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Revelation
Dr. Grant C. Richison
Revelation
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction to Revelation 5
Chapter 1 8
Chapter 2 32
Chapter 3 53
Chapter 4` 72
Chapter 5 76
Chapter 6 79
Chapter 7 84
Chapter 8 88
Chapter 9 91
Chapter 10 95
Chapter 11 98
Chapter 12 105
Chapter 13 109
Chapter 14 114
Chapter 15 118
Chapter 16 121
Chapter 17 126
Chapter 18 133
Chapter 19 138
Chapter 20 147
Chapter 21 154
Chapter 22 163
Foreword
These lessons in Revelation are compiled from the writings of Dr. Grant C. Richison, which were published on the Internet beginning in 1997 in the Campus Crusades (Canada) daily online devotional Today’s Word.
Dr. Richison is a highly experienced pastor, lecturer, and Christian servant who is dedicated to a lifetime of studying and teaching God's Word. Almost immediately after his salvation he began to desire to teach the Word, and he set about a lifelong program of preparation and ministry.
Dr. Richison has a diploma from Detroit Bible Institute, a bachelor's degree in religious education from William Tyndale College (Detroit), a Masters in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in ministries from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dr. Richison has been pastor and senior pastor of Baptist churches from 1965 to 1992. His most recent pastorate was at Grant Memorial Baptist Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba, where, over a 20 year period, he had oversight of a ministry that expanded from about 350 to more than 2500 communicants. During the period of his pastorates, Dr. Richison was also a lecturer at Detroit Bible College and Winnipeg Theological Seminary.
From 1993 to 1995, Dr. Richison was Director of Leadership Ministries for Campus Crusade for Christ (Canada). He currently has a world-wide lecture ministry with Campus Crusade.
Dr. Richison is an experienced writer, and he provides materials for three areas on the Internet: Sermon on the Net; Today's Word, and Pastors' Power Points. He has considerable ability to communicate God's Word verse by verse in a relevant, clear, applicable and insightful manner and to communicate vision and establish a philosophy of ministry in the local assembly. .
Dr. Richison has served on the following boards and conferences:
Lower Michigan Baptist General Conference (district of Baptist General Conference, board member)
Great Lakes Baptist Conference (district of Baptist General Conference, chairman)
Central Canada Baptist Conference (district of Baptist General Conference, chairman)
Child Evangelism Fellowship (Manitoba)
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
International Ministries to Israel (Canada)
Chairman of Greater Manitoba Sunday School Convention
Chairman of Marney Patterson Evangelistic Crusade (city-wide in Winnipeg)
Chairman of Terry Winter Evangelistic Crusade (city-wide in Winnipeg)
Chairman of the "Why Campaign" (city-wide evangelistic trust in Winnipeg)
Chairman of the Board of Regents of Canadian Baptist Seminary (part of consortium of seminaries on Trinity Western University)
Baptist General Conference of Canada (board member)
Briarcrest Bible College and Seminary, Moose Jaw, Sask.
Electronic Bible Society, Dallas Texas
President's Cabinet, Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada
Grace Notes
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Verse-by-verse courses are available in more than 30 books of the Bible. Some of the courses include word studies (categorical doctrine) or historical articles (isagogics) that are relevant to the passages being discussed. Other courses offered are Bible character studies, comprehensive studies of the Christian Life and Basics of the Christian Life, an extensive series on the Person and Word of Jesus Christ, and a thorough study of the Attributes of God. You are invited to write to the address below, or write by e-mail, to inquire about Grace Notes materials.
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Introduction
Importance of Revelation
Revelation is the culmination of all books of the Bible Revelation brings to conclusion the many prophesies of the Bible Revelation puts in context the end-time events for God's purpose for creation
Author
A. Justin Martyr directly affirms that John was the author
B. Irenaeus (disciple of Polycarp, who in turn was a pupil of the apostle John) attributes the writing of Revelation to John
“Not very long time since, but almost in our day towards the end of Domitian’s reign.” Domitian died in AD 96, John was then allowed to return to Ephesus
C. Others: Clement, Origin, Tertullian, Hippolytus
D. John’s name occurs as the author: 1:1,4,9; 22:8
E. Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Eusebius, Apollonius, and Theophilus, the bishop of Antioch all accepted Revelation as inspired Scripture
F. By the 3rd century, Revelation was widely quoted as Scripture
Occasion of Writing
A. Direct command (1:10-23)
B. Condition of the churches
1. Fierce persecution at times (not a universal policy) One Christian already executed (2:13)
2. Serious problems within the churches: Ephesus (2:2) Smyrna (2:10) Pergamum (2:13) Thyatira (2:22) Philadelphia (3:10)
Date of Writing -- AD 96
Place of Writing -- Patmos, a penal colony (where John was exiled)
A small rocky island in the Aegean Sea, 48 km from Ephesus 18-13 km long and 1.5 km wide
Purposes
A. To give the final truth about Jesus Christ - the unveiling of His person, power and purpose (1:1)
B. To show the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of Christ
C. To give a new perspective on history
D. To give incentive for holy living
E. To show that God will ultimately deal with the problem of evil
F. To give a preview of future events
Theme: The revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1; cf. 1:7; 3:11; 22:30)
Revelation is Christ centered
Key Words
"revelation" (unveiling) "lamb" (29times)
Key Verse
"Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this" (1:19).
Addressees (1:11)
A. All churches situated in Proconsular Asia
B. Churches selected as representatives for churches today
C. Located in the western third of modern Turkey
D. John came to Ephesus in 67-70 (Ephesus, the capital of Proconsular Asia)
Reasons Revelation Must Be Clearly Understood
A. It is a "revelation" (apocalypse) which means an unveiling. (contrast an apocryphal book which is hidden)
B. Revelation is not a sealed book (22:10)
C. A blessing is promised to the people who read and to those who hear the words of this prophecy (1:3)
D. The last analysis of the book is simple (1:19)
Theology: -- Christological (1:1-3; cf. 5:47; 19:11, 16, 17; 21:9)
A. Person of Christ - chapter one
B. Glorious reign of Christ (complete victory over Satan)
Apocalyptic Character of the Book
A. An apocalyptic book unfolds the future
B. "apokalupsis"--removing of a veil; Revelation is written to be understood
C. Symbolism of the book is found elsewhere - no less than 400 allusions to the Old Testament
D. Daniel and Ezekiel are similar in style
Miscellaneous Matters
A. Revelation is the cap stone of Scripture
B. Revelation is the only prophetical book in the New Testament
C. Revelation bears similar features to the book of Daniel
D. Revelation is the only book with a promise of blessing to readers (1:3)
E. Contains 22 chapters, 404 verses and 12,000 words
1. 285 verses contain Old Testament language
2. 70 references to angels
3. No quotes from the Old Testament
F. Seven beatitudes: 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14
G. The chronological construction of the book gives the prophetic program (1:19)
H. Over one half of the book describes the tribulation
I. The number seven occurs frequently throughout the book
J. A prophecy is a prevision of the future
K. Revelation was written in order to be understood
L. The symbolism of the book furnishes the key to the interpretation of the book
M. Revelation is a book of consummation
Interpretations
A. ALLEGORICAL VIEW
1. Definition: the Book of Revelation is an extensive allegory interpreted non-literally
2. Symbolic picture of the struggle between good and evil
3. Originated in the Alexandrian school (Clement of Alexandria, Origin)
4. Goes far beyond natural symbolism
5. Influenced Augustine and Jerome
6. Problem: too subjective
B. PRETERIST VIEW
1. Definition: Latin for “past.” Revelation has already been fulfilled in the early church (by the time of Constantine, AD 312)
2. A symbolic history of the first century
3. Problem: ignores specific predictions (1:3, 19; 22:18, 19); gives arbitrary meaning to symbols
C. HISTORICAL VIEW
1. Definition: the Book of Revelation is a symbolic picture of the history of the church between the first and second comings of Christ.
2. Held by many post-millennialists who believe that the world is getting better and this will usher in the Kingdom of Christ.
3. Problem: No two interpreters agree as to which passage refers to which event. They each finds fulfillment of a given passage in their own generation.
D. FUTURISTIC VIEW
1. Limited to conservative scholars only
2. Allows for literal (normal) interpretation of prophecy while recognizing symbolism
3. Offers a relatively clear understanding of the principal events of future fulfillment
4. Structure of the book revolves around chronology: Chapters 1-3: Church Age Chapters 4-22: Future Events
5. Objection: Those opposed to this view say that Revelation would not comfort if it were largely future
Outline
INTRODUCTION,
1. Prologue (1:1-3) 2. Salutation (1:4-8)
I. “THINGS YOU HAVE SEEN” (Chapter one)
The glorified Christ (1:9-20)
II. “THINGS WHICH ARE” (Chapters two and three)
Seven messages to the churches (2:1-3:22)
III. “THINGS WHICH SHALL BE” (4:1-22:5)
A. The Church at the Heavenly Throne (4)
B. Seven-sealed Scroll of the Tribulation (5)
C. Tribulation (6:1-18:24)
D. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (19:1-10)
E. Second Coming (19:11-21)
F. Millennium (20)
G. New Heaven and Earth (21:1-22:5)
CONCLUSION (22:6-21)
1. Epilogue (22:6-20) 2. Benediction (22:21)
Revelation 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…"
We come to the sixty-sixth book of the Bible, the climactic ending to God's program for time. Any prophecy begun in any other book finds its climax in this book. From Paradise Lost in the book of Genesis, we come to Paradise Found in the book of Revelation.
In the first three verses of Revelation, we find the prologue. The prologue frames the entire book. The third verse gives the structure of the total book. The key to understanding this book is in its structure.
The first chapter of Revelation is a general introduction to the entire book; it is a book about the inimitable, sovereign Son of God.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
The word "revelation" means disclosure, uncovering, unveiling. The Greek word comes from two words: from and cover. A revelation takes off the covers. Much of what the Bible has hidden about Jesus Christ will now be revealed in the book of Revelation. Jesus is the cardinal subject of the Book of Revelation (22:6-21). The climax of the book comes in the Second Coming of Christ (chapter 19).
Since the Book of Revelation is unveiling, it is not intended to be an enigma, some puzzle hard to decipher. This is how most people like to represent the book. Revelation says of itself that it will clearly reveal Jesus Christ. Do you unintentionally negate the Book of Revelation in your mind because others have convinced you or you have convinced yourself that Revelation is a dark book too difficult to understand? Why not accept the challenge of understanding this great book of the Bible? It is the only book of the Bible that promises a blessing if you read it.
We have seen the unveiling of a statue. The statue is covered with a sheet. At the dedication, the sheet is dropped for all to see the statue. This is the picture of the last book of the Bible. Revelation will unveil Jesus in a way other books of the Bible do not reveal Him.
Revelation presents a glorious reigning Christ. It tells of complete victory over Satan and sin. Jesus is the central theme of this book. Chapter one presents the glorified Christ. It is a message from and about Jesus. He is the overriding object of the book and of prophecy.
The title of the Book of Revelation is the key to its contents. Revelation is more than a communiqué about Him; it displays Him in His glory. Revelation uncovers the matchless Lord of Glory Himself. In His first coming, the deity of Christ only presented itself occasionally. In His Second Coming, we will see Him in all His glory. We will see Him in the full orbed wonder of His Majesty. This book sets the stage for knowing Jesus better. His person will shine forth into your soul if you open yourself to the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit through this book.
Note that there is no "s" on the name of this book. Many people call "Revelation" the book of "Revelation[s]." This error fosters a misunderstanding of this book. Revelation is about the unveiling of Jesus Christ. Prophecy for prophecy sake is not the point of this book. The major argument of this book revolves around the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The gospels give a portrait of Jesus from four viewpoints. The epistles set forth logical analysis about His person and work. Revelation presents Him in His future glory. The New Testament is clearly Christocentric.
Principle
Jesus is the central object of prophecy.
Application
Jesus is the center stage of prophecy. He is the celebrity of all creation. The purpose of creation is to glorify God and His Son Jesus Christ. We hold His Majesty, King Jesus, as our ultimate Luminary. God is in the business of unveiling Jesus. This should be our business as well.
The Devil loves the propaganda that we cannot understand the Book of Revelation. "I will leave the understanding of that book to the theologians." That is like saying, "God wrote the Bible to communicate to me but He must have made a mistake in estimating my capacity to understand it."
This book tells of the ultimate outcome of the Devil. He does not want us to know about his ultimate defeat (Revelation 12). If the Devil can discredit the last book of the Bible in our minds, he wins a victory. He wants us to discount it. That gives him an advantage in our lives.
If we think of the Book of Revelation like a fairy tale that does not truly exist, then we will not gain assurance of God's ultimate victory in time. We will allow ourselves to think of the pain of the present as an end in itself. We will never gain a perspective on God's purpose for time. We will never understand why He allows pain and suffering to come into our lives. Especially, since Revelation is all about Jesus, the Devil does not want us to understand it.
which God gave Him
The Father is the ultimate source of the book of Revelation, therefore, this information bears supreme authority.
God gives to the humanity of Jesus the Kingdom. Jesus gives back to God the Kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:24).
to show His servants
The word "show" means to show by making known - to bring to light, display, exhibit, point out. The humanity of Christ, though endowed with great sagacity, needed revelation to understand things of the future. The humanity of Christ is not the same as His deity. His humanity needed to depend entirely on the Father.
The final recipients of the book of Revelation are "His servants (slaves)." God did not give this book to those who speculate about prophecy but to those who have servant hearts. God wants us to take more than a curious attitude about future things. To the extent that we carry the servant heart, to that extent we will profit from this book. Revelation is a word from the Lord to slaves, from a Master to His slaves.
