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, and to all things 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.
Interpretation and Comments:
(v 1) This book is a revelation (an unveiling, uncovering, or unraveling) of the mysteries of God. God has kept certain information hidden, until the generation that needed and could use that information would arise. We live in that generation! Revelation is our book— our guide to understand the present time and to plan for the future.
(v 1) This vision came from God the Father. God gave the vision to Jesus. Jesus and His angel told the vision to John. “Angel” translates the Greek aggelos (pronounced, angelos), and means a “messenger.” As we read the Revelation text, keep in mind whether Jesus or an angel spoke. John was commanded to bear witness of all the things he saw (Rev. 1:2) and was commanded to write these things (Rev. 1:19). This revelation was intended for use by people of all time. Contrast Jesus’ commandment to John in this passage that the vision be published for all to read with the commandment given to Daniel (Daniel 12:4a): [Michael said] “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end;….” Why would God tell Daniel to seal these prophetic words until the end? Earlier generations could not fully understand the prophecies. We live in the “time of the end,” and we can understand the prophecies. John’s book, containing more than prophecies, is a book for all ages— and especially for those living at the end of the age. Ours is a blessed generation. We have the complete word of God (the Bible), a privilege John did not have. We can see many prophecies that have been fulfilled and understand how any unfulfilled prophecies can be fulfilled. God often reveals things to us as mysteries. A mystery is a truth known to God but unknown to man, because the time is not appropriate for man to know the meaning of that mystery. As an example: It has been recently been discovered that there are many thousands of messages encoded in the Bible by equidistant spacing of letters (counting a certain number of letters in the Bible text to spell relevant words and phrases). One of the world’s greatest scientists and mathematicians, Isaac Newton, was convinced codes must be present in the Hebrew text. He spent a lifetime trying to unravel these codes, but failed. Little-known Israeli mathematicians, using computers, discovered the way to find and read these codes. Newton’s generation was not ready for God to reveal the codes, but God has revealed the codes to our last-day generation.
(v 1) Understand the phrase “must come.” These prophecies are immutable (unchangeable). We must learn from the prophecies, without expecting to be able to change them.
(v 1) Examine the word “shortly.” John’s use of this word in this and other verses causes agnostics and atheists to argue against the validity of this book. The Greek word used here is tachei, which comes from tachos. This word can be translated as either “quickly” (soon) or “suddenly” (unexpectedly). I believe the translators give a poor understanding by using such words as “quickly” or “shortly.” “Suddenly” fits better with other Scriptures.
(v 3) John promised a blessing for persons who read and hear the prophecies in this book. Jesus promised a similar blessing (Revelation 22:7b): [Jesus said] … “Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
(v 3) Jesus used the phrase, “the time is near.” “Near” translates the Greek eggus (pronounced, engus). John used the same word in Rev. 22:10. Bible naysayers claim that end-time Scriptures are false, because Jesus claimed He would come soon, shortly, or quickly, and nearly nineteen centuries have passed without His appearance. Jesus and Peter clearly told us that Jesus’ return will be sudden and unexpected, like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:36): [Jesus said] “But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”— AND — (Matthew 24:44): [Jesus said]: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.” Jesus taught the important Parable of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32-35) to teach us to watch for the season of His return, not the day and hour. Peter anticipated godless, skeptical persons who would attack the Scriptural basis of Jesus’ return (2 Peter 3:3-5, 8-10): … scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” |…| But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
GREETINGS AND DOXOLOGY… Revelation 1:4-8.
Scriptural Text:
(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 shall see Him, and they also who pierced Him. And all of 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.”
Interpretation and Comments:
(v 4) Revelation was first written as a letter to seven churches. We will study more about these churches in chapters 2 and 3. The letter was probably a circular letter, meant to be read (and probably copied) by one church and, then, passed to the next church. Asia is not the continent we now call by this name. Rather, it was the Roman province of Asia, which we now call Turkey.
(v 4) “Grace” and “peace” combine the usual salutations of the Gentiles (grace, from the Greek charis) and the Jews (peace, initially from the Hebrew shalom). John included these two greetings and in later chapters wrote of Jews and Christians in New Jerusalem (Heaven). Many Christians hold the view of replacement theology (fulfillment theology, supersessionism). Such a view must be a “stench in God’s nostrils.” This teaching is anti-Semitic and completely contrary to Biblical teachings. God still loves Jews. Christians have not replaced Jews. The New Testament has not replaced the Old Testament. If you, as a Christian, feel superior to Jews, change your views immediately, fall to your knees, and ask God to forgive you for your bigoted hatred of His Covenant People.
(v 4) The phrase “who is and who was and who is to come” is one way of denoting Jesus’ eternal nature. In his Gospel, John taught the eternal nature of Jesus and the triune nature of God (John 1:1-3): In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [Jesus] was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
(v 4) John previously introduced two Persons of the Godhead— God the Father and the Son Jesus. In this verse, he introduced the third Person, the Holy Spirit. “The seven Spirits” does not imply there are seven Holy Spirits, but there is one Holy Spirit with seven functions, as told in Isaiah 11:2. Compare the Isaiah verse with Zechariah 4:10, in which there are seven eyes of the LORD, which search throughout the entire world.
