I am Phillip Smith, your host and fellow servant of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. DISCLAIMER: I am not a university trained Theologian. I do not believe one must have a college degree to understand the prophecy of Jesus Christ through the Apostle John. Furthermore, I beg you to not take my word as concrete and the perfect absolute truth. Truth comes only from God. [But,] let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24) My duty is to provoke unto love and good works. The comprehension of this book is not accomplished unprovoked.
Let us pick up where we left off.
Revelation 1:4-6. 4 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; 5 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, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
John, the author or scribe, directs this letter to ‘the seven churches which are in Asia’: vs. 4.
Are these literal, physical churches? ANSWER: Unknown! It is not clear if these ‘churches’ are literal, physical churches. Some believe they are; others are identifying with; this is a letter of a spirit nature, and believe that they are only representatives of the ‘Church’ (One Church) of which Christ died. In naming these ‘churches’, humans can identify similarities and differences in each ‘church’. MORE ON THAT LATER!
This introduction by John, identifies to whom he is addressing; and a location. He includes the true author, Jesus, and from wince comes those accompanying him–Spirits from before his throne.
With all authority from Jesus, this letter is witnessed by Spirits to seven churches. In this it verifies all that is seen and heard.
Having been verified, knowing all written is true, let us examine closely the symbolic literature.
Seven (vs 4)
Is this a literal number or a symbolic figure?
Let us ask ourselves, “How many Churches are there?”
Ephesians 4:4-6. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
If there is one faith and one hope, there is one ‘church’
Not seven (the number)
Should this therefore, represent ‘congregations’ of the ‘one church’?
In the passages following, seven (7) represents most often: whole, entire, complete amount, etc. which also represents ‘perfection’
Strong’s Lexicon, number G2023, translated ‘seven’ added with Strong’s G1577, translated ‘churches’ or ‘assemblies’
Thus we can identify it meaning seven assemblies or seven congregations.
In the literal realm, the number 7
In the Spiritual realm, whole, entire, complete amount, perfection
Here in Rev. 1:4, meaning a company of Christians (assemblies; congregations)
Therefore, it is one of seven congregations or assemblies literally, AND, one of the whole, or entire, or complete amount–number– of Congregations or assemblies of Christians.
This would represent the ‘Church’ world wide.
Seven churches (vs 4)
Different locations of congregations
If it is meant to represent literal physical congregations, each is identified for the human‘s ability to distinguish an identity
In the Spiritual realm there is still one church with the same faith–Christian Faith
Thus it represents all congregations
The complete amount of congregations worldwide
Literally, these perhaps are seven individual congregations of which are assigned to release this Revelation of Jesus Christ to all other congregations around the world; including us today
Spiritually, it represents all congregations worldwide and their differing, but complete possible attitudes or personalities that will be found within any single congregation
Seven Spirits (vs 4)
The entire group of Spirits before the throne
Angels are spirits
Those who come before the throne of God are spirits; each fulfilling their assigned duty
‘Seven’, therefore meaning whole, entire, complete amount, all who are doing their assigned duty, going back and forth before the throne.
Powerful Concept–Seven
Seven is unique. To represent its perfection, complete amount, entire, whole representation, take seven circles of the same size–circumference. Place them together, each touching its neighbor and the one in the middle. They each are tangent one to another and touching the middle circle. Now with them all completely filling their place, they make one combined, perfect circle with a larger proportion. Add another equal circle or take one away and the outer circle is not complete, nor the same proportion. It is not perfect, whole, entire, complete. The number is a perfect number representing a perfect, whole unit.
As we identify the given identifiers with the number seven (7), we are not always representing seven different things but the complete amount, perfect, whole of the event. As we begin describing groups of events, it will be represented by the number seven–depicting the entire, complete amount, whole unit of the event from beginning to the end.
Many ‘sevens’ will be identified and described together showing the entire event from its beginning to its end. Each group of sevens stands alone but different sevens (different events) can happen simultaneously.
Therefore, we read of seven Spirits and seven churches representing ‘all’ the congregations of the body of Christ and ’all’ the spirits which originate from the throne of God.
John is taking credit for writing this letter and discloses from whom it was dictated, Jesus Christ. This Jesus, The Christ, is a true witness of these spiritual matters of which He is dictating unto John to be disclosed unto The Church. (vss. 5-6)
Rev. 1:7. 7 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.
! Thes. 4:16-17. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
‘Shortly’, is when these things shall come to pass, (vs. 1) ‘Shortly’ Jesus shall come with clouds and every eye shall see him. This includes all the dead coming from the graves and all the living shall see him. Notice, this event has not happened as of this moment. We are here upon the earth waiting for his coming.
