Chapter 1

Introduction

In the opening chapter we are introduced to the background information necessary for a proper understanding of the Book. From this chapter we learn that Jesus is the source of the message which is to be delivered by an angel in the form of an Apocalypse to John. We learn of his condition and to whom the book was written.

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,

REVELATION is from apokalupsus, which means to uncover or unveil that which is hidden. OF JESUS CHRIST is subjective genitive. It indicates that this is not to be a revelation about Jesus but rather, Christ's revelation of things to come (cf. Barnes). This is the real title of the book, it is not John's revelation. MUST signifies "Moral necessity." SHORTLY TAKE PLACE, some say this indicates that the book must apply completely to the first century. But nearly all such writers apply Rev. 20:11-22:5 to eternity in Heaven. Others believe that the statement merely means that the events portrayed must begin to unfold very soon. We will decide which position is proper after a more thorough study of the book. SIGNIFIED means set forth in signs or symbols. This one word completely decimates the weird and wild fantasies and speculations of the Literalists and Premillennialists.

2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to all things that he saw.

This is not John's revelation. Rather, he is recording the things he has seen.

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.

Because books were copied by hand, they were extremely few and expensive. Then too, few were literate. These facts, coupled with the fact that the early church had followed the Jewish practice of using a public reader (lector), leads to the conclusion that HE WHO READS has reference to a lector. The change of pronouns from HE WHO READS to THOSE WHO HEAR seems to bear out this conclusion. Regardless of station, the individual is blessed if he KEEPS THOSE THINGS.

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,

SEVEN CHURCHES. There were other churches in Asia Minor; Collossae, Hieropolis, Tralles, Magnesia, and Miletus. The number seven denotes completeness. Although the letters are addressed to the seven churches mentioned, they span the spectrum of church conditions throughout the entire church, in every age. There can be no PEACE unless there is first GRACE from the eternal one. SEVEN SPIRITS, this second source of grace and peace is the Holy Spirit. There is only one Holy Spirit. The number seven is used to indicate the perfection of God's spirit.

5 and from 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,

FIRST BORN does not imply that Jesus was the first CREATED being, as the Arians suppose. Rather, it indicates Jesus was the first to be raised from the dead never to die again. LOVED should read, "loveth us unceasingly" (ASV). WASHED US should read, "loosed" or "released" us (Col. 1:18; I Cor. 15:20).

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

This verse (along with the last part of v. 5) is a "doxology." The term doxology comes from DOXOS which means "Glory." Hence a doxology is a hymn or chant of praise to God. MADE US KINGS, better translates, "Made us to be a kingdom" (ASV). Thus we see the kingdom was already present in the first century (Col. 1:13). We are a kingdom of priests. That is to say, we all have direct access to God through Christ, the High Priest, and we are now part of the kingdom. Thus we see that the kingdom is not something to be established, at Christ's return. Rather, it will be delivered up to God at His return (I Cor. 15:24). GLORY is the word from which we get doxology. It indicates "brightness, brilliance and splendor, exciting admiration brings honor and renown" (Hastings, III, p. 45). DOMINION is strength, power or might.

FOREVER AND EVER is possibly contrasting the permanence of Christ's reign to that of Domitian or any other emperor. Domitian only ruled for 15 years. Several of the Roman emperors failed to survive their first anniversary. AMEN "expresses certainty, and was used to adopt as one's own what had just been said" (Hastings III, p. 53).

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

COMING WITH CLOUDS. This phrase is elsewhere used to represent God or Jesus coming to judge and execute justice (Isa. 19:1; Ezekiel 30:3; 32:7; 34:12; Matt. 24:24-30; Mark 13:24-30). The clouds seem to indicate the overshadowing power of God which is from above. However, it is obvious that this passage has reference to Christ's second coming, because of the words in the remainder of the verse. The view of verse seven as indicative of the second coming is also strengthened by a consideration of the flow of the thought in verses six to seven, taken as a unit. verse six states that Jesus will reign as long as this age lasts. But verse seven warns behold, the day will come when he will bring time to a close and come again in Judgement. MOURN is a beating of the breast or head in lamentation and suggests utter hopelessness. EVEN SO, AMEN. Amen, Amen in first Greek and then Hebrew. It indicates double certainty and endorsement of the fact of the second coming.

