Revelation 1

Revelation 1:1-3

The Introduction to the Book of Revelation – John 1:1-3 serves as the introduction to the book of Revelation. It may have been written by the apostle John himself, but since these opening verses refer to him in the third person, it may well have been added by his disciples in order to prepare this document as a circular letter. For example, these disciples may have added words that John himself used in introducing this Revelation to the churches. The Direct Words of Jesus Christ - G. Campbell Morgan notes how the book of Revelation was written by the apostle, not by non-visionary inspiration as were the Gospels and New Testament epistles, but by direct communication in a divine vision between the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostle John himself. Thus, this book contains the last words of the Lord Jesus Christ to one of the Twelve apostles.[25] [25] G. Campbell Morgan, A First Century Message to Twentieth Century Christians: Addressed Based Upon the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1902), 7.Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Revelation 1:1 — “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” – Comments – “The Revelation” - The word “revelation” does not mean something that is hidden, but rather, something that is revealed. The book of Revelation is not the book of hidden mysteries not to be revealed, but rather, the unfolding of the events of the last days that will usher God’s children into eternity. It is God’s intent that we understand this glorious book and not lay it aside as being too difficult to understand. This is why this same verse says, “to show (or reveal) unto His servants,” and why Jesus will tell John, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” (Revelation 1:3) Thus, we must understand this revelation in order to keep the words written in it. “of Jesus Christ” - Some commentators and scholars entitle this book “The Revelation of John the Apostle.” However, this is in fact the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Since the underlying theme of the book of Revelation is the glorification of the Church, the phrase “the revelation of Jesus Christ” more specifically refers to His Second Coming, when He will reveal Himself to the Church and to the world in all of His Glory. The book of Revelation is structured around the events leading up to His Second Coming. We find this same Greek phrase used three other times in the New Testament as a reference to His Second Coming, sometimes being translated into English as “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” or “the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:7, “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:13, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” - This book is given a title by the author, “A Revelation of Jesus Christ.” In addition, the phrase “the revelation of Jesus Christ” refers to the fact that the book of Revelation will reveal Jesus Christ in three of His offices and ministries during the last days. In particular, Revelation 1-3 will reveal Jesus Christ in His office as Head of the Church, in which passages He will be judging the Church in order to prepare it for His Second Coming to receive it in the form of the Rapture. As Head of the Church He has the authority to judge His body. Revelation 4:1 to Revelation 19:10 reveals Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. This title gives Him the authority to judge the world in preparation for His Second Coming at the end of the Great Tribulation Period, for He alone is worthy to open the seals of the book that contains God’s judgment upon this earth for crucifying God’s Son. Revelation 19:11 to Revelation 22:5 reveals Jesus Christ as the King of Kings, who will reign on earth at the time of His Coming. Thus, the book of Revelation is indeed a revelation of Jesus Christ as He serves in His offices related to His Second Coming. The book of Revelation will reveal additional aspects of His divinity. To the Church Jesus Christ is also revealed as the Faithful Witness, the First Begotten from the Dead, the eternal Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, who judges the Church to make it read as His bride, and who is coming again in clouds of glory (Revelation 1:4 to Revelation 3:22). The Gospel of John also reveals the divine character of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The Synoptic Gospels have revealed Jesus Christ as the Messiah and King of the Jews (Matthew), as the Miracle-Worker (Mark) and as the Saviour of the World (Luke). The epistles have revealed Jesus as the Head of the Church, the Shepherd of the Sheep as well as our Great Intercessor. However, the book of Revelation emphasizes Jesus’ ministry related to His Second Coming in order to rule and reign on earth eternally. Revelation 1:1 — “to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass” – Comments - The purpose of this revelation to John is to show what things are soon going to happen on this earth. By its very nature apocalyptic literature was written to those who were being persecuted by ruling powers. Therefore, the urgency of its prophetic message and the element of time are important in order to give its readers hope. John introduces his letters to the seven churches by saying that he was their brother and companion in their present tribulation (Revelation 1:9). Revelation 1:9, “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” The book of Revelation closes with an urgent statement, saying, “the time is at hand” (Revelation 22:10), and “behold, I come quickly” (Revelation 22:12), and “Surely, I come quickly” (Revelation 22:20). The recipients are “His servants,” Christians. In other words, this revelation was not just to John the apostle or the early Church. This revelation is for all believers of all ages to study and to understand. Revelation 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Revelation 1:2 — “Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ” – Comments - In the opening verse that God gave the word to John the apostle. This Word of God became a revelation, or a testimony, of Jesus Christ. This phrase will be used again in Revelation 1:9 and Revelation 6:9. Revelation 1:9, “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 6:9, “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:” Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Revelation 1:3 — “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy” - Comments - The reader is singular and they that hear are plural. In those times, there were fewer books and less people who could read. So, one who could read would read aloud to his hearers. Some scholars see this phrase particularly referring to the practice of the public reading of God’s Word, which was practiced by the early Church and which goes back to the time of Moses and even Joshua. Moses commanded this public reading to be done every seven years. These leaders of Israel read to the people in order that they might understand God’s ways. Deuteronomy 31:10-11, “And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.” Joshua 8:34-35, “And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.” The Scriptures reveal that Ezra and Nehemiah carried on this custom of the public reading of Scriptures. Nehemiah 8:1-3, “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.” During Ezra’s time, the Scriptures were interpreted for the people in order that they could have full understanding of the Hebrew language, who were now speaking Aramaic. Nehemiah 8:8, “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” During the inter-biblical period, the priests began to read and exhort from the Scriptures in the Jewish synagogues. We see Jesus not only reading the Scriptures publicly in Luke 4:14-30, but exhorting and teaching the people publicly out of the Scriptures. During the time of Timothy, the apostolic writings began to be read at church gatherings along with the Old Testament Scriptures. As a result, these writings began to hold equal authority to the Old Testament Scriptures. Thus, we see in 1 Timothy 4:13 the beginning of the canonization of the New Testament Scriptures. 1 Timothy 4:13, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” Now here, several decades later in John’s writings, we see in Revelation 1:3 a reference to public reading as it became established in the churches of Asia Minor: Revelation 1:3 — “for the time is at hand” – Comments - The author tells us that the time for these events to occur is “at hand”, or “near”. What events that are approaching so quickly is this verse referring to? Note that this book was written two thousand (2000) years ago, yet the time is near. Many scholars suggest that the letters to the seven churches refer to seven periods of Church history that begin with the death of the last apostle John and end with the Rapture of the Church two thousand years later. This would be one way to explain the use of the phrase in Revelation 1:3, “the time is at hand”. Revelation 1:3 — Comments - There are blessings bestowed upon the readers and hearers and doers of the Word of this prophecy. Note that the hearers of this word are also to become doers (See James 1:19-27). The blessings of God come after doing three things: reading, hearing, taking heed to what has been heard. Like in all the Scriptures, the blessings come by reaping what we have sown, when one obeys God’s Word as a sower of that Word. This pattern of blessings is not unique to Revelations, but is found throughout the Holy Scriptures.

