Chapter 1: Prologue, Address to the 7 Churches of Asia and a Vision of Jesus Christ

(1:4-6) – Address to the 7 Churches of Asia

(1:17-20) – Jesus Christ addresses John the Apostle

Are the 7 Churches Contemporaneous or Sequential in History?

Chapter 1: Prologue, Address to the 7 Churches of Asia and a Vision of Jesus Christ

(1:1-3) – Prologue

(Rev 1:1) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

(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.

(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.

Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation (which is the Greek word ‘apocalypse’) indicates that the truths that we are to find in Scripture are not from man. It is given to man by the inspiration of God (2 Tim 3:16). The Greek word ‘apocalyse’ literally means to take ‘away the cover’. It is truth that man, otherwise would be unable to know. When we examine the Bible, we find other usages of the word for revelation:

Of judgment ‑ Ro 1:18, 2:5
Of Satan ‑ 2 Thess 2:3‑8
Of the Word of God ‑ Ro 16:25, 1 Cor 14:6, 2 Cor 12:1,2 Cor 12:7, Eph 1:17, Eph 3:3
Of Glory ‑ 1 Pet 4:13, 1 Pet 5:1
Of salvation ‑ 1 Pet 1:5
Of Jesus Christ ‑ 2 Thess 1:7, 1 Pet 1:7, 1 Pet 4:13, 1 Cor 1:7

We see that revelation touches all types of truths. We note from the above verses that more broadly, revelation from God is found in the entire Bible. The revelation as found in the Bible reveals the wonderful nature of God and His plan to redeem a fallen people.

Ultimately, the Bible is the revelation of Jesus Christ. This is no surprise since we find that the Bible teaches us that Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1). Therefore, it is no surprise that the Bible refers to itself as the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Moreover, we find that Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48, 51). It is, of course, by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God that we are to live by (Mat 4:4, Deut 8:3).

The revelation of Jesus Christ (in the broader sense the Bible) is fully given through the Spirit of Christ. We find in 1 Pet 1:10-12 that the communication given by the prophets of old was by the Spirit of Christ. Jesus Christ was the source of the truths that the Holy Spirit revealed in them.

The word Christ in the Greek (Gr. Christos) and Hebrew (Heb: mashach) literally means to be ‘rubbed with oil’ or ‘anointed’. Therefore, Jesus is the anointed one. The word for anointed in the Hebrew is often transliterated as the ‘Messiah’. Therefore, Jesus is the Messiah (i.e., Christ or anointed one). The anointed offices are prophets, priests and kings. Therefore, Jesus is the prophet, Priest and King. A Christian believes that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) – see 1 John 5:1. That is, the Christian believers that Jesus Christ is the Prophet, Priest and King of his or her life. Jesus is the Prophet in that he is the Word of God (John 1:1, John 1:14, John 6:63). He is the Priest in that He is the only way to salvation and by His elective work alone, a Christian is saved (Acts 4:12, Heb 7, etc). As the Prophet (Acts 3:22-23, John 4:19, Lk 24:19, Lk 13:33), Jesus Christ is the Word of God (John 1:1, John 1:14). As the Priest, Jesus Christ is the Intercessor for His people with God the Father. He is the faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Heb 2:17, see also Heb 4:14, 5:10, 6:19-20, 9:22-28). Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). Finally Jesus is a King who must be obeyed (Rev 19:16, 2 Pet 1:3, etc.). He is a King in that He is the Lord of a Christian’s life and the Christian will serve Him and be faithful and obedient to Him.

God gave to Christ

Interestingly, in the first verse of Revelation, we already see the trinity. We see that the Father has given the revelation to Christ. Christ is the Word of God and became the incarnate Bread of Life. Finally, we see that it is the Spirit sent by the Father (John 14:16) that declares the truth about the Christ. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and our Helper (John 14:26, 1 John 2:20-27). We also see in the above phrase the distinct roles of the three persons of the God head. We see that God the Father gave the Revelation to Christ. We note in Scripture that the Father is said to be greater than Christ (John 10:29, 14:28, Phil 2:6). This is true in the sense that Christ, in the humble form of a Man, submitted Himself to the will of God the Father in His work of salvation. Jesus teaches us that when He came, He did not speak on His own initiative, but it was God the Father who gave Him commandment as what to say (John 12:49). It was God the Father who sent the Christ into the world (John 17:8). As we will see later in Rev 5:7, it is Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes the scroll of the revelation out of the hand of the Father and breaks open the seals. The Holy Spirit is the one who does not draw attention to Himself, but, as the Spirit of Christ, is sent into believers’ hearts to illuminate and teach them. The Holy Spirit is the anointing that we have to know the Revelation (1 John 2:20-27).

Bondservants

The Revelation is given to His bondservants. All true Christians are servants of Christ. We find the term slaves used in the Bible to refer to all believers. Prior to being saved, we were bond servants of Satan (2 Tim 2:24, 2 Pet 2:19) and sin (Ro 6:6, John 6:17-18, Gal 4:3-11, etc.). However, once we are slaves, we find in our lives an earnest desire to do the will of God and to know His will. We become slaves of righteousness (Ro 6:15-23, James 1:1, Eph 6:5-6, 1 Pet 2:16). We are God’s willing slaves (Col 3:23-24, 2 Cor 4:5, etc.). It is God who is at work in us to do and to will for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13). If we find ourselves without a bond-servant relationship to God in th at we always are interested in doing His will and learning of God, it may be that we have never truly become saved. Normally, a servant does not know what his master does, but Jesus Christ is our friend as well:

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (Joh 15:15)

Things which will take place shortly

Many have stumbled on this phrase in that they conclude that the things discussed in the Revelation have already come to pass in the time of the early church. They may conclude, for example, that the Revelation has its fulfillment in the days of the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. This is a grave error and deprives us of the grand warnings and application of the Revelation. However, it is most likely that John actually wrote the book of Revelation under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit after A.D. 70.

However, when we read the Bible, we find many cases that God reveals that His coming and the end times are imminent: Rev 1:3, Ro 16:20, Lk 18:8, Rev 1:19, Rev 2:16, Rev 3:10-11, Rev 22:6, Rev 22:12, Rev 22:20, 6:9‑11, 1 Cor 10:11, Lk 18:7, 1 Pet 4:7, Ro 13:11f, 1 Cor 7:29-32, Heb 9:26, Heb 10:37, Phil 4:5, Mat 26:64, James 5:8-9, 1 John 2:18.

When we look at some of these verses, we find that the end of the ages actually refers to the entire church age. In fact, in the writings to the Corinthians, we see that the end of the ages were already in progress (1 Cor 10:11). We see that the end of all things are at hand (1 Pet 4:7). We see that God promises that Satan will soon be crushed under our feet (Ro 16:20). We find in Ro 13:11f that salvation is nearer that what we thought. Another example is 1 John 2:18 where the Word teaches us that we are in the last hour (1 John 2:18). Verses like this have can cause much concern. Is it that the Bible has failed? Of course not. So, what is God trying to teach us by telling us that the end is soon to occur.

First, we must remember that with God one day is as a 1000 years and a 1000 years as one day (1 Pet 3:8, Ps 90:4). For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night (Psa 90:4). To God, in the grand viewpoint of eternity, the time between the writing of the New Testament and the return of Christ and Judgment Day is just a brief time. It is the final hour, the end of the ages, the Last Days. In fact, the Bible teaches that we are already in the last Days – Acts 2:16-21, Heb 1:1-2, 1 Cor 10:11, 1 Pet 1:20, 2 Tim 3:1. To understand this apparent paradox, we must also remember that in principle, life is extremely short. It is just a quick vapor that appears for a little while and then passes away (James 4:14). All flesh is brief like grass, but the Word of God endures forever (1 Pet 1:24). Also, once our brief, vain life passes away, we, if not saved, will be ready for Judgment Day (Heb 9:27). Therefore, for all people, there is an urgency about the Word of God and the things in the Revelation. In the grand scheme of time, Judgment Day is right at the door. In our own lives, we teeter close to death always. Today is the Day of Salvation (2 Cor 6:2).

He sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John

Jesus Christ has sent the Revelation to John. However, He has done this through the intermediates of signifying and by His angel. The term signify (Gr: semaino) is linked to signs. We find, when we read the Revelation, that it is completely filled with signs. We find that God uses signs and wonders grandly to point to spiritual truth. This will be examined below in the Rev 1:20 notes. But, the learning for now is that the Revelation has to be taken as a sign that is pointing to a deeper spiritual meaning.

Jesus always sends His Revelation of the Gospel through an intermediary. We already saw that in the time before the cross it was the Spirit of Christ that spoke through the prophets to bring us the Bible (1 Pet 1:10-12). It is the Holy Spirit that illumines truth to us and brings to remembrance God=s Word (John 14:26, 15:26, etc). But, why an angel to be the messenger?

When we look at the work angel, we find that it literally means ‘messenger’ (Gr: aggelos). This term is closely linked to the term for Gospel (Gr: euaggelion) which literally means good message. We normally think of angels as spirits sent from God. However, the term angel simply means ‘messenger’ and we have to be careful of the context that we use it in. We find that angels can be human servant messengers (Mat 11:10, Lk 7:24, 9:52, Ja 2:25). Also, they are ministering spirits (Heb 1:14, 1 Cor 11:10, Mat 4:11, Lk 22:43, Ps 34:7, Acts 12:7-9, Mat 18:10, Lk 16:22), that announce Christ (Mat 1:20, Lk 1:11, Mat 28:2, John 20:12, Acts 1:10-11), work at second coming (Mat 13:39, 16:27, 24:31), and are not to be worshipped (Col 2:18-19, Rev 22:8-9).

Although in Rev 1:1, the angel spoken of is likely a ministering spirit, the truth that we are to glean from Rev 1:1 is that God sends His Gospel through a mediator. It reminds us of our important task to share the Gospel and be a messenger.

