Revelation 1

 

I.    It seems to me that the end of time is fast approaching.  The signs of the times are everywhere. 

A.     It is not just the United States that is creeping into wickedness, but the entire world.

1.       Canada has made it illegal to read or speak about Bible passages that proclaim homosexuality (sodomy) is a sin, or an abomination before God.

2.       Canada has okayed same sex marriages, as has Massachusetts.

3.       The United States approved abortion in 1973, but it is still in the news.

4.       Right now, (11/01/2004) there are 30 states which are poised to make abortion illegal within a year if the Supreme Court reverses its 1973 ruling establishing a woman’s legal right to an abortion. 

5.       Luke 21:25 states, And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

a.      A part of the interpretation of this verse is that all the people of this world will be in great uproar, expressing their dissatisfaction with whatever is before them.   

b.      Revelation 17:1, 15 defines the waters where the whore sits as peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 

B.     The United States was formed as a republic, which means that the government rules by a standard which is unchangeable. 

1.       Today, most people (and this includes the vast majority of our elected officials, including the current president, George W. Bush) believe the United States is a democracy, which means the government is ruled by the people. 

2.       The Bible has been discarded as a standard, and is being replaced by the standard of whatever the people think. 

3.       Politicians (there seems to be no statesmen anymore) vote according to the latest poll, not according to the standard established by the constitution or the Word of God. 

4.       Frankly, politicians (and most everybody else) get into trouble for even mentioning the word “God”.

 

Introduction

Verse 1-3

 

Verse 1 –  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

I.    It is amazing to compare this first verse to the title of this book in the Thompson Chain Reference Bible.

A.     Revelation 1:1 states this book is the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1.       Thompson (and most other publications) state this is the revelation of John the Divine.

2.       I do not know if there is an intention of saying that the book of Revelation originated with John, but if that intention is there, it is false.

B.     This book is the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1.       The word “revelation” means a revealing, a lightening, a manifestation, or coming.

2.       The facts of this book are revealed, not hidden.

3.       Jesus Christ has written all these prophecies down for us because he wants us to understand what is going to take place.

4.       It is wonderful to know that God does not want any of his children to be in the dark about the future, or what his plans are for this world.

5.       Anybody that does not know the future hasn’t read the Word of God.

 

II.    God gave this revelation to Jesus Christ, so he could show unto his servants the future.

A.     Note the “chain of command” or how the word passes from God to us.

1.       God gave the revelation to Jesus Christ.

2.       Jesus Christ gave the revelation to his servants by giving it to his angel.

3.       The angel gave the revelation to John.

4.       John gave the revelation to the seven churches of Asia. 

5.       When Jesus wrote the letters to the seven churches of Asia, he always addressed the letters to “the angel of the church of”. 

B.     God retains the principles of distributing his word.

1.       All through the Bible God speaks to one man, who tells the word of God to others.

2.       God spoke to Adam, who spoke the word to his family, starting with Eve.

3.       God spoke to Noah, who told of the coming flood.

4.       God spoke to the prophets of old, who preached the truth of God.

5.       God speaks to preachers today, who preach the word of God to all who would hear. 

6.       Church members are to tell the word of God to all they come in contact with. 

7.       This revelation is given by God to Jesus Christ, who speaks to his messenger, who speaks to John, who speaks to all the servants of God.

C.     Word meanings:

1.       The word “revelation” means that which is revealed, to put light upon a thing, to manifest a thing.

2.       “Servants” means those that have subjected their wills to the will of God.

3.       “Shortly” means at a fixed position in place, time or state.

a.      We understand the word shortly to mean soon, and these things will come to pass soon.

b.      The primary meaning is that these things definitely will come to pass, at a fixed time in place, time or state. 

4.       “Signify” means to give a sign, or to make known.

a.      I have heard it said that to signify means to give out in signs.

b.      There are many “strange symbols” in the book of Revelation, all of which must be interpreted according to the Bible.

c.      I believe the proper interpretation is to take everything literally, except that which the Bible reveals to be figurative.

