Book of Revelation - Notes
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Revelation
(1. Authorship) - Who wrote this?
The four suggestions of who the author was:
1. John
the brother of James
John may have been younger than his brother James, since he is usually mentioned after James.
son of Zebedee and Salome
A fisherman at the Sea of Galilee
Partners with Peter and Andrew brother James
one of the “sons of thunder”
Early disciple of John the Baptist
Well connected - New Nicodemus (John 18:15)
One of Jesus 12 disciples
who was one of the most intimate of the Lord’s original circle of disciples (Peter, James, and John)
Witnessed:
The raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37)
The transfiguration (Mark 9:2)
Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24)
The agony in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:37)
Assigned care of Mary (Jesus mother) by Jesus - John 19:26
Wrote the Gospel of John & 1,2,3 John
Retires in Ephesus after exile on Patmos - (Irenaeus, Clement, and Eusebius claim after Domitian dies John returned to Ephesus went to the churches and appointed leaders and set things in order)
2. John the Elder, who lived at Ephesus well into the second century;
3. John about whom nothing is known, the name itself most probably being a pseudonym;
4. John the Baptist.
2. Date - When was it written?
While a few have suggested a date for the Apocalypse during the reign of Trajan (AD 98–117), since the patristic era only two serious possibilities have been perpetuated in the race for an acceptable date of writing.
The first, the early date hypothesis, suggests that the Apocalypse was written during the reign of Nero (AD 64–68).
Epiphanius even suggested a date under Claudius (AD 41–54).
Hort, Lightfoot, and Westcott support a date between Nero’s death and the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.
The widely accepted date of approximately AD 95, placing Revelation as the last book of the New Testament, still appears to have better support.
John was most likely exiled by Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD), the brother of Titus who destroyed Jerusalem.
Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 21–22.
These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so.
“These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so.”
Alternative Views:
Preterist - Then Only
Historical - History Only
Idealist - Allegorical
Futurist - Prophetic
The book of Revelation claims the latter:
Revelation 1:3 (NET 2nd ed.)
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written in it, because the time is near!
Revelation 22:7 (NET 2nd ed.)
(Look! I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.)
Revelation 22:10 (NET 2nd ed.)
Then he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy contained in this book, because the time is near.
Revelation 22:18–19 (NET 2nd ed.)
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy contained in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.
Outline of Chapter 1:
Introduction - Verses 1-3
Salutation & Occasion - Verses 4-11
Vision of the Risen Christ - Verses 12-18
Outline of the book - Verse 19
Prep for Chapters 2&3 - Verses 20
Revelation Chapter 1:1-20
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him (Jesus), to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified (rendered it unto signs) 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 (province of Roman Empire/western 2/3 of Turkey): 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;
WHICH IS - Heb. 7:25 (Present)
So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
WHICH WAS - Col. 1:15-17; John 8:58 (Past)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and all things are held together in him.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!”
WHICH IS TO COME - Rev. 1:7 (Future)
(Look! He is returning with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes on the earth will mourn because of him. This will certainly come to pass! Amen.)
the seven Spirits
Some say the 7 spirits are talking about the seven angels
7 Spirits is the Holy Spirit (possibly)
Isaiah 11:2 (NET 2nd ed.)
The Lord’s Spirit will rest on him— a Spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a Spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a Spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord. He will take delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by mere appearances, or make decisions on the basis of hearsay.
Isaiah 11:2 KJV
2 And
the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,
the spirit of wisdom and
understanding,
the spirit of counsel and
might,
the spirit of knowledge and of
the fear of the LORD;
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.
Three Kings and priest:
1. Melchizedek
2. Jesus Christ
3. Believers in Christ
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him (Zech. 12:10): 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.
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,
The Lord’s Day - Everyone assumes Sunday
Sabbath was instituted before the law is given (Exodus 16:5)
On the sixth day they will prepare what they bring in, and it will be twice as much as they gather every other day.”
There is a question here concerning the legislation—the people were not told why to gather twice as much on the sixth day. In other words, this instruction seems to presume that they knew about the Sabbath law.
That law will be included in this chapter in a number of ways, suggesting to some scholars that this chapter is out of chronological order, placed here for a purpose.
Some argue that the manna episode comes after the revelation at Sinai. But it is not necessary to take such a view. God had established the Sabbath in the creation, and if Moses has been expounding the Genesis traditions in his teachings then they would have known about that.
Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible, Second Edition. (Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019).
On our calendars today Monday is the first day of the week which would make Sunday the 7th day.
Calendar was rendered differently in 1st century Palestine. (Luke 24:1/Matt. 28:1/Mark 16:2/John 20:1)
Luke 24:1 (NET 2nd ed.)
Now on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the aromatic spices they had prepared.
Sunday was the first day of the week which would make Saturday the last day of the week.
Colossians 2:16–17 “Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days—these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ!”
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.
Why these 7 churches?
Local
Admonishment for ALL churches
Homiletic (Personal)
Prophetic (History of the church)???
Name of church
Title of Christ Chosen
Commendation
Concern
Exhortation
Promise to the Overcomer
Close - “He that hath an ear let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
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 girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow (Dan.7:9); and his eyes were as a flame of fire (Heb. 4:13, 1 Cor. 3:13, Mal. 3:2)
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace (symbol of walk); and his voice as the sound of many waters (Ezekiel 1:24, Ezekiel 43:2, Daniel 10:6).
“Like unto” & “As” - simile (figure of speech)
Brass
So the Lord sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people; many people of Israel died. Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord that he would take away the snakes from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous snake and set it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole, so that if a snake had bitten someone, when he looked at the bronze snake he lived.
Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword (Judges unbelievers - John 12:48/Earth smitten - Isaiah 11:4/Antichrist consumed 2 Thess. 2:8): and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.
I tell you the truth, there are some standing here who will not experience death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them privately up a high mountain.
And he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
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; Ram the first and the last:
Isaiah 41:4 (NET 2nd ed.)
Who acts and carries out decrees? Who summons the successive generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, am present at the very beginning, and at the very end—I am the one.
Isaiah 44:6 (NET 2nd ed.)
This is what the Lord, Israel’s king, says, their Protector, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: “I am the first and I am the last, there is no God but me.
Isaiah 48:12 (NET 2nd ed.)
Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I summoned. I am the one; I am present at the very beginning and at the very end.
Revelation 1:17–18 (NET 2nd ed.)
When I saw him I fell down at his feet as though I were dead, but he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last, and the one who lives! I was dead, but look, now I am alive—forever and ever—and I hold the keys of death and of Hades!
Revelation 2:8 (NET 2nd ed.)
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but came to life:
Revelation 22:13 (NET 2nd ed.)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end!)
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 (Chapter 1), and the things which are (Chapter 2 &3), and the things which shall be hereafter (Chapter 4-22);
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 (lampstands) which thou sawest are the seven churches (lampstands are bearers of light/The church is meant to be a bearer of the LIGHT).
The Holy Bible: King James Version., electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. (Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995), Re 1:1–20.