REVELATION CHAPTER 1 – THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST – THE FATHER’S PERFECTION PART 6 OF 6
This wonderful devotional series on Revelation chapter 1 is all about the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ as John saw when on the Isle of Patmos. The whole of the chapter is an unveiling of the glory and Person of the Lord. Revelation after revelation came to John as he saw almost too much to take in. John knew Jesus back 6 decades, but on Patmos, he witnessed Jesus as he could never have imagined. No words could describe the wonders that surround the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. In our earthly existence we are unable to comprehend it all but there will come a day eithrough death or through the Rapture when we shall see Him as He is. What a glory of delight that will be. EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS!
Revelation 1:19 “Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things.”
This is the most critical verse in the book for understanding Revelation. It lays the plan out before us. It breaks into three sections and they are (A). The things which you have seen. (B). The things which are. (C). The things which shall take place after these things.
These form the three divisions of the book and this division must be understood.
(A). [“The things which you (John) have seen”] These things are the Revelation of Jesus Christ that John wrote about in the first chapter. That was the introduction to the book. Chapter 1 is the revelation of Jesus Christ, not of world events. Those future events are covered of course, but if you miss the first chapter, then you have missed the point. John saw such glorious revelations that at one point he fell down like a dead man. Part (A) is Revelation Chapter 1.
(B). [“The things which are”] are the conditions that existed at the time of writing. They are the 7 churches of Asia Minor that were in existence then, and John was commanded to write to those 7 churches. In God’s great magnificent program, those churches were not just literal churches at the time, but they represent specified periods of church history right through from the Apostolic church to the time of Laodicea which is our time right now. This is a huge study, but not part of our consideration in this article now. They are being done in the Bible Study. These “things which are”, ARE covering the time from the formation of the Church in Acts 2 right up to the conclusion of the Church Age, which is the Rapture. Part (B) is Revelation Chapters 2 and 3.
(C). [“The things which shall take place after these things,”] are the events of prophecy that succeed the Rapture of the Church. They will all come about after the Church’s removal. They begin with the wonderful scene in heaven in chapters 4 and 5 leading to the scroll with 7 seals where Jesus is seen as The Lamb of God slain before the foundations of the world, and then the judgements proceeding from the breaking of the seals. Successive judgements are covered eventually leading to the Second Coming; the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom; the final revolt; the judgement of the Great White Throne, the New Jerusalem and the new heavens and earth. Part (C) is Revelation chapters 4 to 22.
Jesus Christ is The Lord of History, and The Lord of the Present, and The Lord of Prophesy for He holds the future. Revelation is just such a magnificent book. In some ways Chapter 1 has been a bit like an overture for an opera. An overture features snippets of operatic melodies as a foretaste to the main opera/event. The Lord Jesus is the overture and the opera is His hand in wrath in Revelation.
SUMMARY REVELATION OF JESUS 1:19 {{Revelation 1:19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things. (The Lord of History, the Lord of the Living, the Lord of the Present, and the Lord of Prophecy; the Lord of the Future)}}
++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++
Revelation 1:20 As for 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 are the seven churches.
This last verse of chapter 1 explains what are the 7 stars and the 7 lampstands that came in early in the chapter. It is called a mystery and I have explained that word previously in a Rapture posting. It means the unveiling of a truth not previously known. The verse tells us that the Lord is holding the seven stars that are the “angels” belonging to the 7 churches. This word ???e??? (plural) means messengers or angels, for the angels are God’s messengers. It is thought they are the “secretaries” or church contacts, as earlier John was told to write to them. There is no room for fanciful imagination as to this word “angels”. The 7 lampstands are the 7 churches that were written to.
The Lord always has careful watch over His churches and nurtures them, but be warned. Far too many churches are outside of the Lord’s care because they have placed the Lord outside the door as did the church at Laodicea. Note too what was said to the Ephesian church –
Revelation 2:4 “but I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first, or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place - unless you repent.”
The church at Ephesus had left its first love, and for that they were in danger of having their lampstand removed. That is a very serious thing. Some might think the crime was of no consequence, but the church had left its first love. For that, if the people did not repent, then the Lord would take away their witness. The removal of the lampstand meant an ineffectual church. They may go through the motions but they are of no use to the Lord. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR LOVE FRESH. We as a church must examine ourselves in this regard.
