The Book of Revelation Chapters 1 - 3 January 27, 2016

1. The Book of Revelation Chapters 1 - 3 January 27, 2016

2. 1-3 4-7 8-11 12-16 17-19 20 21-22 Vision of Jesus and Seven letters to seven churches Throne of God & Scroll with seven seals Seven trumpets Christ, the Dragon & the Seven Bowls The Harlot on Seven Hills & the Bride The King reigns New Heaven & New Earth Each ends with a promise of 2nd Coming Christ wipes away every tear (7:17) Christ will reign forever & ever (11:15) Fall of the nations “It is done” (16:17) Rider on the White Horse (19:16) Judge & Lake of Fire I am coming quickly (22:20)

4. Key Points: • In the book of Revelation, God unveils the world as it really is. • Revelation decisively answers a number of human needs: • We need to see God as He is • We need to be convinced that Jesus is reigning as the risen King • We need Jesus to speak to the situation in our churches • We need to know that God is on His throne, in control of all things • The main point of Revelation is for us to know Jesus Christ in the light of His glory and His mercy and His justice • God has given us the Book of Revelation so that we can know Him in His glorious justice and mercy and live worshipfully by faith in obedience and love of Him. • Revelation catches up and weaves together all of the Bible’s lines of prophesy – it is the capstone of all prophesy in the Bible

5. Revelation 1:1-3 Prologue 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.  3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

6. The book is identified literally as an “Apocalypse of Jesus Christ” • This book unveils Jesus • Greek word: Apokálypsis ("revelation, unveiling") principally used of the revelation of Jesus Christ (the Word), especially what was previously unknown because "veiled, covered" • Concerning what will take place at the end of history • The book reveals how history will be concluded • Revelation is apocalyptic prophecy • The first 8 verses fall into 2 sections: • 1:1-3 – Blessing • 1:4-8 – Doxology

7. God gave the revelation through Jesus, John testified to everything he saw • This is the only book which specifically states the blessing of those who read and hear these scriptures • The blessing is that those who hear and keep these words will be delivered • In writing to the seven churches – seven is the number of wholeness, completion – the book is given and written to all churches

8. Revelation 1:4-6 Greeting to the Seven Churches 4 John to the seven churches that 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, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

9. Revelation 1:7-8 7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

10. Verses 1:4-8are the doxology and greeting of the letter that is the Book of Revelation • Doxology is a liturgical formula of praise to God • The greeting is customary and very like what we see in other epistles in the Bible • Reinforces that the book is an apocalyptic prophesy in the form of a circular letter • The reference to “the seven spirits who are before His throne” is a reference to the Holy Spirit – so John greets the churches from all three persons of the Godhead • We are made priests by Jesus which directs us to 1) serve and worship God; and 2) communicate the knowledge of God to others • The salutation is a small part of the overall praise to Jesus in verses 4 – 8 • The real focus is appropriately on Jesus and on praising Him at the opening of this letter

11. Revelation 1:9-11 • Vision of the Son of Man • 9I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. • 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet • 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

12. John identifies himself as the “brother” of Christians showing our familial relationship in the risen Lord • “Partner in the tribulation” reflects the ongoing attacks on the church – not just those of the immediate time frame. Matthew 24:9, Acts 14:22, Romans 12:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 • There are four places in Revelation that John states that he was “in the Spirit” – each time it marks a major movement in his visionary experience • This first time John is about to see the risen Christ • “The Lord’s Day” very likely refers to Sunday • The seven cities are natural centers of communication for Christian messengers • John states that he wrote the book because Jesus Christ told him do so – John was not one to simply write, he took years and much encouragement to finally record his gospel

13. Revelation 1:12-16 • 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, • 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. • 14The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, • 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. • 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and this face was like the sun shining in full strength.

14. To understand John’s vision of the lampstands you must understand the OT background – Zechariah 4:1-14 • Zechariah 4 presents an angel explaining the meaning of the lampstand to the prophet – in this case it points to the successful rebuilding of the temple and renewal of God’s place with His people • Rev 1:20 – Jesus explains the meaning of the lampstands • Together these fully explain the significance of this vision setting: • Instead of building a temple to reside in, God is now building His church and Jesus standing in the midst of the churches confirms God’s presence and Jesus’ place as Messiah among His people. • The OT vision is completed by the vision in Revelation and shows with Jesus’ placement that God will accomplish His purpose in building His church

