Oct 04, 2020

Revelation 1:4-20

Revelation 1:1-3, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants — things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Revelation 1:4-6, “John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, (5) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, (6) and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Following the first three verses which established an overall vision and intention for this book as well as the benediction, starting with verse 4, we’re given the formal introduction. While with parchment you’d typically leave a signature at the end of a letter because this was originally written on a scroll it was necessary to indicate the author at the beginning.

Historically, there is little debate the Apostle “John” (who also penned a Gospel and three letters under his moniker) is our author. Biographically, John and his brother James had grown up along the shores of the Sea of Galilee earning a living fishing with their father Zebedee. In Matthew 4, Jesus would call them to be His disciples. Later on, they would both be chosen as one of His 12 closest followers called Apostles. Later still James and John (along with Peter) would become members of Jesus’ closest circle of confidants. 

Unique to the others, likely because John was the youngest of the group and a cousin of Jesus, he would come to possess a particular closeness with the Lord. Not only does he describe himself as “the apostle whom Jesus loved,” but from the cross, Jesus would entrust to this young man the care of his mother Mary. Church history says John would be the primary care-giver to the mother of the Lord until her death many years after the fact.

Furthermore, verse 4 is clear the book was addressed “to the seven churches in Asia.” In the first century, what we’d consider to be Asia wasn’t exactly the same. “Asia” was an official province of the Roman Empire located in what is present-day Turkey. In other places, you will find this area called Asia Minor or referred to as the region of Galatia.

I mentioned last Sunday that before being arrested by Emperor Domitian and ultimately exiled to the island of Patmos John had been the lead pastor of the influential Church of Ephesus — a church founded by the Apostle Paul and later pastored by Timothy. 

You should note this position also made John the overseer of six additional congregations all located within a 50-mile radius of this central city: Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. It’s only logical John would write to this collection of believers.

John begins with the traditional salutation of the New Testament writers of “grace and peace.” The simple truth is without the grace of God there could be no peace with God! Imagine if your relationship with God and status in heaven were dependent upon your performance? Would you ever feel good about your standing or have peace you were ok? 

Also notice both this amazing grace and lasting peace comes or manifests “from” three individual sources. First, it comes “from Him who is (exists presently) and who was (formally) and who is to come (eternally).” In this John is referencing the eternal and timeless nature of God the Father — the Old Testament Jehovah. As David Guzik writes in his commentary, “As Lord over eternity, God rules the past, the present, and the future.”

Secondly, this “grace and peace” we so wonderfully experience also comes “from the seven Spirits who are before His throne.” While this seems like an odd portrayal of the Holy Spirit, John is referring back to a description presented in Isaiah 11:2 of the Spirit having “seven” characteristics: “The Spirit of the LORD, Spirit of wisdom, Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”

Thirdly, there is no question “grace” nor “peace” would exist if they hadn’t come “from Jesus Christ” or more accurately “Jesus the Christ.” I hope you know this phrase “Jesus Christ” isn’t used to denote His first and last name, but rather His official title. Jesus is literally “the Christ.” He’s the promised Messiah. He’s the one and only Savior of the world!

John pivots by now providing for his reader a description of who Jesus is and what He’s done. He says Jesus is “the Faithful Witness.” What this means is that in Jesus we have the truest or most accurate witness of the person and heart of God the Father. 

In his Gospel, John opens that book by introducing Jesus the following way… He writes in verse 1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then thirteen verses later John adds, “And the Word became flesh, dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.” There is no disputing the fact John saw Jesus as the only physical manifestation of the Triune God.

If you’re a seeker trying to figure out this whole Christianity thing, I want to give you a little advice… If you want to try out Thai food, I would recommend your first experience not be at a restaurant where the cook is from El Salvador. Instead, find a place owned and operated by immigrants from Thailand. You might decide you don’t like Thai cuisine, but at least you can say you had an authentic, true representation and not a cheap, mediocre knockoff. 

