Revelation Chapter 1...Revelation: ch. 1 verse 10; ch. 4 verse 2; ch. 17 verse 3; ch. 21 verse 10 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space ___ _ ___ Question 3:

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ Chapter 1

~The Time is at Hand~

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him… 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.

-Revelation 1: 1,4

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Revelation Chapter One The Time is at Hand

In the opening verses of chapter one the reader learns that the revelation came:

• From God • Through His Son • Communicated to an angel who then • Revealed the message to John

As the disciple testifies he “bare witness to the Word of God.” In chapter one we have an exposition as to where John was when he was given this information and the reader is prepared to hear the Words of the Lord as to what will occur before, during, and after His Second Advent. As if this wasn’t enough reason for us to immerse ourselves in the book, we are informed in verse 3 that anyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words that are written within, is blessed, for “the time is at hand.” The first nine verses of the opening chapter lead up to verse 10; and they all foreshadow coming judgment. All the visions which follow lead up to the grand Unveiling which is reached in chapter 19; where the Lord Jesus is seen coming with the armies of heaven to execute judgment on the Devil, the Beast, the False Prophet, and their followers.

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The Structure of Revelation Chapter One

Correspondences Verse(s) A1 The angel testifying 1 B1 The things testified 2 C1 Benediction (“Blessed”) 3- D1 Advent (“The time is at hand.”) -3 A2 John testifying 4- B2 The things testified -4,5- C2 Ascription (“Unto Him.”) -5,6 D2 Advent (“Behold He Cometh.”) 7,8 -------------------------------------------- A3 John testifying 9- B3 The things testified -9-11 D3 Advent (Visions of the Coming One.) 12-16 C3 Salutation (“Fear not.”) 17- A4 Jesus testifying (of Himself) -17-18 B4 The things testified 19 D4 Advent (Visions of the Lord’s coming referred to-) 20- C4 Interpretation (The 7 Stars are…”) -20

These are set in antithetical order

These are set in antithetical order

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Revelation Chapter One Warm-up Questions

Verse 10 of chapter one is a key point in understanding the book.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day The question that lies before us is two-fold: 1. What does it mean to be in the Spirit? 2. When is The Lord’s Day? Lets compare Scripture with Scripture in order to obtain a true sense of the phrase in the spirit. Question 1: Read the following Scriptures; in what ways did the Spirit interact with Ezekiel and Phillip? Ezekiel: ch. 2 verse 2; ch. 8 verse 3; ch. 11 verses 1, 5, & 24 Acts: ch. 8 verses 26-40 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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Question 2: Read the different occurrences of John’s experiences in the spirit. How do they compare with Ezekiel’s? Revelation: ch. 1 verse 10; ch. 4 verse 2; ch. 17 verse 3; ch. 21 verse 10 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Question 3: What do the Lord’s Words concerning the Spirit in John 14:15-17 mean to you? Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Question 4: Revelation chapter one mentions “The Lord’s Day.” People generally believe this expression refers to what day of the week? Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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John was taken in the spirit to The Lord’s Day. There is one thing that needs to be remembered. The Lord’s Day in the New Testament is The Day of the Lord in the Old Testament. The difference in wording is due to the Old Testament Hebrew and the New Testament Greek. Question 5: Read the following passages. Based on these Scriptures: Does it seem that the Day of the Lord is a day of the week? What happens on the Lord’s Day? Isaiah: ch. 2-verse 12 -a reading of the chapter will give the reader a sense of that day- ch. 13 verse 6; and ch. 13 verse 9 Ezekiel: ch. 13 verse 5 Joel: ch. 1 verse 15; ch. 2 verses 1, 11; ch. 3 verse 14 Amos: ch. 5 verse 18,20; Obadiah: ch. 1 verse 15 Zephaniah: ch. 1 verses 7,14 Malachi: ch. 4 verse 5 1 Thessalonians: ch. 5 verse 2 2 Thessalonians 2: ch. 2 verses 2-3 2 Peter: ch. 3 verse 10 Additional References: Romans 2:5; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 & 5:9; Revelation 6:16-17; 11:18; and 19: 15 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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Question 6: In the following Scriptures, what is God’s warning? Revelation ch. 22 verses 18-21; Ezekiel ch. 1-3 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 1 Verses 1-7

Revelation 1 KJV 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ,

V which God gave unto Him, V to shew unto his servants V things which must shortly come to pass; V and he sent and signified it by his angel V unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record of the word of God,

V and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, V and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth,

V and they that hear the words of this prophecy, V and keep those things which are written therein: V for the time is at hand.

4 John to the seven churches, which are in Asia:

V Grace be unto you, V and peace, V from him which is, V and which was, V and which is to come; V and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ,

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

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;

V to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. V Amen.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;

V and every eye shall see him, V and they also which pierced him: V and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. V Even so, Amen.

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Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 1 Verses 8-17 8 I am Alpha and Omega,

V the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, V which is, V and which was, V and which is to come, V the Almighty.

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation,

V and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, V was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, V and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,

V and heard behind me a great voice, V as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega,

V the first and the last: V and, What thou seest, write in a book, V and send it unto the seven churches V which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto

Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.

V And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man,

V clothed with a garment down to the foot, V and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow;

V and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace;

V and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars:

V and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: V and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.