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."

ALPHA AND THE OMEGA. The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.

9 I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the 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.

BROTHER. Although John spoke with the authority of an apostle, he was still aware of the fact that they were all brothers. He had learned not to be obsessed with concern about who was first in the kingdom (Luke 22:24). TRIBULATION is "a pressing down together (as of grapes), squeezing or pinching" (I.S.B.E.). Jesus had warned of tribulation in this world (John 16:33). In Hailey's words, "Tribulation had been the lot of the church from its beginning, but it was now breaking upon the saints with an increasing intensity that would cover a period of more than two hundred years" (p. 104). KINGDOM, once again we see that the kingdom was already present. PATIENCE equals endurance. PATMOS is an island 24 miles off the coast of Asia. It is 10 miles long and 6 miles wide at its widest point. FOR THE WORD OF GOD AND THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS. A similar phrase is found in 6:9 and 20:4. He had apparently been exiled to Patmos because of his faithfulness in preaching God's word.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,

IN THE SPIRIT. There has been all kinds of conjecture about the meaning of this phrase. The meaning of the phrase is uncertain, but in light of the use of the phrase in Ezekiel 3:12, 14: 8:3; 11:24; 37:1; 43:5 it is probably a way of saying that he was in a vision from God. It does not mean--as many preachers have asserted--that John was in Worship on Sunday morning and the spirit came along and began a revelation. THE LORD'S DAY. The word translated "Lord's" occurs only one other time in the New Testament (I Cor. 11:20) where it describes the Lord's Supper. The day referred to is clearly Sunday, for a number of reasons.

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."

WRITE. John would have written on a papyrus roll. The entire book of Revelation would have made for a scroll about 15 feet in length. SEVEN CHURCHES (verse 4).

12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

As he turned to see the speaker, this glorious vision burst upon his sight. LAMPSTANDS whereas there were seven lamps on one base, in the tabernacle, there are now seven lamps on seven individual stands possibly showing the autonomy of the individual congregations. GOLDEN. Gold was the metal used in the temple and the tabernacle for divine service.

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.

Some commentators assume the dress described is that of both a priest and king. The assumption is incorrect. This is clearly the attire of a king (Ex. 28:39).

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

His head is crowned with purity, his eyes penetrating the hearts of men.

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

FINE BRASS. The exact metal or combination of metals intended is unknown. The description of his feet may have reference to Mal. 4:3.

16 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.

TWO EDGED SWORD. The word (Heb. 4:12).

17-18 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

The word KEY or KEYS is never used literally in the New Testament. It is always figurative of power and authority. Jesus demonstrated His power and authority over both Hades and death when he rose from the dead (John 10:18).

19-20 "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 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.

So we learn the SEVEN STARS of v. 16 are the ANGELS of the seven churches. The word angel merely means messenger. The word angel may or may not have reference to a spirit messenger. In the Old Testament, Haggai calls himself a messenger (Hag. 1:13 angel, Hebrew); Malachi speaks of the priest as "the messenger (angel, Hebrew) of Jehovah." Mal. 2:7, Mal. 3:1 & Matt. 11:10 are all cases in which the Hebrew or Greek word for angel is applied to a man. The Angel is most likely either the individual preacher or elder who teaches the congregation the word of God, or the individual that carried the letter from the Isle of Patmos to the congregation.

Chapter 2

Introduction

We now begin a new section of the book. Chapter one was an introduction. Chapters two through three contain the letters to the seven churches. The letters follow a general pattern:

• Each letter begins with a salutation to the church addressed.

• A self descriptive reference is made to some attribute of the author (Jesus).

• The Lord praises that which is commendable (only Laodicea receives no praise).

• Jesus condemns that which is wrong (only Smyrna and Philadelphia have nothing to condemn).

