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Revelation1AStudyofJohn’sVision
WhileonPatmos:
TheRevelationofJesusChrist
Presentedby:MarkLaRoseDate:09/06/19DraftFile:Rev1
RelationshipwithChrist• TheMostImportantUnderstandingaboutourSalvation:– WebelieveeternallifeisagiftfromGodinChristJesusandwearejustifiedbyHisgraceandHisfaithwhopaidtheprice;death,forourtransgressions
Romans3:21-26;4:4-5,25;6:23;Ephesians2:4-10;Titus3:4-7(Is53;Eze36:25-27;John3:3-8,16;16:8;Rom5:6-10;8:1-4,14-17;1Cor15:3-4,20-22;2Cor5:14-15,19-21;Gal1:4;3:13-14,26;4:4-7;Phil2:6-11;Col1:13-14;Heb8:7-12;1Pet1:23;2Pet1:3-4;1John2:2;4:10)
• God“senthisangeltoshowhisservants”thefuture(Rev22:6)“Donotdespiseprophecies.”1Thess5:20– Purpose:TosharethevitalnecessityofacharactertransformingrelationshipwithChrist,namelytheGospelofHissacrificeforallwhocallHimLordandSavior(Ps1:1-2;Matt20:25-28;Luke19:17-20;John20:21;Rom12:2;2Cor3:17-18;Gal5:22-25;Eph5:19-21;6:12-18;Phil3:7-14;Col2:6;1Thess5:16-23;Heb10:25;2Pet2:9;3:18;1John4:4)9/6/19 2
PrinciplesofBibleStudy• Paul’scounseltoTimothy:
– 16AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness,17thatthemanofGodmaybecomplete,thoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork.2Tim3:16-17(Ps119:105;Prov30:5-6;Is8:20;John17:17;1Thess2:13;Heb4:12)
– forprophecynevercamebythewillofman,butholymenofGodspokeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit.2Pet1:21
• Bibleversions:– Useversionswiththeclosesttranslationtotheoriginallanguage
• RecommendcomparingNKJV(usedhere),NASB95,KJV,andESV
– Concordancesources:www.abibleconcordance.com;www.blueletterbible.org
• UseofExpositorystudymethods(versusThematicstudy)– ThismethodexplorestheliteralmeaningofeachwordinScriptureandits
relationshiptootherwordsinitscontext(exegesis)
9/6/19 3
PrinciplesofInterpretation• It’simportanttobeconsistentbyusingthesameprinciples,pattern,and
understandingoftheBookofDanielforthepropheciesinRevelation(Num12:6;2Chron20:20;Joel2:28-29;Amos3:7;Acts2:14-21;Rev.12:17;19:10;22:8-9)
• Everyworddeservescarefulconsideration
– “Forpreceptmustbeuponprecept,preceptuponprecept,Lineuponline,lineuponline,Herealittle,therealittle.”Is28:10,13
• LikeDaniel’svisionsweretoDaniel,RevelationisfuturetoJohn’stime
– “…Iwillshowyouthingswhichmusttakeplaceafterthis.”Rev4:1– “…toshowHisservantsthethingswhichmustshortlytakeplace.”Rev22:6
– “SurelytheLordGoddoesnothing,unlessHerevealsHissecrettoHisservantstheprophets.”Amos3:7(Isaiah42:9;Hosea12:10)
• TheHistoricistmethodofinterpretationaloneprovidesconsistentmeaningwiththeBiblicalthemefromGenesistoRevelation
• MuchinRevelationissymbolic;identifiedbasedoncontext
– LookfordefinitionsandcorrelationselsewherewithinDanielandRevelationfirst,thentheBibleasawhole;theninhistory
– LikeDaniel2,7,8,9&10-12,theprincipleusedis“repeatandenlarge”9/6/19 4
“Blessedishewhoreadsandthosewhohearthewordsofthisprophecy,andkeepthosethingswhicharewritteninit;forthetimeisnear.”Revelation1:3
9/6/19 5
OverviewTheBookofRevelation
TheBookofRevelationsummarizestheother65booksoftheBibleandisthereforeahighlycondensedmasterpiecedescribingGod’splanfrombeforeearth’screationtoafteritisrestoredandGod’suniversalkingdomisrelocatedtotheearth.
Revelationhasendlessdepthandislikewiseenormousinitsscope.– Revelationhassome505quotationsorallusionsfrom28ofthe39books
oftheOldTestament,appliedsymbolicallyonaworldwidescope.• Someprophecieshavebothanimmediateandaremotefulfillment(Deut
18:15)• (ThereisneverasecondlocalapplicationofOTprophecy)
Wewilllikelyspendeternityendeavoringtounderstandthestoryittells;theloveitrepresents.
9/6/19 6
Revelation(AD95-96)
• TheApostleJohnreceivedtheRevelationvisionswhileonPatmos
• JohnwasexiledinAD95duringthereignofEmperorDomitian.HisexileendedupontheaccessionofEmperorNervainAD96.
• Jerusalemhadbeendestroyed25yearsearlierinAD70
• Revelationiswrittenusingchiasticstructures:achiasmisarepetitionofsimilarideasinthereversesequence
• EventsinRevelationarebuiltbyprogressiverepetitionaddingdetaillikeDaniel2,7,8,9,&11-12
• Thevisionswerenotgiveninchronologicalorder9/6/19 7
OverviewTheBookofRevelation
Revelation1-14ismirrored…! Rev1:1-8Introduction! Rev1:9-3:227Churches! Rev4:1-8:17Seals! Rev8:2-11:187Trumpets
! Rev11:19-14:20CosmicControversy
…byRevelation15-22! Rev22:8-17Conclusion! Rev21:9-22:7NewJerusalem! Rev19:11-21:81,000Years! Rev15:1-16:217Plagues! Rev17:1-19:10FallofBabylon
9/6/19 8
IntroductionandConclusionTheBookofRevelation
Rev1:1-8ismirrored…A. “testimonyofJesusChrist”(1:2)
B. “Blessedishewhoreads…thewords…”(1:3)
C. “Behold,Heiscoming”(1:7)
D. “IamtheAlphaandtheOmega”(1:8)
…byRev22:8-21A. “I,Jesus,havesent…to
testify”(22:16)
B. “…Blessedishewhokeepsthewords…”(22:7b)
C. “Iamcomingquickly”(22:12,20)
D. “IamtheAlphaandtheOmega”(22:13)
9/6/19 9
7ChurchesandNewJerusalemTheBookofRevelation
Rev1:9-3:22ismirrored…A. Christ“…walksinthemidstof
thesevengoldenlamps”(2:1)
B. “…treeoflife…”(2:7)C. “…anopendoor…”(3:8)
D. “…Iamcomingquickly!”(3:11)
E. “…NewJerusalem,whichcomesdownoutofheaven…”(3:12)
F. Christ“…satdownwithMyFatheronHisthrone.”(3:21)
…byRev21:9-22:7A. “…theLambisitslight”(21:23)
B. “…treeoflife…”(22:2)C. “Itsgatesshallnotbe
shut…”(21:25)
D. “…Iamcomingquickly!”(22:7)