John, who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw

We find here that John is a witness. This reminds us of the fact that all believers are witnesses. We all bear witness to the Word of God. We are to testify of His mighty works – Is 43:10, Acts 1:8, Acts 22:15, 26:16, Heb 12:1. It is similar to testifying in court (see Rev 11:7, 15:5, Lk 5:14, 2 Cor 1:12, 2 Thess 1:10, 2 Tim 1:8, Heb 3:5). We must tell the truth and give the details of the facts.

It is important to note that John bore record to all that he saw. He did not cower from tough parts of Scripture that pointed to Judgment Day. This reminds us that just as Paul did, we must teach the whole counsel of God – Acts 20:27, Eze 33:7-9. We cannot selectively chose what testimony we will have. We cannot just give people the good news of salvation, without telling people that there is a hell and judgment day.

The testimony of Jesus (see notes on Rev 1:2,9, 6:9, 11:7, 12:11,17) points to the fact that the Word of God is about Jesus and He is the Word of God (John 1:1). Jesus reveals Himself to a sin sick world through the Bible and leaves the world without excuse (Ro 10:17-18).

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

7 Beatitudes of Revelation:

Rev 1:3 – those who read, hear and keep the prophecy of Revelation
Rev 14:13 – those who die in the Lord
Rev 16:15 – those who watch and keep their garments
Rev 19:9 – those who are called to go to the marriage supper of the Lamb
Rev 20:6 – those that take part of the 1^st resurrection
Rev 22:7 – those that keep the words of this prophecy of Revelation
Rev 22:14 – those that keep God’s commandments

To be blessed is the opposite of being cursed (see Deut 28:1-14 vs. Deut 28:15-68). We know that a curse entered into the world because of sin (Gen 3:14-17), but soon after Abraham received the blessing of a promise of salvation (Gen 12:3, Gal 3:8-14, Ro 4:6-9, Ps 32:1-2). Believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:13) and are inheritors of the blessing (e.g., Heb 6:12-15, Heb 12:17, 1 pet 3:9, etc).

Blessing therefore, is the highest spiritual good one can receive, which is ultimately salvation:

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

(Rom 4:7-8)

Blessing is the opposite of a curse (Deut 28:1-4 compared to Deut 28:15-68)
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Mat 25:41)
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree (Gal 3:13)
The highest spiritual good (salvation)
- … Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (Rom 4:7-8)

If we are to be blessed, we find three characteristics that should be evident in our lives: read, hear, heed. To blessed is to have the highest spiritual good. The highest spiritual good that any of us can hope to have is a relationship with God and be in His good favor, or, in other words, be saved. We find seven of these beatitudes in Revelation (see also Rev 14:13, Rev 16:15, Rev 19:9, Rev 20:6, Rev 22:7, Rev 22:14). Each one gives us important information to consider in our own lives. The lesson from this first one is this:

Read ‑ Must study word of God (2 Tim 2:15, Ps 119:95,97, Ps 1:2-4, 111:2, 143:5, 1 Pet 1:13, Ps 112:1, Eph 5:17, Acts 2:42, 1 Pet 1:10, 1 Thess 5:21, etc.). ‘It is written’ occurs 93 times in the Bible.
Hear ‑ Only true believers have ears to hear (2 Cor 3:12‑4:4, Mat 13:10‑16, 1 John 4:6, Heb 10:16, Col 3:9‑10)
Heed ‑ All true believers will be obedient (1 John 2:3-6, 1 Pet 1:1-2, John 15:9,11-14, Ps 103:17-18, Eph 5:5-6, Mat 7:21-27) – But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (Luk 11:28)

Are we studying God’s word? Do we have spiritual ears to hear and eyes to see or are we like those in National Israel who closed their ears and eyes (Acts 28:26-28, 13:46)? Are we obedient to those things which we read? The Bible teaches that true believers keep the commands of God (1 John 2:1-5).

(1:4-6) – Address to the 7 Churches of Asia

(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;

(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,

(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.

The Symbolic Meaning of the Number 7

7 – perfection of purpose (whether good or bad)
- The Number 7
  - H7651 (sheba / shibah, 395 occurrences, the number 7)
    - Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. (Psa 119:164)
    - These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him (Pro 6:16)
    - Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars (Pro 9:1)
    - The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. (Pro 26:16)
    - When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. (Pro 26:25)
    - And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. (Isa 4:1)
  - H7655 (shibah, Aramiaic, the number 7, 6 occurrences – Ezra 7:14, Dan 3:19, Dan 4:16, Dan 4:23, Dan 4:25, Dan 4:32)
  - H7658 (shibanah, 1 occurrence, prolonged form of number 7 – Job 42:13)
  - G2033 (hepta, 87 occurrences)
    - Mat 12:45 – 7 other spirits more wicked
    - Mat 18:22 – forgiveness
    - Mat 22:25-28, Luke 20:29-33 – 7 brothers with 1 wife
    - Rev 1:11-20 – 7 stars, 7 golden candlesticks, 2 churches
    - Acts 13:19 – 7 nations in the land of Canaan – land give to Israel
    - Acts 6:3 – 7 original deacons

Churches (Rev 1:4), Spirits (Rev 1:4), Candlesticks (Rev 1:12, 20), stars 9Rev 1:16, 200, lamps 9Rev 4:50, seals (Rev 5:1,5), angels (Rev 8:2, Rev 15:1, Rev 17:1, Rev 21:9), trumpets (Rev 8:2), thunders (Rev 10:3‑4), plagues (Rev 15:6-8, Rev 21:9), bowls (Rev 15:7, Rev 21:9), mountains (Rev 17:9), kings (Rev 17:10)

- - - Rev 17:3-11 – 7 heads of the scarlet beasts
    - Rev 12:3 – 7 heads of Satan (dragon)
    - Rev 13:1 – 7 heads of Beast
- Seven oneself (sware / take oath) – H7650 / H7621
  - H7650 (shaba, 186 occurrences) – to sware
  - H7621 (shebuah, 30 occurrences) – to take oath
  - The Lord swares – Promised Land – Deut 8:1, Gen 24:7, Ex 13:5, Ex 13:11, Ex 33:11, Deut 1:8
  - The Lord swares – the Covenant – Deut 7:12, Deut 8:18
- Seventh
  - H7637 (shebiyiy, 98 occurrences, seventh)
    - Gen 2:1, Ex 20:10-11, Ex 23:12, Ex 31:15-17, Ex 34:21, Ex 35:2 – God rested on the 7^th day, the Sabbath (the promise of salvation by God’s grace)
    - Lev 25:4, Ex 23:11 – 7^th year Sabbath for the Land
    - Ex 12:15-16, Ex 13:6 – 7^th day of Feast of Unleavened bread is holy convocation of rest
    - Ex 16:26-30 – Manna not to be gathered 7^th day of rest
    - Ex 21:2 – Slaves are freed
    - Ex 24:16 – 7^th day the Lord called out to Moses

G1442 (hebdomeos, 9 occurrences) – Joh 4:52, Heb 4:4, Jud 1:14, Rev 8:1, Rev 10:7, Rev 11:15, Rev 16:17, Rev 21:20
- Heb 4:4 – 7^th day was a day of rest (salvation)

- People’s Names tied to the number 7
  - H7652 (Sheba, 10 occurrences, a name tied to 7)
  - H7656 (shibah, 1 occurrence – Gen 26:33, well called Shebah, source of city name Beersheba)
  - H7614 / H7615 (Sheba, 24 occurrences. e.g., queen of Sheba, Ethiopia)
- Not satisfied with enough
  - H7653 (sibah, 1 occurrence – fullness) – Eze 16:49

H7654 (sobah, 8 occurrences – not satisfied / not sufficient) – Psa 88:3, Psa 104:16, Eze 39:19, Isa 56:11, Hag 1:6, Isa 55:2, Isa 23:18, Eze 16:28

- Sevenfold (seven times)
  - H7659 (shibathayim, 6 occurrences, seven-fold)
    - Gen 4:15, Gen 4:24 – Vengeance on whoever slays Cain (Lamech 70 times 7)
    - Ps 79:12 – Vengeance seven fold; Restoration of a thief (Pr 6:31)
    - Is 30:26 – Sun 7 times brighter – Day of Salvation / Restoration
    - Ps 12:6 – Word of God pure as a silver refined in fire 7 times
  - G2034 (heptakis, seven times, 4 occurrences) – Forgive 7 times (Lk 17:4, Mat 18:21-22)
Week (Sevened) – Symbolizes perfect commitment of rest

H7620 (shabua, 19 occurrences, ‘sevened’ / week) – Dan 9:24-27 , Dan 10:2-3 (literal weeks of Daniel’s mourning)

- - Different word than H7659 (sevenfold)
  - H7620 points to the 7 days of a week, which is tied to sabbath rest
  - Feast of weeks (Pentecost) – Exo 34:22, Num 28:26, Deu 16:9-10, Deu 16:16, 2 Ch 8:13
  - Fulfill her (Rachel’s) week (refers to 7 years) – Gen 29:27-28; One day = 1 year – Eze 4:4-6, Num 14:33-34

G4521 (sabbaton, 9 occurrences as ‘week’ (sabbaths), 59 occurrences as sabbath) – Mar 16:1-2, Mar 16:9, Luk 18:12, John 20:1, John 20:19, Acts 20:7, 1Co 16:2

Seven Times

And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. (Ge 33:3)
And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary. (Lev 4:6)
And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail. (Lev 4:17)
And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. (Lev 8:11)
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. (Lev 14:7)
And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD: (Lev 14:16)
And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD: (Lev 14:27)
And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times: (Lev 14:51)
And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. (Lev 16:14)
And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. (Lev 16:19)
And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. (Lev 25:8)
And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. (Lev 26:18)
And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. (Lev 26:21)
Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. (Lev 26:24)
Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. (Lev 26:28)
And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times: (Num 19:4)
And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. (Jos 6:4)
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. (Jos 6:15)
And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is And he said, Go again seven times. (1Ki 18:43)
Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. (2Ki 4:35)
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. (2Ki 5:10)
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. (2Ki 5:14)
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psa 12:6)
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. (Psa 119:164)
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. (Pro 24:16)
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. (Dan 3:19)
Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. (Dan 4:16)
And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; (Dan 4:23)
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. (Dan 4:25)
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. (Dan 4:32)
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. (Dan 9:25)
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (Mat 18:21-22)
And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luk 17:4)

John to the Seven Churches which are in Asia

We find in this phrase that John takes on the role of messenger (or angel) to the seven churches. But why does he address his writing to just seven churches? We know that the church of Colossae (Col 1:2) was in Asia, yet it is not mentioned. Later in Revelation 2-3, we will examine in depth the seven churches. For now, we will just pause to note the significance of the number seven. It becomes evident to us as we study the Bible that God uses numbers in a very special way. Sometimes, we do not readily see the purpose behind a number while other times we do. For example, we see God uses the number 144,000 in a special way in Rev 7. We see that God uses the number 40 over and over in the Bible and usually connected to trial or testing. But here, we have the number seven. We see that the letter is addressed to the seven churches and in part it is from the seven Spirits before the throne.