• Warnings and threats for those who do not repent are issued.

• The church is exhorted and encouraged to be faithful.

• Promises of blessings and/or rewards are issued to the Overcomers.

1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

CHURCH. Note that there was only one church in the city of Ephesus, yet today men are not alarmed at the multitude of denominations which dot the street corners of the land. The Lord was able to refer simply to "the church at Ephesus" without creating confusion. Imagine the confusion that would be created if the Lord were to send a letter today, addressed simply to "the church of Detroit." This all may seem to be a very narrow-minded line of reasoning to a world so full of sectarianism, but it is obviously the way the Lord intended His church to be. Religious people in this land need to stop parroting, "Attend the church of Your choice" and begin to plead that all men everywhere "attend the church of Christ's choice." EPHESUS was the chief city of the province, although it was not the capital. It derived its wealth from commerce and religion. Paul had labored here for three years (Acts 20:31).

2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

I KNOW YOUR WORKS. Even if we do not receive the praise and acknowledgement from our peers that we feel we deserve, the Lord knows our works. This statement is a promise to those who serve the Lord and a threat to those who do not. YOU CANNOT BEAR THOSE WHO ARE EVIL. No spirit of compromise is to be found here. Many, in today's world have come to accept the prevalence of evil people. When preachers and others cry out against the present evils of society and false brethren, some become upset and the charge of negativism is leveled. We like Lot should be grieved by the evil around us (2 Pet. 2:7). WHO SAY THEY ARE APOSTLES AND ARE NOT. Even today, there are those in Salt Lake City who say they are apostles and are not. We can know they are not because they cannot work the signs of an apostle (II Cor. 12:12- 13). Even in the first century, there were those who claimed to have been divinely sent by God who were not.

3-4 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Evidence of their FIRST LOVE can be found in Acts 19:19-20; Acts 20:36-38 & Eph. 1:5. Ephesus is, at this point, a second or third generation church. This is always a dangerous time. The danger of taking the Lord and his church for granted is far greater in the second and third generation. They have not had to pay the price to establish the church or become Christians. They have not known the excitement of discovering the Lord's way after years of groping in the darkness and sorrow of sin.

5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.

REPENT AND DO THE FIRST WORKS. From this verse, it becomes obvious that it is possible for a congregation which is faithful in doctrine to die through laziness and a lack of love. One often wonders how many empty lampstands there are with the name Church of Christ on a sign in front of them. Fortunately the Lord is willing to forgive if we will repent.

6-7 "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." '

There has been much speculation by commentators as to whom the Nicolaitans were. One thing is obvious: they were antinomians. Some early writers stated that they had rebelled against the aesthetic brand of gnosticism practiced at Colossae and had claimed that Christ had freed them from obeying any law at all. They believed their bodies would sin regardless of what they did or wished to do. So, they could, with secret knowledge help their souls to rise above the sins their bodies were committing. They participated in the orgies of the pagan religions of the area. Their doctrines appear to have been very similar to those of the Balaams and the Jezebels.

The command to HEAR is repeated in each of the letters to the seven churches. TO HIM THAT OVERCOMES is another phrase found in all seven letters. This is one of the main themes of the book of Revelation. Those who suffer severe persecution, will overcome if they endure to the end.

8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

SMYRNA was located thirty-five to forty miles north of Ephesus on a rather long gulf possessing two excellent harbors, one small and the other much larger. It was second only to Ephesus in exports, and like its sister city was surrounded by rolling hills and groves of trees, and contained well-paved streets leading past stately buildings and temples. Its acropolis on Mount Pagas gave the appearance of a crown, which became the symbol of the city. Smyrna allied herself to Rome early in the period of Roman conquest, and as a result enjoyed an almost unbroken career of prosperity. As an expression of her fidelity to Rome, the city built a shrine to Roma, the Roman goddess, as early as 195 B.C. Under the reign of Tiberius (A.D. 14-37) Smyrna was chosen as the site for a temple to Tiberius. The city claimed to be the first city in Asia: first in beauty, first in literature, first in loyalty to Rome. The origin of the church in this city is unknown; this is the only mention of the city or church in the New Testament (Hailey p. 125).

