The Book of Revelation
Unit 3

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INTRODUCTION  Chapter 1

Please re-read what is said in units One and Two about Revelation chapter one verses one and three, then proceed with this unit.

vv.1-3

"to his servants" This book  assumes that the readers are authentic Christians, those who have been immersed into Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27)* Nowhere does it say how one becomes a Christian. That information is elsewhere. (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38) For example the book is for those whose names are already in the scroll of life. In otherwords they are real Christians. They are warned that if they do not remain fathful their names will be removed from the scroll of life.^# So this is a book of encouragement and warnings to all the servants of God whose names are in the scroll of life.^$

*In the Bible "baptism" is immersion in water.  [See the word "buried" in Romans 6:1-6]
^#There is no room for the "once you are saved you are always saved " doctrine in the book of Revelation
^$" References to names being in the scroll of life Revelation 3:5, 17:8, 20:12 & 15, 21:27 and 22:19.

Revelation" (apokaluyiV  apokalupsis - an uncovering)

The whole book is one revelation. The world situation might seem a disaster from our limited human standpoint. 'Revelation' uncoverss the real situation. God's faithful servant, Job, did not know what was going on behind the scene. Yet despite all his suffering he still trusted God*. God here reveals the reason behind what we see, unveiling what is going on behind the scene. Now that the almighty and faithful^# God having in this book uncovered his strategy and purposes to his servants, how much more should they trust Him? This book is written to encourage His servants to be faithful.

* "In all this Job did not sin, nor charged God foolishly."  Job 1:22 [see Job 1:8-12, 20-22, and 2:3-6, 9-10]

^# "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful who promised;)" Hebrews 10:23

"Christ" = "Messiah," the one anointed by God. He is God's reason for having the creation. He was God's means of producing the creation. He is God's solution for the creation. God's eternal purpose is achieved in the creation through him. {"Jesus"= Jehovah is salvation *},

Colossians 1:¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

* Matthew 1:²¹ and you will call his name JESUS: for he will save his people from their sins.

All the answers about the purpose of life and the reason for the creation, are found in the Messiah. Mankind might ask; What is God doing? What is it all about? What is really happening, here and behind the scenes in heaven? This book reveals what was imminent ^$,  is prevalent ^@  and relevant to us ^#. The young, first century church, was being precipitated headlong into the kind of issues portrayed in the book of Revelation. Issues which will beset children of God until the Lord appears to gather up to him his genuine servants [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18].

	$	[v.1	"which must shortly come to pass" (genesqai en taxei) i.e. occur speedily. These events will happen quickly.]
	@	[v.3	"the time is at hand". The period of time during which they  will occur was about to begin.]
	#	[v.3	"blest ... are those who hear... the words " {"words" Greek: logouV = concepts} "of this prophecy" {"prophecy" is not only to do with  predictions about the future. It can consist of teaching for the present. Prophecy is information directly imparted to the prophet by the Holy Spirit . "and keep" This is for God's people to hear and to live by its teaching - now ! Hebrews 3:13... exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.]

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants...."

This book is the Lord Jesus revealing to us* what the real situation is. The evidence presented in the book is from Jesus Christ himself.^$ John was the bondservant (Jesus' slave) selected to write them down in a document [verse 11]. John took note of the "word of God" {"word" gk. logoV} that is God's concept/idea - and recorded it for us. God's concept, intentions, plan, purposes, are all here in the book of Revelation.

* [ "servants" That is all followers of the Messiah, i.e. all genuine Christians! ]

Where you read "servants" in the K.J.V. ( A.V.) of the Revelation, the Greek word means "bondservants". Followers of the Messiah (the Christ) Lord Jesus are bonded to the Messiah.

$ [ v2 "testimony @ of Jesus Christ" and Rev.22,16 "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches." ]

@ [ "testimony" is evidence. Jesus Christ is both the provider of the evidence and He is the evidence itself, of what the God's concept is ]

"Jesus" = Jehovah is salvation. "Christ "= anointed one.

"signified"

The word "signified" (from semeion semeion) means: made known by signs. So we must expect to find symbolism throughout the book. It is a book of signs.

The seven churches were in cities immersed in Greek and Roman idolatrous culture. Also there were Jewish communities in most, if not all these cities. So there would be Christians in these cities who were not only familiar with city culture but also with the Hebrew scriptures. It should not be surprising then that, in the book of Revelation, the Holy Spirit uses scenarios from both Greek/Roman culture and Hebrew Scriptures to portray dilemmas with which they will be confronted and how they should respond to them as children of God. Also these spiritual principles of Christian living will be the same as taught elsewhere the New Testament Scriptures. So we should not only ask what did the signs signify to them but also what are the lessons in them for children of God now.

vv.4-6

v.4

I believe "seven" denotes all the varied aspects of one thing. A week is one and complete, but it has seven days. The seven branches of the temple protrayed the churches as dispensers of the light which comes from the single light-source, that provided by God. The peculiarities portrayed in letters to the seven churches "signify" the varied condition of the whole church. That is why all Christians ("He that hath an ear") are invited to "hear what the Spirit says to the churches." [Revelation. 2:7, 11, 17, 29, & 3:6, 13, 22]  From John's isolation on the prison island of Patmos, the western portion of Asia Minor (referred to here as Asia) would be his gateway to the world.

