Commentary on Revelation

REVELATION 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated {it} by His angel to His bond-servant John,”1

Here in the first verse of the book of Revelation is found a vitally important bit of information. It is vital to carefully read this verse, because the conclusions that will be arrived in the study of Revelation are dependent on a correct understanding what is being revealed right here. It is like when one comes into contact with math. Knowing the rules of math and how they apply will make learning math either relatively easy, or impossible. The same thing is true here too.

TTWOWO D DIFFERENTIFFERENT APPROACHESAPPROACHESThe Book of Revelation is seen by scholars who come from. two different prospective in quite different ways. The information found in this book is variously considered to be either:

A) a Revealing of Jesus Christ,

B) what is Revealed to us by Jesus Christ. Both approaches can seemingly be supported by the phrase: “A Revelation of Jesus Christ.”2 But only one conclusion can be supported by the text, when the whole picture that is presented in Revelation is examined. The differences in approach are dictated by whether the word “of” is understood to mean:

1. “From” - (used to indicate derivation or origin)

2. “About” - (used to indicate the “object of the action” referred to by the preceding noun, verb, or adjective)

Both are legitimate uses of that little word “of.” However, the impact on how a person understands the messages being revealed in this book is monumental. The context must be consulted in order to discover which is the correct application.There are scholars who can and will argue on both sides of this discussion. Therefore we must look at the evidence carefully and choose for ourselves, based on the evidence. In addition, we must remember that accuracy here will affect the conclusions reached later in the book of Revelation. As when a space probe is launched. Just a one degree error in trajectory, when it leaves earth, unless corrected, will result in the probe being miles off of the target it is heading for out in space. One phrase that must be factored into the examination of this word is this phrase.

“That God gave to Him.”3

If the information that will follow is “about” Jesus Christ, then why would God have to give it to Him? This is a sample of the kind of questions the student should be asking. For this helps to reach a better understanding and is essential in establishing the context for the meaning of the word “of”.i

1 Revelations 1:1 NASB2 Rev. 1:13 Ibid 1:1

Note that we do not need to look far, for the text itself tells us what the subject of Revelation is going to be.

“ . . . . to show to his servants the things that must soon take place.”4 Here is also a prime example of what can happen when we allow others to blind us to the obvious. The entire Bible is a Revealing of Jesus, of that there is no question. So there is no argument that the Book of Revelation reveals more about Jesus. However, that is secondary to the specific information being presented in Revelation about what Jesus is going to do and allow to happen at the end of the world. This is not just a scholarly exercise, it is vitally important for a correct understanding of Revelation. God’s word gives us this counsel:

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”5

In the following pages you will find several tools that can facilitate the understanding of the prophetic sections found in the Bible, with a primary focus on Daniel and Revelation. The 10 Keys that have already been seen, are for understanding Apocalyptic style literature, which composes much if not all of these two books. These as well as most of the rest of these tools have been drawn from. various scholars who have worked in the area of apocalyptic style literature. Their works have been tested and they are recommended to the reader. Virtually all of Revelation, with the exceptions of chapter 1 and chapters 21, 22, are dealing with symbols.6

TTHEHE T THEMEHEME OFOF R REVELATIONEVELATIONThe information being revealed is the next item of interest. Look at verse 1 again. "The things which must shortly take place." This is the theme of Revelation. It is repeated several times in the book.7 So God shows Christ what must take place and Christ passes that message on to His bond servants by His angel who gave it to John.Chapter 1 is like the introduction to a math book. It describes for us the origin of the message, how the message is presented and then a sample problem so we can know how to work the problems that will be encountered in the rest of the prophetic portion of the book. The first statement of this is in verse 1. The KJV reads, "And he sent and signified it by his angel. . ." The NASB reads, as do other later translations, "communicated it" instead of signified it." Both are correct bringing out two different facets of the Greek word semaino.8 which means signify.The word "signify" means to "Make known by signs or words (symbols)" 9 In short,we are placed on notice that Revelation uses signs or symbols in relating it's messages. While in most scripture, we consider a thing to be literal unless obviously symbolic, in Revelation the opposite stance is true. We are put on notice in the very first verse that we are to consider it to be symbolic unless obviously literal. Yet in the final analysis we must always allow the Bible tell us what the symbolic meanings are. We are not allowed to apply any meaning we want; as it seems to fit our purposes. TTHEHE D DIVINEIVINE E EXAMPLEXAMPLE

4 Revelation 1:1 (ESV) 5 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB6 There is a good reason for these being excluded. The first chapter is a sample of how to deal with the visions recorded in Revelation. The last three chapters deal with information that is not important until after Jesus comes. 7 See Revelation 1:19, 22:6, 16. 8 Greek 4591, Strong’s semaino, say-mah'-ee-no; from sema (a mark; of uncertain derivative); to indicate :- signify.9 Words are symbols of ideas.

At the balance of chapter 1, we have illustrations of how to deal with these symbols. Starting with vs. 9, we are given a sample problem. John is in the Spirit on the Lord's day,10 and he heard a loud voice like a trumpet. That must have gotten his attention. He is commanded to write down in a book (scroll) what he is about to witness and send it to seven churches in Asia-Minor. When John turned to see what the commotion was about he saw a most strange sight. He saw seven candlesticks and walking in their midst was a person who looked like a man. John describes his appearance and noted that he held seven stars; and that he had a sharp two edge sword coming from his mouth. John's response was that he fell on face as one who is dead. Quite a sight to affect him in such a dramatic way! What does this all mean? In verses 20 it is all explained. The seven stars are the seven angels (messengers or leaders) of the seven churches and the candle sticks (literally lamp stands) represent the seven churches themselves. Notice the pattern here. Of all that is described, the golden girdle, the floor length robe, the white hair and eyes like flames of fire etc. are all just given to set a scene for the stars and lamp stands. The stars and the lamp stands are the only parts of this scenario that the Bible points out as having symbolic meaning. This tells us that when we encounter other such settings latter in the book, that we must look for the central feature and not let the background details throw us off track. These things can be described as “color” or just “background.” They are the accompaniment music, not the solo.

OOURUR P PATTERNATTERNAs already noted, not everything in Revelation is going to have symbolic value. Only certain focal points in each scene. This is very important since many have erred on this point. They have tried to put a symbolic meaning on everything and as a result missed the whole picture. This is especially true if they believe that this is a revelation about Jesus. They might take each descriptive word that John used to describe the scene and give it an unwarranted symbolic meaning when it is only given to set the stage for the real issue. Bible students have long recognized that you can not make an illustration or parable walk on all fours. In other words, a parable is given to illustrate only one or maybe two points and that is all. To push it further than that is to go beyond what the author intended. In no place is that more true than in the very rich parables given by Jesus of which those in Revelation are the most dramatic.So as we study this most important book, let us be careful to handle carefully the word of truth and mine out all the gold, but leave the material the gold is found in behind. If we do we will be able to unlock the "mysteries" of Revelation with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Just note the progression of the “Revelation” in these two verses. 1. It is a “Revelation,” a Revealing. 2. It is either about or from. Jesus Christ. 3. It was sent by the Angel of Jesus, Gabriel. 4. It was sent to the apostle John. 5. It was destined to be given to God’s bond servants (this title carries a lot of meaning). The subject matter that was Revealed is: “the things which must shortly take place.” If the biblical sequence is followed, it seems that only one meaning can be understood to have intended, i.e. to communicate through John, to us, what things must come on the earth.

10 See Matthew 12:8; Mark 2;28; Luke 6:5. The “Lord’s Day” is the seventh-day of the week, as is attested to in the Bible.

SYMBOLS FIRST USEDIN CHAPTER 1

VRS SYMBOL MEANING OF THE SYMBOL REFERENCES4 Seven Spirits Perfect Spirit or Holy Spirit of

God.Revelation 4:5; 5:6; Isaiah 11:2

5 First Born of the Dead

The most important one that has ever been raised from the dead.

From two Greek words.Proto = most importantTokos = offspring.

12 Seven Lampstands Seven churches Revelation 1:20; Matthew 5:14; Phillipians 2:15

13 Golden Girdle Strength, adornment, glory. Job 12:18; Isaiah 5:27; 11:514 Hair like wool/snow Dedication to God, prosperity Isaiah 3:24; Exra 9:3; Numbers

6:1-2014 Eyes like Fire Intense Knowledge Genesis 3:5, 7; 30:27; Isaiah 5:21;

Revelation 5:6; Proverbs 15:515 Feet like bronze/brass Feet = the whole person

Bronze/Brass = hardness, strength

Genesis 49:10; Joshua 4:3; Psalms 25:15; 40:2; Matthew 10:14; Luke 1:79; Romans 3:15; 10:15.Job 6:12; Leviticus 26:19; Deuteronomy 26:23.

15 Voice like many waters.

God’s voice Ezekiel 1:24

16 Seven Stars Angels/Elders of the seven churches

Revelation 1:20

16 Two edged sword Word of God, truth Isaiah 49:2; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12.

17 Keys Authority – Given authority over what the keys fit.

Isaiah 22:22; Matthew 16:19; Like 11:52.

