Chapter 1
Introduction
1 The revelation given by Jesus Christ, which God granted Him, that He might make known to His servants certain events which must shortly come to pass: and He sent His angel and communicated it to His servant John. 2 This is the John who taught the truth concerning the Word of God and the truth told us by Jesus Christ— a faithful account of what he had seen.
10 I was in the Spirit...
10 I was in the Spirit...
HOW RELIABLE IS THIS REVELATION OF JOHN THE APOSTLE?
APOCALYSE ACTUALLY MEANS DISCLOSURE OF THAT PREVIOUSLY HIDDEN.
JESUS CHRIST IS REVEALED IN RELATION TO "THE THINGS PAST, THE THINGS WHICH ARE, THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE!"P
John's relation to Jesus was unique. Salome was the sister of Jesus' mother. John would be Jesus' cousin. (See Div. A. Pt. 1,6, p. 62, Salome).
IF ANYBODY KNEW JESUS, IT WAS JOHN.
JOHN KNEW JESUS PROBABLY CLOSER THAN ANYBODY. He was one of the first two disciples to be called (i. 35-40): one of the first Apostles named (Matt. iv. 18-22); one of the three privileged Apostles (Mark v. 37: Matt. xvii, I: xxvi 37): one of the four who drew forth our Lord's great prophetic discourse (Mark xiii. 3); and one of the two sent to prepare the Passover (Luke xxii. 8). He was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' (xiii. 23; xix. 26; xx, 2; xxi, 7,20), and to whom Jesus, on the cross, committed the care of His mother to John (xix. 25-27).
John watched Jesus dying on the cross.
John was present when Jesus came to frightened Apostles' locked door room, following His resurrection. He was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'
John lived through the early persecutions and martyrdom of Paul and Peter, and other friends.
John watched Jesus dying on the cross.
John was present when Jesus came to frightened Apostles' locked door room, following His resurrection. He was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'
John lived through the early persecutions and martyrdom of Paul and Peter, and other friends.
STILL JOHN WROTE AND PREACHED SALVATION BY TRUST IN JESUS.
'The supreme guaranty of their (the Gospels) trustworthiness, is found in the narratives themselves; for who in that (or any) account could imagine a figure so unique and perfect as that of Jesus, or invent the incomparable sayings and parables that proceeded from His lips! Much of Christ's teaching is high as heaven above the minds of men still.' When, therefore, writers say that the Evangelist 'put words into the mouth of Jesus; and this is frequently said, let us remember that they are giving some man credit for something of which no man has ever been capable. Dr. Reynolds has well said: 'It is inconceivable that the author of the Gospel invented, rather than recited, marvellous utterances of the Christ; that he appealed
John lived in Ephesus before being banished to Patmos, and then returned there when a new Roman Emperor took over.
Tradition has it that John moved there with Jesus's mother, Mary, as the result of the first Jewish-Roman war in 67-70AD.
3 Blessed is he who reads and blessed are those who listen to the words of this prophecy and lay to heart what is written in it; for the time for its fulfillment is now close at hand. 4 John sends greetings to the seven Churches in the province of Asia. May grace be granted to you, and peace, from Him who is and was and evermore will be; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ, the truthful witness, the first of the dead to be born to Life, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins with His own blood, 6 and has formed us into a Kingdom, to be priests to God, His Father—to Him be ascribed the glory and the power until the Ages of the Ages. Amen. 7 He is coming in the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and so will those who pierced Him; and all the nations of the earth will gaze on Him and mourn. Even so. Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "He who is and was and evermore will be—the Ruler of all." 9
I John, your brother, and a sharer with you in the sorrows and Kingship and patient endurance of Jesus, found myself in the island of Patmos, on account of the Word of God and the truth told us by Jesus.
10 In the Spirit I found myself present on the day of the Lord, and I heard behind me a loud voice which resembled the blast of a trumpet. 11 It said, "Write forthwith in a roll an account of what you see, and send it to the seven Churches—to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyateira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." 12 I turned to see who it was that was speaking to me; and then I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the center of the lampstands some One resembling the Son of Man, clothed in a robe which reached to His feet, and with a girdle of gold across His breast. 14 His head and His hair were white, like white wool—as white as snow; and His eyes resembled a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like silver-bronze, when it is white-hot in a furnace; and His voice resembled the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and a sharp, two-edged sword was seen coming from His mouth; and His glance resembled the sun when it is shining with its full strength.