When we study the number seven, we find it is the number of perfection or perfect completeness. The number is especially significant in Revelation:

Churches – Rev 1:4
Spirits – Rev 1:4
Candlesticks – Rev 1:12, 20
Stars – Rev 1:16, 20
Lamps – Rev 4:5
Seals – Rev 5:1,5
Angels – Rev 8:2, Rev 15:1, Rev 17:1, Rev 21:9
Trumpets – Rev 8:2
Thunders – Rev 10:3‑4
Heads – Rev 12:3, Rev 13:1, Rev 17:3,7‑10
Plagues – Rev 15:6-8, Rev 21:9
Bowls – Rev 15:7, Rev 21:9
Mountains – Rev 17:9
Kings – Rev 17:10

The most basic spiritual meaning of the number 7 can be found in the 7 days of creation. From the very foundation of creation, the number seven has a spiritual significance of completeness / perfection (Gen 2:1-3).

In all cases, we find a perfection of purpose of the topic in view (whether positive or negative). This view of the number seven helps explain why the letter is addressed to seven churches and not eight, 13, or 23. It is because the letter of Revelation is actually a message to the perfect completeness of the church of all time. It is God’s message to us.

Asia is likely mentioned to underscore the fact that the address of this letter extends to all the world. We find in Acts 1:8 that the Gospel was to be sent to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the remotest part of the world. Therefore, John addressing the churches in Asia would underscore the fact that the remote parts of the world were now under the hearing of the Gospel and that the whole world is in view.

But, why seven Spirits? Have we been wrong in our understanding of the Holy Spirit? Is the trinity really a God of nine: i.e. God the Father, Jesus Christ and the seven Spirits before the throne? No. The seven again symbolizes the perfect completeness of the Holy Spirit as the Gospel goes out to the world. God’s Word is sent through John and by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is clearly seen in these verses.

Grace be unto you and peace

On the surface this may sound superficial. However, this greeting is extremely important. The terms grace and peace are synonymous with the Gospel itself. We find that it is by grace we are saved (Eph 2:8). It is by grace that we have been justified (Titus 3:7). Also, although in the unsaved state we were at enmity with God (Eph 2:15-16), we find in the saved condition that we are at peace with God (Ro 5:1). Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6). Therefore, this address reminds us of the fact that the purpose of the Revelation (as well as the whole Bible) is to teach us of the Gospel.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph 2:8-9)
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1)

Him which is, which was and which is to come

This phrase points to the eternal nature of God (see also Rev 1:8, Ro 1:20, 1 Tim 1:17, Eph 3:21, Heb 1:8, Is 57:15, Is 63:16, Lam 5:19, Ps 90:2). God is from the beginning and will ever exist. This should remind us of what a wonderfully awesome God we have come to know. We must pause when we read something in His Word that does not seem to make sense and remember that He is God. Who are we to question God (Ro 9:20)?

And from the 7 Spirits which are Before His Throne

This is a symbolic reference to the Holy Spirit. The ‘7 spirits’ also is seen in Rev 3:1:

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Rev 3:1)

The 7 stars are discussed below in Rev 1:16, Rev 1:20 and refer to the 7 angels sent to the 7 churches of Asia (all symbolic of the entire church). In Rev 3:1, we find close affinity between the 7 Spirits of God and the 7 stars. In other words the 7 Spirits of God represents the outreach of God to communicate to His people by interacting with the 7 angels sent to the churches. We also find that the 7 Spirits of God are referred to as the 7 lamps of fire burning before the throne. The lamps represent the light of the revelation of God both in a positive sense (salvation) and a negative sense (judgment) – see Rev 4:5 discussion below. Very importantly, in Rev 5:6, we find that the Lamb of God is said to have 7 eyes, which are the 7 Spirits of God. The Lamb represents Jesus Christ and the 7 Spirits represent the Holy Spirit (with perfect spiritual sight) sent into the world to indwell all of God people (2 Tim 1:14, Ro 8:9).

There are other symbolic references to the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament:

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. (2Ch 16:9)
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. (Zec 3:9)
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. (Zec 4:10)
And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass … And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. (Zec 6:1-5)

We find that the Holy Spirit was sent into the world and includes the ministration of the Spirit manifested in a variety of spiritual gifts and abilities for the church (1 Cor 12:4-13).

Holy Spirit is the helper ‑ John 14:16, John 14:26, John 5:26
Spirit is teacher ‑ enables us to understand Word of God ‑ 1 Cor 2:13, John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13ff, 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27
Spirit of truth – 1 John 4:6, 5:6, John 14:17, John 15:26
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (Joh 14:16-17)

From Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth

As we have already mentioned, the Revelation is from Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Savior (Mat 1:21) who will save His people from their sins. Christ points to the fact that Jesus is the anointed one. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit to do good and to provide salvation (See Acts 10:38).

Jesus is the faithful witness. He is our role model. Although scourged and blasphemed, He did not sin. He came as a Lamb to be sacrificed. Jesus testified before Pontius Pilate and made the good confession (1 Tim 6:13). In Rev 3:14, Jesus is called the faithful and true witness. Isaiah says that Jesus Christ would be given as a witness to the people, a leader and commander. Christians have also been given the faith of Christ (Eph 2:8-9) as a gift, by which they are saved (Gal 2:16, see also Gal 3:2, Gal 3:5, Gal 3:7, Gal 2:20, Phil 3:9, Ro 3:22, Ro 1:17, Rev 2:13, 14:12).

Christ is the faithful one ‑ Rev 1:5, Rev 3:14, Rev 1:9, Rev 19:11 (name is Faithful), Heb 10:23, 1 Cor 1:9, 10:13, 1 Thess 5:24, 1 John 1:9, Is 49:7
God’s words are faithful and true – Rev 21:5, 22:6

We are instructed that Jesus Christ is the First‑born of the dead ‑ Heb 1:6, 1 Cor 15:20, Col 1:15‑18, Acts 13:33 w/ Ps 2:7. This points again to the fact that it is He who suffered and died and suffered an eternity in hell for each one of us who are saved. The mention of first-born brings to mind that He is the first but we also have been born again from the spiritual deadness of sin (Eph 2:2, John 3:3-5, Ro 6:1-12). We have been crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20) in order that we may be born to walk in newness of life and be a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).

The term ‘prince of the kings of the Earth’ is significant. Firstly, we are taught here that God is Sovereign (Eph 1:11, Is 14:24, Mat 28:18, Ps 135:6, 115:3, 1 Tim 5:2, 2 Pert 2:5, Dan 4:35, Job 42:2, Jonah 1:14, Is 45:9, Gen 2:16, Is 53:10-12, Heb 10:14, Ro 9:18, Col 2:10, etc.). That is God is the King and may act as He chooses. Jesus is King and all authority has been given Him (Mat 28:18). Jesus reigns as a King now – Acts 17:7, Rev 11:15, 1 Cor 15:25, John 18:37 and He has a kingdom – Col 1:13, Acts 1:9 w/ Dan 7:13-14.

Jesus is the head of the kings of the earth. This can be taken in two ways. First, He has sovereign control over all things that happen. He allows the present world system to proceed. Secondly, He is also the Prince over the kingdom of God of which all believers in a sense are spiritual kings. No, we are not physical kings for sure. But, as we will see below in verse 7, we are spiritual kings with Christ.

Him that Loved us

The Bible teaches us that God loves those whom He will save and hates the wicked (Ps 5:5, Ro 9:13). Just as God loved Jacob and hated Esau (Mal 1:2-3, Ro 9:13), so too He loves the elect and hates the non-elect (God hates the wicked). When the Bible says that God so loved the world (John 3:16), it refers to the fact that God loved the world in so far as He provides a salvation program for some. However, since He is a just God, He also hates the wicked.

Washed us from our sins in His own blood

The picture here is that when we are unsaved and in our sins, we are filthy with sin. However, when we become saved, Christ’s blood washes us and cleans us from sin (1 Pet 1:17-19, Rev 5:9, Col 1:14, Eph 1:7, etc.). It is His own blood that was shed to cleanse our sins. The blood points to the fact that the life is in the blood ‑ Lev 17:11, Lev 17:14, Heb 9:22. It is only when God has loved us and cleansed us from all unrighteousness that we can be saved.

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father

God is the one who has made us. We are the creation of God – 2 Thess 2:13-14, 2 Tim 1:9, John 15:16, 2 Cor 5:17, Eph 1:4-11, Eph 2:8-10, Phil 2:13, Col 1:29. That is, our salvation is not from ourselves. We are purely saved by grace. There is no work on our part that caused us to be saved. We are a new creation in Christ. We are God’s workmanship unto good works (Eph 2:10). God has both physically created the world and spiritually re-created us into a new man.