9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

THEM WHO SAY THEY ARE JEWS AND ARE NOT. In this passage, Jesus is referring to those who are Jews in the flesh, that is they were physically born Jews. But, in the eyes of the Lord, they were not Jews at all (Rom. 2:28-19). Not only are they not Jews in the eyes of the Lord, they are worse than that, they are the SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN!!! In a similar vein there are many who say they are Christians but are not. BLASPHEMY is "any contumelious speech, reviling, calumniating, railing" (Vine). They were railing against the Lord, his church and his people.

10 "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

A severe persecution was about to be inaugurated by Domitian that would continue to wax and wain until 313 A.D. The period TEN DAYS is a full complete period, whether it is long or short is not the point. "The trial might be prolonged, but it had a limit known to God" (Swete). UNTIL DEATH. They were to be faithful not just till death (as the word "unto" (KJV) would seem to imply) but if necessary even into death. Be faithful even if it places you in the realm of the dead and YOU WILL RECEIVE A CROWN OF LIFE. The CROWN is a STEPHANNOS and was worn by victorious athletes and soldiers, a bride or the populace during festivities. It was a crown of rejoicing and victory as opposed to a crown of a king.

11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."

SECOND DEATH. He that overcomes will not be harmed by the SECOND DEATH. The phrase is used to describe Gehenna, which is the Hell, or "lake of fire" into which the unsaved shall be cast after the judgement. It is called the second death because it will be the final separation of the wicked souls from God.

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:

PERGAMUM. Was located 30 miles north of Smyrna, and 15 miles from the sea. The first temple in all of Asia dedicated to the imperial cult was erected here. The second largest library in the world was in the city.

13 I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

WHERE SATAN'S THRONE IS probably has reference to the fact that this town was the seat of emperor worship. Here believers were commanded to burn incense at the alter of the emperor and say "Caesar is Lord." We know nothing of Antipas except that written here.

14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

FEW THINGS. Those spoken of are a small minority, but knowing the seriousness of a little leaven, something had to be done. BALAAM (Cf. Num. 23-30).

15-17 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 'Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.

Jesus is the HIDDEN MANNA (John 6:33-35,50-59). In contrast to the food offered to idols and eaten by the compromisers, many by faith could see that Christ was the source of true life. The WHITE STONE (small round pebble) was mined commercially in the vicinity of Pergamum. There are several possible meanings to the significance of the receiving of the white stone:

• The white stone was given to a man who had been tried and justly acquitted. He carried it as a sign that he was free of the charge of crime which had been placed against him.

• The white stone was given to a man who was freed from slavery and made a citizen of the province. He carried the stone as an indication of his citizenship.

• The white stone was given to the winner of a race or contest as an indication that he had overcome opposition.

• The white stone was given to a warrior returning from battle with victory over the enemy.

Because of Paul's statement, "I gave my vote (literally voting pebble) against them" (Acts 26:10), it is this writer's conviction that the figure alluded to is #1. In other words, HE THAT OVERCOMETH will receive acquittal at the day of judgement. However, it is possible that any or all of the fore-mentioned figures were in the Lord's thoughts. Because the general point of all of these figures is the same: final victory for the faithful.

18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:

Nothing is known of the church at Thyatira except what is written in this letter. Lydia, the seller of Purple, was from Thyatira (Acts 16:10) and some think she returned home from Philippi and started the church. This is the longest of the seven letters.

19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

THE LAST ARE MORE THAN THE FIRST. Here we learn that a church does not have to grow lazy and complacent with age. Although Ephesus had left its first love and works, Thyatira had grown in works with age. Why? Because they kept their faith and love alive. Works are the natural outgrowth of faith and love (I Thes. 1:7-9).

