We're about to begin our study in the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. We will probably have a considerable increase in commentary due to the nature of this book. This is the only book in the New Testament that is devoted to prophecy. Many Christians consider it a hard book to understand and consider it to be a mystery.

It is logically put together and usually means exactly what it says. One thing we need to note, is that this is written as it was shown to an individual who lived 2000 years ago and never saw modern implements of war and technology that is so common to us today. I wonder how you and I living at that time would describes such things as tanks, helicopters, flame throwers, and nuclear weapons, rockets, biological warfare, and on and on. There are places where types are used, but we will mention those and explain when we come to them. We do suggest you go to the small doors labeled Chronology of Revelation and Timeline of Revelation. It would be helpful if you can download these and print them. This book reaches back into eternity past and forward into eternity future. We suggest you look at that the small door labeled Time and Eternity again. The Book of Revelation is a book that should bring joy and encouragement to the Christian believer, and fear and trembling to the non believer. If you're a non believer today, and don't change your mind before the rapture, I suggest that you keep a copy of this book as your survival manual. As we go along you will understand why I say this.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 001)  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: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 002)  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 

Verse 3 tells us that those individuals who read and hear and keep the word of this prophecy will be blessed in doing so.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 003)  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. 

Verse 4. It appears that the angel has instructed John to write letters to the seven churches in Asia. A little later we will see the details of the special notes to each of these churches, but it appears each church is to get a complete account of what John is about to see.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 004)  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; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 005)  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, 

Verse 6. If you've ever wondered what your place will be as a child of God you will find it in this verse. Do you doubt it? The word amen at the end of the verse tells us it is true.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 006)  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

Verse 7 is another amen verse. It is a confirmation of Acts the 1st chapter verse 11.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 007)  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. 

Verse 8 begins with Jesus speaking and telling us he is everything from A to Z, and he is everything from the beginning to the ending.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 008)  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. 

Verse 9 tells us that John was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos for preaching the Word of God.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 009)  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. 

Verse 10 to the end of the chapter is part of John's first vision and Revelation from Christ himself.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 010)  I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 

Verse 11 is the beginning of Christ's instruction to John.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 011)  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. 

Verse 12 through the end of the chapter he uses some types, but as in most cases there is an interpretation of those types given. The types are seven golden candlesticks and seven stars, Christ explains that the seven stars are the Angels or messengers that watch over the seven churches, they are actually the pastors of the churches and that the seven candlesticks represent the seven churches.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 012)  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 013)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 014)  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 015)  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 016)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 017)  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: 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 018)  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. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 019)  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 020)  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. 

We are about to read the seven letters written to the seven churches of Asia. They are dictated by Christ himself to John. These letters have three layers of meaning and application. The first is the obvious one, being directed to existing churches at the time with specific instructions and observations directed to their specific situations. Some of them are complementary and some are not so complementary. We will not comment ourselves on all seven churches, but we will speak about the last church on the list.

In the second level of meaning is that they can be applied to local congregations existing around the world at any given time.

(chpt:  2 Vs: 001)  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 002)  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 003)  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 004)  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 005)  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 006)  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 007)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 008)  And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 009)  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 010)  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 011)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 012)  And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 013)  I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 014)  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 015)  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 016)  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 017)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 018)  And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 019)  I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 020)  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 021)  And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 022)  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 023)  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 024)  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 025)  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 026)  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 027)  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 028)  And I will give him the morning star. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 029)  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 001)  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 

Select by Bible order

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation