According To The Scriptures:

 THE BOOK OF REVELATION

 
REVELATION 1
 
(Black: Scripture)
(Red:  Jesus)
(Blue:  E. L. Johns)
 
Revelation is the easiest book in the Bible to understand. A person must be born again to understand this book. If you are not sure that you are saved, confess your sins to Jesus, repent, ask Jesus to save you right now. He will instantly save you and give you the Holy Spirit, and He will guide you into truth.
 
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).

The book of Revelation is not the "Revelation of St. John the Divine" as some teach. It is:

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ... (Rev. 1:1).

"Revelation" means "revealing". The source:

...which God gave unto him [Jesus Christ] to shew [show] unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass...

Remember "that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (II Pet. 3:8). It has been about 2,000 years since this book was written, but to God that is approximately two days if our calendar is correct.

...and he sent and signified it [by signs or symbols] by his angel unto his servant John:

The Book of Revelation is both literal and symbolic. You need to pay attention to the difference.

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

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein:...
The blessing is to the "readers", to those that "hear", and to those who "keep". Explanation: Some cannot read but they are blessed if they listen and keep the prophecies they hear. Some say that we cannot understand these prophecies. However, we cannot keep what we cannot understand so we obviously can understand the Revelation or God would not have told us to "keep those things which are written therein".

...for the time is at hand.

God seems to work in series of sevens as we will see as we study this book. Some people ask the question, "Are we living in the last days?" Man is promised 7,000 years of existence on the earth before the earth becomes new (II Pet. 3:13). According to the Scriptures, we have been living in the last days since Pentecost (Acts 2:17).

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia:...

NOTICE: God gave the Revelation to Jesus; Jesus gave it to His angel; the angel gave it to John; and John gave it to the seven churches -- so the line of authority is God, Jesus, His angel, John, and the seven churches. God's work today is to be done by His churches. The only time that the Bible addresses "the church" is when God is speaking to only one congregation. NOTICE: There were seven churches in Asia. There is no such thing as "the church of America". Each local body is a complete church, having no district overseer or authority over them but God.

...Grace be unto you [the churches], and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come [Jesus]; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Isaiah lists the seven spirits in Isa. 11:2: (1) Spirit of the Lord; (2) Wisdom; (3) Understanding; (4) Counsel; (5) Might; (6) Knowledge; (7) Fear of the Lord.

It will help in understanding the book of Revelation to determine:

              1. Who is speaking or writing?
              2. To whom is he speaking or writing?
              3. What is the subject?
              4. What is the time?
              5. What is the occasion?

Look for the differences between the literal and the symbolic. Examples: "I John" (Rev. 1:9) meaning John himself (literal). "One like unto the Son of man" (Rev. 1:13) meaning not the Son of man, but like unto the Son of man or a likeness (symbolic). We will discuss this as we study the Revelation.

The first seven verses of Revelation is a preview of the whole book of Revelation. As we study the Revelation, look for the introduction in the other books of the Bible. Remember: "blessed is he that readeth" (Rev. 1:3). Pray for the illumination of the Holy Ghost. This book is for today: John to the seven churches (Rev. 1:4). See how many "sevens" there are. Now, praise God and enjoy. Let me know whether or not you benefit by this study. Unto God be the glory!

The Scriptures show us the heavenly authority on earth (Rev. 1:1-4): God, Jesus, an angel, John, the churches. The only authority upon earth today is in the Lord's churches. God refers to the church age as a time of truth and grace.

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17)

The first seven verses of the book of Revelation are a preview of the entire book. The first four chapters are referring mainly to the church age. Chapter 5 deals with conditions on earth after the Lord's churches are "removed" or "caught up" (I Thess. 4:17; I Cor. 15:52-53). Chapters 6 through 18 deal mainly with Israel in the "Great Tribulation". Chapters 19 through 22 deal with the final condition of things and people. For instance, the Holy City is never called "heaven". The Holy City "cometh down out of heaven from my God" (Rev. 3:12); "coming down from God out of heaven" (Rev. 21:2); "descending out of heaven from God" (Rev. 21:10). This will be explained later.

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the [singular] faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead,...

In order to be a faithful witness, you must see the event happen. Jesus was the first person that was resurrected (the first begotten of the dead), never to die again. We have that assurance also:

"Because the creature [the body] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom. 8:21).

"Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body..." (Phil. 3:21).

...and the prince of the kings of the earth...

Praise God, Jesus is prince (ruler) of the kings of the earth!

...Unto him that loved us,...
Why does God love us so much? We human beings are the only earthly created beings that have a soul that exists forever somewhere. Because Adam sinned, we would all exist in hell fire if Jesus had not paid for our sins.

...and washed us from our sins...

There is no sin that God will not forgive if we ask him to forgive us.

...in his own blood,...

At the point of faith in Jesus, we are "justified by his blood" (Rom. 5:9). The world's greatest position is given to us.

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Have you ever thought about the fact that without Christ we are nothing -- we own nothing -- we lose and leave everything at death? The rich leave their riches (unless they are born again). The movie stars lose their position as movie stars, etc., ("some to shame and everlasting contempt", Dan. 12:2).

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (I Cor. 15:19).

The people who remain unrighteous, for whatever reason, "shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (I Cor. 6:9). Soon we must all die and face our Lord Jesus Christ. At that point, we will not be able to lay the blame for our rejection of Christ's blood on anyone else.

"For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ...every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God" (Rom. 14:10-11).

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:l3).

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.

Some think this is the rapture -- but is it? I don't believe so! Decide for yourself. Will every eye see Jesus at the "catching up" (rapture)? No!

I Thess. 4:13-18:
 
"13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
 
I Cor. 15:51-58:
 
"51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
 
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we [the living saved members of a true church] shall be changed .

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Both of the above Scriptures are spoken to church saints. In order to be a member of a true church, you must be born again, have the Holy Spirit, be baptized with the baptism of John the Baptist which came down from heaven, and be fellowshipped into a New Testament church. When Judas Iscariot was replaced, the person selected to replace him had to have companied with the church "beginning from the baptism of John" (Acts 1:22). To refuse to accept the baptism of John is to "reject the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him" (Luke 7:30). The only complete word picture of a sinner being saved and baptized is Acts 10:43-48. The believer receives "remission of sins" (Acts 10:43). The believer receives the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:45) which is eternal life (Rom. 6:23). The believer magnifies God (Acts 10:46). The Holy Spirit-filled believer is then commanded to be baptized (Acts 10:48). Both of the promises are to born-again church people. Never does the Bible teach that those who pierced Him would see Him at the "catching up" (rapture), or that every eye shall see him at the "catching up" (rapture).

The "first resurrection" will last 1,000 years. It will begin at the "catching up" (rapture); then, seven years later, the Old Testament saints and those who are saved in the "tribulation" will be resurrected. During the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth, when a saved person dies, they will be immediately resurrected.

At the end of the 1,000 years, the rest of the dead shall be resurrected.

"5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection."

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:5-6).

Only blessed and holy people have part in the first resurrection. The rest of the dead do not live again until the 1,000 years are finished.

Rev. 1:7 refers to the judgment spoken of in Rev. 22:8-15. The Old Testament saints all looked for Christ's coming at the end of the "tribulation", the beginning of Christ's 1,000-year reign on earth.

"25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" (Job 19:25-26).

Daniel is told that he will come forth after "the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up".

"11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days" (Daniel 12:11-13).

Zecharias tells the Israelite people that their day will come after "his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives..." (Zech. 14:4). This will not happen when the Lord comes for His saints but when "the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee" (Zech. 14:5).

From this point onward, the judgment of living nations shall take place (Matt. 25:31-46). Notice the word "nations" -- not "churches" -- for the Lord turns back to work through the nation Israel after the rapture. The saints who lived before the flood of Noah's day are instructed about the day when the Lord comes with (not for) 10,000 of His saints (Jude v. 14). Compare this with Zech. 14:5.

SCRIPTURAL SUMMARY

  • Christ comes for His saints (Bride) (I Thess. 4:13-18).
  • Seven years later, Jesus comes with His saints (Zech. 14:5; Jude v. 14).
  • 1,000 years later, Christ resurrects those who died without trusting Jesus and they are cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15).
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.
This is speaking of Jesus Christ: Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the ending; which is, and was, and is to come.
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.
John was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:2). He is said to be "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 21:20). John was promised that he "will tarry" (live) until Jesus comes (John 21:23). They were discussing when John would die. (More about this statement later.)
 
