< Revelation 1 >

The “Revelation of Jesus Christ” is the last message from heaven recorded in the scriptures. God gave it to Jesus who sent his angel to deliver it to the apostle John, exiled by the Romans on the island of Patmos, to show his disciples events which were to happen in the earth beginning shortly after the prophecy was received (vs.1-2).Revelation 1:1-2XWaiting for response The revelation was “signified”, i.e. expressed in signs, so it is necessary to compare scripture with scripture to determine what the symbols mean. Those who study the Bible carefully and have a knowledge of history can readily see that God remarkably revealed beforehand what would happen during the two thousand years from John’s day to the coming of Christ. A blessing is pronounced on those who read this prophecy intelligibly and respond to the instructions therein (v.3),Revelation 1:3XWaiting for response and they are also blessed now in being able to see the hand of God at work throughout history and in making themselves ready for the return of the Lord Jesus.

John first revealed the prophecy to the disciples in seven churches (“ecclesia” in Greek) in Asia Minor v.4,Revelation 1:4XWaiting for response making known that the message came from Jesus who shed his blood for them, who is the first begotten from the dead, who is exalted to be “Prince [Chief Ruler] of the kings of the earth”, and who will come again and be acknowledged by all the world vs.5-7.Revelation 1:5-7XWaiting for response As this is a book of symbol, these seven ecclesias/ churches are likely the people in each period of time up until Jesus returns. An alternative suggestion is they could be groups separated by distance throughout the earth at any time. Or perhaps they are simply people in different circumstances. No matter what they represent, the value is clear in learning from these messages from Jesus.

John was shown a vision of “the Lord’s day” when Christ will return and raise the dead with a great voice and the sound of a trumpet v.10.Revelation 1:10XWaiting for response John saw the multitudinous Christ in glory, i.e. the body of saints of which Jesus is the head v.14.Revelation 1:14XWaiting for response He will come as the sun of righteousness v.16,Revelation 1:16XWaiting for response united with a multitude of saints whose voice is like many waters, i.e. peoples. The aspect of the body is fearful because it will be a time of judgment – by him who has a two-edged sword and burning feet to trample the wicked vs.15-16.Revelation 1:15-16XWaiting for response

At that time Jesus was in heaven but he was fully aware of events on the earth and in the lives of his disciples. He is therefore symbolized as the Son of man walking among the golden candlesticks which represent the ecclesias vs.12,20.Revelation 1:12,20XWaiting for response It was to seven of these ecclesias that the message was sent, and John was told to write what he saw concerning the state of the disciples at that time as well as of future events to affect both the disciples and the inhabitants of the earth v.19.Revelation 1:19XWaiting for response

In common with all of the visions of Revelation, the book opens with the end of the matter, and then returns to describe those events which happened on the way. The end of the matter for the first vision is the Multitudinous Christ.

Seven candlesticks [light stands] - seven churches

Garment clothed down to the foot - clothed with righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21,2 Corinthians 5:21XWaiting for response Isaiah 61:10,Isaiah 61:10XWaiting for response Revelation 19:7-8).Revelation 19:7-8XWaiting for response

Golden girdle - girded with tried faith (1 Peter 1:7).1 Peter 1:7XWaiting for response

Head and hairs like wool - Jesus is the lamb and at the head of the church which is the body of saints (John 1:29,John 1:29XWaiting for response Colossians 1:18).Colossians 1:18XWaiting for response

Eyes as a flame of fire - discerning judgment (Isaiah 66:15-16,Isaiah 66:15-16XWaiting for response Ezekiel 39:6,Ezekiel 39:6XWaiting for response Daniel 7:10).Daniel 7:10XWaiting for response

Feet like fine brass… in a furnace - saints treading on the wicked (Malachi 4:1-3,Malachi 4:1-3XWaiting for response Psalm 18:37-38).Psalm 18:37-38XWaiting for response

Voice as the sound of many waters - voice of many people, ie the multitude of saints (Revelation 19:6).Revelation 19:6XWaiting for response

Two edged sword out of mouth - judgment declared (Ephesians 6:17,Ephesians 6:17XWaiting for response Isaiah 11:4,Isaiah 11:4XWaiting for response Psalm 149:6-9).Psalm 149:6-9XWaiting for response

Jesus will also bring everlasting salvation. He is the one who was dead but is alive for evermore and he comes with the key of hell (the grave) and of death v.18.Revelation 1:18XWaiting for response He will open the grave and release the faithful, then close it again so that they will never return to it. He is a manifestation of God, and they will be also. The LORD declared he is the first and the last (Isaiah 44:6)Isaiah 44:6XWaiting for response and he will manifest himself in Jesus and the saints. Jesus was the first one raised from the dead to the divine nature, and the saints will be the last ones v.17.Revelation 1:17XWaiting for response