The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1)

2012-11-09

Revelation 1:1-3: The Time is at Hand

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: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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.

Background to Revelation

Revelation is an epistle, just like every other book of the Bible after the book of Acts. It is written by the Apostle John, and the seven churches of Asia are the original recipients.

John referred to himself in his gospel as the disciple whom Jesus loved. In two of his epistles, he referred to himself as the Elder. Here, he is simply John. There is no reason given for these things, but this quite possibly could be because he was greatly humbled by this vision, dispensing with any titles he had previously been given.

John’s gospel focuses primarily on the Gospel message and salvation, with some emphasis on discipleship. In his epistles, he emphasized more about discipleship. In this Revelation of Jesus Christ, we get new information that John had not previously recorded, especially about Heaven and the end times.

Shortly Come to Pass

One aspect of this Revelation of Jesus Christ is that it “must shortly come to pass.” We know from Hebrews 1:1-2 that ever since the coming of Christ, we have lived in the “last days.” However, centuries have passed since these were written down. What we need to be cognizant of is that the events recorded in this book are imminent. We do not know exactly when they are going to happen, but we must be ready because they could happen anytime, even more so in the disturbing times in which we live.

Consider some of the red flags we see in our society and world:

Let me spend a little time on apostasy, because this is a huge issue today. Consider the following quote from a famous evangelist:

“I think everybody who knows Christ, whether they’re conscious of it or not, they’re members of the Body of Christ...God’s purpose is to call out a people for His name, whether they come from the Muslim world, Buddhist world, the Christian world, or the non-believing world, they are members of the Body of Christ, because they’ve been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus...and I think they are saved, and that they are going to be in heaven with us.”

Furthermore, he said:

“I’ve met people in various parts of the world...that have never seen a Bible or heard about a Bible, and never heard of Jesus, but they’ve believed in their hearts that there was a God.”

This is a very sad day when a man, whom many consider one of the best evangelists of modern times, makes these statements, when the Bible has very different things to say.

Likewise, religion is a very big business in western society, and a cheap imitation of what Christ intended for the local church. The Bible speaks plainly: “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (1 Timothy 6:4-5). Gain is godliness? That is your health and wealth preachers who want to sell Jesus to you as someone who solves your problems and makes you rich. These are troublesome times indeed.

Blessed is He That Readeth

Consider verse 3 again: “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.” Notice the singular “he” that reads and the plural “they” hear the words and keep what is written. This echoes a time where people may have been more dependent on hearing the word of God rather than reading it because of illiteracy. We do not have this problem nearly as much today, so we do not have excuse.

We need to read this book, preach this book, and yes, understand this book, because “the time is at hand.” The word “hearing,” as in many parts of the Bible, implies understanding also. People shy away from this book because it seems difficult to understand. It was for me, but that is only because I had been taught very wrong things for a long time about this book. When you dispense with tradition, you will do well in understanding.

In short, concerning the times that we live in, we must redeem the time, watch for Jesus’ coming, and be salt and light to a lost and dark world. Missionary Paul Fleming said, “The short years we have to live are far too short to waste on something that is not of God.” Understanding what is coming is key in these three areas.

Revelation 1:4-6: The Faithful Witness

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; 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, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Characteristics of Jesus Christ

Here begins the formal letter to the seven churches, with a greeting not unlike other epistles in the Bible. Likewise, John starts off talking about characteristics of Christ and what he has done for humanity, just like many of the Pauline epistles. Let us consider some of these characteristics mentioned.

Jesus is a witness. When I think of witnesses, they are people in a courtroom that had seen a crime, and are testifying of what they saw. There are many aspects to discuss here. Being God, He was in the highest of heaven. He knows the beginning from the ending, as we shall see later on in this chapter. He is testifying as to what is coming soon on the earth; in this was he a witness indeed.

Moreover, Jesus is the faithful witness. Later in Revelation, he is called Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11) when returns on his white horse to judge the world. Truth is at the heart of who God is. Whatever illusion we see in this world, the real truth is what we find in His word. He is the faithful witness, as opposed to many false witnesses that exist in the world. Because of all of these things, we can trust the message he brings us.

