JESUS SAVES
COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION
We are excited to soon be bringing you our verse-by-verse commentary on the book of Revelation and the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!!
Revelation 1:7 "Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all of the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen."
RESOURCES USED FOR THE BOOK OF REVELATION
1.DHANAN SENATHIRAJAH (Facebook commentary)
2.VERSE BY VERSE App: The Book of Revelation sermons.
3.DAVID GUZIK COMMENTARY on the book of Revelation: Blue letter bible app.
4.Chuck Swindoll’s LIVING INSIGHTS New Testament commentary on the book of Revelation.
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND CHAPTER 1
CONTEXT: The book of Revelation is believed to have been written anywhere between 66-95 AD (most probably closer to 95 AD) approximately 60 years after Jesus’ death and Resurrection. By this time, the apostle John would have been most probably in his 90’s.IT IS BELIEVED JOHN GOT THIS REVELATION AND WROTE THIS FROM THE ISLAND OF PATMOS (Revelation 1:9). JOHN WAS THE LAST OF THE REMAINING DISCIPLES. HISTORY HAS IT THAT THEY APPARENTLY TRIED TO BURN HIM ALIVE IN OIL, BUT JESUS PROTECTED HIM, SO THEY EXILED HIM TO THE ISLAND OF PATMOS!! John had been exiled for his faith by the Roman emperor Domitian to the penal colony on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea- about 40 miles from Ephesus! Early church sources suggest that John spent a total of 18 months on the island of Patmos beginning possibly in AD 95. After being released, it was believed John returned to Ephesus and directed the churches of Asia until his death in AD 98! The book of revelation reminds us that even though John had been exiled from men, He wasn't exiled from God!! God will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) no matter where on this earth you are!! (Psalm 139:7-10)
AUTHOR: The author was Jesus/God and this letter was given through John the apostle.
God The Father-)Jesus-)angel-)John (who wrote it down)-)Christians (to read, hear and take to heart/attend to)
Notice this also shows us the current spiritual order in the heavenly realms. God the Father, Jesus the Son, then the angels, then man!!
Do we (like John) pass on the revelations that Jesus gives to us in our quiet times with Him? PASS ON THE REVELATION!
AUDIENCE:
vs 1- to show His SERVANTS..This book is for all who are servants of Jesus!! Christians!! Verse 4 will go on to show us that this book is addressed to the 7 churches in Asia Minor which are also representative of the whole church!! (7 is the number of COMPLETION and can represent the whole!)
PURPOSE:
To reveal Jesus to us and what must soon take place in the future! At a time when Christians were being heavily persecuted for their faith, the Revelation of Jesus gave them hope and encouragement to remain faithful to Jesus inspite of the opposition, because of the hope of what was yet to come in Jesus!!
TIMELINE OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION:
According to Revelation 1:19, the book of Revelation is split up into THREE SECTIONS. Jesus said write therefore:
1.What you HAVE SEEN (Past tense). This could be referring to Revelation 1:1-18 and what John had already seen of the glory of the risen Jesus appearing to Him!!
2.What IS NOW. (Present tense) This could be referring to chapters 2-3 and the letters to the 7 churches- THE CHURCH AGE that we are in now!!
3.What will take place AFTER THIS. This word in the Greek is “meta tauta” and the same word is used at the start of Revelation chapter 4! It is therefore believed that chapters 4 onwards is what will take place in the FUTURE. What is yet to Happen!!
WHY IS IT BENEFICIAL TO READ THE BOOK OF REVELATION?
1.vs 1- the revelation of Jesus Christ!! The word 'REVELATION' in the Greek is 'apokalypsis' which means to “take the veil away”, “unveil” or the “disclosure of truth”!! The fact that this book is called “REVELATION” means that there is something that God wants to reveal, unveil and disclose to us about Jesus and the end times! Especially with the times we are in right now, this is therefore one reason why we should take the time to read this book of the bible!
2.vs 1 tells us that the prophecies in this book will SOON TAKE PLACE. Therefore if the book of revelation is telling us what is about to happen, it is important that we take the time to read it to understand and BE READY for what is soon to take place!!
3.vs 3- God offers a BLESSING for those who READ the words of this revelation, HEAR it (Mark 4:9 let Him who has ears to hear, let him hear.) and take it TO HEART (to keep and attend to carefully). The book of Revelation is the only book of the bible that offers a BLESSING to the one who reads, hears and keeps the words of this prophecy! This is another important reason why we should take the time to read this book, even if we don’t fully understand it yet!
READ REVELATION 1:1-3
vs 1-2 John testifies to everything He saw from God's word and the testimony of Jesus Christ which will always go hand in hand and never be contrary to each other!!!
We too are called to bear testimony by sharing the word of God and what Jesus has done and shown us in our lives!! Just like John wrote down and passed on the revelation that God the Father gave to Jesus, who gave it to John through His angel, will we do the same and pass on the daily revelations that Jesus gives us of Himself, to others (Matthew 28:20, 1 Corinthians 11:23, 15:3)? PASS ON THE REVELATION!
vs 1- what must SOON take place. “SOON” to Jesus here is 2000 years! Notice therefore that GOD’S TIMING IS NOT OUR OWN!! (John 11- Jesus waited til Lazarus was dead 4 days to raise him from the dead so that He got more glory!! (See also Genesis 18:11-14) LEARN TO BE PATIENT TO WAIT UPON GOD’S PERFECT TIMING!
vs 1,3 what must SOON TAKE PLACE.... words of this PROPHECY. Notice that prophecy here is FORETELLING FUTURE EVENTS!! The word prophecy in the Greek is the word “propheteia” which can mean a discourse emanating from divine inspiration that declares the purposes of God and reveals things hidden (1 Corinthians 14:24-25) or foretells future events. (Eg. Acts 11:27-28, Acts 21:10-11)
vs 2- the TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST! It is important to note that the book of Revelation is a testimony about Jesus!! This gives context to Revelation 12:11 and how the believers overcome satan by the blood of the lamb and “the word of their testimony”. Their testimony in Revelation 12 is all about Jesus!! (Revelation 19:10)
CHAPTERS 1:4-3:22 NOW ADDRESS THE 7 CHURCHES IN THE PROVINCE OF ASIA!! (Modern day Turkey) These 7 churches (vs 11) were ones that actually existed at that time, but also reflect the character of all churches currently and may also represent the church throughout different time periods in history!!
vs 4- GRACE and PEACE to you... This was a common christian greeting used at that time by many of the apostles! (See 1 Peter 1:2, Colossians 1:2) This greeting reminds Christians of what they have access to in Jesus!! (1 Corinthians 15:10, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 2:11-12, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 12:6, Philippians 4:6-7, John 14:27) God’s UNMERITED FAVOUR to help us in our times of need and PEACE (tranquil state of the soul assured of their salvation) to guard our hearts and minds and to not be afraid!!
vs 4- notice also that it is God The Father, The Holy Spirit and Jesus who send GRACE and PEACE to the believers? THE TRINITY!
vs 4- God is the one WHO IS, WHO WAS, and WHO IS TO COME all at the same time (vs 8)! He is outside of time!! Psalm 90:2- From everlasting to everlasting You are God!! He is in our PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE! WHO IS- reminds us that He is EVER-PRESENT in our situation (Psalm 46:1). David said in Psalm 23:1 “The Lord IS my shepherd.”
WHO WAS- shows us that He is BEFORE all things and therefore all things were created by Him!! (Colossians 1:16-17, John 8:58) It is comforting to know that whatever situation you find yourself in, Jesus has been there before you and already knows what you are going through!!
WHO IS TO COME- reveals to us that Jesus is the finisher of what He started!! (Eg. Hebrews 12:2, Philippians 1:6) THE CONSUMMATOR! The fact that this phrase is mentioned again in Revelation 1:8 reminds us also of the inevitability of Jesus coming again!! JESUS IS COMING BACK AGAIN! (Revelation 11:17 confirms this as once the seventh angel sounded his trumpet signalling Jesus Kingdom and reign, the 24 elders around the throne only mention God as the one WHO IS and WHO WAS. There is No longer any mention of God being the one WHO IS TO COME, as His kingdom has come at that point!!)
THE ALMIGHTY- this word in the Greek can mean “all ruling”. God is the one who RULES OVER ALL!
vs 4- the 'seven-fold Spirit' could refer to the seven-fold character of the Holy Spirit from Isaiah 11:2. (See also Ephesians 1:17)
vs 4-5 notice the mention of the trinity here!! God, Holy Spirit and Jesus!! (2 Corinthians 13:14)
vs 5- the titles and roles of Jesus! He is THE FAITHFUL WITNESS, FIRST BORN FROM THE DEAD (Colossians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23), RULER OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16, Psalm 2:6-12). These titles also denote the order of His ministry. Jesus firstly came as the faithful martyr and died for our sins, then He was the first born from among the dead by His resurrection, and then He therefore became the ruler of the kings of the earth!! (Philippians 2:6-11)
Faithful witness- in Revelation 2:13, this same word is used of Antipas!! Thus we see Antipas from the city of Pergamum being an imitator of Jesus!! LEARN TO IMITATE JESUS!!
vs 5- How much our wonderful Jesus loves us!! (Galatians 2:20) Do we have this personal revelation of how much Jesus loves us? This is written by the same John who had a revelation of how much Jesus loved him! (John 21:7,20, John 20:2) A REVELATION OF JESUS’ LOVE!
THE POWER OF JESUS' BLOOD! vs 5- What Jesus' blood does for us!! His blood has freed us from our sins (Matthew 1:21, 1 Peter 2:24)!! In 1 John 1:7- His blood purifies us from all sin!! In 1 Peter 1:18 Jesus' precious blood has redeemed us from our empty, sinful way of life!! In Ephesians 1:7 we have been redeemed and forgiven our sins by the blood of Jesus!! In Ephesians 2:13, we have been brought near to Jesus by His blood! In Hebrews 10:19, we can have confidence in entering God’s Holy Presence by the blood of Jesus!! In Revelation 12:11 we are able to overcome satan by the blood of Jesus!! This is part of what we remember at communion (1 Corinthians 11:25).
vs 5-6 looks at who Jesus is, what He has done for us (loved us, freed us, and made us to be... (given us a calling).
SAVED FOR A PURPOSE!! vs 6- tells us our calling (2 Timothy 1:9- Jesus has saved us and called us for a purpose.) We are called to be KINGS and PRIESTS to serve God our Father! (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:10) Under the Old Testament law, no-one could be both a King and a priest, because the priests came from the tribe of Levi, while the Kings came from the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:11-14)!! Only Jesus and Melchizedek (a picture of Jesus in Genesis 14:18) were both King and priests!! We get to follow in our wonderful saviour's footsteps in serving God our Heavenly Father! A KING governs the people, while a PRIEST intercedes on behalf of them to God!
vs 6- we also see a correlation to the Old Testament. In Exodus 19:1-6, just like God rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt to become a kingdom of priests to serve Him, so too we as the church here are rescued from slavery to sin (vs 5) and satan’s kingdom to become a kingdom of priests to serve God!!
vs 7- refers to Jesus' second coming, (Matthew 24:30, Daniel 7:13-14) when He will come in the clouds (Acts 1:9-11) in judgement and every nation and eye will see Him and mourn!! This is the major theme of the book of Revelation!! Jesus' second coming and His judgement on the ungodly!!
vs 8- ALPHA and OMEGA (Revelation 21:6, 22:13-16) are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet!! This shows Jesus (based on Revelation 22:13) is the beginning and the end!! This shows He is creator (Colossians 1:16) and consummator (brings to pass all His purposes)!! The author and finisher of all things including our faith (Hebrews 12:2)!!
HUMILITY: vs 9- I John, your brother and companion... The word companion here can mean “joint partner”. Notice therefore, that even though John was an apostle, he did not elevate himself above any of the other believers of Jesus!! This shows true humility!! (See also 1 Peter 5:1 and Peter’s humility!)
CALLED TO SUFFERING AND PERSECUTION: vs 9- companion in tribulation/suffering and the patient endurance that is ours!! The word for PATIENT ENDURANCE here can mean one who is not swerved from their purpose and loyalty to their faith in Jesus despite the trials and sufferings going on!! As Christians we are called to endure suffering and persecution! (1 Peter 4:12-17, Philippians 1:29, Romans 8:17, Hebrews 10:32-36, Hebrews 12:1, 2 Timothy 2:3, Mark 10:30) SUFFERING IS PART OF OUR CALLING!
We see also that the reason for John’s suffering was because of the WORD OF GOD and TESTIMONY OF JESUS!! Don’t be surprised if you experience persecution and suffering for standing up for the standards of God’s word and for Jesus!! (2 Timothy 3:12)
vs 10- John was IN THE SPIRIT on the Lord’s day (Revelation 4:2)!! This could be a similar type of experience that Paul the apostle had where he wasn’t sure whether he was in the body or out of it! (2 Corinthians 12:1-4)
vs 11- John was asked to write down what he sees and send it to the 7 churches!! 7 is the number of completion and so these churches could be representative of all churches!! (Eg. Revelation 2:7) This also means John sent 7 copies of the book of revelation (one to each of the churches) which helps make sure that this revelation would not be tampered with and falsified!!
vs 12- the lamp stands are used to signify the church (Revelation 1:20) as the church is called to shine/hold the lamp/light to the world (Matthew 5:14). According to Revelation 4:5 the lamp refers to The Holy Spirit, and so this reveals to us that the Church is meant to carry the presence of The Holy Spirit!!
vs 13- reveals that Jesus walks among His churches!! One like “a son of man” is directly taken from Daniel 7:13. In Matthew 16:13-15, Jesus confirms that He is the SON OF MAN!!
vs 13-16 VISION OF THE GLORIFIED, RISEN JESUS!! (Daniel 7:9, 10:5, Matthew 17:2)
vs 13- Jesus dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and golden sash around His chest, sounds similar to Exodus 28:4-5 and Exodus 29:5 and the garments that the high priest Aaron was to wear in order to serve God in the tabernacle!! This reminds us that JESUS IS OUR HIGH PRIEST!! HE IS INTERCEDING FOR THE CHURCH!
vs 16- in His right hand, Jesus held 7 STARS! According to Revelation 1:20, the seven stars are 7 angels!! This means Jesus is greater than the angels since He holds them in His hand!! (Hebrews 1:4) The word “angel” here can also mean messenger. Within the context of this passage, the messengers could refer to the church leaders that would pass this Revelation on to the congregation!! If this is the case then this is a reminder that Jesus is greater than the church leadership!! He is the ONLY HEAD OF THE CHURCH! (Ephesians 1:22-23)
vs 16- the sharp DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD coming out of Jesus’ mouth, according to Hebrews 4:12 would be the WORD OF GOD!! This means that everything Jesus is about to say to John is the WORD OF GOD!!
vs 16- Jesus’ face was like the sun SHINING IN ALL ITS BRILLIANCE! Peter, James and John got a glimpse of Jesus’ glorified state back in Matthew 17:2 at His TRANSFIGURATION! (2 Peter 1:16-18)
vs 17- notice John’s response to seeing Jesus glorified was REVERENCE and falling at Jesus’ feet!! Let us LEARN TO REVERE JESUS!! (Hebrews 12:28, 2 Corinthians 7:1)
vs 17- I am the FIRST and the LAST! This reminds us that everything STARTS and ENDS with Jesus!!!When Jesus says this, it is also a claim to Deity since this is what God said in Isaiah 44:6. JESUS IS GOD!!
vs 18- Jesus now has power over DEATH and HADES!! By His death and resurrection Jesus took away satan's hold on death (Hebrews 2:14) and conquered death by His resurrection!! (Romans 6:9)
DEATH AND HADES: Death could refer to the killing of the body (Luke 12:4-5), while hades is what happens to our soul, or where our soul goes!! (Luke 16:22-23, Acts 2:27)
vs 19- As discussed previously, the book of Revelation is broken up into 3 sections!!
1.What has been (Revelation 1:1-18 the glory of the resurrected Jesus!)
2.What is now (Revelation 2-3- the age of the church).
3.What will take place LATER (Revelation 4:1 onwards!!). The TRIBULATION, JESUS’ SECOND COMING, GOD’S WRATH being poured out and GOD’S RESTORATION!!
vs 20- JESUS, THE REVEALER OF MYSTERIES!! Jesus here already reveals to John the mystery of the seven stars and lamp stands!! So we can now be confident that He will reveal more to us in this book of what is going to take place at the end of the age!!
INTRODUCTION TO THE 7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION: CHAPTERS 2-3 (WHAT IS NOW)
(Map taken from "NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, pg 2225)
THE NAMES OF THE 7 CHURCHES THAT JOHN WROTE TO FROM THE ISLAND OF PATMOS WERE:
EPHESUS
SMYRNA
PERGAMUM
THYATIRA
SARDIS
PHILADELPHIA
LAODICEA
CONTEXT TO THE 7 CHURCHES
CONTEXT: FIRSTLY we will see that these 7 churches (EPHESUS, SMYRNA, PERGAMUM, THYATIRA, SARDIS, PHILADELPHIA and LAODICEA) were actual physical churches that existed in 95AD in Asia Minor!
SECONDLY, we will also notice that these 7 churches are representative of the COMPLETE CHURCH (every church). The number 7 is the number of completion, but we also see at the end of each letter to each church, that Jesus says “let HIM who has a ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the CHURCHES.” In other words, the letter written to the church in Ephesus does not just apply to that church, but to every church and to each of us as INDIVIDUALS!!
THIRDLY, If you notice how the churches are placed in Asia Minor and the order in which Jesus writes to them, you will find it is in a clockwise direction. This may also then suggest that each of the churches represent the church in a different period of time up until Jesus comes again? (Especially because once Jesus finishes His letter to the last church, chapter 4 starts off with the words “After this”. Also Interestingly, in the letters to the first 2 churches, Jesus makes no mention of coming again, but in the last 5 churches, He alludes to coming again (Revelation 2:6, 2:25, 3:3, 3:11, 3:20) which may also support this idea!
WHAT DOES JESUS THINK OF HIS CHURCH?
This was like a report card Jesus is writing to the seven churches in the Asia Minor region (Modern day turkey).
Each letter starts of with an INTRODUCTION naming the church (names had meaning), revealing an ASPECT of JESUS, then He lists the good things this church is doing, then the bad things that they need to repent of, and then finally the REWARD for those who overcome!!
These letters are addressed to the ANGEL/MESSENGER of the church in.... This may not only refer to an actual Angel looking after each church in the spiritual (See Daniel 10 and how there are Angels and demons over different countries and places!) but this could actually be also referring to a human person/caretaker (pastors or leaders of the church) who would pass this letter to the church!!!!
Of the 7 churches that our Saviour Jesus writes to, only two of those churches had NOTHING BAD SAID ABOUT THEM BY JESUS (Smyrna and Philadelphia- the two churches heavily persecuted!), and of the 7 churches there were 2 churches which Jesus had NOTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THEM (Sardis and Laodicea- no persecution mentioned!)!
MAY WE BE ABLE TO LEARN FROM THESE 7 CHURCHES SO THAT WE WILL BE READY FOR THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS!
1. THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS (see Acts 19)
Read Revelation 2:1-7
CONTEXT: Ephesus was considered the capital of the Roman province in Asia Minor. It was the centre of trading in that region (Acts 19:24-27) and therefore a rich city (Hence Paul talking about our riches in Christ- Ephesians 1:7, 3:8,16).
Ephesus was famed for its temple to Artemis (Acts 19:24,27,35) or Diana (goddess of fertility and one of the 7 wonders of the world at that time) and therefore had a lot of pagan worship in that city!! (Hence the reference to we as Christians being built together into a temple where God dwells-Ephesians 2:21-22).
There was also a lot of sorcery and witchcraft that occurred in Ephesus (Acts 19:19). (This could be why Paul reminds the believers that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms- Ephesians 6:12)
The word Ephesus apparently means 'my darling' or 'DESIRED ONE'. (Double check this) This would be ironic then that Jesus tells this church they had left their first love (intimacy) with Him, especially after being the desired one or darling or Jesus!!
HOW DOES JESUS INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THIS CHURCH? WHAT RELEVANCE DOES THIS HAVE TO THE CHURCH?
Jesus will introduce Himself in these 7 letters using different aspects mentioned in chapter 1 about Himself!!
vs 1- Jesus firstly addresses this letter to the ANGEL of the church in Ephesus and introduces Himself here as the one “WHO HOLDS THE SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND..”. According to Revelation 1:20, the seven stars refer to the 7 ANGELS of the 7 churches. The word “ANGEL” here could either mean a literal angelic being or its word in the Greek (Angelos) could simply mean a “MESSENGER” (ie. in this case it could refer to church leadership who as messengers would pass on Jesus’ revelation to the church!)
Notice here that by Jesus holding the 7 stars in His hand, He is showing us that He is greater than the angels (Hebrews 1:4-14)! If this is the case, this also shows us that there are guardian angels over each church just as there are principalities and angels over nations (See Daniel 10:13-21 and Matthew 18:10)!
However, if the word “Angel” (angelos in the greek) means messengers/church leadership, than this shows us that Jesus is greater than the church leadership, since He is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23, 1 Corinthians 3:4-5). Jesus has authority over the church!!
The RIGHT HAND can symbolise authority and power- (Psalm 110:1, Exodus 15:6) and reminds us that Jesus has authority and power over the Angels and the church and its leadership! Therefore let us not idolise angels or church leadership!
This also reminds us that church leaders are simply messengers called to pass on the revelation that Jesus gives them!! (This ties in with the fact that Jesus commends this church in vs 2 and 6 for testing false apostles and hating the practices of the Nicolaitans- clergy lording it over the congregation!)
vs 1- By walking AMONG THE LAMPSTANDS (the church- Revelation 1:20), Jesus is showing us that He walks among the churches! Ie. HIS PRESENCE IS AMONG THE CHURCH!
vs 2- I KNOW YOUR WORKS! Notice nothing that happens in a church can be hidden from Jesus? He knows all the deeds that go on in the church. He is the one to whom we will be held accountable!! (2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 2:23, Hebrews 4:12-13) This also reminds us that GOOD INTENTIONS are not enough!! We will also be held accountable for our actions!! (The danger of two extremes!! Mark 7:6- We need both godly intentions and actions!)
