"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:"

"the revelation"

"of Jesus Christ"

• The context suggests "from" Jesus. Jesus is the Author of the book This can also be understood to mean that the book is "about" Jesus. The gospels were about Jesus life on earth. Revelation is about Jesus work in heaven.

·         Jesus is seen in the Temple in the Holy Place in chapters 1-3 and in the Most Holy Place in chapters 4-18

"gave unto him"

• This message came from Christ to John.

 "servants"

• Gr. – douloi means slaves.

·         The early Christians referred to themselves as servants or slaves.

"shortly come to pass"

• This concept that certain events are soon to come is found in seven places in Revelation (1:1, 1:3, 3:11, 22:6,7,12,20) This phrase can be seen as suggesting that this prophecy began then but has not been completed. This is consistent with the seven churches which will extend to the Second Coming.

"signified"

·         The Greek word means "to attest" or "to announce" or "to make known."

"angel"

·         The Greek word means "messenger."

"John"

·         This is John the apostle. This is the only book John wrote where he identifies himself by name.

Rev 1:2

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

"bare record"

• Gr. – martureo means "to witness" or "to testify." This is where the word "martyr" comes from.
• John is declaring himself a witness who is going to bear testimony about what he saw.

"word"

·         Gr. – logos which means "word" or "message" or "the whole story."

"of God"

·         This message is from God. Also Jesus is the Word of God.

"testimony of Jesus"

·         This book is from Jesus but also about Him.

·         Rev 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

·         Begs the question what is the spirit of prophecy? 

"saw"

·         This means that John actually saw these things. This denotes visual communication and is stated 73 times in Revelation. John also mentions that he heard things 38 times in Revelation. John is saying that he is an eye and ear witness to these events.

Rev 1:3

"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."

"blessed"

• Gr. – makarios which means "happy." See Luke 11:28.

 "he that readeth"

• This refers especially to those who were to read this scroll in public but also applies to anyone who would read this book.

"they that hear"

·         This refers to the members of the church who would hear this message. Notice that "he" is singular for the reader and "they" is plural for the audience.

"the words"

·         This refers to the message of the entire book.

"the prophecy"

·         This shows that John recognizes this message is a prophecy. The Bible definition of a prophecy is any message from God and does not always refer to future events.

"keep"

·         The Greek word suggests "habitual" keeping as the norm of life.

"are written"

·         This is better translated "have been written."

"time"

·         The Greek term implies the time for fulfillment of those things written.

"at hand"

·         Revelation’s events are at hand. Revelation pertains to last day events. Revelation unseals the book of Daniel. Daniel gives an outline of last day events and Revelation gives the details.

Rev 1:4

"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;"

"John"

• John does not describe himself. He assumes the reader will know who he is. He is the apostle John.

"to seven churches"

• This message will be given as a letter to the seven churches.

"Asia"

·         This is the Roman province of Asia which covered an area of about 260 miles east to west and about 300 miles north to south. This area covered the present area of the Republic of Turkey. This was the center of the Hellenistic culture. Ephesus and Colossia were part of this area. John probably lived in Ephesus after A.D. 70.

"grace be unto you and peace"

·         This was a common salutation of Christians. It is a combination of the Greek "charis" which means grace and the Hebrew "shalom" which means peace.

"Him which is"

·         The Greek means "he who is" which refers to the Father God. This is the same as the "I am" in the Old Testament.

"which was"

·         This means God has eternally existed.

"which is to come"

·         This means "which will be". This refers to God’s eternal nature. Some have suggested that this refers to Christ’s coming, but the context in this verse is about God the Father.

"seven spirits"

·         These are the same as the seven lamps (Rev. 4:5) and the seven eyes of the lamb (Rev. 5:6). Seven suggests perfection or completion. The association of the seven spirits here with the Father God and also with Christ, the Lamb, in chapter 5, implies that this represents the Holy Spirit who is the source of our grace and peace.

