Chapter One

1:1 "The revelation of Jesus Christ"/ ApokaluyiV / singular, subject of the book / The message of the appearing of Christ, the unveiling of Christ in person, uncovering, manifestation or coming and revealing, disclosure, and making known what is real!

THIS IS THE KEY TO THE WHOLE BOOK! The Revelation of Christ must be the revealing or manifestation and appearing of the Lord Jesus. He is the subject of the book and the center of its message. Revelation is not a prediction of divine judgments upon the wicked and the final triumph of the righteous, but a book of the revealing of Christ in His PERSON, OFFICES, and FUTURE REIGN AS KING in rulership and authority.

" which God gave to him"/ In promise as the Son of God:

*The promise of ultimate victory: Heb. 10:12-13

*Hannah’s song in I Samuel of the strength and exaltation of the Son

*God’s promises to David in 2 Samuel 7

*"I give" in Psalm 2:8

"to shew unto his servants things"/ lit "the things" /

"which must shortly come to pass"/ imminence and the rapidity of action once it begins, future is seen as imminent. This Greek word is sometimes translated "quickly." It is God’s "clock" not ours! Cf.. Rev. 2:5,16; 3:11; 11:14; 22:6,7,12,20

"and he sent and signified it"/ eshmanen / a specific mark for a purpose

"by his angel unto his servant John"/ Angel is sometimes translated "messenger." The messenger described unmistakable signs and important events: signs of the Holy Spirit, 7 golden candle sticks, 7 stars, etc., help us to understand the text and God’ great purposes. John: 1:9; Rev. 21:2; 22:8

1:2 "Who bare record" in three ways:

"through the word of God"/ "and of the testimony of Jesus Christ"/ "and of all things that he saw"/

1:3 "Blessed is he that readeth"/ anaginwskwn / Pres Act Ptc / to distinguish between, to recognize, to know accurately, to acknowledge. "Blessed" is the first of 7 beatitudes found in the Revelation: 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14. This is the only place in Scripture that promises a blessing to those who read. It is not some deep mysterious book - it is to be studied, understood and fills the heart with joy and encouragement.

"and they that hear the words of this prophecy"/ akouonteV / Pres Act Ptc / intent to obey.

"and keep those things which are written therein:"/ throunteV / Pres Act Ptc / Charge, Chargeable, Hold, Held, Holden, Hold (take), Keep, Keeping, Observation, Observe, Preserve, Reserve, Watch, Watchers, Watchful as in watching a treasure. What things? principles, qualities, and responsibilities which have been forewarned. There is an impending advent and its consequences.

"for the time is at hand."/ kairoV / the specific historical, and significant time in which we live.

It is an impending time that is different than "near" found in Rom. 13:12; Phil. 4:12; Tit. 2:13

The "time" is at hand, any moment, the events cannot be changed or altered, coming quickly, impending judgment and revealing because it is the correct historical time.

1:4 "John to the seven churches which are in Asia"/ ESPTSPL (each letter refers to the first letter of each the names of the seven churches).  The seven churches were seven literal churches in Asia Minor (now the area of Turkey). SHOW MAP. They also parallel the history of the N.T. church from its inception to its end (covered in chapter 2). This was a group of churches in the western section of Asia. The listed order is the order in which a traveler would most likely visit them.

Ephesus: The capital of Asia and colonized principally from Athens. In the time of the Romans it bore the title of "the first and greatest metropolis of Asia." It was distinguished for the Temple of Diana, who there had her chief shrine; and for its theater, which was the largest in the world, capable of containing 50,000 spectators. It was, like all ancient theaters, open to the sky. Here were exhibited the fights of wild beasts and of men with beasts.

*Compare 1 Cor. 4:9; 9:24, 25

Many Jews took up their residence in this city, and here the seeds of the gospel were sown immediately after Pentecost (Acts 2:9; Acts 6:9). At the close of his second missionary journey (about A.D. 51), when Paul was returning from Greece to Syria (Acts 18:18-21), he first visited this city. Paul left Aquila and Priscilla behind him to carry on the work of spreading the gospel.

