Truly, we certainly need to know what we believe lest we receive a harsh rebuke from the Lord just as He had rebuked the Samaritan woman at the well. “Yee worship ye know not what”. The majority of the Christian people have been deceived into accepting the doctrine of the “trinity” for their salvation. Some tenets of faith of denominational churches specifically state that a person is not a Christian unless he/she believes in the trinity. But the bible shows otherwise,
Verse 9: I John, 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.
Patmos was a small island off the coast of Asia Minor. It was about 60 to 120 kilometers from those seven churches to which John addressed his letters. There was no escape from the island which was infested with poisonous snakes and scorpions. John was probably about 90 years old when he was exiled to the isle of Patmos. Well, whether you are 90’s or 9 years old. God can always use you provided you are willing to serve Him. Here we see that John was persecuted for his faith. He knew that the true worshippers of God must invariably go through trials and tribulations one way or another for their faith.
In solitude John had plenty of time. His physical body was in bondage but his spirit was not. Having nothing physical to do, he spent his time in the presence of the Almighty God, worshipping Him. And he was in such an attitude one day, on the first day of the week, the Lord’s day, that he became the instrument of blessings to the saints of God. He was so immersed in the Spirit of the Lord that the natural realm began to move away and he began to enter into another realm – the spiritual realm of God. He began to hear and see things that no man had heard or seen before, and he “bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw”
Verse 10: I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.
Verse 11: Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou see, 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.
The term “Lord’s Day” is not the same as the “Day of the Lord” which is found in many passages throughout the Old and New Testaments. The term is used only once in the Holy Scriptures and is understood to signify the “first day of the week” when the saints would gather together to worship God. Another occurrence is in 1 Corinthians 11:20 – Lord’s Supper, and ordinance set down by the Lord in which the saints would come together to commemorate His death till He returns.” Lord’s Supper” is never called the “Supper of the Lord”.
When John was in the Spirit of the Lord, he heard a great voice, which sounded like a trumpet, right behind him. He was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Time began with Him and time will end with Him – the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. The seven churches to which John was commanded to address his writings consisted of mostly Gentiles converts. These seven churches were located in Asia Minor (the area which is today’s Western Turkey). The book of Revelation was written for the benefit of the bride that she might understand what the Lord was going to do in His church and what events would transpire throughout the grace age.
Verse 12: And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Verse 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.
When John turned to see who was speaking to him he saw Seven Golden Candlesticks (or Lampstands).These Seven Golden Candlesticks are the Seven Churches as interpreted in verse 20. That was the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man. And He was wearing a High Priest robe. This means that He was in the position of a High Priest showing that He was as Intercessor or a Mediator. Our Lord Jesus Christ has to fulfill what was written of Him in the prophetic writings contained in the books of the Old Testaments. He has many roles to fulfill, so to speak. When He came to this earth nearly 2000 years ago, He came as a Prophet-Servant to preach the Word of God and to serve mankind (Mark 10:45). He was no longer the Prophet and Servant after His death and ascension but “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession.. (Hebrew 3:1)
Verse 14: His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his easy were as a flame of fire.
This speaks of Jesus Christ as being a Judge. In his days, the prophet Daniel also saw this same Judge in his vision (Daniel 7:9). No evil can escape the scrutiny of His eyes of blazing fire.
Verse 15: And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace, and his voice as the sound of many waters
“And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace” Jesus Christ, the One with God’s own life, stood steadfastly in judgment for you and me so that we might not be condemned. It was a fiery trial all along the way till He ended up as a breeding Lamb, spilling His blood at Calvary, thus completing God’s atonement for us. But, very soon, He is coming to judge those who reject His offer of salvation.
“And his voice as the sound of many waters” Like mighty running streams of water, babbling brooks, or great showers of rain, the words of Christ have always been soothing joy, comfort, peace and faith to the hearers. Throughout of the ages the sound of His voice, speaking through His ministers, would revive His people in the Spirit and Word of God.
Verse 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 shine in his strength.
“The seven stars are the seven angels of the seven churches”. Apparently the Apostle John was acquainted with these seven churches and their presiding bishops or pastors. Hence, the letters were addressed to these seven outstanding servants of God as “messengers” so that they would be aware of Christ’s assessment of their respective church and its condition. And knowing the conditions of these God set a type that would reflect Churches in seven epochs of time.
Verse 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.
Verse 18: I am he that live, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
If the countenance of Christ in all His glory proved too much for John, what about us? So let us be holy as God is holy. Jesus Christ once again identified himself as “the first and last”. In fact He is “the first and the last” person ever to be born into this world to die for mankind and yet live again. He is the only one. Nobody else has ever done what He did. There is no other person through whom mankind can have salvation. God turned His back upon Christ, figuratively speaking, as He hung on that cross at Mount Calvary, spilling His blood for you and me. And because He lives again, we will also live with Him, Amen.
Verse 19: Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter:
John was commanded to write down “what he had seen”, “the things which thou has seen” – what is, “the things which are” – that is the conditions of the seven local churches in Asia Minor. What is to happen after these things, “the things which shall be hereafter” – pointing to events which shall happen in the future ahead of John’s time. Consequently, we have this Book of Revelation.
Verse 20: The mystery of the seven stars which saw 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 saw are the seven churches.
