|
HIS
SERVANTS' MINISTRY
www.godcannotlie.org
Welcome to our website
The
Book of Revelation
Chapter
1
Rev. 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: [KJV] This Book is a revelation
from Jesus Christ, which God (Jesus) gave to John concerning
the events that shall absolutely happen, soon. An angel was
sent to God's servant John, so that John could share the revelation
with God's people.
Revelation (singular) is the title of this book. God (Jesus)
‘unveils’ Christ’s full identity and God’s
plan for the end of the world, and it centers on, and revolves
around Jesus, the Christ (Messiah), His second coming, His victory
over all evil, and the establishment of His kingdom. Jesus gave
His message to John in a vision, allowing John to see and record
certain future events so they could be an encouragement and
comfort to all believers. The visions includes many signs and
symbols that convey what is to happen in the future. Symbols
represent reality! Just what is a ‘symbol’? It is
something that stands for, or represents another thing, for
instance: the symbol of Christianity is the Cross. The symbol
of marriage is a wedding ring. What John saw most of the time,
could not be put into words; it was indescribable; so he used
illustrations to show what it was like. When we read this Book,
let us remember that we do not have to understand every detail
— even John didn’t, and couldn't. Instead, let us
realize that Christ is indeed the glorious and victorious Lord
of all. The word “shortly” is grossly misunderstood.
God’s timetable and ours are quite different (2 Pet.3:8;
Ps.90:4).
Rev. 1:2 Who bare record of the word of
God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things
that he saw. [KJV] John faithfully reported the Word of
God and the testimony of Jesus Christ and everything he saw.
John was an eye witness to all the things in this Book, and
he, in obedience to God, wrote it all down as he was instructed.
May we all be as obedient as John.
Rev. 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. [KJV]
God blesses anyone who reads this prophecy to the church, and
He blesses all who listen to it and obey what it says, because
the time is near when these things will take place.
Revelation is a Book of prophecy (foretelling future events)
and proclamation (preaching about who God is and what He will
do). Prophecy is more than telling the future, but it also gives
us important principles about God’s character and Promises.
As we study this Book, we should get to know God much better,
and in so doing, learn that we can trust Him completely.
When John says, “the time is at hand,”
he is urging his readers to be ready at all times for the Last Judgment and the establishment of God's Kingdom, for we do NOT know when the Rapture will take place; and then the Great Tribulation period. We must always be prepared and watching.
They will happen ever so quickly, and there will be NO
second chance to change sides.
Judgment IS coming: http://www.hisservants.org/rapture,_second_coming_h_s.htm. . . http://www.hisservants.org/judgment_seat_h_s.htm . . . http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_judgment_coming.htm . . . http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_judgment_sure.htm . . . Hell is real: http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_hell_is_real.htm
The mysteries and difficulties of this book go hand in hand
with learning more about God. It is meant to impress upon us
the awe and wonder of God, and to purify the soul of the reader
(as does all His Word), although we may not totally discern
the prophetic meaning. No part of the Bible more fully states
the Gospel, and too, it fully warns against the evils of sin.
God promises a blessing to all who read or hear this prophetic
Book.
Rev. 1:4 John to the seven churches which
are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is,
and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits
which are before his throne; [KJV] This letter is from
John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and
peace from the One who is, who always was, and who is still
to come; and from the sevenfold Spirit (the Holy
Spirit) before His throne. John was to write to seven churches
that knew and trusted him and had read his earlier letters.
The “seven spirits” is another name for
the Holy Spirit, for He is the perfect Spirit of God. The number
seven is used throughout Revelation to symbolize completeness
and perfection.
There can be no true peace, where there is not true grace;
but where there is God’s grace, peace will follow. This
blessing is in the Name of God, and it is an act of adoration
and praise. God “who is, and who was, and who is to
come," is simply stating His eternal and unchanging
character, and too, refers to the Trinity (our Triune God).
Rev. 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is
the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and
the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us,
and washed us from our sins in his own blood, [KJV] Jesus
Christ, is the Faithful Witness to these things, the first to
rise from the dead, and the commander of all the rulers of the
world. All praise to Him who loves us and has freed us from
our sins by shedding His precious Blood for us.
There were others who had risen from the dead — people
whom the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles had brought back
to life — but those people later died again.
