Revelation 1-3, Christ Speaks to the Seven Churches. The Time is at Hand

The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:1-8

King James Version (Chapter 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: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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.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; 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, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.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. 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.

The Time is at Hand

Revelation 1

I. Our own Personal Witness: John,

You, and I

A. The Effects of Revelation 1:1-3

1. It comes as a gift that bears the weight of scrutiny over a long period of time – “Signified” is the scrutiny. It bears the stamp of approval. V.1

- It must come to pass v.1

2. It comes as a gift that is Christ Centered. V.2

- It is 3x blessed v.3

- It is limited in scope of time.

B. It carries encouragement to the church, and establishment of purpose to the revelation. 1:4-8

1. John’s heavenly uplifting greeting. V.4

- From Him who is, and was, and is to come. V.4

- From the seven spirits before the throne. v.4

For understanding on the 7 spirits, see Isaiah 11:2. There are 7 spirits mentioned in this verse:

1.) Spirit of the Lord

2.) Spirit of wisdom

3.) Spirit of understanding

4.) Spirit of counsel

5.) Spirit of might

6.) Spirit of knowledge

7.) The fear of the Lord.

Do you know of any other functions of the Holy Spirit not listed here?

2. Jesus is individualized v.5

Clearly there is no one like Him, consider this: The Faithful witness,

First begotten of the dead, Prince of the Kings, Him who loved us, & He who washed us in his own blood.

3. Present and future benefits: We will be kings and priests together with Him and the father. Amen. It is a settled matter.

4. The expectation and appearing of Jesus. V. 7, 8.

- V.7 It will be a visual delight // it will be a visual dread.

- First mention here of the concept of Alpha and Omega. Always pay special attention to the first mention principle.

- The manner of His return at the rapture and before the millennial reign will be in the clouds. See also I Thessalonians 4:16-18.

- In spite of grief to many, He is still coming so that He will be clearly seen, “Even so…”

- Watch the building of truth upon truth

a. Alpha and Omega

b. The beginning and the ending

c. The Lord

d. Which is

e. Which was

f. Which is to come.

The Churches are Identified, 1:9-20

King James Version (Chapter 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. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 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. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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 ggirt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 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. 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: 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. 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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.

C. The enduring spiritual legacy: real people and places with extraordinary circumstances 1:9-20. “In the spirit on the Lords day!”

1. The main characters are: a. Our Brother John, b. us (he is transporting us into the revelation), and c. Jesus Christ. V.9

John was on the island of Patmos, banished there to live out his days by the Roman government. He was a spiritual prisoner- because of his preaching of the Word and his testimony of Jesus Christ.

2. The Lord’s Day Spirit experience allowed him to hear a great voice like a trumpet; it was the voice of Jesus Christ. V.10 – 20. Boom! It was a marvelous experience:

- The message of Jesus: I am Alpha, and Omega, the First and the Last, and what you are going to see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. V. 11 - see map on page four.

- John looked to see “the voice.” Isn’t that how they do it on TV?

John’s first glimpse was that of the 7 golden Lamp stands/Candlesticks/ or as one translation says it is seven oil lamps burning on top of seven golden stands. I believe this is a scene that rivals a temple experience, but even more than. In the middle of the Golden Candlesticks (think Menorah) - v.12, was a person who appeared to be the Son of Man – Jesus, “Like unto…” (v.13) At this point The Son of Man had a garment that went down to his feet, and about his chest was a golden sash/girdle. His head and eyes were most prominent at this point (v.14), his head and hair were white. The eyes were as a flame of fire. His feet were like brass on fire- a really big fire (v.15). You might say his voice flowed or it had the roar of waves (v.15). There were 7 stars in his right hand, and the appearance of the Word of God- two-edged sword coming out of his mouth. The Son of Man looked as the strongest point of the Sun as John Looked straight upon Him. (v.16)

You and I would have been like John because the next thing he did was fall flat on the ground. He thought he had died (v.17). The Son of man put his hand on John and reassured him that there was nothing to fear! There are more new personal descriptions detailed in Jesus’ message to John: The first and the last, He that lives (not just a reference to the resurrection but also his death, and burial,) and is alive forevermore. Another settled matter- Amen! To top it all off, in verse 18, is the truth that Jesus has the keys of Hell and Death.”

3. The command of Jesus for John to write all of this down (v.19).

The things to write will encompass a large quantity of time.

4. The explanation of the Stars in His hand and the 7 golden candlesticks: - The 7 stars are the angels-messengers of the 7 churches. The 7 candlesticks are the 7 churches.

The Exact Messages the Churches Received Rev. 2:1 - 3:21

Church #1 - Ephesus

King James Version Chapter 2

2 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast jborne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 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. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.