20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

JEZEBEL of old - the wife of King Ahab and the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians - caused her husband to worship Baal and Asherah (I Kings 16:31; 18:19). The magnitude of her vile villainy can be seen in the fact that in addition to her idolatry, she was also responsible for the death of the prophets of Jehovah (I Kings 18:4). Her sins are summed up as "the whoredoms and witchcrafts" of Jezebel (II Kings 9:22).

Apparently there was a woman in the congregation who claimed to be a prophetess (i.e. one who speaks by direct inspiration from God), but was not. Her false teachings were so vile that the Lord likened her to Jezebel of old. Some have suggested that the name Jezebel was used to describe a heresy, not a real person. This seems unlikely; in view of the fact that the faction, at Pergamos, was not called Baal. Instead, it was rebuked for holding the teachings of Baal. SUFFERED JEZEBEL...TO TEACH AND SEDUCE MY SERVANTS. We cannot permit false doctrine to be taught, either publicly or from house to house. The Lord will condemn both the false teacher and those who allow it to happen. What kind of myopic misplaced love would move one to stand by and allow souls to be lead to Hell without crying out in warning. FORNICATION may refer to physical or spiritual fornication. In the Old Testament, idolatry was often called fornication. However, it is also true that fornication was often a part of the revelry of the pagan feasts.

21-22 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

CAST HER INTO A SICKBED "To afflict with diseases" (Thayer). The false prophetess who has revelled on the bed of fornication will now be cast into the bed of sickness and affliction. BEHOLD let all of the churches see my judgement on this evil woman.

23-24 And I will kill her children with death. And all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 "But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they call them, I will put on you no other burden.

The innocent will not be punished. WHO HAVE NOT KNOWN THE DEPTHS OF SATAN, AS THEY CALL THEM is better rendered, "Who have not known the deep things of Satan as they call them" (NASB). The truly deep things are of God (I Cor. 2:10) not the devil. There are many who think their doctrines and philosophies are deep. But in truth they are shallow (Isa. 55:8-9).

25-27 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations; 27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the potter's vessels shall be broken to pieces'; as I also have received from My Father;

Again he closes a letter with a great promise to the OVERCOMER.

Chapter 3

1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

SARDIS. Ramsay makes the following remarks pertinent to the text, "It was more of a robber's stronghold than an abode of civilized men." Hailey states, "Tradition says that a soldier found a crevice in the rock hill up which he led a band of soldiers to the summit, taking the city by surprise. About 330 years later Antiochus the Great took the city in the same way; thus the city had twice been surprised and taken as "a thief in the night." NAME indicates that the church in Sardis had a good reputation. But what is true of individuals is true of congregations. "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (I Sam. 16:17).

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

BE WATCHFUL. Just as the city had fallen twice for lack of vigilance, the congregation was in danger of the same plight. STRENGTHEN THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN. Sardis, like Ephesus, had started well but there wasn't much left to commend it to the Lord. PERFECT (PTEROO) means to bring to completion, finish something already begun. Of all of the good works they had begun, the Lord could not find any that they had the perseverance to finish.

3-6 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

A FEW. Once again the faithful few were not going to be condemned for the sin of the wicked. Again he closes with promises to the OVERCOMERS.

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens:

PHILADELPHIA means, "Brother lover." HE WHO IS HOLY suggests separation from the profane and sinful. TRUE, true dependable genuine, real. KEY represents power. Jesus has the power to open the kingdom to the faithful and exclude the unfaithful; even those unfaithful of the physical lineage of David. The main problem in Philadelphia was the physical Jews.

8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

OPEN DOOR. In most passages, a "door" is a metaphorical reference to an opportunity or an opening through which a goal can be achieved. A door or opportunity for evangelism existed in Philadelphia which no man could close. LITTLE STRENGTH. They had such great opportunity because they were willing to use their little power to its fullest. Unlike the Sardis Saints, they would persevere with what little strength they had and for this reason they would prevail.

9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie; indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

These Jews of the flesh--who are not Jews at all in the eyes of the Lord (Rom. 2:28-29)--will be forced to realize that the Christians at Philadelphia re truly God's people. Some have viewed this verse as teaching that the Jews of Philadelphia would be converted to Christ. History does not harmonize with such an interpretation. Those Jews who were converted turned out to be Judaizers.