Jesus was the first who rose from the dead in a body that is
imperishable (1 Cor. 15:20), a body that would never
die again. He is the Firstborn from the dead, but there
will one day be many others to follow. The Lord Jesus Christ
was from eternity past and will continue on into future eternity,
a true and faithful Witness to all the counsels of God. He will
one day, by His own power raise up all His people. His great
love set us free from our sins through His death on the cross.
We (His people) have been “freed (washed) from
our sins by His Blood” thus guaranteeing us a place
in His Kingdom. Only His precious Blood can justify us (Ro.5:1,
9-10). Because of these things, we can be assured that John’s
message is reliable, is sure and for certain, and is God’s
Word to us.
Rev. 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests
unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever
and ever. Amen. [KJV] He has made us His kings and priests
who serve before God His Father. We should give to Him everlasting
glory! He rules forever and ever! Amen!
All God’s children are made priests to administer God’s
love to others. The fact that our awesome, all-powerful God
has offered eternal life to us (sinners) is nothing short of
spectacular (1 Jn.3:1).
Rev. 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him:
and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even
so, Amen. [KJV] Look! One day He shall come with the clouds
of heaven. And everyone will see Him . . . even those who pierced
Him. And all the nations of the Earth shall weep because of
Him. So be it! Amen!
This is not speaking of the Rapture when believers will be
caught up together with Him in the clouds. This means the physical
and bodily appearance of Christ when He comes to set up His
Kingdom. At that time, ALL who rejected Christ will have deep
regrets for doing so. They do NOT want to see
Him!
Jesus is portrayed as our all-powerful King, victorious in
battle, and glorious in peace. He is not just a humble earthly
Teacher, as shown in the Gospels; He is our glorious and awesome
God. When you read John’s description of the vision, remember
that his words are not just good advice; they are Truth from
the King of kings. Let the Truth about Christ penetrate your
heart and mind, let it deepen your faith in Him, and strengthen
your commitment to follow Him no matter what!
Rev. 1:8 I
am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the
Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. [KJV] Jesus stated: I am the Alpha and the Omega the beginning
and the end. I am the One who is, who always was, and who is
still to come, the Almighty One. He is stating one of the Bible's
tremendous Truths! HE IS OUR ETERNAL GOD!!
Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek
alphabet. The first and the last; the beginning and the end.
Christ is the A through Z in any language.
Again, this refers to the eternal existence of our Lord. Christ
WAS in the past, Christ IS today (now), IS TO COME is His future
reign as Sovereign over all the Earth. Without Jesus, you have
nothing that is eternal, nothing that can change your life,
nothing that can save you from sin. Is Jesus our Lord your reason
for living? Is Jesus “the
Alpha and the Omega” of your life?
We should praise and honor and worship the One who is the beginning
and the end of all existence, wisdom, and power. There’s
a great day coming when we will see the wisdom and happiness
of the friends of Christ (those who have accepted Him), and
the agony and misery of His enemies (those who have rejected
Him).
Rev. 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.
[KJV] I am John, your brother. In Jesus we are partners in suffering
and in the Kingdom and in patient endurance. I was exiled to
the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and speaking
about Jesus.
John is not speaking of the Great Tribulation in this verse,
but of the trials, troubles and persecution that had befallen
believers. John’s home was Ephesus, where he was pastor
of the church, and also overseer of surrounding churches. When
the Roman emperor, Domitian, came to rule, he told John to quit
preaching Christ. John refused and continued to teach the Word
of God. Domitian had John exiled to Patmos, which was a small
rocky island in the Aegean Sea, about 50 miles from the city
of Ephesus. We are not persecuted as the early Christians were,
but even with our freedom there are few of us who have the courage
to share God’s Word with others. If we hesitate to share
our faith in easy times, what would we do in times of persecution?
Rev. 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's
day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, [KJV] It was the Lord's Day, and John was worshiping in the
Spirit. Suddenly, he heard a loud voice behind him, a voice
that sounded like a trumpet blast.
The day and time when John had this vision was the Lord’s
day, Sunday, the first day of the week, observed in remembrance
of the resurrection of Christ. Let us who call him “Lord,”
honor Him on His own day. This day should be wholly devoted
to the Lord, and not used in a sensual, worldly manner. John
was in a serious, heavenly, spiritual frame of mind, under the
gracious influences of the Holy Spirit of God. All who would
enjoy the worship of God on the Lord’s day, must seek
to draw their thoughts from all earthly things. As John was
“in the Spirit” he heard a “great
voice” like a trumpet blast, and then the apostle
heard the voice of Christ.