E. “…holyJerusalem,descendingoutofheaven…”(21:10)
F. “…thethroneofGodandoftheLamb…”(22:1,3)
9/6/19 10
7Sealsand1,000YearsTheBookofRevelation
Rev4:1-8:1ismirrored…A. “…adoorstandingopenin
heaven”(4:1)
B. “…awhitehorse.”Followedbycoloredhorses(6:2-8)
C. “…soulsofthosewhohadbeenslain…”askingforjudgment(6:9-10)
D. “…awhiterobewasgiven”(6:11;7:9-14)
E. Kings,greatmen,richmen,commanders,“themightymen”askedtobekilled(6:15-16)
…byRev19:11-21:8A. “…Isawheavenopened”(19:11)
B. “…awhitehorse.”Armiesfollowedonwhitehorses(19:11-14)
C. “…soulsofthosewhohadbeenbeheaded…”enthronedasjudges(20:4-6)
D. “…clothedinfinelinen,whiteandclean…”(19:14)
E. Kings,captains,and“mightymen”arekilled(19:17-21)
9/6/19 11
7Trumpetsand7PlaguesTheBookofRevelation
Rev8:2-11:18ismirrored…1) “…throwntotheearth”(8:7)
2) “…thrownintothesea”(8:8-9)3) “…riversand…springs”(8:10-11)
4) Sun,moon,andstars(8:12)
5) Bottomlesspit,darkness(9:1-12)
6) “…greatRiverEuphrates.”(9:13-21)
7) “…loudvoicesinheaven”,“thekingdomsof…Christ”,“lightnings,noises,thunderings,andearthquake,andgreathail”(11:15-18)
…byRev15:1-16:211) “…upontheearth…”(16:2)2) “…onthesea”(16:3)3) “…riversandsprings…”(16:4)4) “…thesun…”(16:8-9)5) “…throneofthebeast…fullof
darkness…”(1:10-11)6) “…greatRiver
Euphrates…”(16:12-16)7) “…loudvoicecameoutofthe
templeofheaven…”,“Itisdone!”,“noisesandthunderingsandlightnings;andtherewasagreatearthquake…greathail”(16:17-21)
9/6/19 12
CosmicControversyandFallofBabylonTheBookofRevelation
Rev11:19-14:20ismirrored…A. “…awomanclothedwiththe
sun…”(12:1)
B. “…dragonhaving7headsand10horns…”(12:3;13:1seabeast)
C. “…woman…intothewilderness”(12:14)
D. “…keepthecommandmentsofGod…”(12:17b)
E. “…havethetestimonyofJesusChrist.”(12:17c)
F. “…Babylonisfallen,isfallen…”(14:8)
…byRev17:1-19:10A. “Thewomanwasarrayedin
purpleandscarlet”(17:4)
B. “…scarletbeasthaving7headsand10horns.”(17:3b)
C. “…intothewilderness…awoman…”(17:3a)
D. “…motherofharlots…”(17:5b)
E. “testimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”(19:10c)
F. “…Babylonthegreatisfallen,isfallen…”(18:2)
9/6/19 13
OverviewTheBookofRevelation
Revelationcontains7ThronescenesthatprovideaviewoftheSanctuaryinHeaven:
1. Introductionofthe7seals(Rev4:1-5:14)
2. Introductionofthe7trumpets(Rev8:2-6)3. IntroductionofthecosmiccontroversyinRev12(Rev11:19)
4. Introductiontothe7plagues(Rev15)5. IntroductiontothefallofsymbolicBabylon(Rev16:17-17:3a)
6. IntroductiontotheSecondAdvent(Rev19:1-10)
7. IntroductiontotheNewEarth(Rev21:5-11a)
9/6/19 14
IntroductionABookof“7’s”
• TheBookofRevelationreferstoseveralsignificantnumbers;with“7”beinganimportantthemethroughout– 7Throneroomscenes(priorslide)– 7times,the“WordofGod”(Rev1:2,9;6:9;17:17;19:9,13;20:4)– 7times,a“Prophecy”(Rev1:3;11:6;19:10;22:7,10,18,19)– 7times,“Patience”(Rev1:9;2:2,3,19;3:10;13:10;14:12)– 7Blessings(Rev1:3;14:12-13;16:15;19:9;20:6;22:6-7;22:14-19)– 7Lampstands(Rev1:13)– 7Stars(Rev1:16,20)– 7Churches(Rev2&3)– 7Spirits(Rev1:4;4:5),Lambwith7hornsand7eyes(Rev5:6)– 7Hymns(Rev4:8;4:10-11;5:8-9;5:11-12;5:13-14;7:9-10;7:11-12)– 7Thunders(Rev10:4)– 7Seals(Rev6:1-17;8:1)– 7AttributesofGod(Rev4:11;5:12;7:12)– 7Trumpets(Rev8:7-9:21;11:15)– 7Bowls/plagues(Rev15&16)– 7Heads/Kings/Mountains(Rev12:3;13:1;17:3,9-11)– 7Daysofcreationweek(Rev14:7,Gen1:1-2:3)– 7WoeSongstoBabylon(Rev18:1-24;19:1-4)
http://www.keithhunt.com/Songsrev.html9/6/19 15
Revelation1
JesusRevealed:TheIntroduction
Revelation1:1
• “TheRevelationofJesusChrist,whichGodgaveHimtoshowHisservants—thingswhichmustshortlytakeplace.AndHesentandsignifieditbyHisangeltoHisservantJohn,”– ThepurposeofthevisionofRevelationistorevealJesusChrist
• Revelation(G602,apokalypsis):Layingbare,disclosureoftruth,lighten(Lk2:32)– Godgave:TheFatherentrustedalltotheSon(Matt11:27;28:18;John3:32;Heb
2:10-14)– Hisservants:Thesaintsofalltime,particularlytheendtimeremnant– Thingswhichmustshortlytakeplace:Johnwasshownthefuture(both
shortandlongrange);nothistory(exceptthemesinprocess)(Deut29;29;1Pet3:8;Eccl9:5;John14:29;2Pet3:8;Rev12;22:6)• Someinitiatedbutuncompletedevents:(2Thess2:7,EraofthechurchofEphesus,theRiderofthewhitehorse/1stseal;Satan’sfall)
– Signified[G4591,sēmainō]:“tomakeknown”(John12:33;Acts11:28)“…Godhathmadeknown”Dan2:45KJV• AnallusiontotheBookofDanielandindicationthatthelanguageusedwillbesymbolicinnature
– His(Jesus’)angel:Gabriel(Dan8:16;9:21;10:10-11:2a;Luke1:19,26)9/6/19 17
Revelation1:2
• “whoborewitnesstothewordofGod,andtothetestimonyofJesusChrist,toallthingsthathesaw.”– JohnborewitnessofGod’sWord(Is8:20;John1:1-3;14:6-14;Rev19:13)– TestimonyofJesusChrist:Pastandcontemporaryprophets;witnessing
(Amos3:7;1Cor1:6;1Jn1:1;Rev1:9;6:9;11:7;12:11,17;15:5;19:10)
9/6/19 18
Revelation1:3
• “Blessedishewhoreadsandthosewhohearthewordsofthisprophecy,andkeepthosethingswhicharewritteninit;forthetimeisnear.”– Blessedishe:Thefirstof7“blessings”inRevelation;anamazing
promiseforthoseembracingthisgospel(Rev1:3;14:12-13;16:15;19:9;20:6;22:6-7;22:14-19)
– Read:AnindicationthatwemustreadandstudyGod’sWordforourselvesratherthanrelyingonother’sinterpretationsandsermons(Is55:11;John16:13;Matt21:22;James1:5)