(v 5) John gave multiple titles for Jesus in Revelation, including the two titles in this verse— the Firstborn from the dead and the Ruler over kings.
(v 5) John told us of the importance of having our sins washed in Jesus’ blood. The blood sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary’s cross is the basis of the New Covenant and the Suffering Servant’s action by which we can be saved. One of the Communion elements is the fruit of the vine (wine), which Jesus taught was a symbol of His blood and the basis of the New Covenant (Luke 22:20):Likewise [Jesus] also took the cup [of wine] after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” In a following chapter, we will study the importance of washing our eternal robes in Jesus’ blood (Rev. 7:14). We are now dirty, no matter how pious we may think we are. To be worthy of our Bridegroom Jesus, our gowns must be immaculate. Only cleansing in the shed blood of Jesus will suffice.
(v 6) Jesus came to earth nearly two millennia ago to accomplish three ministries:
- He came as a Priest. It was for this reason that He was baptized, because a priest must ceremonially bathe prior to assuming priestly duties. He is now and forever our High Priest (Hebrews 6:20 and other Scriptures).
- He came as a Prince (Isaiah 9:6), but He will return in the future as King of kings (Revelation 19:16).
- He came as a Prophet (Olivet discourse: Matthew, chapter 24; Mark, chapter 13; and Luke, chapter 21), but He will no longer be a Prophet when He returns to earth because He is the embodiment of all prophecy and the fulfillment of the future. No prophecy will exist or be necessary after Jesus’ Second Coming.
We, His followers, are priests, serving under the High Priest Jesus (1 Peter 1:9a): But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,….
(v 7) John told us that Jesus is coming with (Greek: meta) clouds. In the explanation of the Resurrection/ Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), Paul told us that we will meet Jesus in (Greek: en) the clouds. I believe the Revelation account may be more descriptive and accurate (because of the parallels of Jesus’ life and the First Century Jewish wedding). In the Jewish wedding, the bridegroom came for his bride in the middle of the night, accompanied by his friends. The Bridegroom Jesus, when He comes for His bride (the Church), will likely be accompanied by His “friends.” These “friends” will be innumerable angels. Seen from a distance, this mass of white-robed angels will resemble clouds.
(v 7) John told us that every eye will see Jdsus. Who are those who “have pierced Him?” It would be easy to implicate the Romans or even the Jews for the piercing (crucifixion) of Jesus. You and I — and every person who now lives or has ever lived — have pierced (crucified) Jesus. Jesus willingly allowed Himself to be crucified for the redemption of every person from sin. I am as guilty of Jesus’ crucifixion as was Pilate, the Roman soldiers, or the Jewish priestly hierarchy. Is “those who pierced Him” another way of saying that all sinners (that is, all persons) will see Him?
(v 7) People of the world will mourn for their sins and failure to serve Jesus. Jesus also foretold mourning when the Son of Man appears in/with the clouds (Matthew 24:30).
(v 8) In three ways, Jesus emphasized His eternal nature: (1) the Alpha and Omega (A and Ω) were the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, just as A and Z are the first and last letters of the English alphabet. (2) He is the Beginning and the End. (3) He is (the present), He was (the past), and He is to come (the future).
THE CHRIST REVEALED… Revelation 1:9-20.
Scriptural Text:
(9) I, John, both your brother and your companion in tribulation, and in the 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 his feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
(14) His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flaming 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 the things which you have seen, and 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.”
Interpretation and Comments:
(v 9) As previously noted, John told us that he was a political prisoner on the tiny island of Patmos. John also told us that he was imprisoned for his religious beliefs (the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ).
(v 10) People of different denominations will interpret “I was in the spirit” in different ways. He had been “baptized in fire” on the Day of Pentecost (Acts, chapter 2). He surely was Spirit-filled and spoke in tongues. Pentecostals explain that “speaking in tongues,” a gift from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10d), may also involve a “prayer language” known only to God. Was John praying and worshiping God in a language given to Him by the Holy Spirit? We cannot know the answer to this question, but John certainly was in a spiritual state ready to receive a message from Jesus. Although I think it makes absolutely no difference, we can speculate on John’s choice of “the Lord’s Day.” John’s primary day of worship would probably have been Shabbat (the Sabbath, our Saturday). The Lord’s day may have been our Sunday, because Jesus was resurrected on a Sunday. “Lord’s day” became synonymous with Sunday during the second century AD (after John’s time).
(v 10) God and heavenly beings often speak in loud, even trumpet-like voices in order to rivet attention of the hearer to what is being said and to rise above any background sounds.
(v 11) The titles proclaiming Jesus as the first (present at creation) and the last (present throughout eternity) are again repeated. John was commanded to write things he witnessed in a book (Book of Revelation). This “book” (actually, a scroll which would serve as a letter to be circulated among the churches in Roman Asia) was to be sent to the seven churches listed in this verse. We will study these churches in chapters 2 and 3. I believe you will be fascinated and informed about the past and present churches represented in the vision.
(vv 12-13) See the comments in verse 20 for a discussion of the seven golden lampstands.