V And he laid his right hand upon me, V saying unto me, V Fear not; I am the first and the last:

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Chapter Read (KJV) Revelation 1 Verses 18-20

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

19 Write the things which thou hast seen,

V and the things which are, V and the things which shall be hereafter;

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand,

V and the seven golden candlesticks. V The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: V and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 1 Revelation 1 KJV 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, NAB 1 This is the Revelation God gave to Jesus Christ,

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ ...this is the Divine Title of the Book;it is often called the Apocalypse which is the transliteration of the Greek word Revelation.

• Revelation means: The unveiling in this case the manifestation of our Lord Jesus

Christ, His 2nd Advent, the visible appearance of Christ on Earth.

• It also means the taking off of the veil of the future and disclosing the course of events that will take place.

• Both meanings take place in The Revelation of Jesus Christ, our Lord’s 2nd

Advent and the events that will take place before, during, and after His advent, (see introduction).

• Divine Names: Jesus Christ in the Holy Gospels our Lord’s Divine Name when

combined means ‘Jesus the Messiah;’ and in the Epistles it means Jesus Who humbled Himself but is now exalted and glorified as Christ (the Anointed One).

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 1 continued Revelation 1 KJV 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ,

V which God gave unto Him, NAB 1 This is the Revelation God gave to Jesus Christ,

• which God gave unto Him... God as Sovereign informs His servants through Jesus Christ our Divine mediator. This is evident in the following Scripture taking from Isaiah.

Isaiah 42 1 Behold My servant,(God is Speaking) whom I uphold;

• mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; • I have put my spirit upon him: • he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

2 He shall not cry,

• nor lift up, • nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

3 A bruised reed shall he not break,

• and the smoking flax shall he not quench: • he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

4 He shall not fail

• nor be discouraged, • till he have set judgment in the earth: • and the isles shall wait for his law.

5 Thus saith God the LORD

• Our Lord Jesus as a ‘bruised reed’ is not broken or quenched ‘till He have set judgment in the earth.’

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V which God gave unto Him, V to shew unto his servants V things which must shortly come to pass;

NAB 1 This is the Revelation God gave to Jesus Christ,

V that He might show His servants V what must happen very soon.

• The time has now come for Him to execute this judgment AND God from His

Throne of government gives to ‘His Servant, Jehovah-Jesus to show the future events, tribulations, judgments that will take place in The Lord’s Day.

• God unveils in Christ for our view and understanding the events described in the

70th Week of Daniel 9: 24-27. This will be the final 7 years of life, as we know it on Earth ending, with the 2nd Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

• to shew ... meaning to present to view the visions and the signs unto his servants

• Revelation is addressed to God’s servants. Some will actually experience this time on

Earth the tribulation period known as the time of Jacob’s trouble.

• Throughout the Old Testament, Israel has been defined and pronounced as God’s servant within too numerous passages to be counted. The Apocalypse concerns Israel, and the Israelites, always spoken of as ‘servants.’ However as members of the Body of Christ we are ‘in Christ.’ We have received a sonship-spirit whereby we cry, Abba, my Father...and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; Romans 8:15-17.

• As members of the Body of Christ are we not ‘servants’ of Christ knowing this is

not our title as to our standing in Christ before God, clearly stated in Galatians 4:7 ‘Thou art no more a servant but a son.’

• All sons serve (our Lord unto our Father God) and are in a sense, therefore

servants, yet ‘servants’ as such, are not necessarily sons. A son may be called a servant, but a servant can never be called a son.

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V which God gave unto Him, V to shew unto his servants V things which must shortly come to pass;


V that He might show His servants V what must happen very soon.

things which must shortly come to pass...From the first chapter of Genesis to this last Biblical book, the Lord’s Words will be fulfilled as the Lord affirms in Matthew below. Matthew 5 18 For verily I say unto you,

V Till heaven and earth pass, V one jot or one tittle V shall in no wise pass from the law, V till all be fulfilled.

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V which God gave unto Him, V to shew unto his servants V things which must shortly come to pass; V and he sent and signified it by his angel


V that He might show His servants V what must happen very soon. V He made it known by sending His angel

• and He sent and signified it... God sent it.

• signified it…means to show by signs. Caution, signified should not be restricted to

meaning only signs. This has caused The Revelation of Jesus Christ to be looked upon as a book of signs and symbols that no one can understand. Careful reading verse by verse reveals that symbols are explained and defined, within our Holy Father’s Word..

• These symbols being Divinely explained will serve as a key to those which are

unexplained. As an example, in verse 11 John being in Spirit saw 7 golden candlesticks, our Lord tells John in verse 20 that these 7 candlesticks are 7 churches, which this Holy Book is directed to.

• As we study the unveiling of Christ and the future events that lead up to our

Lord’s return we must be completely dependent upon the Spirit of God in Jesus’ Sacred Name to have the wisdom to understand this ‘sacred message’ and the knowledge to share it with our brothers and sisters. Firmly planting the ‘Seal of God’ in our mind, His Word, His Truth, His Plan in order that we may fulfill God’s spiritual mission for each of us.