Here’s my point… Writing off the God of the Bible because Christians are hypocrites and poor witnesses is as silly as deciding Thai food is terrible because the Tom Yum Goong dished up by Eduardo at Winder’s Thai in the Box was cold, bland, and the shrimp rubbery. Because you made your ultimate determination on possibly the poorest example, in the end, who do you have to blame when you miss out on what you may have really enjoyed?

While Christians really do try our best to represent God, the honest truth is we fall very short in this endeavor. You see if Jesus is the deep dish, meat-lovers supreme from Rocky’s, I have no problems admitting that on my best day I’m basically a Hot Pocket!

This is why if you really want to know what the God of the Bible is really all about, the best place to look BEFORE YOU MAKE A DEFINITIVE DECISION is at the person and ministry of Jesus! He is “the Faithful Witness!” Because of the witness of Jesus, no one standing in the final judgment will be able to blame their rejection of God on the poor witness of Christians.

I think one of the great tragedies of Christianity is the accusation that all Christians are hypocrites. Here’s why this is so unnecessary… A hypocrite is by definition someone playing a role or wearing a mask. A hypocrite is a person who’s real identity doesn’t match their public persona. They are a different person privately than they are in public. 

You see Christians don’t become hypocrites the moment we sin and blow it, we become hypocritical the moment we claim to be sinless! Again, it’s so unnecessary. Christian, it’s hard to be accused of being a hypocrite when the basis of your relationship with God is His work — not yours. His goodness — not your worthiness. My job on this earth is to point people to Jesus. He’s the standard. He is the “Faithful Witness.” All I am is a sin-prone earthling no better than anyone else apart from the grace I’ve received!

As an example… 1 Timothy 1:15-16 this is what Paul said, “This is a faithful saying worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” It’s hard to accuse someone of being a hypocrite when he says, “I am the chief of sinners.”

John also describes Jesus as being the “firstborn from the dead.” In that culture, the title of “firstborn” not only enshrined the individual with a set of privileges but bestowed them with a unique authority. As the first to conquer death, Jesus became the prōtotokos or literally the prototype. He set the precedent by which we all will experience resurrection.

In John 11 Jesus would declare, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” Building on this idea Paul would later write in Romans 6:5, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.” Because Jesus rose, your life after death is possible!

John then describes Jesus as “the ruler” or commander, chief, leader, the first in rank “over the kings of the earth.” At the moment this was read, you can imagine such a statement would have obviously peaked the audience’s attention. Domitian was on the throne in Rome and engaged in a systematic persecution of the Church. And yet, John affirms that nothing was happening on this earth apart from the approval of Jesus.

It’s only natural the existence of our present sufferings in light of the sovereignty of God leads many of us to then question the nature of God’s love. This is why John continues by saying of Jesus, “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” 

How can you know for sure that Jesus loves you when you don’t exactly feel His love? Well, in the moment of their present persecution, John points them back to the past. You see there is no greater proof of God’s love for you than the fact Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sins. In His suffering and death on Mount Calvary Jesus not only loved you, but He created a way for you to be “washed from your sins.” In the end, how do you measure the love of God? By your present circumstances or the cross?

And yet, while this idea alone is amazing, please consider… What came first the loving or the washing? According to Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” It’s not only that God’s love manifested itself towards us in the most radical possible way, but it happened “while we were sinners!”

Notice what John says resulted from this washing… Jesus has “made us kings and priests!” In the Old Testament the office of “king” was to be the physical and practical extension of God’s authority over the people. As such, being “kings” means you and I possess a measure of authority to speak for and represent God. For example… When we call out and judge certain behaviors as being wicked and people chime in mockingly by saying, “Who gave you the authority to speak for God?” The simple answer is God did!

Again, relying on the Old Testament to help us understand these things, the office of “priest” was originally God’s way of calling out a group of people from the whole to model what a life of Godliness was to practically look like. The priests illustrated what a real relationship with God was to be not by what they said, but in the way they lived!