WHAT DID THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS DO WELL?
vs 2- HARD WORK (Acts 20:35, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Corinthians 3:8) and PERSEVERANCE in the faith (Revelation 2:2, Hebrews 12:1, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Hebrews 10:36).
In Acts 20:35, Paul had encouraged the Ephesian elders about the importance of physical hard work so that they could help those in need!! (We see now that they heeded Paul’s final words to them!)
In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul also talks about working hard in the faith in serving Jesus and living out His calling! This is also what the Ephesians were commended for by Jesus here!
The word PERSEVERANCE here is the Greek word “hypomone” which can mean “one who is not swerved from their purpose and faith in God despite the greatest trials and sufferings.”
This is also what the church in Ephesus was commended for by Jesus here!!
vs 2- cannot tolerate the wicked (2 Peter 2:7-8)
vs 2- testing false prophets (Acts 20:29-31, Acts 17:11, 1 Thess 5:21, 1 John 4:1-4)
The word tolerate here is the Greek word “bastazo” which can mean to support or uphold! This church was commended for not supporting wicked men and false teachers/apostles by testing them with the word of God!! In Acts 20:28-31, The apostle Paul had warned the Ephesian elders about savage wolves that would come in and try mislead and scatter the flock! Once again it appears that they listened to Paul’s warning!!
vs 3- persevered (hypomone) and endured (Hebrews 12:1) hardships for your name Jesus and not grown weary!!! This church stood firm in Persecution!! (Hebrews 10:32-35, James 5:7-11)
vs 6- This church was also commended for hating idolatry and the practices of those who idol worship and follow false prophets (which the Nicolaitans were apparently known for)!!. Notice this church hated the PRACTICES of the Nicolaitans, not the Nicolaitans themselves? (Romans 12:9)
HATE THE SIN, NOT THE SINNER!!
The Nicolaitans (name means victorious over the people/ suppressing the people) were false teachers who may have tried to suppress the congregation and the Ephesians were commended for hating their false practices!! (Remember that by Jesus introducing Himself as the one who holds the the seven stars In his right hand this reminds us Jesus is greater than the leadership and the only true head of the church!)
WHAT WAS THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS DOING WRONG?
vs 4- Even though this church was doing things for Jesus, they may have forgotten that intimate relationship of being in love with Jesus!! They LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE! (Luke 10:27- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength!! 1 John 4:19)
1 Timothy 5:12- forsaken their first devotion to Christ, like the young widows!!
Luke 10:38-42 Martha was too busy, distracted by serving and making preparations for Jesus while Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet!!
They had FORSAKEN their FIRST love with Jesus!! Putting Jesus first!! The word “first” here in the Greek is the word “protos” which can mean first in order, time or rank!! This could therefore mean that this church was putting Jesus second to other things rather than putting Him NUMBER ONE!
Notice that even though Jesus said He will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) as genuine Christians, the danger is we can leave and forsake Him!! Don't let this happen!
The word for love here is 'agape', the unconditional (without conditions) affection and love from and with Jesus!! There should be no reason for us not to have intimate love and affection with our wonderful Jesus!! This is unconditional!!
JESUS’ EXHORTATION TO THIS CHURCH:
vs 5- they were to REMEMBER where they had fallen from and REPENT and get back to the works that came/flowing from the love of Jesus!! (John 14:15,23, Philemon 1:9)
vs 5- FIRST LOVE- Do we love Jesus above anyone and anything else? First here is the word 'Protos' which can mean first in time, but also first in rank!!
Notice that Jesus associates LOVE with ACTION? (DO the things you did at first) Jesus didn’t say feel the way you did at first!!! This reminds us that LOVE IS NOT A FEELING but THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Galatians 5:22) and to be acted out (1 Corinthians 13:4)!! LOVE IS ACTION!! (Romans 5:8, John 3:16, 1 John 3:18)
WARNING IF THEY DID NOT REPENT:
vs 5- If this church didn’t repent, their lamp stand would be removed. This could firstly mean, the church would be scattered! But also, since Jesus walked among the lamp stands, this would mean His presence would no longer be among this church. Also, since the Holy Spirit is the lamp (Revelation 4:5) that the lamp stand holds, this could also mean that the Holy Spirit would no longer be in that church. It could also mean that the church would lose its representation at the throne of God!!
REWARD FOR OVERCOMING:
vs 7- The right to eat from the TREE OF LIFE in PARADISE/heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Luke 23:43) and live forever!! In Genesis 3:22, when Adam and Eve had sinned, part of the curse was that the Lord prevented them from eating from the tree of life in the garden of Eden and living forever!
Paradise is paradise because Jesus is there!! He told the criminal, today you will be with me in paradise!!
This is the reward for the overcomer!
"HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES!"
2. THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH!
CHURCH IN SMYRNA (Modern day Izmir in Turkey)
(The persecuted Church)
CONTEXT: Smyrna was known as being a great port city. Closest sea port to Athens (ie. door to Europe). Therefore a great city.
It was initially conquered in 600BC and laid waste by the Validian king Adalis?
It was then resurrected back to its former glory by Alexander the Great because of a dream he had!!
(Hence the theme of death and life by Jesus in this letter as Smyrna folk lore often talked about their own city's death and resurrection!)
Smyrna was also known for its export and import of Myrrh!!
The word 'Smyrna' comes from the root word for 'myrrh'. Myrrh was used to embalm dead bodies (John 19:39-40) as in the case of Jesus!! This shows us the major theme of life and death with this church in Smyrna!! Christians in Smyrna were heavily persecuted because of forced Caesar worship. Anyone who refused to burn incense to Caesar and worship him were unable to get the certificate to buy and sell goods (and therefore could have become poor) or they were either burnt on the stake or thrown to the lions! (Hence reference to Afflictions and poverty- Revelation 2:9)
Smyrna was a major seaport on west coast of Asia Minor region!! A temple to emperor Tiberius was built there. It was referred to as a 'crown of porticoes' because of the beautiful public buildings that surrounded the summit of mount Pagos like a diadem!! Hence the possible reference by Jesus to the crown of life in vs 10!!
There were many Jews living in Smyrna, and therefore the reference to the synagogue of satan could be referring to those who were false Jews (Romans 2:28, 1 Thessalonians 2:14) who didn't believe in Jesus and actually persecuted the Christians in Smyrna! Historically, Polycarp in AD 155 (discipled by John the apostle) was martyred and the Jews helped to have him martyred!!
THIS WAS ONE OF THE CHURCHES THAT ONLY HAD GOOD THINGS SAID ABOUT IT BY JESUS!
Q1. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS' INTRODUCTION TO THIS CHURCH?
This church was heavily persecuted and many were martyred for their faith!! This could be why Jesus introduces Himself in vs 8 as the one who died and came to life to give them comfort (that He has defeated death) and hope that there is eternal life for them after death because Jesus is the first fruits of the resurrection!!! (1 Corinthians 15:20, John 11:21-26, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
JESUS DEFEATED DEATH!! THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH!
vs 9- It is comforting that Jesus knows the afflictions and poverty this church was going through!! Their suffering was not being overlooked! (Hebrews 4:15- Jesus is able to sympathise with our weaknesses! Acts 9:4-5, Matthew 25:35-40) Jesus knows the pain and hardships we go through! (Acts 9:4-5, Romans 15:3)
JESUS KNOWS THE TRIALS YOU ARE SUFFERING!
This church was only commended by Jesus!!
WHAT WAS THIS CHURCH COMMENDED FOR?
1. Enduring under suffering, afflictions and death, prison and persecution. (Revelation 2:9-10)
2. Even though this church was physically poor in wealth, they were rich in faith (James 2:5)! Contrast Revelation 3:17.
3. The Christians in Smyrna were willing to die for Jesus!! (vs 10)
ARE WE WILLING TO BE PERSECUTED, GO THROUGH SUFFERING AND DIE FOR JESUS? (Mark 8:34-38)
vs 9- The term 'satan' means adversary/opposer!! In this case satan opposed the Christians using the unbelieving Jews in that area!! That could be why they are referred to as the synagogue of satan!!
vs 10- the term devil- 'diabolos' means slanderer or false accuser!! That is what these Jews were doing!! They were falsely accusing the Christians and having them persecuted, thrown in prison and killed!!
THE ENEMY SATAN WILL FALSELY ACCUSE US AND OPPOSE US. LET US STAND FIRM AND ENTRUST OURSELVES TO JESUS WHO IS ABLE TO SAVE US!! (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
vs 9-10 also reminds us that the battle is in the spiritual. The enemy satan will work through people in the natural!!
WHAT WERE TWO COMFORTING THINGS JESUS SAID TO THIS CHURCH? (vs 9-10)
vs 9- I know your afflictions (Acts 9:4-5), and do not be afraid about what you are to suffer! (vs 10).
vs 10- the church in Smyrna was encouraged by Jesus that they didn't have to be afraid of what they were about to suffer!! (Luke 12:4-5). We are to only fear/reverence God who has the power to throw us into hell!!
NO FEAR IN SUFFERING BECAUSE OF JESUS!!
This is also a reminder that Jesus has called us to suffering and persecution!! (John 16:33, Philippians 1:29, Romans 8:17, 1 Peter 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Timothy 1:8)
REWARD FOR OVERCOMING:
vs 10- the crown of life for those who endure suffering even unto death!! (James 1:12) The word for crown is the word 'stephanos' which also means- reward or prize!!
WHAT OTHER CROWNS ARE OFFERED BY JESUS?
2 Timothy 4:8- the crown of righteousness for finishing our race!!
1 Peter 5:4- the crown of glory for those who faithfully look after Jesus' flock!!
1 Corinthians 9:25- everlasting crown!!
1 Thessalonians 2:19, Philippians 4:1- crown of exaltation?
The purpose of these crowns is to lay them down at Jesus' feet to worship Him who is worthy forever and ever!! (Revelation 4:10)
vs 11- the overcomer will not be hurt by the second death!! (Revelation 20:14, John 11:25-26) That is being put in hell in the LAKE OF FIRE to experience torment for eternity!!
If we are born twice (born again-John 3:7) we will only die once!! But he who is only born once, will die twice!!
“Let him who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
3. THE CHURCH IN PERGAMUM
THE CHURCH MARRIED TO WORLDLY FALSE RELIGIONS!
CHURCH IN PERGAMUM: THE CHURCH MARRIED TO WORLDLY FALSE RELIGIONS!
(A church that had allowed false teachings/teachers to influence it!!)
Interestingly the root word for Pergamos can mean WATCH TOWER. A tower where a person could see in all directions to repel the enemy!!! This is ironic, since this church was freely letting in the enemy and false religions.
Ironic, since this church didn't recognise and deal with the people in its own congregation following false religions!! (Ezekiel 3:17-18, Matthew 7:15, Acts 20:29, 2 Peter 2:1-4)
In Matthew 7:15 and 10:16 we see the 2 battlefields christians are called to. According to what our saviour Jesus said in Matthew 7:15, One battle will be within the church, where we are called to watch out for false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing among the sheep! The other battle (according to what Jesus said in Matthew 10:16) would be outside the church in the world where we would be like sheep among the wolves. The letter to the church in Pergamum will be focussing on the battle both outside and within the church in this passage!
Apparently the word 'pergamos' can also mean 'mixed marriage' or 'marriage to whosoever'.
Per= whosoever
gamos= marriage
In the Greek? (Strongs concordance 4007 and 1062)
CONTEXT: Pergamum was a city of the Roman province of Asia about 18 miles from the sea and about 48 miles north of Smyrna (modern day city of Bergama in asiatic turkey). Pergamos was apparently known as the city of the serpent (due to its temple to Asclepius- the symbol of medicine which was a serpent!)
This city was known for its many temples to different false gods. The temple to zeus, the temple to demeter, Athena, dionysus and asclepius etc. and also emperor worship!! (Hence the possible reference to being a place where “satan’s throne is”.)
Therefore this was a church that was in danger of being married to other religions and the world by allowing them in the church!! But what did God say about being unequally yoked? (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
HOW DOES JESUS INTRODUCE HIMSELF?
vs 13- Jesus comes with a two-edged sword!! (Revelation 1:16, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12- the word of God). In a place where the Roman consul would normally exercise the “power of the sword” in bringing judgement (Romans 13:4), Jesus would be the one who exercised this judgement as the one in authority!! This could be appropriate as Jesus is going to come to rebuke people in this church with the word of God and bring correction and fight for truth against the false teachings with the word of God!! (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 4:4-10)
vs 13- this church was located in a place/city where satan had his throne. This could be referring to the many pagan temples such as the temple to zeus and asklepius that were set up in that city.
This also means satan was in control of this city!! Imagine planting a church in one of these places. (Eg. In kings cross or Oxford street, Sydney)
The church would be very much persecuted and yet this is where the church needs to be in order to save the lost and take back what the enemy tried to steal!! MORE CHURCHES NEED TO BE PLANTED IN THE PLACES WHERE SATAN HAS HIS THRONE!!
WHAT DID THIS CHURCH DO WELL? (Battle outside the church)
1.This church remained true to your name Jesus (to hold on to being a follower of Jesus)! They did not renounce their faith (belief in Jesus and conviction of His truth) in Jesus (Mark 8:38, 2 Timothy 2:12) despite the death of one of His servants there and the persecution from satan!! Satan=adversary (Revelation 2:13) THIS CHURCH WAS STANDING FIRM IN THEIR FAITH IN JESUS DESPITE THE PERSECUTION!
vs 13- notice the believers at Pergamum were not discouraged or deterred by the martyrdom of Antipas!! This is commendable!! (Sometimes when we see other Christians suffering, it can deter us from our faith in Jesus!! But instead, let us be encouraged by their perseverance and boldness and let that strengthen our faith in Jesus and embolden us to keep serving Him!! (See Philippians 1:14)
vs 13- “where satan has his throne/where satan lives”. This seems to show us that satan can only be in one place at one time.
LEARNING FROM ANTIPAS:
'Antipas' means 'like the father' in Greek!! ARE WE IMITATORS OF GOD JUST LIKE JESUS IS? (John 5:19, Ephesians 5:1)
vs 13- Antipas was Jesus' “FAITHFUL WITNESS”. The word for faithful is “pistos” which can mean one who can be trusted to discharge and complete the duty given to them!! (It is the same word used in Matthew 25:21 when Jesus says well done good and FAITHFUL servant to the one who had bore fruit with the talents given to them!)
The word for “witness” here means MARTYR!! It is the same word used in Acts 1:8 when Jesus told his disciples they would receive power from the Holy Spirit and be His 'witnesses' to the world! ARE WE WILLING TO DIE FOR OUR FAITH IN JESUS?
Notice therefore that this church was good at the EXTERNAL BATTLE outside the four walls of the church in standing firm in their faith in Jesus despite the persecution and trials!!
WHAT DID THIS CHURCH DO WRONG? (Battle within the church)
vs 14-15 notice this church was held accountable just for having people in their congregation who held to the false teachings of BALAAM (see 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11, Numbers 25:1, Numbers 31:16) and the NICOLAITANS (see church of Ephesus)!! In the story of Balaam in Numbers 25-31, the Israelite men were led astray to marrying the Moabite women (mixed marriage)!!
WHO WAS BALAAM?
According to Numbers 31:16, Balaam was the false prophet (who was rebuked by a donkey (Numbers 22:29-35, 2 Peter 2:16) who advised Balak (the king of Moab) on how to lead Israel astray through the Moabite women, into sexual immorality (and being unequally yoked) and idolatry (Numbers 25:1). The Moabite women convinced the Israelite men to join in their sacrifices to false gods!
Q. WHOM DOES JESUS ASK TO REPENT IN VS 16?
Notice Jesus was asking the Church to repent, not the unbelievers who were following the ways of balaam and the nicolaitans?
This church was held accountable for not rebuking/correcting them and separating from them if necessary (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)!!
This shows us God's church is meant to be HOLY AND SET APART FROM THE WORLD!!
This was a church therefore allowing false teachings and religions to creep in!!
There may have also been some in the congregation who were teaching that it is okay to eat food sacrificed to idols, and excusing sexual immorality!!
As mentioned before, Balaam enticed the Israelites through balak into eating food sacrificed to idols!! (1 Corinthians 8, 1 Corinthians 10:25-31) and taught the Moabite women to seduce the Israelite men into being unequally yoked and into sexual immorality!!
Sexual immorality includes: pornography, sex outside of marriage, being unequally yoked in marriage, sex before marriage etc!!
So how are we to deal with sexual immorality in the church? (1 Corinthians 5). CORRECT IT AND STAMP IT OUT!
Do not have fellowship with the sexually immoral who refuse correction and rebuke!! Do not continue to have communion with them!! (2 Corinthians 6:14-17, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13)
Pray that they may come to repentance!!
vs 15- This church also didn't hate the practices of the Nicolaitans which God hated (contrast Ephesians 2:6)!! This reminds us we are to hate what is evil and cling to what is good!! (Romans 12:9)
The Nicolaitans could be preaching the idea of 'suppressing the layity'. Ie. This idea that the clergy were to Lord it over the congregation. Which is opposite to what Jesus taught which was that leaders are to serve the people!! (John 13, Matthew 20:25-28)
EXHORTATION TO THIS CHURCH:
vs 16- Jesus calls the church to REPENT for their lack of courage to correct and stamp out these false teachers/teachings!! We need to make sure we correct one another out of love from the word and live as a holy church!! (James 5:19-20, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
ONE FORM OF SIN- SEEING THE WRONG IN CHURCH AND NOT CORRECTING IT!!
vs 16- Jesus brings the two-edged sword of judgement by God's word in a place where the Roman consul normally exercised the power of the sword in judgement!!
CHALLENGE: stamp out false teachings in the church by being willing to rebuke and correct from the word of God out of love (Ephesians 4:15)! THE CHURCH IS TO BE A WATCH TOWER! (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
REWARD FOR OVERCOMING:
vs 17- Hidden manna (Hebrews 9:4- hidden in the presence of God in the Most Holy Place in the ark of the covenant!) and a white stone with a new name written on it (new identity)!! (Genesis 32:28, Isaiah 62:2) NEW IDENTITY! During the ancient olympics, apparently the winner of a race was given a white stone with their name written on it as the prize. This stone would give them access to the Colossuem and other privileges!! REWARD WITH PRIVILEGES!!
The hidden manna could represent spiritual nourishment (just as Israel was physically nourished in the wilderness by manna from heaven) and it could also represent access to the presence of God to gain that nourishment since this manna was only found in the Most holy place in the temple where God’s presence dwelled under the old covenant!!
This is the reward for those who overcome!
CHALLENGE: DON’T BE MARRIED TO FALSE RELIGIONS AND THE WORLD!
4. THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA
CHURCH IN THYATIRA: (Dealing with false prophets in the church!!)
CONTEXT: This church appears to have been a Macedonian city located between Pergamum and Sardis on the border of Lydia and Mysia in Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey). This church was possibly located on the river Lycus. Originally it was a Lydian city bearing the name Pelopia and then Semiramis and Euhippia. It was captured by the Persians and then by Alexander the Great and then passed to one of his generals Lysimachus. In 301 BC when Lysimachus was defeated by the other general Seleucus 1 Nicator, it then became part of Syria! Apparently Seleucus named it Thyatira (2363) (Greek thygater (2364) which means daughter) because a daughter had just been born to him!! It came under Roman rule around 133 BC. Thyatira appears to be the smallest and least significant religiously and politically of the 7 cities that Jesus wrote letters to.
Thyatira also apparently had a TEMPLE TO APOLLOS the sun god (which could be why Jesus introduces Himself as the Son of God!) Thyatira was a Center of business and trade and made its living from traffic coming in (since it was situated along a great highway linking two river valleys). It was famous for its manufacture of purple dye (as evidenced from Acts 16:14 with the woman Lydia who was a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira) and it’s brass making trade (hence the allusion to Jesus having burnished bronze feet!)It seemed to have had more trade guilds than any other of the Asian cities of its size in its time. The necessity for membership in these trade guilds would have made it difficult for Christian merchants in Thyatira as it could have tempted compromise with what these guilds were involved in- pagan idolatrous feasts and immorality! While the church in Pergamum focussed on people following false teachings, the church in Thyatira will focus more specifically on false teachers/prophets in the church!!!!
WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF JESUS' INTRODUCTION? (vs 18)
Because this false prophetess Jezebel was misleading people in the church into idolatry and eating food sacrificed to idols, notice Jesus introduces Himself as the Son of God!! He is the one true Son of God (John 10:36, Luke 22:70, John 3:16, Mark 5:7)! To reassure the church that He is the one and only!! (This may have also been in response to the temple of apollos- the sun god that was located in this city!)
His eyes like blazing fire could refer to the fact that He can see right through us into our hearts and minds (Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 2:23)!
His feet being like burnished bronze may not only be an allusion to the brass work in Thyatira, but also suggests the idea of DIVINE JUDGEMENT, the idea that Jesus will tread down the enemies in judgement (vs 27)!!
WHAT WAS THIS CHURCH COMMENDED FOR?
1.LOVE and FAITH (Philemon 1:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, Galatians 5:6, Colossians 1:4-5)
Their love and faith were shown practically through their deeds!!
vs 19- notice love and faith are linked with 'deeds' here? True love is a verb! True love is shown by our actions rather than just words!! John 13:34- Jesus said 'As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' Jesus is never quoted as directly saying 'I love you' in the gospels, rather, He showed His love by His actions (John 3:16, John 13:1, 1 John 3:18). The only way we can love God and others is by experiencing the love of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit within us whose fruit is love (Galatians 5:22). Likewise true faith is shown by our deeds!! (James 2:14)
2.SERVICE to the saints!! (vs 19).
This church was SERVING/ministering to one another!! The word serve can mean ministry- of those who execute commands of others, those who proclaim the gospel and religion among men (Acts 6:4). Those who help meet the needs of others (Luke 10:40, Acts 6:1, Acts 11:29). It is used of deacons and all who do ministry in the Lord!! The same word is used in Luke 10:40 referring to Martha serving the Lord by preparing food for Him! (See Acts 6:1) It is also the same word used in Acts 1:25 referring the the apostolic ministry the disciples were called to, and in Acts 6:4 referring to the ministry of the word of God! It is also the same word used in Acts 11:29 referring to the disciples offering financial HELP to the brethren in Judea who were in need! This church was good at ministering to people and one another! DO WE MINISTER TO ONE ANOTHER IN THE WORD, FINANCIALLY AND SERVING ONE ANOTHER’S NEEDS?
