we speak of the “tribulation period” we are speaking of the seventieth week of Daniel (Daniel 9:25-27) and more specifically, the last three and a half years. This week is shown to actually be a period of seven years. It deals mostly and primarily to events regarding the Nation of Israel and the Jewish people prior to the coming of their Messiah. It will be the fourth earthly kingdom spoken of by Daniel. While Daniel expounds on the period of these four kingdoms with a small portion (Daniel11:26-45) given to the Anti-Christ and his reign, the book of Revelation explains in detail that same period of time.

With all that said, let’s begin.

The Greek word for Revelation is the word “apokolupsis” and it means unveiling, opening up and/or given to view.” So, where Daniel was told to seal up (Daniel 12:8) John was told to seal not (Revelation 22:10). What Daniel was to cover or to withhold, John was told to uncover and make known. This revelation is that of Jesus Christ. There is some discussion about the term “Revelation of Jesus Christ,” whether it means about Jesus or from Jesus. It is both. This whole book, though having many facets, is about Jesus Christ. It is about His salvation, judgments, deliverance, and His return to the Earth in power and great glory and His ultimate reign forever and forever.

The Book of  Revelation, the last book in the Bible is the book about last things. There is definitely a correlation between Genesis and this book. Genesis is about the beginning and Revelation is about the end of this present age. Let’s notice some of these first and last things.

Genesis is about the creation of the heavens and earth, Revelation is about the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. Genesis is about Paradise and the tree of life and the river of blessing that was lost through sin, Revelation is about the return of Paradise and the tree of life that is bought back by the sacrifice that Jesus provided on the cross at Calvary. Genesis is about the first man and woman being placed over all creation, Revelation is about the second Man, Jesus and His bride being over all the redeemed earth. Genesis is about the first lamb slain for the sin of Adam, Revelation is about the Lamb of God that shed His blood for the sins of all mankind.

Genesis is about the rise of rebellion in building the City of Babel or Babylon; Revelation is about the eternal defeat of all rebellion and the destruction of both the physical and spiritual cities of Babylon. And last it should be mentioned that Genesis is about the beginning of sorrows, pain and death, and Revelation is about God ending all that and wiping away all tears forever.

Henry Ironside said “that everything in Revelation is explained elsewhere in the Bible”. I have no reason to doubt that statement and as I continue to study this book the more I see his statement to be accurate.

So, let’s look at the first eight verses;

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God an of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead; and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that  loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”  

 The first thing that comes to mind is that in this revelation of Jesus we find that He is revealed as the faithful witness (verse 5).

[a] He was faithful in witnessing about all the attributes of God, His love, mercy and forgiveness, His power and kindness and many other things.

[b] He was faithful in witnessing by His living the sinless life.

[c] He was faithful in showing as well as telling others of the heaven that is to be gained and the hell that is to be shunned.

[d] He was faithful in explaining how we are to gain that heaven.

Second, we see Him revealed as Savior (verse 5). “He washed us from our sins in His own blood.” It was His action, not ours; it was His blood, not our good works, rituals, or church membership.

Third, we see Him revealed as the coming King over all the Kingdom of God in that it is He who assigned us as kings and priests unto God the Father (verse 6).

 Fourth, He is revealed as the Messiah as revealed in the Old Testament to the nation of Israel (verse.6-8); Zecheriah12:10.

And fifth, Jesus is revealed as God incarnate (verse 8). The words “Alpha and Omega” is the same term as Jehovah God identified Himself in Isaiah 41:4; 44:6 and 48:12. He is the Alpha, or beginning or Creator of all things and He is the Omega and the One who will wind up all things in this present age.

Then we see the chain of command that this book was given. It was given by God to Jesus, who by His angel, gave it to His servant, John, who is told to write it down and to pass it along to the seven churches which were then in existence, the writings were preserved and protected by Divine order for these end times. This writing, was to be like all other letters (epistles, books) were to be read and expounded on in the local churches. In verse 11 it instructs John to write these things and send them to the seven churches.

The phrase “shortly come to pass” is one that puzzled me in that it has now been more than two thousand years since this book was written.  David Levy explains it this way, “The idea of the phrase ‘must shortly come to pass’ is that when the prophecies begin to be fulfilled, they will happen suddenly, in rapid succession, and without delay. They ‘must’ or will, of necessity, come to pass at God’s appointed time.” End of quote.    

