Bi 622 RevelationBi 622 Revelation

REVELATION Chapters 1-3REVELATION Chapters 1-3

PowerPoint presentation by Mark E. Hardgrove, Ph.D., D.Min. © 2010

Rev. 1:1-3Rev. 1:1-3

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

The First WordThe First Word

The opening word of the work is the Greek word apocalupsis, which is derivative of apokalupto meaning, “to take off the cover” (Strong’s). It means to reveal, uncover, or unveil something that has previously been hidden from view. This is the unveiling of Jesus Christ in the fullness of His glory and power.

The BlessingThe Blessing

John promises a blessing to those who read and hear the words of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation was probably intended as a circular letter, much like the Epistle to the Ephesians. The entire letter was to read in all of the seven churches. There was a blessing for the one who read it, and for those who heard it.

Rev. 1:4Rev. 1:4

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

Who are the “seven Spirits”? Many believe this is a reference to the sevenfold Spirit of God referenced in Isaiah 11:2

Isaiah 11:2, NKJVIsaiah 11:2, NKJV

2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,

1. The Spirit of wisdom and

2. understanding,

3. The Spirit of counsel and

4. might,

5. The Spirit of knowledge and of the

6. fear of the LORD.

JesusJesus

The name “Jesus Christ” is found 5 times in this chapter. After all, this is the Revelation (unveiling) of Jesus.

“Of” may mean that it is “about” Jesus or that it “from” Jesus, or that it “belongs to” Jesus.

We know that it comes from Jesus to the angel, but we also know it reveals Him as well.

Rev. 1:5Rev. 1:5

5 . . . Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

1.) He is the faithful witness

2.) He is the firstborn from the dead

3.) He is ruler over the kings of the earth

4.) He loved us

5.) He washed us from our sins in His own blood

Rev. 1:6Rev. 1:6

6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

6.) He made us kings (literally, “a kingdom”)

7.) He made us priests to His God and Father

8.) To Him (Jesus Christ) be glory

9.) To Him be dominion

10.) Forever (He is eternal)

Rev. 1:7Rev. 1:77 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

11.) He is coming with clouds

12.) Everyone will see Him when He comes

13.) Everyone remaining upon the earth when He comes will mourn because of what they have done to Him.

Rev. 1:8Rev. 1:8

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

14.) He is the beginning and the end

15.) He is—the eternally present, always being

16.) He was—prior to anything being, He was, eternal past

17.)He is to come—He is returning bringing our eternal future with Him

18.) He is “The Almighty,” He is Deity

Rev. 1:9Rev. 1:9

9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ

Who is the author? John

1. He calls himself a “brother” of the believers, therefore a Christian.

2. He refers to himself as a “companion in the tribulation and the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,” therefore a fellow saint suffering for the cause of Christ.

Rev. 1:9Rev. 1:99 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ

He was on Patmos, an Island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey.

“For . . .”

1. The Word of God, that is, the proclamation of and allegiance to, the Word.

2. The testimony of Jesus Christ, that is, either the witnessing to others of the life and message of Christ, or, the self-identification with Jesus Christ as a disciple.

Rev. 1:10Rev. 1:10

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Ezekiel 11:5Ezekiel 11:5

John is in the Spirit on Sunday, is like prophets of old. For example, Ezekiel,

Then the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said to me, ‘Speak!’

Seven ChurchesSeven Churches

Modern day Turkey, know as Asia in the Roman Empire

Modern Day Turkey

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

John turned to see the voice that was speaking and he saw seven golden lampstands and in the midst of them he saw the resurrected Lord.

13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Rev. 1:13Rev. 1:13

“The Son of Man” (Jesus Christ)—symbols and similes that describe Him:

1.)Clothed with a garment down to the feet (priestly robe, He is our High Priest)

2.) Girded about the chest with a golden band (pure heart, intentions, and motivations)

Rev. 1:14Rev. 1:14

14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;

3.) His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow (white is a word symbolic of purity, righteousness, holiness—He is all these.)

4.) His eyes are like a flame of fire (fire penetrates, fire also represents judgment. He is coming to judge the world with righteous judgment.)

Rev. 1:15Rev. 1:15

15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;

5) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace (brass that has been refined again represents purity, while His feet represent His journey, where He has been, where He is, and where He is going.)

6) His voice as the sound of many waters (the sound of His voice commands attention and respect. His word is authoritative.)

Rev. 1:16Rev. 1:1616 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

7.) Verse 20 Jesus tells us these stars are seven angels. They are in His hand, under His command to do His bidding.

8.) The Writer of Hebrews tells us, His Word is like a two-edged sword. His Word will bring vengeance upon His enemies and deliverance to His servants.

9.) The shining countenance testifies to His glory, much like that seen on the Mount Sinai with Moses, and also on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Rev. 1:17Rev. 1:1717 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

1) Jesus consoles John with the words, “Do not be afraid.” What is the significance of these words for the early church?