3. PERSEVERANCE in living out their God given purpose (vs 19)!
The word perseverance is “hypomone” and can mean “one who is not swerved from their purpose and faith in Jesus in the midst of the severest trials and sufferings!” This word can also mean steadfastness or constancy (Romans 5:3-4, Hebrews 10:36).
This church continued to live our God’s purpose and stand firm in their faith despite the trials and sufferings they may have been going through! Are we doing the same?
4.They are DOING this MORE now, then they did at first!! (2 Peter 1:5-8, 2 Thessalonians 1:3)
Rather than slowing down as we mature in our faith, Jesus calls us to do more as we grow in our faith in Him!!Are we growing in our love for God and people and in our faith and ministry every day and doing more for Jesus now, then when we first got saved by Him (2 Thessalonians 1:3)?
Often it is the other way around!! When we first get saved, we want to do everything possible in serving our wonderful Jesus, and then as the years go by we become too familiar and fit into a routine of going through the motions!! We start having families and then justify saying let the younger generation do more for Jesus now, we have had our time!! Jesus please don't let me fall into this trap!!
WHAT DID JESUS HAVE AGAINST THIS CHURCH? (What was this church doing wrong?)
1.TOLERATING the false prophetess Jezebel (Contrast Revelation 2:20 and Revelation 2:2 and the church of Ephesus)
The word 'tolerate' means 'to allow a person to do as one wishes without restraint'. (Acts 14:16- in the past God “suffereth” all nations to go their own way!!) Notice here in vs 20, that God was against the church, because they tolerated Jezebel! In vs 20, notice Jesus says this woman Jezebel 'calls herself' a prophetess? This means she is a self-proclaimed prophetess and had not been called by Jesus to be a prophetess!! The proof is that her teaching actually misled Jesus' servants into sin!! (This is one way to test a prophet to see if they are from Jesus or not! Do their teachings lead people to Jesus and holiness or rather into sin?) This verse also reveals that your calling will usually be confirmed by The Lord through other believers!! It usually isn’t self appointed!!
OTHER WAYS TO TEST PROPHETS(Deuteronomy 13:1-5, Deuteronomy 18:20-22, Jeremiah 28:1-17)
LEARN HOW TO TEST FALSE PROPHETS! This also reminds us that it is a sin for us to sit idly by and allow false teachers and prophets to mislead others into sin!! Jesus and the New Testament warned us there would be false prophets coming in His name (Matthew 24:11, 2 Peter 2:1, Matthew 7:15) But we are called as the church and individuals to test false prophets and teachers (Matthew 7:15-19, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22, Acts 17:11) and warn each other!! (Ephesians 4:14-15, 2 Timothy 2:24-26)
Q. ARE WE TESTING EVERYTHING THAT IS PREACHED TO DISCERN TRUE TEACHERS AND PROPHETS FROM FALSE ONES?
Q. DO WE SIT IDLY BY AND DO NOTHING TO WARN OTHERS WHEN WE SEE A FALSE TEACHER/PROPHET PREACHING FALSELY? Ironically, in a city that was named after one female, the church had another female leading them astray!!
2.vs 20- She leads people into SEXUAL IMMORALITY AND IDOLATRY!! (Acts 15:19-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-12, 10:19-33) Just like Jezebel in the Old Testament led Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 16:31-32, 18:19) and sexual immorality (causing Ahab to be unequally yoked), so too this woman was leading people in the church astray by false teachings!! The word sexual immorality/fornication is the Greek word “porneuo” which can mean to give oneself over to UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE! This would therefore include: sex outside of marriage, adultery, homosexuality, prostitution etc. BEWARE OF SEXUAL IMMORALITY AND IDOLATRY!
WHO WAS JEZEBEL? (See 1 Kings 16:31,18:4,19, 19:1-2, 21:5-25, and 2 Kings 9:22) Queen Jezebel enticed King Ahab and Israel into worshipping baal and eating food sacrificed to this idol (1 Kings 21:25)!! King Ahab by marrying Jezebel (who was sidonian) also therefore committed a form of sexual immorality by being unequally yoked!! Just like Jezebel influenced the OT Israel, so too this woman Jezebel in the church was influencing the church into sexual immorality and idolatry!
vs 21-22 Jesus in His mercy gives false teachers and prophets time to repent, but if they will not repent and they continue to lead God's people astray, they will be severely punished and judged by Jesus!! This shows us Jesus will protect His church from false teachings because He says in Matthew 16:18 'I will build my church and the gates of hades will not overcome it!'
THE JUDGEMENT ON FALSE PROPHETS: vs 21-23 mentions the judgement that will come on these false prophets and their followers if they don't REPENT and turn from their false ways!! (2 Peter 2:1-10) vs 22-23 DEATH and SUFFERING awaits those false prophets and their blind followers!! FALSE TEACHERS/PROPHETS WILL BE JUDGED!
vs 23- Jesus shows us that sinful actions start in our hearts and minds (Mark 7:20-23)!! Jesus is the one who searches hearts and minds and will repay each of us according to our actions!! (1 Samuel 16:7) This also shows us that:
1.GOOD INTENTIONS BY THEMSELVES ARE NOT ENOUGH! Our actions must follow our intentions because Jesus doesn’t repay us according to our intentions of the heart and mind, but according to our actions!!
2.Our HEARTS DESIRES and MINDS THOUGHTS INFLUENCE OUR ACTIONS and are the source of our actions!! So what is it that we allow to influence our hearts and minds? (Matthew 12:34, Mark 7:20-23)
3.Actions without the right heart and mind are also not enough, as man looks at the outward appearance, but Jesus searches our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). JESUS WILL KNOW IF WE ARE DOING THINGS WITH THE WRONG MOTIVE!!
REWARD FOR OVERCOMING:
vs 24-26 to those who overcome sexual immorality and idolatry (do not hold to Jezebel’s teaching or learn Satan’s deep secrets) and HOLD ON (keep faithfully and carefully- 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Hebrews 4:14) to what they already have in Jesus and do Jesus' will to the end (perseverance- Hebrews 3:14, Matthew 24:13), they will be:
1.Given AUTHORITY TO RULE with Jesus over the nations!! (Revelation 20:4, 1 Corinthians 6:2, 2 Timothy 2:12)
2.vs 28- Given the MORNING STAR!! Most probably since in Revelation 22:16, Jesus is the BRIGHT MORNING STAR, this could refer to the idea that the overcomer will be given the gift of Jesus Himself coming to them in His fullness!! Jesus is offering Himself to the overcomer!!
These verses also show us there are 4 CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE in the church in Thyatira!!
1.Those who tolerate and allow false prophets in the church.
2.Those who are the Jezebel’s who lead people astray.
3.Those who are led astray by the Jezebels because they don’t test with the word and protect themselves. 4.Those who hold firm to the truth and will overcome!!
WHICH CATEGORY ARE YOU?
5. THE CHURCH IN SARDIS
THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD CHURCH THAT WAS ALL ABOUT OUTWARD APPEARANCES!
Watch video:
Read Revelation 3:1-6
CONTEXT: Sardis was at one time the capital of Lydia and a wealthy city. It had previously been captured by Cyrus in 549BC by surprise attack and then later on by the Romans!! It was initially considered impossible to attack since it was located on a cliff (protected on 3 sides by cliff faces). It had the image of being impregnable and unconquerable! Apparently the reason this city was able to be attacked by surprise was because the guards had fallen asleep at their post so the city became vulnerable from soldiers being able to climb the cliff!
So Jesus could be alluding to this in vs 3 when He mentions coming like a thief!! The same thing happened again in 214BC when the city was taken in the same way by Antiochus for the Seleucid empire! It could therefore have be known as the city that didn’t learn from their past failures! (Had a false confidence because of the cliffs and therefore had a lack of watchfulness and diligence!) Sardis was located between Pergamos, Smyrna, Ephesus, Philadelphia and Phrygia making it a commercial centre!! The first coins were reputed to be made in Sardis!!
A severe earthquake in 17 AD caused severe damage. It was destroyed in 1402 by the Turkish ruler Tamarlane!
As a whole, THIS CHURCH HAD NOTHING GOOD SAID ABOUT IT!! (Except for a few people who had not soiled their clothes)
vs 1- this church had an outward appearance and reputation of looking alive, but internally they were actually dead! (Matthew 7:21-23, 1 Samuel 16:7 man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart!)
WHAT IS THE RELEVENCE OF JESUS' INTRODUCTION?
vs 1- this church was spiritually dead, and the only way they could come alive is by the Holy Spirit!! (Romans 8:6-11, Ephesians 1:14, John 3:5-7) This could be why Jesus reminds them that He holds/has the fullness of The Holy Spirit of God (John 3:34)! (Seven-fold Spirit- seven is the number of completion in the bible)
He is the only one who can send The Holy Spirit of God to make us SPIRITUALLY ALIVE!! (John 16:7, John 3:5-7)
Jesus holding the seven stars just like in Revelation 2:1 (to the church in Ephesus) again reminds us that Jesus is greater than the angels/church leadership, since the seven stars refer to the angels/messengers of the 7 churches according to Revelation 1:20!
WHAT WAS THIS CHURCH DOING WRONG?
1.Firstly notice this church had an OUTWARD APPEARANCE (REPUTATION) of being alive!!
This church was all about the outward appearance and looking good for man rather than for God!
vs 1-2 'have a reputation' (with man).....not found your deeds complete 'In the sight of God'.
What God sees and what man sees are two different things!! Man sees the outward appearance, but our Heavenly Father sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7) and searches hearts and minds (Revelation 2:23). ARE WE MORE WORRIED ABOUT LOOKING GOOD FOR MEN OR DOING WHAT PLEASES GOD ALONE AND MAKING SURE WE ARE RIGHT WITH HIM? (Contrast this to Paul’s attitude in Galatians 1:10)
2.vs 1- this church was SPIRITUALLY DEAD!! The word dead is the greek word “nekros” and can mean one who is “Destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God”. The same word is used in Matthew 23:27 referring to how the teachers of the law and Pharisees were like whitewashed tombs which looked beautiful on the outside but were full of DEAD men’s bones on the inside!! This same word was also used in Ephesians 2:1 referring to how we were DEAD in our transgressions and sins before we were saved!! (Colossians 2:13)
This church was spiritually dead and they were inactive in their faith!
3. vs 1- Notice Jesus says this Church had a REPUTATION of being ALIVE, but were actually DEAD!
The people of this church were HYPOCRITES!! Outwardly appearing to be one thing (alive) but inwardly something totally different like the Pharisees!! (Matthew 23:5,25-26, Matthew 6:2,5,16, Mark 7:6) A “hypocrite” was a stage actor who put on a mask to appear to be one character on stage and yet in reality they were a totally different person!!
This reminds us that we can’t fool God!! We might be able to fool each other, we might be able to make it look outwardly like we are Christians, we might be able to say all the right things to people, we might go to church every Sunday and attend Biblestudy on a Tuesday, but the Lord truly knows the condition of our hearts, He knows if we are saved or not, if we are spiritually dead on the inside!! He knows if we are being HYPOCRITES!
We cannot hide this from Jesus!! (1 Samuel 16:7, Revelation 2:23) ARE WE A PEOPLE MORE WORRIED ABOUT OUTWARD APPEARANCES THAT THINK IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO MAKE OTHERS THINK WE ARE SAVED THAN TO ACTUALLY SPEND TIME WITH JESUS AND BE SAVED?
Are we more focussed on outward appearances at Church than the actual souls of people? Are we more worried about what people think, and pleasing people than pleasing Jesus alone? (Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4)
TEST: if we are more worried about outward appearances, we would rather our congregation shout out encouragements like ‘preach it pastor’ and ‘amen’ and have them jump up and down in mosh pits during praise and worship, than actually taking notes and listening to the word of God and obeying it- even if that meant they kept quiet in Church.
If we are more worried about outward appearances in Church, we will focus more on how good the auditorium looks and whether the fancy disco lights and smoke machine are working rather than making sure people’s souls are genuinely connecting with Jesus!!
We will be more worried about numbers who turn up rather than the spiritual condition of the souls of those who are there!
4.vs 2- “WAKE UP!” This church was SPIRITUALLY SLEEPING and therefore NOT READY for Jesus’ second coming!! (See 1 Thessalonians 5:5-9, Mark 13:36) ARE WE ACTIVELY PREPARING AND MAKING OURSELVES READY FOR JESUS’ SECOND COMING?
5.vs 2- Their DEEDS in God were NOT COMPLETE!!
The word ‘complete’ here in vs 2 can mean ‘to accomplish or bring to completion/fulfilment. To fulfil duty or task.’
It is the same word used in the New Testament when Jesus would fulfil a prophecy that came to pass!! (Eg. Matthew 8:17, 12:17, 13:35). In other words, Jesus’ deeds were complete because he fulfilled and completed the prophetic tasks God called Him to do!! The word complete here can also mean “to carry through to the end, to accomplish.”
This could also mean that this church DIDN’T FINISH WHAT THEY STARTED DOING FOR JESUS!! (Are we as Christians faithful to bring to completion what Jesus has asked us to do for Him?) ARE WE THE TYPE OF CHRISTIANS WHO START SOMETHING FOR JESUS BUT DON’T FINISH IT?
Another reason why their deeds may not have been incomplete, is because it wasn’t combined with FAITH in Jesus and coming from INTIMACY with Him (Matthew 7:21-23).
James 2:14-25 tells us that deeds and faith must go together! (Romans 14:23, Hebrews 11:6- without faith it is impossible to please God!)
PRAYER: Jesus, please let my actions come from a place of faith and intimacy with you. Amen!
6. vs 3- they had FORGOTTEN what they had received and were NOT OBEYING the word of God!!! (James 1:22-25, Matthew 7:24-27) DO WE BRING OUR BIBLES AND NOTE PADS TO CHURCH TO REMEMBER THE WORD OF GOD?
Are we living out and obeying the word of God?
7.vs 4- this church had DEFILED THEIR GARMENTS!! Living in sin, fornication and adultery (possibly in secret) but outwardly making it look like they were holy!! (1 Timothy 5:6- living for pleasure meant they were dead spiritually!!)
CHALLENGE: As a church, and as an individual believer, are we more worried about outward appearances or are we more worried about the condition of a persons soul? Are we more worried about speaking truth over one another and dealing with our sins and checking whether a person is spiritually dead or alive or are we more worried about attracting them outwardly to church? Are we encouraging them to bring their bibles and note pads to church so that they can remember the word of God and put it into action/live it out through faith and intimacy in Jesus? Are we encouraging them to bring to completion what the ministries they start for Jesus?
WHAT DOES JESUS EXHORT THIS CHURCH TO DO?
1.vs 2- wake up/watch/be alert (1 Thessalonians 5:6, Mark 13:35-37, Matthew 24:42-44)
Ephesians 5:14- 'Wake up O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you'.
Jesus is warning this church to not be like others who are asleep (1 Thessalonians 5:6-11, Mark 13:36) and will therefore be surprised when Jesus comes like a thief!! Instead they need to wake up and be alert/watchful and self-controlled (1 Thessalonians 5:6) to be ready for when Jesus comes!!
2.vs 2- STRENGTHEN (steadfastly set and confirm one's mind) what remains!!
3.vs 3- WAKING UP here is linked with REMEMBERING GOD'S WORD, hearing it, receiving it, obeying it/putting it into practice and repenting!! (James 1:22, Matthew 7:24-27)
How great the love Jesus has for His church that He would discipline and warn them by telling them the truth, to give them the chance to repent before it is too late!!
WHAT DID JESUS COMMEND SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS CHURCH FOR?
vs 4- there were at least some who had not soiled their clothes/defiled their garments and were worthy!! This tells us it is better to be part of a church than not at all!!
‘Defiled their garments' could refer to those Christians who have not given in to sin, fornication and adultery!!
vs 4- the fact that there will still be some people part of this church who will be saved and have not defiled their garments reminds us it is still better to be part of a church (no matter how struggling that church might be) than to not go to church at all!! (Some people use the brokenness of the church as an excuse to not fellowship at all in church each Sunday and during the week. Instead they think it is enough to just listen to online sermons without any accountability!!)
PUNISHMENT FOR THE UNREPENTANT:
1.vs 3- Jesus will come like a thief in the night to bring His judgement!! (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, Matthew 24:39-44)
2.vs 5- their names will be blotted out of the book of Life!! (Psalm 69:28, Exodus 32:32, Deuteronomy 29:20, Revelation 13:8, 17:8) If anyone’s name is not found in the book of life, they will be thrown into the lake of fire, the eternal hell! (Revelation 20:15)
REWARD FOR THE OVERCOMER:
1.vs 4- the overcomer will WALK WITH JESUS in His presence!! (Like Enoch did in Genesis 5:24)
2.vs 4- will be counted as WORTHY in Jesus' sight!!!
3.vs 5- he who overcomes will be DRESSED IN WHITE- clean and pure (like all the believers in Jesus as the bride of Christ-Revelation 19:8,14) According to Revelation 19:8,14, being dressed in white can also be a sign of RIGHTEOUSNESS!!
4.vs 5- they will never have their name BLOTTED OUT of the BOOK OF LIFE!! (Psalm 69:28, Exodus 32:32-33, Deuteronomy 29:20, Revelation 20:12-15, Revelation 13:8, 17:8, Revelation 21:27) From these verses, it appears as though everyone's name was initially written in God's book of life, but anyone who does not put their full trust in Jesus and become a born again Christian (and overcome in Jesus' name) may then have their name blotted out of the book of life and therefore be thrown in the lake of fire- the second death (Revelation 20:12-15). THE SECOND DEATH WILL NOT HURT THEM!!
(This may also support the idea that children before the age of accountability are saved because their names are still in the book of life!! It may be that only after the age of accountability, when people now have the choice to make the decision to accept Jesus for their salvation or not, that their name is then blotted out of the book of life.)
5.vs 5- they will be ACKNOWLEDGED by Jesus before God!! (Mark 8:38, Hebrews 2:11-12, 2 Timothy 2:12)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
6. THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA
THE CHURCH OF BROTHERLY LOVE!
Watch YouTube video: (Introduction to the church in Philadelphia)
CONTEXT: The sixth church that Jesus wrote to in the book of Revelation, Philadelphia was Located about 28 miles south east of Sardis. Philadelphia was one of the cities of Lydia in Asia Minor, located close to the base of Mount Tmolus! It appears to have been the youngest of the 7 cities Jesus wrote letters to.
It was apparently situated at the border of 3 countries (Mysia, Phrygia and Lydia) and thus was known as a missionary city and made it an open door/gateway for the Greek language and culture to be spread to the surrounding areas! Likewise, the church in Philadelphia may have had an “open door” from Jesus to be able to share the gospel (vs 8)!
Philadelphia was founded by Eumenes, King of Pergamum and named after his brother Attalus 11 Philadelphus around 159-138BC. Attalus was so named because of his devotion to his brother Eumenes, and the city reflected this title of brotherly love!! The church in Philadelphia likewise was known for its loyalty and love to each other and to Christ “our brother” (Hebrews 2:11-12).
After the death of King Attalus III Philometor, the kingdom was handed over to the Romans around 133BC! Philadelphia was not only known for its beautiful buildings (nicknamed little Athens) but also for its Frequent earthquakes!! It was nearly destroyed by an earthquake (around 17 AD) and as a result, many people left the city to find stability in nearby areas! In a city that was prone to crumbling down and instability due to earthquakes, it is not surprising that the OVERCOMER is promised the stability of being a PILLAR in the temple of God (vs 12) and to never have to leave it unlike many of the residents in Philadelphia who moved to nearby cities after the earthquake!
This happened during the reign of Tiberius (according to the historian Tacitus) who helped to rebuild the city!
As a result, for a short time, it was renamed ‘neoCaesarea’ (the new city of Caesar) in honour of Tiberius and then later on ‘Flavia’ under Vespasian! (So this city knew what it was like to be given a new name (vs 12)!) And Just as this city was renamed after the emperors who helped rebuild it, Jesus offers the overcomer the privilege of having His NEW name written on them (vs 12)!
This city had a number of temples and religious festivals! Even though this city was quite small, it was also known to be home to a strong Jewish community! This could be the synagogue of satan that was persecuting the Christian church (which would have been made up of many Jewish Christians as well as Gentiles also).
The word 'philadelphia' means brotherly love!!!
This church had NOTHING BAD said about it, just like Smyrna!!!!
vs 7- Jesus writes to the ANGEL (messenger) of the CHURCH (ekklesia- the gathering of believers) in Philadelphia (brotherly love). Do we have brotherly love for one another? (Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 3:8)
WHAT DOES BROTHERLY LOVE LOOK LIKE? (1 John 3:17-18, Ephesians 5:28-29)
HOW DOES JESUS INTRODUCE HIMSELF?
(Q. What does it mean for Jesus to be holy, true and hold the keys of David?)
1.vs 7- Jesus introduces Himself by revealing His character!! He is HOLY (1 Peter 1:15-16 this requires us to be holy in all we do as He is holy) and He is TRUE (John 14:6, John 1:9, John 6:32, John 15:1, Revelation 3:14)!! JESUS IS TRUTH!
He therefore speaks truth aswell!! The word for true in the Greek is ‘alethinos’ which can mean “real, true, genuine, sincere, opposite to counterfeit.” (The same word true is used of Jesus in John 1:9, 6:32, 15:1).
Notice Jesus being true is in contrast to the synagogue of satan who will falsely claim to be Jews but are not!! They are liars (Revelation 3:9)!!
In a city where the Jews falsely claimed to be the holy people of God and speak truth, Jesus is reminding the church in Philadelphia that He is the one who is holy and true!
2.Also, In a city where the Jewish people (synagogue of satan) may have thought themselves to be the holy people of God, Jesus reminds us that He is the HOLY ONE! The word Holy can mean to be pure, sinless, set-apart, sanctified!! (Luke 1:35, Revelation 4:8, Isaiah 6:3)
3.vs 7- Jesus holds the KEY OF DAVID! This could mean He has POWER and AUTHORITY in God's Kingdom to rule and determine who comes into the kingdom and who doesn't!! (Isaiah 22:22, Luke 1:32-33, Matthew 16:19).