TEXTS REFERRED TO IN CHAPTER 1Revelation 1:2 Mark 7:8, 13; compare Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 20:4; 1 Cor. 2:1, 7; compare 19:10Revelation 1:3 Matt. 5:3-11; Luke 6:20-22; Romans 4:8; Psalm 32:2

Revelation 1:4Acts 20:17-38; II Tim. 4:20; Col 1:2; 4:12; II Cor. 2:12; Acts 20:5; Romans 1:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:3; Isaiah 41:1; 43:10: 44:6; John 8:58; Hebrews 13:8; Isaiah 11:2; 48:16

Revelation 1:5 I Cor. 15:20, 23; Heb. 1:6; I Peter 2:5, 9Revelation 1:6 Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6; I Peter 2:5, 9Revelation 1:7 I Thess. 4:16; Matt. 16:27; 24:30, 31Revelation 1:8 Hosea 1:10; compare II Cor. 6:18

Revelation 1:10 Genesis 2:1-3; Matthew 12:8; Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5; Exodus 16:23; Isaiah 58:13; Exodus 20:8-11; Ezek. 20:12, 20

Revelation 1:13-18 Daniel 10:5, 6; 7:9; Ezekiel 1:7; 43:2

QUIZ Introduction and Chapter 1

1. Who is the human author of Revelation?

____________________________________________

2. When, approximately, was Revelation written?

_______________________________________3. Where was the author when he saw the vision with which he introduces the

information of Revelation?___________________________________________________________________

4. What style of literature do we find in Revelation? ____________________________________________________________________

5. What are two characteristics of this kind of literature:

1____________________________________________________________________

2____________________________________________________________________

6_ How are numbers used many times in Revelation other than literal?

________________________

7_ What Old Testament book does Revelation draw heavily upon?

___________________________

8_ What it the theme of Revelation?

___________________________________________________

9_ What does "Soon" or "Quickly" mean in Revelation?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

10_ Why is prophecy given?

________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION TO SEVEN CHURCHESASSIGNMENTMemorize the seven church in order.This shouldn’t take over about 2 minutes. Here is a clue. Just remember that if you have good “ESP” you will remember “TSP” and of course the last church is Laodicea. Here is how it works.ESP = Ephesus, Sardis and PergamumTSP = Thyatira, Smyrna and PhiladelphiaThen Laodicea.See how simple that is. You probably have them memorized already.

Be prepared for some surprises as we look at these messages. To understand the messages to the seven churches, there are seven points to keep in mind.

1. THESE MESSAGES WERE SENT TO SEVEN LITERAL CHURCHES in existence in Asia Minor at the time John was writing.

2. THEY REPRESENT SEVEN DIFFERENT TIME-PERIODS of the church starting with the formation of the Christian church right after the time of Christ.

3. THEY ALL APPLY TO THE LAST CHURCH, which is for us today. This is something that is avoided by many commentators. However, the counsel God gives to His people is all profitable for doctrine, reproof and instruction in righteousness. See 2 Timothy 3:16. However, while the primary focus of the message to the church at Laodicea, that does not eliminate the application of the other messages. Humans of our generation are really little different from those of previous ones, as much as we might like to believe otherwise.

4. THE HISTORICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL AND CULTURAL MILIEU of each of the respective churches relates and is reflected in the different parts of the message and how Christ identified with the church. Remember, He is depicted as walking among the lamp stands, so He knew each church better then they knew themselves.

5. ESPECIALLY NOTE THE COUNSEL, WARNINGS AND REWARDS. This is important for us to benefit from these messages today.

6. DO NOT BECOME HUNG UP ON DATES. The change from one church to another was mostly evolutionary, not an abrupt change. So dates are only very general guidelines, not absolutes.

7. REMEMER, THESE ARE SPIRTUAL MESSAGES. These messages are given for real living, and can only be discerned though the power of the Holy Spirit. Really the only question a person needs to ask is “How does this apply to me?”

8. DON’T GET SO HUNG UP IN TRYING TO DECIPHER THE SYMBOLS that you miss the message the “Faithful and True Witness” has for you. While not every message will apply to every person. There will be at lease one message in these messages for you. As you become more familiar with the messages, it is quite certain that you will find more then one. And not all of warning, some may be of encouragement. Both are included here.

9. PRAY FOR THAT EYESALVE so that you can understand the personal application.

(NOTE: The word “spirit,” or “spiritual,” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word pneuma, from which the English word “pneumatic” comes from. While the definition of: “Having to do with air or something invisible” is one definition, like many English words it has more then one meaning. In fact, it has three meanings. To help understand them, I divide them into two primary meanings and one “hybrid” meaning.

A. The first, as already discussed, is air, or something unseen.

B. The second is in relation to the intelligence that God has given to humans and is not found in any other creature on earth. That includes mans ability to make moral choices, otherwise called: “Free Moral Agency.”

C. The hybrid meaning is a combination of the first two, or an unseen intelligence, or a ghost or spirit. Without actually counting the various places where the word is used, my impression is that a majority of the time when the word “spirit” or any of its variations is used, it is speaking of human intelligence, or free moral agency.)