Revelation 1:4-3

The Message to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor – Revelation 1:4 to Revelation 3:22 records Jesus’ message to the seven churches of Asia Minor, a message that places emphasis upon their perseverance in the faith, and a message that reveals Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church. We know that we have moved from the General epistles, which carry the underlying theme of the perseverance of the church, and into the book of Revelation. Thus, this section of the book is transitional in that its message is directed to the Church during its closing age as we leave that theme and move into the theme of the glorification of the Church. At the time of the rapture of the Church, which immediately precedes the seven-years of tribulation, the nation of Israel takes back the center stage of man’s history and plays an important role in the rest of this book. Hilton Sutton calls the first chapter of Revelation the “cover letter” to the seven epistles that John sent to the seven churches of Asia Minor.[26] This cover letter explained to the churches how he received the vision and the reason for sending it to them. This cover letter is followed by seven letters to the seven leading churches of Asia Minor. [26] Hilton Sutton, Revelation: God’s Grand Finale (Tulsa, Oklahoma, c1984), 29.Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. John’s Salutation to the Seven Churches — Revelation 1:4-82. John’s Reason for Writing — Revelation 1:9-203. Letters to the Seven Churches — Revelation 2:1 to Revelation 3:22

Revelation 1:9-20

John’s Reason for Writing to the Seven Churches – In Revelation 1:9-20 John the apostle gives his reason for writing to the seven churches of Asia. Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:9 — “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” – Comments - We find this phrase used in the opening verse of Rev 1:2 and in Revelation 6:9. Revelation 1:2, “Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” Revelation 6:9, “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:” Revelation 1:9 — Comments - It is difficult to assign an exact date to the period of John’s exile on the island of Patmos. According to ancient church history, it very likely took place in the early 90’s, during the reign of Domitian, the Roman Emperor. Philip Schaff writes: “The time of the exile is uncertain, and depends upon the disputed question of the date of the Apocalypse. External evidence points to the reign of Domitian, A.D. 95; internal evidence to the reign of Nero, or soon after his death, A.D. 68. The prevailing—we may say the only distinct tradition, beginning with so respectable a witness as Irenaeus about 170, assigns the exile to the end of the reign of Domitian, who ruled from 81 to 96.”[31] [31] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1955), 427.Schaff later concludes from internal evidence in the book of Revelation that this exile took place during the time of Nero, perhaps in the late 60’s.[32] [32] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1955), 428.I would be inclined to believe that a number of John’s ministers from the churches of Asia minor also made their way to the isle of Patmos to attend to him, if the Roman government allowed for such passage to the island. Thus, it is very likely that John was not isolated by himself during this time of exile.Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Revelation 1:10 — “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” – Comments - John’s phrase “on the Lord’s day” (εντηκυριακηημερα) is unique to Scriptures and is generally understood as a reference to Sunday, the first day of the week. Because Jesus Christ rose on the first day of the week, the early Church began to meet on that day rather than on the Sabbath (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2). Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” 1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” However, John H. Ogwyn interprets this phrase to read “in the day of the Lord,” referring to “the future prophetic time that he saw in the vision” called the “Day of the Lord” in many Old Testament passages of Scripture.[33] [33] John H. Ogwyn, Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled! (Living Church of God 2003) [on-line]; accessed 19 September 2010; available from Internet, 6.Revelation 1:10 — “and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet” – Comments - John will again hear a voice as of a trumpet in Revelation 4:1 after recording these seven letters to the churches. It is most likely the same voice of our Lord Jesus Christ that will call him up into Heaven. Revelation 4:1, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” Revelation 1:10 — Comments - My experiences as a Christian show that it is during our greatest trials that God manifests Himself to us in the greatest ways. The greater the trial, the greater the grace that God gives to us (2 Corinthians 12:9). John the apostle received perhaps the greatest revelation and divine visitation during the most difficult period of his life. God will often do the same for us. 