Revelation Chapter 1

Introduction to the Book of Revelation

Many have considered the book of Revelation to be a sealed book and unable to be understood. Bible prophecy is important for understanding the end times.  Many do not understand “Revelation.”  Some are irritated by those who study it. Some say “Revelation cannot be understood.”

Ellen White said, “The prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation should be carefully studied, and in connection with them the words, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” [John 1:29.]”  {GW 148.1}

Title of the Book

King James gave this book the title, “The Revelation of St. John the Divine.” In the earliest extant Greek manuscripts, as well as the writings of several Church Fathers beginning with Irenaeus (c. a.d. 130–c. 202), entitle this book simply “Apocalypse of John.” But as we have read the very first, It is the revelation of Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Revelator, not John. John is but the penman employed by Christ to write out this revelation for the benefit of His church.

The last book of the New Testament, to which its author, John, gives the title, “the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The word Revelation comes from the Greek word apokalupsis, “apocalypse,” “revelation,” means literally, “an unveiling,” and in religious literature, especially, an unveiling of the future. The apocalyptic was a characteristic literary form among the Jews of the intertestamental and early Christian periods. But it comes to us from God the Father and from Jesus, through whom alone any divine revelation can come to man. And He sent it to John through His angel messenger who is Gabriel.

So already we find that what is contained in this book is not a secret or hidden thing, for “the secret things belong unto God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children.” Deuteronomy 29:29.

The multiple use of seven is in keeping with the generally symbolic nature of the book. Beasts and horns, crowns and women, lampstands and olive trees, locusts swarming from a bottomless pit, and, supremely, the dragon and the Lamb, are only a few of the cartoonlike symbols of this fascinating masterpiece.

The Author of the Revelation Book

The author of the Revelation repeatedly identifies himself as “John” (chs. 1:1, 4, 9; 21:2; 22:8). The Greek form of this name, Ioµanneµs (see on Luke 1:13), represents the common Hebrew name Yochanan, “Johanan,” which appears numerous times in the later books of the OT, the Apocrypha, and Josephus. This identifies the author as a Jew.

Who was this John? The NT mentions several men by this name, the Baptist, the son of Zebedee, who was one of the Twelve, John, who was surnamed Mark, and a certain relative of the high priest Annas (see on Acts 4:6). Obviously the author of the Revelation could not be John the Baptist, for that John died before the crucifixion of Jesus; nor is there any reasonable probability that it was the relative of Annas, of whom there is no indication that he ever became a Christian.

Eusebius, the church historian, speaks of the author of the Revelation as the “Elder John” who seems to have been well known in Ephesus, possibly being identified with the “Ephesian School” which developed in the latter part of the first century “the elder.” There is really reason to wonder whether John the elder and John the writer of the fourth Gospel are the same person who wrote the Revelation.

The Beatitudes of Revelation

1. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear. 1:3
2. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 14:13
3. Blessed is he that watchth, and keepeth his garments. 16:15
4. Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper 19:9
5. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. 20:6
6. Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 22:7
7. Blessed  are they that do His commandments or those who wash their robes. 22:14

Dedication the Book

To whom was the Revelation sent and dedicated?

John to the seven churches – While these seven Churches existed in Asia in the days of John, we will also see they are used symbolically within this book, and represents the time period of the Christian Church until the return of Christ.

The number seven in the Bible indicates completeness, thus we are looking at God’s complete Church from the time of the Apostles till the end of time.

The seven churches mentioned in the Revelation were not the only churches in Asia, nor were they the most important. Their selection, however, is deeply significant. The cities where these churches existedlay alog the imperial post road. This Roman highway was built about 133 B.C. It passed through Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, where it joined another main post highway.

The seven churches represent seven phases or periods in the church’s history, stretching from the time of the apostles to the coming again of Christ, the characteristics of which were set forth part in the names of these churches, but more fully in the epistles addressed to them.

Objects of the Revelation

The purpose of the book is “to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass.” Who are these servants? -

A servant is one who faithfully serves his master. Thus these, being the servants of God, must be serving God faithfully by continually yielding their will over to His will, and by doing all that He bids them. They are obedient to him. (Romans 6:16, 20-22)

Blessed is he that readeth, heareth, and keepeth – A blessing is pronounced upon those that read this book, those that hear the words of this prophecy, and those that follow its teachings. We are told in James 1:22-25 that we are not to be a forgetful hearer, but to be a doer of the word, and if we do a blessing will be imparted. If we are a doer of the word we will abide for ever. (1 John 2:17; I Cor. 15:2)

For the time is at hand – The time for the fulfilment of these messages is at hand. Knowing this, “it is time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” Romans 13:11-12.