– Hear:ListeningforGodwheninprayerisimportant• Thespokenword,promptingstudyandverifyingforourselves:Rom10:17• NatureisawitnessofGodtheCreator:John1:3;Col1:16• Dreamsthatareincompleteharmonywithscripture:Joel2:28• Thestill,smallvoiceoftheHolySpirit:1Ki19:11-13
– Keepthingswritten:ThispromiseisconditionalonlivinginharmonywithGod’sWord,includingHisLawandthetestimonyofHisprophets(Eccl12:13-14;Is8:20;Hab2:1;Lk11:28;Rev22:7)
– Timeisnear:Thoughnearly1,925yearshavepassedsinceJohnwrotewhathewasshown,foreachonethetimeisnear(Eccl9:5,10-12;Luke12:20;Rom13:11;Jam5:8)9/6/19 19
Revelation1:4
• “John,tothesevenchurcheswhichareinAsia:GracetoyouandpeacefromHimwhoisandwhowasandwhoistocome,andfromthesevenSpiritswhoarebeforeHisthrone,”– 7Churches:LiterallythechurchesofRev2&3;spirituallyforthe
Christianchurch(allclaimingtobe“Christian”)untilJesusreturns• Asia:WesternAsiaMinor,eastofGreece(presentdayTurkey)
– Is,was,istocome:God’seternalnature(Heb13:8;Rev1:8;4:8;11:17)• “Yahweh,”“IAMWHOIAM”Ex3:14
– Graceandpeace:GodprovidesbothtoHispeople(Rom1:7;2Pet1:2;Dan4:1)
– From:NoticethereareThreePersonslisted;theEternalOne,7Spirits(Rev3:1;4:5),andJesusChrist(Matt28:19;Heb13:8);TheTrinity(Ps136:1-3;Is6:3;42:1;48:16;John14:26;1John5:7-8)
• “However,whenHe1,theSpiritoftruth,hascome,He2willguideyouintoalltruth;forHe3willnotspeakonHis4ownauthority,butwhateverHe5hearsHe6willspeak;andHe7willtellyouthingstocome.”John16:13(Zech3:9;John14:17;15:26;2Pet1:21;Mic3:8;1Cor2:9-13;Rev4:5;5:6)– Here,JohnreferstotheSpiritasanindividualmemberoftheGodhead,7times9/6/19 20
Revelation1:5
• “andfromJesusChrist,thefaithfulwitness,thefirstbornfromthedead,andtheruleroverthekingsoftheearth.ToHimwholovedusandwashedusfromoursinsinHisownblood,”1) Jesus,ourtrustworthyWitness,providinghopethroughHisdeathfor
oursins(1Cor15:20;Eph1:20)
2) Thefirstborn:Jesus’resurrection
3) Ruler:thePrincewhorulesoverall“kingsoftheearth”fromHeaven(Is9:6;Dan7:3,7,17,19;8:25;10:13;Rev3:14;13:11)
– TheGodheadlovesussomuch,thatJesusshedHisblood,sowemighthaveeverlastinglife(Matt26:28;John3:16-17;Heb9:14,22;1Pet2:24;1John1:7-9;Rev7:14)
– Washedus:Jesuscleansesus,coveringuswithHisrobeofrighteousness(Zech3:1-5;John1:29;Rom11:27;Heb9:14)
– Sins(Greek:hamartia,meaning“tomissthemark”,“toerr,bemistaken”)(Matt1:21;9:6;26:28;Mark2:7)
• Theseincludesinsconfessedandrepentedof(Luke24:47)• Thosewhopersistinsin,intentionallyrejecttheprinciplesofheaven(Rom
6:1-2,6-7)9/6/19 21
Revelation1:6(1of2)• “andhasmadeuskingsandprieststoHisGodandFather,toHim
begloryanddominionforeverandever.Amen.”– Priests:Exodus19:6designatedIsraelasa“kingdomofpriests”,afitting
examplefortheendtimespiritualIsraeldescribedin1Pet2:5,9asa“royalpriesthood”and“holynation”(Ex19:6;Lev16:30-31,34;Num18:7,20;Deut7:6;Is61:6;66:21Eze37:12;Hos4:1,6;Eph2:6;Rev5:10)• Rev20:6designatesthosewhoarebroughtbacktolifeinthefirstresurrectionas“priestsofGodandofChrist”(Note:Zech3:7)
• Thesemakeupthe“greatmultitude”ofRev7:9-15
• Thesearethose“underthealtar”spokenofinthe5thseal(Rev6:9-11)• Priestswereheldresponsibleforviolationsofthesanctuary’sholiness(Num
18:1)• Priestshadnoland,noearthlyinheritance;TheLordsaid,“IamyourportionandyourinheritanceamongthechildrenofIsrael.”Num18:20
• ShowsthatspiritualIsraelisJesus’“kingdom”grantedtoHimwhenHecompletesthejudgment(Dan12:1)
9/6/19 22
Revelation1:6(2of2)• “andhasmadeuskingsandprieststoHisGodandFather,toHim
begloryanddominionforeverandever.Amen.”– Kings:Rev20:4a,6raisesthequestionofthepotentialforadifferent
roleforthe144,000,theremnantthatremainalive,orpartofthespecialresurrection,justbeforeChrist’sreturn(Dan12:2)• IsitpossiblethatthesewillservewithChristasjudges(kings),verifyingthecharactersofthewickeddeadduringthe1,000years?(Rev7:15)
– Gloryanddominion:“…honorandpower,everlasting”1Tim6:16
– “Amen”means“itistrue”(2Cor1:20-22)
" Melchizedek,atypeofChrist,wasKing(Greek:basileus)ofSalem/Peace/RighteousnessandPriestofGod(theHolySpirit)(Gen14:18;Ps110:1,4;Heb7:1-8:1)
" ChristservesasbothPriest(forgiving)andKing(cleansing)astypifiedintheOldTestamentsanctuaryserviceanddayofatonement
9/6/19 23
Revelation1:7
• “Behold,Heiscomingwithclouds,andeveryeyewillseeHim,eventheywhopiercedHim.AndallthetribesoftheearthwillmournbecauseofHim.Evenso,Amen.”– Comingwithclouds:Jesuswillreturnwithclouds(Matt24:30;26:64;Mark
13:26;14:62;Acts1:9-11;Titus2:13)• The“clouds”areHisangels(Dan7:13)
– EveryeyewillseeHim:EverypersonaliveonearthwillseeJesus(Matt25:31-46;Luke21:27;1Thess4:16-17;2Thess1:7-8)
– TheywhopiercedHim:LikelyallthosewhohadadirecthandinJesus’crucifixionwillberaisedtoseeHimreturn(Dan12:2;Zech12:10-11;Matt23:37-39;26:64;John19:34)• Thesewillthendieonceagain,onlytobeapartofthe“secondresurrection”ofRev20:5(Luke23:30;Rev6:15-16)
– Tribesoftheearthmourn:Earth“dwellers,”thosewhodon’t“dwellinheaven”willmourn,thoughdonotrepent(Ps91:9;Jer4:28;Rev6:15-17;18:8,11)• Thisspeakstothespiritualend-timefulfillmentofZech12:10-14andMatt24:30(2Chron35:20-25;2Ki23:29-30;Rev16:12-16)
– “Amen”means“itistrue”(2Cor1:20-22)9/6/19 24
Revelation1:8
• “IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,theBeginningandtheEnd,”saystheLord,“whoisandwhowasandwhoistocome,theAlmighty.”– Iam:TheCreator(Ex3:14;John8:58;Deut32:39;Is43:10;46:4;John13:19;18:5)