2) Jesus touched John with His right hand. He fell down as though dead at the sight of Jesus, but was raised up at the touch of Jesus.

3) Jesus declares that He is the “First and the Last.”

Rev. 1:18Rev. 1:181.) “I am” (A title of Deity and eternality, akin to the

name Yahweh)

2.) “He who lives” (Affirms the resurrection of Jesus)

3.) “And was dead” (He really did die for our sins and has tasted death for us, in our place)

4.) “Behold I am alive forevermore” (Claims an eternal future)

5.) “I have the keys of Hades and Death” (Never implies that He lost them, instead is claiming authority over the grave and of death)

Rev. 1:19Rev. 1:19

19 “Write”

I. “the things which you have seen,” (past, that is, prior to this vision)

II. “and the things which are,” (John’s present at the time of the vision)

III. “and the things which will take place after this” (the future, beyond John himself)

Rev. 1:19Rev. 1:19Rev. 1:19 suggests an outline for the book:

V. 4 “. . . from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come.”

V. 8 “. . . who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

V. 18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.”

Rev. 1:20Rev. 1:20

20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands:

The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

MysteryMystery

“Mystery” (Gk. musterion). This word occurs four times in Revelation (1:20; 10:7; 17:5, 7). It is a derivative of the Greek word muo, which means “to shut the mouth.” It is something that has not previously been revealed. This word in the English occurs only in the New Testament—once in the Gospel of Mark and seventeen times in Paul’s epistles.

Purpose and ImpactPurpose and Impact

This book was written to comfort and to strengthen a church that was enduring a time of intense persecution at the hands of the Romans.

How do you think the description, the Revelation of Jesus Christ that we’ve explored, would impact those believers? How does it impact you?

THE SEVEN CHURCHESTHE SEVEN CHURCHES

Rev. 2:1-7 Ephesus

Rev. 2:8-11 Smyrna

Rev. 2:12-17 Pergamos

Rev. 2:18-29 Thyatira

Rev. 3:1-6 Sardis

Rev. 3:7-13 Philadelphia

Rev. 3:14-22 Laodicea

Rev. 2:1-7 EphesusRev. 2:1-7 Ephesus

Ephesus

Rev. 2:8-11 SmyrnaRev. 2:8-11 Smyrna

Smyrna

Rev. 2:12-17 PergamosRev. 2:12-17 Pergamos

Pergamum

Rev. 2:18-29 ThyatiraRev. 2:18-29 Thyatira

Thyatira

Rev. 3:1-6 SardisRev. 3:1-6 Sardis

Sardis

Rev. 3:7-13 PhiladelphiaRev. 3:7-13 Philadelphia

Philadelphia

Rev. 3:14-22 LaodiceaRev. 3:14-22 Laodicea

Laodicea

The Four Views of Rev. 2-3The Four Views of Rev. 2-3

Historicists-The letters contain cryptic reference to the conditions in which the whole church would be found at varying time in her history. The church of Ephesus represents the church in John’s own day, while the church in Laodicea stands for the church in the end times.

~Gregg, p. 81

The Four Views of Rev. 2-3The Four Views of Rev. 2-3

Preterists-Consider the letters to apply to little else than the contemporary situation of the seven churches as they existed in John’s time. As with all biblical epistles, however, application to similar churches of any time is acknowledged.

~Gregg, p. 81

The Four Views of Rev. 2-3The Four Views of Rev. 2-3

Futurists-May side with the historicists or, alternatively, with the preterists and the spiritual interpreters as to the application of the letters, though they see the reference to the “things which shall take place after this” (1:19) as referring to the end of the present age.

~Gregg, p. 81

The Four Views of Rev. 2-3The Four Views of Rev. 2-3

Spiritual-Interpreters see the purpose of the book as communicating to the whole church the facts of God’s sovereignty in history and His vindication of the righteous. The seven churches symbolize the church in all times, and the letters apply to any churches in which the relevant circumstances prevail.

~Gregg, p. 81

The Seven Churches As Seven Church Ages:

Historicists & Futurist’s View

The Seven Churches As Seven Church Ages:

Historicists & Futurist’s View

. http://www.cyberspaceministry.org/Lessons/Future/Lesson029/eng-p029.html

Portrayal of JesusPortrayal of Jesus

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What Jesus Says of the ChurchesWhat Jesus Says of the Churches

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PositivesPositives

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NegativesNegatives

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CounselCounsel

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WarningWarning

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Promises to OvercomersPromises to Overcomers

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Seven Churches CorrelationSeven Churches Correlation

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The Chiastic StructureThe Chiastic Structure

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Chaps 2-3 Chaps 21-22Chaps 2-3 Chaps 21-22

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Promises to RestorePromises to Restore

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ApplicationApplication

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