Compare this to Revelation 1:18 where Jesus also holds the keys of death and hades and therefore has power and authority over death and who goes to hades!!
In a city where the Jews might have thought they were the ones to determine who came into the kingdom of God (determined by whom they allowed into the synagogue for worship) by excluding the christians from this church from entering the synagogue, Jesus reminds us that He is the ultimate authority who determines this!
Therefore the doors He opens to the kingdom and its purposes (Eg. 2 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 16:9, Colossians 4:3) for this church no-one can shut, not even the synagogue of satan!!
What Jesus shuts, no-one can open!!
4.vs 7-8 THE ONE WHO OPENED AND CLOSED DOORS
-Matthew 25:10, Luke 13:25- closed door to the kingdom.
-Revelation 4:1- open door Into heaven!
-1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3- open door for ministry!
Firstly therefore, the OPEN DOOR here could refer to the open door to the kingdom of God and salvation for this church- that though they have little strength, they have kept God's word and not denied Jesus' name!! (This could be relevant especially if it was true that the Jews had closed the door on Christians to be able to come to the synagogue in that city, thinking they were not the people of God and not part of His kingdom!)
Secondly, it could be more likely that this open door was their opportunity to evangelise/convert some of the Jews of the synagogue of satan into a saving relationship with Jesus in vs 9. (Since wherever this phrase was used elsewhere in the bible, it usually referred to open doors for evangelism- 1 Corinthians 16:9, Colossians 4:3, 2 Corinthians 2:12)
This also shows that JESUS IS SOVEREIGN over who gets saved!!
Thirdly, the OPEN DOOR here in vs 8 could also refer to the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH (vs 10), since John mentions an OPEN DOOR IN HEAVEN which he was taken up through in Revelation 4:1!
vs 7-9 what He opens no-one can shut and what He shuts, no-one can open!! This shows JESUS’ SOVEREIGNTY as no-one else can open and shut these doors. Only Jesus has authority to do so!!
Despite their little strength and the persecution this church was undergoing from the synagogue of satan, Jesus seems to be encouraging this church that because He has opened this door of evangelism for them, they are able to stand firm and will bear fruit in sharing the gospel and converting some of these so-called ‘Jews’. DON’T GIVE UP IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL DESPITE YOUR WEAKNESS AND PERSECUTION!
WHAT DID THIS CHURCH DO WELL?
Despite their little strength- this could either mean small number of people, or that they had little physical strength left from the persecution!!
1.vs 8- they 'KEPT' JESUS' WORD!! The word “kept” means to observe and attend to carefully!! This church continued to be obedient to and live out God's word!!
2.vs 8- DID NOT DENY JESUS’ NAME despite persecution!! (Mark 8:38, Revelation 2:13, 2 Timothy 2:12)
3.vs 9- in the case of this church, they would have the opportunity to witness to and see some of those from the synagogue of satan converted and become Christians and acknowledge that Jesus loves the gentile church!!
Contrast this to Revelation 2:9-10 where in the case of Smyrna, there would be no such conversion, but rather they were to stand firm in persecution even unto death!
Sometimes Jesus will bring about the victorious conversion of our enemies, at other times He will give the strength to keep enduring persecution from them!!
4.vs 10- ENDURED PATIENTLY in the suffering!! The word endure here is the Greek word “hypomone” and can mean ‘constancy’ and ‘one who is not swerved from God’s purpose and faith in Him despite the greatest of trials and suffering’. (Hebrews 10:32-36)
REWARD FOR THOSE WHO OVERCOME:
1.vs 10- this church will be kept out of the 'HOUR OF TRIAL’ that will come upon the whole world to test them!!
The hour of trial could either be the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21, Luke 21:35-36) (if the church is to be raptured beforehand), or it could be the hour of God's wrath that comes immediately after the tribulation (if the church is to go through the tribulation). (Revelation 14:7, 17:12, Revelation 18:10,19)
To be KEPT FROM the hour of trial... this word is the word “ek” and can mean “out of” or “removal”. This supports the idea that the church will be RAPTURED BEFORE THE GREAT TRIBULATION since Luke 21:35 suggests the great tribulation will impact the whole world!!
2.vs 11- CROWNS (Stephanos- prize/rewards) are promised for those who hold on to what they have in Jesus and remain faithful!! In vs 11, Jesus tells us to make sure that we don’t lose the crowns we have received (See 2 John 8, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)! This reminds us of how it is possible to lose our rewards in heaven and yet still be saved!!
Q. WHAT CROWNS DOES THE BIBLE MENTION WE CAN RECEIVE? (Revelation 2:10, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, 2 John 8, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Corinthians 9:25)
What we will soon find out in Revelation 4:10 is that the purpose of these crowns is to lay them down at Jesus’ feet in worship to Him!!
3.vs 12- the overcomer will be made a PILLAR IN GOD’S TEMPLE!!! (Philadelphia experienced earth quakes, and so a pillar could suggest stability/ to be established firmly in God’s kingdom). In a city that was prone to crumbling down and instability due to earthquakes, it is not surprising that the OVERCOMER is promised the stability of being a PILLAR in the temple of God (vs 12) and to never have to leave it unlike many of the residents in Philadelphia who moved to nearby cities after the earthquake! Jesus is offering PERMANENT CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY!!
In Galatians 2:9 Peter, James and John were considered reputable pillars in God's kingdom!! We too would join them in building up God's temple!! Ephesians 2:19-22 tells us that we are being built into a holy temple corporately where Jesus can dwell by His Holy Spirit!
4.vs 12- Jesus will write the NAME OF GOD ON THEM!! This could suggest we belong to God and are His property! Our IDENTITY is in Him!!
Jesus will write the name of the city- could suggest our CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN (Philippians 3:20)!! Jesus will also give the overcomer HIS NEW NAME! This could suggest the idea of a NEW IDENTITY! Our broken past being left behind!! We are no longer who we used to be!!
For a city that had its name changed to reflect Caesar, this was relevant for the church!!
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
7. THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA
(The Lukewarm church)
THIS CHURCH HAD NOTHING GOOD SAID ABOUT IT!
(Introduction/context video)
CONTEXT: Initially founded around 2000BC and named Rhoas. Eventually In 250BC, the city was captured by the Syrians. Antiochus 2 rebuilt the town and renamed it after His wife Laodice!
This was a major banking centre (and therefore rich) and the city lay on one of the main Asian trade routes which ensured its PROSPERITY. It was apparently also known for the production of black wool from a particular sheep bred in the Lycus valley and therefore this city was known for its textile manufacturing!
This city was destroyed by an earthquake around 62AD, but because the city was wealthy, it was able to rebuild itself without outside help! (Hence the temptation to put their hope in wealth (vs 17)).
Laodicea was a neighbour to Colosse (Colossians 2:1, 4:16). It is believed Laodicea used to get their water supply from Hieropolis up north whose water was hot due to the hot springs and its cold water from the mountains of Colossae. But, by the time it reached Laodicea, it became LUKE WARM!! (Hence the reference in vs 15 to this church being neither cold nor hot!)
This city also produced the popular EYE SALVE known as COLLYRIUM!! (Hence the reference in vs 18 for this church to buy “salve” from Jesus to be able to see!)
So here is a church that reflected it's city far too much!!!!
The church in Laodicea may possibly have been founded by Epaphras who helped start the church in neighbouring Colossae (Colossians 1:7, 4:12-13).
Laodicea means 'the RULE/JUSTICE OF THE PEOPLE. This indicates the people might have been in charge rather than allowing Jesus to be in charge? (Hence Jesus being outside the door of this church in Revelation 3:20)!
WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF JESUS' INTRODUCTION?
vs 14- Jesus introduces Himself as the AMEN, the FAITHFUL and TRUE WITNESS!! Amen means trustworthy, sure and true!! This also reminds us that all God's promises are yes and amen in Jesus!! (2 Corinthians 1:20). The word FAITHFUL is the Greek word “pistos” which can mean one who is trustworthy! One who can be trusted to execute the commands given to them! It can also mean “one who is worthy of trust.”
The word True is the word “alethinos” and can mean that which is real, genuine, not counterfeit! Thus, Jesus is the true, faithful, genuine WITNESS/MARTYR who died for us!!
In a church that was wavering, neither here nor there, lukewarm, not genuine in their faith, Jesus is reminding them He is TRUE and GENUINE!! He is faithful even though they are not. (2 Timothy 2:13)
vs 14- Jesus is the RULER (arche in the Greek) of God's creation (Psalm 2:8-9)!! But the way He achieved this was not by giving in to compromise or taking the easy way when satan offered it to Him (Matthew 4:8-9). Jesus did it by suffering on the cross for our sins!! In a church that was tempted to compromise with wealth in Lukewarmness, Jesus reminds us that He doesn’t!!
DO NOT COMPROMISE!! DON'T TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT!! DO THINGS GOD'S WAY!
vs 14- the word RULER can also mean BEGINNING, FIRST ORIGIN. It reminds us of Colossians 1:15-16 and how all creation was created by and through Jesus!!
vs 14- also reminds us that Jesus is the ruler, not the people (as the name Laodicea might suggest).
DOES JESUS HAVE RULE OVER YOUR LIFE OR DO YOU?
WHAT DID THIS CHURCH DO WRONG?
vs 15- they were neither COLD (refreshing in the faith or it could more likely mean unsaved but knowing it eg. Mark 10:22. See also Matthew 24:12), nor HOT (fervent-Romans 12:11- on fire for Jesus Eg. Acts 18:25)!! This firstly meant that this church were FENCE SITTERS! (Couldn’t make a decision to be sold out on fire for Jesus or turn away from Him!)
This shows us you Can't have the best of both worlds! (1 Kings 18:21, Matthew 6:24, 1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4) THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND WITH JESUS!!
COLD= 'psychros' which can mean sluggish, inert, one destitute of warm christian faith and desire for holiness!! (A similar word “psycho” is used in Matthew 24:12)
HOT= 'zestos' fervour of mind and having zeal! Root word 'Zeo' can mean fervent in spirit! (Same word used in Romans 12:11 and Acts 18:25)
SIGNS OF LUKEWARMNESS:
This church was LUKEWARM IN THEIR FAITH which meant they THOUGHT THEY WERE SAVED, but they would be spat out!! They weren’t SOLD OUT FOR JESUS! The hot Christian is on fire for Jesus and knows they are saved. The cold person has rejected Jesus, but at least they know they have rejected Him and know therefore what would be required if they want to be saved (like the rich, young ruler in Mark 10:22)! What makes lukewarmness so dangerous is that the lukewarm person THINKS THEY ARE SAVED and yet DOESN’T REALISE that they are unsaved! (See vs 17 and Matthew 7:21-23)
Q. WHICH ONE ARE YOU? (Cold, lukewarm or hot?)
ARE YOU SOLD OUT FOR JESUS!!
(Watch video about lukewarm coffee from christian movie)
(Watch clip from 0:49-3:10 mark)
Watch clip (Almost saved by poet Ezekiel) https://youtu.be/ZqfU3OFNZA0.
vs 17- THEY FOCUSSED ON THE PHYSICAL RATHER THAN SPIRITUAL. Thinking they were rich and lacked nothing because they had money (Luke 12:15-19, Matthew 19:23-24)!!
Contrast this to Revelation 2:9- the church in Smyrna was poor physically, but Jesus commended them for being rich spiritually (James 2:5)! Persecution often increases faith!!)
This church thought wealth could satisfy them!! WEALTH WAS THEIR SATISFACTION AND IDOL!! (Matthew 6:24)
James 2:5 tells us that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and receive the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him!!
QUESTION: Are we more focussed on a person’s spiritual condition (how their walk with Jesus and soul is going) or are we more worried about people’s physical condition/how well they are doing financially? Lukewarmness could be avoided more if we actually kept each other accountable in regards to finding out how a person was going spiritually rather than physically!! HOW IS YOUR SOUL GOING? (3 John 2)
vs 17 also reveals to us that a sign of a churches growth is not based on how much money they have or how big their building or possessions are!
This church thought they were doing well because they were rich and well off, yet Jesus had a different perception of them!
vs 17- They did not even realise they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked!! The danger of being lukewarm is that they didn't even know they were unsaved!! (Matthew 7:21-23) These people think they are saved, and may even come to church every Sunday, they may even attend bible study and serve in church, and yet don’t even realise they are unsaved just like the people of Matthew 7:21-23!
vs 17- Jesus said this church was:
SPIRITUALLY POOR- in contrast to them thinking they were physically rich and okay!
SPIRITUALLY BLIND- despite being a city known for their eye salve.
SPIRITUALLY NAKED- even though this city was known for its production of fine black wool!!
WHAT DOES JESUS EXHORT THIS CHURCH TO DO?
vs 18- COME TO JESUS to buy GOLD refined in the fire. According to 1 Peter 1:7 this refers to faith!! They are to come to Jesus to gain faith!! Also according to 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 this could also refer to the good quality of each man’s work for the Lord! Therefore we are to come to Jesus to be able to live out/produce “gold quality” works for the Lord that comes from a genuine saving faith in Him!
The word 'buy' suggests it involves a cost to that person!! Following Jesus will cost you. You need to COUNT THE COST! (Luke 14:28-33)
vs 18- buy WHITE CLOTHES to wear (in contrast to the black wool this city produced)- this could suggest becoming clean, pure and righteous (Revelation 3:4,19:8,14). A sign of being worthy (Rev 3:4). If we are not clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, notice Jesus then considers us naked! (Galatians 3:27)
vs 18- to put on SALVE so that they would no longer be spiritually blind!! (Luke 4:18- Jesus came to recover sight for the blind!)
According to Ephesians 1:18 this is a call to be SPIRITUALLY ENLIGHTENED!! May Jesus open the eyes of our hearts!!
vs 19- Heed Jesus’ discipline, be earnest and REPENT!! (Hebrews 12:6-11, Acts 2:38)
vs 19- Jesus' discipline is actually His love!! His discipline is what will lead this church back to holiness, righteousness and peace (Hebrews 12:10-11) and bring this church back on the right path of salvation so they are not lost for eternity!! (Hebrews 12:6)
The church in Laodicea needed to listen to Jesus' rebuke and repent!!
vs 20- notice Jesus is outside the door of this church knocking? This meant He was not in this church, but outside!! Jesus was left out by this church!! (Jesus was meant to be in their midst! Revelation 1:13, Matthew 18:20)
vs 20- INVITE Jesus to be owner of your heart in intimacy as the means of repentance!
vs 20- the key to repentance was to invite Jesus into their church and their hearts in intimacy and give Him full control of their hearts (I will eat with him and he with me!) and their church!!
In Luke 19:5-10, it was Jesus' kindness to Zacchaeus (and Him simply coming to stay at Zacchaeus' house) that led Zacchaeus to repentance and salvation!!
Romans 2:4- it is God's kindness that leads you to salvation!!
THE KEY TO REPENTANCE IS INTIMACY WITH JESUS AND GIVING HIM FULL CONTROL OF YOUR HEART!!
Thus the key to repentance from this passage is:
1.To hear His voice (Romans 10:17- faith comes by hearing the word of God)
2.Open the door and welcome Jesus in. Actually be humble enough to let Jesus in!
3.Have intimacy with Jesus. Dine with Him!!
4.Give Jesus FULL OWNERSHIP of your heart, not just have Him as a guest!! (Ephesians 3:17, 1 Peter 3:15)
vs 20- we also see in this verse that it is not good enough to just HEAR Jesus’ voice, we must OPEN THE DOOR TO HIM as well!! LISTEN AND OBEY!
Also we see that Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Notice He doesn’t FORCE HIMSELF INTO OUR HEART? We must choose to invite Him in willingly!!
REWARD FOR THE OVERCOMER:
vs 21- the right to rule with Jesus on His throne!! (2 Timothy 2:12)
This shows us there are two thrones!! Right now Jesus is seated with GOD THE FATHER on His throne!! Soon Jesus will be reigning on HIS OWN THRONE, the throne of David (Luke 1:32-33, Acts 1:6-7, Matthew 25:31)!!
THE OVERCOMER WILL BE RULING WITH JESUS (1 Corinthians 6:2, 2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 20:4,6, Luke 22:30).
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!"
REVELATION 4: A GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY, CHARACTER AND MAJESTY OF GOD!
God's Heavenly Glory!! Throne room revelation of your character Father!! Your majesty and the response (constant praise) that is due to you Heavenly Daddy!!
CONTEXT: vs 1 starts off with the words “AFTER THIS”. This is the same word used by Jesus in Revelation 1:19 when He told John to write down what would take place “after this” (Meta tauta In the Greek). Therefore chapter 4 onwards looks at the FUTURE and what will take place after the age of the church!! Chapters 4-5 will now give us a glimpse of THE THRONE ROOM OF HEAVEN and what is going on in heaven before the tribulation period takes place!
In contrast to the church in Laodicea, who had closed the door on Jesus so that He was outside knocking (Revelation 3:20), we see chapter 4:1 start off with God having an OPEN DOOR in heaven for John to enter!! (This can reminds us that If the church and us as individuals open the door of our hearts to Jesus and give Him full ownership, then there will be an open door to heaven from God for us!)
vs 1- what a wonderful thought that John sees an OPEN DOOR IN HEAVEN!! When you compare this to the Old Testament (Ezekiel 1:1, Isaiah 6:1) there is no mention of the Old Testament believers being able to enter heaven (John 3:13), but here John is able to walk through that door to enter heaven to see God's throne room!! New Testament christian believers now have access to heaven and God’s presence (Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 10:19-20) because of the grace of God through Jesus!! (Hebrews 4:14-16, Ephesians 2:6) OPEN DOOR ACCESS TO THE THRONE ROOM AND PRESENCE OF GOD!
John walking through this door in heaven could also possibly be SYMBOLIC of the church being RAPTURED up, since we don’t hear of the church from now on til chapter 19!! Notice that the voice here in Revelation 4:1 sounded LIKE A TRUMPET? We see in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, that the TRUMPET call of God will also announce the rapture of the church!
We see at least 3 doors mentioned in Revelation:
1.Revelation 3:8- an open door of opportunity for ministry. (2 Corinthians 2:12, 1 Corinthians 16:9, Colossians 4:3)
2.Revelation 3:20- the door to our heart and to the church that Jesus wants full ownership of! (1 Peter 3:15)
3.Revelation 4:1- the open door in heaven!
vs 2- John was “IN THE SPIRIT”. This phrase is mentioned also in Revelation 1:10 and 21:10! The apostle Paul also had a seemingly similar “out of body” experience in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. This reminds us that it is only in The Holy Spirit that we are able to get a greater revelation of God and His glory!!
A GLIMPSE OF GOD’S CHARACTER AND GLORY!
vs 2- firstly, it is interesting that John saw SOMEONE sitting on the throne. This suggests John couldn’t see Him directly!! Both John 1:18, John 6:46 and Exodus 33:20 reveal to us that we can’t see God The Father directly, but He is revealed to us in Jesus (John 14:9, Hebrews 1:3, John 1:18)!
vs 3- the one sitting on the throne having the APPEARANCE of Jasper and carnelian could suggest that God's presence is GLORIOUS and BRILLIANT (Revelation 21:11) and PRECIOUS like rare stones? He shines in glory and brilliance like a precious stone!! (Ezekiel 1:26-28)
vs 3- What is jasper and carnelian?
Possibly from Exodus 28:15-30 and Exodus 39:10-13, some of the stones the high priest wore as a Breastpiece over his heart in the presence of the Lord?
Jasper according to Revelation 21:11 could also refer to God's glory and brilliance!!
Both these stones are precious and valuable just like God!!
1 Timothy 6:16 says that God lives in unapproachable light. So it is amazing that our Heavenly Father’s glory is described as reflected in precious jewels and a rainbow!! This also explains why John couldn’t tell who was seated on the throne as no-one can see The Father!!
vs 3- the rainbow reminds us of your MERCY Father!! Your covenant never to destroy the world by water again!! (Genesis 9:9-17, Ezekiel 1:25-28) It is also a reminder that God is FAITHFUL to His covenant!! According to Ezekiel 1:28, the rainbow could also represent God’s RADIANCE and part of the likeness of His GLORY!
The rainbow encircles the throne which could suggest your never-ending mercy (Psalm 103:11)! The rainbow reminds us that as Christians we have access to the throne of God (because of what Jesus has done)!
vs 3-4 the fact that the rainbow ENCIRCLED the throne and the 24 other thrones SURROUNDED the throne, also remind us that God is the CENTRE OF ATTENTION!! EVERYTHING REVOLVES AROUND HIM!!
WHO COULD THE 24 ELDERS BE?
vs 4- We see that 3 things that characterise these elders is that they are seated on thrones (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 3:21, Daniel 7:9), are dressed in WHITE (Revelation 3:4, Revelation 19:8,14) and are wearing CROWNS on their head (Revelation 3:11). Each of these characteristics were mentioned of the overcomers in the church back in chapters 2-3! We also see back in Daniel 7:9, that Daniel gets a vision of these THRONES being put in place in THE HEAVENLY COURT that will take place in the future during the tribulation period and the anti-Christ’s rise and fall!
Secondly, what is the Greek word for 'ELDER' used to describe these people on the thrones? Is it the same used in 1 Timothy and Titus? If this is the case then the 24 elders could refer to the saints? The Greek word is 'presbyteros' which is the same word used in Acts 20:17 when referring to the Ephesian elders!! It is also the same word used of elders in the Christian church in Acts 14:23, 15:2, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, James 5:14 and 1 Peter 5:1.
It appears to be a term used only to refer to people, never Angels!! We also know that these 24 can’t be angels because Revelation 7:11 clearly distinguishes between the elders and the angels!!
So these elders sitting on 24 thrones appear to be representative of the saints (both old and New Testament saints)? Also confirmed by (Revelation 5:8-10, Revelation 1:6).
According to Revelation 5:8-10, these elders were representative of those who had been purchased by the blood of Jesus from every tribe, nation, people and language!! They were also now kings and priests which 1 Peter 2:9 mentions Christians are, as does Revelation 1:6!
In 1 Chronicles 24:4, David divides the priests into 24 divisions as representative of the whole Levitical priesthood!! From this concept, these 24 elders therefore could be representative of all the saints both Old Testament believers and the New Testament church believers!! (12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles)
vs 4- these elders are dressed in WHITE (a sign of righteousness- Revelation 3:4, 19;8,14 and being counted worthy) and have a CROWN of gold! The word for crown is “Stephanos” which can mean reward!! It is the same word used for the crowns offered to believers for living faithfully for Jesus (Revelation 2:10, James 1:12, 1 Corinthians 9:25, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:19).