Knowing this, the conclusion of God’s revelation to His children, Revelation 22 below, will be our beginning in faith: Revelation 22 6 And he said unto me,

V These sayings are faithful and true: V and the Lord God of the holy prophets V sent his angel V to shew unto his servants V the things which must shortly be done.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verses 2 & 3 Revelation 1 KJV 2 Who bare record of the word of God,

V and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, V and of all things that he saw.

NAB 2 who in reporting all he saw

V bears witness to the word of God V and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

• Who bare record... John the Apostle testifies here as a witness of the Words of Christ

and His Revelation.

• bare record of the word of God...in Holy Scripture this is a common idiomatic phrase for a direct prophetic communication. As in Daniel this is a ‘direct prophecy’ from God to our Lord, sent to John by God’s angel. This ‘direct prophecy’ is for the entire book of Revelation.

• and of the testimony of Jesus Christ...the testimony our Lord gave on Earth and

mentioned in John 1: 7. This testimony is not only what John heard, but also what he saw. In Revelation 22:6 the words are said to be both faithful and true.

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Revelation 1 KJV 3 Blessed is he that readeth,

V and they that hear the words of this prophecy, V and keep those things which are written therein: V for the time is at hand.

NAB 3 Happy is the man, who reads this prophetic message,

V and happy are those who hear it V and heed what is written in it, V for the appointed time is near!

• Blessed is he that readeth... see Ap. 3- this is the first of seven beatitudes, in

Revelation, see Rev. 14:13; Rev. 16:15; Rev.19:9; Rev. 20:6; Rev. 22:7 & 14.

• The word Blessed as in the Beatitudes means ‘to bless.’ Blessed, also has a second meaning, ‘to be happy’ and this is the usage here. Undoubtedly this ‘Blessing’ is highly disregarded. The Revelation of Jesus Christ is the most neglected Book in God’s Word.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 3 continued

• for the time is at hand… time here refers to “an ordained and appointed time.” This time is the Advent of the Day of the Lord.

• and keep in mind the things which stand written therein… "Keep" is a Hebrew idiom. The

word (...) shamar means to remember, to ponder upon. The term is also used in Luke 1:66, "and all they that heard them (the sayings) laid them up in their hearts"; Luke 2:19, "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

• Concerning our Lord’s advent, we must ponder His Words, heed His warning

Matthew 24:42, and put aside the ignorance of those mentioned in 2 Peter 3:3-4 and still others that believe they will be taken away in rapture and do not need bother to investigate the Revelation. Our concern is shared with Paul as he details in a letter to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 4 1 Let a man so account of us,

V as of the ministers of Christ, V and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

• This prophecy, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is addressed to our Father’s servants, (Rev 1,1). As God’s stewards, servants we must be the faithful ministers of the mysteries of God.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 4 Revelation 1 KJV 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia:

V Grace be unto you, and peace, V from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; V and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

NAB 4 To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

V John wishes you grace and peace- V from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come, V and from the seven spirits before His throne.

• John to the seven churches which are in Asia... The term church here means an assembly

of called out ones; in the Pauline sense it is the Body of Christ.

• The seven churches are addressed in the opening chapters of Revelation. The number seven in Scripture represents fullness and completeness. In this regard we know that John is writing to address the entire church community. The information was relevant then as it is now there will be, and must be, a people on the earth during "the Day of the Lord," The church will not be taken away in a rapture. The church and churches will need some special instruction for this future time. Where is this instruction, if it’s not that which is given to them in these seven Epistles?

• The interpretation of this instruction belongs to this future tie. But that does not

shut out the fact that we can apply the lessons given here to our own circumstances. The churches in existence in John’s day could do the same.

• Grace be unto you, and peace... John’s salutation in the Spirit of God’s Grace, His

Love for His children meaning our Father’s blessings to us even though we don’t deserve them. The peace that one has intuitively when they diligently search out the Father in Christ; read Matthew 7:7

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• from him which is, and which was, and which is to come... Here we have a reference to the Name Jehovah as was revealed in Exodus 3:14.

This same paraphrase of our Lord’s Divine Titles occurs 4 times in Revelation: Rev 1:4- from him which is, and which was, and which is to come Rev 1:8- which is, and which was, and which is to come... Rev 4:8- which was, and is, and is to come... Rev 11:17- which art, and was, and art to come...

• Notice the progressive emphasis in the describing of our Lord’s name. In Revelation 1:4 and 1:8 the emphasis falls on “is,” in Rev 4:8 the emphasis is on “was,” and in Rev 11:17 the emphasis is on “art” & “was.”

This Divine Title of our Lord, Jehovah was revealed and made known to Israel Exodus 3 14 And God said unto Moses,

V I AM THAT I AM: V and he said, V Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, V I AM hath sent me unto you.

Our Lord has borne the Title ‘The Coming One’, which is to come, is to come, art to come since the great prophecy and promise of Genesis 3:15 Genesis 3 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,

V and between thy seed and her seed; V it shall bruise thy head, V and thou shalt bruise his heel.

• From this time the coming “Seed of the woman”, Christ, has always been the

hope of God’s People and thus He is “The Coming One.”

• The Book of Revelation is the prophecy giving further details concerning His 2nd Advent. Herein our Lord will fulfill the hope of His People.