D.     This revelation is not meant for everybody.

1.       The person who will not put their wills under subjection to God is not meant to have this revelation.

2.       This revelation is not meant for the person that is lost.

 

III.    It seems the writer of the gospel of John and the writer of Revelation is the same.

A.     This is the half-brother of Jesus Christ and the whole brother of James, who was killed by Herod as revealed in Acts 12:2, And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 

B.     John and James are the sons of Zebedee, Matthew 4:21 - And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

1.       According to Matthew 20:20-23, the mother of James and John came to Christ, asking him to allow her two sons to sit on either side of him in the kingdom. 

2.       Christ replied that indeed these two sons would suffer as he suffered, in martyrdom. 

3.       It is interesting to see the desire of the mother for her sons to be great in the kingdom of God. 

4.       Often, the way to greatness is through suffering. 

 

Verse 2 –  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

I.    John had already done three things.

A.     He had given record that the Word of God was true.

1.       Verse 9 –This is one of the reasons he is exiled to Patmos.

2.       The enemies who exiled John to this island believed they had gotten rid of their problem, but God will use John’s exile to show even more people more truth.

3.       We should never be discouraged when things do not go as we wish – God will always bless us if we will continually submit to him.

B.     He had given witness that Jesus Christ is the son of God.

1.       Verse 9 – This is another reason he is exiled to Patmos.

2.       The witness that John will give concerning Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation is entirely different from the witness he gave face to face, but I am very thankful for this witness to me.

C.     He had given witness of all that he had seen.

1.       Verse 9 – This is yet another reason he is exiled to Patmos.

2.       What John did he will continue to do.

 

II.    A person does not start to do something for God because he has the title or position.

A.     It is wrong to give a person responsibility for a thing, if he has not already taken responsibility for other things.

B.     There is nothing “beneath” us as far as being responsible is concerned.

C.     God will give us more to do when we do what is before us.

 

Verse 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.

I.    There are at least three things mentioned in this verse.

A.     Blessed is the person who reads this prophecy.

B.     Blessed are those that hear the words of this prophecy.

C.     Blessed are those that keep the words of this prophecy.

 

II.    This is the only book in the Bible with these promises.

A.     We do not have to understand.

B.     God will bless us if we read, and consider well the things mentioned in this book.

 

Salutations

Verse 4-8

 

Verse 4 –  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

I.    John to the seven churches which are in Asia.

A.     This book of Revelation is written only to the seven named churches which are located in Asia.

1.       There is no doubt there are more churches than these seven.

2.       The church at Jerusalem and Antioch are still alive and active.

B.     There is no doubt John was well known to these churches.

1.       He did not introduce himself to them,

2.       nor make any proclamation of his authority to write.

 

II.    Grace and peace to those seven churches from God, the holy Spirit of God and Jesus Christ.

A.     All grace and peace comes from the holy trinity; none comes from this world.

B.     Verse 8 gives additional descriptions of the godhead.

 

III.    The trinity of God gives salutation.

A.     From him which is and was and is to come – God Almighty – God the Father.

1.       The phrase “was, is and is to come” appears only three times in the entire Bible.

a.      Revelation 1:4 – John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

b.      Revelation 1:8 – I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

c.      Revelation 4:8 – And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

2.       All of these times refer to God the Father, but it is also clearly understood that the trinity is also referred to.

B.     From the seven spirits, which is the Holy Spirit of God.

1.       Old Testament revelation of the Holy Spirit.

a.      Isaiah 11:2 states, And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD

b.      The Spirit of wisdom

c.      The Spirit of understanding.

d.      The spirit of counsel

e.      The spirit of might.

f.       The spirit of knowledge.

g.      The spirit of the fear of the Lord.

2.       New Testament revelation of the Holy Spirit of God.

a.      John 16:7 – the Spirit of comfort for the churches of Christ.

b.      The Holy Spirit is all the Old Testament blessings, plus the New Testament blessings of comforter.

 

Verse 5 – And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

I.    There are two who are writing this book to the seven churches of Asia.

A.     John and Jesus Christ.

B.     God almost always uses human instrumentality to accomplish his will in this earth.

 

II.    Jesus Christ is:

A.     The faithful witness.

1.       Jesus Christ came into this world to do the will of the Father, not his own will.

2.       John 5:30 – I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

3.       Everything Jesus did, he did to honor and glorify his father, and this he will continue to do.

B.     The first begotten of the dead

1.       There is some controversy over this passage, because some folks say those Old Testament saints raised from the dead were before Jesus Christ.