Rev. 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. [KJV] The voice (Jesus) said:
"Write down what you see, and send it to the seven churches:
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and
Laodicea."
Who was speaking? It was Christ Jesus —
our Lord! Only Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the
last! He tells John to write in a book all that he will see
in the vision, and send it to the seven churches in Asia.
Rev. 1:12 And I turned to see
the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden
candlesticks; [KJV] When John turned to see who was speaking
to him, he saw seven golden lampstands.
When John turned to see who was speaking, he saw seven golden
candlesticks (symbol for churches). The churches receive their
light from Christ and His Word, and we should always hold it high
for others. Golden symbolizes we should be precious and pure;
not only the ministers, but the members of the churches as well.
Their lights should shine before men, so others can give glory
to God. Don’t hide your light under a bushel (Mat.5:15)
Rev. 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.
[KJV] And standing in the middle of the lampstands was the Son
of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across His
chest.
The seven golden lampstands are the seven churches in Asia (Rev.
1:11, 20), and Jesus stands among them. No matter what the churches
face, Jesus is there with His all-encompassing love and wondrous
power. Through His Spirit, Christ Jesus is still among the churches
today. He will be with His churches always, to the end of the
world. He fills them with light and life and love. He was clothed
with a garment like that of the high priest (Ex.28:2-4), thus
representing His righteousness and priesthood (our Mediator).
Jesus “like unto the Son of man” (this title
occurs many times in the New Testament, referring to Jesus as
the Messiah). John recognized Jesus because he lived and worked
with Him for three years.
Rev. 1:14 His head and his hairs were white
like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
[KJV] His head and His hair were white as wool, as white as snow.
And His eyes were like flames of fire.
Jesus' appearance with His white hair symbolizes His wisdom and
His divine, eternal existence (Dan. 7:9). His “eyes
as a flame of fire” symbolize His penetrating and all
knowing insight, and judgment of all evil. Our Lord knows the
secrets of all hearts (Jn.2:24). He knows our every thought (Eze.11:5-B).
He knows the end of a thing, before it begins (Is.46:10).
Rev. 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass,
as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of
many waters. [KJV] His feet were as bright as bronze refined
in a furnace, and His voice thundered like the mighty ocean.
“His feet like unto fine brass” refined
in a furnace symbolizes judgment . . . on ALL sin. “His voice as the sound of many
waters” symbolizes the power and authority of His Word.
Rev. 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven
stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his
countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. [KJV]
He held seven stars in His right hand, and from His mouth, was
a sharp two-edged sword. And His Face was as bright as the sun
on a hot, summer's day.
The seven stars are symbolic of the pastors of the seven
churches. Christ holds these in His Hands; He upholds and
directs them. He has control of the churches and more important,
He has control of the entire universe! The sword in Jesus’
mouth is NOT literal, but symbolizes the power and force of His
Message. His Words of judgment are as sharp as swords (Isa. 49:2;
Heb. 4:12). The sword symbolizes His justice and His Word. “His
countenance was as the sun” when it shines clearly
and powerfully; its brilliance and strength are too bright and
dazzling for mortal eyes to behold. This is our glorified Saviour!
Much brighter than the sun He created!
Rev. 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: [KJV] When John
saw him, he fell at Jesus' feet as thought he were dead. But Jesus
placed His right hand on John and said, "Don't be afraid!
I am the First and the Last.
While Jesus was on Earth, John knew Jesus, and was closer to
Him than anyone else. But in this vision, John did NOT go and
shake hands with Him, nor embrace, nor kiss Him. John didn’t
even speak, but fell at Jesus’ Feet, as if he were dead.
The sight of the glorified Christ simply paralyzed John. Have
you ever considered just what YOU will do when you come into the
Presence of our Lord? John 15:14 Ye
are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.[KJV]
If you SAY you are a friend of Jesus, and Jesus is a Friend of
yours, you are implying that you are obeying Him! Are you, in
deed and fact, doing what Jesus has commanded you to do? The Lord
Jesus spoke words of comfort; “Fear
not.” Words of instruction; from the
One who appeared.
