Revelation 1: 1 – 20
The Unveiling
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, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 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,[h] “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 ithe things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 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.
I would say that probably the most interesting book in the bible is the book of Revelation. Yes, it is important and valuable to know the whole word of God, yet our makeup causes us to direct our principal interest in what is going to happen not what has already happened.
Many people avoid both teaching and reading this book. Yet, as we will read in this first chapter that by reading this book, our Precious Holy Master promises a blessing. That fact should grab our attention.
Here is a great point which we should solidify in our thoughts. The book is intended to be a revelation, not a mystery.
The book was written by John the last apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was given visions of the past, present, and future situations relative to this planet.
Much of what John recorded is in symbolism. I believe this was done so for two principal reasons. For one thing you will note that John just gives us what he is told. He is an obedient servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Much of the information is given in a vision. I do not believe that John was covering up things by listing them as symbols instead of just coming out and calling these people and situations in which we would easily at first reading identify.
Also, how would you explain things in the future that you have no idea how to name or describe in what you see? You would probably attempt to describe it with your limited knowledge or in terms that you are familiar with. So, when we look at this book let us remember to see things as John sees them.
Daniel, was a man, who our Holy Father God, picked to give prophecy. When you review the book of Daniel you see a format which is quite interesting. In chapters 1 through 6 we are given the message. Then in chapter 7 through 9 these important future conditions are expanded upon. Then in the remaining chapters the message is expanded more so.
In the book of Revelation we read of the fulfillment of this prophecy.
The bible is the masterpiece of writing of our Adoni Holy Spirit. It is perfection when you consider how He used 40 authors to write 66 books and they all blend together. The book of Revelation completes perfectly what began in Genesis. Here are just some of these amazing findings;
Genesis Revelation
1. First creation [1:1] New creation [21:1]
2. Night [1:5] No Night [ 22:5]
3. Seas [ 1:5] No Seas [21:1]
4. Sun & Moon [1:16] No Sun & Moon [21:23]
5. Sun, Moon, & Stars to give light [1:16] Our God Is The Light [22:5]
6. Earthly Paradise [1:31] Heavenly Paradise [22:5]
7. Life sustaining rivers [2:10] Heavenly river of life [22:2]
8. First Adam who failed [2:23] Last Adam Who Succeeded [19:9]
9. Beginning of sin [3:7] The end of sin [21: 27]
10. Curse imposed [3:17] Curse removed [22:3]
11. Sorrow and Suffering [3:17] No more sorrow & Suffering [21:4]
12. Death [3:22] No more death [21:4]
There are many more and if you want a challenge take both chapters yourself and see what you can come up with. But for now let us begin to go through the book of Revelation verse by verse beginning with chapter 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, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 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.
This book is the unveiling of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is not a book about our Holy King but it is a revealing the Father gave to Him. Please notice again what is said, 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him..”
He Is God. He Is Savior. He Is the Lamb of God Who Was Slain for us. His Precious Blood Was poured out at Calvary for our sins. He died so we may live. He Is Everything Good for you and me.
This message was given to Him to relay to us the things that will shortly take place- 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, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
We see here the promise that all who read and hear the words of this book will be blessed -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.
John addresses 7 churches that were in existence during this time in Asia. Of course there were other churches in the world but these seven represent all churches. We will see that each letter, though directed to a specific church, was to be read in the other churches also. So, the issues pointed out by our Lord were applicable to all.
Our Lord Jesus here is described as the ‘Eternal One’. He Was, Is, and forever shall be God. He Is the One Who John said in his gospel in chapter 1, “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
John had the blessing of having years of personal interaction with our Lord. He was also selected with James and Peter to see some amazing miracles that the other disciples didn’t witness.
Please note the reference to the ‘seven spirits that are before His Throne.’ Some biblical teachers try to reference the book of Isaiah chapter 11 which reads, 1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. 3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears;”
Some teachers report that we have listed in verses 2 and 3 the ‘sevenfold’ ministry of the Holy Spirit. Hello, did anyone take the time to just read these verses. First of all our Lord Jesus has ‘2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him. Then we read 3 couplets of 2 characteristics of our Wonderful Holy Spirit. Each one is begun with the words, ‘The Spirit of’, let’s read them:
1. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, - speaks of His Ruling Attributes
2. The Spirit of counsel and might, - speaks of His Personal Abilities
3. The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. – speaks of His Spiritual Authority
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.”
Our Lord Jesus Is Coming back to earth a second time. All people who are alive will see Him.