This Divine Title: which (Who) is - Essential Being, God the Son which (Who) was - Christ in eternity past which (Who) is to come - Christ, the ‘Coming One’, in future time.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 4 continued Revelation 1 KJV 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia:

V Grace be unto you, and peace, V from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; V and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

• and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne... Angels are specially called

"spirits." See Heb 1:7, 14 & Psalm 104:4 "He maketh His angels spirits." The word is used of any spiritual being, higher than men, and lower than God;

angels are constantly represented as occupying the position of servants. In Acts 8:26, "the angel of the Lord" was sent on a special mission to Philip. Immediately afterwards he is called (verse 29) "the spirit" who spake to Philip; and then, in verse 39, the same angelic messenger is called "the spirit" of the Lord," who ended his mission by catching Philip away to Azotus.

In this dispensation angels are our servants, see Heb. i. 14; ii. 1, 2, 5. In the coming Dispensation, Angels are no longer servants, they are associated with Heaven's high court, and are connected with the throne of God. The Son Himself will act as "before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8-9)

• There are some who argue that "angels" would not be mentioned in connection with God and the Lord Jesus, the answer to this statement is -yes they are- in 1 Timothy 21 it mentions "God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels."

• In Rev. 3:1, we have the seven spirits of God (mentioned above) joined with the

seven stars. In Rev 5: 6, we see these "seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."

• All these grounds are from Scripture; but the objections to them are only what

interpreters find it "difficult to believe." It is a question of what God has said; and not what man may think difficult or easy to believe.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 5 Revelation 1 KJV 5 And from Jesus Christ,

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

NAB 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead and ruler of the kings of earth. To Him Who loves and freed us from our sins by His Own Blood,

• and from Jesus Christ…the Lord once humbled is now exalted and glorified

• w ho is the faithful witness... our Lord the One who is the trustworthy, true (faithful) witness

• Our Holy Father gave His only begotten Son for the eternal salvation of His

children. As stated in Isaiah our only way spiritually back home to God is through His Son Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 55 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me:

V hear, and your soul shall live; V and I will make an everlasting covenant with you,...

4. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people,

V a leader and commander to the people. In chapter 3 of this book the Lord’s address the church of Laodiceans and speaks of Himself as the faithful, and true witness Revelation 3 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;

V These things saith the Amen, V the faithful and true witness, V the beginning of the creation of God; V And from Jesus Christ,

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verses 5-6

• from the beginning of Genesis 1:2 of this Earth Age (see 2 Peter 3) to the Lord’s Day, our Christ, our Kinsmen Redeemer has never left us, nor forsaken us - see special study God’s Plan.

Colossians 1 18 And He is the head of the body, the church:

V who is the beginning, V the firstborn from the dead; V that in all things He might have the preeminence

• and the prince of the kings of the earth…this is the fulfillment of Luke 1:32 “the Lord

God shall give unto him the throne of his father David”

• To Him that loveth us… this expression is peculiar to Israel. tells us that Jehovah's love to Israel is everlasting (Jer. 31:3. Isa. 54 ;10); that He who chose their fathers, and loved them, is now about to show that that love is still a present love, and what it is about to do for them.

• and washed (or loosed) us from our sins) In Isaiah. 40:1-2, the Lord says, "Comfort

ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare (or appointed time) is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned." And this is the object of the coming of Jesus, as announced in Matthew 1:21, "He shall save his people from their sins."

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Revelation 1 KJV 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;


NAB 6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father-- to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

• Becoming kings and priests takes place in the kingdom to come see Revelation 5:10 & 20:6.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 6 continued Revelation 1 KJV 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;


Who hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father...It is our Lord Who washed (loosed) us from our sins by His Blood and it is our Lord Who hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father. Revelation 1 5...Unto Him that loved us,

V and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Revelation 1 6 ...And hath made us kings and priests

V unto God and his Father;...

• We must search out Father’s Holy Word to understand who the ‘kings and priests’ are that will serve God when our Lord returns in His Glory.

• “And hath made us kings and priests” is a purely Hebrew in meaning. The Jews

Divine election is contained within God’s direct words to Moses on his first ascent up Mt. Sinai in the wilderness. In the following Biblical account, Israel the promised Holy Nation will be made the kingdom of priests. Note the blessing from our Lord and the conditions therein,

Exodus 19 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed,

V and keep my covenant, V then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: V for all the earth is mine: V 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. V These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

• At that time only Aaron’s descendents were priests, the Tribe of Levi.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 6 continued The same words contained within Exodus 19 are written by Peter to the ‘elect strangers’ the dispersion of the Israelites: 1 Peter 2 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,

V to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 9 But ye are a chosen generation,

V a royal priesthood, V an holy nation, V a peculiar people; V that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness

into his marvellous light:

• The Holy Spirit teaches us through Paul that it will be the ‘Melchizedek’ order of Christ, Hebrews chapters 6 through 8; that will be the priests unto God after our Lord’s 2nd Advent.

• He has made us a ‘kingly order’ - the members of which are holy and set apart

for the service of God; knowing our Lord Jesus Christ is...KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS, Revelation 19:16.

In verse 42 of Matthew 24 our Lord commands us to ‘watch’... those faithful servants who watch and wait in readiness will become rulers over His household: Matthew 24 44 Therefore be ye also ready:

V for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant,

V whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, V to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, V whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, V That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

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• In Matthew 25 our Lord continues with ‘The Parable of the Talents’ concerning our Lord’s kings, His rulers...

Matthew 25 14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,

V who called his own servants, V and delivered unto them his goods

• Within this Parable our Lord describes His return wherein His servants receive

their spiritual leadership, ‘kings’, rulers of His Kingdom during the ‘millenial reign of Christ’.

Matthew 25 19 After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh,

V and reckoneth with them.

V 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents:

V behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His Lord said unto him,

V Well done, thou good and faithful servant: V thou hast been faithful over a few things, V I will make thee ruler over many things: V enter thou into the joy of thy Lord...

• Our Holy Father’s Words are fulfilled in Revelation 20 verse 4 below:

Revelation 20 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,

V and judgment was given unto them: V and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, V and for the word of God, V and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, V neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; V and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 6 continued This ‘kingly order’ are God’s Saints meaning those who are set aside for the service of God, His servants whom The Revelation of Jesus Christ is addressed. The Apostle John’s vision in the Spirit is equally viewed by the prophet Daniel’s vision in the Spirit: Daniel 7 22 Until the Ancient of days came,

V and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; V and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

27 And the kingdom and dominion,

V and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, V shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, V Whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, V and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 7 Revelation 1 KJV 7 Behold, He cometh with clouds;


NAB 7 See He comes amid the clouds!

V Every eye shall see Him, V even of those who pierced Him. V All the peoples of the earth V shall lament Him bitterly. V So it is to be! Amen!

• Behold, he cometh with clouds... telling us we are to look in faith at this wondrous

and solemn fact. The clouds are the chariots of our Lord, Psalm 18, Daniel 7:13. This event is also mentioned in the following Gospel accounts: Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.

Matthew 24 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:

V and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, V and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven V with power and great glory.

• The Lord also reveals this in Matthew 26

Matthew 26 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said:

V nevertheless I say unto you, V Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, V and coming in the clouds of heaven.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 7 continued In the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ Luke reveals how our Lord’s ascension into Heaven would be similar to His return. Acts 1 9 And when He (Jesus) had spoken these things,

V while they beheld, V he was taken up; V and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up,

V behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee,

V why stand ye gazing up into heaven? V this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, V shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

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Revelation 1 KJV 7 Behold, He cometh with clouds;

V and every eye shall see him, NAB 7 See He comes amid the clouds!

V Every eye shall see Him,

• The word “see” in Greek is used for a person. It means to truly comprehend - all God’s children will see and know this is the Lord.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 7 continued Revelation 1 KJV 7 Behold, He cometh with clouds;

V and every eye shall see him, V and they also which pierced him:

• and they also which pierced him:... notice how these words are especially singled out.

Who are the people referred to here John the Apostle along with the women that were with our Lord during His Passion and Crucifixion describe the piercing of our Lord by a Roman soldier: John 19 33 But when they came to Jesus,

V and saw that he was dead already, V they brake not his legs:

34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side,

V and forthwith came there out blood and water.

• Zechariah throughout his prophecy vividly unveils the Wrath of God against His enemies in the day Christ returns.

Zechariah 12 10 And I will pour upon the house of David,

V and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, V the spirit of grace and of supplications: V and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, V and they shall mourn for him, V as one mourneth for his only son, V and shall be in bitterness for him, V as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem,...

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V and every eye shall see him, V and they also which pierced him: V and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.


V Every eye shall see Him, V even of those who pierced Him. V All the peoples of the earth V shall lament Him bitterly.

• And all kindreds, a better translation is ‘and all the tribes of the land’ this refers

specifically to the Tribes of Israel, the House of David, as foretold by Zechariah above. They will wail at the sight of our Lord, the Christ, Messiah.

• The mourning of Israel is for repentance. Repentance is often spoken of as the

one necessary condition of Israel’s national blessing.

• This national repentance fulfills our Lord’s Own mourning and prophecy over Jerusalem, when He was rejected as the Messiah.

• Matthew 23 below herein fulfills verse 7, Israel’s national repentance upon The

Revelation of Jesus Christ. Matthew 23 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets,

V and stonest them which are sent unto thee, V how often would I have gathered thy children together, V even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, V and ye would not!

38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you,

V Ye shall not see me henceforth, V till ye shall say, V Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

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V Every eye shall see Him, V even of those who pierced Him. V All the peoples of the earth V shall lament Him bitterly. V So it is to be! Amen!

• Even so, Amen...a double confirmation of the truth of this solemn statement. This is

a figure of speech using synonymous words that strenghten the certainty of this prophecy

• Compare this to the conclusion of the text below

Revelation 22 20 He which testifieth these things saith,

V Surely I come quickly. V Amen. Even so, V come, Lord Jesus.

• Amen meaning that is that, with the final prayer: come, Lord Jesus.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 8 Revelation 1 KJV 8 I am Alpha and Omega,

V the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, V which is, and which was, and which is to come, V the Almighty.

NAB 8 The Lord God says,”

V I Am the Alpha and the Omega, V the One Who is and Who was and Who is to come, V the Almighty!”