This last verse is self-explanatory. In fact this is one of several “key” verse to the interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Right away we are told that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches. Hence, the mystery is unfolded to show us that there would be seven “earthly” angels, or messengers, of the seven churches and not just seven local ministers of seven churches in Asia Minor.
Next is Revelation Chapter 2….. see you
Verse 9: I John, 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.
Patmos was a small island off the coast of Asia Minor. It was about 60 to 120 kilometers from those seven churches to which John addressed his letters. There was no escape from the island which was infested with poisonous snakes and scorpions. John was probably about 90 years old when he was exiled to the isle of Patmos. Well, whether you are 90’s or 9 years old. God can always use you provided you are willing to serve Him. Here we see that John was persecuted for his faith. He knew that the true worshippers of God must invariably go through trials and tribulations one way or another for their faith.
In solitude John had plenty of time. His physical body was in bondage but his spirit was not. Having nothing physical to do, he spent his time in the presence of the Almighty God, worshipping Him. And he was in such an attitude one day, on the first day of the week, the Lord’s day, that he became the instrument of blessings to the saints of God. He was so immersed in the Spirit of the Lord that the natural realm began to move away and he began to enter into another realm – the spiritual realm of God. He began to hear and see things that no man had heard or seen before, and he “bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw”
Verse 10: I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.
Verse 11: Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou see, 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.
The term “Lord’s Day” is not the same as the “Day of the Lord” which is found in many passages throughout the Old and New Testaments. The term is used only once in the Holy Scriptures and is understood to signify the “first day of the week” when the saints would gather together to worship God. Another occurrence is in 1 Corinthians 11:20 – Lord’s Supper, and ordinance set down by the Lord in which the saints would come together to commemorate His death till He returns.” Lord’s Supper” is never called the “Supper of the Lord”.
When John was in the Spirit of the Lord, he heard a great voice, which sounded like a trumpet, right behind him. He was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Time began with Him and time will end with Him – the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. The seven churches to which John was commanded to address his writings consisted of mostly Gentiles converts. These seven churches were located in Asia Minor (the area which is today’s Western Turkey). The book of Revelation was written for the benefit of the bride that she might understand what the Lord was going to do in His church and what events would transpire throughout the grace age.
Verse 12: And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Verse 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.
When John turned to see who was speaking to him he saw Seven Golden Candlesticks (or Lampstands).These Seven Golden Candlesticks are the Seven Churches as interpreted in verse 20. That was the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man. And He was wearing a High Priest robe. This means that He was in the position of a High Priest showing that He was as Intercessor or a Mediator. Our Lord Jesus Christ has to fulfill what was written of Him in the prophetic writings contained in the books of the Old Testaments. He has many roles to fulfill, so to speak. When He came to this earth nearly 2000 years ago, He came as a Prophet-Servant to preach the Word of God and to serve mankind (Mark 10:45). He was no longer the Prophet and Servant after His death and ascension but “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession.. (Hebrew 3:1)
Verse 14: His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his easy were as a flame of fire.
This speaks of Jesus Christ as being a Judge. In his days, the prophet Daniel also saw this same Judge in his vision (Daniel 7:9). No evil can escape the scrutiny of His eyes of blazing fire.
Verse 15: And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace, and his voice as the sound of many waters
“And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace” Jesus Christ, the One with God’s own life, stood steadfastly in judgment for you and me so that we might not be condemned. It was a fiery trial all along the way till He ended up as a breeding Lamb, spilling His blood at Calvary, thus completing God’s atonement for us. But, very soon, He is coming to judge those who reject His offer of salvation.
“And his voice as the sound of many waters” Like mighty running streams of water, babbling brooks, or great showers of rain, the words of Christ have always been soothing joy, comfort, peace and faith to the hearers. Throughout of the ages the sound of His voice, speaking through His ministers, would revive His people in the Spirit and Word of God.
Verse 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 shine in his strength.
“The seven stars are the seven angels of the seven churches”. Apparently the Apostle John was acquainted with these seven churches and their presiding bishops or pastors. Hence, the letters were addressed to these seven outstanding servants of God as “messengers” so that they would be aware of Christ’s assessment of their respective church and its condition. And knowing the conditions of these God set a type that would reflect Churches in seven epochs of time.
Verse 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.
Verse 18: I am he that live, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
If the countenance of Christ in all His glory proved too much for John, what about us? So let us be holy as God is holy. Jesus Christ once again identified himself as “the first and last”. In fact He is “the first and the last” person ever to be born into this world to die for mankind and yet live again. He is the only one. Nobody else has ever done what He did. There is no other person through whom mankind can have salvation. God turned His back upon Christ, figuratively speaking, as He hung on that cross at Mount Calvary, spilling His blood for you and me. And because He lives again, we will also live with Him, Amen.
Verse 19: Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter:
John was commanded to write down “what he had seen”, “the things which thou has seen” – what is, “the things which are” – that is the conditions of the seven local churches in Asia Minor. What is to happen after these things, “the things which shall be hereafter” – pointing to events which shall happen in the future ahead of John’s time. Consequently, we have this Book of Revelation.
Verse 20: The mystery of the seven stars which saw 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 saw are the seven churches.
This last verse is self-explanatory. In fact this is one of several “key” verse to the interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Right away we are told that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches. Hence, the mystery is unfolded to show us that there would be seven “earthly” angels, or messengers, of the seven churches and not just seven local ministers of seven churches in Asia Minor.
Next is Revelation Chapter 2….. see you
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