2.       All Old Testament saints raised from the dead before Christ (in time) were raised by the power of God.

3.       Jesus Christ was raised from the dead in eternity, before time was established, so it is not right to say Old Testament saints were raised before Christ.

C.     The prince of the kings of the earth.

1.       Ephesians 2:2 – It is true that Satan is now the prince and power of the air, but he will not hold that position forever.

2.       Revelation 11:15 states that at the end of the great tribulation all the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of God.

3.       Revelation 19:16 – Jesus comes as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

4.       Ephesians 1:21 states that Christ will be placed far above all principalities, all power, all might, all dominion, and every name, not only in this world, but also in the world to come.

 

III.    Beginning here and continuing into verse 6, a description is given of some of the things God has done for us.

A.     Unto him that loved us.

1.       When there was no cause for him to love us.

a.      I John 4:10 – Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

b.      I John 4:19 – We love him, because he first loved us.

2.       The beginning of our salvation and faithfulness to God originates with God, not with us.

a.      Deuteronomy 7:7-8 – The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

b.      Ephesians 2:4-5 – But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

B.     Washed us from our sins in his own blood.

1.       Our cleansing from sin is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but we are clean by the blood of Jesus Christ.

a.      I Corinthians 6:11 – It is very remarkable that the very wicked sinners described in these verses have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

b.      Even those that have not sinned after the physical manner of these of I Corinthians 6:11 are the same kind of sinners, and have been washed of their wicked sins by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

2.       No other blood would do, because all other blood is contaminated with sin.

a.      Hebrews 10:4 explains that it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin.

b.      Romans 5:7 – it might be that a person would die for another, but their death would not grant eternal life, because all blood (except the blood of Jesus Christ) is polluted by sin.

c.      I Peter 1:18-20 – Our redemption is not with corruptible things as silver and gold, or good intentions, but we are redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

3.       The blood of Jesus Christ has no sin because he is God.

 

Verse 6 – And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I.    This verse continues the statement began in verse 5.

A.     God has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father.

1.       A king is a material ruler and a priest is a spiritual ruler.

a.      These are not separate positions, but joint positions.

b.      As Moses was the government and spiritual leader of Israel, so believers chosen from the churches of Jesus Christ will be government and spiritual leaders in eternity.

2.       Consider that God makes us kings and priests, but we must prepare.

a.      In the parable of the pounds, Luke 19:11-28, Christ gave the faithful authority over various numbers of cities.  He gave nothing to the unfaithful, but took away that which they had.

b.      In the parable of the talents, the same thing happened.

c.      The bride of Christ, Revelation 19:7,8, made herself ready for Christ, and it was granted that she should be arrayed in linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.

d.      Salvation and rewards are the result of grace, mercy and the kindness of Christ toward us, never because we deserve it.

3.       Before we are made kings and priests, we are saved.

a.      It is a very great blessings to have our sins washed away in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, but the blessings from God do not stop with salvation.

b.      It is good not to go to hell, but salvation is much more than a fire escape.

c.      We do not deserve salvation, and we do not deserve any other good thing God does for us.

4.       A king.

a.      Matthew 25:14-30 – In the parable of the talents, the faithful are rewarded by being a ruler over many things.

b.      Luke 19:11-28 – In the parable of the pounds, Christ rewards the faithful by giving them authority over the number of cities their faithfulness indicates.

c.      In this world, we may be not a king, or have authority over anything, but this world is not our home, we are just passing through.

d.      People follow a king, and in eternity all will follow those whom Christ has made king.

5.       A priest.

a.      A position of continual dedication to God.

b.      In the book of Genesis, fathers were the priest in their own family.

c.      Beginning with Israel, God chose special men to be the priests of Israel.

d.      Jesus Christ is the high priest of all time.

e.      When we correctly represent Christ to the world, and in eternity, we must also have the position of Priest.

B.     God and his Father.

1.       This verse plainly states that Jesus is God and we are made kings and priests to Jesus Christ and his Father, God the Father.

2.       Once again, Jesus is confirmed to be God, equal to his father.

 

II.    Continual glory and dominion.

A.     These are given to “him”.

1.       I believe “him” is God, as in all the trinity; Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

2.       I Corinthians 15:26-28 makes it clear that in eternity, the son shall be in subjection to his father, but in a different way that during his personal ministry.