The Seven Churches

CHURCH APPROX DATES DESCRIPTION

Ephesus 34-100 AD This time period is measured from the death of Christ to the last of the 12 apostles and Paul.

SMYRNA 100-313 AD

From the last of the 12 apostles and Paul, this time period goes to the Edict of Milan when the Christians received legal status as a religion which also marks the span of Smyrna.

PERGAMUM 313-538 AD

Going on from the Edict of Milan to the complete take-over of the church by the church at Rome, now called the Papacy or Roman Catholic Church. Catholic means Universal and this is when it became the Universal church.

THYATIRA 538-1500 AD This time is from the take-over of the Christian church by Rome to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

SARDIS 1500-1798 AD This time period measures from the beginning of the Protestant Reformation to the “Time of the End” in 1798.

PHILADELPHIA 1798-1875 ADFrom the beginning of the “Time of the End” through the Great Disappointment caused by the misunderstanding of Daniel’s great 2,300 day prophecy.

LAODICEA 1875-END From the end of the 2,300 day prophecy of Daniel to the end of the world when Jesus comes the second time.

THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden Lampstands.

[2] " 'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. [3] I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. [4] But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. [5]

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you

and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. [6] Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'” Rev. 2:1-7 (ESV)

CCOMMENTARYOMMENTARYThe one who walked among the Seven Lampstands, had both warnings and commendations for the church labeled as Ephesus. For these messages to be of any value to the one who reads or hears of them, They must have the words of this prophecy become an integral part of their life, something that they listened to, and adjusted; their lives accordingly to it.

So, the one who is really fortunate, the one who is really ,lucky is the one who pays attention to what God is telling him. The reason for that, of course, is the time is short, there's not much time left and it behooves the person to do this quickly: and not wait a long time to do it.

Why are their “seven churches” listed, as well as a number of other “seven’s in Revelation? Seven is a number that equals perfection. Seven is a number that shows completeness. It shows that the whole church is all being addressed. Now, John is talking to the whole church, the “seven churches” or the

Modern Ephesus on the Aegean Sea

Theatre at Ephesus

whole church. Now, this not just all of the churches that ere existent at that time. Because God's people are a progressive people, they are continuous people. God has had people down through the ages. So, this seven applied not only to the whole church at that time but the church from that time to the end of the world. It symbolized the whole church both at that time and through to the end of the world.

If this was not symbolic, and some of you might say: “You're stretching that a bit, aren't you?" Okay. If this were not symbolic, let's look at what would happen.

Why did John pick just those seven churches? If this is realistic if this is realistic to believe that Heaven only wanted John to just write to Ephesus, Smyrna, Paramus, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea?

Why just these seven churches? Because, see, mixed in amongst these seven churches were churches that were much more important than these seven that are mentioned. There are at least six; and many of these were more important than the ones that are listed. These are Mellitus, found in Acts and Timothy, there is Colossus found in Colossians, Hierapolis also mentioned in Colossians, Troas mentioned in second Corinthians, Magnesia and Triliusp, these are mentioned in the writings of Ignatius, the bishop of Antioch.

In addition to these, there were several that were more important than any that I have mentioned so far. For example, the one at Rome, the one at Jerusalem, the one at Antioch. There were many churches that were far larger and important than the ones that are mentioned in these seven. So if these are not symbolic, there is absolutely no rhyme or reason at all as to why John picked these seven. They are certainly not the biggest.

Okay. But there were some of the other churches that had worst problems than these did? There is absolutely no rhyme or reason if you take this literally. However, God knew what he was doing.

EEPHESUSPHESUSNow, let’s turn to the message to the church at Ephesus.

Notice the list of things that are known.

1. Works,

2. toil,

3. patient endurance,

4. how they cannot bear with those who are evil.

5. Test those who call themselves apostles and exposed the false ones.

6. Their patient enduring is noted in heaven.

7. Their standing up for Christ’s name sake is lauded.

8. They have not grown weary with the position they have taken.

9. You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate

But now Jesus moves to the problem areas.

1. They have abandoned the love they first had.

Temple of Artemis in Ephesus

Public Toilet at Ephesus

2. They have forgotten from where they have fallen;

The counsel to this church is:

Repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

The reward for following this counsel is:

To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

To put this in prospective, this is the first segment of the Christian church to take the gospel to the world after the time of Christ. While they did much right, they had forgotten their high point and unless they repent, they will no longer be considered as one of God’s churches.

This is a very real danger for churches today. Going back to the reformation, more then one group started out good, but often when the reformer who started the movement passed away, they slid back, just as the church did at Ephesus. No Christian group has been immune from this problem. Therefore, this message and warning is appropriate to all.

THE CHURCH AT SARDIS

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