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. Revelation 1:11 — “What thou seest, write in a book” – Comments - The Greek word used here for book is βιβλίον, which means a scroll, and not χάρτης, which means a piece of paper. Both were made out of papyrus, but the amount of material contained in the book of Revelation would not fit on a single sheet of paper. It most likely filled a normal size scroll. Revelation 1:11 — “and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.” – Comments - We know that John the apostle was literally writing to these seven churches of Asia Minor. However, these seven churches represent all of the churches in the body of Christ. In other words, in his Gospel, John the apostle records seven key miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ in John 2-11 in order to represent the healing ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, although Jesus wrought many more miracles. He also records seven events in the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus that fulfilled Old Testament prophecy in order to represent the fulfillment of prophecy, although Jesus fulfilled many more prophecies. John also gives us seven occurrences in his Gospel where the Jews rejected Jesus and the Gentiles accepted Him. Therefore, these seven churches are representative of the entire body of Christ. We also know from Revelation 22:16 that this message to the seven churches extends beyond the first three chapters. The message is contained in the entire book of Revelation. Revelation 22:16, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; Revelation 1:12 — “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me” - Comments - John Ogwyn suggests that John the apostle turned around and looked behind him because he was standing in the future of the last days immediately before Jesus’ Second Coming, so that the “Church Age” was almost ended.[34] [34] John H. Ogwyn, Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled! (Living Church of God, 2003) [on-line]; accessed 20 March 2010; available from Internet, 12.Revelation 1:12 — “And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks” – Comments - Jesus Christ will tell John in Revelation 1:20 that the seven golden candlesticks represent the seven churches in Asia Minor that John is to send his message to. Why are churches represented in John’s vision as candlesticks and not images of a congregation gathered in a church? I. Rodes says this description is used because God has ordained the institution of the church to be the light of the truth upon earth until Jesus’ Second Coming.[35] The Church will play a vital role in the end times by proclaiming the Second Coming of the Saviour and eternal judgment to the world. [35] I. Rode, Studies in the Book of Revelation (Oakland, California: Eusebia Publishing Company, 1902), 6.Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. Revelation 1:13 — Comments - As Jesus Christ stands in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, we see the representation of how He stands continually in the midst of these seven churches in Asia Minor. Revelation 1:16 — “And he had in his right hand seven stars” – Comments - We are told in Revelation 1:20 that the seven stars represent the seven angels, or messengers, of the seven churches of Asia Minor. Revelation 1:16 — “out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword” - Comments - In Julius Oyet’s heavenly vision, he says, “Every moment the Lord speaks, you feel a sharp sword of love piercing you from the center of your heart spreading to the rest of the body. It is really the voice of the Creator ever powerful as it was at creation. He speaks and things come into being.”[36] [36] Julius Peter Oyet, I Visited Heaven (Kampala, Uganda: Bezalel Design Studio, 1997), 69.Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: Revelation 1:17 — “And he laid his right hand upon me” – Comments - Jesus Christ is holding the seven stars in his right hand in the previous verse (Revelation 1:16), despite the fact that He reaches out with this same hand to touch John the apostle. Jesus continues to be portrayed as holding these stars in his right hand in Revelation 2:1. Thus, the imagery in the book of Revelation is more allegorical than literal. Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18 — Illustration - In the first decade of this century, B. H Carroll, the founder of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) in Fort Worth, Texas, was traveling out west on a train, and looking out across the Texas plains. The Lord gave him a vision of setting up a school to train young preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As he considered the Lord using him, he thought of his old age, his weak body and his lack of strength to perform such a task. The Lord immediately brought this verse to his heart, speaking it clearly to his spirit. He went to Baylor and urged the faculty to begin a program for training young preachers.

