| Vol. V Number 1 | January 7, 2001 |
The book of Revelation is a summation of all of the prophecy concerning the end times throughout the Bible. These include Jacobs blessing concerning the 12 tribes of Israel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, Daniel, and all of the others. Many have little understanding about the book of Revelation for they never have studied the Old Testament prophecies concerning the last days. In this study we will begin with the first chapter of Revelation concerning the seven churches in Asia, or what is now known as Turkey.
As you can see, there is no mention on the map of Ephesus, Philadelphia, and the other 7 cities mentioned in the Bible. Also when you look at the Bible maps they don't connect you with the modern political boundaries so that you know where you are looking at. For instance Izmir is Smyrna in the Bible. These and other details make Bible study a little difficult for the student.
Here is a duplicate map of the above map with the locations of the seven churches annotated. One item of note is that Colosse was only 15 miles south east of Laodicea. By the time John was writing Revelation there is no mention of this church.
Revelation 1:1-20
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:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
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.
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;
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,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
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.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
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.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
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.
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:
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.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
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.
The most important thing about the book of revelation is the author. John was not the author, but Jesus Christ is the real author of this book. Here is a book in the Bible that Jesus proclaims himself to be the author. None of the other books in the New Testament actually have the Lord dictating what the writer was to write. god is the author of Revelation! This difference makes this book one of the most difficult books in the Bible to understand. For John was taken to the throne room of God and was able to see God face to face. Whereas Moses was not afforded the same ability.
Revelation 1:1-2
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:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Notice that John writes that this is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. This is not the work of a man, but a book of God. This is not some imagination of man's ideas, but a book which shows the world what is to come.
This book of the Bible also comes with a promise that whoever reads this book will be blessed. We are to keep the things that are written in this book. No other book in the Bible comes with such a written blessing attached.
The fourth verse starts off with John addressing the seven churches in Asia. Now many scholars think that Revelation was written around 100 AD. This is after the destruction of Jerusalem, and after the execution of Paul and Peter. John is the last of the original apostles. Here he is addressing the seven churches in Asia that have not totally fallen to the ways of the world. All of the other churches have succumbed to the temptations and glitter of the world by this time. The Colossian church is just a remembrance of the church that Paul wrote to.
The fifth verse is where Jesus is saluting the seven churches in Asia. Look at these attributes:
Now John goes on with his praise of the Lord:
Jesus Christ has done more for us than just redeeming us from our on degradation and sin, but has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father. This is far more than salvation! We are now kings! We are now Priests to God! What more could we ask for?
Verse 7 begins with what was previously written in Acts when the disciples were watching Jesus rise up into the atmosphere.
Revelation 1:7
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.
Acts 1:9-11
9 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.
Here we know that even the dead will witness the Lord's return along with the living. And all of those who have showed contempt for Christianity and righteousness will wail and bemoan their plight. For they will know that Jesus is coming as their judge!
Revelation 1:8
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.
Here we see Jesus proclaiming that he is the beginning and the ending. The Alpha and Omega. Here we see who Jesus really is. He was not just a man, but the Lord God who created the universe by his word. Here we see Jesus proclaiming that there was nothing before him and that there will be nothing after him. He truly is the Alpha and Omega!
The salutation of this book of the Bible tells you that the author truly is the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not from a man or a great teacher or prophet, but this book is god's word concerning us and our future. Now the things that are written in this prophecy, even the portion to the seven churches in Asia is a blessing to read and ponder.
In verses 9-20 we see how John was translated into a spirit being and transported to God's throne room in heaven.
Revelation 1:9-20
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.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
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.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
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.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
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.
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:
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.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
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.
Look at this scene where John hears and sees the heavenly seat of power. Where God in all of his majesty sits on the throne of heaven.
3014 E Street Philadelphia, PA 19134 Church Office Phone: (215) 634-3637 Published by: Rev. LeRoy D. Cressy (215) 535-4037
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Copyright © 2000 LeRoy D. Cressy
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