Book of Revelation of John
Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024
Chapter 1 – Vision of Christ
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Revelation 1:1a |
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The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants …
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Introduction by John, establishing his credentials. This is a Revelation given to show what must come to pass.
Revelation = apokalupsis – disclosure, be revealed, appearing, coming. The “disclosure, making clear, unveiling” of Jesus Christ. Given to whom? God gave to Jesus. For Jesus to show to His servants.
God gave the “revelation” to Jesus. Jesus did not have it prior to this. When he came to earth as a man, he did not have “everything” that His father knew. This may sound wrong to some.
However, both apostles and prophets taught that Jesus could not do one miracle without the father and the Holy Spirit anointing. Jesus even said (Mark 13:32) that there were things only the father knew. That He did only what the father showed Him (John 5:19-20). It became John’s Revelation only after He received it.
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… things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
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Show them things that are going to happen. He sent the information to John through an angel.
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Revelation 1:2 |
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Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
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John was a witness of this revelation just like he had been of the life and death of Jesus on earth.
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Revelation 1:3-4a |
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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. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, …
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Letter is being addressed to the Seven churches in Asia. Which are: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea.
John will Greet them in the name of each member of the entire trinity:
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Revelation 1:4b |
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…from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; …
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God the Father, The God of eternity past and future.
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Revelation 1:4c |
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…and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
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God the Holy Spirit. The term “seven Spirits” being the Holy Spirit will be discussed further in chapter 4:5.
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Revelation 1:5-6 |
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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
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God The Son is Jesus Christ. Establishing the credentials of Jesus:
Faithful witness, First begotten of the dead, Prince of the kings of the earth, Sacrificial Lamb that Washed our sins away.
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Revelation 1:7 |
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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.
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First prophecy of Revelation. This is when Jesus returns at the Second Coming, NOT the Rapture of the saints. At the rapture only those that are His children will see and meet Him in the air.
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Revelation 1:8 |
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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.
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The Lord is there from beginning to end. He always was and will always be.
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Revelation 1:9 |
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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.
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John declaring who he is, that he is human and no different than his readers. It appears that he may be needing to establish that it is indeed him. John has been put through trials for his beliefs and there may be questions as to whether he is even alive. He has now been exiled to the island of Patmos.
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Revelation 1:10 |
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I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
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In the presence of God. Mind and Soul focused on nothing else. How can one describe the power behind the voice of the Lord? Lord’s Day – First day of the week, day of the Lord’s resurrection.
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Revelation 1:11 |
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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.
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Directions given to John regarding who he was to address this book to.
John’s Vision of the Lord
Daniel also saw the Lord. Compare John’s description of God with that seen by Daniel in Daniel Chapter 10.
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Revelation 1:12 |
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And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
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John sees the Lord. It will be seen in verse 18 that this is Jesus the son. Seven golden candlesticks. This will be explained further in verse 20
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Revelation 1:13-15 |
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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.
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Meaning of word “Paps” is “breast”.
Head of white: always the image of wisdom and authority
Eyes as flame of fire: piercing through you when looked at
Feet as brass
Voice as sound of many waters: Soothing but majestic.
Illustration: Stand where rivers come together and be overwhelmed at the force of power that is generated.
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Revelation 1:16 |
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And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
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Right hand held seven stars. This will be explained by John in verse 20. Out of His mouth came a two edged sword.
This can be understood by looking back at Hebrews 4:12:
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
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Revelation 1:17-18 |
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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 am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
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How would you react in the presence of God? He has the keys of hell and death
John’s Assignment Given
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Revelation 1:19 |
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Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
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Three part task John is being given:
1) Write about what he has seen (the past)
2) Write about the current (John’s day he was living in)
3) Write about the things that are to come (future)
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Revelation 1:20 |
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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.
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John is now given the “interpretation” of what he had seen. Every prophecy has its own interpretation revealed by God. Why would a prophecy from God ever require the interpretation given by a mere mortal man. That would imply a God who is not capable of interpreting his own statements.
The Seven Stars are the Angels of the Seven churches. The Seven Candlesticks are the Seven churches.
A study of the word “angels” used here is “aggelos” which means “to bring tidings” or a “messenger”. This verse has created debate for some. By implication it could be referring to a pastor. Therefore, meaning John is being told to write to the pastors of those seven churches.
Everywhere else in scripture when this word is used it is referring to the “angelic beings”. We see throughout scripture the host of angels assigned to nations, people and churches. Each church would have an angel in the spirit realm assigned to it.