In 1908, this program began. Shortly afterwards, he confronted the faculty about building a separate institution, a seminary. In 1910 SWBTS built its first building in Fort Worth, Texas, and opened its doors. B.H Carroll remained its president for only six short years. He died in 1914, just a few years after the seminary began classes. L.R.

Scarborough, E.D. Head, J. Howard Williams, Robert E. Naylor and Russell H. Dilday, Jr. have all followed as presidents after B.H Carroll’s death. Jesus is he that liveth.

He was dead, and, behold he is alive forever more. This is what God can do through one man’s vision from 1908-1983, for seventy-five years. SWBTS has enrolled 40,000 students, graduated 20,000 and contributed as much as half of the foreign missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention. What a vision![37] [37] Gary Everett, “Class Notes,” in “Baptist History,” Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, Fall, 1981.Note Romans 4:19-22, which tells us that Abraham staggered not at God’s promise though His body was one hundred years old. That is letting Jesus, who is alive forever more, live through you. Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; Revelation 1:19 — Comments - The past, present, and future tenses are used in Revelation 1:19 for John to understand that he is to record everything that he has been and will be seeing in this vision. Jesus tells John that this vision will include visions of future events that are to take place upon the earth. Therefore, we must understand that the symbolic language in the book of Revelation are intended to describe actual, historical events.

1. “the things which thou hast seen” - Revelations Revelation 1:12-17.
2. “the things which are” - Revelations Revelation 1:20 to Revelation 3:22.
3. “the things which shall be hereafter” - Revelations Revelation 4:1 to Revelation 22:5. Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20 — “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches” – Comments - Revelation 1:20 tells us that there were seven “angels” over the seven churches of Asia Minor. It is easy to become divided over whether the angels who have been placed over the seven churches refer to heavenly angels or to the pastors of these churches. The word “angels” found in Revelation 1:20 is the Greek word άγγελος (G32), which literally means, “one who is sent, messengers, or an envoy”. We find this Greek word used in Luke 7:24; Luke 9:52 to refer to men who were sent as messengers by John the Baptist and by Jesus Himself. The Greek word was used to describe the coming of John the Baptist as a messenger sent from God in Matthew 11:10, Mark 1:2 and Luke 7:27. The word άγγελος was frequently used in the LXX to refer to men who were sent as messengers.

This word is also used in extra-biblical Greek literature to refer to men. This view that the word is referring to the local pastors may be additionally supported because of the fact that the seven letters in Revelation 2:1 to Revelation 3:22 are each addressed to the seven “messengers,” which means that someone has to deliver a literal letter to the church members of these seven churches. In other words, John the apostle was told to deliver seven letters to seven “messengers,” which would appear awkward if this were a reference to angelic beings. Thus, many scholars believe that the word is used in its literal sense to refer to the pastors of the churches and not angels. In the New Testament, the word “angels” (άγγελος) more frequently refers to heavenly beings sent from God to speak to man than it does to humans. Therefore, many reputable scholars, such as Hilton Sutton, teach that these were heavenly angels who were assigned to watch over each of these churches.[38] We must agree that the context of the book of Revelation can allow for either interpretation. I believe it refers to the pastors of the seven churches who are to deliver a message to each of their churches. [38] Hilton Sutton, Revelation: God’s Grand Finale (Tulsa, Oklahoma, c1984), 35.Revelation 1:20 — “and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” – Comments - The seven candlesticks in Revelation 1:20 represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. They represent the presence of God and the Holy Spirit in the midst of their congregations. This is easily seen in the letter to the Ephesians (Revelation 2:1-7) when Jesus warns that He will remove their candlestick out of its place (from the presence of God) and they will find themselves in darkness without the working of the Holy Spirit in their midst. Revelation 2:5, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” The number seven is significant in the fact that it symbolizes divine intervention. The seven years of prosperity and of famine in the time Joseph served as testimonies that God was orchestrating these events. In a similar way, God had established seven churches in Asia Minor to which John was the elder.