15. In verse 13, “One like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash about His chest” points directly to Daniel 7:13-14 • In verse 7 – “Behold He is coming with the clouds” points to Daniel 7:13 • The Son of Man in Daniel receives an eternal kingdom – this shows Jesus being described in royal terms; • Jesus is showed in priestly terms because He stands in the midst of the lampstands which were part of the temple furniture • Jesus’ clothes should be interpreted as the robe and golden sash of the heavenly high priest (Daniel 10:5) • What was prophesied in Daniel is fulfilled in Revelation: • Daniel’s vision concerned the “the latter days” and was to be sealed until the time of the end • Revelation is a vision of the end, “things that must soon take place” but is to be communicated to the churches without haste

16. The strong relationship between Daniel 10 and Revelation 1:12-20 is reflected in the sequence of events: • Daniel 10:5& Revelation 1:12– the seer looks • Daniel 10:5-6– description of “a man” & Revelation 1:13-16– description of “one like a son of man” • Daniel 10:8-9– Daniel has no strength, falls into deep sleep & Revelation 1:17 John fell as though dead • Daniel 10:14-21& Revelation 1:17-20 – the One revealed touches the seer and explains the vision • Jesus’ divinity is fully shown in His description matching the “Ancient of Days” • Daniel 7:9and Daniel 10:5-6compared with Revelation 1:14

17. Descriptions of Jesus and their meanings: • “eyes were like a flame of fire” (Rev 1:14/Dan 10:6) = the all seeing ability of the Son of God, nothing escapes His pure gaze • “His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace” (Rev 1:15/Dan 10:6) = the absolute purity of Jesus; divine wisdom and judgement, and bronze or brass is associated with sin sacrifices • “His voice was like the roar of many waters” (Rev 1:15/Dan 10:6) = communicates Jesus’ authority which must be obeyed • “from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword” = theGospel of Jesus and the decisive words of judgment spoken by Him • “His face was like the sun shining in full strength” = points the painful brightness of the sun and the overall powerful effect Jesus’ presence had on John where he had such sensory overload that it left him “as though dead” // also see Matthew 17:2 • The power and glory of Christ compels us to full obedience of Him

18. Revelation 1:17-20 • 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, • 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. • 19Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.  • 20As for the mystery of the seven stars that 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 are the seven churches.

19. Jesus has “the keys of Death and Hades,” which means that He is in control of who gets locked up and who gets liberated. • This is a key reason Jesus tells John not to be afraid. • Jesus telling John not to fear points to John’s sins being forgiven • Rev 1:20 – Jesus explains the meaning of the seven stars • They are “the angels of the seven churches” • These are angelic beings that represent each church • They are also likely messengers to the churches • That Jesus holds the seven stars in His right hand means He is in control of the churches and the fact that He is in the midst of the lampstands is that He is present with the churches • The most significant feature of Chapter 1 is the overwhelming glory of Jesus, the sovereign Lord Christ, the King Messiah.

20. The main point of the seven letters to the churches – chapters 2 & 3 of Revelation – is for the glory of God, Jesus charges the churches to be zealous for the gospel, reject false teaching, and live in a manner that corresponds to the gospel. • The opening of each letter announces the gospel and the greatness of Jesus Christ. The body of each letter calls the churches to live in a way that corresponds to the gospel and the purity and holiness of Jesus. • The opening words point back to chapter 1 while the contents point forward to chapters 4-20 and the conclusion of each letter promises the blessings that the faithful will enjoy • Remember as we look at the letters to the churches that they are preceded by the overwhelming glory of Christ described in Ch. 1 and then followed the power and mercy of God in judgement and final salvation.

21. The letters to the seven churches have a three-fold interpretation & application: • Contemporary – direct message to the local churches of John’s day. • Composite – each one is a composite picture of the church. The messages are applicable to all churches in all ages and to Christians of any time period. • Chronological – the seven letters give a panoramic history of the church – there are seven distinct periods of church history. Ephesus represents the church of the first century; Smyrna the persecuted church of the next two hundred years. Pergamos is the church from approximately 312 A.D. until A.D. 717. Thyatira represents the church of the Dark Ages until the sixteenth century. Sardis is the church of the Reformation. Philadelphia is the church of the nineteenth century, and Laodicea is the endtime church of apostasy, the final church, the church of our day.