• I am Alpha and Omega,the beginning and the ending... this is a Hebraism, commonly used

among ancient Jewish commentators to designate the whole of anything, from the beginning to the end. Here it means the ‘first and the last’ as defined in Revelation 1:17. This definition of our Lord is also mentioned in the last chapter of the text 22:12-13.

• ...saith the Lord …more appropriately translated from the Greek texts...saith the

Lord God... this is another Old Testament title used first in Genesis 2: The use of the title Lord expresses His covenant relationship with Israel. God expresses our Father’s relationship as Creator to mankind as a whole.

• which is, and which was, and which is to come…see verse 4.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 9 Revelation 1 KJV 9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation,

V and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, V was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, V and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

NAB 9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and

perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

• I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation… the Prophets: Paul, Peter, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Andrew, etc. foresaw in the Spirit and the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ the ‘time of tribulation.’ Spiritually, Daniel and John lived through it.

• John considers all of us brothers in tribulation. As Christians we continue to fight our fleshly desires, take up our crosses, and suffer tribulation in patience waiting for the realization of the kingdom of our Lord. On our journey we must always implore God’s mercy for our shortcomings. All the while our sins are brought before Him:

Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,

V Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, V and the power of his Christ: V for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, V which accused them before our God day and night.

• the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ …Our Lord is "expecting," and He is also

patiently waiting and so are we with Him, but the waiting referred to here is a patient endurance in tribulation and for the kingdom. This can be summed up in the words of Paul to the church in Thessalonica:

II Thessalonians 2 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God,

V and into the patient waiting for Christ.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 9 continued . was in the isle that is called Patmos…More appropriately translated: ‘found myself’ on the isle called Patmos; a fact with the explanation following. . Tradition dictates that John was banished, or imprisoned on the island because of His witness for Christ. However, we must look at the truth of God’s Word in John’s introduction to the Apocalypse: Verses 1 and 2 - specifically inform us that The Revelation was presented by God to our Lord specifically for His ‘servants.’ Our Lord sent this ‘Revelation’ to John by an Angel. John’s spiritual mission is detailed in verse 2 and is the same reason that he is on the Island Patmos verse 9 above. Compare Rev 1:2 below with verse 9 above: Revelation 1 2 Who bare record (John)

V of the word of God, V and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, V and of all things that he saw.

. This is the reason why John was on the island Patmos; he was there as Scripture informs us by Divine Spirit (verse 10) because He was to receive God’s unveiling of our Lord’s return, (Matthew 24, verse 3). . There is no indication of any hindrance of John’s ‘seeing’ and ‘hearing’ and ‘writing’. This is similar to Paul who went into Arabia to receive his revelation, Galatians 1:15-17. Tradition cannot be entertained in God’s Word. Opposition to God’s Word is Satan’s realm of activity - Satan’s first remark in Scripture was intended to create doubt in God’s Holy Word when he uttered ‘’’Yea, hath God said... Genesis 3:1. The enemy of God’s Plan of Salvation in Christ has duped millions of Christians into believing that Eve and Adam ate an apple in the Garden of Eden...tradition. Why Patmos? Why did God chose this place to deliver the message? Perhaps because geographically, Patmos is located in the Mediterranean Sea, the Great Sea, the central point of Revelation. The 7 churches that are to be addressed (in chapters 2 & 3) are located North of the Island, Rome to the West; Israel, and Babylon to the East.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 10 Revelation 1 KJV 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,


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

• I was in the spirit… John was in the Holy Spirit. See also, Ezekiel 2:2; 8:3; 11:1,5, &24. See also Acts 8:26-40.

• The Lord’s Day…see Ap. 2 Nowhere in Scripture is this day called Sunday. It is the

Coming which the Lord spoke of in Matt. 24:30-31; 26:64 and elsewhere. What He there said is perfectly clear, and in perfect harmony with all that had been said in the Old Testament.

• Peter, Daniel, John, Paul, Isaiah, Ezekiel ...solemnly warn us of that impending

Day... the day of vengeance of our God, the day of judgement, the day of the Lord.

In the epistles of Peter the Lord’s Day is defined as a thousand years. The Day of our Lord’s return will be the first day of His millennial reign. It will be a time when: Satan, the dragon, that old serpent, the devil is bound for 1,000 years, Revelation 20:2 The ‘spiritual dead’ will be ruled with ‘a rod of iron’ for 1,000 years, Revelation 20:5 and are still subject to the ‘second death’, Revelation 2:27, Revelation 12:5, Revelation 19:15, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. God’s servants who did not take the mark of the beast or worship it’s image will live and reign with Christ for a 1,000 years, the ‘First Resurrection’, Revelation 20:4-6. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, Philippians 2:11-12. It is the Day when John was in the Spirit when he wrote The Revelation of Jesus Christ and that is the Day we must firmly position in remembrance as we study the unveiling of Christ’s 2nd Advent.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 10 continued In reference to the Lord’s millennial reign Peter tells gives us the following exposition: 2 Peter 3 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now,

V by the same word are kept in store, V reserved unto fire against the day of judgment V and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing,

V that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, V and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;

V but is longsuffering to us-ward, V not willing that any should perish, V but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;

V in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, V and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, V the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,

V what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,...