We read in the book of Acts chapter 1 our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven,”4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Our King and our God Is coming back a second time the same way He left.
What will He look like? He will still bear the marks and wounds of His Passion. [What a Great and Holy God You Are Dear Lord Jesus. My heart is deeply moved to even just read this.] John also comments on the physical form of our Precious Savior in chapter 5, “ 1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.”
Remember, I said that the book of Revelation is the fulfillment of the prophecies which were previous written. Turn to the book of Zechariah chapter 12 and read this, ““And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
He says here that He Is the Alpha and Omega. They are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. He Is the beginning and ending of everything. He sums up everything in Himself from the start of creation to the finish of this planet.
He Is Almighty God. The book of Amos chapter 4, greatly points out our Lord Jesus’ Omnipotence.
“13 For behold, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth— The LORD God of hosts is His name.”
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.”
Please notice a key thing in verse 9. A lot of people are planning for a 7 year ‘Great Tribulation’ that will come upon planet earth. A lot of people hold on to a theory that we, the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, are going to be snatch away from this earth before this tribulation begins. John, however, is saying here as our brother, is a partaker with us in the tribulation - 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
Now some may say, ‘Hey, it doesn’t say the ‘Great Tribulation’. That statement would be correct. But along with that scholars on their own have put together what they think occurs in the “Great Tribulation.”
So what is in the ‘Great Tribulation’. Well, you tell me after I give you every occurrence where the use of the term ‘Great Tribulation’ is used.
Matthew 24: 21 “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
Revelation 2: 22 “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 7: 14 “And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
When we read the book of Revelation we throw all the things that happen to mankind and on the earth and put them under the category of a ‘Great Tribulation’. But as we have read and seen from the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ no such listing. He did say that there will come a time of great tribulation on mankind in its intensity that never occurred before. Is this “Great Tribulation’ emotional or spiritual attacks.
John seems to give us the answer when he says that he is a partner with us because he holds fast to the word of God. For that he is going through tribulation with us.
I do not know if you are aware of this fact that more people in the last century died for their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ than in any other century. We are spoiled here in America for we have the right to religious freedom. However, it is not the same for people around the world. They are going through great tribulation which includes the giving of their lives for our Holy Master Adoni Yeshua.
Now, here is another major point that I do not want to skip. What does it mean when John say, “10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” What day are we talking about?
For one thing it is not ‘Sunday’. Would you agree with me that the ‘Lord’s Day’ is the day that He picked for Himself? In the book of Exodus chapter 20 we read of a day in the week that our Lord picked for Himself, “ 8 “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
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 ithe things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 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.
Picture yourself being John. You hear a loud voice behind you it says like a trumpet blast. I do not know about you but I would probably be diving for cover. I can just imagine John turning to the sound and then what does he see? The vision of our Lord so shocked him that he fainted - 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.
Then John heard a familiar voice as a gentle hand touched him. It was his love. The One he had given his life to, Was The One presently before him, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who assured him that it is safe. He told John, ‘It Is Me, I AM alive. As I told you before John, I control the resurrection from the grave [Hades] and death itself - “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.”
Now John is instructed to write down everything that will happen. Please notice that he is instructed to write down - 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”
When was ‘the things that are?’ This was around 70 to 94 AD. So, the things which are were occurring during John’s current lifetime. The future began after the letter was written and distributed around 100 AD. Please remember that the future can represent 2000 years later or it can also mean anytime after 100 AD.
Now a key point I believe our Precious Holy Spirit wants us to understand is His codes or symbols. Have you ever heard the question about whether we should read the book of Revelation literally or symbolically? There is a formula that is recognized by I believe the majority of biblical scholars is the term ‘the law of first usage.’ This means that when you first come upon a word, then that is the meaning of that word from then on. For example, if I said the word ‘Dragon’ what is this word symbolic of? Yes, it refers to Satan. We read in the book of Revelation chapter 12, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
We will see this description to help us understand what is going on in the book of Revelation. That is why I believe our Wonderful Holy Ghost gives us the examples of interpretation right from the start in chapter 1, let’s see.
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.
So, what did John see? Did he see actual stars and lampstands or did he see a bunch of church’s with the angels who are assigned to watch over them? There was no such thing as a ‘Pastor’ in this time as many teachers try to tell us.
I believe John saw stars in our Lord’s hand and the lampstands. This is what he wrote down. Then our Lord Jesus tells us what these represent. The stars represent leaders or shepherds of His church’s in Asia while the lampstands represent the members of the church’s.
I do not know about you but I am looking forward to explore this amazing book of our God.
