Sunday, January 1st, 2017 - AM - Visions of the Son of Man, Part 2 (Rev. 1:12-16)

This is the first vision that Christ gives John. It is a vision of Christ Himself, of Christ in His glory and exaltation. It is in this vision that the glorified Christ proclaims His message to the seven churches. But before He speaks to the churches, Christ gives John a glimpse of Himself. Christ wants believers down through the centuries to know who it is that has given these messages to the churches. Christ wants all believers to know that the message to the churches is coming from the Supreme Majesty of the universe, from One who must be heeded, from One who possesses all power and knowledge, from One who can provide and protect, assure and secure, judge and destroy. This is the vision of the Author of Revelation, of the One who has given us this awesome message of Revelation. [Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Revelation, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 19.]

Main Thought: What response will you have at the Appearing of our Lord Jesus? John fell at His feet as dead, and received a Word of comfort.

Sub-intro:

John began to write the first of seven visions which make up the Book of Revelation. The others include the Throne of God and the Seven Seal Judgments (cf. Rev. 4:1-8:1), the Seven Trumpet Judgments (cf. Rev. 8:2-11:19), the Heavenly Warfare and Salvation (cf. Rev. 12:1-14:20), the Seven Vial Judgments (cf. Rev. 15:1-16:21), the Fall of Babylon and Coming of Christ (cf. Rev. 17:1-19:21), and the Final Judgment and New Jerusalem (cf. Rev. 20:1-22:5). [Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 51.]

Body:

I. The Commission of John (Rev. 1:9-11).

Note - John calls himself "your brother." That means he is a believer, and part of the family of God by adoption through the Blood of Christ (John 1:12).

A. John's Companionship in Tribulation (v. 9).

Revelation 1:9 KJV 1900

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.

1. In Partnership through Tribulation.

Note - trials, afflictions, sufferings, persecutions, distresses...

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:7–12, KJV 1900)

Note Dr. Strouse points out the need for distinction between these "tribulations" prior to the Rapture and the "Great Tribulation" after the Rapture.

The student of the [Apocalypse] needs to discern that there are tribulations[116] and there will be the “great tribulation” ....[117] For instance, not only was John in tribulation on “the isle” ...of Patmos ...[118] but the assemblies at Smyrna and Thyatira had the experience of tribulations prior to the Rapture (cf. Rev. 2:9, 10, 22). However, during the great Tribulation (of Daniel’s Seventieth Heptad), after the Rapture, the Lord predicted that multitudes would be saved (cf. Rev. 7:14). ([116] The KJV translated [this] noun as “tribulation” (21x) and “affliction” (17x) in its 45x. [117] Cf. Rev. 7:14. [118] This hapax legomena [Patmos] means “my killing,” and was an appropriate name for the Roman’s penal colony. This crescent-shaped island, about ten miles long by six wide, forty miles southwest of Miletus, was an excellent place for banishment in the Dodecanese Islands. The Icarian Sea, viewed from the shore would serve perhaps to help visualize John’s visions (cf. Rev. 13:1). [Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 52.])

2. In Partnership in Christ's Kingdom.

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22, KJV 1900)

3. In Partnership in Christ's Patience.

“Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” (2 Timothy 2:10–12, KJV 1900)

Note again Dr. Strouse's relevant correlation between Christ's Kingdom and Patience when compared to those who suffered in NT times:

The Lord had warned that “the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Mt. 11:12). Certainly, those of the first century were companions with Christ in tribulation, in the kingdom ministry, and in patience. The Baptist John was beheaded, Christ was crucified, Paul and Peter were martyred under Nero, James was slain by Herod, and now John was exiled on Patmos. For his defense of the Word of God ... and for identification with the crucified Savior ... John was willing “to abide under” ...exile, as multitudes before and after suffered all types of afflictions (cf. Heb. 11:33-38 and II Cor. 11:23-28). [Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 53.]

4. In Patmos for Christ's Word & Testimony.

Note - See verse 2.

B. John's Communion on the Lord's Day (v. 10).

Revelation 1:10 KJV 1900

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Note - The meaning?

Not a wild eyed stare or trance

More than Rom 8:9- a transition into a state which enabled John to view the heavenly and future scene.

The Lord’s Day- Sunday? Or the eschatological day of the Lord? If the latter, then it is unusual in the grammar and construction of the normal usage as found in the NT.

Note - Tyndale translated this as "Sondaye" in his 1536 English Bible both here and in 1 Cor. 16:1 in reference to the "first day of the week."

Note - The importance of a Trumpet in ancient times to signal important messages or events.

Note - First Scriptural Reference to "Trumpet":

“There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.” (Exodus 19:13, KJV 1900)

Note - Last Scriptural Reference to "Trumpet":

“Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.” (Revelation 9:14, KJV 1900)

C. John's Communication to the Seven Churches (v. 11).

Revelation 1:11 KJV 1900

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.

Note - for "Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" see verse 8.

Note the confusion bred by the CT's removal of a clear reference to the person of Christ commissioning John which omits these words and has led some "Scholars" to conclude that while this MIGHT BE Jesus speaking to John, they think it more likely to be simply an "Angel":

The “voice” John heard could be Christ’s or, more likely, that of the angel who appears frequently to John (4:1; 5:2). [Alan F. Johnson, “Revelation,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 425.]

Note again Strouse's timely words concerning these "Baptist church plants in Asia":

For the first time, the Lord Jesus Christ declared the audience of His last revelation to Christianity. Unequivocally He addressed seven NT assemblies, representative of the movement He began—the “my church” movement (cf. Mt. 16:18). He began to build up His [ecclesia] in Mt. 16:18, He gave it church discipline in Mt. 18:17-18, and the Great Commission in Mt. 28:19-20, authorizing His [ecclesia] to convert, baptize,[144] and instruct the world. The Lord Jesus continued with what He began, giving to the movement of the Baptist assembly concluding exhortations and future revelations. It is theologically significant that the word [ecclesia] does not appear in the Tribulation passages of the Apocalypse (chapters 4-19), since the Lord promised that His churches would miss the Tribulation via the Rapture (Rev. 3:10; cf. I Thes. 5:9). The seven assemblies were church plants in seven cities in Asia[145] or Asia Minor (western modern day Turkey). ([144] One should not ignore the biblical fact that the Christian era began with a great deal of Baptist activity (cf. Mt. 3:1-17). [145] This refers to the Roman province of Asia or western region of Asia Minor. [Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 57–58.])

II. Eleven Characteristics of Jesus (Rev. 1:12-16).

A. His Place - "in the midst" (v. 12-13a).

Revelation 1:12 KJV 1900

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Note - Have you ever "seen a voice?"

Note - John SAW the One behind the voice and then he PERCEIVED the seven golden candlesticks.

B. His Person - "Son of man" (v. 13b).

Revelation 1:13 KJV 1900

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.

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:9–14, KJV 1900)

“Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” (Daniel 10:5–6, KJV 1900)

C. His Garment - High Priestly (v. 13c).

“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.” (Exodus 28:1–5, KJV 1900)

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16, KJV 1900)

“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” (Hebrews 7:24–26, KJV 1900)

D. His Girdle (Golden Sash) - Authority (v. 13d).

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18–20, KJV 1900)

E. His Head & Hairs - Whiteness (v. 14a).

Revelation 1:14 KJV 1900

His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Note - Wisdom/reverence

“Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:32, KJV 1900)

“The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way of righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:31, KJV 1900)

Note - Eternality

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.” (Daniel 7:13, KJV 1900)

“But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2, KJV 1900)

Note - Righteousness of God/Holiness

F. His Eyes - Perception/Omniscience (v. 14b).

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3, KJV 1900)

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.” (2 Chronicles 16:9, KJV 1900)

“But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” (John 2:24–25, KJV 1900)

G. His Feet - Empathetic Judgment (v. 15a).

Revelation 1:15 KJV 1900

And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Note - Compare the Brazen Altar (a representation of God's judgment on sin).

Note - "Burned" = burnished through His trials, and making Him empathetic to our infirmities, as One who endured such great contradiction from sinners and when He was reviled, reviled not again.

H. His Voice - Majestic Authority (vv. 10b, 15b).

Note - Compare Psalm 29.

Note - Far too many cannot hear His voice today, but they will one day hear it over all other voices. All powerful and deafening. The Christian who so desires can hear His voice today, if they will listen.

I. His Right Hand - Possesses the Churches (vv. 16a, 20).

Revelation 1:16 KJV 1900

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.

Note - He has authority over His messengers, whether heavenly or earthly; my personal belief is that these "stars" are the pastors of these local churches in Asia.

J. His Mouth - Sharp Two-edged Sword (v. 16b).

Note - The Bible is the basis for judgment:

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17, KJV 1900)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, KJV 1900)

“His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.” (Revelation 19:12, KJV 1900)

Note - The Antichrist is indefensible against Christ.

Note - The two different words for "sword" and which this is.

K. His Countenance - Glory & Divinity (v. 16c).

“And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2, KJV 1900)

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, KJV 1900)

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.” (2 Peter 1:16–18, KJV 1900)

Note - If we were to see the Lord in His glory, we would shrivel up like a worm on the sidewalk.