• It should be noted that this day comes upon those who have not waited patiently –as mentioned in verse 9- as a thief, but those who have studied Scripture will be well aware of this time and look forward to it as the Lord mentioned in Luke 21:28.

1 Thessalonians 5 1 But of the times and the season, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you

• Why, "no need"? Simply because they knew perfectly what would occur before the Lord’s coming. This should also be our focus.

2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when THEY shall say, 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction cometh upon THEM...and THEY shall not escape. 4. But YE, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake YOU as a thief.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 10 continued Revelation 1 KJV 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,


• It is the "day of the Lord" which (as referenced in appendix 2) is the subject of the

Apocalypse: and in Revelation 3:3, the Lord distinctly warns of His Coming as a thief, It is this "destruction" which the Apocalypse describes. It gives its character to "the day of the Lord." It is "sudden," and comes "as a thief;" and it comes upon "THEM" and "THEY," not upon us because we study to prepare and show ourselves approved 2 Timothy 2:15.

• and heard behind me a great voice…meaning a voice loud with the strength of a

trumpet. The trumpet in the Old Testament is associated with war. As Zephaniah the prophet foretells it is will be heard in the day of the Lord.

• Trumpet…The trumpet is connected with war & the Day of the Lord (Zephaniah

1:14-16). Zephaniah 1 14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near,

V and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: V the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

15 That day is a day of wrath,

V a day of trouble and distress, V a day of wasteness and desolation, V a day of darkness and gloominess, V a day of clouds and thick darkness,

16 A day of the trumpet and alarm

V against the fenced cities, V and against the high towers.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 10 continued Joel the prophet describes the day of vengeance of our God, the Lord’s Day wherein the Voice of our Lord will shake the heavens and the earth: Joel 2 1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion,

V and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: V let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: V for the day of the LORD cometh, V for it is nigh at hand;

Joel 3 16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion,

V and utter his voice from Jerusalem; V and the heavens and the earth shall shake: V but the LORD will be the hope of his people, V and the strength of the children of Israel.

Peter’s question above should be a constant daily reminder ... what manner of persons ought ye to be...knowing this Book, Christ’s return, is addressed to His servants. To be a servant you have to know how to serve, how can we serve our Lord? A beginning: To know our Lord, read His Word. To love our Lord, live daily the greatest Commandment. Serve our Lord, His Will be done in deeds, words, and thoughts.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 11 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega,

V the first and the last: V and, What thou seest, write in a book, V and send it unto the seven churches V which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto

Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. NAB 11 saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

• The seven churches…The word ecclesia, rendered "church," means simply an Assembly: any assembly of people who are called out from other people. This is the etymological meaning of the word. In this case the sender (our Lord) will accompany John, the one who is commanded to send the message (to take the Book) to the seven churches.

• and, What thou seest…all that John sees now, presently, and all that he

will see.

• Write in a book…John was not told to send seven separate letters to seven separate assemblies, as is generally assumed and believed. Indeed the contrary is the fact. The great Voice said, "What thou seest, write in A BOOK and send IT unto the seven assemblies."

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 12 Revelation 1 KJV 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.

V And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; NAB 12Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands;

• The voice… or A great voice as it is referred to in verse10 connects the book of Revelation with the book of Deuteronomy. The use of fire mentioned with the voice in Deuteronomy 4:12,15,33,36; & 5:4, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 is also mentioned here. In Revelation 1:10 John hears “a great voice,” and it is connected with fire, for the eyes of the speaker were “as a flame of fire” (verse 14) and his feet “as if they burned in a furnace (verse 15).

• And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks...these 7 candlesticks, John saw in

turning to view Him Who was speaking, our Lord and is seeing these realities in Spirit, the 7 lamp stands, the 7 churches as they are in the Day of the Lord. They were real in Spirit, in John’s heavenly vision and will be real on Earth in this future day.

• The candlesticks are symbolic of the ‘Menorah’ which was the light of the

Tabernacle in ‘Tent of Meeting’ This was where our Lord spoke with Moses ‘face to face’ during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, Exodus 25.

Exodus 25 31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold... 37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof...

• In the above Scripture we see Israel represented by one lamp stand, was gathered as one Nation; In Revelation we read of 7 lamp stands, because the nation of Israel is in dispersion throughout the world.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 13-15 Revelation 1 KJV 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man,

V clothed with a garment down to the foot, V and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow;

V and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace;

V and his voice as the sound of many waters. NAB 13 and in the middle of the lamp stands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash.

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

15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.

• The Son of Man…the title refers to Christ in relation to His connection with the Earth.

• Clothed with a garmet…His head and his hairs were white like wool…His feet like burnished bronze… see Ap. 4 The only other place in the whole Bible where we have anything like it is in Daniel 10:5,6 where in every particular the resemblance is the same. His girdle is of gold; His eyes as fire; His feet as brass; His voice as many waters (in Revelation), and as a multitude (in Daniel); His countenance as the sun in Revelation and the appearance as lightening (in Daniel). In Daniel it is "a certain man" (In Hebrew one - a man). In Revelation it is "one like unto the Son of Man."