"from the is and the was and the coming" (literal translation). In the Greek, this sentence is considered to be bad grammatical construction. Here as elsewhere the "bad" grammar is intentional, poetically giving emphasis that could not be given in ordinary grammatically "correct" Greek prose.

Plutarch said that on the temple of Isis at Sais were the words "I am all that is come into being, and all which is and all that shall be; and no man hath lifted my veil.". Pagans are nearly always pantheists, believing that the creation, represented by things that are made with men's hands, is god. The Bible shows us that God is the creator. God must not be confused with His creation. They are distinct from each other. God is one. His creation, though entirely dependent on Him for its existence, is separate from Him.

Romans 1:^:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

God is the eternally existent one.

Exodus 3:^:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM WHO I AM: and he said, Thus you will say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.

"the seven Spirits" before His throne represent the varied aspects of the personality of the Holy Spirit of God, ^# the only one who knows the things of God, God who sits in the all-ruling position. He is pure, holy, separate from sin. So from him will come only what is true, pure and holy in all its many-faceted wisdom, real "grace" (benefaction).

^# 1 Corinthians 2:11:¹¹ ... the things of God knows no man,but the Spirit of God ...

Real "grace" from the only genuine source of blessings, bringing "the peace of God, which passes all understanding," which "will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"[Philippians 4:7].

v.5.

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"the faithful witness"

Hebrews 3:¹ ...consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; ²Who was faithful to him who appointed him ...

Jesus Christ, the absolutely trustworthy testifier is the channel of the benefaction. He brought real life and immortalness to light.

2 Timothy 1.⁹ Who has saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, ¹⁰ But is now made evident by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Making us like him, "the first begotten* of the dead" (*prwtotokoV = first produced):-

Romans 8:²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn [prwtotokoV] amongst many brethren.

Consequently He is superior to all other rulers, "the prince of the kings of the earth."

v.6

"has made us kings" Paul,s rebuke to the Corinthians for what was and should have continued to be will help us to understand the the spiritual concept of reigning as kings in Revelations..

1.Corinthians 4:⁸Now you are full, now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you.

 "to him ...",   His love from the cross has cleansed us, transformed us to being kings (reigning over our lives) and "priests" (bringing Jesus to mankind and mankind to Jesus). For what his love has accomplished in us, he deserves total gratitude, adulation and servitude, always! So be it.

Ephesians 1:¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye might know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], ²¹ Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ²² And has put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, ²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all.   2:¹ And you [has he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Fellow Christians, don't tears of gratitude well up behind your eyes?

v.7

"With clouds" suggests the authority of his appearing as judge.

Matthew 24:³⁰ And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Mark 14:⁶² And Jesus said, "I am: and you will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."

"Every eye", no one will miss this.

The claim that he came in 1914 is false because no one saw him. Some claimed they saw him spiritually. No one else saw him, so neither did they see him since it says that every "eye will see him".

Only John mentions the piercing of Christ's side [John 19.34]. He was there at the time.

Remember this is a book of figure. "they also which pierced him" would include all who would had the attitude of making sure He was "finished off".

"wail* because of him" (*kopto, beat ones chest in mourning) :-

All (even those who wanted him finished off), even all mankind, will be distressed at his death and the reason for it. God will be seen to be just but for the unprepared it will be too late.

v.8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending"  Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Lord Jesus is the reason for the creation from beginning to the end. He is creation's origin and its culmination. He is what life is all about? It is all summarised in him.

Colossians 1:¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

John 1:¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²The same was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made

"who is, and who was"

John 1:¹⁴And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 John 1:¹He who was from the beginning, whom we have heard, whom we have seen with our eyes, whom we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life

"who is to come" literally: "the coming one" [o ercomenoV].  The anticipated Messiah was known as "the coming one" [Matthew 11:3] i.e. the Messiah whom Old Testament prophesy predicted was to come. Here he is called "the Almighty." He is the one "with whom we have to do"

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. [Hebrews 4:13]

See also See the notes on "the first and the last" in verse 11

vv.9 -11

"I am John" He had spent much time with them. They were very familiar to John and he to them. He had shared so much with them. He had been with them in their troubles Now beloved John was a prisoner, in exile "for the word of God".