3.       Jesus will be in such subjection to his Father than there will be no difference at all, and we will have spiritual bodies, so we will not need the difference.

B.     Glory.

1.       All praise will be directed toward God.

2.       There will no none to take any glory away.

C.     Dominion.

1.       God will be the king of kings and Lord of Lords.

2.       He will be the perfect dictator.

3.       His universe wide government will be perfectly established and nothing bad will every happen again.  [1]  [2]

 

Verse 7 – Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

I.    He cometh with clouds.

A.     This verse is not talking about the rapture.

1.       There is more than one kind of cloud. 

a.      There is the at least 9 different kinds of clouds – see http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/en/kids/cloudsat_puz2.shtml 

b.      Some clouds speak of good weather, and some clouds speak of bad weather. 

c.      There is a lot of difference between the white, billowy cloud on a summer day, and the cloud a tornado comes in.  

d.      There is also a difference in the kind of clouds in which Christ comes to this earth. 

2.       It is plain from the rest of the verse that when Christ comes in these clouds, every eye shall see him.

3.       When Christ comes in the rapture, only those he comes for will see him.

4.       This is similar to Christ coming to Saul on the Damascus road. 

5.       Acts 9:7 – Saul heard a voice and understood what was being said, while those that stood by heard a voice, but saw no man.

6.       John 12:29 – When the voice came from heaven; speaking to Christ, giving him assurance that he would be glorified as he had been glorified, some said it thundered, but others said, an angel spake to him.

7.       This shows that there was no clear message to those that are not chosen.

8.       Because we do not who God has chosen, we must make the message clear to all who will listen.

B.     The time of the appearing of Revelation 1:7 coincides with Revelation 14:14.

1.       Christ, as the avenging God, appears when the 6th seal is opened. 

a.      The opening of the 6th seal reveals that men see God, yet do not rejoice, but are filled with fear because they know the day of his wrath is come. 

b.      There will be no fear for believers at the rapture, because our Saviour and protector is come for us. 

2.       The entire tribulation period is the judgment of God upon the earth, but toward the very end of the tribulation period, the fulfillment of the wrath of God is revealed. 

a.      Revelation 14:20 describes the Battle of Armageddon, which is also described in Revelation 16:16.

b.      The vials of wrath are the means God uses to bring his judgment upon this earth.

C.     I Thessalonians 4:17 states that at the rapture, we will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to met the Lord in the air.

1.       Revelation 1:7 states that Christ will come back in the clouds; meaning that Christ will come to the earth in judgment during the tribulation period, which will progress into his eternal kingdom.

2.       I Thessalonians 4:17 states we will go into the clouds; meaning that we will ascend from this earth to meet the Lord in the air

3.       There is a difference between the two phases of the coming of Christ.

a.      The first phrase of his second coming is the rapture.

b.      The second phrase of his second coming is in judgment during the tribulation period, which progresses into the millennium reign, which progresses into his eternal kingdom.

D.     I know some will be confused as to the meaning of this passage. 

1.       The rapture does not have to be mentioned in every verse to be true.

2.       The coming of the Lord in the air when every eye shall see him does not have to be mentioned in every verse to be true.

3.       Some passages speak of the rapture and other verses speak of the coming of the Lord to the earth.

E.      Who is “he”?

1.       The verse before us makes us think God will come in the clouds, but when the verse states that those that pierced him will see him, we know Christ is the one who will come. 

2.       There are many scriptures that teach that Christ will come in the clouds (see the scriptures below).

3.       Never forget that Christ is God, and we cannot distinguish between the trinity.

4.       I believe “he” is Jesus Christ, who appeared to Old Testament and New Testament saints, was crucified, buried and risen again for our eternal salvation.

5.       The “he” is: (see verse 5,6)

a.      The faithful witness.

b.      The firs begotten of the dead.

c.      The prince of the kings of the earth.

d.      The one who loved us.

e.      The one who washed us from our sins in his own blood.

f.       The one who has made us kings unto God the Father.

g.      The one who has made us priests unto God the Father.

F.      Coming in the clouds speaks of comfort (soft clouds) or judgment (storm cloud).  See “judgment” following.

1.       Exodus 13:21,22 – God establishes the pillar of fire to lead Israel by night and the cloud by day. 

2.       Exodus 14:19,20; 24 – When Israel was in danger, the pillar of fire removed from before Israel and traveled behind them where it gave light to Israel, but blinded the Egyptians. 