If every eye is to see this event, it has not happened, yet. Therefore, the term ‘shortly’ does not mean it was written for the first century Jews. Shortly or soon in relation to eternity is possibly one, two, three or a handful of 1000 year spans of time as man knows time. It could mean 10000 or more years as man counts time. Still, that amount of time is only a drop in a bucket compared to eternity. We are approximately 2000 years since the declaration of the Revelation of Jesus Christ and he has not appeared the second time, yet. Remember, God does not live in a time frame as we know it if he lives for eternity.
All kingdoms (nations) of the earth shall wail because of him. When he comes, too many will not be ready for his coming. They shall reach their judgment and fear shalt they possess.
Rev. 1:8. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Jesus proclaimed unto John identifiers depicting his identity.
Alpha and Omega
First and last (Rev. 1:11, 17; Rev. 2:17)
The beginning and the end (Rev. 1:8; Rev. 22:13)
Which is, and which was, and which is to come:
Jesus–alive now
Jesus alive before
Jesus which shall come to earth again
To gather his saints in the clouds. (1 Thes 4:17)
The Almighty
King of kings and Lord of Lords (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 17:14, Rev. 19:16)
Notice we searched for identifiers for what is used to describe this person of whom was delivering the vision. Try to remember them as we continue.
Rev. 1:9-11. 9 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. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, 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.
Believed to be actual physical congregations, archaeologists have discovered these differing ‘churches’--congregations. (or many of their locations and identities) They could have been the whole of major congregations which Jesus wanted John to send a copy of this revelation to. Beginning in Chapter 2, these seven named ‘churches’ seem to make up the entire personality and attitude of all Christians which Jesus desires to address. If many congregations had been started by Apostles, especially Apostle Paul, they leave out many congregations known to exist at the time of this Revelation. Why were they not sent a copy of the letter? We cannot prove they did not.
Once again, in Spiritual terms, these congregations understood this letter was written in Spiritual language meaning the whole or entire ‘church’ Jesus died for. It stands to reason, these congregations, when they received a copy of this letter, sent it out to as many other congregations as possible. Therefore, the letter, or Revelation has gone throughout the entire world. Each of these ‘seven’ congregations understood the number seven in spiritual terms meant the whole ‘Church’ or body of Christ wherever they may be.
With this ‘seven’ and the next, we see the entire purpose of the church of God notified and the entire works of God upon his ‘church’.
Rev. 1:12-16. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 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.
Here we begin groups joined together with a common cause. Seven Golden Candlesticks; Seven Stars
Can these ‘sevens’ be identified for what they represent? Let us identify them first.
Seven Golden Candlesticks
In a literal physical sense we have seen this group of seven candlesticks before. (Ex. 25:31-40) It was the candelabra for the light before God in the Tabernacle for Israel.
They represent the entire family of God (Israel) standing before Him when He visited the Tabernacle.
Seven Stars vs. 16
The Son of man.
Representative of Jesus. (John 1:51; John 3:13-14; Acts 7:56; Rev 14:14)
Now let us identify their representations. More accurate identification to these ‘sevens’ are now written. Rev. 1:20. 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.
Seven angels of the churches. (seven stars) in His right hand
Jesus holds his church in his hand. He is in constant communication with His church. John 6:39. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. John 17:24. 24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. What the Father (God) has given the Son, Jesus, will be with Jesus; He will lose nothing. (Spiritually speaking of the righteous’ souls)
These angels have a duty: to minister unto a congregation. They are messengers to God for their respective congregations.
All angels, assigned to a congregation, become a messenger to God on behalf of their respective congregation. Now with so many congregations, there are many angels performing that same duty.
Seven candlesticks or candles are representative of each ‘church’ or congregation.
Seven once again representing all messengers and all congregations. (whole, entire, complete amount, perfect) Jesus is in the midst of all His congregations. Mt. 18:20. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Of these seven candlesticks, one like unto the son of man, Jesus, is in the midst of the congregations.
Rev. 1:17-19. 17 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: 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. 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Jesus identifies himself again to John and gives John his task; write what you see and include the current things and future things which shall be hereafter.
This was to be for ‘all’ congregations from that time until the end of time. Seven was the identifier for all, entire, the whole of all things spiritual unto the church. It was for then, now and for perpetuity.
Jesus holds all authority in heaven and on earth. (Mt. 28:18) It stands to reason he therefore has the keys to hell and death.