– Alpha:TheBeginning(John1:1)(Is41:4;44:6;48:12;Heb12:2;Rev1:11;21:6;22:13)– Omega:TheEnd(Rev1:11,17;2:8;21:6;22:13)
– Whoisandwhowasandwhoistocome:Godiseternal(Rev1:4;4:8;11:17;16:5;21:6;22:13)• “JesusChrististhesameyesterday,today,andforever”Heb13:8
– Almighty:Rulerofall(Rev4:8;16:7;19:15;Amos9:5)
9/6/19 25
Revelation1
John’sVisionofChristinthemidstof
The7Churches
Revelation1:9
• “I,John,bothyourbrotherandcompanioninthetribulationandkingdomandpatienceofJesusChrist,wasontheislandthatiscalledPatmosforthewordofGodandforthetestimonyofJesusChrist.”– John:ThedisciplewhomJesusloved(John20:2)
• TheauthoroftheGospelofJohn,3epistles,andRevelation– Tribulation:ReferencetosufferingforChrist(Matt10:38;Luke22:28;Acts14:22;
Rom8:17;2Tim2:12;3:12)– Kingdom:Ofgrace(Matt4:17),andthesaints(Dan7:13-14)– Patience:Literally“remainunder”implyingselfcontrol(Rev2:7;14:12)
– IslandofPatmos:JohnwasimprisonedonPatmos(55miSWofEphesus)
– FortheWordofGod:Literally“onaccountoftheword”(John1:1-3)
– ForthetestimonyofJesusChrist:ReferencetothetestimonyofGod’sprophets(Is8:20;Rev19:10;22:7),andthelaw(Ex25:21)
9/6/19 27
Revelation1:10-11
• “10IwasintheSpiritontheLord’sDay,andIheardbehindmealoudvoice,asofatrumpet,11saying,“IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,theFirstandtheLast,”and,“Whatyousee,writeinabookandsendittothesevenchurcheswhichareinAsia:toEphesus,toSmyrna,toPergamos,toThyatira,toSardis,toPhiladelphia,andtoLaodicea.”– Spirit:Invision– Lord’sDay:The7thdaySabbath(Ex20:8-11;31:13;Lev23:3;Deut5:15;Is13:6-13;
58:13-14;Matt12:8;24:20;Mark2:27-28;Luke23:50-24:1;Acts20:7;1Cor16:2;Heb13:8;2Pet3:10)– Loudvoiceasofatrumpet:Stressingtheimportanceofthemessage
(Rev4:1;10:8)– Alpha,Omega,FirstandLast:TheLordisunique,thereisnoother(Is
41:4;44:6;Rev1:4,8,17;21:6;22:13)(Note:LamentationsisaalphabeticalacrosticpoemfromAtoZ)
– 7Churches:Noticetheseparate,distinctinvitationforeachone• Thesemessages,includingallofRevelation,weretothese7literalchurchesinAsiaMinorandalsoforthe7erasoftheChristianchurch(allgroupsandchurchesclaimingChrist)asnotedabove,describingtheirspiritualcondition9/6/19 28
Revelation1:12-13
• “12ThenIturnedtoseethevoicethatspokewithme.AndhavingturnedIsawsevengoldenlampstands,13andinthemidstofthesevenlampstandsOneliketheSonofMan,clothedwithagarmentdowntothefeetandgirdedaboutthechestwithagoldenband.”– Seethevoice:JohnlikelyrecognizedthevoiceofhisMasterfromsome
65yearsearlier– 7Goldenlampstands:RepresentingtheresponsibilityoftheChristian
churchtobeacontinuallighttotheworld(Ex25:37;Lev24:2-4;Zech4:2;Matt5:14-15;John8:12;Rev2:5)• ThissceneplacesJesusintheHolyPlacefollowingHisascension(Acts1:9-11)
– SonofMan:Jesus(Dan7:13;Matt26:64;Mark2:28;8:31;14:62;Luke9:22;19:10;Acts7:56)
– Midstofthelampstands:IndicatingthisscenewasshownJohnfromtheperspectiveofearth(Lev26:12;Deut23:14)• “AndtheWordbecamefleshanddweltamongus…”John1:14(Num1:51-53;
2:1-34;Ps148:14;Heb10:22)
• AlludestoChrist’spriestlyministryintheheavenlysanctuary(Is53:12;Heb8:1-6)
– Garmentgirdedwithagoldenband:CompareDan10:5&Rev15:69/6/19 29
Revelation1:14-16
• “14Hisheadandhairwerewhitelikewool,aswhiteassnow,andHiseyeslikeaflameoffire;15Hisfeetwerelikefinebrass,asifrefinedinafurnace,andHisvoiceasthesoundofmanywaters;16HehadinHisrighthandsevenstars,outofHismouthwentasharptwo-edgedsword,andHiscountenancewaslikethesunshininginitsstrength.”– ComparedressandcharacteristicstotheFatherinDan7:9-10,and
Daniel’sdescriptionofJesusinDan10:5-6(Is1:18;Ps119:105;Eze1:7;Rev2:18;19:12)
– Voicelikemanywaters:Likethesoundfrommanypeople(Eze43:2;Dan10:6;Rev14:2;17:15;19:6)
– 7Stars:Angelsprotectingthe7churches/thesaints(Rev1:20;2:1;3:1)– OutofHismouth,sharptwo-edgedsword:Likelyreferstothedual
natureofthegospel,HisLawandthetestimonyofHisprophets(Ps149:6;Is8:20;41:10;49:2;Hos6:5;1Cor1:6;Eph6:17;Heb4:12-13;1John5:10;Rev2:12,16;3:8;12:17;19:15,21)
– Countenancelikesun:ConsistentwithHisappearanceatthetransfiguration(Matt17:2;Mark9:3;Luke9:29;John1:14;2Pet1:16-18)
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Revelation1:17-18
• “17AndwhenIsawHim,IfellatHisfeetasdead.ButHelaidHisrighthandonme,sayingtome,“Donotbeafraid;IamtheFirstandtheLast.18IamHewholives,andwasdead,andbehold,Iamaliveforevermore.Amen.AndIhavethekeysofHadesandofDeath.”– Fellasdead:Asothersdid,Johnfeltweakandunworthy(Eze1:28;2:1;Dan
8:17-18;10:10;Acts9:4)
– Donotbeafraid:Comfortisaconsistentthemewhenheavenlybeingsprovideinformationorassistancetohumans(Judg6:22-23;Dan10:12;Matt28:5)
– TheFirstandtheLast:EmphasisasnotedinRev1:4,8,11;21:6;22:13(Is44:6;48:12-13)
– “Amen”means“itistrue”(2Cor1:20-22)
– KeysofHades(grave):Referstotheseconddeath(Rev20:1,13-14)• Satanwasgiventhekeytothebottomlesspit(Rev9:1).HisinitiationofIslaminAD612followedbythewarsbetweenapostateChristianityandIslamshowedhistruecharacter(Rev20:1-3)
– KeysofDeath:ReferstoasleepasLazarusexperienced(Ps68:20;John11:11-26;5:24;Rom6:9;1Cor15:55;Rev4:9;5:14)9/6/19 31
Revelation1:19-20
• “19Writethethingswhichyouhaveseen,andthethingswhichare,andthethingswhichwilltakeplaceafterthis.20ThemysteryofthesevenstarswhichyousawinMyrighthand,andthesevengoldenlampstands:Thesevenstarsaretheangelsofthesevenchurches,andthesevenlampstandswhichyousawarethesevenchurches.”