10-11 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

I COME QUICKLY. "The 'final' or 'second' coming is not in view; for, although he repeats 'I come quickly' three times in Chapter 22 (v. 7,12,20), he also says of the things written in the book, they 'must shortly come to pass' (22:6) and 'the time is at hand' (22:10). The New Testament writers did not teach that the Lord was to return immediately, as is sometimes charged by modern writers, but taught clearly that His ultimate coming was not 'just at hand' (II Thes. 2:1-3). When He would come he would come as a thief, unannounced (3:3); but when needed He would come quickly. There are constant and continual comings of the Lord to aid His people and to judge the oppressing world" (Hailey p. 153). HOLD FAST. There are no condemnations leveled against this church. However they are warned against the danger of apostasy (I Cor. 10:12).

12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Again we close with a promise to those who OVERCOME. The promise to make the overcomers PILLARS in the temple of God seems to indicate permanence and endurance rather than support. For the temple spoken of is obviously the temple in Heaven. We know this because all of the promises to the overcomers deal with rewards in eternity. And when we consider the fact that the temple of God in Heaven is surely not dependant on Human beings for its support, it becomes apparent that the promise to make the overcomers pillars has to imply endurance and permanence instead of support of the temple. Even today, in ancient lands the sites of many great pagan temples of the past are completely gone save for the rows upon rows of pillars.

14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

LAODICEA Now we come to the last (and least) of the seven congregations. THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF GOD. Two opposing meanings have been drawn from the language of this statement:

• Christ was the first being or thing created by God; and

• Christ is the source or God's active agent in creation.

The first view was first propounded by Arius (AD 300). The Jehovah's Witness Church is the main source of this doctrine today. Although the language of the passage can lend itself to either interpretation, when the force of other more definitive passages are brought to bear, it becomes obvious that only the second interpretation is the correct one. John 1:1-3 harmonizes with the second definition. Verse 3 teaches that Jesus created "all things." Thus if Revelation 3:14 teaches that Jesus was the first created thing and John 1:3 teaches that Jesus created "all things," then it logically follows that he created himself, which of course is a logical absurdity. Colossians 1:15-17 teaches in even plainer terms that Jesus created all things (even the angels).

15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

COLD means "cold, chilled, chilly." It occurs only here and Mat 10:42. HOT, from zeztos occurs only here but the verb form zeo occurs in Acts 18:25 & Rom 12:11. This is perhaps an object lesson drawn from the tepid mineral springs that were prevalent in the area. People came for miles to bathe in the springs. However, the water was worthless for drinking purposes.

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.

SPEW YOU OUT. Their lack of dedication and zeal made the Lord sick to His stomach, just as warm mineral water (such as luke warm salt water) can do today.

17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;

Now we see why they have become so lukewarm: they were rich in this world's goods. Many congregations today are like Laodicea. From a worldly view they are wealthy; large buildings and impressive budgets. But few if any are willing to give of their time or their hearts. They are so deceived by their opulent surroundings that they cannot see their poverty of Spirit. We must constantly be on our guard for this kind of danger. For, even the poor congregations, of this country are fabulously wealthy compared to the congregations of these first century Christians.

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

One of the chief industries of the area was producing an eye salve for use by people who had to endure the sand and sun of early travel. Since the Laodiceans had been blinded to their own spiritual poverty by material wealth their eyes needed to be healed so they could see their spiritual poverty and repent. Even today Satan knows if he can just blind people to their own spiritual weakness, he can win them.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

AS MANY AS I LOVE. Even in their sickening spiritual condition, Jesus still loved them. This is the reason for such a stern rebuke. He warns them that they must repent or the next step will be chastisement.

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

ANY MAN. This verse destroys the theory of predestination. This verse shows that "whosoever will may come." DINE indicates close fellowship and communion.

Chapter 4

Introduction

We now leave the introductory matters behind and move on to the main body of the message. In chapter one we are introduced to John and Christ who is in the midst of the churches. In chapters two and three, the Lord takes John on a guided tour of the seven churches via letters to each church.