(vv 13-16) “Son of Man” commonly referred to Jesus the Messiah. Jesus walked among the golden lampstands (representing His churches). Jesus gave His life for the Church, and the Church will always be important to Him. In chapters 2 and 3, we will study some of the ways the churches have failed Jesus throughout history. The number seven is used in the Bible to denote the finality of God’s plan. After the age of the seventh lampstand (represented by the church at Laodicea), there will be no other church age. Jesus’ clothing was appropriate for His office of High Priest. When we study chapter 19 (specifically, verse 12), I will explain why I believe John saw Jesus’ eyes as blazing fire. Briefly, these are the eyes of our Divine Judge, who, sitting on His bema (judgment seat), will evaluate each person’s works in life. Worthy gifts— those represented by gold, silver, and precious stones— will melt before His eyes of fire, the dross (impurities in the works) will be removed, and the pure metal and stones will be fashioned into crowns (rewards). Saints with crowns will rejoice. Unworthy gifts— those represented by wood, straw, or stubble— will be burnt by Jesus’ eyes of fire, and the ashes cannot be used to fashion crowns. Saints, watching the ashes of their lives sift through their fingers and having no crowns, will be sad. The white hair brings to mind a title applied to God or to Jesus: “the Ancient of Days.”
(v 17) When John saw Jesus, he fainted in fright. Jewish rabbis have always had trouble with the Suffering Servant prophecy of the Messiah (Isaiah, chapter 53). The rabbis concluded there must be two Messiahs— HaMashiach ben Josef (the Messiah, son of Joseph [the patriarch, not Mary’s husband]) and HaMashiach ben David(the Messiah, son of David). We Christians know that there is only one Messiah (Christ), Jesus, and He came and will come in two different capacities. As Son of Joseph, Jesus the Messiah was meek, lowly, humble, suffered, and was crucified for our sins. As Son of David, Jesus the Messiah will be stern to those who have sinned against God, will come as King of kings and Lord of Lords, will have His robes dipped in blood, and will be armed with a sword and a rod of iron.
John, as a young disciple, first saw Jesus in His lowly, meek, Suffering Servant role. John was so comfortable around Jesus that he laid his head on Jesus’ chest (John 13:23). John, as an old man, next saw a vision of Jesus’ second coming as a conquering King, whose time to abolish sin and judge sinners was near. John now feared Jesus, until He comforted him. There is an important lesson here: Many Christians live in a “time warp.” They teach each other only sweet Sunday School stories about Jesus, the first Messiah. Certainly, Jesus was and still is kind and loving. There is coming, however, a Jesus, the second Messiah, who is a King and strong Warrior. We need to prepare daily (by keeping God’s commandments) for the coming King of kings and Lord of lords.
(v 19) This verse is important in interpreting Revelation. John was told to write his book in chronological order— past, present, and future. Except for an occasional parenthesis (a term in prophecy interpretation for a gap of time similar to a movie flashback), we can study Revelation in chronological order.
(v 20) Jesus explained the mystery of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands (verses 12-13 and 16). The stars were the angels (messengers) of the seven churches of Roman Asia. Whether these messengers were intended to represent angels protecting the churches or pastors serving these churches is unclear to me. The golden lampstands represented the seven churches, previously named. See a map of these churches. These churches, to the east of Patmos, were well-known to John.
We will spend the next two weeks’ messages discussing the importance of these seven churches in prophecy.
Before we discuss these churches, understand the eloquent symbolism involved:
- Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12): Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
- Jesus explained that the seven golden lampstands represent the seven churches (churches we will study in the next two chapters). A lampstand does not generate light. Rather, its purpose is to elevate the source of the light (lamp, candle) so that the light shines upon a greater area. Similarly, a church does not generate light. Its purpose is to hold up the Light of the world (Jesus) so that His light will be spread farther into a dark world.
When we study the seven churches in Roman Asia, we will see that many failed Jesus. When one church failed Him, Jesus’ light was taken from that lamp (church) and given to another lamp (church). The Light continued. Only the lampstands elevating the Light were changed, when they failed.
The replacement of a failed lampstand to have its function assumed by another lampstand should be a message for us. We are called to accomplish certain tasks for the Kingdom of God. If we refuse to accomplish the task, that task remains. However, it will be given to another person to accomplish. No person is so important that his or her laziness or rebellion will cause God’s plan to fail. If the second person succeeds, he or she will receive the blessing and reward the first person could have had.
IN SUMMARY.
Jesus is coming soon. “Soon” for you could be either the appearance of Jesus with the clouds (the Rapture) or your death. In either instance, you will suddenly meet Jesus. At that time, you can no longer work for the Kingdom of God, and you can no longer prepare for your Bema Judgment. Your reward or lack of reward is eternally fixed. You can no longer overcome your sins. Your chance for forgiveness and repentance is forever locked. You will face your Divine Judge, just as you are at the moment of the Rapture or your death, when you step into eternity.
If the study of the Book of Revelation has any value, its main value is for us to heed the warnings of Jesus to prepare for eternity. Your eternal life begins at this moment! Maranatha! Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20b)
RIO MARANATHA STUDIES
The Word of the Crusader 