3.       Matthew 17:5 – a bright cloud overshadowed the transfiguration.

 

II.    Every eye shall see him.

A.     All the inhabitants of the earth shall see Jesus when he comes the second time.

1.       When Christ comes in the rapture, only believers will see him.

a.      I Corinthians 15:52 states we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, which is faster than a blink.

b.      This is not the blinking of an eye, but a twinkling.

c.      A twinkle takes place quicker than the eyelid can blink.

d.      It is quite apparent that we will not have time to see him when he comes for us in the rapture.

B.     When every eye shall see Christ coming, it is apparent he is returning to the earth as he ascended into heaven in Acts 1:9.

1.       Note: a cloud received Jesus Christ into heaven and he will descend from a cloud to end the tribulation period. 

2.       Matthew 24:30 - And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

3.       Matthew 26:64 – Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

C.     When Christ came as a baby, many did not see him as the Christ.

1.       The scriptures were plainly fulfilled, but because Christ did not come as the Jews expected him to come, they rejected him.

2.       Israel’s eyes were blinded that they might not see.

a.      John 12:40 – He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

b.      Romans 11:7 – What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

c.      II Corinthians 3:14 – But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

3.       Some would believe God is unjust in blinding Israel.

a.      Romans 9:13-33 makes it clear that God can do with his creation as he so pleases.

b.      When the Jews were blinded, God turned to the Gentiles, and that is us.

c.      In our minds, if the Jews had not been blinded, God would not have turned to us.

4.       All those that do not see Christ as Saviour, will see him as judge.  [3]

 

III.    And they also which pierced him.

A.     This part of the verse speaks of the nation of Israel.

1.       It is true that the Jewish nation “saw” Jesus physically when they killed him, but this time they will see him spiritually, as the redeemer they missed.

2.       This is something like Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:3 …Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

3.       Israel will mourn, not just because they missed Christ, but because they are facing his righteous judgment, yet tempered with mercy. 

B.     The time of Israel seeing Christ will be during the tribulation period, while the world will see him in his wrath at the beginning of the tribulation period, and continuing throughout the tribulation.

1.       Zechariah 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 

a.      The nation of Israel will see a merciful Christ at the beginning of the tribulation period when the world sees Christ in his wrath. 

b.      According to Revelation 7:1-8, there will be 144,000 saved out of the tribulation, along with a vast multitude of Gentiles. 

c.      This 144,000 are mentioned again in Revelation 14:1-5 as they praise God before his throne. 

2.       John 19:37  And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

3.       There are two interpretations to most prophecies: a short term interpretation that all can see immediately, and another long term future interpretation. 

a.      The short term proves the long term.

b.      John 19:37 is the short term interpretation, and Zechariah 12:10 is the long term interpretation.

C.     Judgment: When Christ comes in the clouds, he is coming in judgment of the entire world, which includes Israel, yet the judgment against Israel is tempered with Godly mercy.

1.       Revelation 14:14-16 – And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

a.      This passage takes place toward the very end of the Great Tribulation.

b.      It must be noted that God does not destroy this world until he gives them one more opportunity to repent and turn to him.

2.       Isaiah 19:1 – The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

a.      This entire chapter speaks of the destruction of Egypt, not in the days of Moses, but in a future day. 

b.      The remainder of the chapter tells of the return of Egypt to the Lord, and of being a third with Israel and Assyria.

3.       Daniel 7:13 – I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 

a.      According to verse 9, this happens after all the thrones are cast down, and the ancient of days sits upon his eternal throne.

b.      Verse 12 records that all the dominion of the beasts, which speaks of the Babylonians, the Grecians, the Medes and Persians, and the Romans, is ended, Christ will begin to reign.

4.       Nahum 1:3 – The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

a.      The Lord is slow to anger and great in mercy toward all.

b.      Even though God is slow to anger, he will judge in righteousness all those that do not turn to him in repentance and faith.

5.       Matthew 24:30 – And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

a.      Many deny God exists, or that he has any power to do anything.

b.      This will be a great day of reconciliation for them.

