Introduction To The Book (Verses 1-8)
Verse 1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ – The book of Revelation reveals Jesus and His ministry for us in the heavenly Sanctuary. This verse describes how this revelation was given to John.
He sent and signified it – Signified means literally “to make a sign.” Revelation’s symbols are sign language. Why is sign language used? For the same reason that Jesus spoke in parables (Matthew 13:10-16, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14). For God’s people, sign language is not to obscure, but to reveal. Sign language tells a story in words. (Example: Political cartoons - see also Rev. 5:5,6)
Verse 2
The word of God – Revelation is the Word of God, John only bore witness of it through the testimony of Jesus (Spirit of Prophecy, see Rev. 19:10).
Verse 3
Blessed is he who reads…hears…keep – A blessing is pronounced on those who study the book of Revelation and keep (hang on to, obey) it. (SOP 1)
Verses 4 - 6
Revelation was originally written to seven local churches, but the messages are especially for to us today (1 Peter 1:12). The seven churches represent the Christian church in all ages.
Grace and peace to you – A blessing is pronounced from God Himself (see Romans 5:1,2).
The book is a personal message from all three members of the Godhead, the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. Note the titles for each – The Father is the eternal One, the Holy Spirit is all-knowing (see Isaiah 11:2-4), and Jesus is the Faithful witness (Rev. 3:14), the Firstborn from the dead (Rev. 1:18) and the Ruler over the kings of the earth (Rev. 1:6).
Verse 7
He is coming with clouds – Jesus is repeating His promise found in John 14:3. See also Acts 1:9-11.
Every eye will see Him – A universal event that no one will miss.
Even they who pierced Him – Jesus will fulfill His promise in Matthew 26:63,64.
All of the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him – see Rev. 6:14-17.
Verse 8
Jesus reminds us that He is the Eternal One who made everything. He’s in control and will bring everything to pass that He’s promised (see Rev. 21:3-7). What an assurance this is to His struggling, faithful followers on earth!
SECTION I: Messages to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1:9 – 3:22)
Before Jesus returned to heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with His followers after He went away (John 14:16). (See John 14:26, 16:7-11,13 for the work of the Spirit.) Section I of the book of Revelation shows us the fulfillment of this promise, as the Holy Spirit ministers to the church down through the ages.
Heavenly Introductory Scene: Jesus among the Seven Candlesticks (Rev. 1:9 – 3:22)
This section of the book begins with a view of Jesus ministering at the seven-branched candlestick in the heavenly Sanctuary.
Verse 9
In this world we will suffer tribulation (John 16:33) because we belong to God’s kingdom. This requires patient endurance (Hebrews 10:35,36). John wrote the book of Revelation while exiled on the island of Patmos, a Roman penal colony, for faithfully proclaiming the word of God.
Verse 10
John received this vision on the Sabbath day (Mark 2:27,28, Isaiah 58:13).
Verse 11
Jesus instructs John to write the vision in a book and send it to seven local churches in Asia. Each of these churches was in a unique spiritual condition, and they represent the entire Christian church down through history.
Verse 12
John turns to see the One speaking to him, and the first thing he sees is seven golden lampstands. These represent the seven churches (Rev. 1:20). This symbol comes from the Old Testament sanctuary, and represents God’s people (Matthew 5:14-16), fueled by Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:1-6), who are witnesses to the world (Acts 1:8).
Verse 13
John sees Jesus among the seven golden lampstands. This represents that Jesus is always with His people through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18,23). (SOP 2) The description of Jesus that follows is in sign language. It shows us His qualifications to be our High Priest.
Clothed with a garment down to the feet – A robe reaching to the feet was a priest’s garment. Here Jesus appears dressed as our High Priest.
Girded about the chest with a golden band – This golden band represents that Jesus is girded for service (John 13:4).
Verse 14
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow - White hair is a symbol of great age and dignity, signifying that Jesus is eternal (Rev. 1:8).
His eyes like a flame of fire – This represents that Jesus is able to see into the darkness of our souls.
Verse 15
His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace – This represents that Jesus walked through the furnace of affliction before us (Hebrews 5:7-9), which qualifies Him to be a sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 4:14,15).
His voice as the sound of many waters – Waters represent the peoples of the world (Rev. 17:15). This symbol is telling us that as our High Priest, Jesus speaks for all humanity at the throne.
Verse 16
Seven stars – The seven stars represent the angels (messengers) to the seven churches (Rev. 1:20). (SOP 3)
Sharp two-edged sword – Jesus is speaking God’s Word (Hebrews 4:12), which is powerful and cuts to the heart.
His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength – This represents the glory of God’s character, shining out to us in the face of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:5,6).
Verses 17,18
John reacts to this vision of the glorified Christ like the prophets of old (Isaiah 6:5, Daniel 10:4-9). But this is the same Jesus that John had known years before, and He comforts John with words of assurance.
Verse 19,20
Again Jesus commissions John to write out the vision, and He explains the symbolism of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands.
Spirit of Prophecy Quotations
1 “Let none think, because they cannot explain the meaning of every symbol in the Revelation, that it is useless for them to search this book in an effort to know the meaning of the truth it contains. The One who revealed these mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste of heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to the reception of truth will be enabled to understand its teachings, and will be granted the blessing promised to those who “hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.”” – The Acts of the Apostles, pages 584, 585.
2 “Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks. Thus is symbolized His relation to the churches. He is in constant communication with His people. He knows their true state. He observes their order, their piety, their devotion. Although He is high priest and mediator in the sanctuary above, yet He is represented as walking up and down in the midst of His churches on the earth. With untiring wakefulness and unremitting vigilance, He watches to see whether the light of any of His sentinels is burning dim or going out. If the candlesticks were left to mere human care, the flickering flame would languish and die; but He is the true watchman in the Lord’s house, the true warden of the temple courts. His continued care and sustaining grace are the source of life and light.
3 “Christ is represented as holding the seven stars in His right hand. This assures us that no church faithful its trust need fear coming to naught, for not a star that has the protection of Omnipotence can be plucked out of the hand of Christ.
“”These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand.” These words are spoken to the teachers in the church – those entrusted by God with weighty responsibilities. The sweet influences that are to be abundant in the church are bound up with God’s ministers, who are to reveal the love of Christ.” – The Acts of the Apostles, page 586.
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