Now the Lord is about to unfold the story of the tribulation which already existed and was going to greatly increase. Before going into a detailed description of the coming persecution, we are first introduced to the throne room of Heaven in chapters four and five.

The reason for these two chapters may be that the prophecies he is about to unfold of the coming tribulation are so frightening that the Lord considers it necessary to begin by assuring the readers that God is on his throne and in control.

1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."

Note the phrase MUST COME. Many of the prophecies of the Bible were conditional. That is to say God would often threaten to destroy people for their wickedness. However upon the repentance of the subjects the Lord would withhold His judgement. In this case the Lord is saying that the Romans are beyond repentance and this prophecy will be fulfilled.

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

The person on the throne is the Father (5:8). The next chapter will deal with the son.

3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

JASPER is probably a diamond (21:11). The SARDIUS is a red stone. The diamond may represent God's holiness and the sardius His justice (Psa. 89:14-15).

4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS. The number twelve stands for organized religion (Cf. comments on page *): the twelve patriarchs of the Old Testament and the twelve apostles of the New Testament church (12+12) totals 24 elders. This indicates the presence of the redeemed of both covenants in Heaven. WHITES ROBES indicate holiness (2:17). CROWN'S are victory crowns.

5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

SEVEN SPIRITS describe God's perfect Holy Spirit.

6 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

SEA OF GLASS the meaning of the phrase is uncertain.

8 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"

The CREATURES correspond to the Seraphim of Isaiah 6:2-3. THE ALMIGHTY is a phrase only applied to the Father (II Corinthians 6:18; Rev. 1:4, 19:15, 21:22).

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

Since he is the creator of all things he is worthy of all praise.

Chapter 5

Introduction

Now that we have viewed a measure of the Father's greatness, we are shown a glimpse of the greatness of the Son.

1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

A BOOK WRITTEN WITHIN AND ON THE BACK. This indicates a scroll with writing on both sides of the parchment or papyrus. The fullness indicated the completeness of the revelation. SEVEN SEALS indicates that the complete revelation had never before been revealed to man.

2-5 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."

The only one worthy to open this revelation is Jesus who is portrayed as the LION OF JUDAH (Gen. 49:9-10) and the ROOT OF DAVID (II Sam. 7:11-14).

6-7 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

The LION OF JUDAH is now presented as the sacrificial LAMB. HORNS are symbolic of power in prophecy. SEVEN HORNS point to the omnipotence of Christ. The SEVEN EYES allude to the omniscience of Christ.

8. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

THE LITTLE BOOK contains the story of the deliverance of God's people from this great tribulation. Both the HARPS and BOWLS FULL OF INCENSE are symbolic. The harps represent praise which is brought to God from the heart (Eph. 5:19). The bowls represent the prayers of the saints (Psa. 141:2) which like incense rise to God as a pleasing aroma.

9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

Christ is worthy to open the book because he died for our sins.

10 and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."

Christians today constitute God's kingdom on Earth (Col. 1:13). The verse is more accurately rendered by the ASV, "And madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests and they reign upon the earth." This is the fourth kingdom (Roman) of Dan 2:44. Christians now reign as a kingdom of all peoples (Dan. 7:13ff). They are not kings over the Earth but to God and reign on the Earth. As priests we offer spiritual sacrifices to our God (I Pet. 19, 2:5,9; Heb. 13:15-16).

11-14 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!" 14 Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

After the worship of the 24 elders the entire chorus of creatures rejoices because the Lamb had opened the Book.

Chapter 6

Introduction

We now enter a vital portion of scripture. Here the symbols become more unusual and important. We must be careful to determine which symbols are of great value and give careful consideration to the proper interpretation of them. For, if we misinterpret one or more of the major symbols, they can, in domino fashion, cause us to misinterpret subsequent symbols. As we enter this section we must remember that the sacred writers were not addicted to the chronological format used in today's western world. Not one single book of prophecy in the Bible has the entire book arranged in one giant continuous chronology. Revelation is no exception. Most of the sections of Revelation independently deal with the first century Christians' conflicts with The Roman Empire.