• The Two Visions being identical as to the Person and as to His appearance, and also as to the effect on Daniel and John respectively, is it not obvious that the purpose is also the same in each case?

• In Daniel we are expressly told why the Vision was sent. "Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for yet the vision is for many days... I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth" (Dan. 10:14, 21). Should we not expect this to be the message as well here in Revelation?

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 13-15 continued

• and his countenance was as the sun…The majestic brillance of our Lord’s Presence will lighten God’s infinite creation - heaven and earth as seen in the Day of God, eternity:

Revelation 22 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verses 16-18 Revelation 1 KJV 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars:

V and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: V and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

NAB 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

• In his right hand seven stars…see verse 20 for explanation

• Two edged sword…see Ap. 5, There can be no question as to the meaning of this expression. The two-edged sword, is four times attributed to the Lord in this prophecy: Revelation 1:16; 2:12,16; 19: 15,21, also in Luke 2: 35, making five times in all. In each of the cases it has to do with slaying and not merely speaking, with deeds and not with mere words. Those that suffer the wrath will not merely be chastised. The Words of the Lord shall execute judgment upon them.

• It is the sword of Jehovah come to execute His judgments (Isaiah 34: 6); and with which He will plead with His people (Isaiah 66:16). It is the sword referred to under other titles (Isaiah 11:4 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8), with which, at His coming in judgment, He will destroy the Man of Sin, the Lawless one.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verses 17-18 Revelation 1 KJV 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.

V And he laid his right hand upon me, V saying unto me, V Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead;

V and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; V and have the keys of hell and of death.

NAB 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man And He placed His right hand on me, saying, " Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have

the keys of death and of Hades.

• Compare John’s reaction and Christ’s comfort here with Daniel’s experience in Daniel 10:4-9.

• And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead...John is in the Spirit on the

Lord’s Day and the majestic vision of our Glorious Lord causes him to collapse as a dead man... And he laid his right hand upon me,...our spiritual strength is Christ in us revealed in Paul’s ministry to the Colossians. Through he Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. . Spiritually, our Lord is reinforcing our hope in knowing and believing in His ‘Divine Providence’, His Plan...Fear not IAM the first and the last...from the beginning His Plan, His Truth, His Divine Providence WILL be fulfilled from generation to generation emphatically stated by God through Isaiah: Isaiah 41 4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verses 17-18 continued behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen…very emphatic, I AM living, our Lord is the fountain and giver of life. and have the keys of hell and of death...through Christ, in Christ, and for Christ all things consist and are created for the Glory of Father God. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 1 Corinthians 15 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verse 19 Revelation 1 KJV 19 Write the things which thou hast seen,

V and the things which are, V and the things which shall be hereafter;

NAB 19"Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.

• In verse 19 we have the summary of the contents of the whole book. It is the misunderstanding of this verse which, we believe, has led so many astray, and turned so many into the wrong channel. This verse is usually taken as referring to three things, marking off the book into three divisions: The things which thou sawest (past). The things which are (present). The things, which shall be hereafter (future).

• Using these three divisions, men have differed in their opinions as to exactly what

part of the book should be divided into the past, present, and future.

• But there is another rendering that removes all such difficulties, and shows that there is no such three-fold division; and that instead of three subjects we have only one.

• John was instructed to write what he had seen. It is clear that this first chapter is

the Introduction to the whole Book. Like all other introductions, it is written, or supposed to be written, last of all. The Word’s mentioned in verse 2 at the very beginning tell us this introduction must have been written last. In verse 2, it is said that John "bare record of the Word of God (i.e., as we have seen, the prophetic message), and of the testimony of Jesus Christ (which He bore) and of all things that he saw."

• Verse 2 tells us John had already saw things and was to bare record of them.

Therefore this introduction must have been written last after John had seen the things mentioned in the forthcoming chapters.

• Verse 19 (which we are considering) is part of this Introduction, and therefore the

words "which thou sawest" are used in the same sense as in verse 2. John had seen, or is supposed to have seen, all the Visions of the Book when the command to write was given to him.

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Revelation 1 Verse by Verse Verses 19-20

• Moreover, it is specially declared at the very end of the book in 22:16, "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto THESE THINGS in the assemblies. This is the angel who gives the message to John. John introduces how he came to receive it in chapter one. Having seen all these things the command is - "Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and what they are (i.e., what they signify), even the things which shall come to pass hereafter."

• So, John was not told to write about the past, present, and future, he was simply

told to describe the future alone - "hereafter," or, as it is stated in Dan. 11:14, "in the latter days."

------------------------------------ Revelation 1 KJV 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand,

V and the seven golden candlesticks. V The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: V and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

NAB 20"As for 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 are the seven churches.

• Mystery…secret symbol

• Seven stars…seven lampstands…the interpretation of these is given within the verse by the Holy Spirit.

Documents

Revelation Chapter 1...Revelation: ch. 1 verse 10; ch. 4 verse 2; ch. 17 verse 3; ch. 21 verse 10 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space _____ _____ _____ Question 3:

Revelation Chapter 1...Revelation: ch. 1 verse 10; ch. 4 verse 2; ch. 17 verse 3; ch. 21 verse 10 Note questions, answers, and comments in this space ___ _ ___ Question 3: