Revelation Study

Revelation Study - Chapter 1

Revelation 1:1 "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:"

"Revelation" comes from the Greek word "apokalupsis" better known to us as "apocalypse." It means "unveiling," "making bare" or "revealing." So this Book contains that which has been hidden but is now about to be revealed. Some make the words "of Jesus Christ" to be "about" Jesus Christ while others say it means "from" Jesus, which is right. The next phrase bears that out: "which (revelation) God gave unto him." This revelation is something that God gave to Christ to give to his servants. His servants would not only include John but all those to whom John gave it.

"Shortly come to pass." Whatever is being discussed in the Book will "shortly" (soon) come to pass. Let it be said that it means just what it says. If this revelation pertains to the destruction of Jerusalem, and I believe that it does, then "shortly" would be within their generation as is stated in Matthew 24:34 "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." Jesus spoke those words in about 32 A.D. A generation is generally considered to be about 40 years so that would put the destruction of Jerusalem within that generation. The "he, his, him" would refer to Christ. This little statement, "shortly come to pass," would eliminate the historical interpretation and the future kingdom (millennial) advocates. There are several other verses that indicate the same thing. (vs 3) "the time is at hand" and two others in the closing of the book (vss 10 & 12, chapter 22) "the time is at hand" and "behold, I come quickly."

Look at the word "signified." In the earlier part of the verse he says that the purpose of this Book was "to show" things. This showing would be done primarily by signs and symbols. That's what the word "signified" means. Break down the word like this: sign-i-fied, or shown by signs. Just who this angel is we do not know. The only angels named are Michael and Gabriel. Michael was the revelator to Daniel and he may be the one under consideration now, but we don't know and it makes no difference. Remember, the word "angel" means "messenger." It can be a heavenly messenger like Michael or an earthly messenger like John the Baptist who is referred to by this word. This was evidently a heavenly messenger because he was revealing heavenly things.

There has been some controversy concerning the writer of the Book. I hardly think it relevant to argue the case. If it is not the apostle John, then we don't know what John it would be. Several Johns are suggested that it could be if not the apostle but none seem to fit the picture. Really, it would make no difference inasmuch as Jesus has been designated as the author delegated by God to reveal these things. Who he revealed them to would be of little or no consequence.

Revelation 1:2 "Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw."

The "who" is John. "Bare record, testimony, and witness" all mean the same thing whether in this place or somewhere else. "that he saw" makes him an eye-witness. John testifies of these things as the testimony of Christ and the word of God. Who will deny it?

vs 3 "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."

Notice that the blessings are for those who "keep" those things. One cannot keep something he doesn't understand. The people of Asia had no more insight into what the meaning of these words were, than we do today. In fact, they were at more of a disadvantage than we, inasmuch as we have seen the event or events pictured in revelation. Those people were hearing of something yet to come, shortly. It is out of harmony with logic and reason to think John was revealing something to these people of the first century that would take place in the 20th century or even later. When I say "we have seen the events" I mean this: we may not have realized that we were seeing them but they have passed by already so it is evident that we saw them as past events in history. We may not have recognized them for what they were, but they passed by and we were there. These other people had to look forward to a future fulfillment.

The word "hear," as used in this verse, can be the hearing of an audible sound. That is the primary meaning of the word. But, in many places, and particularly in this verse, the word "hear" means not only to hear the audible sound but, much more, to understand or perceive what the words they were hearing mean. So, in this verse we have two subjects, "they who read" and "they that hear (understand)." Blessings on the two of them. We have a reader. This is in harmony with the history of those days. Very few people were educated enough to read. So, they would have to depend on a reader. This was the practice in the Jewish synagogues. One read; others listened.

I believe this reader was an inspired man who could explain the meaning of the message which he would read and thus they could understand: probably the "angel" of the church. [More on this later.] This was pretty much like it was in the days of Ezra, (Nehemiah 8:8) "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." It might have been another, but "angel" seems to fit the picture. Remember, the blessings were for the ones who "keep those things" which were written. The only way we, or they, could "keep" those things would be for us to understand what was being said. Eleven commentaries on Revelation, written by competent scholars, all say different things. Evidently, at least ten of them don't know what they are talking about. And it could possibly be eleven. Which one, is my problem? So, how can we today keep those things since we don't know for sure what they are. And once again, "the time is at hand." What possible benefit could it be for those people of the first century to know about the reformation period, or about Czarist Russia, or communist Russia, or of Hitler or Mussolini or of a Kingdom that will not be in existence for 2000 or more years. That's what some of these commentators write about in explaining Revelation.

I like the honesty of the great Methodist commentator, Adam Clarke, who says in the Introduction to his commentary on Revelation: "Frankly, I don't know what it (the Revelation) means. But I know as much as anyone else." Remember, all I am doing is what others have done; writing what I think. Since I am not inspired, I dare not be dogmatic and say that this is it and it cannot be otherwise.

vs 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; vs 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,"

There were more than seven churches in Asia. [Asia was a province of what we now call "Asia Minor" or the country of Turkey today. This Asia mentioned in the verse was what was known as proconsular Asia made up of Phrygia, Mysia, Caria and Lydia.] The word "seven" is used in many different places in this Book, and it always denotes completeness or maturity. It is used in several other books of the Bible to denote the same thing. Why send it to the seven churches of Asia? Why not send it to Jerusalem where it would be fulfilled? These seven churches were close to where John was writing, Patmos. He could immediately get it to them but he could possibly not go to Jerusalem. These churches were on the great trade routes of those days and the Book could be easily distributed by faithful travelers thus getting the message of Revelation to the known world of that day by far sooner than it could be done any other way.

These two verses present to us the Godhead, deity itself. The first, he which is (present), which was (past), and which is to come (future). The eternal Father! Then, the seven spirits. Remember "seven" signifies completeness. The second, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has always been the revelator of the Bible. Old Testament prophets."Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." ( 2 Peter 1:21). New Testament apostles. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come" (John 16:13). He would be the revelator of this apocalyptic message to the seven churches. "Let them hear what the spirit saith unto the churches." The angel of the church by inspiration of the Spirit would reveal its meaning to those who had ears to hear. The third, Jesus Christ. But some might object saying that Jesus is the second person of the Godhead and the Spirit is third --- you've got the numbers mixed up. The Godhead is not numbered in the Bible. Man is the one who numbered them one, two and three. The sequence of their being mentioned is not significant. Perhaps he is called "the faithful witness" inasmuch as he testified to the Pharisees and the elders during his time on earth that truly he was the Son of God knowing that that testimony would bring the death sentence. He is called the "first-begotten from the dead" inasmuch as he was the first one to be resurrected to die no more. Others were raised before him but they were raised in corruption, not immortality.

Vs 6 "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

We need no priest to absolve us of our sins, we can offer up our own petitions. We are priests! "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5). He is King of all kings and made us to be kings with him. We "reign" with him in his kingdom, NOW. "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us" (2 Timothy 2:12).

Vs 7 "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindred of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen".

This sounds like his coming in judgment at the end of time. That coming will be with clouds. (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. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which 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." But, to be consistent we must consider this statement as to his coming in judgment against Israel in the destruction of Jerusalem just as we read about in Matthew 24:30: "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory ..... 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

vs 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."

Here we have a break in the text to take our leave of the Father and then to introduce and verify Jesus as the main character of the Book of Revelation and make known John as the receiver of the Revelation.

vs 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."

John said, "I am your brother ... in the kingdom."

John [and there is little doubt that this is the apostle John] introduces himself as a joint participant in their persecutions and also in their fellowship in the Kingdom of God. Patmos is a small barren isle off the southwest coast of Asia Minor, not far removed from Ephesus. The traditional but not documented story is that the Roman emperor, Domitian, had exiled John to this lonely place as punishment for his failure to worship the emperor and because he preached Christ. There is just as much evidence that he was put there by Nero for the above causes. It would have to be Nero if our premise of the early date is true.

There is just as much evidence for another theory and it sounds good to me. The statement is that he was in the isle for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. The statement in verse 2 is "Who bare record of the word of God, and of thetestimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw." This is a statement concerning what John was chosen for and the words are almost exactly as we find them in verse 9. A tremendous task lay before him. It would take some time to record all that he had heard and seen. Seems to me like he would have needed seclusion for the job that he was to do and he was there because of that need --- after all, on this island, he seemed to have complete freedom to do as he saw fit. So, why not? He was in the isle because he was chosen to bear record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ. I wouldn't be dogmatic about the cause of his being there and neither should anyone else be dogmatic concerning their position that he there because he was exiled..But if exiled, it could have been done by Nero or Claudias as easily as by Domitian.

vs 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."

There is some division on what "in the Spirit" means. Since the Holy Spirit is the revelator, it seems to me like he is saying he under the influence of the Holy Spirit. "The Lord's Day" raises some questions also. Among the definitions for "on" the only two that seem to fit at all is "on" or "in." Some think it is possibly the dispensation of the Lord or a certain period of time which could be called "the Lord's Day." The first rule of interpretation is to take a word in its ordinary sense unless there is reason to think otherwise. This is the only place the phrase is used. Usually when a period of time is indicated the term "Day of the Lord" is used. I think it does no violence to any scripture to say that it means "the first day of the week;" a definite time for meditating on spiritual matters. Of course, you can meditate on spiritual matters any day of the week, but no other day has the significance that the first day of the week has. So, I would put him in this situation on Sunday, the first day of the week, the Lord's Day, a special day belonging to the Lord.

It has also been suggested that "in the Spirit" has to do with a condition John was in. Something like a trance or a state of elation or spiritual enlightenment. Be that as it may, this was a time in which he was not receiving something that came from man's wisdom, but from God.

The Alpha and Omega seems to indicate completeness and is used in verse eight as a term relating to the Father being the Almighty. This seems to be indicative of his (Jesus) equality in the area of deity. He then gives him the addresses of those who are to receive the manuscripts.

vs 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 two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 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."

Commentators spend a lot of useless time in defining what each descriptive phrase means but it seems to me like all these things symbolically describe him as having all power, all majesty, all sovereignty. John was in the presence of deity. It's no wonder he fell at his feet as dead. What would your reaction be? Some commentators speculate on the lack of an article in regard to "one LIKE unto the Son of Man." They say he should have said, "I am THE Son of Man." They seemingly want to make a simile out of this.

It wasn't really him, it was someone who looked like him. Well, John saw the same one Daniel saw in Daniel 7:13: "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him." At that time whoever it was received dominion, power and a kingdom. Was it really the Son of Man who received the kingdom or someone who looks like him? John put it this way in 1 John 3:2: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him."

Yes, John saw one who resembled the Son of man. The reason he resembled Him was because it was Him and John soon, very soon, knows it also if there was ever any doubt.

The seven candlesticks are later explained. They are the seven churches of Asia.

He had the keys of hell and death. Keys indicate power of opening or closing; freeing or restraining. We need to understand that "hell" was not torment but it comes from the word "hades" and is defined as "the unseen." He had the power over the unseen and over death itself. Only the Son of man has those keys..

vs 19 "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."

There would be some things in the past that he would see, some things in the present and some things in the future. He definitely had seen his brother James beheaded for the testimony of Christ and perhaps others. (The past.) Now he would witness their soul's present condition and he would then have a view of their future avenging and triumph. There would be many things to see and write about.

vs 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."

There is an immediate unveiling of two of the mysteries; what the seven stars represented; the angels of the seven churches and the seven golden candlesticks which surrounded the Son of man was symbolic of the seven churches. Those candlesticks or lamp-stands were made of gold, expensive metal signifying their value and were precious in his sight.