Before we move on I have to point out John is clear that Jesus “made us kings and priests!” Christian, please don’t think you earned this status or that you’ve done anything to necessarily deserve it. It is only through the work of Jesus that you and I have become apart of a kingdom not of this earth with the commission to live our lives as priests. 

It’s important you also note in these verses John uses this word “us” to describe the work of Jesus. By using the plural tense it’s clear John is speaking broadly to all Christians and not to a few. The reason this is significant is that John will not use this term again until his future description of heaven recorded in Revelation 5:9-10, “They sang a new song, ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.’”

Revelation 1:7, “Behold, He (in context this would be Jesus) is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen (literally so be it or this is the truth).” 

In the Book of Revelation, we will find this declaration “behold” some 30 times! The idea of this Greek term is to get you the reader to set your mind on this or to let it consume your thoughts. What thought? “Jesus is coming!” While so much was happening John wanted his Christian family to consume their thoughts with Jesus’ coming! Jesus was alive and went to heaven for a purpose (to better serve the Church). One day this will change.

 

Concerning the Second Coming of Jesus, John tells us He’ll be “coming with clouds.” While there is no question this refers to physical clouds (Daniel 7:13, “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven!”), I’m convinced this is also a reference to the saints of God coming with Jesus in glory. 

After a chapter filled with stories of the various Old Testament heroes of the faith, the author of Hebrews writes in chapter 12:1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

John also describes the universal and public nature of Jesus’ return. He says, “Every eye will see Him (His coming will not be in secret), even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.” With regards to whom this phrase “even they who pierced Him” is referring, we turn to Zechariah 12:9-10 for our answer… “It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

It’s worth pointing out how in His Second Coming “all the tribes of the earth will mourn.” When Jesus returns a great sorrow will fill the earth. Israel will mourn under the conviction they “pierced Him” God had sent to save. On the flip side, the unbelieving world will mourn under the reality their rejection of Jesus was about to result in a certain judgment. 

In light of such a description of the universal, global reaction to Christ’s Second Coming, it’s hard to make sense how it would apply to the church if we’d been left on earth to endure the Tribulation. In no way would we “mourn” His return. Instead, we’d celebrate it!

As we turn to verse 8 the greeting of John gives way to another greeting given by Jesus… Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega (as a reference to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet the idea is Jesus is the Word, the complete revelation of God), the Beginning and the End (the one in whom things originate and in whom things will end),” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

This title, “The Almighty” is interesting. Of the 10 times it’s used in the New Testament 9 are in the Book of Revelation. The only other time you’ll find this title is in 2 Corinthians 6:18. In Greek, the word means the one who has His hand on everything which spoke of Jesus’ sovereign control over everything. Again, a central and challenging idea of this book.

I also find it encouraging that Jesus describes Himself as the one “who is, and who was, and who is to come.” Not only does this speak of His eternal nature, but it parallels what we read in Hebrews 13:8 that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Jesus is immutable or unchanging — which means He’ll never change His mind about you! In the Christian experience, there is simply no such thing as Buyer’s Remorse!

Revelation 1:9, “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” 

I mentioned this last Sunday, but John had been exiled to Patmos after God supernaturally preserved him from being boiled in oil — a brutal execution. Patmos, located in the Aegean Sea, was an island labor camp where inmates were forced to work in the rock quarry. 

John refers to himself as “your brother and companion in the tribulation (even being an Apostle didn’t immunize him from experiencing the same persecution) and kingdom (their present circumstance didn’t exempt their heavenly status) and patience of Jesus.” The word “patience” means a steadfast waiting for Jesus — or more likely Jesus’ return.

It’s a powerful statement, but don’t miss the fact John attributed his experiences as happening “for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” From John’s perspective, his persecution and suffering were not to be seen as a punishment for doing anything wrong but as an opportunity to exemplify the power of Jesus and His Word.