What good is revelation if it is not clear? The Book of Revelation is a showcase of the Lord Jesus. The Father puts Jesus on display here as nowhere else in the Bible. The last part of this chapter gives a full-length portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The only people to whom God shows off His Son is His own. The Bible is a closed book to those without Christ. Each child of God has a built-in Bible teacher -- the Holy Spirit. Non-Christians do not have the Holy Spirit so they cannot understand the Bible much less the Book of Revelation.
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Principle
God's people want to know Jesus better.
Application
There may have been times when you tried to read a book and did not understand it or find it interesting. You possibly read a chapter and put the book back on the shelf. Years later, you meet the author personally. Then you go back to the book and it takes on new significance for you. This is certainly true with the Bible. If we know the Lord personally, we want to know everything He communicates to us, even the Book of Revelation.
Now that we know the Lord personally, the Book of Revelation adds up. We love the Lord Jesus. We want to know everything we can about Him.
-things which must shortly take place
We get our English words "taxi" and "tachometer" from the Greek word for "shortly." A tachometer measures velocity. A taxi is supposed to get us somewhere quickly. That is not always the case, however!
"Shortly" means swiftness, speed, fleetness, velocity, speed, quickness, swiftness, haste. When the events of the Book of Revelation come, they will come quickly within a very brief period. The events will fall in rapid succession. When God puts end-time events into place, He will execute them rapidly.
This phrase carries the idea of certainty. There will be no condition or delay when God begins to take actions contained in this book.
"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work" (Revelation 22:12). Jesus said that He will come suddenly.
The word "must" presents a logical necessity. Prophecy is the outworking of divine necessity. Prophecy is more than panorama of future things (it is that); it is the outworking of divine necessity. God's purpose is certain.
Principle
The events of the book of Revelation will come both surely and shortly.
Application
There are two kinds of prophecy in the Bible -- fulfilled and unfulfilled. Fulfilled prophecy gives us the assurance that God will certainly fulfil unfulfilled prophecy.
And He sent and signified it
An angel both brought the information of Revelation and put it in symbols. The word "signified" means to give a sign, report, communicate, point out, to give a signal to do a thing. In war, "signified" carried the idea of to give the signal of attack. John uses "signified" throughout his writings. He loves symbols.
When God gives the signal for all these events to take place, it will be clear to all. God will make known by a series of signs and symbols what will take place. However, this clarity will not carry bald literalism. We will see symbols of truth, not the actual, literal event. They will be "signs" of the actual and literal. Therefore, there will be some obscurity in this revelation (12:1,3; 15:1).
Note the order here. First the Father reveals the contents of the book of Revelation to Jesus, then Jesus gives it to an angel to give it to John who in turn gives it to the churches.
Symbols occur throughout the Bible as a vehicle for delivering God's thoughts to man. Revelation, however, uses symbols more than any other book of the New Testament. John probably uses symbols because of the peril of persecution looming over the Christian community.
We best understand the principle of interpretation of symbols where John explains symbols. It is pious prattle to say that God does not intend us to understand these symbols. Interpretation of Revelation depends also on a thorough understanding of all the great prophecies of the Bible that converge in this book. We find an ultimate termination of God's purposes for creation here. This is the one book of the Bible that gives us a systematic plan for the future.
Revelation contains no less than 400 allusions to the Old Testament. We find no direct citation. Almost all of the imagery of Revelation relates to motifs that emerge from Old Testament prophetic books.
The flag of the country in which we live not only carries symbols and colors, but also the flag represents that for which our country stands. Our flag is a symbol of that for which we stand. We stand for freedom and democracy.
God wrote the Book of Revelation in "sign language." He wrote the Book of Ezekiel the same way. Algebra uses a system of signs. Sign language can make sense if you know what the signs mean. If we do not obey a stop sign, we might end in the casket. Signs are important even in our daily life. If you say, "I do not believe in signs," then you might end in the morgue. All of us use signs everyday. Why should we avoid understanding the sign language of the Book of Revelation?
Revelation is the only book of the New Testament that completely devotes its subject to prophecy.
by His angel to His servant John
The term "angel" occurs seventy times in the Book of Revelation. Therefore, it is obviously an essential idea in the book. In order to contrast God's transcendence, God uses angels to transmit His revelation. Angels intervene in the great events of Revelation. The word "angel" means messenger. Sometimes the messenger is simply a human being who conveys divine truth.
The interpretation is clearly set forth in 22:6-9. This "angel" is not a supernatural being but a "fellow slave" and "prophet." This may have been Daniel, to whose book John alludes throughout the book.
Note John here characterizes himself as a "servant." God does not have any drones in His family. All God's children are to be His servants. God uses any people who will put themselves into His hands.
Principle
Revelation is the most modern book ever written.
Application
Revelation presents God's glorious plan of the future. We know God's plan for complete victory over Satan. No wonder Satan does not want us to read Revelation! He wants to convey the idea that we cannot understand Revelation. "We do not want to divide over eschatology. This is not important doctrine." That is like saying that God wrote much of the Bible revolving around prophecy and we negate it by relegating it into obsolescence. God did not write the Book of Revelation to render it into oblivion!
Revelation 1:2
"Who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw"
This verse attests to the prophecy of this book. God put the content of this book in symbols to testify to the Word of God in general and to the testimony of Jesus Christ in particular.
John witnesses to three things in this verse.
who bore witness to the word of God
First, John witnesses to the Word of God (Jeremiah 15:16; Job 23:12; Matthew 4:4; 24:35; 1 Peter 1:23,25). Witness to the Word of God is primary and indispensable. That is foundational. We cannot know anything for sure without its foundation in the Word of God.
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ
Secondly, John witnesses to "the testimony of Jesus Christ." This is the testimony that Jesus bore when He was upon earth and who He is as presented in this book.
to all things that he saw
Thirdly, John witnesses to "all things that he saw." John repeats the phrase "all things that he saw" 54 times in the book. "I saw" occurs 37 times. The content of this book came by visions.
John's gospel is the gospel of the eye witness. This was not true of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke). Most of the things we read in John we do not find in the synoptic gospels. The same man who wrote the Gospel of John wrote the book of Revelation. No one saw as much as John. John was an eyewitness to truth. Nothing in Revelation is an invention of John.
Principle
The Book of Revelation demands our attention.
Application
Revelation demands our attention for it is the Word of God, the testimony of Jesus and a testimony to future things. This book carries great authority in God's values.
Nothing in the Book of Revelation is the brainchild of John. Everything came by revelation.
Revelation 1:3
"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"
Blessed
John concludes the prologue of Revelation with special blessings on all those who read and practice the principles of this book. This is the only book in the Bible that promises such a blessing. By repeating this promise in 22:7, he makes an emphatic point.
The word "blessed" does not mean happy as most people think it means. Jesus uses this same term in the beatitudes (Matthew 5; Luke 6). John uses this word seven times in Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). Twice, Paul uses "blessed" of God (1 Timothy 1:11; 6:15).