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see."

ONE OF THE FOUR CREATURES refers to one of the 4 seraphim of chapters 4 & 5. It is the one like a lion. The phrase AND SEE is not in the text. John is already in a position to see. The one being summoned to COME is the rider of the first horse.

2. And I looked, and behold, a white horse. And he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

WHITE HORSE many commentators view this as the white horse of victory, which the Roman emperors rode into Rome in their triumphal marches after a great conquest. Such a view is incorrect for a number of reasons: First, the rider pictured is going to conquer, not coming from conquest. Second, nowhere in all the Bible is white used to symbolize victory. Rather it symbolizes purity and sinlessness. Third, Rev 19:11 uses the figure of a white horse and clearly states that the rider is Christ. Also Rev 14:14 pictures Christ riding on a white cloud with a STEPHANNOS on His head. Thus the rider is Christ and not the Roman emperors victorious over foreign nations and Christianity. It is a picture of the victories of Christ in the early centuries and throughout various ages over the forces of evil (II Cor. 10:3-6). Thus it is a war for the BOW (Psa. 45:3-6; Heb 1:8) is an instrument of war. It is a righteous war for the horse is WHITE and the cause of Christ is victorious for the rider wears the CROWN (Stephannos) of victory. Who is the rider? Probably it is enough to say that not one of the four riders is a person. Each is rather a cause, a manifestation of certain truths connected with the kingdom of Christ.

The first seal revealed a rider on a white horse. Throughout the O.T. the horse was a symbol of battle, strength and speed (Job 39:19-25; Jer. 4:13; Hab. 1:8). Since white is a Heavenly color (2:17), the rider of the white horse symbolized those who were sent out on a Heavenly or holy mission of conquest. It is the picture of those sent out by Christ to preach the gospel. The rider wears the victors crown.

3-4 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see." 4 And another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

THE SECOND LIVING CREATURE is the calf-like creature. The RED HORSE indicates slaughter and war. Jesus had warned his disciples that persecution and even death would follow those who conquered the world through the preaching of the gospel (Matt. 10:21,34-39). SHOULD KILL ONE ANOTHER. He is trying to encourage them by saying you may grow disillusioned but look at the greater picture. They are not just killing you. They are killing each other too.

5-6 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."

THIRD CREATURE stands for the man-like creature. BLACK represents famine, mourning and woe; the obvious result of the red horse. During war-time food was rationed by weight (the SCALES). The famine is so great that a day's wages would only buy one MEASURE OF WHEAT (less than one quart). This MEASURE was about one day's supply for a man. Obviously a man could not feed his family on such meager rations, but even the cheaper less desirable barley was so expensive that he could only buy enough to feed three people. To make matters more frustrating the OIL AND WINE which were luxury items for the rich were plentiful. One application of this is to the Christians who were expelled from the Guilds for their refusal to worship the emperor. But the wider application can be found in the fact again that even the pagans suffer for their ways.

7-8 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see." 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

FOURTH CREATURE is the eagle-like creature. PALE HORSE is an indefinite color a sickly green hue, a dull bluish or leaden color. It is a word used to describe the color people take on at the point of death. We have a picture of the different kinds of death that follow war and famine.

9-11 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 And a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Those SOULS who have been martyred are reassured that God will take vengeance in the proper time. the Martyrs' cries of HOW LONG OH GOD will not be completely answered until the 20th chapter.

12-17 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

This passage should be understood to portray God's dealings with the Romans instead of the end of the world (Isa. 2:19; 13:10; 29:6; 50:3; Jer. 4:23-28; Joel 2:31; Matt. 24:29; Hos. 10:8). In the judgement, no one will have time to run and cry to the mountains. When the final judgement takes place it will be , "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye: (I Cor. 15:52).

Tuesday, December 02, 2008 06:14 PM

© David E. Parks October 12, 1998

dave@wcofc.org

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