Revelation 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 17:3, “...and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”
AN OUTLINE OF REVELATION
Key verse: "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (Revelation 1:19).
This verse divides the book of Revelation into three segments.
"...the things which thou hast seen..."
"...the things which are..."
"...the things which shall be hereafter..."
OUTLINE
THE VISION JOHN SAW (1)
"...the things which thou hast seen..."
THE CHURCHES OF JOHN'S DAY (2 and 3)
"...the things which are..."
THE PROPHECY JOHN RECEIVED (4 through 22)
"...the things which shall be hereafter..."Prepare to embark on a fascinating journey into the Book of Revelation. Ask God's Holy Spirit to teach you as you study this very important Book of the Bible. Martin Luther rejected the Book of Revelation because he could not understand it. Mr. Luther did not "study" as 2nd Timothy 2:15 tells us to. This is a very practical study on prophecy that will be a blessing to the reader, I assure you.
Revelation 1
A LOOK AT CHRIST
How you see the Lord determines how you serve Him. Why? Because your view of Christ determines your attitude about sin. If, to you, God is a glorified scientist who is simply engaged in running a lab experiment, then you can ignore your sin. If He is a grandfather who is unwilling to discipline the children, you can flaunt your sin. But if He is a God of judgment and wrath, you (and everyone else) must repent.
That's why Revelation was written—to help us have a better view of Christ.
When you think of Christ, what crosses your mind? Love...meekness...kindness? Do you think of power...blood sacrifice...deity...resurrection? When we think of Jesus, we ought to remember that He is the sinless Son of God Who willingly and deliberately gave His life and shed His blood for our sins to save us.
But you and I must always remember that there is another side to Jesus Christ. The qualities I have mentioned are indeed attributes of the Savior; but they are an incomplete picture. We must always remember that it was Jesus Christ Who created Hell!
Can that be true? Yes, most certainly: "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). A God Who is capable of creating Hell is not One whose Laws should be flouted. We dare not trifle with Him. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7). God will not permit us to mock Him.
It can be argued, of course, that Hell was not created for men and women, but rather, for the Devil and his angels. "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" (Matthew 25:41). Albeit, the existence of Hell should strike fear into the heart's of God's children, not only because most of humanity is going there, but also because of what the existence of Hell teaches us about the character of God.
Though Hell was created as a place
of torment for the Satanic hosts, and not for humans, it is nevertheless
true that those people who reject Jesus as the Christ will spend eternity
suffering the fires of Hell. A God whose love is balanced with justice,
whose mercy is balanced with wrath, makes it possible for everyone to go to
Heaven. Howbeit, God will not stop those who insist on going to Hell (which
is what you are doing if you continue to reject Jesus Christ).
PREFACE (Revelation 1:1-11)
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ..." (verse 1)—This phrase is God's introduction to the Book. The word "revelation" means "unveiling." It is as if a new portrait of Jesus Christ is being unveiled. Though the verse does teach that the message came to John from Jesus (by way of an angelic messenger), the word "unveiling" refers not to a series of events that will happen in the future, but rather to the Person of Jesus Christ. To study Revelation is to gaze at the character of Christ.
Please note that the word "revelation" is in the singular and not the plural. In spite of this, many people continue to refer to the Book as "the book of Revelations." Instead of being a series of revelations about the future, it is a revelation of Christ using prophecy as a backdrop to teach us about Jesus.
"...which God gave unto him...and he sent...it...unto his servant John" (verse 1) and "I John...was in the isle that is called Patmos..." (verse9). These verses identify the writer as John the Apostle (God is the Author) and tell us where he saw his vision—in Patmos (the Romans version of Siberia) where prisoners were exiled.
"...he sent and signified..." (verse 1)—This phrase contains a word that must always be kept in mind as you study this book: "signified." It tells us how the book was given—in signs and symbols. The Bible should be taken literally unless there is something in the context to indicate otherwise. Albeit, the reverse is true of Revelation. It is mostly signs and symbols. Many errors of interpretation have been made because Bible students have forgotten to consider the symbolic nature of the writing—it must be taken as symbolic unless there is evidence to the contrary. This does not mean, of course, that part of it is true—and therefore to be seen as literal—and that part of it is imaginary—and for that reason should be viewed as symbolic. Those truths are no less real because they are presented in figurative language. Symbolism is simply a graphic way of forcing the truth upon our minds.
"Blessed..." (verse 3)—God promises blessings to three groups: a) those who read, b) those who hear, c) those who keep the sayings of Revelation.
"He that reads" is not a reference to a devotional reading in the book; it is, instead, a reference to those men who publicly read the book to others. Public reading was the early church's way of communicating God's Word. This choice was out of necessity; since printing presses did not exist, the Word could not be reproduced in writing. This promise still applies to anyone engaged in getting the message of Revelation to others. The first blessing, then, is promised to those who share the message of Revelation with others.
The phrase "they that hear the words of this prophecy" refers to the congregations who listened to Revelation as their pastors read. These were the people who wanted to know what God had to say. Since they could not read for themselves, they listened with eagerness. This promise still applies no doubt to every Christian who is seeking to learn the truths contained in the prophecy, whether in private, personal study, or in a public gathering listening to an exposition. The second promise of blessing is to those who study the message of Revelation.
