_ 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,_ A. This is a single “Revelation”, not multiple revelations. Most books of prophecy describe multiple scenes, visions, or... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw._ A. John is well known in Asia Minor. Before he was banished to Patmos, he lived and taught in Ephesus and the surrounding area. He, since the day of Pentecost, more than 60 years ago, has been... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near._ A. A triple blessing is pronounced here. 1. HE THAT READS - A blessing is upon those who give an oral or public reading of this book in the church assemb... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 5 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,_ A. The common manner of beginning a letter in the first century was to identify the author, then express a greeting to tho... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 6 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,_ A. FROM JESUS CHRIST - This book is called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”. Many Bibles title this book “The R... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen._ A. MADE US KINGS - Christians, as fellow citizens in the Kingdom of Christ, are also kings. B. PRIESTS UNTO GOD - Christ is our King of kings and our High Priest. We are kings and pri... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen._ A. COMES WITH CLOUDS - An angel said that Jesus would return in the same manner as he went from the earth. B. EVERY EYE SHALL SEE... [ Continue Reading ]
_8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”_ A. ALPHA AND OMEGA - These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. We have phrases like, “From soup to nuts” or “Everything from A to Z.” Jesus is our a... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ._ A. BROTHER - As a member of the church, we are in the family of God. We are brothers and sist... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,_ A. IN THE SPIRIT - John was in tune with the Spirit of God. The message was being delivered but John had to be aware of its message, importance and willing to record the vision. Some believe John was i... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”_ A. WRITE WHAT YOU SEE - John is instructed to... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,_ A. I TURNED - John wanted to see who was speaking. He turned toward the trumpeting voice. B. SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS - John does not see the source of the voice. Instead, he sees the ultimat... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band._ A. IN THE MIDDLE - Walking around among these candlesticks (churches) John sees the Son of man. B. SON OF MAN - One of the terms used to de... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;_ A. HAIR - white like wool - Generally, white is a symbol of purity. Here it may just be part of the drama he is about to tell you. White hair was also a symbol of wisdom and maturity of mind. B. EYES... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;_ A. FEET - fine brass - His feet had been burned in a furnace. They had been through all types of torture. They were not the soft feet of a king who sat on a throne. These were the calloused f... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength._ A. SEVEN STARS IN RIGHT HAND - The stars are the angels (messengers) to the seven churches. Each of these stars was given a copy of this revelatio... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. _ A. FELL AS DEAD - How would you react? It was clear that John was in the presence of deity. He was filled with fear and awe. All he knew to do was t... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death._ A. HE THAT LIVES - Jesus begins to describe himself. He is the one that lives. He has always lived. He is now alive. He will be alive forever. B. WAS DEAD - As the Son of man... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this._ A. WRITE - John will record what he sees and hears. He will write under the inspiration and direction of Jesus. B. THE THINGS WHICH ARE - Jesus is going to show John the current s... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. _ A. MYSTERY - This book is full of symbols. Some of them are explained. Some of... [ Continue Reading ]