Rev 1:6 - 20

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We left off last week at V6 after introducing the Rev. I will remind you that it is the only book in the bible with a blessing promised for reading and hearing and taking to heart, V3.

There is also an interesting curse in chapter 22:18-19. Don’t mess with the Word of God.

One additional thing that I mentioned last time but didn’t have time to get to is the question of timing. I showed you several examples from Revelation that say that Jesus is coming quickly, or the time will be soon. What exactly does this mean in light of the fact that it has been 2,000 years.

In 1:1 it says; The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, NASB.

The NKJV uses the word “shortly” and the word comes from the Greek word tachos. It’s where we get our word tachometer. It means here that as these things begin to happen they will accelerate or begin to come at us quicker.

You would have to say that in 2020 the signs are coming quicker.

Another reality is that Gods time is different than our as in a day is as a thousand years.

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

V 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The oldest manuscripts read a Kingdom of priests, or Kings and Priest to serve His God and Father. Do you ever wonder what we will be doing in eternity? God has work for us to do in the Millennium.

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Coming with clouds, clouds are an idiom for a multitude. you might remember from Jude

Jude 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,

Look at Hebrews;

Hebrews 12:1 NKJV1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Here, the “coming” He is referring to the second coming, not the rapture. We will be discussing both the Rapture and the Second coming at length in upcoming sessions.

John continues; Every eye will see Him… Think about it; when in the history of man have we been able to view instantaneously live broadcasts from around the world?..only in our time is this technology available, or perhaps God will use another miraculous method.

Even those who pierced Him…refers to

Zechariah 12:10 NKJV “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

All peoples of the earth will mourn. the people left on the earth at that time have consciously decided to deny Jesus. They hate Him and His bride, you and me. This will be no happy day for the NWO and the Globalists.

We continue with a declaration;

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

In Greek we call it the “ego emi” the I AM, the ever existing One. the term Alpha and Omega, the A to Z, beginning and ending. Compare to

Isaiah 41:4 NKJV4 Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the Lord, am the first; And with the last I am He.’ ”

Isaiah 44:6 NKJV6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

The question is who is speaking here? We know Isaiah was speaking of Yahweh our God. The next verses will reveal who it is referring to,

Rev 1: 9- 16 The First Vision of Jesus Christ

9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island 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 I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

V9- note John is saying I’m just like you, your Brother and companion in suffering (tribulation). Application: a true Christian leader will always stress that he is just like you not looking for glorification by man.

Remember he is writing to encourage the church which is under heavy persecution. John himself has be exiled to Patmos a desert island for his preaching the Word, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is an old man now, probably in his 90’s, the last living link to Jesus on earth.

V10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,

On the Lord’s Day not to be confused with the day of the Lord. It’s the first day of the week, Sunday.

Why don’t we worship on the Jewish Sabbath? Exodus 31:16-17

The New King James Version Chapter 31

16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ ”

After the resurrection we are never commanded to keep the Sabbath. Col 2:16-17

The New King James Version Chapter 2

16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

The early church met on the First Day of the week. Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:2. Jesus rose on the first day of the week.

He was in the Spirit- a special spiritual state used 4 times in the book. It seems to indicate a spiritual transportation as in carried away in the spirit. Here, 4:2 Heaven, 17:3 wilderness, and 21:10 mountain of God. What is it to be in the spirit?

Note: John was nowhere near other believers on the Lord’s Day he was in the spirit. Apply: to our Sundays while traveling or away from fellowship.

He hears a voice like a trumpet! Think of a quiet place and someone comes behind you with a trumpet. He definitely meant to get his attention, with no distraction. Like the teacher who hit the desk with a ruler.

V11-saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

The speaker identifies Himself saying, I am the Alpha and Omega, first and last.. whom we already identified as being the Lord God Himself.

He commands John to write in a scroll or book what you see to these seven specific churches

Note: John is told to write this down 11 more times in the Revelation. Almost as if he was so enamored that he might forget part of it. God wants His message delivered. Application: if someone says write it down, do it.

Why these specific 7 churches and why seven? 7 appears 54 times in Rev. More than any other number. These 7 create a visual of a circle separated by about 50 miles apart with Christ in the center. More importantly the represent, the complete (7) church both now, then and historically.

