Revelation (Apokalupsis), means Apocalypse. This can be a scary word, because in our culture we associate apocalypse with the end of the world. We may think of it in terms of nuclear winter, the earth fighting against us, or maybe even zombies running rampant. But apocalypse means a revealing, or an unveiling. The revelation of this apocalypse is Jesus Christ’s return. Everything that happens in this wonderful and complicated book is about just that: Christ’s triumphant return.
Revelation is complex, there’s just no way around it. The Apostle John wrote this book in his old age while imprisoned on the island of Patmos around 95 AD, a good 60 years after the resurrection of Christ. He was the last living apostle and lived beyond that, as he was freed in 96 and died in Ephesus sometime after 98 AD.
John writes in a prophetic loop. Like his other books, he writes not in a linear fashion but a cyclical one. This means that the events describes aren’t happening sequentially. We will see this most obviously when the antichrist comes on board. Like most places in this book, he will triangulate the situation, view it from a series of different angles until we have a greater idea of what’s going on.
Having said all that, there are mysteries in this book. Not all questions can be answered. The best we can do is study and pray, for Revelation is not a book of dire horror, but of eventual hope. It is hope that underpins our faith, and this entire book is about hope.
There are 4 main ways that people have viewed and interpreted this book through the centuries. The book remains controversial because people tend to view it through a specific lens which allows them to interpret it in a certain way. The four views are:
Preterist viewpoint: Viewpoint of Revelation only dealing with the church in the day of the Apostles. Revelation is not predictive. John is describing events and uses symbolism so that those in power could not understand his criticisms. Deals with the Past.
Historic Viewpoint: This is a viewpoint that is describing the church history only. It predicts the future, but only the future of the “church age.” This does not predict future events. Deals with the Present.
Poetic Viewpoint: Revelation is filled with imagery meant to give persecuted Christians hope in John’s time. It is not historic or literal. Deals with Personal Meaning.
Futuristic Viewpoint: Revelation deals strictly with end-time right before Jesus’ return. Deals with the Future. So which is the correct approach:
Revelation did speak in John’s day. Revelation does speak to church history. Revelation has personal meaning. Revelation does speak about end-times.
This is part of what makes Revelation a complex work. All of the approaches have merit, but none of them are complete. In a sense, they all borrow from each other. Revelation can’t necessarily be viewed by one narrow view, but has to be attacked with a multi-viewed approach. After all, prophecy is meant to be understood (John 14:29).
We also have to understand that Genesis and Revelation acts as bookends to the entire history of Mankind. In Genesis the world begins and in revelation the time of Man ends. In a multitude of ways we see the beginnings of various things in Genesis (sin, sorrow and suffering, man separated, satan’s dominion begins, earth is created), and in Revelation the endgame comes just as systematically to it all.
Revelation is also organized in an exact way. Chapter 1 deals with the past (things which you have seen). Chapter 2 & 3 deals with the present (the things which are). And chapters 4-22 are about the future (things that will come).
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Why was Revelation written? it is stated here. The book was delivered by an angel to John. John testifies that everything is true. These are things that must happen. Plus, there is a blessing in this book. Seven times this is called out through the pages of Revelation. Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who hear and take it to heart.
Greetings and Doxology 4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
The seven spirits before the throne of God is another name for the Holy Spirit. 7 is the number for perfection/completeness, so you’ll see this number pop up a lot in Revelation. The 7 aspects of the Holy Spirit are Lord, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge and Fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2)
Jesus here is regarded as a faithful witness. This speaks to his reliability and faithfulness to His Father and His people. Firstborn of the Dead means that Christ has pre-eminence over all other beings, first in priority (Romans 8:29). Ruler over all kings refers to his sovereignty. He has dominion over all the earthly kings.
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. He loved us enough to go to the cross so that we can be clean before Him. This makes us special servants of God. Our ultimate job is to praise him.
7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. This is a command to pay attention (Matthew 24:42). When Jesus left, he was taken up into the clouds. His return will be surrounded by clouds (Daniel 7:13-14, Matthew 24:26-27). Even those who pierced him will see him (Zechariah 12:10). This means that the Jewish people will have a special relevance in Christ’s final decree of redemption.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
This is Jesus’ introduction. Alpha and Omega is the beginning and end of all things, the I AM, the eternal, the everlasting (Hebrews 13:8, John 1:1-4)
John’s Vision of Christ 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
John is commanded to write what he sees. This is a holy moment, one inspired by the spirit of God Himself. His mission is clear: write what you see and send to the 7 churches.
The reason for God calling out these 7 particular churches is under debate. These are not the same churches that Paul wrote to. These are churches primarily in Asai Minor (modern day Turkey). The most likely concept is that all of these churches served an easily accessible mailing route. These churches were the churches in John’s day, each unique and suffering from a character issue. As we’re going to see, all of these churches struggle with many modern day issues we have in our churches.
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
There is a man moving between the seven golden lampstands. First, the lamp stands represent the churches. But who is this man? Second, he is clothed with a long garment. In John’s time, this would indicate someone with dignity and authority. The golden band represents a high priest (Exodus 29:5). The duty of the priests of the tabernacle was to keep the lamp stands lit. Like those priests, Christ is seen here as the caretaker of the church.
14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
1. White hair: Connected with great wisdom/purity 2. Eyes of fire: Judgment 3. Feet like fine brass: Refined through fire (Israel’s altar of sacrifice was made of brass) 4. Voice like the sound of many waters: Power and majesty of a waterfall 5. Sharp two-edged sword: Truth is his weapon 6. Countenance like the sun shining in its strength: The glory is so great it shines (Matthew 17:2)
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Christ comforts John in his apparent fear. He reassures him that he is the first and last, the Living One. And he holds the keys of death and Hades.
19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
In many of Jesus’ parables he explainsthe symbolism he used. This is one of the few times he gives a very specific explanation to John.