During his third missionary journey Paul reached Ephesus from the "upper coasts" (Acts 19:1), and tarried here for about three years; and so successful and abundant were his labors that "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks" (Acts 19:10). Probably during this period the seven churches of the Apocalypse were founded, not by Paul's personal labors, but by missionaries whom he may have sent out from Ephesus, and by the influence of converts returning to their homes.

On his return from his journey, Paul touched at Miletus, some 30 miles south of Ephesus (Acts 20:15), and sending for the presbyters of Ephesus to meet him there, he delivered to them that touching farewell charge which is recorded in Acts 20:18-35. Ephesus is not again mentioned till near the close of Paul's life, when he writes to Timothy exhorting him to "abide still at Ephesus" (1Tim. 1:3).

Ephesus is twice mentioned in the Apocalypse (1:11; 2:1). The apostle John, according to tradition, spent many years in Ephesus, where he died and was buried.

Smyrma: Myrrh, an ancient city of Ionia, on the western coast of Asia Minor, about 40 miles to the north of Ephesus. It is now the chief city of Anatolia, having a mixed population of about 200,000, of whom about one-third are professed Christians. Polycarp, a pupil of the apostle John, was in the second century a prominent leader in the church of Smyrna. Here he suffered martyrdom, A.D. 155.

Pergamos: The chief city of Mysia, in Asia Minor. It was noted for its wickedness, insomuch that our Lord says "Satan's seat" was there. The church of Pergamos was rebuked for swerving from the truth and embracing the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes. Antipas, Christ's "faithful martyr," here sealed his testimony with his blood. This city stood on the banks of the river Caicus, about 20 miles from the sea. It is now called Bergama, and has a population of some twenty thousand, of whom about two thousand profess to be Christians. Parchment was first made here, and was called by the Greeks Pergamene, from the name of the city.

Thyatira: A city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Mysia. Its modern name is Ak-hissar, i.e., "white castle." Lydia, the seller of purple, or rather of cloth dyed with this color, was from this city (Acts 16:14). It was and still is famous for its dyeing. Among the ruins, inscriptions have been found relating to the guild of dyers in that city in ancient times.

Philadelphia: Brotherly love, a city of Lydia in Asia Minor, about 25 miles south-east of Sardis. It was the seat of one of the "seven churches" (Rev 3:7-12). It came into the possession of the Turks in A.D. 1392. It has several times been nearly destroyed by earthquakes. It is still a town of considerable size, called Allahshehr, "the city of God."

Laodicea: The city of this name mentioned in Scripture lay on the confines of Phrygia and Lydia, about 40 miles east of Ephesus (Rev 3:14), on the banks of the Lycus. It was originally called Diospolis and then Rhoas, but afterwards Laodicea, from Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II., king of Syria, who rebuilt it. It was one of the most important and flourishing cities of Asia Minor. At a very early period it became one of the chief seats of Christianity (Col 2:1; Col 4:15; Rev 1:11). It is now a deserted place, called by the Turks Eski-hissar or "old castle." Very wealthy city destroyed by an earthquake in AD 62, but quickly recovered, Infected with gold fever, pride, and self-satisfaction. The pride of Laodicea has been humbled, its wealth scattered amongst strangers and its splendor laid in dust. The site of this once rich city is a scene of utter ruin and desolation.

"grace be unto you, and peace"/ Major Christian greeting / notice that it grace then peace, because God shows His grace before we can experience His peace! Calvary shows His grace (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 2:11) and peace is the result

(Rom. 5:1; Col. 1:20).

"From him which is, which was"/ o wn, o hn / God the Father, I am that I am - the words indicate a completeness, fullness, eternal quality which only God has.

"Which is to come"/ ercomenoV / Pres Ptc / continuously in present / the future is under His divine guidance.