These elders seated on thrones around God’s throne could also remind us of Romans 8:17 and how we are CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST who will reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12).
vs 5- thunder and lightning reminds us of God’s HOLINESS and JUDGEMENT, just as God revealed Hinself to Israel in Exodus 19:16-23. This thunder and lightning from God’s throne is also mentioned in Revelation 8:5, 11:19 and 16:18 within the context of God’s judgement!
Notice John saw God's MERCY before His JUDGEMENT and HOLINESS!! In John 8 Jesus showers His mercy to the woman caught in adultery, before speaking His truth!!
God seems to show His mercy before His judgement! (Eg. 2 Peter 3:9)
vs 5- the SEVEN-FOLD SPIRIT OF GOD was before the throne! The Holy Spirit could be referred to as seven-fold from Isaiah 11:2 which reveals 7 aspects of The Holy Spirit!! The number 7 can also mean perfection or completeness! So this can be a reminder that The Holy Spirit is perfect and The complete fullness of His presence is there before the throne!!
Notice also that the Holy Spirit is referred to as the LAMP? Back in Revelation 1:20 the church was referred to as the LAMP STAND!! This reminds us the church is meant to be a carrier of the Holy Spirit and His presence just like a lamp stand carries the lamp (see Ephesians 2:19-22)!! The church is also meant to shine the light of Jesus through The Holy Spirit to the world!! (Matthew 5:16)
vs 6- also before the throne of God was a SEA OF GLASS, clear as crystal!! The sea here could possibly represent FALLEN MANKIND (the sea makes up more than 70% of the earths surface) since in Revelation 21:1 when the perfect new heaven and earth come, there is no longer any sea!! Also we find in Revelation 13:1 that the beast, the anti-christ comes out of the sea!! Also in Revelation 15:2, we see that the redeemed who overcame the anti-christ and did not receive his mark, were standing BESIDE or ON the sea of glass (not in it)! In Revelation 16:3 we see God bringing judgement on those living in the sea!! In Revelation 18:17-21 when God brings judgement on the fallen world system of Babylon, the sea captains, sailors and ships, and all who traded with Babylon via the sea will mourn over her destruction! In Revelation 20:13, the sea, death and hades give up the dead that were in it and they are brought before the throne to be judged!! And also in Revelation 21:1, when God brings the New Heaven and earth, there is NO LONGER ANY SEA!!
So the sea here seems to represent FALLEN MANKIND and the ungodly dead on the earth at that time!
James 1:6 and Jude 1:13 also use the sea as an analogy for those who doubt and are false prophets!!
This sea being CLEAR AS CRYSTAL could possibly represent the fact that fallen mankind is TRANSPARENT before God!! There is nothing we can hide from Him!! (Hebrews 4:13)
vs 6- the FOUR LIVING CREATURES From Ezekiel 1:5-14, Ezekiel 10:14 and Isaiah 6:2-3, we see that these creatures could possibly be either CHERUBIM or SERAPHIM!! Cherubim were in the garden of Eden protecting the tree of life (Genesis 3:24).
vs 7- the four living creatures had 4 faces of a LION, an OX, a MAN and an EAGLE. These could possibly be representative of all creation since the Lion (Genesis 49:9) is the mightiest of the wild animals (King), the Ox the strongest (Proverbs 14:4) of the tamed animals (servant), the eagle, the king of all birds (Job 9:26, 2 Samuel 1:23, Deuteronomy 28:49, Lamentations 4:19, Jeremiah 48:40) and man the highest of all God’s creation (Genesis 1:20-28)! Each of these creatures has a kingdom they rule over and yet they are all submitted to God as shown by these Cherubim’s constant worship to God before the throne!! In a sense, these creatures could therefore represent all creation!! A CALL FOR ALL CREATION TO CONTINUALLY PRAISE OUR GOD!! (Psalm 150:6, Psalm 148, Psalm 145:21, Psalm. 103:22)
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE THRONE OF GOD: (more revelation of His character)
vs 8 reveals your HOLINESS, all POWERFUL (Omnipotence), and ETERNAL nature (vs 9)!! (Revelation 1:8)
vs 8- just like the Seraphim are in CONTINUOUS PRAISE TO GOD, we too are called to praise Him continually at all times!! (Psalm 34:1, Hebrews 13:15)
vs 8- there is only one other time this phrase of Holy, Holy, Holy is used, which is in Isaiah 6:3. Compare the different response of Isaiah to John. What does this teach us? (Hebrews 4:14-16)
When Isaiah sees the holiness of God, his first response was “woe to me..” yet here in Revelation 4:8, notice there is no mention of John feeling unworthy or ashamed? The difference is that Isaiah was before Jesus’ death and resurrection, while John is after! Because of Jesus sacrifice for us and because He is our great high priest, we can now come with confidence into God’s throne room and be in His holy presence without feeling guilt, ashamed or condemnation (Hebrews 4:14-16)!
vs 8- In the words that the Seraphim praise God with, we see God’s HOLINESS, OMNIPOTENCE (all powerful), and ETERNAL NATURE (outside of time, see also vs 9)!
OUR RESPONSE:
vs 8-9 constant WORSHIP and PRAISE is given to you Daddy by the Serphim!! Shouldn't I do the same!! (Psalm 34:1, Hebrews 13:15)
vs 10- these elders LAY DOWN THEIR CROWNS (stephanos) before You in a sign of humility!! Shouldn't I do the same? The whole purpose of our crowns/rewards is to lay them down at the feet of our glorious God in worship!!
The elders laying down their crowns, also shows that they are submitting to God as the only true King and ruler!! This in effect acts like a reversal to what happened at the fall of man when Adam and Eve rejected God as their ruler and submitted to satan!!
Interestingly, notice here that these elders already have their CROWNS (stephanos=reward/prize)? This may support the idea that the rapture has already taken place and the rewards for the Christians have already been given by Jesus? We also see that the whole purpose of these crowns/rewards is to LAY THEM AT THE FEET OF GOD in worship to Him!!
vs 11- reveals GOD AS CREATOR!! (1 Corinthians 10:26, Acts 17:24, John 1:3, Colossians 1:16)
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
REVELATION 5: "WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL?"
(The purposes and judgements of God that must take place to establish His kingdom on earth and redeem the earth)
CONTEXT: Revelation 5 continues the throne room scene of Revelation 4. In this scene, a call is made to all creation as to who is worthy to break the seals and unlock the scroll in God the Father's hand! WILL ONE BE FOUND WORTHY.....
Interestingly in this chapter and onwards, Jesus now goes back to being referred to by His Jewish titles!!!!
Q. WHAT DOES JOHN SEE IN GOD’S RIGHT HAND? AND WHAT COULD IT REPRESENT? (vs 1)
WHAT COULD THE SCROLL REPRESENT?
1.vs 1- the scroll could represent the TITLE DEED to the earth (since Jesus had to purchase men by His blood to take the scroll- Revelation 5:9)? This concept is mentioned in Jeremiah 32:6-15 where Jeremiah signed and then sealed the title deed to his cousins land which he purchased in order to redeem it, possess it and buy it for himself (Jeremiah 32:8)!
2.This scroll may represent the fulfilment of God's WILL, PURPOSES and JUDGEMENTS in the end times as played out in the rest of the book of Revelation to bring in His coming Kingdom! The scroll that daniel had to seal up UNTIL THE END in Daniel 12:4-9 which contained God's purposes of the end times to be fulfilled in the future!! In the Roman culture and under Roman law, a persons “will” was often sealed with 7 SEALS! This was historically shown in the case of Caesar Augustus and Vespasian for their successors!!
3.In Zechariah 5:1-4, a scroll written on both sides contained God's JUDGEMENT against the people on the earth!!!
4.According to Ezekiel 2:9-10, a scroll represented God's prophetic words (of warning) of what would come to pass if Israel did not repent!
Likewise in Revelation 5, this scroll could also represent God's prophetic words of what is to come to pass on a world that is unwilling to repent!!
Thus, from these above passages, this scroll could unlock God’s prophetic judgements and purposes that must take place in the end times in order to establish His kingdom on earth!!
Q. WHAT DOES THE MIGHTY ANGEL PROCLAIM? (vs 2-3)
Whatever the case, it is clear from this passage that the focus is not yet on the content of the scroll, but rather on WHO IS WORTHY to break the seals and open the scroll!!
vs 2- it is a MIGHTY/STRONG ANGEL that proclaims “Who is worthy to to break the seals…” This reminds us there are ranks of angels!! Another MIGHTY ANGEL is mentioned in Revelation 10:1. Just as there are demonic ranks (Ephesians 6:12), there are also angelic ranks!! This is shown in Daniel 10 where the messenger Angel was bound by the “prince of persia” (demonic spirit) and it was the ARCHANGEL MICHAEL who had to come and rescue that Angel!! (See also Jude 1:9)
Q. WHY WAS JOHN WEEPING? (vs 4)
vs 2-4 according to Isaiah 29:11, if the scroll was still sealed, then no-one could read the contents of the scroll until the seals are broken!!
vs 3-4- John wept because there seemed to be no-one WORTHY enough to unlock God's end time purposes and redeem the earth to bring in His Kingdom!! Therefore this would mean the present BROKEN CONDITION OF THE EARTH would continue indefinitely!! The opposite of Revelation 21:4 would continue to be!! (The old order of things)
vs 3- there was no-one worthy in HEAVEN or on EARTH or UNDER THE EARTH to open the scroll! This shows us there are 3 realms! This reminds us of Philippians 2:9-11 and how Jesus was given the name above all names that every knee in heaven, on earth and under the earth should bow to Him!! This confirms that Jesus is the only one worthy to open the scroll!!
Q. WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL AND UNLOCK ITS SEALS? (vs 5)
vs 2-5 reveals to us that there is no-one who is worthy except Jesus to open the scrolls!! ONLY JESUS IS WORTHY!!
Q. HOW WAS JESUS ABLE TO OPEN THE SCROLL AND ITS SEALS? (vs 5-6,9)
Q. HOW IS JESUS REFERRED TO IN VS 5-6? WHAT DOES THIS REVEAL TO US ABOUT HIM?
vs 5- Jesus, referred to as the Lion of Judah is worthy to unlock the scroll!! He is worthy because He was slain and purchased/redeemed men from the earth by His blood!! (vs 9)
Lion of the tribe of Judah- (Genesis 49:9-10)
The root of David- (Isaiah 11:1-2, Revelation 22:16)
These were both MESSIANIC TITLES used in the Old Testament!! Jesus fulfils the prophecies or the Messiah!
Finally, the scroll can be read and it’s purposes unlocked!! (Isaiah 29:11)
vs 6- Jesus is also referred to as the Lamb that was slain! (1 Peter 1:19, John 1:29, Isaiah 53:7, 1 Corinthians 5:7)
JESUS PAID THE PRICE TO OPEN THE SCROLL AND UNLOCK THE SEALS! JESUS IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL!
vs 5-6 Jesus being referred to as both the LION AND THE LAMB may show us that He is both King and servant, powerful, courageous, and meek, humble and gentle!! CONQUERING KING AND SUFFERING SERVANT! (He is both. Therefore don’t pick and choose which aspects of Jesus we feel comfortable with! The Jewish people stumbled at Jesus’ first coming because they expected the Messiah to only be the conquering King to save them from the oppression of the Romans and didn’t expect Him to be the suffering servant!)
vs 6- the Lamb looking as if it had been slain, may show us that the sacrifice of Jesus still remains fresh in the eyes of God, His sacrifice still relevant for us in the future!!
vs 6- reminds us that The Holy Spirit Inhabits the whole earth!! (Psalm 139:7-10)
vs 6- Jesus having the SEVEN HORNS and EYES could remind us He has complete power/strength (1 Samuel 2:1,10, Luke 1:69- the horn symbolised STRENGTH, elsewhere the horns can symbolise AUTHORITY as well- Daniel 7:8-24, Revelation 17:12, Psalm 148:14, see also Matthew 28:18) and the SEVEN EYES, complete INSIGHT (all-knowing, Hebrews 4:13, Job 28:24) through the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:10), since the eyes represent the Seven-fold spirit of God! The number 7 refers to perfection or completeness. So here, Jesus is ALL POWERFUL, HAS ALL AUTHORITY (Matthew 28:18) AND IS ALL KNOWING through the HOLY SPIRIT!
vs 7-8 Jesus here seems to fulfil Daniel 7:13-14. The opening of the scroll appears to be in line with Jesus receiving authority, glory and sovereign power to rule all the nations of the earth!! The moment Jesus takes the scroll from God The Father’s hand, the living creatures and elders fall down in worship to the Lamb because this proves He alone is WORTHY to break the seals and open the scroll!!
Q. WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE WHEN JESUS TOOK THE SCROLL? (vs 7-9) WHOM DOES THIS SUGGEST JESUS IS?
vs 7-8 Jesus taking the scroll from God the Father shows that He is worthy!!
The harp was often used to accompany praise and worship in the Old Testament!! (Psalm 33:2, Psalm 149:3, 150:3, 1 Chronicles 15:16) Back in Revelation 4:10, the elders fell down in worship before God who sits on the throne! Now in Revelation 5:8, these same elders fall down before the Lamb in worship!! Notice here in vs 8, that Jesus the Lamb is being worshipped? Who does this suggest that Jesus is?
The word “fell down” is the Greek word “PIPTO” and can mean to descend from a higher place to a lower place. This also shows HUMILITY by the elders and 4 living creatures before The LAMB!!
vs 8- Golden bowls of incense represent the PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS! (Psalm 141:2) Our prayers are like incense to God!! (Revelation 8:3) According to Deuteronomy 33:10, incense was what was offered by the priests to God in the temple!! This also reminds us how PRECIOUS OUR PRAYERS TO JESUS ARE!!
THE LORD HEARS YOUR PRAYERS BECAUSE THEY ARE LIKE INCENSE TO HIM! (1 Peter 3:12)
THE RESPONSE: (To Jesus being worthy to take the scroll and break the seals)
1.vs 8- the living creatures and elders fell down before Jesus in WORSHIP! They offered to God the PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS!
2.vs 9- the elders and angels sang a NEW SONG (Psalm 96:1) in response to what Jesus had done and His worthiness! A song of redemption!! PRAISE! Back in Revelation 4:11 the elders and cherubim praised God for His work of CREATION!! Now in Revelation 5:9-10, the elders and Cherubim are praising Jesus the Lamb for His work of REDEMPTION!
vs 9-10 also may seem to confirm that the 24 elders refer to the saints, as in the King James Version it uses the word 'us'. Eg. With your blood you purchased US for God.
You have made US to be a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2:9) to serve our God and we will reign on the earth (2 Timothy 2:12).
The word 'elder' here is the same word used in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus about what characteristics a church leader should have!!
vs 9- notice also that Jesus purchased men from EVERY TRIBE, LANGUAGE, PEOPLE and NATION? This means we shouldn’t show favouritism to whom we preach the gospel to!! And there is no room For RACISM IN GOD’S KINGDOM!
vs 9- it was JESUS’ BLOOD that purchased men for God!! JESUS’ BLOOD HAS RANSOMED US!! (1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 1:7) THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS!
vs 9-10 also show us we have been PURCHASED FOR A PURPOSE! (2 Timothy 1:9- saved and called. See also Ephesians 2:10)
Purchased by Jesus to serve God as kings and priests!! (1 Peter 2:9) SAVED TO SERVE! (Prayer: Lord, help me to live out the calling for which you saved me! Amen!)
vs 8-12 seem to also tie in with Hebrews 12:22-24, you have come to mount Zion in heaven, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to thousands upon thousand of angels and the church, and to God the judge of all men seated on His throne!! Praise you Jesus!!
vs 8-14 reveal to us the order by which God the Father and the lamb receive praise!! Firstly the Cherubim (closest to God’s throne) and the elders in vs 8 (Psalm 148:2), then the angels in vs 11-12 (Hebrews 1:6, Psalm 148:2), and then finally all of creation in vs 13 (Psalm 145:21, Psalm 150:6, Psalm 148:7-12)!! From those closest to the throne to all Creation, let everything that has breath praise the Lord!!
vs 12- we see a build up here from Revelation 4:11. Back in chapter 4, God was worthy to receive GLORY, HONOUR and POWER. Now, in chapter 5:12, Jesus is worthy to receive POWER, WEALTH, WISDOM, STRENGTH, HONOUR, GLORY and PRAISE!
Q. WHO IS RECEIVING GLORY HERE IN VS 12? (Isaiah 42:8)
vs 13- notice here that Jesus is DISTINGUISHED from God the Father!! This shows that even though Jesus is God, He is also distinguished from God the Father!!
vs 13-14 the elders worshipped you Jesus!! Let me start now!! (Hebrews 12:28) This shows that JESUS IS GOD! Otherwise He couldn’t have been worshipped!
WILL WE JOIN THE CHORUS WITH ALL OF CREATION TO WORSHIP HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE AND THE LAMB?
REVELATION 6: THE 70TH WEEK OF DANIEL BEGINS!
CONTEXT: (The start of the 70th week of Daniel and the tribulation period- God's judgement on the world!)
In Revelation chapter 5, Jesus the Lamb that was slain, had just taken the scroll from God The Father’s right hand. Now, this chapter is going to focus on the Lamb opening 6 of the 7 seals to unlock the scroll!! (Notice therefore that it is Jesus unlocking these judgements on the earth)
Each seal is a judgement on the earth through HUMAN MEANS! According to Daniel 9:24 the purpose of this tribulation period/Daniel's 70th week is for God to finally put an end to transgression and sin, atone for wickedness and bring in everlasting righteousness!
BIGGER PICTURE: We will see from Revelation 6-8 the seven SEAL judgements. The 7th seal will then unlock 7 TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS (Revelation 8:7-11:15). The 7th trumpet will then unlock seven BOWL JUDGEMENTS (Revelation 15-16:17). (The trumpet and bowl judgements could therefore be part of the contents of the scroll that Jesus unlocks).
The first 4 seals are depicted by the 4 horseman of the apocalypse, that reveal CONQUEST, followed by BLOOD SHED, FAMINE and DEATH.
It is also interesting to note how the first 5 seals in Revelation 6 follow the pattern of what our saviour Jesus prophesied about in Matthew 24:5-28, and the sixth seal in Revelation 6:12-17 tying in with what will happen soon after the tribulation period in Matthew 24:29-31.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN JESUS OPENS EACH OF THE FIRST SIX SEALS?
THE FIRST SEAL: (coming off the antichrist? vs 1-2) CONQUEST
vs 2- the opening of the first seal reveals a rider on a white horse, seemingly allowed to conquer the earth to bring peace? This may represent the antichrist's coming as the rider on the white horse appears to be an imitation of Jesus in Revelation 19:11 who is the faithful and true rider on the white horse who comes to bring true justice and judgement at the appointed time!! We also see that this rider is holding a BOW which would suggest distant combat. (This therefore may suggest his weaponry could be things like missiles/nuclear weapons?) Notice also that it doesn’t mention the bow having arrows? This may suggest that no actual warfare takes place and thus the rider is able to conquer via threat of war or peaceful means!!
We also see that this rider was GIVEN A CROWN. This could possibly mean that the authority or reward this conqueror has, was given by the enemy satan as per Revelation 13:2, but that this is ultimately under the control and allowance of God as per Revelation 13:5 and Daniel 7:21-27 and also by the fact that this only occurs because Jesus the lamb opened the first seal. THE RISE AND REVEALING OF THE ANTI-CHRIST…GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!! (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
THE SECOND SEAL: WAR (vs 3-4)
vs 4- this second fiery red horse brings war to the earth!! This suggests the first rider managed to conquer and bring peace (so to speak)/unify the earth to a certain extent! This may confirm Daniel 9:27 where the final tribulation period is characterised by the anti-christ confirming a covenant with many for one 7 year period and then breaking it half way through!! This second seal may also align with Matthew 24:6-8 where Jesus said there would be wars and rumours of wars and nations rising against nations!! WAR CONTINUES TO GET WORSE! (Daniel 9:26)
THE THIRD SEAL: FAMINE (vs 5-6)
vs 5- the third horse is black
According to Leviticus 19:36, scales were often used to measure out food that was to be purchased!!
vs 6- during times of famine, food is so scarce that it's price rises so that you get very little for a days wages!! Here in Revelation 6:6 a days wages is just enough for a quart of wheat which would be just enough to feed one person for a day!! The oil and wine not being touched could refer to the fact that the rich will not be affected as much by this famine since oil and wine was something the rich used!
Famine is often what follows war!! FAMINE (PRICE OF GOODS RISING) IS OFTEN WHAT FOLLOWS WAR!! (Matthew 24:7)
In Matthew 24:5-8 Jesus said in the end times there would be false Christs, wars and famines!!
THE FOURTH SEAL: DEATH (vs 7-8)
vs 8- the fourth rider brings death to a quarter of the earth by SWORD, FAMINE and PLAGUE and WILD BEASTS! (Matthew 24:7, Luke 21:11)
Death seems to be what happens to the body (1 Peter 3:18), while hades seems to be what happens to the soul/spirit of a person!! (Luke 16:22-23, Acts 2:26-27)
The fact that it was Jesus the Lamb who unlocks the fourth seal to release this reminds us He truly has the keys of death and hades (Revelation 1:18)!
Notice with these first 4 seals the progression of how it gets worse and worse. The first white horseman only has a bow (part of a weapon), the second red horseman has a single sword (actual weapon), the third black horseman has two weapons (economic scales and famine) and the fourth pale horseman has 4 weapons (sword, famine, plague and wild beasts). This shows us that things will PROGRESSIVELY GET WORSE during the 70th week and tribulation period, not better!
THE FIFTH SEAL: (CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION)
vs 9-11 this seal reveals those who have become Christians during the Great tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22) and have been martyred for keeping their faith in Jesus! (Revelation 7:13-17) The martyrdom of both Jewish and gentile Christians here is mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24:9! According to Matthew 24:15-22, this martyrdom may possibly occur during the second 3.5 year period known as the great tribulation!