III. The Commission of John Revisited (Rev. 1:17-20).

A. The Comforting Word (Rev. 1:17-18).

1. John's Reaction (Rev. 1:17).

Revelation 1:17 KJV 1900

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:

“And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.” (Daniel 10:7–9, KJV 1900)

He fell at the Lord’s feet as though he were dead! And this is the apostle who leaned on Jesus’ breast! (John 13:23) A vision of the exalted Christ can only produce awe and fear (Dan. 10:7–9). We need this attitude of respect today when so many believers speak and act with undue familiarity toward God. John’s response illustrates what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:16: “Though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more.” John no longer “nestled” next to the Lord’s heart, relating to Him as he had done before. [Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 570.]

“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:1–8, KJV 1900)

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:1–8, KJV 1900)

“Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.” (Exodus 3:1–6, KJV 1900)

“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:13–15, KJV 1900)

“For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.” (Judges 13:20, KJV 1900)

“Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.” (Ezekiel 3:23, KJV 1900)

“So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.” (Daniel 8:17, KJV 1900)

“And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.” (Matthew 17:6, KJV 1900)

“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8, KJV 1900)

2. Jesus' Response (Rev. 1:18).

Revelation 1:18 KJV 1900

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.

The divine hand which holds the seven stars (cf. v. 20) touched the seer, showing His intimate concern for one who had earlier leaned “on Jesus’ bosom” (Jn. 13:23). [Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 69.]

...“the first and the last” ...[202] Isaiah employed this title several times to describe the exclusive deity of Jehovah, stating, “thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isa. 44:6; cf. also 41:4; 48:12). Upon calming the seer, the Lord gave John extensive words to inscripturate, concluding with Rev. 3:22. ([202] Cf. also Rev. 1:11; 2:8 and 22:13. [Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 69–70.])

Note - Fear not; Jesus is the One with the keys; He is the One with authority; no one is a prisoner of death through Christ, except at his own choice. Jesus conquered death. He was dead, and is alive again. We need not fear eternity, He has the keys of hell and death.

B. The Commission to Write (Rev. 1:19-20).

1. The Mission to John Unfolded (Rev. 1:19).

Revelation 1:19 KJV 1900

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Note - This verse succinctly encapsulates the outline of the whole of the book of Revelation.

The things which John had “seen” (cf. vv. 11 and 12) included his first vision (Rev. 1:12-16). “The things which are” would refer to things present in his day, and therefore allude to the content of the words to the seven churches (Rev. 2-3). The third division received divine confirmation by the heavenly voice which promised to show John of “things which must be hereafter” (4:1), using twice the exact expression [meta tauta] [219] (“after this…hereafter”). The Creator of the temporal order of creation, “the beginning and the ending” (v. 8), commanded the seer to write on things past (Rev. 1:12-16), things present (Rev. 2:1-3:22), and things future (Rev. 4:1-22:10).[220] ([219] This is the first of nine occurrences of [meta tauta] in Revelation (Rev. 4:1 [2x]; 7:1, 9; 9:12; 15:5; 18:1; 19:1; 20:3). The other biblical writers use the expression 16x, for a total of 25x. [220] Congregationalist Caird rejects this three-fold literary structure of the book, saying it “is a grotesque over-simplification.” G. B. Caird, The Revelation of Saint John (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publ., 1966), p. 26. [Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 73–74.])

2. The Mystery of the Candlesticks Unveiled (Rev. 1:20).

Revelation 1:20 KJV 1900

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.

Note - Manlely's First Rule of Sound Bible Hermeneutics: "If the plain reading of Scripture makes common sense, then seek no other sense."

Note - Hence "stars" = "angels" or messengers (of which I personally believe to be the "pastor" of each of the seven churches respectively); and "candlesticks" = churches.

Note - Here serves a prime example that the Book of Revelation is NOT a difficult book to understand, unless you allow the modern "scholar" and "text critic" to leave you in what Sir Topham Hatt would call "Confusion & Delay!" God is not the author of confusion.

Conclusion:

When John encountered the Lord, he was naturally filled with fear. Nevertheless Jesus' Word brought him comfort and gave Him purpose.

Have you experienced the Lord Jesus? Does it frighten you to think about being before Him as a sinner? Will you repent of your sins and believe on Christ this moment? If you will, the One who promises He will in no wise cast out any that come to Him, will provide you comfort from His Word that your sins have been washed in His blood through His love for you. Once you receive Christ, He will give you purpose in life like you've never known. You can live in fulfillment as you step out in faith, forsake the world, take up your cross like He did, and follow Jesus!