" NotethelanguagepatternbetweenRev1:8band1:19– Write:Johnwasshown:
• thefallofSatan(Rev12),• thecurrentconditionofChristianityand,• whatwilltakeplaceinthefutureofJohn’sday(AD95-96)
– Righthand:Symbolofpower(Ps89:13;Luke22:69;Acts2:33;5:31;1Pet3:22)
– Mystery:Jesusrevealstheinterpretationofboththelampstandsandthestars(Zech4:2;Rev1:16;2:1;4:1)• StarsrefertobothguardianangelsandhumanmessengersofthechurchbeingprotectedandguidedbyJesus(Rev12:1b,4)9/6/19 32
OurMissionastheRemnant
• “WorshipGod!ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”(Rev19:10)– Theunderstandingofprophecyisacalltoaction;tosharethegospelof
everlastinglifethrougharelationshipwithJesus,proclaimingthe3angels’messageofRev14:6-12
• “…obeyGod’scommandments”(Rev12:17)and“Worshiphimwhomadetheheavens,theearth,theseaandthespringsofwater.”(Rev14:7)
• “…EveryonewhokeepsfromdefilingtheSabbath,AndholdsfastMycovenant—EventhemIwillbringtoMyholymountain,AndmakethemjoyfulinMyhouseofprayer.(Is56:6-7)
• “Beholy…blameless”(1Pet1:16-19;2Pet3:10-14)
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Hewhotestifiestothesethingssays,“SurelyIamcomingquickly.”Amen.Evenso,come,LordJesus!Revelation22:20
9/6/19 34
AdditionalInformationIamindebtedtoTimRoosenbergwhohasstudiedDaniel11-12sincetheearly2000’sand
hasdedicatedhisministrytoprovidingpeoplewithknowledgeofthetimesthatwelivethroughseminarsandhiswebsite;http://www.islamandchristianity.org
IamalsoindebtedtotwoindividualswhomhavededicatedtheirlivesinastudyofRevelation17sincethelate1990’s.Theirwebsite,http://666man.net,providessignificantdepthonthemanyrelatedBiblepassagesandpropheciesthatcorrelatecompletelytothepropheciesofDaniel
Foranexcellentversebyversecommentarysee:http://www.bibleexplained.com
ForadeepperspectiveofhowRevelationrepresentsthespiritualfulfillmentofmuchoftheOldTestamentsee:LouisF.Were,TheCertaintyofthe3rdAngel’sMessage,1945
EllenGouldWhitewasaprolificauthorandanAmericanChristianpioneer.AlongwithotherSabbatarianAdventistleaderssuchasJosephBatesandherhusbandJamesWhite,sheformedwhatbecameknownastheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch.TheSmithsonianmagazinenamedEllenG.Whiteamong100MostSignificantAmericansinanacknowledgementofherinfluenceonreligion.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_G._White
9/6/19 35
EllenWhiteCommentsGen-Rev" “Thegreatfeeblenessofthechurchistheresultofafailureonthepartofthe
memberstoappropriatetheWordofGodastheirspiritualfood.TheWordofGod,inspiredbytheSpiritofGod,isnotfiction,buttruth,anditpreeminentlydeserves,andwithpositiveassurancedemands,ourseriousappreciation.WearetolivebyeverywordthatproceedsoutofthemouthofGod.WeareinnodangerofobtainingtoomuchoftheknowledgeofGodandJesusChrist,whoHehassent.WemayfindbyastudyoftheWordthatweareindanger,throughournegligence,oflosingthewaymarks.ComingtothelightoftheWord,ourdutyismadeplainandclear.”{Lt76-1900.5}
" “LetushavemoreBiblereadingandlessstoryreading.”{Lt76-1900.6}
" “TheteachingsoftheOldTestamentScripturesarethewordsofChrist,spokeninplain,simplelanguage.ThereispresentedtheobediencerequiredbyGod.ThetruthsoftheBibleareofinestimablevalue,andshouldbetreasuredupintheheartandmind.ThepreceptsoftheWordofGodshouldgovernthewholelifeinthisworld,preparingusforthefutureworld.”{Lt76-1900.7}
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EllenWhiteCommentsGen-Rev" “WouldthatIcouldspeakwordsthatwouldsinkdeepintotheheartsofthe
peopleofGod,arousingthemtomixfaithwiththeirhearingaswellaswiththeirreadingoftheWord.OpenyourBiblesalonebeforeGod,andaskHimtogiveyouanunderstandingheartandfirm,righteousprinciples.AskHimtogiveyouarealizationoftheimportanceofimplicitobedience,andtofilltheheartwithanabiding,comfortingassuranceoftheloveofChrist.AskHimtoinspireyouwithaholyendeavorandanunshrinkingfaith,whichtakesGodatHisword.AnincreaseoffaithandconfidenceinGodistheresultofanincreasedknowledgeofGodandofJesusChrist,gainedthroughstudyingHisWord.ThuswemayhaveavisitwiththeverybestFriendwehave.”{Lt76-1900.8}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1-22" “Ourlessonforthepresenttimeis,Howmaywemostclearlycomprehendand
presentthegospelthatChristcameinpersontopresenttoJohnontheIsleofPatmos,—thegospelthatistermed“therevelationofJesusChrist”?WearetopresenttoourpeopleaclearexplanationofRevelation.WearetogivethemthewordofGodjustasitis,withasfewofourownexplanationsaspossible.Noonemindcandothisworkalone.Althoughwehaveintrustthegrandestandmostimportanttrutheverpresentedtotheworld,weareonlybabes,asfarasunderstandingtruthinallitsbearingsisconcerned.Christisthegreatteacher,andthatwhichHerevealedtoJohn,wearetotaxourmindstounderstandandclearlytodefine.Wearefacingthemostimportantissuesthatmenhaveeverbeencalledupontomeet.”{CW29.2}
" “IntherevelationthatChristgavearelinkedtogetherinachainoftruththeimportantmessagesofwarningthataretobegiventotheworldbeforeChrist’ssecondcoming.Thelastmessageofmercyistobeproclaimedwhereithasneveryetbeenheard.Theworkersaretolaborwithsuchself-denial,suchself-sacrifice,thatthemessagewillbebornetothosewhohavenotheardit.”Letter110,1902,p.4.(ToDr.DavidPaulson,July7,1902.){1MR372.3}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1-22" “PropheciesofRevelationRepeatPropheciesofDaniel—Revelationisasealed
book,butitisalsoanopenedbook.Itrecordsmarvelouseventsthataretotakeplaceinthelastdaysofthisearth’shistory.Theteachingsofthisbookaredefinite,notmysticalandunintelligible.InitthesamelineofprophecyistakenupasinDaniel.SomepropheciesGodhasrepeated,thusshowingthatimportancemustbegiventothem.TheLorddoesnotrepeatthingsthatareofnogreatconsequence.”—Manuscript107,1897,pp.1,2.(“SearchtheScriptures,”nodate.){9MR7.5}