Jesus also is the first begotten of the dead. Simply put, he is the first one to be risen from the dead AND remain alive. People came back from the dead in the Old Testament, but not like Jesus Christ, who remained alive (Revelation 1:18) and also brought himself up from the dead (John 10:17). In this respect, he is the beginning of the new creation, and the originator of all things that will be a part of this newness.

He is the prince of the kings of the earth. We often think of the President of the United States as one of the most power people in the world. There are principalities and powers in the heavenly places that are also rulers. But Jesus Christ is king over them all, because he created them all and allowed them to assume the power they have. This title is something that is also seen in Revelation 19:16; when he comes back to destroy his enemies, he destroys them as traitors since he is the sovereign over all of the vassal kings of the earth.

Jesus loved us. How matter-of-fact is this written! The first verse that should come to us when we read this short phrase is Romans 5:8, which reads, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” He surely loved his enemies, and has waited a very long time to allow the entire world to hear of the great amnesty he offers that can be received by believing on him.

Jesus washed us from our sins in his own blood. Hebrews 10:12 reads, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Jesus’ once for all sacrifice forgave us for all sins, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14). He unilaterally did all of this for us that we might have no more condemnation for our sins. He promises us eternal life, and nobody can take that away from us.

He made us kings and priests of the earth. God made Israel a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). Now those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ are kings and priests. A king obviously is one who has absolute authority over his subjects. In our world, this may not seem the case, as we do not see many faithful disciples in places of great power. But as salt of the earth, we do have power in our society to influence things for the good. This is not by political power or by force, like many Christians (or those who claim to be so) attempt to do, but by our conduct in daily affairs. Also, we know from 1 Corinthians 6:3 that we shall judge angels. Our ruling authority, which will be examined in more detail and in a different light when looking at the church in Thyatira, has yet to be seen.

But he also made us priests. What do priests do? In the Old Testament, the sons of Aaron were the priests that came before God offering sacrifices on behalf of the people and ministering in the Lord’s tabernacle. Having trusted in the Lord’s sacrifice for us, we now are the ones who stand before God on behalf of the world, that they may be saved. Our given duty in this life is to be that light to the world and beg God that his word will extend to the ends of the earth. What role can we play as priests on behalf of the world?

Revelation 1:7-8: Behold, He Cometh With Clouds

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. 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.

He Cometh With Clouds

Throughout the Bible, clouds are a sign of God’s glory. In the tabernacle (Exodus 40:33-34) and the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11), when they were finished and dedicated, a cloud filled them. Consider 1 Kings 8:10-11:

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

Jesus left the earth in a cloud, and will return the same way. Consider Acts 1:9-11:

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

A cloud may signify the glory of God, but the glory of God to the world is judgment. Consider Psalm 97:1-6:

The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

Every Eye Will See Him

There will not be anyone who will not see him return. In Zechariah 12:10, God speaks of himself:

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

This is clearly speaking of Jesus Christ, as John 19:37 quotes this verse at the crucifixion of Christ: “They shall look on him whom they pierced.” Jesus will return, and those who have crucified him, who have long been dead, will see him coming in his glory. Everyone on the earth will weep bitterly at this coming, because it will be too late.

Alpha and Omega, Beginning and Ending

Jesus said that he is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. Both of these are a type of figure of speech called a merism. A merism takes two opposite extremes to signify a whole. Here are some examples:

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalms 103:12)

In this example, east and west are the two extremes. This means that our sins have been taken away from us to the uttermost. We no longer are being judged for our sins if we believe on Jesus Christ.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1).

Here, God created the earth, the closest to us as we can get, and the heaven, the furthest place away from us. This means that God created the lowest place, the highest place, and everything in between. God is the creator of all things.

In our examples here, alpha and omega, and beginning and ending are the extremes. It shows first his eternality. He was before there was time, and will exist when there is no more time. He is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2). Moreover, this shows his omnipotence. He was the creator and originator of all things, and he also is the one who consummates and terminates all things. This is even more clear when he is referred to as the Almighty.