The last phrase, "and keep those things which are written therein" refers to obedience, as in "you should keep the rules." God wants us to live the truths that are presented in Revelation. Truth that cannot be lived is worthless. The third promise of blessing is to those who submit themselves to the principles taught in Revelation.
What a strange promise this seems in light of the attitude Christians have toward prophecy today. Revelation, and Biblical prophecy in general, is seen as a source of excitement—not exhortation. It's something to shout about--not something you practice.
Prophecy, however, was not given
as entertainment; it was given to edify believers. It was given not to
satisfy our curiosity, but to help us liver a holy life. "And every man that
hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1st John 3:3).
THE VISION OF CHRIST (Revelation 1:12-20)
To understand the vision John saw of Christ, it is important to remember that he did not, in fact, see Jesus. What he saw, instead, was a figure that pictured Christ in symbolic form.
His head and hairs—this part of the figure was snow white. Not just the hair, but the entire head—hair, face, lips—was white. The color "white" is used in the Bible to indicate purity: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18). The first lesson of this vision, then, is this: Christ is completely pure. He has never sinned; He is eternally sinless.
His eyes—the eyes of Christ are pictured as a flame of fire. Fire is a symbol of judgment: "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1st Corinthians 3:13).
Eyes, when it is God's eyes that are being referred to, are a symbol of God's omniscience—the fact that God knows everything. "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Proverb 15:3).
"Eyes as a flame of fire" suggests this truth: the judgment of God is based on omniscience, not ignorance. God's judgment is based on what He knows about us. Some people think we are better than we really are; others think we're worse. God knows the truth about each of us, and He judges us accordingly. This verse is telling us that Jesus Christ is evaluating every aspect of our lives.
His feet—"And His feet like unto fine brass..." (Revelation 1:15). Brass is another symbol that is used to picture judgment. The reason for two symbols of judgment in this chapter—eyes of fire and feet of brass—is simple. Believers are judged in two ways:
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Evaluation—this is a picture of a judge considering the evidence and passing judgment. It is this kind of judgment that Christians are forbidden to do—"Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). Since we do not know another's heart, we cannot pass a just sentence.
With God, however, there is no limit to this knowledge of men and women. The kind of judgment pictured by "eyes of fire" is evaluation. God is evaluating every aspect of your life based on what He knows about you.
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Discipline—This is the process of carrying out the sentence that the judge has passed; it is the act of discipline. This kind of judgment is pictured in John's vision of Christ by the feet of brass.
The lessons taught by the vision of Christ can be summed up as follows: (a) Christ is totally pure, and He is the standard by which men are judged. (b) Christ is omniscient, and He is evaluating every aspect of our lives, passing sentence on every action, thought, and motive. (c) He is a God of judgment (feet of brass), and He is chastening His children for their sins, overlooking nothing. If He is the standard by which I am judged, if He is evaluating every aspect of my life, and if He is dealing with me based on that evaluation—then my future is one of certain judgment.
His mouth— "...and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged word..." (Revelation 1:16). Every careful Bible student should know what is symbolized by the twoedged sword. It pictures God's Word. God refers to the Bible as the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17). The Bible is called a "twoedged sword" in Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Many Christians recognize the beauty of this verse, but fail to understand its meaning. The phrase "twoedged sword" always refers to a certain use the Holy Spirit makes of God's Word. This use is explained in the closing phrase "and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
The Bible is the tool the Holy
Spirit uses to convict us of sin. If it were not for this ministry of
the Holy Spirit—using the Bible to point out our sins—then our case would be
hopeless.
We Are in the Last Days
I sincerely believe that the Lord's return is imminent. The New World Order is here, and the prophecies of Revelation are unfolding before our eyes. To learn where America is headed economically, please listen to Pastor Lindsey Williams. Certainly, we are living in the Last Days. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I listened to a sermon recently, by Dr. Jack Hyles fro back in 1970 titled, “Why the Antichrist Must Come Soon.” I had never heard anything like it, amazing.
Luke 12:21, “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
It is comforting to think about the many precious words of our Lord, Who said in John 16:33...
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but BE OF GOOD CHEER; I have overcome the world.”
We have inner peace, knowing that Jesus has overcome the world, and is seated in power in Heaven on the right-hand of God the Father (Luke 22:69; Romans 8:34). Colossians 3:1, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
For the born-again believer, Jesus has promised to give us a changed, incorruptible, body when He returns (1st Corinthians 15:52). Jesus promised that He is preparing a literal place for us to live with Him (John 14:3). Jesus promised that He will give us treasures in Heaven that neither moth, rust, nor thieves can take from us (Matthew 6:20). Jesus promised that no man will ever take away our joy (John 16:22). Jesus promised to always be with us, and never to leave nor forsake us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).
There is a family awaiting us in Heaven...
Ephesians 3:14-15, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole FAMILY IN HEAVEN and earth is named.”
Being a child of God makes us part of the family of God. These are comforting thoughts for the believer. Jesus has made so many wonderful promises to us, and our future is bright in Christ Jesus. I sincerely love you all in the Lord whoever you may be.
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