 To the seven churches which are in Asia (verse 4).  These seven churches were chosen because they had certain characteristics of seven different church ages beginning with the time of this writing and continuing to the present time. We will see that chapters 2 and 3.

Verses 7-8 We see that “every eye shall see Him and they which pierced Him” this was unheard from the time of John’s revelation until the technology of satellite television. We now know how this is possible.

“And all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.” All those who have rejected the message of Jesus Christ will wail and regret that they refused to accept Jesus as Savior when they see Him return. They will regret they lived for themselves and were deceived by Satan. But it will be too late. Their tears of regret will not be of any use.

Then in verse 8 we hear Jesus proclaim that He is the Alpha and the Omega. He brought everything into existence and He will wind everything up according to God the Father’s will.

Verses.9-11 “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven Churches, which are in Asia: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

John, like Daniel was an elderly man at that time, probably in his nineties. The Island of Patmos was a small island about 10 miles long and about 6 miles wide that was used to banish political prisoners.. John had been the pastor of the church at Ephesus and because of his testimony and faithfulness to Jesus, was sentenced by Domitian in 95 AD. He was released by Emperor Nerva 18 months later.

We must note that Satan out dumbed himself when he had John imprisoned on this isle. With his many duties as pastor of a large church, he probably did not have much time left over for a message like this. This is where God wanted him to be and where God could use him effectively.

John was “in the spirit on the Lord’s Day.” In other words, God began to take control of events.

There is some discussion of whether “on the Lord’s Day” means the first day of the week or is it meaning “in the Day of the Lord.” The Greek is unclear on this.

This being “in the Spirit” is not like what many claim today. There is a big difference in being controlled by the Spirit and being out of control of one’s behavior. In other words, God can take control without our losing control of our behavior.

Verse 9. “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, and was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Here we find John’s testimony as to who he is and why he is there. He was a servant of Jesus Christ, and in tribulation. He was there because of his testimony of Jesus Christ.

Verse 10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day , and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet.”

 “A great voice” Not necessarily a loud voice, but one that commanded attention, respect, and Godly fear or awe.

Verse11 “Saying, I am the “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”

We see Jesus, speaking first of all and identifying Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, and giving John his instructions.

Jesus repeated what He had told John in verse 8.

 If we jump ahead to verses.17-18 we see Jesus identifies Himself in five ways: “I am the first and the last.” Creator and consummator. Absolute Lord of all history.  “I am He that liveth” He is the resurrected Lord, who eternally exists. I am alive for evermore. He is expressing His eternal existence as God. “I was dead” He is the crucified Son of God who provided salvation for all mankind who would believe on Him.  He controls the destiny of the departed dead, having the “Keys of Hades and of death. He possesses the keys because He conquered death.

Verse. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

The seven golden candlesticks are symbolic of the seven churches. Their being made out of gold shows their worth or value to both the Lord, and to the world; it also speaks of their lasting quality; and it also shows the purity of being brought through the refining fires of persecution.

Verse 13 “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.”

His appearance was that of being dressed in the attire of the High Priest; His official office. Today He is there making intercession for us.  His standing in the midst of the candlesticks is showing His ownership of them. He loves the church, He died for it and thereby purchasing it; He is coming again for it. Notice this is different than the “golden candlestick” in the tabernacle and temple. It had seven branches. These are seven separate candlesticks.

Verses 14-15 “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of may waters.”

His appearance was like that which Daniel saw Him in Daniel 10:5-6 (Revelation 1:13-17).

Verse 16-18 “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

This ought to settle the question of who has the keys; Jesus or Peter and his supposedly successors.

The seven stars in verse16 are most likely the seven pastors of those seven churches. In chapters 2-3 they are referred to as “angels.” Some commentaries say that the seven stars are seven angels given the responsibility of protecting the churches against demonic activity.

Verse 19 “ Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;”

These were the instructions given to the apostle John.

Verse 20 “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

This verse  identifies the stars as the seven angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks as the churches. It is not clear whether the seven angels are the pastors of those churches or se.ven special angels that are placed as protectors of those churches. My commentaries are divided on golden candlesticks. this question. Seeing as we have no concrete reason for either position, we shouldn’t be too dogmatic about it.