This also a logical way one would deliver a letter to various places based on their location. Like a mailman.

Note: Paul also wrote to 7 churches, also symbolic of the complete church. Who can name them? Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossi, and Thessalonica.

Now the vision

12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

V12 He turns to see 7 golden lampstands. Not menorahs. Singular stands on which a light or oil lamp was placed. These are in a circle with “Son of Man” in the midst or center. This is an awesome picture.

Think of a candle stick . What is it’s job? To display the light. Jesus is the light of the world. The candlestick produces no light. No matter how beautiful or ornate its light comes from outside itself. When there is no light on it it’s only furniture.

Jesus in the midst gives the oil and the light to each lamp.

Why call him “the Son of Man”? To a hurting church Jesus portrays himself as relate-able, reminding us of Heb 4:15…just as we are yet without sin.

Note: In this vision this is the only physical description of Jesus and it is meant to be symbolic.

Long Robe and Golden Sash- Reminds of the High Priest, only a person of importance or royalty would wear this.

V13 Location and clothing; and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

…in the midst one like the son of Man. This is where Jesus is in reference to his church.

Mat 18:20 .

The New King James Version Chapter 18

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

On the cross, Jesus, was in the middle of two Criminals.

Also, in chapter 5

Rev 5:6

The New King James Version Chapter 5

6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Dan 3:25 – in the midst of the fiery furnace.

The New King James Version Chapter 3

25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Jesus is always in the preeminent place among his church. Right in the middle.

V14 Focuses on His Head, hair, and eyes; His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;

Head and Hair were white, like wool, white as snow. Purity, Holiness, Antiquity.

Interesting for you bible students, Where have we seen wool and snow before? Is 1:18

The New King James Version Chapter 1

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,”

Says the LORD,

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They shall be as wool.

Snow and wool speaks of the forgiveness of Christ. Notice, also, Daniels vision of Gods Throne Dan 7:9,

The New King James Version Chapter 7

9 “I watched till thrones were put in place,

And the Ancient of Days was seated;

His garment was white as snow,

And the hair of His head was like pure wool.

His throne was a fiery flame,

Its wheels a burning fire;

Eyes as a blazing fire- eyes that look right through you to reveal the truth. To Believers a blessing to those outside terrifying. God sees everything!

Proverbs 15:3 NKJV

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

V15 Focuses on His Feet and Voice; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;

Feet like bronze glowing in the furnace. Brass is a symbol of Judgement. Examples: Brazen serpent, brazen alter.

Voice like rushing waters or many waters. Think of Niagara falls. As a side note, the idea of many waters gives us the message that the confluence of many streams of information all giving the same message is a loud one. Application: you may not get a vision like John, but God is speaking through todays message, on the radio, from friends, and personal study. Its not coincidence when that happens.

V16 Focus is on His Hands and Mouth; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

in his right hand were 7 stars and out of his mouth was a sharp double edged sword. This is the heavy sword or (rhomphaia) small sword is (Machaira) used in Heb 4:12.

"There is no handling this weapon without cutting yourself, for it has no back to it, it is all edge. The Word of Christ, somehow or other, is all edge." (Spurgeon)

Face- like looking into the sun. Again, a comfort to the believer, (the lord bless thee and keep thee make his face shine upon thee and give you peace)but a horrifying thing to the heathen.

V17- And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Johns response to seeing God, I fell as dead…No man can see God and live we are told. Yet Jesus placed his hand on him and says,” don’t be afraid”. He is saying that to you and me right now, whatever we are going through. Don’t be afraid.

V18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

First and the Last, the living one, I was Dead… another great passage to share with anyone not believing that Jesus is God.

Holds the keys to hades and death. Two sides, to lock up or release. Jesus holds the keys to everything!

V19 “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

This verse is so important to understanding the book. Even if before tonight you new nothing. Now you know

the outline Ch 1 ..have seen, Ch 2 -3, is now, Ch 4-22 after these things. meta tauta

and finally the Interpretation of the vision.

V20 “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

Stars are the angels. The Greek word here Angelos means messenger. Could indicate guardian angel of each church, or the leader or Pastor of each church.

A real blessing to each pastor is know he is held in Jesus’ right hand.

As we close we must ponder how is our lampstand doing. Are we shining for Jesus.each of us must answer