SUMMARY REVELATION OF JESUS 1:20 {{Revelation 1:20 As for 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, (The Lord is the Upholder of the church members and those who minister), and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (The Lord is the Upholder of His churches).}}
Thus ends Chapter 1 of this magnificent book. Underneath, I have the summaries of the revelation of Jesus Christ taken from each verse. When considered all together, they are the greatest REVELATION of Jesus, the Son of God, anywhere in scripture. We should spend time every now and again carefully meditating on each one of the beauties of the Lord’s Person and work. I hope you have enjoyed them. Better still, I hope you have been blessed by the word of God.
============================================================
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST IN REVELATION 1 - THE FULL LIST (Verses 1-20)
Verse 1 – Jesus, Saviour, Joshua, Conqueror, Christ, Messiah, The Promised One, The Anointed One, The Revealer of secrets, Master of what is fair and just and righteous, The Prophet.
Verse 2 – The Witness, Testifier.
Verse 4 - The Gracious One, and the Author of Peace; the Prince of Peace, the eternal God, the Almighty, the Promised one, the coming Lord, the great I AM.
Verse 5 - The faithful Witness who witnessed to the Father’s glory, truth and all other things, the first-fruits of the resurrection – the grain of wheat that died and rose to produce a harvest; He is the Lord of Lords and the King of kings, the King of the Jews who came and who is to come; Millennial King who comes. He is the loving One – the God of love - the sacrificial love, the One who loved us unto death, and continues that love in the present tense. The Lamb of God, our Deliverer, our Justifier. He broke the chains) –
Verse 6 - Head of the Church. The Glorious King; King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is King of His priests, the Head of the Church. He is the glorious One and the Ruler forever.
Verse 7 - The coming Messiah to His people Israel. Israel’s Redeemer. Israel’s Deliverer, the Suffering One of Isaiah 53, the Crucified One), the Realised One, the Wounded One.
Verse 8 - Alpha and Omega; the First and the Last. The Almighty; the Eternal God; the Word made flesh; the I AM.
Verse 10 - The Lord, the voice of authority over all the earth – the supreme authority. The voice of victory.
Verse 13 - He is the Son of Man; the Lord who ministers in the middle of His churches), He is the Great High Priest ministering on behalf of His saints always, faithful and merciful.
Verse 14 The Ancient of Days revealed in Daniel. The eternal Almighty. This is the Son of God seated on a judgement throne. The Lord who searches the hearts of men. He is the Discerner and the Judge, the Dispenser of wrath.
Verse 15 He is the Judge of ALL the earth – image from Daniel – the all conquering future King of Revelation chapter 19 and Judge at the great white throne; The Lord who is powerful in creation and judgement.
Verse 16 The Lord of the Churches, the Upholder of His people, the Bridegroom of His Bride, the Upholder of His brethren. Again, the Judge of the earth. The sword of the Lord! The Word of God is Judge and Avenger, the Deliverer of His people. Link with Rev 19). The Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings, the glorious God, the One who will usher in Millennial Righteousness with the dawn sun.)
Verse 17 Transcendent Lord of glory; the fully glorified One in overwhelming majesty. The strength of the Lord’s right hand. Jesus has the right hand of comfort; the great Comforter, as is the Holy Spirit. The eternal God, First and the Last, Alpha and Omega, God Almighty.
Verse 18 In Him is life – He is the Resurrected Lord; the Triumphant One; The Lamb of God; the Sacrificial Lamb. He is the Resurrection and the Life; Victor over death; the Living One. He is the Doorkeeper, the keeper of my life. He is the Door of Exit and Entry. He is the Key-carrier.
Verse 19 The Lord of History, the Lord of the Living, the Lord of the Present, and the Lord of Prophecy; the Lord of the Future.
Verse 20 The Lord is the Upholder of the church members and those who minister. The Lord is the Upholder of His churches.
The Lord will bless all who hear and all who read the words of this book. He has promised that in verse 3.
ronaldf@aapt.net.au