"Blessed" carries the idea of a state of being fortunate or privileged, the recipient of God's favor. Blessedness is the state that is neither made nor influenced by outside circumstances but is intrinsic within. This state comes from God, not man. Blessedness is not happiness because happiness depends on circumstances. These are people independent from the world and its allurements. They need nothing but God. They are not dependent upon outside circumstances. This quality belongs intrinsically to God. No one can make God blessed, so the people who are in the state of blessedness are souls satisfied from the source of God.
Why will we receive blessedness if we read this book? Because Revelation is about Jesus Christ and His ultimate fulfillment of God's purpose for creation.
is he who reads
There is a blessing both for the reader and for the hearers. John intends that the Book of Revelation have practical impact on the lives of those who read it.
The study of any portion of Scripture is beneficial to our souls (2 Timothy 3:16). However, some Scripture is more profitable than others.
Principle
God will confer a blessing on us if we read and apply to our lives the principles of this book.
Application
Satan will rob us of a special blessing if he can delude us into believing that we cannot understand Revelation. If we read Revelation, we will enter a state of independence from outside influence, a state of blessedness.
and those who hear the words of this prophecy,
God blesses those who "hear" prophecy. It is one thing to "read" prophecy but it is another thing to "hear" prophecy.
Revelation is not history; it is prophecy. Revelation is essentially prophecy. All of us take interest in the future. God is gracious to reveal to us something of the future.
John repeats this pronouncement of blessing at the end of the book as well.
"Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book" (Revelation 22:7).
No prophecy of the past has failed to come true. Scores of prophecies of the first coming of Christ came true in full detail. Not one of the thousands of prophecies of Scripture has ever failed to come true.
God not only blesses us if we read Revelation but He blesses us if we "hear" this prophecy.
Principle
God expects us to listen to prophecy, not render it into oblivion.
Application
We live in a day that minimizes prophecy. There are many reasons for the demotion of God's prophecy, but whatever the reason, they are the opposite of John's point.
There are those who obsess over prophecy. That is a different kind of distortion. However, do you have a heart for God's prophetic program? This passage is a command to "listen" to prophecy. Can you perceive that it will have great impact on your spirituality? Is there positive volition in your heart toward the message of Revelation?
and keep those things which are written in it;
The third area where God blesses us is "keeping" the principles, or applying the principles of the Book of Revelation to our lives. Not only are we to "read" and "hear" prophecy but God wants us to "keep" prophecy as well. The word "keep" means guard. We need to stand on guard lest we lose the principles of this book. If we do not guard them, we will lose them.
We are not only to read but we are also to hear. We are not only to hear but we are also to guard the word of this prophecy for our spiritual life.
Principle
God wants us to apply prophecy to our experience.
Application
God promises a blessing on reading and applying this book to our life to encourage us to give heed to the principles of this book. Why not avail yourselves of God's promise?
John wants us to more than simply read Revelation; he wants us to practice the principles of this book. This obviously requires that we get a good grasp on the principles this book reveals. Do you look at the Book of Revelation as an abstruse book or as a book that reveals Jesus Christ in a unique way?
for the time is near
The word for "time" here refers to, a unique time of the end. The motive for reading and applying Revelation to our lives is the proximity of the coming of Christ (22:6; cf. 10, 12, 20).
The idea of "near" here is not nearness of time but nearness of prophetic revelation. The prophecies of Revelation carry proximity to fulfillment. The prophecies of this book are imminent (Romans 13:12; James 5:8). There is nothing that needs to come to past before God chooses to fulfill them.
"The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12).
"You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5:2).
"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers" (1 Peter 4:7).
The idea is that of imminence. Imminence does not necessarily mean near in time. The word "near" means impending. No prophecy needs to be fulfilled before the Lord comes. He could come in the next few minutes or He might not come for another hundred years. This is the next event on God's prophetic program.
Jesus coming could happen today. No prophecy needs fulfillment before Jesus comes back. That is why the apostles looked for Jesus to return in their life times. They were disappointed but not mistaken.
Principle
Since Jesus could come any moment, we should be at the top of our spiritual health.
Application
When Jesus comes, we will not have time to prepare to meet Him. We cannot know the time of His coming. We will not have time to bury the hatchet with our enemy. He will rapture us in the state He finds us, even in our carnality. He gives no sign of the rapture. It will come like a thief in the night, unannounced, unheralded and momentarily. He will whisk us away to receive reward or loss of reward.
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself" (Philippians 3:20-21).
If Jesus were to come today, all those with cancer and those paralyzed would have their bodies changed in a moment, from paralysis one moment to complete health the next.
Revelation 1:4
"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…"
The salutation runs from verse four through verse six. This salutation sounds just like a salutation in an epistle although Revelation is not an epistle.
John,
John wrote five books of the New Testament. Revelation is the only book he signed. He refers to himself as "the one who Jesus loved" in the gospel of John. He says nothing of himself in First John. He calls himself the "elder" in Second and Third John. In Revelation he refers to himself five times (1:1,4,9; 21:2; 22:8).
to the seven churches which are in Asia:
John designates those to whom he writes as "the seven churches in Asia." They are people in the Roman province of Asia Minor (western Turkey today). These are the churches of chapters two and three. He names these churches in 1:11. The seven churches were actual churches, not symbols of churches.
Paul came to Asia on his second missionary expedition (Acts 16:6). God shut the door for him to minister there at that time. The time was not right. However, four years later the time was right.
"And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks" (Acts 19:10).
Of all the places in the Roman world, Paul had his greatest victories in Asia Minor. The first time he tried to launch his gospel team there, God closed the door. The second time, God opened the door. Paul stayed in Ephesus, the capital, longer than any other place of his ministry -- three years.
John wrote Revelation fifty years later. Paul was by then in heaven. John outlived all other apostles. Probably all seven churches were established by Paul during his three years of ministry there.
Since John wrote Revelation to the seven churches, this book is for Christians. No wonder most non-Christians cannot understand this book.
Principle
Ministry depends on God's timing.
Application
Sometimes we try to force open a door of ministry. We do not seem to have the discernment to wait for God's timing. We need to respect negative volition as well as positive volition.
"But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Corinthians 16:8-9).
"Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia" (2 Corinthians 2:12-13).
"And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains" (Colossians 4:3).
"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name" (Revelation 3:8).
Grace to you
Revelation has both a prescript (1:4-8) and a postscript (22:21). The prescript is the "hello" of the Book of Revelation.
This salutation is similar to some of Paul's salutations. Of the 27 books of the New Testament, 19 begin with the formula "grace and peace." Grace always precedes peace in this formula. If we receive grace, we will have peace. God's standard approach to us is always first through grace. We will never know peace until God vanquishes us by His grace. There can be no peace without first getting a firm grasp of grace.
Grace means that God is the source for any need we might have. He is the source and provider of blessing. At the heart of the grace idea is that God does the doing. If He does the doing, He gets the glory. If we do the doing, we get the glory. That is why the Bible emphasizes grace. When we operate in grace, we always depend on who God is and what He does.
Principle
The Christian needs grace to operate in the Christian life.
Application
"Grace" is what God does on our behalf. We have no currency with God other than grace. We do not have anything by which we can impress God. God is only impressed with Jesus Christ. That is why He is the central figure of Revelation.
