REV. # 3= 1~20 5-2-09
Today we will continue our study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, this will be our 3rd broadcast in this study, last time we left off with verse 6, so today we’ll take up from there, obviously we can’t spend a whole lot of time on the verses we’ve already dealt with or we’d never get through this great study.
Let me say that the number seven, occurs 54 times in the book, and it is seen more than any other number in Revelation. “7” in the Bible is associated with completion, fulfillment, and perfection.
In Revelation there are seven churches and seven spirits (1:4), seven lampstands (1:12), seven stars (1:16), seven seals on the scroll (5:1), seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb (5:6), seven angels and seven trumpets (8:2), seven thunders (10:3), seven heads of the dragon (12:3), seven heads of the beast (13:1), seven golden bowls (15:7), and seven kings (17:10).
Let me say that Jesus Christ is now seated at God’s right hand, having spoiled Satan and Satan’s demonic hosts by His death and resurrection. But one day He will rise from His seat and begin to take the reigns of control through the events of the Tribulation.
Let me remind us that it is the revelation of Jesus Christ and not the revelation of future events, and nether is it the Revelation of John.
It is an “open” book-John was told not to seal the book (22:10) because God’s people need the message that’s in the book.
The letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor dealt with the needs in those assemblies, needs that are still with us in churches today.
There are 9 “Amens” “amen, means, so be it, I agree, in the book
~~~ John wrote that these things would “shortly come to pass” (1:1) because “the time is at hand” (1:3). The word shortly does not necessarily mean “soon” or “immediately,” but “quickly, swiftly.” in other words once these events began in chapter 4: to do with the rapture, all the rest will follow without delay.
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Revelation is the book of “the throne,” the word “throne” singular, is found sixteen times throughout the book.
~~~ It is a universal book, in that John saw nations and peoples as part of God’s program.
Revelation is the climax of the Bible. All that began in Genesis will be completed and fulfilled in keeping with God’s sovereign will.
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Lets continue now with Rev.1:7
7Behold,**[is to get our attention] he cometh with clouds;--
Well, He left in a cloud and He will return the same as He left, in a cloud.
Acts 1: 9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
-- and every eye shall see him,
The only people that saw Him leave was His disciples that we read about there in Acts1:
and they also which pierced him:
It’s made plain here that the Jews will see Him at His return;
Zechariah 12: 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
The Roman soldier that actually plunged the spear into His side will see Him, although he’s been dead and gone for centuries will see Him, even if its at the White Throne judgment of the lost. ---- and every eye shall see him,- either when He returns or at the White Throne judgment of the lost, but all will see Him, although not all at the same time, but all will see Him.
Vs- 7c -and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
For some it will be the wailing & mourning of repentance. For others it will be the wailing & mourning over the judgments that He will pour out on the earth and lost sinners.
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We notice in verse 8 that the Speaker has changed, the Lord Himself speaks out.
Vss.8 8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord,
’Alpha and Omega’, which is the first and the last letter of the Greek alphabet, ’the beginning and the end’.
What this is speaking of is that Christ is not only the beginning and the ending, but He is the Supreme Sovereign Divine Alphabet, there is nothing outside His knowledge.
Colossians 2: 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
That’s why He is called at the end of verse 8, ’the Almighty’ - El-Shaddai, the Omnipotent God!
The book of the Revelation is the consummation of all things by the Alpha and Omega, by the beginning and the ending.
which is,**{He’s alive and well] and which was, [at one time He was on earth before His death and resurrection] and which is to come, [he’s declaring that He is coming back] the Almighty.
He is “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending” (1:8). What God starts, He finishes!
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And now John is speaking again:
9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
John confesses his solidarity with those who were in the churches of Asia Minor who were suffering for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ just as he was, when we read about the 2nd church, the church of Smyna, we’ll see the terrible persecution of those dear people, Smyna was the suffering church.
was in the isle that is called Patmos, **for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.**
The emperor Domitian had John exiled to this small island of Patmos as a prisoner, They wanted to shut John up, but there on that island he is given the greatest revelation of Jesus Christ ever told.
But little did Domician know, that it was in the plan of God, God allowed John to go to Patmos so John would receive this book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, God, because He’s all-knowing, knew you and I would be reading and studying this book of prophesy even here today,
God wants His church to be informed as to what is going on now and what’s to happen in the future, not only to the church, but the whole world. This book would be a freighting book to the lost if they’d only believe it, and to you and I that are saved, we can rejoice that we’re not going to be here when God pours out such horror on this God rejecting world, and in order that we can warn others.
10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, **[this may very well mean Sunday as we know its called the Lords day, it may not be the meaning, but until we can see a better meaning, that’s what we believe it to be.]
11Saying, I am 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.
12And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13And 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 [chest] with a golden girdle. [Band]
The 7 golden candle sticks is a reference to the 7 churches, and lets be sure to notice that the Lord Jesus is standing right in the middle of them.
14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; [The "Ancient of days" and that was Jehovah of the Old Testament,] Here is a penetrating discernment that searches the inmost depths, the eyes of the Judge before whom all things are laid bare (Hebrews 4:13). This speaks of His omniscience.
15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. (1:15). And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace --
The brass speaks of righteous judgment for which He firmly stands. When He comes again He will tread down all abominations and crush those who hate Him.
(1:15). His voice as the sound of many waters--
(Jeremiah 25:30-33 --- The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.
31A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
32Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. 33And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
16And he had in his right hand seven stars:[7 angels or messengers] and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: [heb. 4:12 says it’s the word] and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. [His face shined as the sun would shine when its 12 noon]
17And 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: 18 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. To escape hell and eternal death we must receive Him as our Lord and as Saviour, He is the Key.
~~Key verse TO THE book is~~19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
VERSE 19-- the Book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that contains an inspired outline of the
I. THE THINGS WHICH THOU HAST SEEN ch. 1: John’s vision of the exalted Christ
II. THE THINGS WHICH ARE - chs. 2—3 --The messages to the seven churches
III. THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE HEREAFTER ---chs. 4—22
20The 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.
Verse 20 explains the mystery of the seven golden candlesticks, or lamp stands, and seven stars.
In Scripture, “mystery” refers to what was before unknown but is then revealed by revelation from God. It is not something mysterious, but previously unknown.
The candle sticks, or lamp stands are the churches portraying their function and purpose in the world, and the stars are the angels or messengers of the seven churches.
The spiritual significance is that these angels are messengers, or the Ministers who are responsible for the spiritual welfare of these seven churches and are in the right hand of the Son of God, indicating possession, protection, and sovereign control.
As the churches were to cast off light as a lamp stand, the leaders of the churches were to project light as stars The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:
