Revelation 1: 1-20

Lesson 1: Revelation 1:1-20 Central Baptist Church Pastor James Woodley, Th.D. Two Key Verses For Understanding This Book Verse 1: “Revelation of Jesus Christ” “Servants” “Signified” Verse 19: “Things which thou hast seen” “things which are” “things which shall be hereafter” Chronological Outline of Revelation 1 2-3 4-5 6-19 20-22 Vision of Christ Church Age Throne Scene in Heaven Daniel’s 70th Week Millennium & Eternity Future Topical Outline 1 Vision of Christ 2-3 7 Churches 4-5 Scene In Heaven (Beasts, Elders, Lamb & Book) (6-19 Daniel’s 70th Week) 7 Seals 1st Interlude: 144,000; Multitude in Heaven 7 Trumpets 2nd Interlude: Book; Two Witnesses 7 Personages 3rd Interlude: Lamb; 3 Angels; Harvest 4th Interlude: Scene In Heaven (Sea of Glass, Tabernacle) 7 Vials 5th Interlude: 3 Unclean spirits 17-20 7 Dooms 6th Interlude: Chorus; Marriage; Armageddon 7th Interlude: Satan bound; Resurrection; Millennium. 21-22 7 New Things Argument of The Book of Revelation 1 2-3 4-5 6-19 19 20 21-22 The Vision of Christ The Church Age The Throne Scene Daniel’s 70th Week The Second Coming of Christ The Millennium The Eternal State Commentary On Revelation 1:1-20 1. "Revelation" "shew unto His servants" "shortly" "signified" 2. "the Word of God” "testimony of Jesus Christ" 3. "Blessed…he…readeth…they…hear…and keep" 4. "Seven Churches" "Him Which is, and Which was, and Which is to come" "Seven Spirits which are before His throne" 5. "Jesus Christ" "The faithful witness" "The first begotten of the dead" "Prince of the kings of the earth" "washed / loosed" 6. "Made us kings and priests" 7. "Clouds" "Every eye shall see Him" "Shall wail because of Him" 8. "Alpha and Omega" "The beginning and the ending" "The Lord" "Which is, and Which was, and Which is to come" "The Almighty" Chapter 1: 9-20 = The Vision of Jesus Christ 9. "John" "brother" "companion in tribulation" "isle 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" AN ANALYSIS OF THE VISION OF JESUS CHRIST 11 Alpha and Omega 11 the First and the Last 12-13 in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks 13 One like unto the Son of man 13 clothed with a garment down to the foot 13 girt about the paps with a golden chest 14 His head and hairs were white like wool, as white as snow 14 His eyes were as a flame of fire DEITY OF CHRIST 1:8 adds “Almighty” (see Rev. 4:8; 11:17); Rev. 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13; Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 44:6; 48:12 DEITY OF CHRIST Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 16:14; 19:15; 21:22; 22:13 FAMILIARITY & COMPLETENESS WITH THE CHURCHES Rev. 1:20 CONNECTS TO O.T. MESSIAH Dan. 7:13; Matt. 16:27; 24:27; 24:30; Acts 7:56 PRIESTLIKE Include rest of description LIKE A KING & A JUDGE Rev. 15:6; Ex. 28:6-8; Isa. 11:5 WISDOM Dan. 7:9; Prov. 16:31; OMNISCIENCE & JUDGING Dan. 10:6; Rev. 2:18; 19:12 15 His feet like unto fine brass, as if they TRIED & JUDGED & COMING TO JUDGE OTHERS burned in a furnace NOW Dan. 10:6; Ezek. 1:7; 40:3; Rev. 2:18 15 His voice as the sound of many waters POWER Dan. 10:6; Ezek. 43:2; Ps. 93:4; Rev. 14:2; 19:6 16 in His right hand seven stars INTIMACY, AUTHORITY, STRENGTH, SECURITY, ACCOUNTABILITY Mal. 2:7; Rev. 1:20; 2:1ff 16 out of His mouth went a sharp two- JUDGED ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD edged sword Heb. 4:12; Isa. 11:4; 49:2; Eph. 6:17; Rev. 2:12; 2:16; 19:15; 19:21 16 His countenance was as the sun GLORY, LIGHT, HOLINESS shineth in his strength Isa. 60:19-20; Mal 4:2; Rev. 10:1 17 I am the First and the Last See 1:11. Repeats for emphasis of His DEITY 18 I am He that liveth, and was dead HIS HUMANITY, SAVIOR and behold I am alive forevermore All references to His resurrection 18 and have the keys of hell and of AUTHORITY OF THE RISEN CHRIST death Matt. 16:19; Psalm 68:20; Rev. 3:7; 9:1; 20:1-2; Eph. 4:8ff on "led captivity captive" Verse 11b & 20: The seven stars are the seven churches listed in 12b. Verse 19: (See previous note) Verse 20: These two symbols are interpreted for us. Star = messenger to the church (Pastor) Candlestick = local church (God's ordained agency in this dispensation) Lesson 1: Revelation 1:1-20 Central Baptist Church Pastor James Woodley, Th.D. Two Key Verses For Understanding This Book Verse 1: “Revelation of Jesus Christ” The revealing of His person, work and future plans for His creation. “Servants” Only believers can really understand this book. Not intended to give unsaved guidance so they can live better in an unsaved condition. “Signified” Symbolic language will be used. Figures of speech must be interpreted as figures of speech. True literal interpretation recognizes. Verse 19: “Things which thou hast seen” The vision of chapter 1. “things which are” The church age. (2-3) “things which shall be hereafter” Rapture until eternity future (4-22) Chronological Outline of Revelation 1 Vision of Christ 2-3 Church Age 4-5 Throne Scene in Heaven 6-19 Daniel’s 70th Week 20-22 Millennium & Eternity Future Topical Outline 1 2-3 4-5 (6-19 17-20 21-22 Vision of Christ 7 Churches Scene In Heaven (Beasts, Elders, Lamb & Book) Daniel’s 70th Week) 7 Seals 1st Interlude: 144,000; Multitude in Heaven 7 Trumpets 2nd Interlude: Book; Two Witnesses 7 Personages 3rd Interlude: Lamb; 3 Angels; Harvest 4th Interlude: Scene In Heaven (Sea of Glass, Tabernacle) 7 Vials 5th Interlude: 3 Unclean spirits 7 Dooms 6th Interlude: Chorus; Marriage; Armageddon 7th Interlude: Satan bound; Resurrection; Millennium. 7 New Things Argument of The Book of Revelation 1 The Vision of Christ 2-3 The Church Age 4-5 The Throne Scene 6-19 Daniel’s 70th Week 19 The Second Coming of Christ 20 The Millennium 21-22 The Eternal State Commentary On Revelation 1:1-20 INTRODUCTION (1:1-3) 1. "Revelation" The apocalypse in Greek. It means to make visible or manifest to all what was before hidden from view. This book reveals the character of Jesus Christ, in showing how he deals with the world. Bur the focus is more on the Second Coming when He shall visible return to earth. Acts 1:11; Matt. 24:30; Mark 13:26; Rev. 1:7. Because of the wrath of God associated with the Second Coming, the term "apocalypse" has a violent connotation today. "shew unto His servants" The unsaved can know what the Bible says, but they are unable to use that information profitably. Cp. Witches who believe Revelation, except Satan wins. This phrase does not negate the use of this for evangelism. Rather it affirms that only those who are saved are assured of benefit from the message. "shortly" The word means quickly, with haste, soon. Some have argued that this proves the "historicist approach of interpretation. That is, they seek to find something in the church age as a fulfillment of Rev. 6 - 19, rather than allow a future interpretation. This is ridiculous. According to this logic, an interpretation which covers a thousand years is ok, but one that takes 2,000 years is not "quickly" enough ! See II Peter 3:8. Also, not that the events of chapters 2-3 were in motion and would continue to go forward immediately. It is inescapable that Christ had in mind something far in the future as the fulfillment for some of these events. "signified" This word means to use symbolism. God is saying that He is going to use a lot of symbolism in this book. Therefore, literal interpretation means we interpret a symbol as a symbol. 2. "the Word of God" What John is giving is Scripture, and is in accordance with all previous Scripture. The warning of 22:18-19 could only be true is this is Scripture. See Deut. 4:2; 12:32. "testimony of Jesus Christ" This is the theme of this book. It's all about being a witness for Jesus Christ. If the church won't do it right, then He will vindicate Himself. 3. "Blessed…he…readeth…they…hear…and keep" This is often misquoted to say that this is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing for reading it. Not so. The blessing is in keeping. The context is one reader and many listeners, since Bibles were scarce. 4. "Seven Churches" = The local church is God's ordained agency. 2 or 3 gathered in His name means to constitute a local church (offices, ordinances, commission, membership, discipline, doctrines) "Him Which is, and Which was, and Which is to come" = Father "Seven Spirits which are before His throne" = Holy Spirit. Seven means the fullness of His ministries. Cp. Isaiah 11:2. 5. "Jesus Christ" = Son; completes the Trinitarian reference. "The faithful witness" = Who better to require us to be faithful witnesses. Jesus faithfully revealed the Father; faithfully opposed all sin and compromise; faithfully proclaimed the Word of God; faithfully lived in obedience to the will of God; remained faithful through tempation and persecution, even unto death. "The first begotten of the dead" = 8 of 9 occurences refer to Christ. The "prototokos" of Col. 1:15-18. It means the pre-eminent one; one who occupies a special place of honor or privilege. The resurrection 'out from' the dead caused a great stir and made Christ unique. The Jews held to a future resurrection only (Acts 24:15). "Prince of the kings of the earth" Revelation refers 9 times to the kings of the earth. 7 times = unsaved leaders. Prince = ruler. "washed / loosed" The critical text has changed washed, which refers to the blood of Christ (Rev. 7:14) and the cleansing of the Word (Titus 3:5; Eph. 5:26) 6. "Made us kings and priests" = The KJV did not make a mistake here, either. Rev. 5:10; 20:6; II Tim. 2:12; Luke 19:17. 7. "Clouds" Zep. 1:15; Matt. 24:30; 26:64; I Thess. 4:17; "Every eye shall see Him" = No secret or invisible second coming, as some groups teach. Do not confuse the Rapture & Second Coming. "Shall wail because of Him" = No universal salvation. 8. "Alpha and Omega" Rev. 1:11; 21:6; 22:13. First and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Cp. Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12. "The beginning and the ending" Parallel idea as previous phrase, repeated for emphasis. "The Lord" A term of Deity. "Which is, and Which was, and Which is to come" Based on Exodus 3:14. "The Almighty" A term that can only apply to Deity. Point here is that this is a clear reference to God alone. Later, these terms are applied to Christ. Conclusion: Christ = God. Chapter 1: 9-20 = The Vision of Jesus Christ 9. "John" = The last living apostle. Also wrote Gospel & 3 Epistles. "brother" = Not a pope, or "lord" over others. A humble man. "companion in tribulation" = John had suffered for being faithful. "isle called Patmos" = Because the Roman Emporer Domitian could not kill John by boiling him alive in oil, he banished him. "For the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" = Who better to entrust with this revelation than the one who has been a faithful witness for all his life, and who highly esteems the Word. 10. "I was in the Spirit" = Eph. 5:18ff. Filled with the Spirit for worship "On the Lord's day" = Sunday. Mark 16:9; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:2 AN ANALYSIS OF THE VISION OF JESUS CHRIST 11 Alpha and Omega 11 the First and the Last DEITY OF CHRIST 1:8 adds “Almighty” (see Rev. 4:8; 11:17) Rev. 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13 Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 44:6; 48:12 DEITY OF CHRIST Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 16:14; 19:15; 21:22; 22:13 12-13 in the midst of the seven FAMILIARITY & golden candlesticks COMPLETENESS WITH THE CHURCHES Rev. 1:20 13 One like unto the Son of CONNECTS TO THE O.T. man MESSIAH Dan. 7:13; Matt. 16:27; 24:27; 24:30; Acts 7:56 13 clothed with a garment PRIESTLIKE down to the foot Include rest of description 13 girt about the paps with a LIKE A KING & A JUDGE golden chest Rev. 15:6; Ex. 28:6-8; Isa. 11:5 14 His head and hairs were WISDOM white like wool, as white as snow Dan. 7:9; Prov. 16:31; 14 His eyes were as a flame of OMNISCIENCE & JUDGING fire Dan. 10:6; Rev. 2:18; 19:12 15 His feet like unto fine brass, TRIED & JUDGED & COMING as if they burned in a furnace TO JUDGE OTHERS NOW Dan. 10:6; Ezek. 1:7; 40:3; Rev. 2:18 15 His voice as the sound of POWER many waters Dan. 10:6; Ezek. 43:2; Ps. 93:4; Rev. 14:2; 19:6 16 in His right hand seven INTIMACY, AUTHORITY, stars STRENGTH, SECURITY, ACCOUNTABILITY Mal. 2:7; Rev. 1:20; 2:1ff 16 out of His mouth went a JUDGED ACCORDING TO sharp two-edged sword THE WORD OF THE LORD Heb. 4:12; Isa. 11:4; 49:2; Eph. 6:17; Rev. 2:12; 2:16; 19:15; 19:21 16 His countenance was as the GLORY, LIGHT, HOLINESS sun shineth in his strength Isa. 60:19-20; Mal 4:2; Rev. 10:1 17 I am the First and the Last See 1:11. Repeats for emphasis of His DEITY 18 I am He that liveth, and HIS HUMANITY, SAVIOR was dead and behold I am alive All references to His resurrection forevermore 18 and have the keys of hell AUTHORITY OF THE RISEN and of death CHRIST Matt. 16:19; Psalm 68:20; Rev. 3:7; 9:1; 20:1-2; Eph. 4:8ff on "led captivity captive" Verse 11b & 20: 12b. The seven stars are the seven churches listed in Verse 19: This was previously used as a three-fold division of the entire book. Things which thou hast seen = vision in 1 Things which are = church age (2 & 3) Things which shall be hereafter = after the church age (4-22) Verse 20: These two symbols are interpreted for us. Star = messenger to the church (Pastor) Candlestick = local church (God's ordained agency in this dispensation)