"And from the seven spirits which are before His throne"/ 4:5; 5:6 / Special emphasis upon His fullness, perfection, diversity of character and works / Isa. 11:2; Zech. 4:2,14

1:5 "And from Jesus Christ"/ Shows His manhood and Messiahship / Acts 2:36

Jesus, used 600X is Jehovah saving / Matt. 1:21; Phil. 2:5-11 / Christ is the anointed - God in the greatness of His being. Three titles, or descriptions given in verse five of Christ:

1. "who is the faithful witness"/ the whole life of the Lord, from the manger to the cross, is shown in this title. He is the only One who was faithful in all things / John 18:37; Rev. 3:14 / He is the Prophet proclaiming, the Priest offering a perfect sacrifice, and the King who is anointed.

2. "and the first begotten of the dead"/ o prwtotokoV ek twn nekrwn / His resurrection proved His acceptable sacrifice - He is the first in rank of all who will raise from the dead. "Firstborn" or first begotten is an expression of superiority, not of time. Acts 26:23; I Cor. 15:20; I Tim. 6:16.

Five times He is called the first begotten and five times the only begotten.

The term only begotten refers to His incarnation

The term first begotten refers to His resurrection / Heb. 1:6; Col. 1:15,18; Rom. 8:29

3. "and the prince of the kings of the earth"/ arcwn twn basilewn / Absolute Head and given all authority. This term shows His authority over government - the kingdoms of the world are His by title and position as the Son of God - He is King and Lord over all principalities, powers and dominions.

"unto him that loved us, and washed us, from our sins in his own blood...made us kings and priests..."(1:6) These are the three works of Christ in 1:5,6

The order of these 3 works is beautiful: He had to love us in order to wash us. Love is used in the present tense (continuously loving us). John 13:1 "he loved them unto the end" / cf. Rom. 8:37-39

He had to wash us in order that we might be made kings and priests (Tabernacle priests, laver, etc.)

"unto him that loved us"/ agaphsanti / Aor Act Ptc / As much today as before the foundation of the world or at Calvary. The Aorist indicates, Once For ALL time.

"and washed us"/ lousanti / Aor Act Ptc / Lit. loosed - we were prisoners and slaves to sin, and He washed us once and for all from that sin! Christ brought to God the Father an infinite obedience, honored the Father in an act of infinite righteousness, and we are therefore justified in His fullness.

Isa. 38:17; 44:22; Micah 7:19; Acts 10:42

"from our sins in his own blood"/ Heb. 9:14,22; I Peter 1:18-19; Col. 1:14; Eph. 5:25

1:6 "And made us kings and priests unto God and His Father"/ I Peter 2:5,9; Rev. 5:10

"and" indicates that He is carrying on the results of what He began

We have a unique relationship to the Father because of Christ’s work

We shall rule and reign with Christ, and we form a priesthood: I Peter 2:9; Rev. 5:10

"to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen."  This doxology increases throughout the course of the book:

2 Fold doxology 1:6

3 Fold doxology 4:11

4 Fold doxology 5:13

7 Fold doxology 7:12

1:7 "Behold he cometh with clouds"/ ercetai meta twn negalwn / Pres Mid / matches up with Daniel 7:13-14; Matt. 24:30

The clouds are a symbol of His majesty: the first and last testimonies in Revelation are of His second coming: 1:7; 22:20

"and every eye shall see him"/ afqalmoV / see, appear, look, show (one's) self, being seen, to allow one's self to be seen, to appear / Isa. 52:9-10; John 19:33-37

Subject of the book. This is not the rapture, but the second coming in glory / universal recognition / This seen in John 14:3 "I will come again, and receive you unto myself"/ Emphatic form: "I WILL COME AGAIN" / As Christ was received by a cloud in His ascension (Acts 1:9), He will come in the clouds of heaven (Acts 1:10-11). Cf. Matt. 24:30

"and they also which pierced him"/ Zech. 12:10

"and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him"/ All people will cry with pain and spiritual agony at their failure to believe and their false condemnation of Christ, because they have damned and condemned themselves.

"even so, Amen."/ Let His will be done / double meaning in Jewish thought and Greek language. Assuredly, so be it *Jesus is the Amen and the center of assurance.