We never surpass our need for grace. God deals with us in grace all through our Christian lives until we get to heaven. We would never think of running our car without oil; neither should we think of living the Christian life without grace. That is how we maintain our spiritual stability.
God has cornered the market on grace. We cannot earn it. We do not deserve it. We cannot buy it by good works. When it comes to grace, we cannot go through a middleman to get it. We must go right to the manufacturer. Jesus provides everything we need to live the Christian life.
"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 5:10-11).
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
God gives grace; we do not earn it. He donates it to us when we humble ourselves before Him.
"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5).
God gives grace to the humble. He does not give it to the proud. He resists giving grace to the proud. God is either our antagonist or our protagonist when it comes to grace. He is either for us or against us.
God gives "more" grace to some people.
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).
He gives us abundant grace for any situation we face. There is always a surplus of God's grace for those who humble themselves before Him. We never exhaust God's grace.
When it comes to difficult situations, all we need is God's grace.
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Most of us do not know our need for the grace of God. We do not seek it, so we do not draw on God's sufficiency.
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Colossians 12:8).
God wants us to "abound" in grace. Why then are we feeble in our acquisition of grace? Why are our souls bankrupt of the grace of God? We must admit that we cannot live the Christian life without God's provisions (John 15:5).
and peace
Every Christian has peace with God (Romans 5:1) but few have the peace of God (Philippians 4:6). Peace with God is the salvation Jesus provided on the cross. When we accept His work on the cross, we have eternal peace with God. We are no longer His enemies.
The peace of God comes when we settle down on the inside. Some people laugh on the outside but cry on the inside. This is just the opposite. We can have tears on the outside but peace on the inside.
"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3).
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
God is the God of peace.
"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:20-21).
By the way, this is the only place in Scripture where grace and peace come from the entire Trinity. Usually grace and peace come from the Father and the Son.
Principle
God's peace insulates our hearts.
Application
God corners the market on both grace and peace. We find peace when we come to God for it.
God's peace comes during times of trouble. We can have internal tranquility in external turbulence. His peace insulates our hearts and minds. God's peace does not change our problems but it gives us tranquility in these problems. It enables us to face our problems with confidence.
from Him who is and who was and who is to come
The Book of Revelation comes from three sources all indicated by the word "from." The first source is "from Him who is and who was and who is to come." Who is this? This is the One who was past, is present and will come. God has no derived existence. He is the self-existing One. He is of ineffable grandeur.
"The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!'" (Revelation 4:8).
That is God the Father.
"And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: 'We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth'" (Revelation 11:16-18).
This again is God the Father.
John describes God the Father as the One who exists eternally in the past, present and future. This may allude to the whole Trinity and may be an allusion to Exodus 3:14 where Yahweh means "the one who is."
Revelation deals with the total eternal program of an eternal God. His name here carries the idea of immutability and absoluteness. He is the self-existent One. He cannot change.
"Who is to come" may refer to the coming incursion into time by an eternal God. He will right all wrongs. It may appear that God is ambivalent to injustices of this present time, but He has a program to correct the injustices of life.
and from the seven Spirits
The Book of Revelation is also from "the seven Spirits." Who is this expressed in figurative language? The "seven Spirits" refers to the Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity. The phrase "seven Spirits" is a symbolic reference to the Holy Spirit in His seven ministries of Isaiah 11:2.
It is impossible to ignore the number seven in the Book of Revelation. "Seven" here may refer to the plenitude of the Holy Spirit. The number seven is the number of perfection in Scripture (1:20; 3:1; 5:6; compare, Isaiah 11:1,2).
who are before His throne
God's sovereignty operates in sight of the fullness of the Spirit.
Principle
The Trinity is the source of grace and peace.
Application
God is a giving God. He is also a God who gives peace. We often think that the Christian life depends upon us. When we lose this focus, we lose the essence of Christianity.
We need the plenitude of the Holy Spirit's filling to execute the Christian way of life.
Revelation 1:5
"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…"
Verse five transports us to the third "from." Jesus is the third source of grace and peace.
and from Jesus Christ,
The third "from" indicates that Jesus is the also a source of grace and peace.
John named the Father and the Spirit using figurative language. He does not do the same with Jesus Christ. He names Him outright, for Jesus is the subject of this book. Three titles of Jesus follow that summon His death, resurrection and exaltation.
the faithful witness,
John makes three statements about the priceless person of Jesus and three about His awesome work.
His person:
1. "The faithful witness"
2. "The first begotten of the dead"
3. "The prince of the kings of the earth"
His work:
1. "Who loved us"
2. "Who washed us"
3. "Who made us"
The word "faithful" means trustworthy. We can trust Jesus' words and actions. He is reliable in conveying a true representation of God. We depend on Him in such a way that it inspires trust in God. We place our full confidence in His Word.
Jesus is trustworthy in His witness because He faithfully testified to all the counsels of God the Father (John 1:18). He is faithful to us in that He delivers the message without pulling any punches.
Principle
We can trust Jesus with our eternal future.
Application
Jesus never misrepresented anything. He never overstated or understated anything. That is why we trust Him. That is why you can put your life in His hands. Jesus will not fail you.
the firstborn from the dead,
Jesus is the first to rise from the dead permanently (1 Corinthians 15:20; Colossians 1:18). Other people were raised from the dead only to die again. This is not resurrection but resuscitation. Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead but he died again. He was mortal. God raised Jesus from the dead to live forever. Jesus has immortality.
"Which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen" (1 Timothy 6:15-16).
Jesus is called "first born" five times and "only begotten" five times. "Only begotten" refers to the incarnation (His physical life on earth). Five passages in the New Testament portray Christ as first in priority. Colossians 1:15 presents Him as first before all creation and He is also the originator of creation.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:15-16).
Jesus is first in position over creation.
Jesus is first in resurrection (Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5).
Jesus is first in rank over the church (Romans 8:29).
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29).
Under Judaism, the right of the firstborn son held status. "Firstborn" does not imply other children in the family. It conveys superiority of rank. He ranks superior to any in His class.
Principle
We should give Jesus first place in our lives.
Application
Jesus has the right to first place in our lives.
and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
Jesus is King Jesus, King of the world. All world rulers derive their authority from Jesus. The authority of Jesus limits their authority. The political leaders of the earth do not know this right now but they will in a future day.
"Which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords…" (1 Timothy 6:15).
Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
"But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses" (Acts 3:14-15).
"Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31).
The Devil rules the world now (Ephesians 2:2). One day, in the Millennium, Jesus will be the King of Kings, King of the World.
Principle
Jesus will ultimately overcome the world's problems.
Application
The world's problems will not ultimately be resolved by democracy. God's plan is to resolve them by a Benevolent Dictator, King Jesus, King of the World.
The nature of man is so corrupt that there is no hope in man, even in the great democracies of the world. The ultimate answer is in a Person. At a personal level, that same Person is the answer for each individual. If we embrace Him as our Savior, we will know peace with God and the peace of God.