John stood for the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:9). If a preacher today stands for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, he will not have to keep his suitcase packed, waiting for an invitation to lead the prayers in Washington, DC. They won't call!
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
What a wonderful testimony to be cast out for preaching God's Word and having a testimony of Jesus Christ and, instead of complaining, to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day! John was not alone on the isle of Patmos. He heard behind him "a great voice, as of a trumpet". God's presence was with John. 
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.
Why seven churches? Seven is the number of completion. These seven churches represent the complete "church age" on earth. The condition of these churches are the conditions that will exist at different stages of the "church age" on earth; i.e., the condition of each church represents the condition of one segment of the church age and the order of its occurrence. At all times the seven conditions will exist, but the majority of the churches will be represented by these seven.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
 
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.
Here are a lot of symbols. The "candlesticks" are symbols of the churches (Rev. 1:20). "Like unto the Son of man" -- not the "Son of man" but like unto the Son of man.
 
"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches" (Rev. 22:16).
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
 
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
 
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.
 
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:
Hair like wool (not actually wool); eyes were as a flame of fire (not a literal flame of fire) (Rev. 1:14). Like unto fine brass -- a symbol of judgment, etc. (Rev. 1:15). When the words "like unto" or "as is" are used, it lets us know that it is a symbol.

Examples of the use of literal:

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.

As you study the book of the Revelation, you must remember that the book of Revelation deals with the past, present, and future.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen [past tense], and the things which are [present tense], and the things which shall be hereafter [future tense];
 
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.
Stars represent angels. Candlesticks represent churches. May God enlighten all of our minds so that we can understand this wonderful book. Please study, pray, believe, and repent if you need to.
 

CHAPTER 1: REVIEW

Because of the importance of the Lord's churches, we will review Revelation Chapter 1 before we begin the study of the seven churches. The power of the Lord's work today is in the true churches: God, Jesus, angel, John, the seven churches (the final authority). The important question is, "How may I know that the church that I am a member of is a true church?" Answer: By using the process of elimination.

First, let "all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins" (Acts 10:43). Remember that these words were written by inspiration, so add God the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost to "all the prophets" and trust the facts for there is no higher power. These words (referring to Acts 10:43) "the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word" (Acts 10:44).

"And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 10:45).

What is the gift of God? "...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).

"For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God" (Acts 10:46).

Can a lost person magnify God? "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do..." (John 8:44). This is the condition of the lost.

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days" (Acts 10:47-48).

All true preachers teach that the believer receives remission of sins at the point of belief (Acts 10:43). If you have believed on Jesus, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now you are a fit subject to be baptized.

But what about Acts 2:38? Peter explains that what happened in the conversion of Cornelius is the way it happened to them at the beginning.

Cornelius was told to "...Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved...as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life" (Acts 11:13-18). 

Peter clears up the misconception based on Acts 2:38 that baptism is necessary to be saved. Acts 10:43-48 describes what all true teachers of God's Word teach: Baptism is not essential to salvation.

Are these "church doctrines" found in God's Word? If so, where?

  • Baptism is essential to salvation?
  • Authority for a pope or earthly priests?
  • Infant baptism?
  • Baptism by sprinkling or pouring?
  • A believer loses salvation?
  • A preacher or pastor is "boss" of a church?
  • District overseers?
  • Earthly headquarters other than a local church?
  • Pastors divorce, marry another wife, and still serve as pastor?
  • A group other than the local church sends out missionaries?
  • The church should remember the sabbath day to keep it holy?
  • The Lord's church began on Pentecost?

It is important that you know the truth before we study the seven churches.

These church doctrines are found in God's Word:

  • A believer is born of God (I John 5:1).
  • A believer has everlasting life (John 6:47).
  • A believer is not condemned (John 3:18).
  • A believer shall not come into condemnation (John 5:24).
  • A believer has peace with God (Rom. 5:1).
  • A believer is justified by the blood of Jesus (Rom. 5:9).
  • A believer is a new creation (II Cor. 5:17).
  • A believer gets the Holy Spirit by believing (John 7:39).
  • The spiritual man is born of the Spirit (John 3:6).
  • The spiritual man is born of God and cannot sin (I John 3:9).
  • The fleshly man is not born of God (he remains flesh) (John 3:6).
  • The believer is taught by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).

As we study the seven churches of Asia, the person that is saved has all of the above truths and more.

You have a choice: "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:15).
 
 
 
 
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