Rev. 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.
[KJV] I am Jesus, the One who died. But, as you see, I am alive,
and shall be forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and
the grave.
Without Jesus, our sins convict and sentence us, but Jesus holds
the keys of death and Hades. Only He can justify us (Rom.5:1)
and free us from bondage to Satan. Only He has the power and authority
to set us free from sin’s control. Believers do NOT have
to fear Hades (present day Hell; holding place of the unsaved
dead) or death, because Christ Jesus holds the keys to both. All
we must do is realize and admit we are sinners, repent and turn
to Him in faith.
If we try to control our lives and disregard God, we are on a
very broad and well used road leading directly to eternal Hell. http://www.judgmentcoming.org/j_c_hell_is_real.htm
Jesus did die! His disciples witnessed Him suffer
and die on the cross. But His resurrection brought Him back to
life. He conquered death and is alive “for
evermore”! His sovereign authority
and dominion is in and over the entire universe (Mat.28:18; Ep.1:22;
1 Pet.3:22). He is Judge of ALL and there shall be NO appeals on any sentence He hands
down. If you do not know Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, listen
to the voice of Christ, reach out and receive His love and the Gift of eternal life that He offers. Rejection of Christ and His love
leaves only eternal Hell!
Rev. 1:19 Write
the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and
the things which shall be hereafter; [KJV]
Jesus told John to write down what he had seen, both the things
that are now happening and the things that will happen later.
This verse is the Divine division of this Book.
- Past . . . “the
things which thou hast seen.” What
has John seen? The Glorified Christ! The Book of Revelation
centers on Christ. He is the Subject of this Book. Don’t
get your eyes on the horsemen, the seals, the trumpets, the
bowls or the beasts; they are all just passing through! Jesus
is the MAIN Character! Keep your eyes on Jesus!
- Present . . . “things
which are.” What are the ‘things
which are’? They are things that pertain to the church.
The church is still here after 1900 years. This includes churches
of today. It includes matters concerning the churches when John
wrote this (about 96 A.D.), but also today.
- Future . . . “the
things which shall be hereafter.”
Revelation very plainly tells us of God’s scheduled program
of things to come. This Book is prophecy! The things written
in this Book shall happen!
Rev. 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. [KJV] Jesus explains
what John saw. This is the meaning of the seven stars you saw
in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars
are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands
are the seven churches.
Keep in mind: take things literally unless otherwise stated,
as in this verse. John makes it very plain when he uses symbols.
“Mystery” in Scripture is a sacred secret that has
not been revealed before. John saw the glorified Christ. Paul
(Acts 9:3; 26:13) saw a great light from Heaven, and heard Christ
speak, but did not see Christ. The “angels”
are symbols for the elders or pastors of the local churches, who
are accountable to God for the churches they represent. Because
the seven letters in Rev. 2-3 contain reprimands, it is very doubtful
that these were literal angels from Heaven. May we always obey
Christ, and give up ourselves completely to Him.
SPECIAL
FEATURES IN THE 7 LETTERS
- Each letter had a direct message to the
local church to whom it was written.
- There is something in ALL the messages that
can be applied to all churches in all ages.
- To each of the 7 churches, Christ presents
Himself in a special way. The description of Christ is definitely
related to the condition of that particular church.
- Letters are addressed to the “angel”
(pastor) of each church; the person in charge of church affairs.
- Christ Jesus begins by stating to each:
“I know thy works.” We CANNOT hide our wrongdoings
from God.
- He first commends (praises) each church;
then condemns (states what is wrong there), with two exceptions. Smyrna and Philadelphia received NO condemnation, and
Laodicea and Sardis received NO praise.
- Each letter concludes with a warning: “He
that hath and ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith.”
We should always listen to what God has to say to us!
Book of Revelation
Ch.1. . Ch.2 . . Ch.3 . . Ch.4 . . Ch.5. . Ch.6 . . Ch.7 . . Ch.8 . . Ch.9 . . Ch.10 . . Ch.11 . . Ch.12 . . Ch.13 . . Ch.14 . . Ch.15 . . Ch.16 . . Ch.`17 . . Ch.18 . . Ch.19 . . Ch.20 . . Ch.21 . . Ch.22 . . Special Comments
Home Page
|