22. Revelation 2:1-4 To the Church in Ephesus 1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

23. Revelation 2:5-7 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

24. Ephesus • Paul had his greatest ministry here and later John became their pastor • The first hundred years of the church of Ephesus includes thirty-seven years of the church in the Acts of the Apostles. • The word “Ephesus” means the desirable one – it was very desirable at first. • God was its first love in the beginning. It had an intense, enthusiastic devotion to Jesus. While the Holy Spirit had complete control of the church they could eagerly state and live out their love for Christ. • The seven words of commendation also apply to the period of the early church between Pentecost and 100 A.D. • The early church went off track not because of doctrine but in their personal relationship with Jesus.

25. Ephesus • Nicolaitans – compound word = Nikao “to conquer” and laos “the people” (laity comes from that word) • Difficult to positively identify who they were • Most likely a cult that held to a form of Gnosticism which believed that one had to indulge in sin in order to understand it • The followers gave themselves over to sensuality and pagan immorality and claimed that such sins did not touch the spirit. • Jesus tells the church to “Remember” – the gift of hind sight – and to “repent” turn from their present condition and back to their zeal and love for Christ. • If they do not return to their love of Jesus their lampstand – their existence as a church – will be removed by Jesus Himself

26. Revelation 2:8-11 To the Church in Smyrna 8“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

27. Smyrna • A flourishing city and the main center of emperor worship. • One of the only two churches Jesus doesn’t have criticism or condemnation for and one of the only two that have been in continuous existence. • Many of the Christians in Smyrna would die because of fierce persecutions. • The word Smyrna means myrrh, one of the spices used in Israelite religious rituals. “Myrrh” carries the meaning of suffering. • To obtain the fragrance from the plant required beating and pressing. The Christians, too, were beaten and pressed. • They were ruled by ten tyrants from Nero until Constantine the Great. • The Smyrna period of church history (covers 100 A.D. to approximately 314 A.D.) endured the worst of persecutions. • Jesus affirms His divine place with the Father in this letter by saying He is “the first and the last”

28. Smyrna • Jesus’ description of Himself was important for those being persecuted • “Who died and came to life” has special meaning for martyrs – He is identified with them and showed His triumph over death and the triumph He gives to His followers • There is an implication in the letter that the Jews of Smyrna who had come to Christ were Jews inwardly and like the Jewish community there, had given up their belief in the Old Testament – they were Jews in culture only not in a relationship with Yahweh, but really worshipping the worldly culture • “For ten days you will have tribulation” is the ten intense periods of persecution by Roman emperors: Nero (64-68); Domitian (95-96); Trajan (104-117); Marcus Aurelius (161-180); Severus (200-211); Maximinius (235-237); Decius (250-253); Valerian (257-260); Aurelian (270-275); Diocletian (303-313) • “Will not be hurt by the second death” – he who is born once dies twice; he who is born twice dies only once

29. Revelation 2:12-14 To the Church in Pergamum 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.  14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

30. Revelation 2:15-17 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.  17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

31. Pergamum • Representative of the period of Church history during the period of approximately 314 to approx. 717 A.D. (the Council of Nicea in 325) • When the world entered into the church and it began to move away from Jesus • Ephesus was a great political power, Smyrna a great commercial power and Pergamum a great religious center • The city had a great temple to Caesar Augustus • “Satan's throne” in Pergamum likely refers to the worship of its most popular deity, the serpent god AsklepiosSoter, Latin equivalent “the man-instructing serpent and savior.” It may also refer to the “altar of Zeus” on which Bishop Antipas was martyred. • Pergamum was so renowned for the worship of this god, who supposedly healed the sick, that this deity was called “the Pergamene god.” • The city had a great healing spa there

32. This is only part of the city –temples not pictured, Temples to Caesar Augustus, Hadrian, and the Temple to Asklepios which was also the greatest hospital in the ancient world

33. Pergamum • It’s famous library, with 200,000 parchment rolls, the city got its name from the parchment “pegamena” used in its great library • The church is commended by Jesus for living in such a difficult place because of the pagan churches and the power of them and the big business associated with them • The pagan religions were such big business it could also be considered “Satan’s throne” or his headquarters in the world at that time • Christ’s condemnation is for intrusions of the world and evil into the church – the Nicolaitans and the teaching of Balaam • Balaam taught Balac to corrupt Israel with intermarriage to Moabite women • The church is being corrupted by allowing intrusions by all the evil around it and letting it pervert its worship • The church does NOT have the authority to decide what is right and wrong – ONLY God has this and He gives us this in His Word

34. Pergamum • “Some of the hidden Manna” refers to Jesus – the Bread of life • “I will give him a white stone” – significant in color white • Custom of the time was to give a stone or cube (a tessera) to intimate friends • It was a secret gift and very precious and had words engraved on it • Jesus is going to give that gift to His followers • The “new name written on the stone” is believed to be a new name for Him – because of His intimate and unique relationship with each of us • It will be His personal and intimate name to each of us