God has made us kings so that we reign with Christ – Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10, 1 Pet 2:9‑10, Eph 2:6, 2 Tim 2:12, Ro 5:17. We are not kings separate from Christ. But, we are reminded here by God that our position as Christians is royalty through Christ. Believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places – Eph 2:1-6, Ro 5:17. Of yes, physically, we are on earth and may be enduring many trials and afflictions, however, spiritually, we are royalty. Believers are in the Kingdom of Christ – Acts 26:18, Col 1:13. We have been transferred from Satan’s kingdom into God’s kingdom. And the goodness of God has made us to be part of the royal family. Ultimately, believers receive the crown of eternal life – 1 Pet 5:4, 1 Cor 9:25, 2 Tim 4:8, Rev 2:10, 1 Thess 2:19. There is a day coming where the world as we know it will be done away with. However, in this present time, we remember that we do not reign in the physical realm. Believers reign in heaven, not on earth – Rev 20:2-3, 1 Cor 4:5-8. We are currently ambassadors for Christ in the domain of Satan (2 Cor 5:20).

We are also made to be priests. A priest is one who intercedes directly to God – 1 Pet 2:5, 1 Pet 2:9, Is 61:6, Is 66:21, Phil 3:20, Eph 2:19. We are no longer separated from God. We have direct access through the indwelling of God and prayer. This reminds us of the significant role that believers have. We are to present the sacrifices of our lives on the altar of service and obedience to God (Ro 12:1-2). We are like the drink offering that is poured out. This points to the reason why God tells us that we are kings and priests unto Him. It is because man’s purpose is to glorify and praise God. We are not here to selfishly get what we want on the earth. We are here for God.

The literal translation of is that Jesus Christ has made Christians kings and priests ‘to His God and Father’, and therefore, we see the submission of the Son to the Father.

To Him be glory and dominion forever

The fact that we are saved, made priests and kings is for God’s glory. It is only to God that all praise goes forever. His dominion endures forever. We serve a sovereign, great God who is worthy of all the glory. This reminds us not to glorify ourselves, but rather to give God the glory to whatever we think we may be.

(1:7-8)- The Coming of Jesus Christ

(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.

He cometh with the clouds

The fact that Jesus Christ is coming again cannot be disputed. We see Him coming in the following verses: Mat 24:3, Mat 24:27-30, Mat 24:37, Mat 24: 39, 1 Cor 15:23, 1 Th 2:19, 1Th 3:13, 1 Th 4:15, 1 Th 5:23, James 5:7-8, 2 Thess 2:1-9, 2 Pet 3:4, 2 Pet 3:12, 1 John 2:28. As we proceed in our study, we will clearly see the coming of Christ. What why with the clouds? We see the coming of Christ also mentioned with clouds in Mat 24:30, Acts 1:9-11, Luke 21:27, Mk 14:62-64, Mk 13:26, Mat 26:64, Mat 16:27-28.

When we study other occurrences of clouds, we find that they represent glory (2 Chr 5:13-14, 2 Chr 7:1-2, 1 Ki 8:11, Ex 40:34-35, Ex 34:5, Ex 19:9, Mat 17:5, Is 19:11, Mat 24:30, Mat 26:64, Dan 7:13, see especially Acts 1:9-11). We are, therefore, reminded in Revelation 1 that Christ is coming and He is coming with glory. We may look at the difficulties of life, but there is a day of glory. It is the day that the physical will be done away with. The earth will be burned and there will be a glorious day of peace.

Every eye will see Him

God underscores the fact that when Christ returns, every eye will see Christ (Acts 1:11, Mat 24:30, Lk 21:28, Mk 13:26, Lk 17:23-24). In other words, His coming is not in stealth. It is not a secret coming. There is no room for deception here. God emphasizes to us that every eye will see Him.

There is also a spiritual significance to this phrase. In the unsaved state, man is blind to see the truth of God (Mat 13:13-16, Acts 28:26-28, Jer 31:8, etc.). However, when Christ returns, all men will see the truth of what they really are at Judgment Day. All the unsaved must go before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10, Mat 16:27, Ro 14:10, Acts 10:42). The unsaved dead will be resurrected to a Judgment and will be cast into eternal hellfire for their sins. At this time, they will see the folly of their ways and receive justice for their works.

They also which pierced Him

In the natural, the soldier at the cross pierced Christ’s side to see if He was dead (John 19:37). However, in the spiritual realm, it was actually our sins which put Christ to death (Zech 12:10). Our sin put Christ to death to be a substitute for us – 2 Cor 5:21, Ro 3:25, 4:25, Gal 3:13.

It should be noted that Christ was already dead when pierced. This is because Jesus gave up His life (John 10:11-18, 15:13, 1 John 3:16) for us. We did not make him suffer the wrath of God for us. It was He who voluntarily died for us. However, we pierced Him in that it was because of our sin that He endured the wrath of God.

An interesting side line to piercing the side of Christ is that it resulted in blood and water coming out of His side. This blood and water are symbolic for redemption by blood (the life is in the blood) and the water of the gospel (Eph 5:25-26).

Therefore, we learn from this phrase that even those who pierced Christ (us) will see Christ. Now we grope around dimly. However, when Christ appears we will see Him as He is.

And all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

When Christ comes again, those who are unsaved will mourn. There days of mirth and pleasure are done. There days of oppression and living in licentiousness are over. They will immediately know that it is time for Judgment Day. Judgment Day is a time of sorrow for the unsaved. It is the time of an entrance into an eternity without Christ. We see the mourning of the world repeated in the following Scriptures – John 16:20-22, Mat 24:30, Jer 6:26, Lk 23:28-31, Is 2:19-20, Rev 6:16. In these cases, it points to the reaction of the unsaved when Judgment Day is upon them.

Even though we do not hope for anyone to go to hell, we must echo into the statement: even so, Amen. Even through there is a Second Coming of Christ which is a time of great joy and gladness for the saved, there is a day of judgment for the unsaved that we also feel a sense of loss. However, Christians want the righteous will of a just God to be completed and so we say Amen.

(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.

The analogy, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, is used many places in the Scriptures (see Rev 1:11, Is 41:4, Is 44:6-7,Is 46:10, Is 48:12-13, Rev 1:11, Rev 1:17, Rev 2:8, Rev 3:14, Rev 21:6, Rev 22:13). These terms point to the fact that God is eternal, the source of all things and has foreordained all things (e.g., Ro 8:29). God is all knowing and wise. He controls all things.

Alpha and Omega:

1^st and last Greek alphabet letters
4 occurrences – Rev 1:8, Rev 1:11, Rev 21:6, Rev 22:13
Defined as the ‘beginning’ and ‘ending’ in Rev 1:8 and the First and Last in Rev 1:11
Beginning – Gr: arche (G746, literally beginning, source, chief, authority)
Ending – Gr: telos (G5056, literally, end, completion, end, finish)
New Testament ‘beginning and ending’ – Rev 21:6, Rev 22:13

Jesus as related to the Beginning (G746, arche):

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (Joh 1:1-3)
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Mat 24:21)
But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (Joh 6:64)
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (Joh 8:44)
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col 1:18)
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2Th 2:13)
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands (Heb 1:10)
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Heb 7:3)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life (1Jn 1:1)
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1Jn 3:8)
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God (Rev 3:14)
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Rev 21:6)
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Rev 22:13)

Jesus as the End (G5056, telos) for salvation:

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (Jas 5:11)
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1Pe 1:9)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (Rev 2:26)
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Heb 7:3)
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end (Heb 6:11)
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end (Heb 3:14)
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (1Co 15:24)
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Co 1:8)
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Rom 10:4)
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Rom 6:21-22)
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Mat 10:22)
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Mat 24:13-14)

Jesus as the End (G5056, telos) for judgment:

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (Heb 6:8)
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Php 3:19)
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2Co 11:15)
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Rom 6:21-22)

Jesus is everlasting. He is the almighty which points to His omnipotence (Ps 62:11, Ps 18:13-15, Ps 89:6, Dan 4:35, Mk 14:62, Eph 3:20-21, Hab 3:4). We know that He is the Lord and in control of all things (Rev 4:8, Rev 11:17, Rev 16:14, Rev 19:15, Rev 21:22; Gen 17:1, Gen 28:3, Gen 35:11, Gen 43:14, Gen 48:3; Gen 49:25; Exo 6:3; Num 24:4; Isa 9:6; 2Co 6:18).

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6)

(1:9-16) – A Vision of Jesus Christ

(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.

(Rev 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

(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 John, who also am your brother

Unbelievable as it may seem, John the human vessel of the Revelation is our brother today. This points to the fact that all true believers are brothers and sisters in Christ (Ro 12:10, 2 Pet 1:7, 2 Thess 3:15, 1 Tim 5:1). This means of course that we want to sympathize and help our fellow believer. We are concerned for the person physically and more important spiritually. We want to ensure that they have the bread of life and are not in spiritual famine.

All Christians are brethren:

And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia (Act 15:23)
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. (1Co 16:20)
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. (Php 4:21)
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. (1Th 5:26)
Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. (2Ti 4:21)

And companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ

All believers will endure tribulation and persecution in the world – Ps 34:19, John 16:33, 1 John 3:13, Mat 5:10-14, 10:24-36,16:24-27, 20:23, Mk 8:34-38, Lk 9:23-26, Heb 11:35-37, Gal 4:29, John 15:18-20, Phil 1:29, 1 Pet 2:20-21. This may seem like a broad statement but it is true. We are warned by Christ that if He was called Beelzebub, so will we. We who are in the world will suffer persecution.

John was in a time of persecution when He received the Revelation. This reminds us that at times of trials and persecutions, we can grow spiritually. We are told in Ro 5:1-5 that we exult in trials since they produce spiritual fruit of hope and character. We count it all joy when we fall in trials (James 1:2-4). It is good that we have been afflicted, so that we may learn God’s statutes (Ps 119:71). Through these trials, we learn about the nature of the kingdom of God. We learn that we are called to suffer and die daily with Christ (1 Cor 15:31). We are like sheep to be slaughtered (Ro 8:36). We are being delivered over to death all the day (2 Cor 4:11). Through this we learn the fruit of the Spirit: patience. We learn to patiently endure for the hope of eternal life.