"to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."   These 7 churches were on a circuit of  major Roman roads  [see map].  They were most likely started either directly by Paul, or indirectly as a result of his preaching and teaching in Ephesus.

Acts 19:9-10:⁹ Paul ... separated the disciples, discussing daily in the school of a certain person named Tyrannus (in Ephesus).  ¹⁰ And this continued for two years; so that everyone who dwelt in Asia (i.e. western Turkey) heard the word of the Lord Jesus ... .

Beloved Paul had been executed for the faith in Rome. From a pragmatic human point of view everything seemed to be going wrong for the cause of God. Beloved Paul executed, John in exile, suffering hostility and persecution, what state of mind were these congregations in?

"the Lord's* day"  It is the first day of the week when the congregations of Christ came together to break the loaf and drink the cup.  John, the beloved disciple, in exile, unable to join his brethren to eat "the Lord's supper,"*  is contemplating the death burial and resurrection of his beloved Master. Maybe thinking how, on the night Jesus was betrayed, reclining right next to him, John heard the Lord Jesus say "I will not drink this fruit of the vine with you until I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom" and the Father's kingdom appeared to be under siege from all sides.

* 1.Corinthians 11:²⁰ When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

["Lord's" Greek kuriakoV  kuriakos. This adjective occurs only in these two places. To my mind there is no doubt that "the Lord's day" refered to th first day of the week when they assembled to remember the Lord Jesus in congregation]

"a great voice as of a trumpet" In that scenario is heard the resounding voice of the victor..

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last" No one precedes him and no one succeeds him He has no predecessors and no successors. He is unique.

"What you see write in a book"  All the visions were to be recorded in one document and the whole document had to be sent to seven churches.

"in Asia" also know as Asia Minor, was the name given to what is now the west of Turkey.

v.12-15

"like the Son of man" The son of God is similarly described in the letter to the church in Thyatira. He who came as man is now our glorified High Priest

"seven golden lamp stands" The lamp stands illuminate the Son of man. The lamp stands are explained in verse 20.

v.16

"seven stars in his right hand" The stars shine forth with the glory of the Son of man. He holds them up. In the east the right hand is regarded as the hand with which honourable things are done. The stars are explained in verse 20.

"went out of his mouth" Note the nature of the battle. The sword went out of his mouth. The weapon is the word of God. The conflict is a spiritual battle not a physical war.

... This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power (Hebrew: force), but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.[Zechariah 4:6]

"I fell at his feet" The beloved disciple who was so close to the Lord is here traumatised by this stunning vision of the "one like the Son of Man".

"I am the first and the last:" No one was before him and no one will follow after him. He is eternal, without beginning and without end

v.18

"I am he who lives, and was dead"  There was a Greek myth that their god Dionysius experienced a horrible death and rose again. In the Lord Jesus' case it is historical fact that he experienced a horrendous death and rose again. this is the central basic fact of the Gospel.

¹Also, brothers, I declare to you the gospel ... which you stand; ²By which also you are saved ... ³For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day ... [1.Corinthians 15]

vv.19 -20  The Angels and The Lamps

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"mystery ..." means "secret". Here is revealed how the son of Man's glory shines forth and how  he is illuminated in this world of satanic darkness? It is done through his churches.

"The seven stars are the angels"  The word "angel" means "messenger". The angels of the congregations are messengers radiating the Son of man's glory. The spiritual state of each congregation is personified as an angel whose service is to shine forth God's wisdom. The people of Asia Minor were familiar with the idea of personifying the characteristics of a community. They personified the city of Rome as a deity whom they named Roma.

Ephesians 3:¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the many-faceted wisdom of God, ¹¹ According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
20 Now to he who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  ²¹ To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  [Ephesians 3]

But what if a congregation fails in this? Its lampstand is removed.

"The seven lamp stands ... are the seven churches"   The congregations are to illuminate the Son of man for all to see. How can that be if the congregation succumbs to satanic pressure and compromises with evil? If the spirituality of the church is tarnished it cannot be effective as God's messenger of the gospel of light. If it does not do an about turn, then the congregation will cease to exist.

"Write ..." Again he is told to write and to include the then  present situation and the situations that would arise.  The seven letters deal with things then present and prepare the way for the scenarios visualised from chapter 4 onwards. They illustrate many, if not all the problems that can beset the membership of the congregations of Christ until he comes, which he will.

RESEARCH TOPICS

1	Where do the phrases "I am the Alpha and the Omega" and "I am the first and the last" occur in scripture and about whom are they talking in each of those passages ?
2	Take note of the use of the word "clouds" in these highly figurative passages :- 2.Samuel 22:12, Psalm 68:34, Psalm 97:2, Psalm 104:3, Proverbs 25:14, Jeremiah 4.:3, Daniel 7:13, Joel 2:2, Nahum 1:3, Zephaniah 1:15.

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