6.       When Christ returns to the earth, he will establish his millennium kingdom, which is a prelude to his eternal kingdom.  Acts 1:9-11 – And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

D.     Israel will not have to undergo the wrath of God as the world does.

1.        God is chastening his people for their unbelief, but will judge the world because they have completely and totally rejected him.

2.       Revelation 12:13-17 – Israel will be kept safe from Satan’s fierce wrath when she flees into the place in the wilderness, where God nourishes her for the last 3½ years of the tribulation period.

 

IV.    The world shall wail because of him.

A.     The word “all” means everybody of every nation. 

1.       The saved will be taken out at the rapture, therefore they will not on the earth.

2.       Jesus Christ is not coming to bring redemption, or to show mercy, but to bring judgment.

3.       People left on the earth know they are guilty, do not repent, but dread the soon coming judgment.

B.     The following passages makes it abundantly clear that all the earth shall mourn when Christ appears in the clouds.

1.       Revelation 6:15-17 – And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens 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 that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

2.       Matthew 24:30 – And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

C.     If this appearing was the rapture, some on the earth would not mourn, but would be exceeding glad.

 

V.    Even so,  Amen.

A.     This verse speaks of great misery that shall come upon people in the last days.

1.       Even though this great misery shall come, the prayer is still that God will come and reveal himself in all his glory, honor, splendor, justice and judgment.

2.       Revelation 6:16 tells of rebellious people who will not repent, but rather call out to the rock and mountains to fall on them to hide them from the face of God and from the wrath of the lamb.

3.       Revelation 22:20 states that God will come quickly.  Then the passage records the prayer of John as he prays, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

B.     The earnest prayer of every believer is that souls would repent and believe in Christ for eternal salvation.

1.       But we cannot make anybody repent or believe.

2.       Believers are more interested in God receiving honor than we are in betraying the will of God for those who will not believe.  [4]

 

VI.    The significance of clouds.

A.     Psalms 97:2 – Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.  Clouds do more than bring us rain and shade the hot sun from our eyes.

1.       Gen. 9:13-16 – the promise that God would never again destroy the world by water is confirmed by the rainbow, which appears in the clouds.

2.       The pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire led Israel out of Egypt.

a.      Exodus 13:21,22 – And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

b.      Exodus 14:19,20 – And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

c.      Exodus 14:24 – The cloud was a defense to Israel and a hurt to Egypt.  And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

3.       The Cloud filled the Tabernacle as a token of God’s approval.  Exodus 40:34-38 – Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

4.       The cloud filled the temple as a token of God’s approval.  I Kings 8:10,11 – And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 - So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

5.       A description of God.

a.      Ezekiel 1:4 – And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

b.      Ezekiel 1:28 – As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

6.       Christ appeared in a cloud at the Mount of Transfiguration.  Matt. 17:5 – While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

7.      Christ shall appear in the clouds when He returns to the earth and begins his earthly millennium reign.

a.      Matthew 24:30 –And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

b.      Matthew 26:64 – Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

8.       The ascension of Christ was into the clouds.

a.      Acts 1:9 –And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

b.      The rapture will take place in the clouds, not when Christ physically returns to the earth.  The second return of Christ is in two phases: the first phase is the rapture, and the second is his literal return to the earth to rule for 1,000 years. 

c.      I Thess. 4:17 – Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

9.       The second phase of the return of the Lord will be literal and will be seen by everybody - even the lost.  Revelation 1:7 – Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

10.   The two witnesses will be killed during the tribulation period, lay in the streets of Jerusalem for 3½ days, then be received up into heaven in a cloud.  Revelation 11:12 – And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

11.   The final judgment and destruction of this world will be by Christ from a cloud.

a.      Revelation 14:14 – And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

b.      Revelation 14:15 – And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

c.      Revelation 14:16 – And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

B.     Song: The Unclouded Day

 


Verse 1

O they tell me of a home far beyond the skies,

O they tell me of a home far away;

O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day

 

Chorus:

O the land of cloudless day,

O the land of an unclouded day,

O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day.

 

 

 

 

Verse 2

O they tell me of a home where my friends have gone,

O they tell me of that land far away,

Where the tree of life in eternal bloom

Sheds its fragrance thro’ the unclouded day

 

Verse 3

O they tell me of a king in his beauty there,

And they tell me that mine eyes shall behold

Where He sits on the throne that is whiter than snow

In the city that is made of gold.