We also recognize that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world (John 8:36-37); his kingdom is of heaven (Mat 3:2, Mat 4:17, Mat 5:3, Mat 5:10, Mat 5:19-20, Mat 6:10, Mat 7:21, etc.).

The patience of being in Christ:

In tribulation – Ro 5:3, Ro 12:2, James 1:3-4
For glory – 1 Thess 1:3, Ro 8:25
In the Christian life – Heb 10:36, Heb 12:1-2

In the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ

Persecution due to the Word and the Witness of Jesus Christ

By those in the church – Mat 5:10-12, 10:23, 23:34, Lk 11:49, 21:12, John 5:16,15:20, Acts 7:52, 9:4-5, 22:7-8, 26:14-15, 22:4, 26:11, 1 Cor 15:9, Gal 1:13,23, Phil 3:9, Acts 8:1, Gal 4:29, Rev 12:13, 1 Thess 2:15 w/Acts 17:5,13 (also 2 Thess 1:4), Acts 13:42,46,50, Gal 5:11, 6:12, 2 Tim 3:11-12, 13:50, 14:2,19
Cannot keep us from Christ – Ro 8:35
Takes pleasures in – 2 Cor 12:10
Persecution because of the Word – Mat 13:21, Mk 4:17
Receive children and lands – Mk 10:30
But not forsaken – 2 Cor 4:9
Bless them that persecute – Ro 12:14
Pray for those who persecute you – Mat 5:44

Warning to not deny Christ

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Mat 10:33)
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (Mat 26:34-35)
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. (Mat 26:75)
And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. (Mar 14:30-31)
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. (Mar 14:72)
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. (Luk 22:34)
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. (Luk 22:61)
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2Ti 2:13)
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Tit 1:16)

Because of John’s witness of sharing the Word, he apparently found himself placed on Patmos. We note that the tremendous impact of the book of Revelation starts in the humble beginnings of Patmos. John, likely alone and banished, received the Word of God. This reminds us that at times that all may seem impossible, God has a plan. He can use any situation for the furthering of the Gospel.

When we search the Scriptures, we find that spiritually an island is extremely significant. First, an island is a place of wild beasts (Job 22:30, Is 13:22, Is 34:14, Jer 50:39) and is desolate (Is 13:22). An island is also a place that has no salvation and is under judgment (Jer 47:4, Is 20:6, Is 23:2, Is 23:6, Is 41:1, Is 59:18, Is 42:15). We find, for example in Is 42:4-15 that it is the place where we wait expectantly for the Lord. In other words, it is a symbol of the place where believers are in this earth. We are in a remote place in comparison where our true home is. The Gospel goes forth to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8, Ro 10:18, Ps 105:7, Ps 19:4). In Isaiah 51:5, we find that it is the place where God’s people are waiting for deliverance from Him (see also Is 11:11, Is 60:9, Job 22:30, Jer 31:10, Is 42:4, Is 49:1, Is 51:5, Is 66:19, Jer 31:10, Zeph 2:11). It is also a place of praise for those who wait patiently (Ps 97:1, Is 42:10). An island reminds us that we are in a place first where God has extended His arm to save us in and secondly that we patiently wait for Him and trust Him for rescue.

I was in the Spirit

In the Spirit is how we receive Word of God – 1 Pet 1:10-12, 2 Pet 1:19-21, 2 Tim 3:16, John 14:26, Eph 5:18 w/ Col 3:16. We cannot receive the truth of God’s Word unless it is taught to us by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, 15:26, 1 John 2:20-27). Flesh and Blood does not reveal truth to us (Mat 16:17, Gal 1:16). In fact, the flesh is opposed to the Spirit (Ro 8:1-9, Gal 6:8). If we are to hear God’s Word, we must be in the Spirit.

The Bible is discerned spiritually:

But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1Co 2:14)
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? (1Co 9:11)
And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (1Co 10:3-5)
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph 5:19)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col 3:16)
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2Co 4:4-6)

On the Lord’s Day

On the surface, it appears that this is referring to the weekly Sabbath Day. In the historical event, it is possible this was the case. However, when we search the Scriptures, we find that the Lord’s Day (or Day of the Lord) points to the end times and the second coming of Christ. Consider the following references:

Last Day refers to a point in time for Second Coming of Christ – Mat 24:36, Heb10:25

“The Last Day” – John 6:39,40,44,54, 12:48, 11:24, 5:28-29
Day of Wrath – Rev 6:17, see Appendix C
“His Day” – Lk 17:24, Mat 24:36,42,50, Mk 13:32
“Day of God” – 2 Pet 3:12, Rev 16:14
“That Day” – Mat 7:22, 24:36,26:29, Lk 10:12, 2 Thess 1:10, 2 Tim 1:8
“Day of the Lord Jesus Christ” – 1 Cor 1:7-8, 1 Cor 5:5, 2 Cor 1:13-14, 1 Cor 1:8, Phil 1:6-10, 2:16, 2 Thess 2:1-2
“Day of the Lord” – Is 2:12, 13:6-9, Joel 1:15, Joel 2:1, Joel 2:11, Joel 2:31, Joel 3:14, Amos 5:18,20, Ob 15, Zeph 1:7, Zeph 1:14, Zech 14:1-2, Mal 4:5, Ac 2:20, 1 Thess 5:2-3, 2 Pet :10, 2 Thess 2:2

Careful study of these references indicates that the Day of Lord points to the final day of God’s Coming and Judgment. It should also be noted that the Last Days also refer to the church age – Acts 2:17, 2 Tim 3:1-2, 1 Tim 4:1, 2 Pet 3:3, Heb 1:2, Jude 18. Therefore, it can be seen that the Lord’s Day is the final day of the church age.

Understanding this to point to the coming of Christ relates well to the overall direction of the Revelation. As we will see over and over in Revelation, the coming of Christ is prominently featured. The fact that God gave His message to John on the Lord=s Day is a harbinger of the events of the Revelation.

Great voice, as of a trumpet

This voice now that announces the Revelation is noted as great, as a sound of a trumpet. This is not a small still voice that we hear of in Elijah’s day (1 Ki 19:12). It is a strong voice similar to when Jesus cried out on the cross concerning why He was forsaken (John 15:34). It is a voice of judgment. It is a voice of alarm.

When we search the Bible for information on trumpet we find significant help to understand the above phrase. We find that the trumpet sound points to the end of time when God gathers His elect at the sound of the last trumpet (1 Thess 4:16, 1 Cor 15:52, Mat 24:31, Josh 6:5). The trumpet signifies that the final battle of good and evil is going to happen. Again, with the phrase great voice, sound of a trumpet, we see a pointer to Judgment Day and the return of Christ.

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last

As we saw in verse 8, this is no other than God. We will see in verse 13, that the voice saying Alpha and Omega is Jesus Christ. Previously in verse 8, we saw it refer to the Lord God. Therefore, we see the same description of God the Father and God the Son. This is no surprise since they are one.

What thou seest, write in a book

This statement points to the fact that the Bible has been written through the Revelation of God. It should be noted that John is about to see a vision throughout the book of Revelation of which he is to record. God speaks through people to write Bible (2 Tim 3:16, Jer 1:9. Mat 22:43, 2 Sam 23:2, Acts 4:24-25, Lk 1:68-69, etc.). God uses the method of written words to communicate His truth to mankind. The fact that John was commanded to write what he sees in a book should make us immediately skeptical of current day visions since we are commanded not to add to the Book (Rev 22:18-19).

Book – G975 – biblion – a small scroll (the written Word of God, preserved by God, 32 occurrences)

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? (Mat 19:7)
And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her (Mar 10:4)
And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, (Luk 4:17)
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. (Luk 4:20)
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: (Joh 20:30)
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (Joh 21:25)
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Gal 3:10)
The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. (2Ti 4:13)
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, (Heb 9:19)
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (Heb 10:7)
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.
(Rev 1:11)
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion () of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Rev 5:1-5)
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 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 5:7-:9)
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Rev 17:8)
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Rev 20:12)
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev 21:27)
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Rev 22:7)
Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. (Rev 22:9)
And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. (Rev 22:10)
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Rev 22:18-19)

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.

Asia as a symbol:

God’s Word comes to the church
Asia – symbolizes the furthest reaches of the world
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Act 1:8)

As we saw the seven churches represent the complete perfection of the church. The Bible was written to communicate to the church of all time. The Revelation has enduring value throughout the church age. John is commanded to send forth the Gospel. This is the role of all believers. Concerning the seven churches named, they will be examined in great detail in the upcoming chapter.

(Rev 1:12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned…

God emphasizes here in verse 12 and previously in verse 10 the fact that the voice of God was behind John and that John had to turn around to see the voice the spoke to him. The oddness of this language at once signifies to us that we must carefully consider this statement. Also odd is that one does not need to turn to see a voice. One must simply listen. However, when we consider that the word ‘turned’ likely points to repentance (2 Tim 2:24-26, Acts 5:31, Acts 2:38, 3:19, 26:20, Heb 6:1, 2 Pet 3:9), we start to understand the spiritual meaning to this passage. We see the passive nature of the term ‘and being turned’. This also underscores the fact that this phrase probably points to the fact that before we can discern and spiritually see the truth of the Gospel, we must be turned by God. Repentance is a work that is granted by God and performed in those who become saved. This is confirmed by the usage of ‘turn’ elsewhere in the New Testament. This word is the Greek word (G1994 / G1995) epistrepho often translated as ‘conversion’ or to be ‘turned’ to the Lord. This same word is used in the following verses referring to God’s work in salvation in conversion:

Conversion of the Gentiles – Act 15:3
Turned to the Lord – Acts 9:35, Acts 11:21, Acts 15:19, 1 Thess 1:9, Act 14:15, Act 26:18, Act 26:20, 2Co 3:16,
Converted – Mat 13:15, Mar 4:12, Lk 22:32, Joh 12:40, Act 3:19, Act 28:27, James 5:19-20

I saw seven golden candlesticks

The seven golden lampstands represent the true people of God, the true church (see Rev 1:20, Ex 25:37, Ex 37:23, Zech 4:2). There can be no doubt about this since verse 20 defines this for us. ‘Candlestick’ is the Greek word luchnia (G3087) which occurs 12 times in the New Testament (Mat 5:15, Mar 4:21, Luk 8:16, Luk 11:33, Heb 9:2, Rev 2:5, Rev 1:12-13 (2), Rev 1:20 (2), Rev 2:1, Rev 11:4). Mat 5:15 teaches us that Christians are the light that is placed on the candlestick so all that are in the house can see. In this context that house and candlestick both refer to the true church. Christians are referred to as light many places in the Bible (Mat 5:14, Phi; 2:15, Eph 5:8-14, Lk 16:8, John 12:36, 1 Thess 5:5, Col 1:12-13, Lk 11:33).