Continuing his own account… Revelation 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet saying…” While it’s likely John was spending time with the Lord on Sunday (“the Lord’s Day”), it’s also likely he’s describing a moment when he was captured into a spiritual state and taken into the future “Day of the Lord.” It’s worth pointing out John uses similar language at the beginning of chapter 4. 

Notice that John recalls how in such a moment “in the Spirit” he then “heard behind him a loud voice, as of a trumpet.” Keep in mind, the “loud voice” was not “a trumpet.” Instead, the reference to “a trumpet” described the “loud voice” he heard. In ancient times trumpets were used to call everyone to attention for some kind of major announcement.

John now tells us what this “loud voice” declared… Revelation 1:11, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,’ and, ‘What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.’”

We know from the similarities of His greeting in verse 8 that the voice was none other than Jesus. We will see this further confirmed momentarily in this very chapter. His specific commission was for John was to “write in a book” all the things he was about to “see and send it to the seven church in Asia.” In the end, the final product was the Book of Revelation.

We’ll get into this more next week, but the idea behind “the seven churches” seems to have referred to more than just these seven actual churches. “Seven” meaning completion implies Jesus had a message for the Church as a whole. It’s interesting that Paul also wrote to only seven churches: Rome, Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, Ephesus, Galatia, and Colossi. He wrote to an individual church a letter that intended to speak to all churches!

While the voice came from behind John, meaning he initially couldn’t see who was speaking, that’s about to change… Revelation 1:12-13, “Then I turned to see (to inquire) the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, (13) and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.” 

In the Tabernacle and later the Temple the sole source of light was provided by a single golden lamp that had seven branches called the Menorah. Please note, this is not what John sees. Instead, he sees “seven” individual “golden lampstands” or separate oil lamps.

Now it doesn’t take long for John’s focus to move from the setting of the scene to the “One in the midst.” He says there was “in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man.” Right from the beginning, we find here a powerful link back to Daniel who was the only prophet that referred to the Messiah using this titled “the Son of Man.” It’s not an accident this was the most common Old Testament reference Jesus would use of Himself.

While we have no physical description provided of Jesus up until this point in the New Testament, the similarities between what John is seeing and what Daniel saw and recorded for us in chapters 7 and 10 of his book are incredible. Daniel 7:9, “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.”

Daniel 10:5-9, “I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude… And I, Daniel… was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.”

In his description of Jesus, John notices how He was “clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.” Not only was this similar to the attire of the Jewish High Priest, but having a solid gold breastplate presents Jesus has a superior High Priest. According to Exodus 39, the breastplate was only woven with golden thread.

John continues… Revelation 1:14-16, “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow (specifically they were white in color with the imagery reinforcing Jesus’ purity and righteousness), and His eyes like a flame of fire (meaning they were penetrating); (15) His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace (sturdy), and His voice as the sound of many waters (with strength and authority); (16) He had in His right hand seven stars (we’ll get to this in a moment), out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength (His presence was brilliant).” 

In Hebrews 4:12 we’re told, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” In the Greek, the word used for “sword” described a small sharp dagger that was used for precise cuts.

In contrast, the word John uses in verse 16 for “sharp two-edged sword” is much different. Instead of this being a short blade, John describes a gigantic battle sword that was used to devastate the enemy. For you GOT fans one word described Arya’s “Needle” while the other Jon Snow’s “Longclaw.” Of the latter, only the most skilled were able to wield such a blade.

In much the same way as the Prophet Daniel’s experience, John says of this vision of Jesus… Revelation 1:17a, “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.” It’s funny to me when I hear people say, “When I get to heaven Jesus and I are going to have a serious chat because I have some questions for Him!” Honestly, such a perspective lacks any type of Biblical understanding of what it will be like to stand before the glorified Christ.

Revelation 1:17b-18, “But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last (I am the origin of it all and the final destination). (18) I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore (no doubt referring to His resurrection). Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.’” 