To Him who loved us
Jesus' motivation in doing what He did is love. Jesus needed to love us before He would free us from our sin. He needed to free us from our sin before He "made us" (v.6). The sequence is important. It would not be a good thing to have unforgiven kings and priests.
"Loved" is in the present tense. Jesus loves us now. Jesus loved his disciples unto the end. His love is persistent and insistent.
"Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end" (John 13:1).
Principle
Jesus loves us unconditionally.
Application
Jesus loves us to the end. His love is unconditional. There is never a point where He stops loving us. We cannot calculate this kind of love.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).
"To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19).
The love of Christ is not fathomable. We cannot explain it. It is inscrutable.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25).
Revelation 1:5b-6 is a doxology. This doxology includes three things. First, that He loved us. Second, that He loosed us from our sins. And the third element is praise.
and washed us from our sins
The second work that Jesus did for us was to free us from our sin. The word "washed" in some manuscripts means to loose, dissolve. Jesus dissolved our sins in the sight of God.
Principle
We have complete and eternal forgiveness by the death of Christ for our sins.
Application
Has it dawned upon you that only God can forgive sins? The wonderful thing about the gospel is that God will forgive any person for any sin and for any amount of sins.
"Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31).
"To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins" (Acts 10:43).
"Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38-39).
"To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:18).
We do not have to go through religious rites to receive forgiveness of sins. The religions of the world are sham substitutes. Religion is the counterfeit, apocryphal way men invent ways to get to heaven.
God does not ask us to suffer for sin. Jesus did all of the suffering necessary for our sin. To reject His suffering for sin is to insult His work on the cross. We think that we must somehow pay for our sins. No penance is necessary. Jesus did all the penance on the cross. This is why we love Him so.
"I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake" (1 John 2:12).
No good works will rid you of sin because your work is inadequate to resolve the demands of a holy God. God is perfect, so His demands are perfection. We cannot have perfection in ourselves. We can only have it by Jesus completely washing away our sins.
in His own blood
Jesus did not free us from sin by His life. He freed us by His death, His substitutionary death on the cross for our sins.
Blood was the system of atonement in the Old Testament (Exodus 12:13; Leviticus 17:11). In the Old Testament God covers sin [atonement, to cover] but in the New Testament God wipes out sin completely by the blood of Christ.
"For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28).
"Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:25-26).
"Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Romans 5:9).
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13).
"For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:19-20).
"Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19).
"And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth'" (Revelation 5:9-10).
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Revelation12:11).
Principle
Jesus gave His life so that we can have eternal life.
Application
In every case it is the blood of Christ that forgives us, not religion, good works or doing good for society.
There is no redemption without the shedding of blood. Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away our sin.
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29).
"And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22).
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14).
"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh [his body]…" (Hebrews 10:19-20).
Jesus frees us from our sins by His blood. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. God judged Jesus for our sins. No more judging of sin needs to be done. Jesus suffered all that was necessary in God's eyes. Jesus is the only person who can forgive sins. Jesus is the great emancipator.
"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).
Jesus could not have removed our sins further from us.
"Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back" (Isaiah 38:17).
Revelation 1:6
"And has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen"
We now conclude the first of many doxologies of the Book of Revelation.
and has made us kings and priests
A king has the right to rule. Christians have the right to rule under God. God gives Christians spiritual authority. We have rights before God because of Christ's death for our sins. We have the right to share those rights with others.
A priest is one who offers sacrifice and worship to God. The New Testament depict Christians as "a kingdom of priests" (Revelation 1:6) and "a holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5) and "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). Christians are to offer sacrifices (Romans 12:1; Philippians 2:17; 4:18; Hebrews 13:15, 16).
Only as we own Jesus' kingly authority can we fulfill our priestly functions. The more we enter into His authority, the more we can worship as priests. A priest's role is to mediate between man and God. Witnessing is a priestly function.
to His God and Father,
Jesus made us kings and priests to function toward God.
to Him be glory
We glorify Jesus because He made us kings and priests. The statements of this doxology are of such magnitude that John magnifies God with great glory.
and dominion
The idea of dominion is force, strength, might, and more especially manifested power. Jesus has the power to rule or control. This word especially occurs in doxologies (1 Peter 4:11; 5:11; Jude 25; Revelation 1:6; 5:13).
forever and ever.
We give Jesus "glory" and "dominion" "forever and ever" because He loves for us, forgives us and has "made" us kings and priests (1:5-6).
Finite people cannot think outside of time. We use terms such as "forever and ever" to refer to the eternal state, to something that transcends time. Time has a beginning point and an ending point. Eternity has neither; it has no succession of time.
Amen
The word "amen" means so be it. It is a term of faith. John affirms his faith in the glory of Christ. His "amen" places a stamp of approval on this doxology.
Principle
All Christians are both kings and priests.
Application
Christians function as both kings and priests. As "kings" we have a right to rule. We have authority because of our position in Christ.
As priests, we have the right to represent others and ourselves to God. We also have the right to represent God to men. We do this when we share our faith.
Each believer represents Jesus Christ on earth. We are believer-priests. We operate as priests to God and toward each other. No one has special privileges of prayer before God. We all operate on equal ground in prayer. We all get God's ear as quickly as any other Christian.
The full display of our kingship and priesthood is yet to come. We will reign with Christ. By virtue of our position in Christ, we can exercise our priesthood continually.
Revelation 1:7
"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"
Verse five describes what Jesus is in Himself. The latter half of verse five shows what He is to the church. This verse shows what He is to Israel and the next verse shows what He is to eternity and all creation. This may be an outline of the book: What Jesus is to the church, to Israel and to eternity.
Behold,
Any time the New Testament uses the word "behold," an important statement follows. Evidently, the Holy Spirit thinks that this statement about the coming of Christ is important.
This is the second "behold." The first "behold" resulted in a doxology. "Behold" is a dramatic term and means "look at this" (1:18; 3:20; 22:12; 1 John 3:1).
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29).
I had a sudden and stark "behold" experience a few years ago. I was traveling from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Vancouver, British Columbia by airplane. My seatmate and I entered such an extended conversation that I did not listen to the flight attendant as we landed. I got off the plane and rented a car. As I drove away from the airport, a radio announcer reported Calgary, Alberta weather. I thought that it was strange that Vancouver would give Calgary weather in such detail. Then I had my "behold" experience; I was in the wrong city!! "Behold" is a word to wake us up. It tries to gain our attention. God wants to direct our attention toward the coming of Christ. This event is of unusual dimension in God's mind.
He is coming with clouds,
"He is coming" is present tense with a future meaning. John makes an emphatic statement by using this kind of grammar.
Jesus will come two times in the future. First, He will come in the "clouds." This is the rapture. Secondly, He will come right to the earth. This is the Second Coming. First, He will come "for" His saints (John 14:3, Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:23), then He will come "with" His saints (Zephaniah 14:5; Colossians 3:4; Jude 14; Revelation 19:11-14). We should view both of these events as one coming in two stages. This is the climax of all prophecy.
and every eye will see Him,
Jesus' coming will be public (Matthew 24:27). He will come in visible glory. At the Second Coming every person on earth will see Jesus.
even they who pierced Him.