·         The association of these seven spirits in this verse with the seven churches suggests that the Holy Spirit is connected to each church throughout history

"before His throne"

·         This is referring to God’s throne which will become the focus of many of these visions.

Rev 1:5

"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."

"Jesus Christ"

• Jesus is the third member of the Godhead and the subject of the book.

"faithful witness"

• Jesus is the perfect representative of God’s character, mind and will.

"first begotten"

·         Jesus was not the first person raised from the dead but He was the basis for the resurrection of everyone raised.

"Prince"

·         This word means ruler. Jesus will be the Ruler of this world because He has overcome sin and He is our Creator.

"that loved us, and washed us"

·         The word washed probably is best translated "loosed" or "set free" from sin. The Greek word for wash is louo and the Greek word for loose is luo.

"In His own blood"

·         Better translated "by His own blood" which He shed for us.

Rev 1:6

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

"kings and priests"

• Christ’s church is His kingdom. Christ’s people are His priests. Man no longer needs a human priest between him and God. God’s kingdom of divine grace is in men’s hearts (Matt 4:17). The function of the priest was to present offerings to God, now we can approach God on our own behalf thru Christ.

"God and His Father"

·         This can be translated "His God and Father" or "God even His Father."

"to Him be glory"

·         The Greek word doxa means "all glory". Jesus deserves "all glory."

"dominion"

·         This recognizes Christ’s rulership of all the universe.

"for ever and ever"

·         The Greek word aion means forever.

"amen"

·         This word means "truly". Jesus will reign forever, truly.

Rev 1:7

"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."

"behold he cometh"

·         The salutation ends in verse six. Now John introduces the theme of the book of Revelation. The theme of the book is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

"with clouds"

·         This refers to Acts 1:9-11 where Jesus is described as returning in the clouds just as He left. This is also described by Jesus in Matthew 24:30.

·         Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

·         Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

·         Act 1:11 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.

·         Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

"every eye shall see him"

·         This means that Jesus Second Coming is not secret. This is a global event. This is also confirmed by Jesus own words in Matthew 24:27,30.

·         Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

·         Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

"pierced"

·         This description of Jesus death connects Revelation to the book of John. John is the only gospel writer to record the "piercing" of Jesus. This verse suggests that those who were responsible for His death will be raised prior to His Second Coming. See Daniel 12:2.

·         Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.

“all kindreds”

·         Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

·         Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 

·         Rev 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 

·         Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 

·         Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

"wail"

·         This literally means "to cut themselves," which was the ancient custom of self mutilating to show grief.

Rev 1:8

"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."

"I am"

·         The Greek words are "ego eimi." Jesus is the "I Am." (See John 6:20). This term was used exclusively by the Jewish people to denote God. Jesus is saying that He is God in John 6:20. Here this verse describes God the Father.

"alpha and omega"

·         These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. God is the beginning and the ending. This is the equivalent of verse four which describes God the Father as "was", "is", and "is to come." God is saying that He is eternal

"the beginning and the ending"

·         This is restating the same idea.

"the Lord"

·         This is better translated "the Lord God."

"which is"

·         God exists as the eternal God. He is, was, and is to come.

"almighty"

·         The Greek word here is pantokrator which means "ruler of all." This title stresses God’s omnipotence. This term is used with Yahweh (God of Hosts).

Rev 1:9

"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 John"

·         This is John the apostle and the beloved.

"companion in tribulation"

·         This shows that John was not alone in his suffering.

"kingdom"

·         This is the kingdom of divine grace. See Matt. 4:17 and Acts 14:21.

"patience"

·         This word means "to remain under" or "to endure difficult times."

"of Jesus"

·         This is better translated "in Jesus."

"was"

·         This can be translated "came to be" on the Isle of Patmos.

"Patmos"

·         This island was a Roman penal colony located about 50 miles west of Ephesus. This was a small island only about 10 miles long by 6 miles wide. It was a desolate, rocky ,barren place in the Agean Sea.