A ‘candlestick’ has great significance. Firstly, the true church holds the light of the Gospel. In the Bible, the light is referred to as the Gospel (2 Cor 4:4-6, 2 Pet 1:19, 2 Tim 1:10, 1 Pet 2:9, Ps 43:3, Is 8:20). Additionally, the church is the support structure that holds the light of being a believer. As we shall see later the lampstand is also a picture of the Holy Spirit (see Rev 4:5-9 notes). This corresponds to the truth we are studying since it is by the Spirit that we are illuminated. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher.

The Lampstand in also pictured in the tabernacle of the Old Covenant (see Ex 25:31-40, 37:17-24, 1 Ki 7:49, Zech 4:2). A study in these Scriptures should also confirm to us that God has a view to the Gospel.

The term ‘golden’ represents the fact that the church is of great value to God (1 Pet 1:7, Job 28:16, Zeph 1:18, Ps 127, Ps 119:72, Ps 19:7-10, Is 13;12, Pr 16:16, Pr 8:10, Pr 8:19, Pr 3:13-15, etc.). It is Christ who dies for the church. In summary, this phrase points to the truth that it is the church which is the foundation for the light of the Gospel and sharing the Gospel. Woe unto us when the light of the church has been extinguished.

(Rev 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.

(Rev 1:14) His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

(Rev 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.

(Rev 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.

We now see the vision of the One speaking to John. As we examine each portion of the vision, we fill find out that this undoubtedly refers to Jesus Christ. We also find in Rev 19:11-16, a parallel to this vision.

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man

Why does God tell us that this One (Jesus Christ) is in the midst of the seven candlesticks. We recall that the candlesticks refer to none other than the complete church of God. To understand this picture, we recall that Christ is the center of everything in the church (Mat 18:20, Ro 11:36, Heb 1:2, Heb 2:10, Col 1:16, 1 Cor 8:6, John 1:3, John 1:10, John 20:19, Luke 24:36). For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things (Ro 11:36). God is the centerpiece of our devotion and faith. Christ is the One who is in the midst of the church’s attention and devotion. No wonder why God tells us that He is in the midst of the lampstands. The word ‘midst’ is the Greek word mesos which literally means ‘middle’ (G3319).

The statement of Son of Man points to Christ in His humanity. It reminds us that Christ ascended bodily into heaven and that He was resurrected. The resurrected Christ, now glorified, takes His position as the centerpiece of the church.

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Php 2:7)
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15)

Clothed with a garment down to the foot

The next description we have of Christ is that He is clothed with a garment down to His feet. It is peculiar as to why God emphasizes that this garment reaches His feet. Why tell us about the garment and why tell us that it is long to His feet.

The fact that His feet are mentioned is likely to emphasize that He was completely covered by this garment. We do not see Christ=s nakedness at all. Spiritually, to be naked means that we are uncovered and in a shameful state of exposed sin. We recall in the Garden of Eden that when Adam and Eve fell, they knew they were naked and vainly tried to cover themselves with the work of their hands which came from the ground (fig leaves). However, God covered them with the skin of an animal that had been slain which was foreshadowing the sacrifice of Christ and the shedding of His blood. In many places throughout the Bible, we find the portrait of nakedness refer to the fact that we are exposed and in the shame of sin. We see the picture of the skirts being uncovered as pointing to the shame and nakedness of sin (Deut 22:30, 1 Sam 24:4-11, Ruth 3:7-9, Hos 2:10, Eze 23:29, Eze 16:37, Is 47:2-3, Jer 27:20, Jer 13:22-26, Lam 1:9, Nah 3:5, Rev 16:15, Rev 3:17).

We also see that there was a time that Christ was stripped and exposed as naked. This, of course, was at the cross (Mat 27:35, Mk 15:24, John 19:24). This was a grand picture given to us by God that Christ became sin for us that we may become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). Christ had to experience the humiliation of bearing our sins on the cross so that we could have eternal life.

On the other hand, now we see Christ fully clothed. The atonement has been completed and Christ is now in His glorified state. He no longer is associated with the sins. The wrath of God has been satisfied.

We now see Christ clothed with majesty. As Ps 93:1 teaches us, The Lord reigns and He is clothed with majesty. He has clothed Himself and girded Himself with strength. The Lord is clothed with splendor and majesty (Ps 104:1). We also, recall in Is 6:1-2 the vision of God with the train of His robe that filled the temple. In this picture, the exaltation and glory of God is underscored.

As further application to us, we find that when we are saved, we are clothed with the robe of Christ=s righteousness. We read in Is 61:10 that the Lord has clothed us with the garments of salvation. We are told to put Christ on (Ro 13:14). All of us who have been spiritually baptized into Christ, have been clothed with Christ (Gal 3:27, see also Eze 16:7-8, 2 Cor 5:3, Rev 1:13, Ps 132:9, Is 6 :1, Gen 3:7, Gen 3:10-11, Gen 3:21). Other examples of clothing referring to salvation / protection / no shame can be found in the following verses: Rev 3:17-18, Rev 16:15, 2 Cor 5:3, Eze 16:7-8, Eze 16:22, Eze 16:36-39, Hos 2:3.

In summary, the fully clothed picture of Christ we have before us serves to remind us of His work of salvation for us, His current glorified state and the work of Christ is clothing us with the garments of salvation.

Girt about the paps with a golden girdle

The picture we have here is that of having a golden band around His chest. The girding elsewhere reminds us of strength (see Ps 93:1, Ps 65:6, Eph 6:14). The word for Greek translated as girt (G4024) literally means to wrap around (and occurs 7 times in the New Testament: Eph 6:14, Lk 12:35, Lk 12:37, Luke 17:8, Rev 1:13, Rev 15:6). In Eph 6:14, Lk 12:35, the Christians loins (procreative power of sharing the Gospel) are girt about with truth. The Greek word for ‘girdle’ (G2223, G2224) occurs 10 times (John 21:18, Acts 12:8, Mat 10:8-9, Mat 3:4, Mar 1:6, Act 21:11 (2), Rev 1:13, Rev 15:6, Mar 6:8).

In Eph 6:14, we are commanded to gird our loins with truth, truth referring to the Word of God (John 17:17). The strength we receive from the Word of God is confirmed by the fact that the paps are referred to. The paps (see also Lk 11:27, Luke 23:29) refer to the place where milk comes from. We see that milk refers to the Word of God (1 Pet 2:2, 1 Cor 3:2, Heb 5:12).

The fact that Christ is so intimately connected with the golden girdle is not surprising since in gold we see the great value of the Word of God and the strength it brings.

His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow

When we see Christ with a head and His hair white like wool, as white as snow we learn much. Firstly, white points to purity, cleanness, and righteousness (see Rev 3:4, Rev 3:18 with Rev 19:8, Rev 19:14, Rev 7:13-14, Ecc 9:7-8, Dan 7:9, Dan 11:35, Dan 12:10, Rev 15:6). We see in Lam 4:7 that the consecrated ones are purer than snow and whiter than milk. Significantly, in Ps 51:7 we find snow as a picture on one who has been washed clean, whiter than snow. In other words, snow underscores the term white, both referring to pureness. Of course, we would expect Christ’s head and His hair to be whiter than snow, since He is the perfection of purity. God is without any defect or sin. We find in Is 1:18 that when we are saved, that our sins are made white as snow. In other words, when we are saved by the blood of Christ, we are cleansed and made to be white as snow.

The statement white as wool points to Christ as the Passover Lamb (Ex 12:3-5, John 1:29, John 1:36, Acts 8:32, 1 Pet 1:19, Rev 5:6-8). We remember that it was Christ=s blood which has made us white. It is His sacrifice that has cleansed us from then dirtiness of sin.

But why is it that both His head and His hair is white as snow? What is special about the head and the hair that it is so prominently mentioned? I believe that we can see the significance by remembering that Christ is the Head. That is, Christ is the head of the body and has

Authority over the church – Eph 4:11-17, 1 Cor 12, Rev 1:14, Rev 4:4, also 1 Cor 11:3‑10, Eph 1:22, Eph 4:15, Eph 5:23, Col 1:18, Col 2:10, Col 2:19
King over a kingdom – (see mountains, as well) – Rev 17:8-10

Hair in the New Testament is the Greek word thrix (G2359) and it occurs 15 times: Mat 3:4, Mat 5:36, Mar 1:6, Luk 21:18, Joh 12:2-3 (2), Act 27:34, 1Pe 3:3, Rev 9:8 (2), Mat 10:30, Luk 7:38, Luk 7:44, Luk 12:7, Rev 1:14. Hairs being numbered point the significance of the details of our life in our actions. However, the Hair of Christ probably refers to the fact that the Nazarite’s hair (Num 6:5, 18-19) was significant of one who has been set apart for the service of God (Samson being a type of Christ). Christ is the ultimate example of One who was holy and served in perfect righteousness. In 1 Cor 11:1-11, we learn that the hair can be viewed as a symbol of being under another’s authority and also as a symbol of glory. We see both of these meanings related to Christ. First, He subjected Himself to the Father’s will. Christ stated that the Father was greater than He (John 14:28). Yet, in His humble service, He was glorified (John 17:1-5).