"They who pierced Him" may refer to the nation Israel. Israel will finally see their Messiah come. Israel is in a state of apostasy today (Romans 11:7). What they deny today, they will accept in that day. Jesus will restore the nation Israel to Himself at this time and establish His universal rule over earth as King Jesus, King of the World. It is amazing that the people of His birth reject Him today.
"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" (Zephaniah 12:10).
And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.
The word "mourn" means to bewail as a token of grief. "All the tribes of the earth" will beat their breasts in grief for Jesus. Imagine all the nations of the earth wailing because of Jesus' death on the cross!
Even so, Amen
John adds a personal seal to his statement about the coming of Christ to establish His rule. He understood the impact that Jesus will make when He comes.
"Even so" is the Greek and "amen" is Hebrew for affirmation. John strongly affirms his belief in the Second Coming and its impact on the world.
Principle
The coming of Christ is the pivotal point of history.
Application
All history is moving toward a focal point. One day Jesus will break through the clouds and all creation will change. His coming will impact everything in the world. He will restore the world to its original intent.
Revelation 1:8
'"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'"
God now signs the Book of Revelation. No other book of the Bible has the imprimatur of God. This is God's autograph. Jesus signs in as God Almighty.
I am the Alpha
The "Alpha" is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. The New Testament uses Alpha as the first in a series with the idea of significance or importance. Secular literature designated Alpha and Omega as the entire universe. This title could mean that Jesus holds dominion over the entire universe. He is the "A" and "Z" of everything.
Revelation uses Alpha and Omega of both the Father (21:6; cf. 22:13) and the Son (1:17; cf. 2:8).
Alpha then is a title of Christ (1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13). It is both a designation of God (1:8; 21:6) and of Christ (22:13) with the same parallel (first and last). This affirms the deity of Christ. What the Holy Spirit applies to the Father, He applies to the Son. These terms refer to the eternal God. It comprehends His dynamic activity in all creation.
"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36).
and the Omega,
Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet. God is the end of all things. God is both the beginning (Alpha) and the end of all things. God is both the source and the goal of all creation. Nothing transcends Him. He is absolute God. Omega figuratively means "last." God is both the beginning and the end of all things. God's glory is the goal of all creation.
The title Alpha and Omega refers to the all-comprehensiveness of Christ (Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13). He is all-inclusive in His sphere of authority and status. Only John uses this name for God (1:8; 21:6). He also applies this term to Jesus (22:13; cf. 1:17; 2:8). Jesus calls Himself "Alpha and Omega" four times in the Book of Revelation.
the Beginning and the End, says the Lord,
The use of Alpha and Omega with the "first and last" defines its meaning. God is the beginning and the end of all things. "First and last" occurs in Isaiah 41:4; and 44:6.
This statement is similar to "Alpha and Omega." Jesus is the start and finish (1:17; 21:6).
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus originates and consummates our faith.
Principle
Jesus Christ is the goal of all creation.
Application
The purpose of creation is that we recognize God's glory in the world. That is the purpose of our individual lives. We should make God known to the world for what He is. His glory is majestic; we should make it majestic to those we know.
Revelation 1:9
"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"
I, John,
This is the first of three times John refers to himself as the human author of the Book of Revelation (cf. 21:2; 22:8).
both your brother and companion
John identifies himself as a "brother and companion" to the seven churches to whom he writes. "Companion" comes from two words: with and to partake. A companion is someone who partakes of the same thing as another.
John partakes in three things with his readers. He closely identifies himself with suffering Christians, with the kingdom and with the patience (tenacity) of Jesus Christ. John writes as a co-sufferer in these three areas with his readers.
First, John identifies himself as a "brother." A brother is a person who comes from the same womb. In this case, the womb is spiritual birth. He is talking to those who have been born spiritually in Christ. There is a unique suffering that comes to those who claim Christ as their Savior.
in the tribulation
Secondly, John identifies himself as a "companion" in three categories. First, he is a companion in "tribulation." "Tribulation" means to put under pressure. The Domitian reign (81-96 AD) put pressure on him. Domitian regarded Christianity as a threat to the Roman Empire. John says in effect, "I am a partner with you in your tribulation. Look at me, I am banished to this Isle of Patmos. I have it difficult, just like you."
and kingdom
The second area where John was a "companion" is in the area of the "kingdom." "I share the true kingdom with you. The kingdom of Rome cannot daunt us." The "kingdom" is God's plan for man beginning with salvation and ending in His glory. He had confidence that God had a plan for his suffering.
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…" (Colossians 1:13).
and patience of Jesus Christ,
The third area where John was a "companion" was in "patience." Our English word "patience" is a weak idea compared to the Greek idea. The Greek idea carries the ideas of tenacity. God gives those who walk by faith a bulldog-like tenacity of soul.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (June 16:33).
John knew how to be tenacious in his soul when it came to suffering. "Patience" means endurance. Since sin reigns unchecked, the Christian is in a war. Our tenacity of soul comes from our relationship to and our confidence in Jesus.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Patience comes from faith in God's provision. Pressures cannot get to those who operate by faith.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
God's Word was in John's soul before persecution came. He could cope with pressure by applying principles of God's Word to His experience.
Principle
Affliction, kingdom and patience are the best things to equip us to enter the kingdom.
Application
Jesus is King over the church. He knows what it is going through. He is too wise to make a mistake and too good to do wrong. We can place confidence in Him because He is faithful to us.
was on the island that is called Patmos
Patmos was a tiny (six kilometers wide and eight kilometers long) rocky island in the Aegean Sea about 80 to 100 km southwest of Ephesus (in modern Turkey). The Roman government banished John there for his witness for Christ. He was in exile for Christ.
for the word of God
The Roman government banished John to Patmos for two reasons: 1) "for the word of God" and 2) "for the testimony of Jesus Christ." John's suffering came from proclamation of his faith in the Word and his testimony of Jesus Christ.
The word "for" in the Greek means because of. It was because of the Word of God that he ended in exile. John came under persecution for taking a stand on the Word of God. He was faithful to the Word. He did not compromise it.
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God…" (2 Timothy 1:8).
and for the testimony of Jesus Christ
The word "for" again means because of. Rome banished Peter to Patmos because of his testimony for Christ.
Principle
Those who live by faith can endure being an outcast from society.
Application
The world asks for our allegiance. When we do not give it, they view us as outcasts. There is no neutrality when it comes to sharing our faith. It is a case of paying the price of an outcast to faithfully proclaim God's Word.
A person who shares his faith enters open warfare. There is no neutrality because of the mutually exclusive message of Christ.
Do you feel like you are an outcast because of your testimony for Christ? Join the apostle John, for he was an outcast as well. He was willing to suffer for Christ because Christ meant something to him. The issue boils down to our love and appreciation for Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:10
"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet…"
I was in the Spirit
The word "was" means to come to be. John entered a state where the Holy Spirit could reveal Scripture to Him. He was in a state characterized by the Holy Spirit's control over him.