“He laid His right hand on me…” What a moment that must have been to have felt the loving touch of Jesus? Additionally, how those initial words (“do not be afraid”) must have calmed this old man’s trepidations. Keep in mind, it’s been 60 years since John had last heard the words of Jesus! “John, it’s ok. It’s Me. There’s no need to be afraid.”

After reminding John that He lived and died and He remains “alive forevermore,” Jesus adds that He possessed “the keys of Hades and of Death.” The idea of having “the keys” of something articulated a rightful authority and dominion. Jesus wants John to know He had power over the two greatest enemies of humanity — “Hades and Death!”

Regarding John’s commission, Jesus gets more specific… Revelation 1:19, “Write the things which you have seen, the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” While critics claim this book is confounding, they miss the order. You see the Book of Revelation is the only book of the Bible that provides for the reader its own outline. 

Write three things: First, “write the things which you have seen” — which would be the revelation of the glorified Jesus in chapter 1. Second, “write the things which are.” Before finally, “write the things which will take place after this” or after “the things which are.” 

In the Greek, this phrase “after this” is meta tauta. The reason this is noteworthy is Revelation 4 will begin, “After these things (meta tauta) I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’”

There is no debate that in chapter 1 John records “the things” he “had seen” (past tense). Then it’s obvious chapter 4 opens by initiating this third section (“the things which will take place after this”). It’s only logical the two chapters between (Revelation 2-3) which record these letters to the seven churches of Asia present the second section — “the things which are.” Again, next week we’ll unpack what this means and why it’s important.

Jesus finishes this section by explaining to John what likely remained mysterious to him… Revelation 1:20, “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 which you saw are the seven churches.”

Working our way backward… When John turned to see the voice behind him he noticed Jesus in His role as High Priest “in the midst of seven golden lampstands.” The challenge knowing what it meant was that John lacked a specific Old Testament correlation for the Temple only had the one Menorah. Jesus now clarifies to John that these “seven lampstands are the seven churches” he’d been commissioned to send this revelation to. 

Aside from this, Jesus says, “The seven stars in My right hand are the angels of these seven churches.” In Greek, the word “angel” is simply the messenger. Because of the use of this word as it relates to each of these seven churches, it’s unlikely these are angelic beings and instead human representatives — likely the pastors of these churches. As we work our way through these letters in the weeks to come this will make way more sense.

The use of this word “are” in verse 20 is also not a coincidence — “the seven stars are… the seven lampstands are the seven churches”. In the second section of this book, Jesus was clear that John was to record the “things which are.” Because we have the same word being used, it’s obvious the seven letters have a present fulfillment before future events.

In closing… Only two men have ever been given such a revelation of the glorified Jesus — John and the prophet Daniel! Most interestingly, both men had been exiled from their homes when given the vision, both men were under the thumb of wicked empires, both men had experienced great trials, persecutions, and suffering, both men were burdened with the future fate of God’s people — wrestling with God’s plan. It’s not an accident both men had an identical reaction — they each immediately fell to their faces in His presence!

Understand, the reason such a perspective of the glorified Jesus is provided for us is that it should instantly place our present afflictions or for that matter pressing questions into a profound context. You see knowing that Jesus is “in our midst” should encourage us to stand strong and endure. When we fail we can remember He is “the faithful witness.” God’s reputation rests on Jesus’ ability to be “faithful” and not on our faithfulness! Once more Jesus is He “who is and who was and who is to come.” His love for you will never change!

In our fear of a growing oppression and hostility, we can hold fast knowing Jesus is “the firstborn from the dead” who holds in His hands “the keys of Hades and Death!” When things seem completely out of control we can fall back on the knowledge Jesus is “the ruler over the kings of the earth.” He is “the Almighty” — the Sovereign God who has His hand on everything! Honestly, what is there to fear knowing that Jesus “the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last” is “alive forevermore” and “is coming” soon!