Revelation 1:9-11: Unto the Seven Churches Which Are In Asia

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

Companion in Tribulation

John states that he is a “companion in tribulation.” Furthermore, this vision he had all occurred on the isle of Patmos, where he had been exiled because of the word of God. Often in the west, we do not see this kind of persecution. We are usually ridiculed because the Bible is considered by the world as bronze age myth. However, we do not know persecution like most Christians have experienced throughout the ages. Consider these verses:

2 Timothy 3:12: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Do you live godly? Then you will suffer persecution.

1 Thessalonians 3:3-4: “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.” We were appointed to afflictions. This is not exactly what we want to hear, but the Bible tells us this is the case. This is a little different than what the prosperity preaching tells us today. “When I found religion, great things started happening to me!” It is more like, “I became a Christian, and all of a sudden my friends were not friends anymore.”

John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Though we may have trouble in this life, Jesus Christ overcame the world, and one day, when this life is over, all of our troubles will be over.

Settle it in your heart that troublesome times will come to all of us who believe, and be ready.

The Seven Churches

Jesus commanded that all the things that John saw were to be written in a book, which today is this book of Revelation. This letter is to be sent to seven places in Asia, or Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey. Though it is written to literal historical locations, it is ultimately for all of us today (Revelation 1:1).

Many have said that these seven churches are referring to “church ages” meaning that the first so many centuries after Christ’s ascension refer to an “Ephesian age,” and conveniently we are now living in the “Laodicean age.” We really do not see anything like that here. The fact that Christ lists seven literal locales means that he is referring to actual places. Nonetheless, there is much we can learn from these individual messages to each church. Our churches today should examine ourselves to see if we pattern ourselves like the corresponding commendations of the churches, and are not like the rebukes.

Revelation 1:12-17a: I Fell at His Feet as Dead

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 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. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.

The Appearance of Jesus Christ

I will not go into detail about the appearance here; some of these things become pertinent during the messages to the churches. But it interesting to point out there is a correspondence to John’s description of Christ to Daniel’s description of the pre-incarnate Christ in Daniel 10:

Revelation 1 Daniel 10
Clothed with garment down to the foot Clothed in linen
Girt about paps with golden girdle Loins girded with fine gold of Uphaz
Head and hairs white as snow/wool
Eyes flame of fire Eyes lamps of fire
Feet like fine brass Arms/feet like polished brass in color
Voice sounded like many waters Voice like multitude
Right hand had 7 stars
Sharp twoedged sword out of mouth
Countenance as the sun Face like lightning
Body was like beryl
John fell at his feet as dead Lost strength, fell into a deep sleep, face toward the ground
John is to record the vision in a book Jesus came to tell Daniel what will become of his people in latter days.

One thing I do want to point out is that John and Daniel’s reaction to seeing Christ is that they fall before him as dead. This is how we will likely react when see the Lord Jesus Christ in his coming. But we should be of good cheer, because when we see him, he will gather us to be with him before his wrath is poured out upon the earth.

Revelation 1:17b-20: Fear Not

And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 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. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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.

The Consolation of the Gospel

When John falls before the Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus’ response to him is comforting: the most comforting message anyone could ever say.

He says not to fear, but that he is the first and the last. Why is that comforting? This is the merism I referred to earlier. Jesus is God. Everything begins and ends with him, and he has authority over everything. He died, but he is risen forevermore. In him we no longer are the sinners and the unclean. We are complete in him, and the record of our sin is gone forever. He has the keys to death and hell, and that means that he controls death and can undo what hopelessness that it once brought.

Jesus once again tells John to write these things in a book. He also explains that seven stars are the angels of the churches. What a pleasant thought, that perhaps our churches have angels watching over them! We do not know if this is for every local church around the world, or just for the seven back then, but it is a wondrous thought. We do know that Jesus Christ is building his church, and that hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).

The candlesticks are the churches, because the churches of our world are the lights of the world, as Christ is. We show the world the way of salvation. As salt and light, we must keep pointing to Jesus Christ in words and actions, or we will see our lights snuffed out.