"In the Spirit" means that John was in an attitude of worship, not in a state of ecstasy. He was in a state of honoring God by thinking about Him, His majesty and power. This phrase may mean that he was filled with the Spirit. He may have been out of fellowship with the Lord and came into fellowship on this Sunday. We should never go to church without being filled with the Spirit. Otherwise, we will not benefit from the service.
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24).
John was in a condition where God could give him the visions of Revelation. As an apostle, he had the authority to write Scripture.
on the Lord's Day,
The only occurrence of the "Lord's Day" in the Bible is found here. The word "Lord's" means belonging to the Lord, as in the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20).
The "Lord's Day" here is Sunday, not the Sabbath. Sabbath means seven and that is Saturday, the seventh day. The Jews worshipped on Saturday. That never changed. The Sabbath was a commemoration of creation.
Sunday is not a day of rest. Sunday is a day we set aside for the Lord Himself. Christians worship on Sunday and that has never changed. The work of salvation is different from the work of creation. As we do not bring lambs to slaughter in church, neither do we worship on Saturday. Saturday is passé to the New Testament Christian.
The day Jesus rose from the dead is referred to as the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2,9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1,19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2). The Lord's Supper was normally observed on the first day of the week. The only time the New Testament uses the term "Lord's" is for the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20).
Some people make the Sabbath by this they mean Sunday a holy day. These same people support blue laws. This obscures the work of grace in Christ.
and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet
John heard a voice behind him like a blaring military trumpet. This is the voice of the Lord Jesus.
Principle
The Christian worships on Sunday because of the work of grace in Christ.
Application
The mature believer regards every day alike (Romans 14). There is no difference between Sunday and any other day (Colossians 3). Some people feel it is sin to go to a professional baseball game on Sunday. Sunday is different in one sense only -- that is the day for assembly worship.
We need to be careful about how we handle the idea of Sunday. We should not make rules about what we do on Sunday. Some people love to make Sunday a miserable day. They drive young people away from the Lord by their legalism.
Some people legalistically worship on Sunday but act differently all week long. Sunday is not a day "to make it up to God." Sunday is just another day except for worship.
Revelation 1:11
"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'"
saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega
This is the title of Jesus that we find in verse eight. Jesus transcends time because He exists from before time and after time. He began before time and created all things (John 1:1,3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:10).
the First and the Last
At the beginning of the message of Revelation, Jesus states His credentials. He is Lord of time and history. He is Lord over the Roman Empire. Jesus knew all events of the Roman Empire before time began.
It is interesting that a message that begins with these great credentials, and thus bearing great weight, evangelical Christians ignore and some even denigrate.
and, What you see, write in a book:
Jesus tells John to write what he sees. Evidently, Jesus was the first person to use an overhead projector when He preached! Jesus wants John to get this down on paper (or parchment, if you prefer).
and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia
"Asia" is not the Asia of today but refers to an area of western Turkey. This is the Roman province of Asia. God gives John the responsibility to minister to the churches near his little rocky prison. All of the other apostles may now be dead.
Jesus gives John his orders to write the Book of Revelation and to send it to certain churches. to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.
John does not choose these churches for their importance. Troy and Miletus were more populous than Thyatira and Philadelphia.
John names these churches according to a geographical order. He begins with Ephesus on the coast and goes north on a half circle and ends in Laodicea in the east. These cities, connected by superb roads, had vigorous communication between them.
These churches are seven representative churches for all time. Jesus will discipline each church for a specific problem. Jesus will put out their light if they are not faithful to His purposes.
Principle
Jesus, as the Sovereign Son of God, knows everything we face from eternity.
Application
Although John suffered persecution from the Roman Empire, Jesus knew it before time began. This was no capricious event in history. The Sovereign Son of God placed John's situation in time for His own purposes. Jesus understands his situation thoroughly. John had no excuse to feel self-pity or go over to a corner to sulk.
Jesus is aware of our situation at all times. There never was a time when He was not perfectly aware of our situation. He always has a perfect solution for any problem we might have.
Revelation 1:12
"Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands…"
Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.
John heard a voice behind him and turned to see who it was that spoke to him.
And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands
The first thing that John saw was "seven golden lampstands." Evidently, there were seven individual lampstands rather than one lampstand with seven lamps as the lampstand in the temple.
Verse 20 interprets the symbols of "lampstands" as churches. The lampstands may refer to the light of truth they cast both upon non-Christians and Christians. Churches are truth-oriented. Churches are not the light; they only carry the light. Thus, churches reflect the glory of God.
"Golden" may refer to the value these churches hold in the eyes of Jesus. They are precious to Him.
Principle
The purpose of the church is to glorify the Lord Jesus to the world.
Application
The picture is the Lord standing in the midst of churches judging them for their aberrance. Lamps are for the dark. If churches cast darkness, they lose their purpose.
Churches are not the light; they only carry the light (Matthew 5:14). Jesus is the light of the world. Darkness will continue until Jesus comes. We need to remember that the program of the church is not the light. If they teach the Word, they shine the light of God who is Jesus the Lord.
Revelation 1:13
"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"
and in the midst of the seven lampstands
Jesus is personally present among the churches (1:20; 2:5).
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).
Jesus cares about churches. He is in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). He examines them to see if they are shining the light. Churches are supposed to be a testimony to the light. They are not the light, but they witness to the light. The Savior examines the light of the churches to see how bright it shines. If a church does not testify to the light, He will remove the church (2:5).
One like the Son of Man,
Daniel uses this expression in his prophecy (7:13) to refer to the Messiah. "Son of Man" depicts His humanity. It was His humanity that died upon the cross. His deity could not die. The second person of the Trinity died on the cross in a human body.
John writes the Book of Revelation about 65 years after Jesus died. He is now functioning as great High Priest ever living to make intercession for us.
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession" (Hebrews 4:14).
"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
clothed with a garment down to the feet
The picture is of a priest in the Old Testament dressed in a long robe.
and girded about the chest with a golden band
This "golden band" was probably a golden sash like the breastplate of the High Priest of the Old Testament.
Revelation no longer depicts Jesus as a criminal on the cross but as the glorious Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God interceding for the saints.
Principle
Jesus removes churches that do not shine the light of His glory.
Application
Jesus will snuff out the light of the church that does not shine His glory. Jesus will remove its testimony completely. Eventually, all these seven churches lost their testimony. That area of the world became Muslim. Jesus completely removed their testimony.
Paul never ministered in any city longer than the city of Ephesus (three years). Today there is little testimony left there. Many churches in North America no longer have a testimony. Their churches stand as empty shells of what they once were.
If the Lord Jesus were to come to your church to examine its effectiveness in shining the light of Jesus, how would He evaluate your church? Is your church effective in reaching people for Christ? Are the Christians in your church reflecting the glory of Christ.
If your church does not measure up to Jesus' standards, He will eventually remove your church from His plan.
Revelation 1:14
"His head and h