" “InviewofthetestimonyofInspiration,howdarementeachthattheRevelationisamysterybeyondthereachofhumanunderstanding?Itisamysteryrevealed,abookopened.ThestudyoftheRevelationdirectsthemindtothepropheciesofDaniel,andbothpresentmostimportantinstruction,givenofGodtomen,concerningeventstotakeplaceatthecloseofthisworld’shistory.”{GC341.3}
9/6/19 39
EllenWhiteCommentsRev1-22" TheCertaintyofProphecy“AllthatGodhasinprophetichistoryspecifiedto
befulfilledinthepasthasbeen,andallthatisyettocomeinitsorderwillbe.Daniel,God’sprophet,standsinhisplace.Johnstandsinhisplace.IntheRevelationtheLionofthetribeofJudahhasopenedtothestudentsofprophecythebookofDaniel,andthusisDanielstandinginhisplace.Hebearshistestimony,thatwhichtheLordrevealedtohiminvisionofthegreatandsolemneventswhichwemustknowaswestandontheverythresholdoftheirfulfillment.”{2SM109.1}
" “IntheRevelationallthebooksoftheBiblemeetandend.HereisthecomplementofthebookofDaniel.Oneisaprophecy;theotherarevelation.ThebookthatwassealedisnottheRevelation,butthatportionoftheprophecyofDanielrelatingtothelastdays.Theangelcommanded,“Butthou,ODaniel,shutupthewords,andsealthebook,eventothetimeoftheend.”Daniel12:4.”{AA585.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1-22" “ThebookofRevelationopenstotheworldwhathasbeen,whatis,andwhat
istocome;itisforourinstructionuponwhomtheendsoftheworldarecome.Itshouldbestudiedwithreverentialawe.Weareprivilegedinknowingwhatisforourlearning.ButdowetreatthewordofGodwiththereverencewhichishisdue,andwiththegratitudewhichGodwouldbepleasedtosee?“AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness:thatthemanofGodmaybeperfect,thoroughlyfurnisheduntoallgoodworks.”{RHAugust31,1897,par.4}“…Inthisbookaredepictedscenesthatarenowinthepast,andsomeofeternalinterestthataretakingplacearoundus;otherofitsprophecieswillnotreceivetheircompletefulfillmentuntilthecloseoftime,whenthelastgreatconflictbetweenthepowersofdarknessandthePrinceofheavenwilltakeplace.”{RHAugust31,1897,par.5}
9/6/19 41
EllenWhiteCommentsRev1-22" “ToJohntheLordJesusopenedthesubjectsthatHesawwouldbeneededby
Hispeopleinthelastdays.TheinstructionthatHegaveisfoundinthebookofRevelation.Thosewhowouldbeco-workerswithourLordandSaviourJesusChristwillshowadeepinterestinthetruthsfoundinthebookofRevelation.WithpenandvoicetheywillstrivetomakeplainthewonderfulthingsthatChristcamefromheaventoreveal.”ThefirstchapterofthebookofRevelationwasthenreadwithgreatsolemnity.“TheRevelationofJesusChrist,whichGodgaveuntoHim,toshowuntoHisservantsthingswhichmustshortlycometopass;andHesentandsignifieditbyHisangeluntoHisservantJohn,whobarerecordofthewordofGod,andofthetestimonyofJesusChrist,andofallthingsthatHesaw.Blessedishethatreadeth,andtheythathearthewordsofthisprophecy,andkeepthosethingsthatarewrittentherein;forthetimeisathand.”OurInstructorpresentedthesolemnmessagesthathavebeengivenintheirorderinRevelationandthataretooccupythefirstplaceinthemindsofGod’speople.Nothingelseistobeallowedtoengrossourattention.”{Lt211-1903.4-7}{8T302.1}
9/6/19 42
EllenWhiteCommentsRev1-22" “ThetestimonyofChrist,atestimonyofthemostsolemncharacter,istobe
bornetotheworld.AllthroughthebookofRevelationtherearethemostprecious,elevatingpromises,andtherearealsowarningsofthemostfearfullysolemnimport.WillnotthosewhoprofesstohaveaknowledgeofthetruthreadthetestimonygiventoJohnbyChrist?Hereisnoguesswork,noscientificdeception.Herearethetruthsthatconcernourpresentandfuturewelfare.Whatisthechafftothewheat?”{8T302.3}
9/6/19 43
EllenWhiteCommentsRev1-22" “WeneednowtobediligentlysearchingthebookofRevelation—thehistory
thatChristrevealedtoJohnontheIsleofPatmos,biddinghimwriteitinabook,thatthechurchesmightknowwhatwastotakeplaceonthisearthjustbeforethecomingoftheSonofmaninthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory.”{Ms14-1905.5}
" “InthebookofRevelationwereadofaspecialworkthatGoddesirestohaveHispeopledointheselastdays.HehasrevealedHislawandshownusthetruthforthistime.Thistruthisconstantlyunfolding,andGoddesignsthatweshallbeintelligentinregardtoit,thatwemaybeabletodistinguishbetweenrightandwrong,betweenrighteousnessandunrighteousness.”{6T127.3}
9/6/19 44
EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:1-2" “TheinstructiontobecommunicatedtoJohnwassoimportantthatChrist
camefromheaventogiveittoHisservant,tellinghimtosendittothechurches.Thisinstructionistobetheobjectofourcarefulandprayerfulstudy;forwearelivinginatimewhenmenwhoarenotundertheteachingoftheHolySpiritwillbringinfalsetheories.Thesemenhavebeenstandinginhighplaces,andtheyhaveambitiousprojectstocarryout.Theyseektoexaltthemselvesandtorevolutionizethewholeshowingofthings.Godhasgivenusspecialinstructiontoguardusagainstsuchones.HebadeJohnwriteinabookthatwhichshouldtakeplaceintheclosingscenesofthisearth’shistory.”{Ms129-1905.4}
9/6/19 45
EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:1-3" “OfGabrieltheSaviourspeaksintheRevelation,sayingthat“Hesentand
signifieditbyHisangeluntoHisservantJohn.”Revelation1:1.AndtoJohntheangeldeclared,“Iamafellowservantwiththeeandwiththybrethrentheprophets.”Revelation22:9,R.V.Wonderfulthought—thattheangelwhostandsnextinhonortotheSonofGodistheonechosentoopenthepurposesofGodtosinfulmen.”{DA99.1}
" “ItwasGabriel,theangelnextinranktotheSonofGod,whocamewiththedivinemessagetoDaniel.ItwasGabriel,“Hisangel,”whomChristsenttoopenthefuturetothebelovedJohn;andablessingispronouncedonthosewhoreadandhearthewordsoftheprophecy,andkeepthethingswrittentherein.Revelation1:3.“TheLordGodwilldonothing,butHerevealethHissecretuntoHisservantsandprophets.”While“thesecretthingsbelonguntotheLordourGod,”“thosethingswhicharerevealedbelonguntousandtoourchildrenforever.”Amos3:7;Deuteronomy29:29.Godhasgiventhesethingstous,andHisblessingwillattendthereverent,prayerfulstudyofthepropheticscriptures.”{DA234.2-3}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:1-4" “ManyhaveentertainedtheideathatthebookofRevelationisasealedbook,
andtheywillnotdevotetimeandstudytoitsmysteries.Theysaythattheyaretokeeplookingtothegloriesofsalvation,andthatthemysteriesrevealedtoJohnontheIsleofPatmosareworthyoflessconsiderationthanthese.”{RHAugust31,1897,par.2}“ButGoddoesnotsoregardthisbook.”{RHAugust31,1897,par.3}“ThebookofRevelationopenstotheworldwhathasbeen,whatis,andwhatistocome;itisforourinstructionuponwhomtheendsoftheworldarecome.Itshouldbestudiedwithreverentialawe.”{RHAugust31,1897,par.4}
9/6/19 47
EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:4-5" “TheFatherisallthefulnessoftheGodheadbodily,andisinvisibletomortal
sight.”{SpTB0762.3}
" “TheSonisallthefulnessoftheGodheadmanifested.TheWordofGoddeclaresHimtobe“theexpressimageofHisperson.”“Godsolovedtheworld,thatHegaveHisonlybegottenSon,thatwhosoeverbelievethinHimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife.”HereisshownthepersonalityoftheFather.”{SpTB0763.1}
" “TheComforterthatChristpromisedtosendafterHeascendedtoheaven,istheSpiritinallthefulnessoftheGodhead,makingmanifestthepowerofdivinegracetoallwhoreceiveandbelieveinChristasapersonalSaviour.Therearethreelivingpersonsoftheheavenlytrio;inthenameofthesethreegreatpowers—theFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit—thosewhoreceiveChristbylivingfaitharebaptized,andthesepowerswillco-operatewiththeobedientsubjectsofheavenintheireffortstolivethenewlifeinChrist....”{SpTB0763.2}{Ms21-1906.9-11}{BTSMarch1,1906,par.1-6}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:4-5" “InthefirstchapterofSecondPeterispresentedtheprogressiveworkinthe
Christianlife.Thewholechapterisalessonofdeepimportance.Ifman,inacquiringtheChristiangraces,worksontheplanofaddition,GodhaspledgedHimselftoworkinhisbehalfupontheplanofmultiplication.“GraceandpeacebemultiplieduntoyouthroughtheknowledgeofGodandofJesusourLord.”[Verse2.]TheworkislaidoutbeforeeverysoulthathasacknowledgedhisfaithinJesusChristbybaptism,andhasbecomeareceiverofthepledgefromthethreepersons—theFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit.”{Ms57-1900.11}
" “Jesussays,“Yeshallreceivepower,afterthattheHolyGhostiscomeuponyou,andyeshallbewitnessesuntome.”ItistheunionoftheHolySpiritandthetestimonyofthelivingwitnessthatistowarntheworld.TheworkerforGodistheagentthroughwhichtheheavenlycommunicationisgiven,andtheHolySpiritgivesdivineauthoritytothewordoftruth.”{RHApril4,1893,par.9}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:8;22:13" “Itisessentialthatwearecareful,attentivestudentsofthepropheciesof
theOldandNewTestaments.”{Ms33-1897.25}
" “WhenthestudentsofprophecyshallsettheirheartstoknowthetruthsofRevelation,theywillrealizewhatanimportanceisattachedtothissearch.ChristJesusistheAlphaandtheOmega,theGenesisoftheOldTestament,andtheRevelationoftheNew.BothmeettogetherinChrist.AdamandGodarereconciledbytheobedienceofthesecondAdam,whoaccomplishedtheworkofovercomingthetemptationsofSatanandredeemingAdam’sdisgracefulfailureandfall.ThetwoAdamswillmeetinParadiseandembraceeachother,whilethedragon,thebeast,andthefalseprophet,andallwhohaverefusedtheopportunitiesandprivilegesgiventothematsuchaninfinitecost,andhavenotreturnedtotheirloyalty,willbeshutoutofParadise.”{Ms33-1897.30}
" “ItbecomeseveryonetounderstandtheWordofGod.Menmaypresentthetheoriesofthetruth,butunlesstheyapplythemselvestounderstandthetruth,diggingforitasforhidtreasure,unless,byearnestresearch,underthedisciplineoftheHolySpirit,theyunderstandthetruthforthemselves,itcanneversavethem.”{Ms33-1897.29}9/6/19 50
EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:9" “Outofaheartoverflowingwithloveandgratitude,Johnborewitnessof
ChristasarisenSaviour,andnopowercouldstayhiswords.TopleasetheJews,theRomanshadcrucifiedChrist,andnow,topleasethemstillfurther,theysoughttoplaceJohnwherehisvoicecouldnotbeheardbyJeworGentile.Thinkingtosilencehimforever,theycasthimintoacaldronofboilingoil.Buthisvoicewasnotsilenced.Asthewordswerespoken,“SoperishallwhobelieveinJesusofNazareth,”Johndeclared,“MyMasterpatientlysubmittedtoallthatSatanandhisangelscoulddevisetohumiliateandtortureHim.HegaveHislifetosavetheworld.Hediedthatwemightlive.IamhonoredinbeingpermittedtosufferforHissake.Iamaweak,sinfulman.Christwasholy,harmless,undefiled,separatefromsinners.Hehadnosin,neitherwasguilefoundinHismouth.”ThefaithfulservantwaspreservedaswerethethreeHebrewsinthefieryfurnace.Johnwasremovedfromthecaldronbytheveryoneswhohadcasthimin.”{STMarch22,1905,par.1}
" “Againtheenemiesoftruthsoughttosilencethevoiceofthefaithfulwitness.JohnwasbanishedtotheIsleofPatmos.Here,theythought,hecouldnolongertroubleIsrael,andhemustfinallydieofhardshipanddistress.”{STMarch22,1905,par.2}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:9" “Tooutwardappearancestheenemiesoftruthweretriumphing;butGod’s
handwasmovingunseeninthedarkness.TheLordpermittedHisservanttobeplacedwhereChristcouldgivehimamorewonderfulrevelationofHimselfthanHehadeveryetreceived;wherehecouldreceivemostpreciousenlightenmentofthechurches.Hepermittedhimtobeplacedinsolitude,thathisearandheartmightbemorefullypreparedtohearandreceivetherevelationsthathewastobegiven.ThemanwhoexiledJohnwasnotreleasedfromresponsibilityinthematter.ButhebecameaninstrumentinthehandsofGodtocarryoutHiseternalpurpose;andtheveryefforttoextinguishlightplacedthetruthinboldrelief.”{STMarch22,1905,par.3}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:9" “Patmos,abarren,rockyislandintheAegeanSea,hadbeenchosenbythe
Romangovernmentasaplaceofbanishmentforcriminals;buttotheservantofGodthisgloomyabodebecamethegateofheaven.Here,shutawayfromthebusyscenesoflife,andfromtheactivelaborsofformeryears,hehadthecompanionshipofGodandChristandtheheavenlyangels,andfromthemhereceivedinstructionforthechurchforallfuturetime.Theeventsthatwouldtakeplaceintheclosingscenesofthisearth’shistorywereoutlinedbeforehim;andtherehewroteoutthevisionshereceivedfromGod.WhenhisvoicecouldnolongertestifytotheOnewhomhelovedandserved,themessagesgivenhimonthatbarrencoastweretogoforthasalampthatburneth,declaringthesurepurposeoftheLordconcerningeverynationontheearth.”{AA570.4}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:10" “ThepersecutionofJohnbecameameansofgrace.Patmoswasmade
resplendentwiththegloryofarisenSaviour.JohnhadseenChristinhumanform,withthemarksofthenails,whichwilleverbehisglory,inhishandsandhisfeet.NowhewaspermittedagaintobeholdhisrisenLord,clothedwithasmuchgloryasahumanbeingcouldbehold,andlive.WhataSabbathwasthattothelonelyexile,alwayspreciousinthesightofChrist,butnowmorethaneverexalted!NeverhadhelearnedsomuchofJesus.Neverhadheheardsuchexaltedtruth.TheappearanceofChristtoJohnshouldbetoall,believersandunbelievers,anevidencethatwehavearisenChrist.Itshouldgivelivingpowertothechurch.”{YIApril5,1900,par.6-7}
" “ItwasontheSabbaththattheLordofgloryappearedtotheexiledapostle.TheSabbathwasassacredlyobservedbyJohnonPatmosaswhenhewaspreachingtothepeopleinthetownsandcitiesofJudea.Heclaimedashisownthepreciouspromisesthathadbeengivenregardingthatday.”{AA581.4}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:13,20" “Christisspokenofaswalkinginthemidstofthegoldencandlesticks.Thusis
symbolizedHisrelationtothechurches.HeisinconstantcommunicationwithHispeople.Heknowstheirtruestate.Heobservestheirorder,theirpiety,theirdevotion.AlthoughHeishighpriestandmediatorinthesanctuaryabove,yetHeisrepresentedaswalkingupanddowninthemidstofHischurchesontheearth.Withuntiringwakefulnessandunremittingvigilance,HewatchestoseewhetherthelightofanyofHissentinelsisburningdimorgoingout.Ifthecandlestickswerelefttomerehumancare,theflickeringflamewouldlanguishanddie;butHeisthetruewatchmanintheLord’shouse,thetruewardenofthetemplecourts.Hiscontinuedcareandsustaininggracearethesourceoflifeandlight.”{AA586.1}“ChristisrepresentedasholdingthesevenstarsinHisrighthand.Thisassuresusthatnochurchfaithfultoitstrustneedfearcomingtonought,fornotastarthathastheprotectionofOmnipotencecanbepluckedoutofthehandofChrist.”{AA586.2}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:20" “God’sministersaresymbolizedbythesevenstars,whichHewhoisthefirst
andthelasthasunderHisspecialcareandprotection.ThesweetinfluencesthataretobeabundantinthechurchareboundupwiththeseministersofGod,whoaretorepresenttheloveofChrist.ThestarsofheavenareunderGod’scontrol.Hefillsthemwithlight.Heguidesanddirectstheirmovements.IfHedidnot,theywouldbecomefallenstars.SowithHisministers.TheyarebutinstrumentsinHishands,andallthegoodtheyaccomplishisdonethroughHispower.”{GW13.3}“ItistothehonorofChristthatHemakesHisministersagreaterblessingtothechurch,throughtheworkingoftheHolySpirit,thanarethestarstotheworld.TheSaviouristobetheirefficiency.IftheywilllooktoHimasHelookedtoHisFather,theywilldoHisworks.AstheymakeGodtheirdependence,HewillgivethemHisbrightnesstoreflecttotheworld.”{GW14.1}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:20" “InthemessagetothechurchatEphesus,Christisrepresentedasholdingthe
sevenstarsinHishandandwalkinginthemidstofthesevengoldencandlesticks.Heisrepresentedas“walking”amongthem,thusillustratingHisconstantdiligenceinbehalfofHischurch.HethatkeepethIsraelneitherslumbersnorsleeps.NordoesHebecomeindifferent.Thesefiguresaretobecarefullystudiedbytheundershepherds,andfaithfullyappliedtotheirownexperience,thattheymaynotlosesightoftheirgreatprivilegeofsecuringlightfromtheSourceofalllightandgivingitinturntothoseforwhomtheylabor.”{Lt4-1908.9}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:20" “TherearewanderingstarsprofessingtobeministerssentofGodwhoare
preachingtheSabbathfromplacetoplace,butwhohavetruthmixedupwitherrorandarethrowingouttheirmassofdiscordantviewstothepeople.Satanhaspushedthemintodisgustintelligentandsensibleunbelievers.Someofthesehavemuchtosayuponthegiftsandareoftenespeciallyexercised.Theygivethemselvesuptowild,excitablefeelingsandmakeunintelligiblesoundswhichtheycallthegiftoftongues,andacertainclassseemtobecharmedwiththesestrangemanifestations.Astrangespiritruleswiththisclass,whichwouldbeardownandrunoveranyonewhowouldreprovethem.God’sSpiritisnotintheworkanddoesnotattendsuchworkmen.Theyhaveanotherspirit.”[TestimoniesfortheChurch1:414.1.]{NL49.2}
“Theworldwillnotbeconvertedbythegiftoftongues,orbytheworkingofmiracles,butbypreachingChristcrucified.”[TestimoniestoMinistersandGospelWorkers,424.]{NL49.3}
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EllenWhiteCommentsRev1:20" “Theworkoftheministerrepresentedbythesevenstarsisahighandsacred
work.Whenheentertainstheideathathisworkiscomprehendedinsermonizing,heoverlooks,andissuretoneglect,theworkdevolvinguponashepherdoftheflock.Itishisworktohavecare,tooverseetheflock,tosoarrangetheelementsofthechurchthateachmayhavesomethingtodo.”—TheReviewandHerald,May31,1887.{PaM40.2}
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