"for the word"

·         John was a prisoner on this island because of "the word." John was a prisoner because of his testimony about Christ and also because of Jesus Christ (the Word)

Rev 1:10

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

"in the Spirit"

·         This means John was only aware of the Spirit’s guidance and nothing else. This literally means "in Spirit" or in an ecstatic state.

"great voice, as a trumpet"

·         This suggests a very loud voice.

"Lord’s day"

·         This is the only place in Scripture that this phrase appears. This is the day of the week when John was in vision. The Lord’s day is the Sabbath (Mark 2:28). The Sabbath is the seventh day (Exodus 20:8-11).

·         Mat 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

·         Mar 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

·         Or, this could be know as the Day of the lord, which is his second coming….

·         2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

·         1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 

Rev 1:11

"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."

"I am Alpha and Omega"

• This refers to Jesus

"what thou seest write in a book"

• John saw visions and symbols

"book"

• "a scroll" which was the commonest book in John’s day 

"seven churches"

·         The order of the 7 churches is given in the order a messenger would reach them going from Patmos

·         The seven churches are: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea

Series of sevens in the book of Revelation:

·         7 churches --- Rev. 1:11

·         7 spirits --- Rev. 1:4

·         7 candlesticks --- Rev. 1:12

·         7 stars --- Rev 1:16

·         7 lamps of fire --- Rev 4:5

·         7 seals --- Rev 5:1

·         7 horns & 7 eyes ---Rev 5:6

·         7 angels with 7 trumpets ---Rev 8:2

·         7 thunders ---Rev 10:4

·         7 heads & 7 crowns of dragon ---Rev 12:3

·         7 heads of beast ---Rev 13:1

·         7 angels, 7 vials, 7 plagues ---Rev 15:1, 7

·         7 heads, scarlet beast ---Rev 17:3

·         7 mountains, 7 kings ---Rev 17 9 & 10

·         The number 7 symbolizes completeness or perfection

·         The messages to the 7 churches have several applications:

·         Local --- current church situation in John’s day

·         Historical --- 7 time periods of church history

• Universal --- any church with similar problems

Revelation 1:12

"And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;"

"to see the voice"

·         John turned to see who was speaking

"seven golden candlesticks"

·         "lampstands"= bowls with oil and wick

·         7 lampstands represent the 7 churches (Rev. 1:20)

·         Gold implies the churches value to God

·         Jesus seen walking "in the midst" (Rev. 1:13) represents His continuing presence with His church

Revelation 1:13

"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."

"son of man"

·         This is Jesus (Rev. 1:11,18– who was, is and is to come; was dead and is alive)

·         Same man as Daniel saw (Dan. 7:13; 10:5,6)

·         Jesus has ascended but remains in human form

"clothed with a garment down to the foot"

·         A long garment which was a symbol of dignity

"paps"

·         Refers to breasts

·         Jesus had a golden girdle around His chest

Revelation 1:14

"His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;"

"His head and his hairs were white like wool"

·         Jesus is seen with white hair, white as "wool"

·         His hair is "white as snow"

" his eyes were as a flame of fire"

·         Describes the brightness of His countenance

·         Satan as the false Christ in the last days will look just like this description of Jesus (Great Controversy, p. 624)

Revelation 1:15

"And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters."

"feet like unto fine brass"

·         This metal is unknown, it mat be bronze or burnished gold

"burned in a furnace"

·         Fired or fixed in a furnace

·         "as if they" had been burned in a furnace

"voice as the sound of many waters"

• Like the roar of the ocean

Revelation 1:16

"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 he had in his right hand"

·         The hand represents God’s power to sustain

·         The stars being held in Jesus hand also represents their importance

"seven stars"

·         These 7 stars represent the 7 angels or messengers sent to the 7 churches (Rev. 1:20)

"out of his mouth went"

·         The verb "went" means continuous action: constantly at work

"sharp twoedged sword"

·         Two handed sword; cuts on both sides

·         Symbol of Christ’s authority to judge and His power to execute His judgments