ARE WE WILLING TO STAND FIRM IN OUR FAITH IN JESUS TO THE POINT OF DEATH? (Revelation 2:9-10, Mark 8:35-38)
vs 10- these tribulation saints are asking God to bring justice and avenge their deaths! (Romans 12:19)
vs 11- it is comforting that God sees all the injustice that occurs on this earth and will bring about His justice for His children towards those who have done wrong!!
vs 10-11 these tribulation saints ask how long, and Jesus tells them just a little longer. This is consistent with what Jesus said in Matthew 24:21-22 about how God cut short those tribulation days for the sake of His elect!!
The first 5 seals appear to be the work of the anti-christ leading to the martyrdom of many Christians during the tribulation. The coming sixth seal now appears to be after the tribulation- the coming wrath of the Son of Man!!
THE SIXTH SEAL: CELESTIAL SIGNS (vs 12-7:9)
Matthew 24:29-31 “Immediately after the TRIBULATION of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
(Acts 2:20, Joel 2:31)
The opening of the sixth seal starts off with an EARTHQUAKE. This could figuratively suggest that everything stable in society will be shaken up!!
The opening of the sixth seal seems to fulfil the words of our saviour Jesus in Matthew 24:29-30!!
In Revelation 6 vs 15-16 when Jesus comes on the clouds, in the day of His wrath to bring judgement on the earth, Notice the people of the earth will try and hide in the mountains and ask for the mountains to fall of them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb? We get an Old Testament prophetic picture of this in Joshua 10:16-28, who comes to conquer 5 Amorite kings in the promised land!! Interestingly, they too hide in a cave to get away from the wrath of Joshua!! (The root word for Joshua (Yehowshua) in Hebrew is the same word for Jesus!)
vs 15- notice in vs 15 that everyone is affected, from the KINGS to SLAVES! Every class in society will be affected by the coming judgement!! No-one will escape!!
vs 16- It is interesting to note that even when the stars are falling from the sky’s these Kings of the earth and slaves would rather call out to the mountains and the rocks, then calling out to Jesus to save them!!
Thus, in this chapter we are seeing conquest, the war, famine, death, martyrdom and judgement that God will bring during the tribulation period!!
Matthew 24:21-25 “For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equalled again. “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.”
REVELATION 7: THE SEALED AND SAVED!
(the gathering of the Tribulation saints/elect and sealing of the remnant Jews) GOD’S WRATH ISN’T WITHOUT MERCY!
Matthew 24:30 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
Revelation chapter 6 ended off with the SIXTH SEAL BEING OPENED and the Kings of the earth saying 'For the great day of their wrath has come and WHO CAN STAND?'
In this chapter, John sees 2 visions!!
Chapter 7 will answer this question as it will reveal to us that the ones who will be able to stand on the day of God's wrath are the 144,000 Jews (vs 3-8) God has sealed, chosen and protected and the great multitude of the tribulation saints who are saved, martyred and standing before the throne of God in heaven from this tribulation period (vs 9,14). This seems to happen before the opening of the 7th and final seal which happens in Chapter 8! So Revelation 7 seems to be a PARENTHESIS, happening in between the 6th and 7th seals or is part of what happens from the 6th seal being opened!
What a sharp contrast we will see between the people of the world (from the tribulation period) running and hiding in caves in fear of the wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16), and the people of God standing before His throne in Joyous praise (Revelation 7:9-10)!!
We also see that chapter 6:12 to chapter 7 could be a direct fulfilment of what Jesus said in Matthew 24:29-31 immediately after the tribulation of those days, Jesus coming and gathering His elect from the four winds of heaven!!
1 Corinthians 10:32 reveals to us that there are 3 GROUPS OF PEOPLE. The JEWS, the GENTILES and THE CHURCH OF GOD! In this chapter we will see a focus on the Jews and Gentiles who get sealed and saved during the tribulation period. The church has already been raptured by this stage as symbolised by the ELDER in Revelation 7:13!
READ REVELATION 7:1-17
vs 1- John now sees 4 ANGELS standing at the four corners of the earth (North, South, East and West), holding back the four WINDS OF THE EARTH. The “winds” here could symbolise the judgement that will come upon the land, sea and trees!! (Eg. See Job 1:19)
vs 2-3 the EARTH, the SEA and the TREES are what was going to be judged/harmed, and it seems based on Revelation 8 that it is fulfilled through the 7 TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS!
Q. WHOM DOES JOHN SEE BEING SEALED AND WHAT COULD THIS SEAL REPRESENT? (vs 2-4)
vs 2-4 we see here 144,000 of the Israelites being SEALED and chosen by God!! This is a common theme throughout the Old Testament. The idea that our Heavenly Father always had a REMNANT of Israel who would remain faithful to Him!! (1 Kings 19:18, Isaiah 10:20-23, Romans 11:1-5) According to Revelation 14:1 this SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD could be having the NAME OF JESUS and THE FATHER ON THEIR FOREHEADS! This is in contrast to Revelation 13:16-17 where the people of the world who will follow the anti-christ will receive the MARK OF THE BEAST on their right hand or foreheads which is the NAME OF THE BEAST or the number of his name!
vs 3 also reveals to us that this SEAL on the 144,000 Jews, PROTECTS THEM from the harm that is going to come upon the earth (Revelation 9:4)! (This also shows us that the 144,000 will still be on earth during the tribulation, and not in heaven yet, as the Jehovah’s witnesses falsely seem to believe). This would not be a foreign concept for the Jews back then as they would remember what God said back in Ezekiel 9:3-6!!
Likewise as Christians, the SEAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT on us, protects us ultimately from the enemy satan’s attacks against us and reminds us we belong to ABBA FATHER! (Romans 8:14-15)
vs 3-4 Being SEALED also suggests ownership, being OWNED BY GOD!! This is backed up by the fact that verse 3 refers to these 144,000 Jews as slaves-“doulos” of God!! Revelation 14:1 also tells us these 144,000 have the name of The Lamb and The Father written on their foreheads again suggesting ownership!! (You put your name on the things you own)
We also see in the New Testament in 2 Corinthians 1:22 and Ephesians 1:13 that God put His SEAL OF OWNERSHIP on us as Christians/the church by giving us His Holy Spirit to dwell within us!!
Thus, THE CHURCH is sealed with THE HOLY SPIRIT, the 144,000 JEWS will be sealed with the NAME OF THE FATHER on their foreheads and the UNSAVED will be sealed for destruction with the MARK OF THE BEAST (Revelation 14:9-11)!!
vs 3- what is ironic is that as the scroll is being UNSEALED, these servants of God are being SEALED!!
Q. WHICH OF THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL ARE MISSING IN THIS LIST? WHY MIGHT THAT BE THE CASE?

vs 5-8 12,000 from each tribe may represent the idea that a REMNANT from each tribe of Israel will be saved during the tribulation!! Of the 12 tribes of Israel mentioned, notice the TRIBE OF DAN AND EPHRAIM are missing!! The tribe of JOSEPH may represent Ephraim since in Genesis 48:5,20 Jacob reckoned both Joseph’s sons as his own!! But the reason THE TRIBE OF DAN could be missing could be because the tribe of Dan seemed to be the ones to introduced idol worship (Judges 18:1-2,30, Amos 8:14, 1 Kings 12:25-29- idol worship in Dan and Ephraim (Hosea 4:17), Genesis 49:17- Jacob’s prophecy over Dan)! Another possibility is that the anti-christ may come from the tribe of Dan, since Jacob’s prophecy over Dan in Genesis 49:17 was that Dan would be a SERPENT that bites the horses HEEL (Genesis 3:15)! Apparently Daniel 11:37 tells us the antichrist will forsake the God of his forefathers maybe suggesting he comes from Israel?
The tribe of Ephraim may have also participated in idolatry at Bethel (1 Kings 12:25-29)!! So this could be the consequence of their IDOLATRY! The tribe of Dan would therefore have to go through the tribulation without the seal and protection of God!! (Ezekiel 48, a prophecy about the MILLENIAL reign of Jesus shows that the tribe of Dan is reinserted in, so we see God restoring Dan!)
Q. AFTER THE 144,000 ISRAELITES ARE SEALED, WHOM DOES JOHN SEE BEFORE THE THRONE AND WHAT WERE THEY DOING? (vs 9-10)
vs 9- Now John sees A GREAT MULTITUDE FROM EVERY NATION, TRIBE, PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE….
One possibility is that this multitude from every tribe and nation have been saved during the tribulation by the preaching of these 144,000 Jews? It seems the 144,000 remain here on earth as in Revelation 9:4, they were protected from the locusts and therefore are able to go and freely evangelise to the every tribe and nation of the world! This was how it was supposed to be in the Old Testament with God wanting to use Israel to minister to the world!! SEALED FOR A BIGGER PURPOSE! (Eg. Jonah, Daniel, Exodus 19:5-6 Kingdom of Priests, Genesis 12:1-3)
Right now, we as Christians need to realise that we too have been sealed by The Holy Spirit for the bigger purpose of going about and sharing the gospel of Jesus so that many can be saved and come to know Jesus as Lord and saviour before it is too late!! (Eg. Luke 4:18-19, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 2 Timothy 4:17-18)
During the tribulation period, it seems that there are 3 avenues by which God gets His gospel to the nations and gives them the chance to believe in Jesus and be saved! Firstly here through the 144,000 sealed Jews, then secondly through the 2 witnesses who prophesy 3.5 years in Revelation 11 and then finally through an Angel in the mid-heavens who preaches the gospel to all creation (Revelation 14:6)!! ONE FINAL CHANCE TO BE SAVED!
Q. WHO IS THIS MULTITUDE STANDING BEFORE THE THRONE? IS THIS MULTITUDE STANDING BEFORE THE THRONE THE CHURCH? (Ie. is this the rapture taking place? Discuss)
vs 9- notice that this multitude are standing before the Throne of God and the Lamb, and not with Jesus in the clouds like the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)!
vs 9,14 also reveal to us that the GREAT MULTITUDE STANDING BEFORE THE THRONE are the tribulation saints (from Revelation 6:9)!! These are those who have come out of the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21 (same phrase used), Revelation 13:10)! This could be the “ELECT” that Jesus gathers in Matthew 24:31 at His second coming!!
If this group was meant to represent the rapture of the church, then why didn’t the elder say they are all Christians from over the last 2000 years who had lived and died for Jesus?
This would therefore make them a seperate group from the elders who were the ones asking John the question (vs 13). This seems to support the idea of the church being raptured up at the end of chapter 3 because these 24 elders who are before the throne of God in chapter 4 and 5 are from 'every tribe, language, people and nations' (Revelation 5:9-10). This tells us the 24 are representative of a bigger group of people because there are more than 24 tribes, nations and languages in the world!! Notice also from Revelation 5:10 that these elders will reign with Christ on the earth (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 3:21) as oppose to the tribulation saints who will serve God in heaven (Revelation 7:15-17).
vs 9-They are holding PALM BRANCHES! This is a reminder of John 12:13-15 and how the people of Israel welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem AS THEIR KING in celebration and with jubilation!! Now all the saved from every nation, tribe and language that come out of the great tribulation will praise Jesus as their King and Messiah!! (Revelation 7:10)
We also see in Leviticus 23:40 that as part of the Last feast of the year (THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES/SUKKOTH), Israel waved palm fronds and leafy branches and REJOICED BEFORE THE LORD for seven days!! So palm branches could also be a sign of CELEBRATION BEFORE THE LORD!
vs 9 therefore also shows us that SALVATION IN JESUS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN EVEN DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD! (Interestingly, once the God’s BOWLS OF WRATH COME in Revelation 16, there is no longer any more opportunities for the gospel to be preached and for people to be saved!!)
vs 11-12 the ANGELS and the 24 ELDERS around the throne now give worship to God and ascribe similar attributes to God as mentioned back in Revelation 5:12!
PRAISE- blessing
GLORY- “doxa”- splendour, magnificence, excellence!
WISDOM- supreme intelligence, one who forms and executes counsels! (Romans 11:33-36)
THANKSGIVING- thankfulness to God!
HONOUR- to give reverence to and place value upon!!
POWER- “dynamis”- miraculous power!
STRENGTH- ability!! (God is able!)
From this above list compared to Revelation 5:12, WEALTH is replaced by THANKS!
vs 13-14 Notice the elder asks John a question that he (the elder) already knew the answer to? This was a TEACHING MOMENT! (As a practical tip, when leading Biblestudy it is always helpful to ask questions you already know the answer to!!)
vs 14- these tribulation saints have washed their robes and made them WHITE (vs 9) in the BLOOD OF THE LAMB! Being dressed in white is a sign of righteousness according to Revelation 19:8,14!
This reminds us that our righteousness comes only by the blood of Jesus!! (Romans 3:21-25, 1 John 1:7)
Q. WHAT IS THE REWARD GIVEN TO THESE TRIBULATION SAINTS FOR THEIR FAITHFULNESS? (vs 15-17)
vs 15-17 we see 6 BLESSINGS God offers these tribulation saints. We too as Christians have access to these blessings.
God offers His:
PRESENCE- they are before the throne of God! He will dwell among them/spread His tent over them! (vs 15)
PURPOSE- they will serve Him day and night! (vs 15)
PROVISION- Never again will they hunger and thirst! (vs 16) Satisfaction!
PROTECTION- The sun will not bear upon them nor any scorching heat! (vs 16)
GUIDANCE- the LAMB will be their shepherd and LEAD them to springs of living water!! (vs 17)
JOY- God will wipe away every tear from their eyes! (vs 17)
Remember that during the great tribulation, the saints will not be able to buy or sell due to not taking the mark of the beast in Revelation 13:16-17. This means they won’t be able to eat or drink during that time and will struggle with hunger and thirst and may also feel the lack of protection from the Lord in the midst of the intense persecution! It would also be during this great tribulation that those saints may find it hard to feel JOY and the PRESENCE of God because of the intense hardships they go through! But all of this will be restored to them!!
This great multitude of tribulation saints will truly understand the apostle Paul’s words from Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present SUFFERINGS are not worth comparing with the GLORY that will be revealed in us.”
REVELATION 8: THE SCROLL IS FINALLY OPENED!
(God’s judgement in response to the prayers of the saints!)
CONTEXT: The opening of the seventh and final seal seems to release the 7 trumpet judgements (vs 1-2)!! Based on what has happened in Revelation 7, it appears that all the believers in Jesus are now no longer left on the earth (Revelation 9:20-21) except for the 144,000 Jews who have been sealed (Revelation 9:4)!
Based on vs 3-5 it appears these 7 trumpet judgements could be in response to the prayers of the saints for justice and judgement (Revelation 5:8, 6:10) from the great tribulation. Thus, the opening of the seventh seal, unleashing the 7 TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS COULD now refer to the DAY OF GOD’S WRATH talked about in Revelation 6:16-17 and Revelation 11:18.
Chapter 8 will mention 4 OF THE 7 TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS which affect the land, the sea and the heavens!! (Revelation 7:3)
Notice also that these plagues/judgements mimic/are similar to the plagues in Exodus 7-10 that God did in Egypt!
The FIRST 4 TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS seem to affect mainly the environment via natural disasters, while the LAST 3 TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS (the 3 WOES) affect mankind via angelic and demonic attacks!!
Q. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN JESUS OPENED THE SEVENTH SEAL?
vs 1- When Jesus opened the 7th SEAL, there was SILENCE IN HEAVEN for about 30 minutes!! This could be because finally the scroll that was in Abba Father’s hand has been OPENED, and the host of heaven are now in anticipation of what it’s contents will reveal!! (Previously in Revelation 5:2-4 the angel had asked who was worthy to open the scroll and John wept because there was no-one found worthy initially!)
It is the CALM before the STORM that is about to be unleashed on the earth to fulfil God‘s end time judgements and purposes and bring in His coming Kingdom!! What a contrast between the end of Revelation 7:11-12 where the host of heaven are in rapturous praise to God and now are in silence for half an hour!!
vs 2- it could be that part of the contents of this OPENED SCROLL is the 7 TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS!
vs 3-4 notice the prayers of ALL THE SAINTS are being offered to God like incense on the altar? (Revelation 5:8)
This shows UNITY IN THEIR PRAYERS and that GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS AND RESPONDS!!
THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER TO GOD! HE HEARS AND RESPONDS!
vs 5- we see God now responding to the prayers of the saints by sending fire upon the earth from the censor of their prayers and unleashing the trumpet judgements!! This reminds us of the POWER OF THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS TO GOD (James 5:16) and that GOD HEARS AND ACTS UPON THE PRAYERS OF HIS SAINTS! (1 Peter 3:12, Luke 18:7-8)
THE 7 TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS! (The day of God’s wrath on the unbelievers of the earth!)
vs 6- these 7 angels mentioned here only sound the seven trumpets but aren’t the ones bringing God’s judgement! They just announce God’s judgement by sounding the trumpet!!
Q. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE FIRST ANGEL SOUNDED HIS TRUMPET? (vs 7)
THE FIRST TRUMPET: (vs 7)
Hail and fire mixed with blood are hurled to the earth and a THIRD of the EARTH, TREES and GRASS are destroyed (Revelation 7:3)!! This may have a similar picture to how Sodom and Gomorrah were judged with burning sulphur in Genesis 19:24! You will also start seeing a similarly to the plagues God brought on Egypt (Exodus 9:23-26) in Exodus 7-11!
Being MIXED WITH BLOOD could be a reminder of Luke 13:1 and the idea that people will be killed from this judgement!! It could also be a picture of God avenging the blood of His children (Revelation 6:10, 16:6).
The fleetingness of man’s life is likened to grass (Psalm 90:5-6, Psalm 103:15) and so this could also metaphorically be a picture of the fleetingness of man’s life at God’s coming judgement! This trumpet judgement mainly AFFECTS THE LAND!!
The hail and fire being MIXED WITH BLOOD may represent God’s wrath in avenging the blood of His saints!! (Revelation 6:10, 16:6)!
THE SECOND TRUMPET: (vs 8-9)
Something LIKE a huge mountain ablaze (could be a volcanic eruption, an earthquake or maybe even nuclear?) was thrown into the sea!! A THIRD of the SEA (salt water) was turned to BLOOD causing a third of the living sea creatures to die and a third of the ships to be destroyed!! This may mimic the plague of blood in Exodus 7:17 where God used Moses to turn the Nile into blood and the fish in the Nile all died!!
The first two trumpet judgements now cover the EARTH, SEA and TREES mentioned back in Revelation 7:3!
THE THIRD TRUMPET: (vs 10-11)
A great star, blazing like a torch fell on a third of the RIVERS and SPRINGS OF WATER. This “STAR” would most probably refer to a meteor or asteroid hitting a part of the earth. (Remember that the book of Revelation is written in “apocalyptic literature” and so we don’t always take it literally but can be symbolic!)
While the second trumpet judgement affected the salt water seas, this third trumpet judgement now affects the NATURAL DRINKING WATER SOURCE , killing many people! (Exodus 7:18, 15:23)
vs 11- WORMWOOD- a bitter herb known as “artemisia”. Initially it was the salt water that was affected, but now the natural drinking water is also affected and becomes bitter!! This could be a reminder of Exodus 15:23 where Israel came to a place called Marah where the water was bitter and they could not drink it!!
THE FOURTH TRUMPET: (vs 12)
A THIRD of the SUN, MOON AND STARS are struck and turned dark!! What God had put into place on the fourth day of creation in Genesis 1:14-19 and was considered to be good, was now being undone in God’s wrath on mankind with the 4th trumpet judgement! In this judgement, the HEAVENS/UNIVERSE is affected!!
When this happens the earth will become much colder, the amount of oxygen available will decrease and plant and animal life will be severely affected!! This could be part of the fulfilment of what Jesus said in Matthew 24:29 and Luke 21:25-28!
Notice with all these seemingly NATURAL DISASTERS, that there was a SPIRITUAL CAUSE behind it? It is GOD’S JUDGEMENT ON MANKIND in this case!!
This chapter ends with an EAGLE declaring God’s coming judgement with the 3 “WOES” which will be enacted through demonic and angelic attacks on the earth!
"As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in mid-air call out in a loud voice: "WOE! WOE! WOE! to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!" (Revelation 8:13)
REVELATION 9: “THE 3 WOES”
CONTEXT: This chapter will focus on 2 OF THE 3 WOES mentioned in Revelation 8:13. Ie. the 5th and 6th trumpet judgements!! While the first 4 trumpet judgements affected the ENVIRONMENT/NATURE and then the HEAVENS/UNIVERSE by seemingly natural disasters, these last 3 woes will affect mankind through demonic attacks!!
The word “WOE” is an exclamation of grief in the Greek and generally implies judgement for sin as shown by Jesus’ woe to the Pharisees in Matthew 23. (See also Matthew 11:21, 18:7)
Q.WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE 5TH ANGEL SOUNDED HIS TRUMPET? (vs 1-13)
Q.WHO OR WHAT IS THIS STAR THAT HAS FALLEN FROM THE SKY?
vs 1- the 5th trumpet/FIRST WOE reveals a star that has fallen from the sky to earth. The fact that vs 1-2 mentions this star as a “he” means it is not a star in the COSMOLOGICAL sense, but rather symbolically referring to a being (most probably angelic or demonic- See Revelation 1:20, Job 38:7 where stars and morning stars seem to be a reference to some kind of angelic beings)
There are 2 possibilities for who this star represents:
Firstly vs 1 says this star was given the key to the abyss! In Revelation 20:1 we see an angel coming from heaven, having the key to the abyss. This angel is in service to God and puts satan in the abyss in Revelation 20 for a thousand years!! In Revelation 1:20, the 7 STARS were a reference to 7 ANGELS of the churches!!
In vs 11, this angel's name is Abaddon or Apollyon which means 'destroyer'. This could very well be the same angel from Exodus 12:23, 2 Kings 19:35 and 2 Samuel 24:16?
The 2nd possibility is that this star represents satan who fell from heaven based on Luke 10:18, Isaiah 14:12-15 and Revelation 12:8-9?
This seems less plausible.
Q. WHAT IS THE ABYSS THAT THIS STAR HAS BEEN GIVEN THE KEYS TO?
vs 1-2 also tells us this star has the keys to the abyss and opens it. According to Luke 8:31, the abyss is the place where demons are kept!! And so in Revelation 9, the angel could now be releasing these demons to help bring God's judgement on the earth!! (See 2 Chronicles 18:18-22)
The word “abyss” is the Greek word “abyssos” and can mean the “bottomless pit as the abode of demons”.