Doxology to the Churches

From Him which is, was and is to come – This grace and peace was to come from three persons, here is the first. Him which is [present tense], which was (past tense), is to come (future tense), an expression which signifies complete eternity. He is from everlasting to everlasting Ps 90:2.

Seven represents symbolically fullness, completion, and perfection.

Seven Spirits represent the completeness and perfection of the Holy Spirit.

Seven golden candlesticks – According to verse 20 the seven candlesticks represent the seven Churches, to whom the revelation is addressed to.

Seven stars – The seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches. The word angel means a messenger whether human or divine. The messengers of the Churches are the teachers or ministers/leaders as seen in Daniel 12:3, where the wise/teachers, margin, that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars. Christ holds them in His right hand of strength.

Seven Spirits: The designation of the number seven also reveals the fullness and perfection of His gifts and operations by which he works through man.

In Isaiah 11:1-2 we find seven attributes of the spirit listed, as shown below;

1. Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him.
2. Spirit of wisdom.
3. And understanding.
4. Spirit of counsel.
5. And might.
6. Spirit of knowledge.
7. And of the fear of the LORD.

Introduce to Christ, the Son of Man

Faithful Witness -Jesus bears witness to is true as He was to bear witness to the truth, (John 18:37) and whatever He promises He will surely fulfill.

First begotten of the dead – Jesus is also called the first begotten of the dead. God calleth those things which be not as though they were, (Romans 4:17) thus Christ was the Lamb slain from/before the foundation of the earth. (Revelation 13:8)

Alpha and Omega – The first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. It is a phrase that is the same in meaning as the first and the last.

Which is, was and is to come – Previous we have seen that this applies to the Father and His eternal immortal aspect.

His Visible Coming

Behold he cometh with clouds – Clearly a description of Christ coming in the clouds of glory the second time. (Luke 21:27, Matthew 24:30

Every eye shall see him – When Christ returns it will not be a secret event, but every eye shall see Him coming. Matthew 24:27; Acts 1:9-11; 2 Peter 3:10-12; Job 19:25, 27 and Psalms 50:3.

They also which pierced him – Those who were part of the murder of Christ will be raised to witness his return. Zechariah says “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced” Zechariah 12:10. Those who condemned Him will also see Him come. (Matthew 26:64)

All kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him – Those who during their lives did not seek the Lord, who did not prepare to meet Jesus at His return, will wail when they realize that they have consumed their opportunity upon the things of this life, and worse than wasted their time. The things which were so important to them only moments before become the object of their hatred as they realize that they are lost. They wail because they are lost and they know that it was their own choosing. Christ has freely offered salvation but they have rejected it. (Isaiah 2:19-21; 33:14)

Place of Vision

Was in the island of Patmos – A small island in the Aegean Sea about 50 miles southwest of Ephesus. It measures about 10 miles north to south and about 6 miles from east to west at its widest point. This is a rocky and barren island, supposed by contemporaries of John to be a penal colony. (Pliny’s Natural History written about AD 77)

Countenance as the sun – The glorified Jesus shone as the sun when it shineth in its strength for He is the Sun of Righteousness. (Malachi 4:2) The sun is here used to show the extreme brightness of Christ’s glory, His righteousness. (Matthew 17:2) (Acts 26:13-15) (John 17:5)

Fell as dead…right hand upon me – As was Daniel’s reaction in the Old Testament so was John’s in the New Testament (See Daniel 10:5-10)

He that liveth, was dead, alive forever – This is a clear description of Jesus who lived on earth, died for the sins of mankind and then rose to live for ever more. Death has no more dominion over Him. (Romans 6:9)

Have the keys of hell and death – Satan claimed to have the power or dominion of death. But Christ took part of the same flesh and blood as we and, by His death, broke that dominion, thus being able to hold the key/power/authority over hell, that is the grave, and death, this enables Him to raise us from the dead. (Hebrews 2:14-15) The wages of sin is death, (Romans 6:23) but Christ never sinned, (1 Peter 2:22) thus death had no dominion over Him. (Psalms 68:20)  (1 Corinthians 15:25-26) and hell/grave. (Revelation 20:14)

Jesus is telling John this because through the book of Revelation we see a lot of persecution against God’s people. Thus Jesus is telling them not to fear sealing their faith with their blood, for He has the keys to unlock the grave and death and can raise them to immortality when He comes the second time.

Write the things seen, which are and which shall be – Here a direct command to write both his past experiences with Christ, and what he is currently seeing and what will be in the future, which he is about to see in the time he spends with the Saviour.