"his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength"

·         The sun is man’s brightest source of light

·         Jesus is our light (John 8:12)

·         Sun is source of life for earth and man

·         Jesus is our source of life (John 11:25; 14:6)

Revelation 1:17

"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:"

"I fell at his feet as dead"

·         Common response to seeing God in vision

·         The person is often overcome by a sense of weakness and unworthiness

"Fear not"

·         John was afraid

"Fear not"

·         Jesus reaches out to John: God is always reaching out to man

"I am the first and the last"

·         Quoted from Isaiah 44:6

·         Jesus is the beginning and the end

Revelation 1:18

"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."

"I am he that liveth"

·         The "living One"

·         Jesus is not dead

·         Jesus is the source of life

"was dead"

·         Refers to Jesus’ death on the cross

"I am alive"

·         Jesus has continuing or self perpetuating life

"for evermore"

·         Jesus is eternal

"Amen"

·         Means truly or verily

"keys"

·         Symbol of power and jurisdiction

"hell and of death"

·         Hell is the abode of the dead

·         Hell is the grave

Revelation 1:19

"Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;"

"write"

·         John is told again for the 2^nd time to write the things "which thou hast seen" (see Rev. 1:11)

"the things which are"

·         John is to record what he has seen so far

"the things which shall be hereafter"

·         John is to record what he will see in vision in the future

Revelation 1:20

"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 mystery"

·         This term means something that can be understood by those who are initiated or have the right to know

·         This term does not mean something that cannot be understood

·         In the book of Revelation the word "mystery" means that something is about to be explained

"the seven stars"

·         The seven stars are the seven angels of the seven churches

"angels"

·         Greek word "aggeloi" means messenger

·         Messengers: this word can apply to celestial or human messengers

·         This word could refer to the seven elders or overseers of the seven churches

·         This word is used 76 times in Revelation and refers to celestial beings 75 times however, in this verse it may refer to humans because it seems unlikely that God would send messages to angels through John

"seven candlesticks"

·         See Revelation 1:12

·         These represent the seven churches (see Rev. 1:11)

Summary

·         The book of Revelation begins by defining what the book is about: it is the unveiling of Jesus Christ

·         The Gospels covered Jesus’ work on earth

·         Revelation describes Jesus’ work in heaven

·         Revelation is also a book of prophecy written to reveal things that will "shortly come to pass"

·         Chapter 1 describes the scene where Jesus is working as well as the Three who are involved in our salvation

·         He "who is and was and who is to come" ---God the Father

·         The Seven Spirits --- The Holy Spirit

·         The Faithful Witness --- Jesus Christ

• John describes Jesus 2^nd Coming as an event that "every eye will see" and then John describes a "loud voice" with a message for the seven churches

·         Jesus is the "voice" with the message for His churches

·         John then describes Jesus: "like a son of man" with white hair, eyes like fire, feet like bronze, face like the sun, a voice like many waters and with a two edged sword coming out of his mouth

·         John is told that the seven stars represent the seven angels of the seven churches and that the seven candlesticks represent the seven churches

·         Chapters two and three contain Jesus’ messages to His churches

• Revelation chapter 1 reveals Jesus as:

·         Our Faithful Witness --- in the investigative judgment to be described in Rev. 4,5

·         The Firstborn of the Dead --- our guarantee of our resurrection described in Rev. 20

·         The Ruler of Kings on earth --- Jesus will rule on earth described in Rev. 14, 19, 21, 22

·         The One who has freed us from sin --- our Savior described in Rev. 5 (Lamb Slain)

·         The One who has made us a kingdom and priests --- see Rev. 5 and 21

·         The Son of Man standing in the midst of His church --- see Rev. 2 and 3

·         The First and the Last --- Jesus is God (Rev. 21,22)

·         The Living One --- He was dead and now is alive (see the Lamb Slain Rev. 5)

·         The One who has the keys of Death and Hades --- Jesus will destroy death (Rev. 20)