This may also be synonymous with TARTARUS mentioned in 2 Peter 2:4.
Q. WHAT CAME OUT OF THE ABYSS AND WHAT COULD THEY BE?
vs 3- Maybe the reason John likened these demonic beings to locusts is because of their capacity for destruction (of harvests) and sheer numbers in ancient times!!
vs 1,3- we see that both the fallen star and the locusts were GIVEN power (Exousia- authority)! This reminds us that GOD IS IN CONTROL and any power the enemy has is only what has been sovereignly given by The Lord to them for a particular time and purpose!! (See Job 1 and Luke 22:31)
vs 2-5 just like the demons who were put in the abyss didn’t escape God’s judgement (Luke 8:31), so too now we are reminded here that unrepentant humanity will not escape God’s coming judgement through these demonic attacks!
Q. WERE THESE LOCUSTS ABLE TO KILL AND HARM EVERYTHING? (vs 4-5)
Q. WHAT LIMITS DID GOD PLACE ON THESE LOCUSTS? (vs 4-5)
These locusts will not be permitted to harm the things that normal locusts usually devour like vegetation, crops and grass (vs 4).
vs 4- also reminds us that these demonic attacks are under GOD’S SOVEREIGN CONTROL and therefore His sealed Israelites cannot be harmed by these attacks!! (Just like when Israel were in Egypt and God protected them when He sent the 10 plagues!! Even in the book of Job, God set the boundaries by which satan could attack Job!! satan is on a leash!! See also Luke 22:31)
vs 5- these demonic beings were not given power to KILL but only to TORTURE for 5 months!! God yet again has set the boundaries by which the enemy could attack!!
GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER THE ENEMIES ATTACKS!
THE LIMITS GOD PLACED:
vs 4- Can’t harm the grass, crops or trees.
vs 4- can’t harm those who have God’s seal! (Revelation 7:2-3)
vs 5- can’t kill but can only torture!
vs 5- can only do this for 5 months, no longer!!
vs 6- it's interesting that despite God's judgement and this demonic torture for 5 months, the people of the earth would rather SEEK DEATH than SEEK JESUS for their salvation!!
Q. HOW ARE THESE LOCUSTS DESCRIBED? (vs 7-10)
Notice the number of times the word “like” is used in these verses!! This shows us this description is not necessarily literal but symbolic!! These pictures show us these locusts may be WAR-LIKE, FIERCE (like lions) and BRUTAL (like scorpions).
The crowns of gold on their heads may suggest the temporary authority they have been given on the earth at that time!!
vs 7-10 describes these locusts and their description shows us they are not literal locusts but more likely demonic beings sent to torment the people of the earth for 5 months!!
This locust demonic army will be led by a king!!
Q. WHO IS THIS KING OF THE LOCUST ARMY? (vs 11)
vs 11- the angel of the Abyss could refer to the destroying angel from 2 Kings 19:35 and Exodus 12:23 since its name is Abaddon in Hebrew and Apollyon in Greek, which means DESTROYER! This could be the angel back in Revelation 9:1 that was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss and also the angel in Revelation 20:1 who will bind satan in the Abyss for 1000 years!
The fact that it’s HEBREW and GREEK name is mentioned could also suggest that this judgement is coming on both the JEWS and GENTILES!!
vs 11 also shows us that these locusts had this angel as KING over them. According to Proverbs 30:27, locusts don’t have a king! So this reminds us these locusts are actual demonic beings and not literal locusts!!
Q. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE 6TH ANGEL SOUNDED HIS TRUMPET? (vs 13-15)
vs 13-15 the sixth trumpet releases 4 angels bound at the river Euphrates (modern day Iraq) who were kept for this very HOUR, DAY, MONTH and YEAR to kill a third of mankind!! This reminds us that death belongs to God and that He has an APPOINTED TIMING to His purposes even when it comes to demonic attacks and judgement!
vs 15- a THIRD OF HUMANITY is killed from these attacks!!
vs 16-19 WILL NOW SHOW US HOW A THIRD OF MANKIND IS KILLED!
vs 16- the 200 million troop army could refer to a literal human army (India or China) that is controlled/influenced by these 4 angels (eg. Revelation 16:13-14, Daniel 10-demons behind nations), or it could refer to a spiritual demonic or angelic army (Eg. 2 Kings 6:17)!!
vs 18- a third of mankind is killed by the THREE PLAGUES (fire, smoke and sulphur) that come from this demonic army!!
WE CAN NOW SEE THAT AS THE TRIBULATION PROCEEDS, THE JUDGEMENTS GET INCREASINGLY SEVERE!!
Q. HOW DO THE PEOPLE WHO SURVIVE THESE JUDGEMENTS RESPOND?
vs 20- the major point in chapter 9 is that despite these judgements as warnings, the godless people of the earth still WOULD NOT REPENT OF THEIR SINS AND TURN TO GOD!! (John 3:19-20)
At Jesus's first coming, He came with mercy to reach out to the lost (Romans 2:4), now At Jesus' second coming, He is coming with judgement and they still won't repent!!
We see now that throughout the book of Revelation, not only does God use the 144000, the two witnesses in Revelation 11 and even an angel in mid heaven (Revelation 14:6) to share the gospel to the lost, but He also uses the judgements as a warning in the hope that the world will come to repentance (2 Peter 3:5-9) and to know Jesus before it is too late, and yet even then the world still will not repent and turn to Him!! In the end, people love their sin too much to want to give it up and turn to Jesus for their salvation (John 3:19-20), so God gives them exactly what they want….
REVELATION 10: THE ANGEL AND THE SCROLL.
Revelation chapters 10 and 11 seem to occur during the time of the 6th trumpet judgement (Revelation 9:13, Revelation 11:14).
Revelation 10:7 confirms that this is happening between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgements!!!
As was seen between the 6th and 7th seals (see Revelation 7), here seems to be a theme of an INTERLUDE between the 6th and 7th Trumpets also!!
Q. WHOM DOES JOHN SEE AND WHAT DID HE LOOK LIKE? (vs 1)
vs 1- when John sees ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL (Revelation 5:2 mentions the first mighty angel), this seems to confirm this angel can’t be Jesus since He is like NO OTHER and is not like the angels (Hebrews 1:4-6)! The word “another” is the word “allos” which can mean “of the same kind”. Even though this Angel has characteristics similar to Jesus (Eg. Face like the sun- Revelation 1:16, Matthew 17:2, legs like fiery pillars- Revelation 1:15), it is more likely that it is an angel.
In the Old Testament Jesus was CONCEALED and came disguised at times like an Angel/messenger of the Lord (Eg. Joshua 5:13-14), but in the New Testament, Jesus came REVEALED and since then we don’t see Him in disguise!! Since the book of Revelation is also showing Jesus revealed, Jesus therefore would no longer come disguised as an Angel.
vs 1- this angel had a rainbow above his head and this could remind us of God’s COVENANTAL FAITHFULNESS and mercy amidst His coming judgement!! From Genesis 9:13-17, God put a rainbow in the sky as a reminder of His covenant with the earth that He would not destroy it by water again!!
Q2. WHAT WAS THIS MIGHTY ANGEL HOLDING AND WHAT COULD IT REPRESENT? (vs 2)
vs 2- this angel was holding a LITTLE SCROLL. This would be different to THE SCROLL mentioned in Revelation 5:1 which had just been unlocked, and therefore this little scroll may be a PORTION of God’s end time purpose/judgements that John was to be part of!! According to Revelation 10:9-11 and Ezekiel of 2:9-3:3, the little scroll could be a SCROLL OF PROPHECY that John would use to prophesy about the nations about God’s future purposes and judgements!
Q3. WHERE DID THIS ANGEL PLANT HIS FEET AND WHAT RELEVANCE MIGHT IT HAVE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN REVELATION? (vs 2-3)
vs 2- this mighty angel PLANTED his right and left FOOT on the SEA and the LAND and roared like a lion!! This may represent the authority God has over the sea and land like a lion claiming its territory! It is said that male Lions often ROAR to claim/defend their territory and show their power!!
The land and sea (and its people) being under the feet of this mighty angel!! (In Hebrews 10:13 and 1 Corinthians 15:25, Jesus’ enemies will be under His feet as a footstool- a sign that Jesus has authority over them!)
Even though the beast (anti-christ) and the false prophet are about to rise from the sea and earth (Revelation 13:1,11), God reminds us that He ultimately has authority over the sea and earth and them and is the creator of them all (Revelation 10:6)!
vs 3- the voices of the 7 THUNDERS spoke!! Thunder in the book of Revelation could represent a sign of coming judgement as per Revelation 8:5 and Revelation 16:17-18 and Exodus 19:16-24!
vs 4- John was told not to write down but rather SEAL UP what the 7 thunders had said! This reminds us that not everything is revealed to us!! We don’t know everything about what is going to take place!! Deuteronomy 29:29 says the secret things belong to the Lord!! (Daniel 8:26, 12:4- sealed until the appointed time) THERE ARE MYSTERIES OF GOD WE STILL DON’T KNOW!
It is okay not to know everything! Be okay with the mystery!! Will we still serve God even if we are not given the full details?
(See Genesis 12:1, Job 38:1-42:3)
Q. WHAT DOES THIS MIGHTY ANGEL DO NEXT? (vs 5-7)
vs 5-7 This angel lifts his hand to heaven. It seems this may be the fulfilment of what daniel saw in Daniel 12:7 which is a similar scene!! Raising the hand to heaven was also a sign of taking an oath (Genesis 14:22, Deuteronomy 32:40)
Q. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD ARE REVEALED TO US BY THIS OATH TAKEN? (vs 6)
vs 6- This Angel SWORE BY HIM WHO LIVES FOREVER AND EVER! Therefore this also confirms that this can’t be Jesus, since Jesus is God and would then swear by Himself! GOD IS ETERNAL!
vs 6- BY HIM who CREATED the heavens…. the earth…. (Genesis 1:1 tells us that ELOHIM- God the Father created the heavens and the earth. Colossians 1:16 and John 1:3 tell us that Jesus was the creator of the heavens and earth!) This shows that Jesus is God and also that this Angel is therefore not Jesus!! GOD IS CREATOR OF ALL (including the sea and the earth that the anti-christ and false prophet come out of!!) (Acts 17:24, Jonah 1:9)
vs 6- when the angel announces that there will be NO MORE DELAY. This may not only refer to the MYSTERY OF GOD that will now be revealed (See Daniel 12:7, Isaiah 65:17-25), and the fulfilment of His end time purposes and judgements, but this could also be a direct response to the martyr’s cries to God for justice from the tribulation period in Revelation 6:9-11!!
vs 6- also reveals two CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD! He is ETERNAL (lives forever and ever) and He is CREATOR of everything including the heavens, the earth and the sea and all that is in them! (Exodus 20:11, Nehemiah 9:6)
Q. WHAT DOES THE ANGEL SAY WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE SEVENTH TRUMPET IS SOUNDED? (vs 7)
vs 7- the Angels tells us that when the 7th trumpet is sounded, the MYSTERY OF GOD will be accomplished as spoken through the prophets (eg. Daniel 12:7, Isaiah 65:17-25)! This seems to be revealed to us in Revelation 11:15-18 and could refer to Jesus bringing His kingdom to earth and reigning and bringing The fulfilment of His judgement and rewards!!
There are other MYSTERIES IN THE BIBLE:
1 Corinthians 15:51- the mystery of the rapture of the church!
Romans 11:25 the mystery of Israel’s hardening of heart!
1 Corinthians 2:7- the mystery of God’s wisdom!
Ephesians 5:31-32 the mystery of Christ and the church!
Colossians 1:26-27 the mystery of Christ in us, the hope of Glory!!
Matthew 13:11- the mystery of the kingdom of heaven!!
1 Timothy 3:16- the mystery of Godliness!!
vs 9-11 John was asked to take and eat this scroll. It turned SOUR in his stomach and yet was SWEET in his mouth (Psalm 119:103, Psalm 19:10-11). This was the same thing that happened to the prophet Ezekiel in 2:8-3:3. The eating of the scroll represented Ezekiel having to speak those words on the scroll, words of lament, woe and judgement to the house of Israel!!
Likewise John will have to speak these prophetic words of judgement and woe to the nations. EAT THE WORD, SPEAK THE WORD!
The scroll being SWEET in the mouth could be a reminder that God's word is sweet and nourishing like honey in our mouths (Ezekiel 3:3, Jeremiah 15:16, Psalm 19:9-10, Psalm 119:103). We are therefore told to eat God’s word (Matthew 4:4)!
The turning SOUR in the stomach could reflect that at the same time, the message would be one of judgement that would have to be spoken (which is a sour message)!
vs 10-11 once John ate the words, He was told he now had to prophesy those words to many nations!! LEARN TO EAT THE WORD OF GOD, THEN PASS ON THE WORD OF GOD! (Eg. Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 1 Corinthians 11:23)
Therefore we see a 3 step process from vs 8-11 that John had to go through!! He had to firstly TAKE THE SCROLL (take the word of God), then he ATE THE SCROLL (we need to digest the word of God by spending time in the word with Jesus!!) and then he PROPHESIED THE CONTENTS OF THE SCROLL (share the word with others!).
Let us TAKE THE WORD, EAT THE WORD, SHARE THE WORD OF GOD!
REVELATION 1 1 (THE TWO WITNESSES AND THE 7TH TRUMPET)
CONTEXT: We see here in this chapter, the introduction of 2 WITNESSES who prophesy for 1260 days during the 70th week of Daniel. It seems that these 2 witnesses are prophesying for 3.5 years (according to the ancient Babylonian calendar of 360 day years). It is unclear as to when this 3.5 years of witnessing is happening. It may start sometime during the first 3.5 years of the 70th week of Daniel and go until the end of the 6th trumpet judgement/second woe as Revelation 9:13 and 11:14 seems to suggest! (Or it could be the 2nd 3.5 years during the great tribulation?)
Q. WHAT WAS JOHN ASKED TO DO IN VS 1?
Firstly notice in vs 1 that John was asked to go and measure the temple of God and the altar! (This could be the ultimate fulfilment of Zechariah 1:16) We also see in Ezekiel 40, a detailed measurement of the temple being done (eg. Ezekiel 40:3-6)
Since the number of worshippers within the temple was to be counted and the outer court was to be given to the GENTILES in vs 2, this means that the temple refers to the one in Jerusalem (see also vs 8)! The first temple was built by King Solomon (1 Kings 6:1). The second temple by Zerubabbel (Zechariah 4:9, Ezra 6:14-15) after the exile of Israel in Babylon. This temple was restored and added to by Herod, starting in 20AD.
The second temple was destroyed in AD 70 by the Romans. (If John is writing this in AD 95, then the temple would have already been destroyed and so the temple he now sees in this vision would be the future temple yet to be rebuilt!)
Thus, the third temple is yet to be built. This verse could be referring to that third temple rebuilt in the end times!!
This also reveals to us that the temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt for the 70th week of Daniel, for John to be able to go and measure it!! (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
THE THIRD TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM MUST BE REBUILT!
vs 1-2 the idea of MEASURING THE TEMPLE may also suggest OWNERSHIP BY GOD (since the outer court wasn’t to be measured and was given to the gentiles for 42 months).
vs 1- notice also, that John was asked to COUNT THE WORSHIPPERS? (In Acts 2:41, it was recorded that around 3000 were baptised and added to the church. How did they know unless there was someone taking note?) THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH RECORDING NUMBERS!!
vs 2- the outer court of the temple could actually be where the Dome of the rock is today which is under the control of the Muslims. This could be another reason why God tells John not to measure it. Because it has been given to the gentiles.
Q. WHY WAS JOHN TOLD NOT TO MEASURE THE OUTER COURT? (vs 2)
vs 2 tells us that the GENTILES will trample on the city of Jerusalem for 42 months or 3.5 years (Luke 21:20-24)!! This could possibly refer to the “TIMES OF THE GENTILES” (Luke 21:24, Romans 11:11-25, 1 Corinthians 10:32) and the SECOND 3.5 YEARS of Daniel’s 70th week when the antichrist breaks his covenant (Daniel 9:27) and reigns (Revelation 13:5)! What may happen during this second 3.5 year period may be explained in Revelation 12:13-17 and Matthew 24:15-24.
The times of the Gentiles in Luke 21:24 (may come to an end during the 70th week of Daniel when Jerusalem is trampled on by the gentile unbelievers) could be different to the fullness of the Gentiles coming in to be saved- rapture of the church Gentile believers mentioned in Romans 11:25.
The times of the Gentiles will come to an end once Jerusalem is finally under the full control of Israel by the Messiah Jesus at the end of the tribulation period!
vs 2- the fact that The Holy City will only be trampled on for 42 months/3.5 years shows us that once again GOD HAS SET A LIMIT on how long the enemy can attack for!! (Just like back in Revelation 9:5)
THE TWO WITNESSES: (vs 3-6)
Q. WHERE AND FOR HOW LONG WILL THESE TWO WITNESSES BE PROPHESYING? (vs 2-3)
In vs 3, we are told that these two witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days, which is 3.5 years (according to the ancient Babylonian calendar of 360 day years).
According to vs 14 these two witnesses are prophesying most probably for the 3.5 years leading up to the 3RD WOE!! (Ie the first 3.5 years potentially)
Q. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE 2 WITNESSES?
vs 3- there are 2 WITNESSES who will prophesy for 1260 days or 3.5 years!! The word for witness here is the Greek word “martys” which is where we get the word MARTYR from (Acts 1:8)!! As we will see in this chapter, these 2 witnesses will be martyrs for their faith in God and obedience!! ARE WE WILLING TO TESTIFY ABOUT JESUS TO THE POINT OF DEATH? (Mark 8:34-38, Revelation 2:10)
We also see that these witnesses are PERSISTENT in their prophecy for a whole 1260 days despite the opposition!! LEARN TO PERSEVERE IN SERVING THE LORD AND SPEAKING HIS WORD! (Hebrews 10:36, James 5:10-11)
In the Jewish culture, at least 2 witnesses were required to validate a testimony!! (Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16, John 8:17)
vs 3- notice also that there are TWO witnesses. This reminds us of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and how 2 are better than 1!! In Luke 10:1 Jesus also sent out His disciples 2 by 2!! There is benefit in doing ministry together and also having 2 people means better protection in ministry!!
vs 3- these 2 witnesses being clothed in SACKCLOTH may show us they will preach and demonstrate the importance of REPENTANCE! (Jonah 3:6, Matthew 11:21, Joel 1:13) ARE WE WILLING TO PREACH TRUTH AND NOT WATER DOWN THE WORD OF GOD?
vs 4- these two witnesses are referred to as the OLIVE TREES from Zechariah 4:1-14. This shows us their ministry will be not by might nor by their own power but empowered and ANOINTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT! Just like in the book of Zechariah, the olive trees (The high priest Joshua and Zerabubbel) supplied the oil to LIGHT THE LAMPS, so too The Holy Spirit will anoint these two witnesses to shine the light of God and carry out their prophetic ministry!!
Since the context of Zechariah 4 was also in regards to the rebuilding of the temple at that time returning after the exile in Babylon, it could be that these two witnesses are prophesying during the rebuilding of the 3rd temple that will happen during the 70th week of Daniel!!
vs 5- We see God’s DIVINE PROTECTION over these 2 witnesses by fire devouring their enemies (Numbers 16:35, 2 Kings 1:10) until HIS APPOINTED TIME!! This is a comforting reminder that God will protect us during our ministry for Him until it is His timing to call us home!! (Acts 13:36)
vs 5-7 we see the DIVINE PROTECTION that God gives to these 2 witnesses until their appointed time to die! So too God does the same for us!! (Acts 13:36, Philippians 1:21-22)
vs 4-6 WHO ARE THESE 2 WITNESSES?
Based on the miracles these 2 witnesses perform, they seem to be consistent with Moses and Elijah from the Old Testament!! (James 5:17, 1 Kings 17:1-Elijah prayed for it to stop raining for 3.5 years, and Moses turned water into blood and sent plagues on Egypt from God in the book of Exodus 7-11)! In Malachi 4:5 we see that Elijah will come before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes and Moses is mentioned in that same chapter (Malachi 4:4)!!
Also we find in Matthew 17:1-5 that it was Moses and Elijah who appeared with Jesus on mount transfiguration!! What were they talking about? We see in 2 Kings 2:11 that Elijah never died but was taken up in a chariot of fire and in Jude 1:9, the archangel Michael was disputing with the devil over the body of Moses. Why was the body of Moses so important, unless it was needed again possibly for the end times?
Also Moses and Elijah represent the LAW and THE PROPHETS, both of which testify to Jesus!! (Luke 16:29, Luke 24:27,44, Malachi 4:4-5) Thus, during the 70th week of Daniel, when the focus goes back onto Israel, it is plausible that once again we see the LAW and the PROPHETS now testifying and witnessing about Jesus!!
But ultimately, the fact that God doesn’t mention who these 2 witnesses are reminds us that their identity doesn’t matter. What matters most is what they are called to do!! THE VESSEL DOESN’T MATTER, JUST THE MESSAGE! (How often do we idolise the messenger above the message Jesus is wanting to tell us through them?)
vs 6- notice the miracles these two witnesses can do line up with Revelation 6:5-8 and the opening of some of the seals to bring famine and plague during the first 3 and a half years of Daniel’s 70th week? This suggests that what was happening in the supernatural by Jesus opening the scrolls in Revelation 6 is outworked by these two witnesses on earth!!
vs 7,10 the testimony of these two witnesses for a 3.5 year period of Daniel’s 70th week could be how many get saved during the great tribulation (Revelation 6:9, 7:4-14) but also will be the source of TORMENT for those who reject (Revelation 11:10)! Torment from being devoured by fire (Revelation 11:5) and from their message of repentance!!
vs 7- the fact that these 2 witnesses are able to FINISH their testimony shows us that THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY CANNOT STOP GOD’S PURPOSES!!
vs 7-10 the BEAST THAT COMES UP FROM THE ABYSS who defeats these two witnesses could refer to the anti-christ. The fact that he kills the 2 who (from the worlds point of view) were tormenting the world, would only increase the anti-Christ’s popularity and acceptance by the world!!
vs 8- Jerusalem is FIGURATIVELY referred to here as Sodom and Egypt. This could be because during the times of the Gentiles, Israel will become a place of Immorality and pride like Sodom (Isaiah 1:9-10, Genesis 18-19, Ezekiel 16:49-50) and a place of Idolatry, oppression and slavery like Egypt!! In Exodus 7-11, the 10 plagues were attacks by God on the false gods of Egypt to show that He is the ONE TRUE GOD!!