Hair is beauty, glory, strength ‑ 2 Ki 9:30, Is 3:24, 1 Cor 11:14‑15, 1 Tim 2:9, 1 Pet 3:3, Eze 16:7, Song 4:1, Song 6:5
Samson Jud 16:22
Absalom 2 Sam 14:26

His eyes were as a flame of fire

Christ’s eyes were as a flame of fire. Here, we see that Christ, as Almighty God is all knowing. The eyes in the Bible refer to spiritual discernment (Eph 1:18, 1 John 2:11, Ro 11:8-10, John 12:40, 9:39-41, Mat 13:14-16, etc.). It is Christ who knows all things that are in people’s hearts. Christ is the Judge of the world who will come with His angels in flaming fire (2 Th 1:7-8). We know in the Bible that fire refers to judgment (2 Th 1:6-8, Jude 7, 2 Pet 3:7, Heb 10:27, Heb 12:29, Mat 25:41). Here, in this phrase, we have another glimmer of the fact that Christ comes as the judge of the world to execute justice on Judgment Day.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Pro 15:3)
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. (2Ch 16:9)

His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace

Another reference to the feet of Christ. Here we see His feet like fine brass, as if burned in a furnace. Why are His feet mentioned? Why are they as if burned? A significant help for us is back in the Garden of Eden. There we see that the seed of the woman (Christ) was to crush the serpent’s head although His heel would be bruised (Gen 3:15, see also Heb 2:14-15, Ro 16:20). We see that the feet of Christ walked the physical earth when He humbled Himself as a man to pay for the sins of the elect (Phil 2:7-8, etc.). We see that it is under the feet of Christ that everything would be subjected: Heb 1:13, Heb 2:8-15, Heb 10:13, Acts 2:34f, Mk 16:19, Mat 11:27, Mat 22:44, Mat 26:64, Mat 28:18, Ps 8:6, Ps 110:1, Eph 1:22, 1 Cor 15:24-27, Rev 13:3, Rev 13:12-14, Rev 19:10, Is 60:14.

Because the feet of Christ can be seen to represent His earthly mission to subject all things to Himself by through the crushing of Satan, we have help in seeing why they were as burnished in an oven. We see that the burning oven is a picture of fiery trials and judgment (1 Pet 1:7, 1 Pet 2:21, Is 48:10, Deut 4:20, Dan 3, Dan 10:6). It was Christ who as the Faithful High Priest (Heb 4:15, 2:17-18) who learned obedience (Heb 5:8) through enduring an equivalent of an eternity in hell.

Next, we want to find out why fine brass. Gold we could understand since gold represents great value. But, here we find the inferior brass (Jer 6:28, 2 Chr 2:7, Is 60:17, Dan 2:35, Dan 2;45, etc.). Nothing associated with Christ can be inferior, however. We note that many pieces of the tabernacle were made of brass – Ex 25:3, Ex 26:11, Ex 26:37, Ex 27:2-19, Ex 30:18, etc. However, brass was strong (see below) and is also listed with gold and silver as valuable (Mat 10:9, Ex 25:3, Ex 31:4, Josh 22:8, 2 Sam 8:10, Dan 2:35, etc.). Brass was also notably used in the construction of the tabernacle (Ex 25:3, Ex 27:2, etc.) and it was what a warrior’s armor was made of (1 Sam 17:5-6, 1 Sam 17:38, 2 Sam 21:16). Also, Jesus Christ was represented as a brazen serpent lifted up on a pole in the Old Testament (John 3:14-16, Num 21:4-9).

Brass (brazen) as strong:

Gates of brass – Ps 107:16
Hoofs of brass – Micah 4;13
Walls of brass – Jer 1:18, Jer 15:20
Mountains of brass – Dan 2:35
Brow of brass – Isaiah 48:4
Wicked are brass and iron – Jer 6:28, Eze 22:18

The overall meaning of the passage is this. It is likely that Christ’s feet represent His earthly mission of crushing Satan’s head and having the creation under his subjection. He did this through trials and suffering. The brass points to his strength and that He took on the form of an earthly man to perform His work of redemption.

The application for us is that Christ suffered and left us an example that we should follow – 1 Pet 2:21, 1 Pet 3:18, 1 Pet 4:1.

His voice as the sound of many waters

In Ps 93:4, we read that more than the sound of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty. In other words, the voice of Christ as many waters refers to His mightiness. He is the Almighty. He is omnipotent. We find similar language associated with the Cherubim of Eze 1. We see their flying wings as the sound of the mighty waters, as of the voice of the Lord (see also Rev 14:2, 19:6, Eze 43:2-3). ‘Voice like many waters’ is used in Ps 29:3, Eze 43:2, Rev 1:15, Rev 14:2 and Rev 19:6. God’s voice is like many waters in that it brings both salvation and judgment. It is vast and can affect many, many different types of peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues (whether for salvation or judgment) – see Rev 17:1, Rev 17:15.

And he had in his right hand seven stars

We find an odd picture for us here. We see that in Christ’s right hand are seven stars. First, we want to examine what is the Biblical significance of the hand and in particular the right hand. First, we see that many times in the Bible we find that to be given into the hand of another meant that the other person now had control. Many times, when a nation lost to another in battle, it was referred to as being delivered into the hand of the victor (see Judges 11:32, Judges 13:1, Judges 15:12‑13, Judges 16:23‑24, 1 Chr 14:10, 1 Ki 15:18, 2 Sam 8:1, Ps 37:33, Ps 71:4, Ps 106:41-42). Therefore, it is clear that the hand in the Bible can be viewed as referring to the will of an individual. If one nation lost to another, they were now under the control or will of the victor.

But, significantly, when we look at God’s hand, notably His right hand, we see that it refers to His bringing about salvation for His people. For example, in Ps 44:3 when referring to Israel being delivered from Egypt, we find that it was not by their own sword did Israel possess the promised-land, but it was by God’s right hand, and His arm and the light of His presence that He did favor them. In other words, the salvation that is typified by being brought into the promised-land (see Heb 3-4), is referred to as God’s work by His right hand. In Ps 20:6, we find mention of the saving strength of His right hand. In fact, there are many other places where God’s right hand points to the will of God in salvation ‑ Ps 44:3, Jud 7:6, Ps 10:12, Ps 20:6-8, Ps 28:5, Ps 78:54, Ps 89:21, Ps 98:1-4, Ps 106:41‑42, Ps 136:12, Ex 13:16, Ex 15:6, Ex 15:16‑17, Jer 18:1‑6, Jer 32:21, Eze 3:14, Ex 6:6, Acts 11:21, Lk 1:66.

The seven stars in the right hand of Christ refer to the angels of the seven churches (see Rev 1:20, Rev 1:4-5). The angels, as we have already seen, represent those who bring the Gospel to the churches. Angels are messengers. The Gospel is the good message. Therefore, we find in this phrase that the seven stars in the hand of Christ represent the perfection of the Gospel going forth to the churches as prescribed by and under the saving control of Christ.

The Word of God Comes through Angels – Gen 16:7-11, Num 22:35, 2 Sam 14:17, 1 Ki 13:18, 1 Chr 21;12, Gen 21:7, Gen 22:11, Gen 48:16, Luke 1:11-38, Luke 2:9-13, Mat 28:2-5, Heb 2:2, Rev 1:1, Rev 22:6, Rev 22:16, etc.
Revelation passages:
- Rev 1:1 – angel signified to John
- Rev 1:20 and Rev 2, Rev 3 – 7 stars are the 7 angels sent to the churches
- Four angels holding back the four winds (to seal the 144,000), prepared to hurt the earth – Rev 7:1
- Another angel ascending from the east commands the 4 angels to not hut the earth yet – Rev 7:2
- 7^th angel – Rev 10:7, Rev 11:15
- Kingdoms of this world are the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ – Rev 11:15
- 24 elders worship God – Rev 11:16-17
- Nations angry but, God’s wrath has come in judgment and reward given to His servants – Rev 11:18
- Temple of God opened and the ark of his testament was seen, lightning, voices, thunder, earthquake and great hail – Re 11:19
- Messages of the three angels (wrath of God) – Rev 14:9-10
- Three angels of Judgment Day (Rev 14:18-19)
- 7 angels having the 7 last plagues (fill the wrath of God) – Rev 15:1
- 7^th angel – poured out into the air – it is done (great earthquake, great city divided into 3 parts, cup of the wine of wrath of God, every island fled, mountains not found, great hail, men blasphemed God Rev 16:17-21
- Judgment on Babylon and the Great Red Beast – Rev 17-18
- A mighty angel took a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, with violence will the great city Babylon be thrown down – Rev 18:21
- Angel standing in the sun saying to the fowls of heaven to gather for the supper of the great God – Rev 19:17

And out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword

A most scary picture to think of. Here we see a two edged sword protruding from the mouth of Christ in the vision. But, what does this mean? It is clear from other Scriptures that the Word of God is referred to as a sword (Heb 4:12, Eph 6:17, Rev 19:15, Rev 19:21, Is 11:4, Is 49:2). This accords with the vision since we see the sword coming out of the mouth of Christ. The mouth of Christ is where the Words of God come from. We are to live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Mat 4:4). We see the sharpness of the Word of God in Heb 4:12 in that the Word of God is what cuts down even to the thoughts and the intentions of the man. We find, ultimately, that it is by the Word of God by which we are judged (Rev 19:15-21).

And his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength

Christ’s face here is seen as the intense shine of the sun. First, we observe that Christ is symbolized as the Sun (Mal 4:2, 2 Pet 1:19, Rev 2:28, Rev 22:16, Mat 2:2, Mat 4:16, Num 24:7, Eph 5:14, Lk 1:78, Is 9:1-2, Is 59:8). He is the Sun of righteousness that rises with healing in His wings. He is the express radiance of God’s glory. We see when Christ was transfigured that the glory of Christ is like the sun (Mat 17:2).

The reason that Christ is pictured often as the sun is that the sun is that which gives off light. The Bible is clear that light represents the Gospel (2 Cor 4:4-6, 2 Pet 1:19, 2 Tim 1:10, 1 Pet 2:9, Ps 43:3, Is 8:20). Also, Christ is referred to as the Light of the world (John 1:4, John 1:9, John 3:19, John 8:12, John 9:5, John 12:36, John 12:46, John 21:23, Is 60:1, Is 60:20, 1 John 1:5, Ps 27:1,4:6). It is Christ that brings the light of salvation to an otherwise darkened world. It is He that shines in men’s dark hearts so that they may see the light and become saved.

In summary, the true look of Christ’s face is that of pure light and the Gospel. In Him, there is no darkness (1 John 1:5-7). There is no hint of sin whatsoever.

(1:17-20) – Jesus Christ addresses John the Apostle

(Rev 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:

(Rev 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.

(Rev 1:19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

(Rev 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.

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead

The fact that Christ’s feet are again mentioned probably refers to the fact that we are in subjection to Christ. The feet of Christ is where all things are placed under subjection (Eph 1:22, Is 60:14, Heb 1:13, 2:8, 1 Cor 15:27, Dan 8:17-18, Dan 10:9-15). Without Christ, we are as a dead man. It is only through the work of Christ that we are made to stand. Our true position in regards to Christ is that of being dead and under His feet.

And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last

The right hand of Christ is where our salvation comes from. It is by God’s right hand that we have any hope in the world. It is when God places His hand on us that we can have the will to be saved.

We fear not since it is Christ on whom we place our burdens and anxieties (Phil 4:6, 1 Pet 5:7. Ps 37). If God is for us who can be against us. We are reassured when we hear that Christ is the First and the Last. We already learned that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. We saw Christ in the midst of the lampstands of the church. Why should we fear when we have the eternal God as our Savior.

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

Christ is the ever-living One. He was put to death for our sins (1 Cor 15:3). He bore our sins in His body on the cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Pet 2:24). He was delivered up for because of our transgressions and raised because of our justification (Ro 4:25). He was the sacrificial lamb that was slain so that we could be made righteous.

Christ is now raised from the dead and is to never die again. Death no longer has mastery over Him (Ro 6:9). Therefore, He is alive forever more. This statement in Rev 1:18 reminds us that Christ=s atonement for us was once and perfect. It was defective in anyway. There is no need for Him to die ever again. He now lives and forever makes intercession for the saved (Heb 7:25). He is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. If Christ be for us, who can be against us? This is the lesson for us in the first half of the phrase.

We also see that it is Christ who has the keys of hell and of death. By this phrase, we see that judgment is given to the Son – John 5:22, John 5:27, John 5:30, John 8:16, 2 Cor 5:10, Ro 14:10, Jude 15, Rev 19:11. Jesus has the authority over salvation.

Keys in the Bible point to having the authority to bind or to loose (see Mat 16:19, Lk 11:52, Rev 3:7, Rev 20:1-3, Is 22:2). In other words Christ has the authority to determine who will be saved and who will be damned. The term hell (Gr: hades) refers to the abode of the unsaved. When one is saved and physically dies, their body decays in the grave and await the resurrection on the last day. Their soul goes back to be with the Lord (Phil 1:21-23, 2 Cor 5:6-8). However, the unsaved souls go to a spiritual place called Hades (Old Testament – Sheol). The term literally means grave, however, it represents the place of the dead who are under the wrath of God (see Mat 11:23, 16:18, Lk 10:15, 16:23, Acts 2:27,31, Rev 20:13-14, 1 Cor 15:55). The fact that Christ has the keys to such a place points to the fact that it is only through Christ that one can avoid this place.

The keys to death carries a similar thought. Death here may refer to physical or spiritual death. It is only through Christ that we are resurrected on the Last Day to be in our spiritual bodies (1 Cor 15). Also, it is only through Christ that we escape the deadness of being in our sin prior to salvation (Eph 2:2, Ro 6:1-12). It is only the saving work of Christ that can cause one who is spiritually dead to be born from above (John 3:1-5, 1 Pet 1:23).

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

We find here a threefold division as to how the Revelation is being communicated to John. First, we see that he is to write down the things which he has seen. In other words, the vision he has already seen is to be recorded. The vision, so far, has had altogether to do with important truths about God. For example, we have already explored many doctrine that are very significant. We saw the trinity, the eternity of God, the person and work of Christ, etc. These are foundational truths to the Christian faith.

The things which are seem to refer to the messages that will be given to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. This is likely since we find in Rev 4:1, a statement that says ‘after these things’; the things referring to the message to the 7 churches. In other words, Rev 1 is the things that John has seen up to this point. The things that are is the condition of the seven churches as seen in Revelation 2-3. The things which will take place after this is the subject of Rev 4-22.

We will see later in this study that the message we find in Rev 4-22 primarily has to do with the events to occur throughout the church age culminating in Judgment Day and the Eternal State of the New Heavens and New Earth.

But, why does God place this threefold division before us? Why is this important? It reminds us that the events of Rev 4-22 are primarily dealing with future events from the time perspective of the writing of the Revelation. God warns us not to think that the events of Revelation have already been historically fulfilled at the time of the writing of Revelation in the first century church. It warns us not to be deceived into thinking that the Revelation does not apply to us. We have already seen that blessed are they who read, hear and heed the things written in Revelation (see 1:3).

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.

Here in 1:20, we see the definition of the stars that were in Christ’s right hand and the definition of the seven golden lampstands. These provide significant information as to how to interpret the Bible. First, we see that the vision is referred to as a mystery. In other words, it is hidden truth that needs to be thought out and solved. Secondly, we see that God tells us what the mysteries of the stars and the lampstands are. In other words, God is teaching us that His Word can be a mystery and secondly to understand what the mysteries mean, we must rely on God’s Word to teach us this truth. We must find where in the Bible mysterious terms are explained. For the stars and lampstands, it is simple; it is just a few verses beyond where we first read them.

We have seen previously in Chapter 2 that the truth of how to interpret the Bible is found in comparing Scripture with Scripture (1 Cor 2:12-13). The following is a list of terms used in the Bible that point to the fact that the Bible contains many metaphors:

Parable – Hos 12:10, Num 23:7, Num 23:18, Num 24:3, Num 24:15-23, Job 27:1, Job 29:1, Mat 13:3-34, Mk 4:34
Proverb – Pr 1:6, Ps 49:4, 2 Pet 2:22 w/ Pr 26:11 & John 10:6
Sayings – Ps 78:2, Pr 1:2, Num 12:8, Pr 4:10,20
Riddle – Pr 1:6, Ps 49:4, Jud 14:12-19, Eze 17:2
Vision – Acts 2:17, 10-11, Rev 9:17, Hos 12:10, Dan 2,4,7,8, Dan 10:14, Ps 89:19, Pr 29:18, Is 1:1, 29:7, Ob 1, Eze 7:13,26, Eze 12:22-27, Joel 2:28, Nah 1:1, Hab 2:2-3
Dreams – Acts 2:17, Mat 2:12-22, Dan 2,4,7, Num 12:6, Gen 20:3-6, Gen 31:10-11, Gen 37, Gen 40, Gen 41, Is 29:7, Joel 2:28, Judges 7:13-15
Shadow – Heb 10:1, 8:5, Col 2:17
Mystery – Mat 13:11, Mk 4:11, 1 Cor 2:7, 1 Cor 4:1, 1 Cor 13:2, 1 Cor 14:2, 1 Cor 15:51, Eph 1:9, Eph 3:3-9, Eph 5:32, Eph 6:19, Col 1:26-27, Col 2:2, 1 Tim 3:9, Rev 1:20, Rev 10:7, Rev 17:5-7
Figure – Heb 9:9, Hen 9:24, 1 Pet 3:21, Ro 5:14, Heb 11:19, Pr 1:6, John 16:25-29, John 10:6
Signs and Wonders – Lk 11:29-30, Rev 12:1, Rev 15:1, Heb 2:4, 1 Cor 14:22, Acts 2:19-22, Ro 4:11, Ro 15:19, etc.
Allegory – Gal 4:24
Example – Jude 7, 1 Cor 10:6, Heb 4:11, Heb 8:5, James 5:10
Secret – Ps 25:14, Pr 3:32

To understand the Bible, we must be willing to search out the Scriptures, compare Scripture with Scripture (1 Cor 2:13) and recognize that God defines His own words and phrases within the Bible.

Are the 7 Churches Contemporaneous or Sequential in History?

An important question to settle at the outset is whether the 7 churches are meant to be contemporaneous or where they are sequential messages to 7 phases of church history.

Biblically, we can know the following. First, the seven churches represent the entirety of God’s church. We know from Scripture that the number 7 is often used symbolically as representing complete perfection (e.g., 7 days of creation in Genesis 1-2 including the day of rest, 7 heads, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls, 7 angels etc. used throughout Revelation). This suggests that the 7 churches of Revelation 2-3 represents elements that of the Christian churches of all times. Because we know that the 7 churches existed in John’s day, we can conclude that the strengths and weaknesses of the 7 churches can exist at any given time throughout the churches that claim the name Christian. Therefore, it is also reasonable to conclude that these strengths and weaknesses of the churches can exist at any time during church history. This is a great encouragement to us. We know that the warnings and exhortations can be completely applicable to us today. We recall that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16).

It is also important to consider Rev 1:19:

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

(Rev 1:19)

In the context of this statement is the 7 churches of Revelation symbolized by the 7 golden candlesticks. Consider the context of Revelation 1:19:

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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. 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 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. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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.

(Rev 1:12-20)

Therefore, we see clear evidence that in Rev 1:19 that “the things which are” refer to the 7 churches, which symbolically represent the entire church age. We know that the 7 churches all existed contemporaneous at the time of the writing of Revelation based on Rev 1:4 – John to the seven churches which are in Asia …