 

Verse 4

O they tell me that he smiles on his children there,

And His smile drives their sorrows all away;

And they tell me that no tears ever come again,

In that lovely land of unclouded day.


 

 

Verse 8 – I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

I.    This is God, who is revealed in the flesh as Jesus Christ.

A.     New Testament Scriptures.

1.       Revelation 1:17-18 – Jesus here reveals he is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but now lives.

2.       Revelation 2:17 – In the letter to the church at Smyrna, Jesus refers to himself as the first and the last, which was dead, and is now alive.

3.       Revelation 21:6 -  This is no doubt Jesus Christ, who is described as God – the alpha and omega – the beginning and the end.

4.       Revelation 22:13 – Here God is clearly revealed as Jesus Christ – who is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

B.     Old Testament Scriptures.

1.       Isaiah 41:4 – God of the Old Testament is seen here.  This is Jesus Christ, who is the first and the last.

2.       Isaiah 43:10-11 – This passage makes it abundantly clear that Jesus Christ, the only Saviour, is God Almighty.

3.       Isaiah 44:6 – Here God the Father and God the Son are seen separately.

a.      God the Father – The LORD the King of Israel.

b.      God the Son – his redeemer the LORD of hosts.

4.       Isaiah 48:12,13 – God is calling to Israel to know who he is.

a.      He is the first and the last.

b.      He is the creator.

 

II.    Almighty God.  Exodus 6:3 - And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

A.     God Almighty – El Shaddai - God all sufficient.

1.       New Testament Scritpures.

a.      In Revelation 4:8 the four living creatures give glory to the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come.

b.      In Revelation 11:17 – the 24 elders give glory to the Lord God Almighty, …which art, and wast, and art to come…

c.      Revelation 16:14-16 – the Battle of God Almighty is the Battle of Armageddon.

d.      Revelation 19:15 – The winepress of the wrath of God Almighty is trodden by Jesus Christ.

e.      Revelation 21:22 – In this verse, God the Father and God the Son is separated.

2.       New Testament Scriptures.  The Old Testament usually refers to God as God Almighty instead of Jehovah.  Not only were the people respectful of the name Jehovah, but the name God Almighty represents Jesus Christ.

a.      Genesis 17:1 – It was God Almighty (Jesus Christ) who appeared to Abraham when he was 99 years old.

b.      Genesis 28:3 – The blessing of Isaac upon Jacob was that God Almighty (Jesus Christ, would make him fruitful.

c.      Genesis 35:10,11 – God Almighty (Jesus Christ) changed Jacob’s name to Israel.

d.      Genesis 43:14 – Jacob blessed his sons in the name of God Almighty (Jesus Christ) when he sent them to Joseph in Egypt with Benjamin.

e.      Genesis 49:25 – When Jacob, upon his death bed, blessed Joseph, he referred to God the Father (the God of thy fathers) and God the Son (the Almighty).

f.       Isaiah 9:6,7 – In this prophecy about Jesus Christ, he is referred to as the mighty God.

B.     Jehovah - The eternal ever existing one.  Continual greater revealing of God.

1.       God will now be performing what He has promised.

2.       God will now be perfecting what He has begun.

3.       Genesis 2:4 - LORD God - compare “God” in Gen. 1 and 2.

a.      The word “God” in Genesis 1 and 2 is always “elohiym” (the supreme God).

b.      The word “LORD” in Genesis 2:4 is “yehovah” (self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah).

4.       Genesis 2:7 - LORD God creating man.  Notice the two different words used to describe God.

5.       Revelation 19:12 - A name of God not revealed.  “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.”

 

John’s Message

Verse 9-20

 

Verse 9 – I John, who 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.

I.    John gives a description of himself.

A.     He is their brother.

B.     He is their companion…

1.       in tribulation

2.       In the kingdom.

3.       in the patience of Jesus Christ.

II.    John’s current position.

A.     He is in the isle of Patmos.

B.     Because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Verse 10 – I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

I.    The time

II.    What John heard.

 

Verse 11 – Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, 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.

I.    John is commanded to write all he sees into a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia.

A.     Therefore we know the book of Revelation is a vision seen by John.

B.     There are not more visions today. 

C.     I heard the Church of Christ preacher (the one whose broadcast follows ours on KWRE) say the book of revelation was written to these seven churches, therefore the letters are not written to us and do not apply to us.