Jerusalem is also referred to as THE GREAT CITY, a term used in the book of Revelation to refer to BABYLON (Revelation 16:17, 17:18, 18:10) a home for the demonic, idolatry, adulteries and luxury (Revelation 18:2-3)!
Notice therefore that these 2 witnesses are prophesying in a place of temptation and wickedness. So too we are called to be Jesus’ ambassadors in a wicked world filled with sexual immorality and pride and slavery!!
vs 9- the bodies of these 2 witnesses was left there for 3.5 days. According to Jewish tradition, the spirit of a person hovered for 3 days around their body, so they could still awaken within 3 days, but after that it was considered impossible!! This is why In John 11:17, Jesus waited until 4 days after Lazarus was dead so that the Jews would know it was impossible for him to wake up!!
vs 9-10 notice that at the death of these 2 witnesses, men of every languages tribe and nation will gaze on their bodies and celebrate their death!! Before the invention of TELEVISION and SOCIAL MEDIA on our phones, no-one would have thought this was possible!! Now it is!!
vs 11- after 3.5 days, the BREATH OF LIFE from God entered these 2 witnesses and brought them back to life!! This is the same thing God did in the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:5 to bring them to life and in Adam at creation (Genesis 2:7)! It is only by the power of The Holy Spirit!! (Romans 8:11)
vs 11-13 the RESURRECTION of these 2 witnesses and God calling them UP to heaven shows the world that God approved of their PROPHETIC TESTIMONY! It will become a witness to their enemies causing them to give glory to the God of heaven!! This may possibly show that many of the Israelites (the survivors of the earthquake) get saved from what has happened to these 2 witnesses!!
Ironically, the world not letting these two witnesses be buried will now become a WITNESS BEYOND A DOUBT of God resurrecting them!! (when our saviour Jesus died and was buried, the Sanhedrin could use the excuse that His body was stolen- Matthew 28:13, but when God resurrects these two witnesses IN FRONT IF EVERYBODY, there can be no excuses for what they have seen!)
SUMMARY OF TWO WITNESSES:
They are:
-Empowered by The Holy Spirit (vs 3-4 olive trees, Acts 1:8) and therefore fully reliant on Him!
-Martyrs and willing to die for God (Greek word for witness- Acts 1:8, Mark 8:34-38)
-Persevere in prophesying and living out God’s calling (for 1260 days until they die and are called home by God!)
-willing to Prophesy and demonstrate repentance (dressed in sackcloth) vs 3 willing to speak truth!
-Divinely protected (vs 5) until their ministry is finished (vs 7)! (Acts 13:36)
-Ministry approved by God (vs 11-12)
Q. HOW CAN WE BE MORE LIKE THESE 2 WITNESSES IN OUR OUTREACH AS CHRISTIANS?
vs 13- at the time the 2 witnesses are taken up, there is a huge earthquake in Jerusalem and 7000 people die in judgement!! Contrast this with 1 Kings 19:18 when Elijah had prophesied against the prophets of baal and called fire down from heaven, God had reserved 7000 who had not bowed the knee to baal!
vs 13-14 It is possible that many Israelites (and possibly gentiles also) get saved because of what happens to these 2 witnesses, since the result is that they FEAR GOD and GIVE HIM GLORY!!
vs 15- THE SEVENTH TRUMPET/3RD WOE is sounded!! In contrast to Revelation 8:1 where the opening of the 7th seal brought SILENCE, here at the sounding of the 7th trumpet, great joy and loud voices are heard!! The 7th trumpet will now unleash the final 7 bowl judgements which will then usher in the coming kingdom of God!! (Revelation 15:1, 16:1-20)
The kingdoms of the world have now become the kingdom of God and Jesus!! Just like on campaign night when the victory is ANNOUNCED before the president actually takes office, so too the same here!!
vs 15-19 is taking place in HEAVEN! The announcement is being made from heaven and then the final bowl judgements will be enacted here on earth to bring in God’s kingdom!! Since heaven is outside of time, the praise and events of Revelation 11:15-19 seem to refer to future events in the past tense as though they have already happened!!
vs 15- we first see in Matthew 6:10 that Jesus teaches the disciples to pray to God the Father to “LET YOUR KINGDOM COME....”
Then we see in Matthew 12:28 and Luke 17:21 that Jesus brought the Kingdom (the dominion and authority and rule of Jesus as King in the greek) of God into us as believers by The Holy Spirit in us!! Initially Jesus’ Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36) but unseen and spiritual through The Holy Spirit!!
Now we see the final fulfilment of the coming Kingdom of God as it infiltrates externally to the whole world (Matthew 25:34)!!! THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD!
vs 15- notice here in vs 15 that the KINGDOM is in the singular? Contrast this to Matthew 4:8 where satan offered Jesus the KINGDOMS of the world!! This shows us that satan was offering Jesus a disunited, fractured kingdoms of men, but when it comes time for Jesus to truly reign, He will reign over a UNITED KINGDOM (singular)!! THERE WILL BE UNITY IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!
Thus, 2 aspects we see of God’s coming kingdom is that it is UNITED and EVERLASTING! (vs 15)
vs 16-17 the response to the sounding of the 7th trumpet and the announcement of God’s kingdom was WORSHIP and THANKSGIVING from the 24 elders!! (Hebrews 12:28)
In Revelation 4, the elders worshipped God for being CREATOR, then in Revelation 5 they worshipped God for being REDEEMER, and now in Revelation 11 they worship God for being JUDGE AND KING!!
vs 17- the one WHO WAS and WHO IS. Notice it no longer says “Who is to come” because now is the time the Lord has come to reign forever! (Contrast Revelation 4:8)
vs 18- God’s WRATH HAS COME! This will be fulfilled by the 7 bowls of wrath!! (Revelation 6:17, Revelation 15:1) This also seems to be a fulfilment of Psalm 2:1-6!
vs 18- notice who will be REWARDED? The SERVANTS (doulos=slave), SAINTS (hagios=those set apart and holy) and those who REVERENCE GOD’S NAME!! (Hebrews 12:28, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Proverbs 9:10, Luke 1:50)
Q. ARE YOU A SERVANT, A SAINT and LIVING IN REVERENCE TO JESUS?
vs 19- God’s temple in Heaven was opened (as contrasted with the earthly temple in Revelation 11:1). The purpose of the temple in heaven being opened up will continue in Revelation 15:5-8 which is from where the seven last plagues and bowls of God’s wrath will be released!!
vs 19- The temple being opened also shows us that the believers have direct access to God’s presence in heaven!!
Within God’s temple, John saw the ARK OF THE COVENANT! The ark of the covenant is a beautiful reminder that God’s mercy covers our failures!! (Hebrews 9:3-5, Exodus 16:2-4, Numbers 17:5, Exodus 32:15-19, Exodus 25:17, Psalm 103:11)
vs 19- the seven trumpet judgements both START and END with flashes of lightning and peals of thunder and an earthquake from the altar of God!! (Revelation 8:5)
REVELATION 12: ISRAEL’S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE SPIRITUAL BATTLE AGAINST SATAN! (Ephesians 6:11-12)
CONTEXT: Chapters 12-14 now start another PARENTHESIS in the book of Revelation after the seventh trumpet has been sounded (Revelation 11:15) and before the 7 bowls of God’s wrath are released in Revelation 15-16!!
John starts off chapter 12 by seeing a SIGN! This means we are not to see chapter 12 literally but metaphorically/symbolically pointing to real people and events, past, present and future!!!
vs 1- a great SIGN now appeared in heaven!! A WOMAN clothed with the SUN, MOON and 12 STARS!! According to Genesis 37:9-10, we see that these Heavenly bodies could be referring to Jacob and His family. Jacob’s family became ISRAEL and so this woman (Jeremiah 2:2 for example presents Israel as a bride/woman) could therefore represent ISRAEL, and in this particular case, the CHOSEN REMNANT OF ISRAEL (Romans 9:6-8)! During the tribulation, the dragon will try to pursue this woman (vs 13) so this can’t be referring to one person (ie. Mary or Eve) but more likely therefore the remnant of Israel!!
vs 2, 5 this woman being pregnant and giving birth to a male child who will rule the nations (Psalm 2:9, Revelation 19:15) could therefore refer to how Jesus came from the nation of Israel (and from Mary’s womb). ISRAEL GAVE BIRTH TO THE MESSIAH WHO WILL RULE THE WORLD!! (Isaiah 7:14)
vs 3-4 we are introduced to an enormous RED DRAGON with 7 heads and 10 horns and 7 crowns on his heads. We find out in vs 9 (and also Revelation 20:2) that the red dragon is satan/the devil!! According to Revelation 17:9-12 and Daniel 7:20-24, the heads and horns and crowns satan has could refer to kings and kingdoms and also ultimately the anti-christ! This shows us that satan often works through rulers and kingdoms to wreak havoc on the earth and try and attack God’s people and try and thwart God’s plans!! We see this in Daniel 10:12-13,20-22 with the demonic princes of Persia and Greece having to be fought against by the angels of the Lord and here in Revelation 12:4 when the dragon stands before the woman and tries to devour the child as soon as He was born!! Historically this was outworked in Matthew 2:13 where satan worked through King Herod to try and kill Jesus when He was born! But God warned Joseph in a dream and he and Mary took Jesus to Egypt and escaped Satan’s attempt to stop the Messiah!! We also see in Matthew 4:8, satan offering Jesus the kingdoms of the world which he has authority over at that time.
This shows us that satan at the moment is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), but soon his kingdom will be finally taken from him as we will see in vs 5 when Jesus will rule the nations!!
vs 4- the dragons tail sweeping A THIRD OF THE STARS OUT OF THE SKY and flinging them to earth could refer to Satan’s initial fall back in Genesis 2-3 where he may have taken a third of the angels with him since Job 38:7 compares angels to morning stars and Revelation 1:20 mentions stars being angels. These stars being flung already to the earth shows the demonic activity that has already been at work since the fall of man until now. WE ARE IN A SPIRITUAL BATTLE!! (Ephesians 6:12)
Within the context of this passage, the stars could possibly also represent Israel (vs 1) and show us that not all physical Israel will he saved as satan leads a third astray?
vs 5- Jesus will ONE DAY RULE THE NATIONS!! This is what we have to look forward to!!! This could be alluding to the previous chapter in which it has finally been ANNOUNCED that the Lord has BEGUN TO REIGN (Revelation 11:17). See also Revelation 19:15 and Psalm 2:9.
vs 5- the child was SNATCHED UP TO GOD and to His throne!! This not only refers to Jesus’ ascension back to heaven in Acts 1:11, but the word for “snatched up” here is the Greek word “harpazo” which is where we get the English word “rapture” from. It is the same word used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 referring to the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH!! Since the church is referred to as the BODY OF CHRIST (Ephesians 1:22-23), it is plausible that the child being “snatched up here” could also refer to the rapture of the church also, since the next verse focusses back on Israel!! Also, the child ruling the nations with an iron sceptre not only referred to Jesus, but according to Revelation 2:26-27, it was also the reward offered to the church from Jesus for overcoming!
vs 4-5 also remind us that no matter how hard satan tries, he cannot THWART THE PLANS OF GOD!! Jesus’ mission on earth could not be stopped by the enemy satan!!
vs 5- amazingly this one verse outlines 3 IMPORTANT EVENTS IN JESUS’ LIFE. It covers Jesus’ incarnation, ascension and second coming to rule the nations!!
vs 6 now happens thousands of years later, leaving out the history of the church and now focussing on the 70th week of Daniel and what will happen to the ELECT REMNANT OF ISRAEL (Romans 9:6-8, Romans 11:5-7,25-26, Revelation 7:4-8) during the tribulation!!
vs 6- the woman being taken care of in the desert for 1260 days could refer to how God protects the elect remnant of Israel for 3.5 years!! This 1260 days may coincide with Revelation 11:3 and the TWO WITNESSES prophesying for 1260 days during the first 3.5 year period of Daniel’s 70th week since Luke 21:20-24 refers to the Jews and Jerusalem being trampled on during the second 3.5 year period when cross referenced with Matthew 24:15-22 and Daniel 9:27.
Alternatively, this 3.5 year period could be the 2nd 3.5 year period during the great tribulation since Daniel 9:27 tells us that the anti-christ will break his covenant with Israel halfway through the 70th week of Daniel. This may cause the Israelites to have to flee Jerusalem as the anti-christ sets himself up in the temple proclaiming to be God!!
Revelation 12:7-17 presents TWO GREAT CONFLICTS! One in heaven and the other on earth!! We also note that the two are connected!! The spiritual battle manifests in the physical!!
vs 7- this WAR IN HEAVEN between the archangel Michael and his angels and satan and his angels appears to be a future battle since in vs 13-14, once satan is defeated and hurled to the earth, he tries to pursue the woman Israel but she is taken care of for 3.5 years during the tribulation or 70th week of Daniel!! This could be the same 1260 days mentioned in vs 6 and possibly refer to the second 3.5 year period (since Luke 21:20-24 and Matthew 24:15-22 and Revelation 11:2 suggest that Jerusalem will be trampled on for the second 3.5 year period causing Israel to flee to the desert?).
vs 7- Spiritual battles in the heavenly realms involving the archangel Michael (Israel’s protector) were not uncommon in the scriptures. (See Daniel 10:13,20-21, Daniel 12:1, Jude 1:9)
THERE IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE GOING ON BUT SATAN IS ON THE LOSING SIDE!
vs 8- what a beautiful reminder that satan CANNOT MATCH THE POWER OF GOD!! The archangel Michael and his angels DEFEAT satan and his angels and they LOST THEIR PLACE IN HEAVEN!! James 4:7 tells us that if we submit to God and RESIST THE DEVIL, he will FLEE FROM US!
Up until this point it seems that even though satan had initially fallen, he still had some access in the heavenly realms (Job 1:6-7). Now here in Revelation 12:8 we see satan’s final exclusion from the heavenly realms!! NO MORE ACCESS TO HEAVEN! (vs 10b)
We see 4 FALLS OF SATAN in scripture!! The first seems to be described in Ezekiel 28:13-17 and Isaiah 14:12 and may have occurred sometime between Genesis 1:31 (where God saw that ALL HE HAD MADE WAS VERY GOOD) and Genesis 3 where the serpent was now crafty! At this stage satan may have fallen from permanent access to the third heaven now to the second heaven where the spiritual battle may take place in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
The SECOND FALL seems to take place in the future here in Revelation 12:7-8 where satan May be cast now from the heavenly realms to the earth. This marks the end of satan’s rule as the prince of the air (Ephesians 2:2)!! It seems that now he has no more access to heaven!!
The THIRD FALL of satan occurs in Revelation 20:1-2 when he is then put into the abyss for 1000 years during the thousand year reign of our saviour Jesus!!
The FOURTH AND FINAL FALL of satan occurs in Revelation 20:10 where satan is then cast from the earth into the LAKE OF FIRE and final hell!!
vs 8- if this fall of satan and his loss in this heavenly battle happens at the start of the 70th week of Daniel, this could then Coincide with the rapture of the church. A swap being made where the church is caught up to heaven and satan is hurled to the earth- thus announcing the anti-christ’s coming through the work of satan on earth!
CHARACTERISTICS OF SATAN:
vs 9- it is here that satan is referred to as THE ANCIENT SERPENT!! We now know whom the serpent was back in Genesis 3:1!! It takes the final book of the bible to reveal it to us! Firstly, based on Genesis 3 we find out that the serpent is CUNNING and CRAFTY! This means that one of the things he will look to do is SCHEME against us! (2 Corinthians 2:11, Ephesians 6:11) The word scheme as used in Ephesians 6:11 is the word “methodeia” and can mean “deceit, trickery, cunning arts”.
In this verse he is also referred to as:
-The DEVIL- “diabolos” which can mean slanderer or false accuser! In vs 10, we see satan accusing the brethren before God. He did this in the past also as shown in Zechariah 3:1 and Job 1:6-11. But the beautiful picture we see in vs 10 is that once satan is hurled from the heavenly realms, he can NO LONGER ACCUSE the brethren before God!!
SATAN- “satanas” which means adversary- one who opposes the purposes and acts of God!
-satan is also referred to here as one who DECEIVES THE WORLD and leads them astray (2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 4:2-4)!! The word “lead astray” can mean to “lead aside from the right way, to lead away from the truth, deceive. To lead into error or sin.” (James 5:19)
It is the same word used in Matthew 18:12-13 of the one sheep going astray!! It is also the same word used in Matthew 24:11 of the false prophets who will DECEIVE MANY and used of Jezebel in Revelation 2:20 who MISLED God’s servants into sexual immorality and idolatry!
According to Mark 12:24 two ways to overcome this deceit is by KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES and THE POWER OF GOD!
IN WHAT OTHER WAYS DOES SATAN TRY TO ATTACK?
John 8:44 tells us that satan is a LIAR!! Ephesians 6:11 tells us that satan is a schemer!! Matthew 4:1-3 tells us that satan is a TEMPTER!
-serpent- “ophis” which suggests someone who is cunning and crafty and deceiving like a snake!! (Genesis 3:1, Ephesians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 2:11)
vs 10- Satan is referred to as ACCUSING the brethren (Zechariah 3:1, Job 1:9-10) before God DAY and NIGHT! But what is comforting to know right now is that Hebrews 7:25 and Romans 8:34 tell us that our saviour Jesus is seated at the right hand of God The Father ALWAYS LIVING TO INTERCEDE FOR US!! And according to 1 John 2:1, Jesus speaks to The Father in our defence!! Romans 8:26-27 also tells us that The Holy Spirit is interceding for us with groans that words cannot express!! WE HAVE DOUBLE INTERCESSION BEFORE GOD AGAINST THE ENEMY SATAN’S ACCUSATIONS!!
vs 10- Now have come the salvation and power and KINGDOM OF OUR GOD!! This could be a reference to Revelation 11:15-18!!
HOW DO THE SAINTS OVERCOME SATAN?
vs 11- they OVERCAME him by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB (1 Peter 1:18-19, Colossians 1:22, Revelation 7:14) AND WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY (Revelation 12:17, Revelation 1:2, 19:10)!! The word overcame is the Greek word “nikao” which can mean to conquer, to subdue!! The same word is used in 1 John 2:13! This is a great reminder of Romans 8:37 that we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH CHRIST!!
The word testimony could refer to giving evidence before a judge! Testifying about Christ (like in a court room as a witness).
We also see that The other way the brethren overcame was by NOT LOVING THEIR LIVES SO MUCH AS TO SHRINK FROM DEATH!! (Hebrews 2:14-15, Mark 8:34-38, Philippians 1:21, Acts 1:8, Romans 8:35-36, Revelation 2:10) This could mean to not give way in the face of persecution!! Many who become Christians during the tribulation will have to be willing to die for Jesus because of their testimony for Him- just like the 2 witnesses in Revelation 11! (See also Revelation 2:10) NO FEAR OF DEATH because of Jesus’ death and resurrection!! (Hebrews 2:14-15)
vs 12- it seems the heavens now rejoice because Satan can no longer accuse the brethren before God since he has now been cast out of heaven permanently!
But WOE TO THE EARTH and the SEA because satan has now gone done to you!! Interestingly we will find in Revelation 13:1 and 11, that one beast (the anti-christ) would come out of the sea and the another beast (the false prophet) would come from the earth!! Thus, once satan is cast out of heaven we will see him work DIRECTLY through the anti-christ and false prophet to torment the earth during the tribulation period!! But it is comforting to know that HIS TIME IS SHORT!!
vs 14- the women was given the two wings of a great eagle!! This echoes Exodus 19:4 where God supernaturally carried Israel to safety from the oppression of the Egyptians metaphorically on EAGLES WINGS! This may also echo what Jesus said in Matthew 24:20-22 about taking flight when the great tribulation comes and how God may protect His elect during that time!!
vs 14-the 3.5 years mentioned here could represent the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week and therefore be during the great tribulation!! This may show us how God protects His people Israel during the tribulation period!! (See Matthew 24:15-22 and how Jesus tells His people when they see the “abomination that causes desolation” to then flee to the mountains. This may also suggest that the way in which satan tries to attack the Jewish people is through the anti-christ!!)
vs 14- The woman being given the TWO WINGS OF A GREAT EAGLE might refer back to Deuteronomy 32:10-11 and how God protected, cared for and carried Israel through the desert in the Old Testament!!
vs 15-16 the metaphors of these verses make it unclear as to how exactly satan will try and attack the remnant Israel during the great tribulation or how God will protect them, but the main point is clear: GOD WILL PROTECT HIS ELECT REMNANT ISRAEL FOR 3.5 YEARS DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION!
Daniel 9:26 tells us the end will come like a FLOOD and that war will continue til the end!!
Psalm 124:4-5 uses the metaphor of a torrent to depict the enemy’s attack on Israel as an army of men attacking like a flood sweeping Israel away! Yet Psalm 124:7 says that God helps Israel escape like A BIRD OUT OF THE FOWLERS SNARE! This has an uncanny similarity to Revelation 12:14 and Israel being given the wings of a great Eagle (a bird!) to escape the enemy satan’s attack!! (See also Isaiah 59:19) So one possibility is that this “water like a river” could be an army under satan’s control trying to attack Israel!
vs 16- the EARTH helping the woman could possibly represent the gentiles and gentile nations who help Israel during this time. They could then be the sheep of Matthew 25:31-46 who are saved during the sheep/goat judgement when Jesus comes in His second coming!
vs 16- The idea of being saved from water is all throughout the Old Testament!! Noah was protected by God from the world wide flood by an ark, Moses was protected in the Nile by a basket, Israel were safely able to walk across the Red Sea being protected by God!!
vs 17- since satan can no longer attack and persecute the remnant elect of Israel, he now goes off to make war against the rest of the the woman’s offspring which could include the gentile believers in God and the rest of Israel (the tribulation saints who get martyred- Revelation 6:9, 7:9-14)! The means by which satan does this is through the anti-christ/the beast which we will now see in Revelation 13!!