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead.
But He laid His right hand upon me and said, "Do not be afraid: I am the First and the Last, and the ever-living One. 18 I died; but I am now alive until the Ages of the Ages, and I have the keys of the gates of Death and of Hades! 19 Write down therefore the things you have just seen, and those which are now taking place, and those which are soon to follow: 20 the secret meaning of the seven stars which you have seen in My right hand, and of the seven lampstands of gold. The seven stars are the ministers of the seven Churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven Churches.
Rev 1:1-20 (WEY)
Rev 1:1-20 (WEY)
One thing that becomes immediately apparent, is the Lord's love for the church leaving each church to repent and come back. At the last, the church of Laodicea is called to repent with Jesus is knocking at the door calling the church to open the door, and to fellowship with Him. He wants to fellowship with you.
However out of the seven churches mentioned here, five called on to repent and change. Only two churches are blessed and not called on to repent.
Obviously there are overlaps in the application of these letters . If one views them as a specific time.
Chapter 2
I. The Letters to the Seven Churches 1:1-3:22
The first question that needs to be asked: who is included in these message
The word church is not mentioned again beyond these seven messages. The messages were addressed to existing churches, but the messages go beyond those churches and their circumstances. Revelations reveals Jesus Christ, but it also a book of prophecies--from the time John the Apostle wrote it until the end of ages. So if there is no application to future church ages than there is no prophecies of the Bride of Christ.
1ST EPHESUS CHURCH
1 "To the minister of the Church in Ephesus write as follows: " 'This is what He who holds the seven stars in the grasp of His right hand says—He who walks to and fro among the seven lampstands of gold.
2 I know your doings and your toil and patient suffering. And
I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, but have put to the test those who say that they themselves are Apostles but are not, and you have found them to be liars.
3 And you endure patiently and have borne burdens for My sake and have never grown weary.
4 Yet I have this against you—that you no longer love Me as you did at first.
4 Rev 2:4 (Stephanus) 1550AD
αλλ
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Εχω
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But
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I have
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αφηκας
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Transliteration: aphiēmi Phonetic Pronunciation:
Root: from <G575> and hiemi (to send, an intens. form of eimi, to go)
Cross Reference: TDNT - 1:509,88 Part of Speech: v
Vine's Words: Alone, Cease, Forgive, Forgave, Forgiveness, Forsake, Leave, Left, Let (alone; go), Remission, Remit, Suffer, Utter, Yield
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
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5 Be mindful, therefore, of the height from which you have fallen.
Rev 2:5 (Stephanus)
5
μνημονευε
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Ουν
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ποθεν
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Εκπεπτωκας
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Remember
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therefore
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whense
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You have fallen (out of)
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εκπεπτωκας
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Greek Strong's Number: 1601 Greek Word: ἐκπίπτω Transliteration: ekpiptō Phonetic Pronunciation:
Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: fall 7, fall off 2 , be cast 1, [Total 14]
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The Heights They Fell From.
Repent at once, and act as you did at first, or else I will s surely come and remove your lampstand out of its place— u unless you repent.
6 Yet this you have in your favor: you hate the doings of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 "
'Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. To him who overcomes I will give the privilege of eating the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of God.'
2ND SMYRNA CHURCH
8 "To the minister of the Church at Smyrna write as follows: " 'This is what the First and the Last says—He who died and has returned to life. 9 Your sufferings I know, and your poverty—but you are rich—and the evil name given you by those who say that they themselves are Jews, and are not, but are Satan's synagogue. 10 Dismiss your fears concerning all that you are about to suffer. I tell you that the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be put to the test, and for ten days you will have to endure persecution. Be faithful to the End, even if you have to die, and then I will give you the victor's Wreath of Life. 11 " 'Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. He who overcomes shall be in no way hurt by the Second Death.'