Rapture: Jesus coming for the saints: Phil. 3:20; I Thess. 4:13-17; I Cor. 15:23

Second coming: Jesus coming with the saints: Jude 14; Zech. 14:5; Col. 3:4; Rev. 19:11-14

1:8 "I am"/ egw eimi / Pres Ind / state of present being, self existent- John 6:35,41,48,51; 8:12,18,28,58; 9:9; 10:7,9,11,14; 11:25; 13:19; 14:3,6; 15:1,5; 18:5,6,8

"Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord"/ In the rabbinical writing Jehovah is referred to as the Aleph and Tau. He is the eternal and complete One, totally infinite in every respect /

"which is, and which was, and which is to come"  See notes above regarding the same phrase

"the Almighty"/ o pantokratwr / used 10X in the N.T. and nine are in the revelation: 2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7,14; 19:6,15; 21:22

He is the "All ruler" - El Shaddai, Lord of Hosts / Almighty is used 48 in the O.T. of God the Father / Don’t mock the Trinity! Isa. 41:4; 44:6; Rev. 1:17-18; 22:12-13

1:9 "John"/ In the Gospels he referred to himself as the "disciple which testified of these things; wrote these things..." In other 2 and 3 John he is called the "elder" / In Revelation he is brother and companion (partaker).

"brother and companion"/ spiritual family / a companion of the 7 churches in their trouble. John was bound to these churches in his spiritual life and kinship - he was a partaker and sharer in their tribulation. cf. 21:2; 22:8

"tribulation"/ qilyei / Affliction, Anguish, Distress, Trouble / John 15:18-20 / Persecution lasted 250 years from Nero through Domitian / great martyrdom.

"was in the aisle that is called Patmos"/ A rocky and mountainous Island 15 miles in circumference, known as Palmoso in the middle ages, and is now called Patino. Located in the Aegean Sea near the southeastern part of Greece, place of isolation and loneliness. Uniquely placed: you could see Asia Minor, Black Sea, Greece and Rome, Egypt and N. Africa. It was in the center of the Bible lands: Jerusalem to the south, Babylon to the east, Magog to the north. Early church fathers (Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Eusebius) say that John was sent their under Domitian and forced to labor in the mines. It was these bleak circumstances, shut off from friends and fellowship, that John was given the Revelation.

"for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ"/ The apostles had not learned the art of a highly finished preacher of our day - trimming the truth to accommodate the varied tastes of the people. He dared to preach during persecution

There were three basic accusations against Christians in Roman times:

1. They would not worship Roman gods or the emperor

2. They were haters of the human race: anti-social (separatists)

3. Law breakers: not supposed to make converts or have large meetings

1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day"/ God gives His revelation to those who are suitable and ready to receive it. There are a number of possibilities:

1. John was in a spiritual state: controlled, held, characterized by an absolute dependence on the Spirit of God

2. He went spiritually to heaven - 2 cor. 12:1-2

3. He was in a trance - Acts 10:10

4. *Conscious of the Spirit’s leading, presence and power, and he responded

"and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet"/ Forced to consciously turn and look / loudness, clarity, sharp and piercing / Christ speaking - 1:8,17

1:11  ESPTSPL / The seven churches were seven literal churches in Asia Minor (now the area of Turkey). They also parallel the history of the N.T. church from its inception to its end This was a group of churches in the western section of Asia. The listed order is the order in which a traveler would most likely visit them.

1:12 "seven golden candlesticks" -  The symbol of the church in its completeness and perfection.  The candlestick itself is not the light - not lights, but bearers of the light - the Light is Christ! Gold may represent the churches’s value in Divine glory (righteous due to the work of Christ).

1:13 "one like unto the Son of Man"/ The ascended and glorified Christ / Son of man is used 100X in Ezekiel and once in the book of Daniel (8:17). Jesus used the term son of man 70X. As the Son of man He judges and executes judgment (John 5:22,27).

"clothed with a garment down to the foot"/ In contrast to the servant - the long garment speaks of royalty and high rank, priestly dignity. Intercession - John sees the High Priest 60 years after His death at Calvary. Heb. 4:14

"and girt about the pacs with a golden girdle"/ the girdle indicates that a work is being done, a fullness of energy of Christ doing His work in the churches, He is still ready for activity. The garment and the golden girdle picture the union of the divine and human righteousness of Jesus as our High Priest. He is girded for a loving and perfect activity, which is controlled by His divine character. He deals with the church in righteousness.

