A TRAVEL THROUGH THE BOOK OF REVELATION (CHAPTER 1)

Dr. Billy Graham said “I am an optimist because I have read the last chapter of the Bible” Bob Mumford’s words are quite similar “We have read the end of the Book, and we know who wins.”

The book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible. To understand it properly, one should have a working knowledge of the entire Bible.

John was merely the writer, not the Author. The Lord is the author of this book. John twice stated these things, were shown to him by the Lord (Revelation 1:1, 22:8) and it was revealed so that this stuff must be testified in the churches (22:16)

This book starts by pronouncing blessings upon those who keep its commandments and ends by pronouncing curses upon those who add or subtract anything from it (1:3; 22:18, 19).

The devil has always tried to distract believers’ attention away from this book. It describes the casting out of Satan from the heavenly places, his bondage for 1000 years in the Abyss, and his shameful fall into the lake of fire. Therefore Satan hates this book more than any other. Another book he hates is Genesis because it discloses his wiles. That is why he shouts against them and makes some say that 1^st book is a myth and the last book is not in the Canon.

Note: – THE MAJOR CHARACTERISTIC OF REVELATION IS FIGURATIVE AND SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE. NOTE THE WORD “SIGNIFIED” IN THE FIRST VERSE (1: 1-3)

So proper understanding of symbols can be derived from the book itself or other books of Scripture.

This is a continuation of the prophecy of Daniel who was asked to Seal this book “unto the time of the end.” All the biblical prophecies converge here- Prophecies for Israel, Church, and Gentiles.

In this book the early part deals with the church, the middle refers to the nation of Israel and the end speaks of the Gentiles. In the structure of the Holy City of the New Jerusalem, we also find all three—

1. In the foundation (The Church)

2. In the gates (Israel)

3. In the streets (The Gentiles)

The Revelation is the book of fulfillment, of consummation, of completion. It is climatic and action packed. In it, heaven and earth meet, clouds are removed, and thrones, elders, angels are visible. The sound of harps, trumpets, crying of disembodied souls and thunderous and melodious singing are heard. The earth touches heaven. Good encounters evil. The Antichrist, false prophet, Satan and his host’s death and hell are thrown into the lake of fire (1 Timoty 4:1; 2 Timoty 3:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1, 2; Jude 15,18)

The new earth is revealed wherein dwelled righteousness, as the prophets of old foretold (Isiah 65:17). At last the patience and faith of the patriarchs and the saints are rewarded. The faith and hope of church and Israel unhindered and justice and peace are restored. The Bible that began with a “Paradise Lost” ends here with the good news of “Paradise Regained.”

A multitude of scriptures explicitly refer to the second coming of Christ; it is mentioned no less than 318 times in the 260 chapters of the N.T or once in every 25 verses. This truth of our Lord’s second coming runs through the Word of God like a silver cord from the (Genesis 3:15 to Revelation 22:20).

THE VISION

1. REVELATION 1:12,13

The vision is about the son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot and he was in the midst of seven candlesticks (lampstand). This vision John saw was that of the glorified Son of Man, Jesus. He was in humanity, but now he is in glory (1 Timoty 2:5), and he is the high priest.

SEVEN DESCRIPTION OF HIS PERSON

• HIS HEAD AND HAIR: – His hair was like white wool and as white as snow. This whiteness doesn’t come up with age. The God of heaven never suffers old age. But his representation was intended to signify his majesty and authority. Daniel also saw the same Vision (Daniel 7:9). In England, Judge wears a white wig. The God of heaven has committed all judgments to the son (John 5:22). Christ is about to accept the office of Judge as we see in Daniel. So this white wool hair is sign of Learning, Wisdom, Experience, and dignity (Proverb 16:31; 20:29)

• HIS EYES: – His eyes were as a flame of fire (1:4). While he was on earth, his eyes were often wet with tears at the tomb of Lazarus he had wept. But here his eyes are Bright, Sharp, Penetrating (Daniel 10:6). This shows that nothing is hidden from the powerful eyes of this Judge.

• HIS FEET: – His feet were like fine brass (1:15) (Daniel 10:6) (Ezekiel 1:7). Brass is a symbol of Judgment. The original word here is “White Brass, ” and it is only found here and in Revelation 2:18. His feet have trodden (Crushed) the road of affliction, but with those feet, he will tread the winepress of the fiery wrath of Almighty God (19:15). And finally, with this leg, he will crush the Beast and the Dragon under his feet.

• HIS VOICE: – He will have a fierce voice (1:15) (Ezekiel 43:2, Revelation 14:2; 19:6, Ezekiel 1:24, Daniel 10:6)

• HIS HANDS: – He had in his right hand seven stars (1:16) emblematic of the angels of the seven churches. Those were not heavenly angels, but messengers or ministers of the seven churches. They were in his right hand, tenderly revealing that God’s ministers and messengers hold a special place in his regards (Ps. 105:15, 1 Timothy 5:1,17,19, 1 Thes 5:12,13, Hebrew 13:7,17, 1 Corinthian 12:28, 1 Sam 24:1-12, 26:1-23). Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm (Ps. 105:15). We have no right to judge God’s servants as he holds them in his right hand. Ministers receive their office and authority from him. But if they are not faithful to him, no one can deliver them out of his hands.

• HIS MOUTH: – From his mouth, sharp two-edged swords is coming. This is not the work of God, but that is the sword of the Spirit. This is the sword of the son of man. (Judgment and Justice). It is two-edged swords. One edge is for the protection of his people, and the other is for the destruction of his enemies.

• HIS COUNTENANCE: – On the mount of transfiguration his face shone like the Son (Mathew 17:2). The inhabitants of the New Jerusalem have no need for the sun because the Lamb is the lamp of the city. When he appears, Christ will be the Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)

STARS AND LAMPS

Seven stars are the messengers of pastors of the seven churches. Lamps and stars are meant for night time. Jesus Said, “As long as I am in this world, I am the light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5) when he was to leave this world he said to his disciples “You are the Light of the world” (Mathew 5:14). When Darkness becomes thicker, our light should shine brighter. These lamps were burning with oil. OIL STANDS FOR HOLY SPIRIT. We have to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (PHIL 2:15). We need the Holy Spirit to shine in this dark world.

Suggested Post:

The Golden lampstand in the Bible.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

This book have the authentic division in itself

1. Write down things which thou hast seen (Past tense) The Vision of the Glorified Christ and High Priest walking in the midst of Lampstand.

2. The things which are (Past tense) It is the story of 7 churches or the complete history of the Christian church from the day of Pentecost to the Rapture.

3. And the things which shall be hereafter (Future tense) These are the future things after the church age has come to a close.

THE SEVEN EVENTS OF REVELATION

• Seven Churches (2:1 – 3:22)

• The Seven seals (6:1 – 8:1)

• The seven trumpet (8:2 – 11:19)

• The Seven Personage (12:1 – 13:18) (Woman, Dragon, Male Child, Archangel, Remnant, Beast out of sea, Beast out of the earth)

• The Seven Bowl Judgment (16:1-21)

• The Seven no mores (21:4 – 22:3) (No more tears, death, sorrow, pain, temple, lamp, curse)

• The Seven new things (New Heaven, Earth, Jerusalem, Song, Name, River, Tree of life)