35. Revelation 2:18-21 To the Church in Thyatira 18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.  20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.  21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

36. Revelation 2:22-25 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.  24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 

37. Revelation 2:26-29 • 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,  • 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.  • 28 And I will give him the morning star. • 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

39. Thyatira • Thyatira is representative of the period of church history from 590 to approximately 1500 A.D. – essentially the “Dark Ages” • Generally a dark period with some of the worst times of the church during the period of “Romanism” • At the beginning we are given a picture of our Lord Jesus in judgement • “Eyes like flame” seeing their sin and “feet are like burnished bronze” representing judgement • His commendation for the church is for true believers with a personal love for Him shown in their works (remember James 2:18) • Six words of praise are: works, love, faith, ministry (service), patience (endurance in days of darkness) and works more than the first showing the growth of service in spite of the dark times

40. Thyatira • Jezebel had brought paganism into the northern kingdom of Israel • There was a woman in the church who was a counterpart to her • In the church history perspective – this time period was when there was idolatry and pagan practices mixed with Christianity. Elevation of the papacy to a secular power, practice of church doctrine taking the place of a personal faith and relationship with our Lord, elevation and even worship of Mary and saints, etc. • “Seduce” means a departure from the truth – Jezebel is a forerunner of the apostate church • “The deep things of Satan” may refer to a gnostic sect known as the Ophites who worshiped the serpent/devil. They parodied Paul’s teaching in their beliefs. • “He will rule them with a rod of iron” refers to Jesus’ millennial reign to come • “The Morning Star” is Jesus

41. Revelation 3:1-3 To the Church in Sardis 1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

42. Revelation 3:4-6 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

44. Sardis • Sardis represents the Protestant church during the years from 1500 to approximately 1800 A.D. • The city was very wealthy and very well protected, it was finally destroyed by an earthquake and not conquest • Jesus is shown as holding the Seven Spirits of God – that means that He is One who sent the Holy Spirit into the world • Jesus’ word of commendation “I know your works” refer to the outward actions of the church and to Protestantism’s early reformation recovering the doctrine of justification by faith • This period is notable from the great work of faith in the persons of Luther, Calvin and the many reformers at the beginning but then characterized by the deadening of the church as it “settled” into national churches and worldly concerns

45. Sardis • The warning to “wake up and strengthen what remains” spoke to the Sardis church but also to Protestantism in that the reformation did not completely return the church to the apostolic church • Jesus is telling the Sardis church to rediscover Him and His word, to return to the true heart of the church – not to their comfortable existence and getting along in the sinful, pagan Roman city • This also extends to the church of later times in returning to the faith as handed down by the saints – not to give in and become part of the world and “die” to God’s Word and ministry • We are reminded that there was a remnant in Sardis and also in the Protestant Church and the remnant are blessed by Jesus

46. Revelation 3:7-9 To the Church in Philadelphia 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

47. Revelation 3:10-13 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.  11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.  12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.  13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

48. Philadelphia • Philadelphia represents the revived church during the years from 1800 into the 1900’s A.D. • This is the church that turned back to the Word of God and did His works from their faith and love of Him • This is the other church with no words of condemnation from our Lord • This is for a good reason – it had turned to the Word of God • “Who has the key of David” speaks of Jesus’ royal claim as Ruler of the Universe • The “open door” set before the church could be to salvation or to the knowledge of the Scriptures – opening a way for witnessing and proclaiming the Word of God • This was a little church without numbers, wealth, or great buildings and assets but they did the work of God and were loyal to Him

49. Philadelphia • “You have kept my word about patient endurance” refers to the church’s patient endurance of persecution, holding to faith in God’s time, not pushing to make things in man’s time • This same message is important to the modern church – in the 19th century church, it came alive with doing God’s work, with great missionary zeal, and showed great awareness of God’s timing and doing His work in His time • “I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world” is one of the scriptures used as a support for the Rapture. • In its simplest form it shows God will protect His faithful people from the “hour of trial” which is the Great Tribulation • “I am coming soon” also translates “I come quickly” – important distinction, “quickly” speaks to how He will come, not necessarily when • The “pillar” referred to is not a physical pillar remaining in Philadelphia today – it is in Heaven and the “name” written on the believer is God’s mark of salvation

50. Revelation 3:14-17 To the Church in Laodicea 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!  16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.