1.       It is too bad he does not use that same logic on all the other books of the Bible, for (according to his logic) none of those books were written to present day churches.  Therefore (according to his logic) churches today have no word from God.

2.       The Church of Christ people are “in the main” “A” millennium.

 

II.    Why did God chose to write to these seven churches?

A.     I know there are more churches, and bigger and more prominent churches than these.

B.     Only the church at Ephesus and the church at Thyatira are mentioned in scripture.

1.       Thyatira is mentioned in Acts 16:14, where Lydia was saved, baptized and a church was formed.

2.       It is amazing to me that the church there was composed of:

a.      a believing rich lady and her household,

b.      and a woman who had a demon cast out of her,

c.      and a believing jailer and his household. 

d.      We often think a church should be composed of people from nearly the same place in society, but that is not what God wanted.

e.      Saved, scripturally baptized people from all levels of society are able to associate and fellowship together because of Christ.

f.       That is the same material society is made up of, but often we do not think of all the various people that make up

 

Verse 12 – And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

I.    When John turned to see the voice, he saw the candlesticks first.

A.     The candlesticks are the seven churches, therefore John saw the seven churches before the saw Jesus.

B.     The church is the body of Christ, therefore it is fitting that John saw the churches as physical representatives of Christ.

 

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.

I.    The candlestick of Israel are in a row, but it seems this candlestick is in a circle with Christ in the middle.

 

II.    Being girt about the paps (breast) is a sign of the judgment of God.

A.     Revelation 15:6 reveals the angels with the seven vials are also girded with golden girdles about their breasts.

B.     Isaiah 11:5 speaks of the girdle of the Lord during the millennium, which is girt about the loins, not the breast.

C.     Exodus 28:15 describes the breastplate of judgment which is worn by the priests.

D.     The girdle described in Exodus 28:4 is a sash or a waistband.

E.      There is no reflection of judgment here, but of sacrifice. 

 

Verse 14 – His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

I.    White hair.  Daniel 10:4-6 – the vision Daniel saw describes the same Saviour John saw.

A.     The whiteness could also be described as brightness, as it is in Daniel 10:6.

B.     All these things talk about the coming judgment of God upon this sin cursed world.

 

II.    Eyes as a flame of fire points to the judgment of God.

A.     I Corinthians 3:15 states that Christ will burn works of wood, hay and stubble.

 

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.

I.    This description is also found in Daniel 10:4-6, giving a like description of Christ.

 

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 shineth in his strength.

I.    The seven stars in the hand of Christ shows who has control of his churches, of which he is the head.

II.    The twoedged sword is the Word of God, the Bible.

A.     Hebrews 4:12 states, 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.

1.       Revelation 2:12 describes the sword as having two edges.

2.       This sword cuts going both ways.

 

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:

I.    There is so much majesty with God that we cannot begin to understand it, comprehend it, or stand it.

A.     Moses had to put a vail on his head after he had been with God for 40 days.  Israel could not stand to look upon him.

1.       I think if we were really with God as we know we should be, this world would not be able to stand us.

2.       Instead they can stand us, mix with us and be a part of us because we have not really been with God.

B.     Ezekiel 1:28 – Ezekiel also fell down as dead.

C.     Daniel 8:18 – Daniel fell into a deep sleep.

D.     God gave strength to John.

E.      Daniel 8:18 – God also gave Daniel strength.

F.      Daniel 10:10 – Daniel received strength from God the second time.

 

Verse 18 – I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

 

Verse 19 – Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

I.    John is commanded to write three things:

A.     The things which thou hast seen – chapter one.

B.     The things which are – chapter two and three.

C.     The things which shall be hereafter – chapter four through twenty-two.

 

Verse 20 – The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest 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 sawest are the seven churches.

I.    Definitions.

A.     The seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches.

B.     The seven candlesticks are the seven churches.

C.     Every church has a special messenger from God.  [5]



[1] Preached to here 10/13/2004 IBC Wednesday Evening

[2] Preached to here 04/28/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening

[3] Preached to here 10/20/2004 IBC Wednesday Evening

[4] Preached to here 11/10/2004 Wednesday Evening IBC

[5] Preached to here 04/18/2007 IBC Wednesday Evening