1:14 "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow"/ He is the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9-13) with divine wisdom and absolute purity and of full age (Heb. 7:26).

"eyes were as a flame of fire"/ Keen, penetrating, judging, searching out and exposing all evil and wickedness. Who can escape His judgment? This description is a symbol of Christ’s penetrating knowledge and discernment, seeing the innermost character of individuals, refining as by fire.

1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace"/ Brass is unique in biblical literature - possibly bronze or an alloy of gold and silver. Speaks of judgment with unyielding strength, conquering power - shines or glows as an active thing.

"and his voice as the sound of many waters"/ Ezek. 1:24; 43:2; Psalm 93:4 / booming surf / ref. to Mount Sinai / deep, grand, majestic / His voice commands commanding attention and obedience / It is the sign of His supreme authority over all creation. It was His voice used 10X that brought order out of chaos, and light out of darkness, and stilled the angry sea of Galilee.

1:16 "...his right hand seven stars"/ Angels of the seven churches / cf. 1:20 / messengers for display and use / stars speak of Christ’s ministry and service / 7 is a complete representative ministry. All church authority: all the ministries are under His headship and rule.

"right hand"/ supreme authority and honor / Psalm 110:1; Eph. 1:20; Rev. 5:1,7

"out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword"/ Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Thess. 2:8; Isa. 11:4; 49:2

The sword is used to absolutely cut the enemy down, it is the execution of divine judgment by the act of His Word - no one can escape His judgment. It is His personal word which will judge all men and nations - the ungodly will suffer the judgment of His mouth. Cf. 2:16

This judgment will befall the nations who defy the Lamb of God at the start of the millennial reign / 19:19-21

"and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength"/ full of the glory of Christ / transfiguration / On earth His deity was veiled - voluntary subjection to the Father, giving up the use of some power so that man could look upon the Son of God. Matt. 17:2; John 18:5-6 / Remember what the Jews and Romans did to His face: spit upon him, beard torn out - the Man who was reviled and humiliated will shine as the sun and the brightness of His glory will show forth His true glory as the Son of God! His glory as the God of the Bible is the strength and consolation of His people, but a terror to all who oppose it!

1:17 "...I fell at his feet as dead"/ effect of the vision of the Son of Man / The effect of the vision of Christ was overwhelming to John. The church today has lost its vision of the Son of God. We don’t fear Him as we should, we don’t see His work as paramount. REMEMBER: this is the same John that leaned on His breast at the Passover, outran Peter to the tomb, worshiped Christ when He rose from the dead. But now he sees Christ as the Judge of all the earth, and His terror is manifest to all the lost.

"And he laid his right hand upon me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last."/ Indicates the balance between authority and assurance: I am God, the resurrected One, but I am also compassionate! Also intimates identification with the offerer. It is like Christ saying arise and finish your work in power.

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."

Absolute power and authority - the keys of Peter belong to every believer - we therefore have no fear of death.   Heb. 2:14-15

1:19 "Write the things which thou hast seen 

"and the things which shall be hereafter;" - Chapters 4-22

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."

Notice that each church is a separate responsible church. 7 literal churches, but also representative of the 7 periods of church history.

EPHESUS: Departure of their first love - close of the apostolic age: 35-100 A.D.

SMYRNA: Martyr period up to Diocletian: 100-316 A.D.

PERGAMOS: Decreasing spirituality and increasing worldliness - Constantine: 4^th to 7^th centuries

THYATIRA: Papal church, Satan’s masterpiece of the world, papal authority - dark ages: 7^th -16th centuries

SARDIS: Reformation - 300 years, crippled Rome and papal authority: 16^th - 17^th centuries

PHILADELPHIA: Missionary period and second reformation: 18^th and 19^th centuries

LAODICEA: Today - general state of the church - lukewarm, nauseous:

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