3RD PERGAMUM CHURCH
12 "To the minister of the Church at Pergamum write as follows: " 'This is what He who has the sharp, two-edged sword says. I know where you dwell. 13 Satan's throne is there; and yet you are true to Me, and did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas My witness and faithful friend, who was put to death among you, in the place where Satan dwells. 14 Yet I have a few things against you, because you have with you some that cling to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling-block in the way of the descendants of Israel—to eat what had been sacrificed to idols, and commit fornication. 15 So even you have some that cling in the same way to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent, at once; or else I will come to you quickly, and will make war upon them with the sword which is in My mouth. 17 " 'Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. He who overcomes—to him I will give some of the hidden Manna, and a white stone; and—written upon the stone and known only to him who receives it— a new name.'
4TH THYATEIRA CHURCH
18 "To the minister of the Church at Thyateira write as follows: " 'This is what the Son of God says—He who has eyes like a flame of fire, and feet resembling silver-bronze. 19 I know your doings, your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance; and that of late you have toiled harder than you did at first. 20 Yet I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and by her teaching leads astray My servants, so that they commit fornication and eat what has been sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent, but she is determined not to repent of her fornication. 22 I tell you that I am about to cast her upon a bed of sickness, and I will severely afflict those who commit adultery with her, unless they repent of conduct such as hers. 23 Her children too shall surely die; and all the Churches shall come to know that I am He who searches into men's inmost thoughts; and to each of you I will give a requital which shall be in accordance with what your conduct has been. 24 But to you, the rest of you in Thyateira, all who do not hold this teaching and are not the people who have learnt the "deep things," as they call them (the deep things of Satan!) —to you I say that I lay no other burden on you. 25 Only that which you already possess, cling to until I come. 26 " 'And to him who overcomes and obeys My commands to the very end, I will give authority over the nations of the earth. 27 And he shall be their shepherd, ruling them with a rod of iron, just as earthenware jars are broken to pieces; and his power over them shall be like that which I Myself have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the Morning Star. 29 Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.'
Rev 2:1-29 (WEY)
5TH SARDIS CHURCH
Chapter 3
1 "To the minister of the Church at Sardis write as follows: " 'This is what He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says. I know your doings—you are supposed to be alive, but in reality you are dead. 2 Rouse yourself and keep awake, and strengthen those things which remain but have well-nigh perished; for I have found no doings of yours free from imperfection in the sight of My God. 3 Be mindful, therefore, of the lessons you have received and heard. Continually lay them to heart, and repent. If, however, you fail to rouse yourself and keep awake, I shall come upon you suddenly like a thief, and you will certainly not know the hour at which I shall come to judge you. 4 Yet you have in Sardis a few who have not soiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white; for they are worthy. 5 " 'In this way he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments; and I will certainly not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but will acknowledge him in the presence of My Father and His angels. 6 Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.' 7
6TH PHILADELPHIA CHURCH
"To the minister of the Church at Philadelphia write as follows: " 'This is what the holy One and the true says—He who has the key of David—He who opens and no one shall shut, and shuts and no one shall open. 8 I know your doings. I have put an opened door in front of you, which no one can shut; because you have but a little power, and yet you have guarded My word and have not disowned Me. 9 I will cause some belonging to Satan's synagogue who say that they themselves are Jews, and are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall at your feet and know for certain that I have loved you. 10 Because in spite of suffering you have guarded My word, I in turn will guard you from that hour of trial which is soon coming upon the whole world, to put to the test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming quickly: cling to that which you already possess, so that your wreath of victory be not taken away from you. 12 " 'He who overcomes—I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he shall never go out from it again. And I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which is to come down out of Heaven from My God, and My own new name. 13 Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.' 14
7TH LAODICEA CHURCH
"And to the minister of the Church at Laodicea write as follows: " 'This is what the Amen says—the true and faithful witness, the Beginning and Lord of God's Creation. 15 I know your doings—you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot! 16 Accordingly, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, before long I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 You say, I am rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need of nothing; and you do not know that if there is a wretched creature it is you — pitiable, poor, blind, naked. 18 Therefore I counsel you to buy of Me gold refined in the fire that you may become rich, and white robes to put on, so as to hide your shameful nakedness, and eye-salve to anoint your eyes with, so that you may be able to see. 19 All whom I hold dear, I reprove and chastise; therefore be in earnest and repent. 20 I am now standing at the door and am knocking. If any one listens to My voice and opens the door, I will go in to be with him and will feast with him, and he shall feast with Me. 21 " 'To him who overcomes I will give the privilege of sitting down with Me on My throne, as I also have overcome and have sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.' "
Rev 3:1-22 (WEY)
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