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LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 8

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Revelation

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1:18-20).

Jesus identifies Himself as the one who conquered death, the grave, and He then assures His followers that He has power over both (v. 18). He said to His disciples, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19). Jesus always practiced what He preached!

Perhaps no other verse in the book is more misunderstood than verse 19. John was instructed to “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter…” Most commentators claim this verse as the key that unlocks the book of Revelation. Their standard interpretation is, “the things which thou hast seen,” speaks of the glorified Christ in the midst of the churches. The “things which are,” they say, are the churches themselves in this dispensation, and “the things which shall be hereafter,” are those things which follow the rapture of the church which is thought to take place in chapter 4.

This interpretation is based on how they view John in relation to time. They do not view John as being in the “Day of the Lord” when he wrote the first three chapters. To them, John was in the church age and is prewriting church history. This, they say, is the “things which are.” The problem with this interpretation is that not one verse supports that view. In addition, it would be impossible for anyone to understand the Revelation without a working knowledge of church history. The letters to these seven churches were not written to help us understand past church history. They were written for the sake of those that will exist in the Day of the Lord. If the seven churches are going to be raptured in chapter four, what was the purpose of the letters? If the church is raptured prior to the tribulation, why write to them about being “over comers?” Finally, if the letters are to churches of this dispensation, to whom is the remainder of the book written?

As stated earlier, John had seen all of the Day of the Lord prior to writing the first verse of chapter 1. Furthermore, he was transported forward into the existing assemblies and was required to “turn” to view them. John is standing in the Day of the Lord when he writes verse 19. It is common practice for a writer to complete his entire thesis or book and then write the introduction. This is what John did. After he had seen the complete Revelation, he introduced it. Therefore, John had seen the complete revelation, which included the glorified Christ in the midst of the churches, and the churches in the tribulation.

The things “which are,” are not the things which are now in this church dispensation, but are the things which were contemporary to the vision. The “things which shall be hereafter,” are those things which followed the prophetic letters to the churches. Everything within the verse is for a time in the future.

In verse 20, John is made to understand the meaning of what he saw. No doubt the angel “signified” the vision to him. The stars are the angels to the churches. Jesus is called a star in Numbers 24:17. “…there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.” We need not think of these stars as luminaries in the heavens, but rather these angels are the pastors or elders of these Jewish synagogues. Elders may have a representative angel in heaven, but it seems rather unlikely that John would be instructed to write them. What could possibly be the purpose of writing to angelic beings, if a pastor of flesh and blood would be needed to pastor each assembly? The candlesticks are the Jewish synagogues. There is no need to seek a different meaning than that given to John. The candlesticks were for light and a converted Israel is to be the light of the world.

Notice that these stars are in His “right hand.” This speaks of Israel and their security during the Day of the Lord, if they will “abide in the Vine” and overcome the mark of the Beast. No doubt this is the intended meaning of John 10:28-29, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” Believers of this dispensation are not in Christ’s hand. They are in Him and He is in them. God’s people today are, “bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh.”

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 7

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A Message to the Seven Churches

Revelation

“1:12-17 “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:” (Revelation 1:12-3:22).

J
ohn “turned” to see the vision of the churches and the Son of Man in their midst. They were “behind him” and out of necessity he turned to see them. He says, “and being turned, I…” Thus, we know that the seven churches and the Day of the Lord were in existence in the vision, when the Spirit transported John forward into the Day of the Lord.

John saw seven golden candlesticks and the High Priestly Son of Man in their midst. Luke tells us that during the Acts period, “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). These priests and many others like them formed the Hebrew Church. They found that there was no place for them at Jerusalem in the temple or in the local synagogues. We find their candlesticks are located in Asia. John writes to warn them that, as the Jewish nation had lost its candlestick, theirs too was about to be removed unless they repented. They did not, and the Hebrew Church ceased to exist.

When we speak of the Hebrew Church, our reference is to those Hebrews who believed the preaching of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the twelve concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. Many believed their message and waited for the Kingdom to appear. Most who held to that hope were killed or driven out of the land. These believers were scattered throughout the Roman world and continued the rest of their lives knowing only the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. Apollos illustrates this truth. “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25). The twelve at Ephesus were also in the dark concerning certain changes God was making from the Kingdom offer to the dispensation of grace and the church (see Acts 19:1-12).

Because of Israel’s rejection of their King and Kingdom, God withdrew His promised Kingdom of Heaven with Israel and started a new church, the body of Christ, with Paul as its Apostle. Most of the Hebrew churches never came to the knowledge of this new church; which was neither Jew nor Gentile. Thus, the Hebrew churches went into apostasy and ceased to exist. The Lord was in those Hebrew churches until their candlesticks faded and went out. God will once again jumpstart His program with these Jewish assemblies, and their candlesticks will again give light; even as He will rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and it’s light will shine for the whole world.

Most Christians assume that the Day of the Lord begins immediately following the Rapture of the church. However, there is no proof for that assumption. It is possible that several years will transpire between the Rapture and the beginning of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. Some writers suggest a forty-year gap. If so, this would give more than ample time for these Jews to realize that Jesus was the Messiah and begin worshipping and serving Him in the synagogues in Asia (see Isaiah 53).

When God jumpstarts His program, Daniel’s seventieth week will be in progress. The Hebrew church will once again be in existence. Thus, they receive this warning in prophecy given by John.

The number “seven” is a number of perfection or completion. One need not assume that there will be only seven Hebrew churches in the Day of the Lord. The messages to the seven were intended for the entire believing remnant.

“…the Son of man…” (v.13) a title given to Jesus Christ and speaks of His right to rule and reign as the last Adam. The first Adam disobeyed God, believed Satan and lost his dominion of the earth. The last Adam obeyed unto death and will overcome and conquer where the first Adam failed. He will do so as a son of Adam, the Son of Man. Thus Jesus is seen in the midst of the Jewish assemblies, in the Day of the Lord, as the Son of Man in a priestly capacity.

Dake gives us the follow notes on His appearance.

1. His body was clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded with a golden girdle (Rev. 1:13; cp. Daniel 10:6).
2. His hair was white like wool and snow (Rev. 1:14; Daniel 7:9).
3. His eyes were as a flame of fire (Rev. 1:14; Rev. 19:12; Daniel 10:6; cp. Hebrews 4:12).
4. His feet were like fine brass (Rev. 1:14; Rev. 10:1; Daniel 10:6).
5. His voice was like many waters (Rev. 1:14; Rev. 8:5; Rev. 10:2-4; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 14:2; Rev. 16:17-18; Rev. 19:6; Psalm 29; Hebrews 12:26; Daniel 10:6).
6. His right hand held seven stars, which were the pastors of the seven churches (Rev. 1:20).
7. His mouth had a two-edged sword coming out of it (Rev. 1:16; Rev. 2:12,16; Rev. 19:15,21; cp. Eph. 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).
8. His countenance shone like the sun (Rev. 1:16; Rev. 10:1; Daniel 10:6).

The reader should review the cross references for the interpretation the Holy Spirit gives on Jesus Christ as Israel’s King and High Priest.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 6

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Revelation

John says he was “…in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” Not by any stretch of the imagination is John saying he was “filled with the Spirit on Sunday.” John was not in “a state of spiritual exaltation” on a Sunday morning. Rather, he was carried away by or in the Spirit as illustrated in the book of Ezekiel. “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God” (Ezekiel 1:1).

Just as Ezekiel was literally in Babylon among the captives, John was literally outside the land of Israel on the isle of Patmos. Likewise, as Ezekiel was transported in the Spirit to Jerusalem, John was transported in the Spirit two thousand years forward into the “Day of the Lord.” This is the key to understanding the Book of Revelation. “And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy” (Ezekiel 8:3). Another example is in Ezekiel 37:1, “The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones.” Note also the following: “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne” (Rev. 4:2). “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns” (Rev. 17:3). “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,” (Rev. 21:10).

When John was transported forward into the Day of the Lord, that day was already in progress (see verses 19-20). Not only does John state this, but it is also implied in the verse under consideration. Verse 10 says, “…and heard behind me a great voice…” When John heard the “voice behind” him, he “turned” to see the One commanding him to write.
The voice, which sounded like a trumpet, was for clarity and preparation for war. God’s judgments on Israel and the kingdom of the Beast are preceded by the sound of trumpets.

THE RAGING SEA AND THE ANTICHRIST

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By Ken Blue

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Revelation 13:1.

As we witness the dismantling of the nations located in the revised Roman Empire, we should be aware that this turmoil is part of a process that will pave the way for the Antichrist. The masses are referred to as the sea in Scripture. They are “raging,” and coming apart and the citizens must be perplexed about what is happening. However, there is an unseen power behind it all for a final showdown.

“The Mediterranean Sea, because the nations under Antichrist surround it on 3 sides. Sea represents peoples in symbolic passages (Rev. 13:1; 17:1,15; Dan. 7:2-3,17).
Beast rise up out of the sea 13: He will be a man (Rev. 13:18. He will rise out of the sea of humanity (Rev. 13:1; Dan. 7:24; 9:27; 11:36-45. He will become ruler of the territory of the 7 kingdoms symbolized by the 7 heads (Rev. 13:1; 17:8-17. He will become ruler of the 10 kingdoms that are yet to be formed inside the old Roman Empire territory (Rev. 13:1; 17:8-17; Dan. 7:23-24”. —Dake’s Study Notes.

Keep your eye on those nations. You will see ten nations join is a loose alliance. These, perhaps, make a covenant of peace with Israel. Of the ten, a dominant leader will come out of Syria. He will destroy three of the ten nations. The remaining seven will give their kingdoms to him. He will later move his headquarters to Babylon.

He will be kept busy trying to maintain peace within his kingdom. Also, nations outside his kingdom, from the north and the south, will wage war with him. After defeating them, he will move his headquarters to Jerusalem where he will attempt the “final solution,” the annihilation of all Jews. That will be his fatal and final mistake.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 5

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Revelation

“1:7-11 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”
In verses 7-8 we have a preview of the manner of His coming and the reaction of some at that event. John tells us that he will come to Israel just as He departed.
Acts 1:9-11 declares, “…he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” This speaks of the Second Advent, which takes place at the end of the tribulation.
Not only does Jesus come as He departed, He returns to the very place. Zechariah, the prophet, speaks of this event in chapter 14:4. “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”
The statement, “every eye shall see Him,” should be understood as a figure of speech. It is sometimes used as an exaggeration (hyperbole), which adds more to the language than is intended, as when the Pharisees said: “the world is gone after Him.” John 12:19. See Luke 2: l, which says, “…there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” John 3:26 says, “…Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan…all men come to him.” See also 1 Cor. 4:15: “For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers…” (See Jas. 3:6, 4:1.) The same figure of speech is used when one says, “everybody does it,” or “You never like how I look.”
No doubt, small infants will not see Jesus’ Second Advent. Not every person throughout the Gentile world will see Him. There will be many who will not see Him or even know of His exact return. The intent of the Holy Spirit is to amplify how public and startling Christ’s return will be to the nation of Israel and the armies encamped against Jerusalem. It will be as the lightening in the east can be seen in the west. Dake says it means, “All eyes in the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem where He lands (Zech. 14:1-5). People in distant parts of the earth will not see Him until later (Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 66:19-21; Zech. 8:23).” All who survive within the land will “know Him.” However, many within the Gentile world will not know Him and must be evangelized during the Millennium.
“..they also which pierced him: and all kindreds (related tribes) of the earth (land) shall wail because of him..” (Rev. 1:7). The wailing is actually the mourning of Israel over their sins and rejection of their Messiah at His first coming. “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn” (Zech. 12:10).
His sovereignty is declared in verse 8.
John identifies himself with the recipients of his letter in verse 9. He is their “brother,” a fellow Hebrew and a partaker of their suffering for the testimony of Jesus Christ. There is no proof that John was banished to the isle of Patmos as some claim. Rather, he was there to receive the revelation God gave him. Paul was sent to Arabia to receive God’s revelation concerning the church. John was sent to Patmos for the revelation of the Day of the Lord.
Verse 10 is the key to the understanding of this great book, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” We have commented briefly on “The Lord’s Day.” That day is the great day of God’s judgment as declared throughout Scripture. We give the following references for those who may have passed over the introduction. (See Joel 1:15; 2:1; Ps. 37:13; Isa. 13:6-9; Eze. 7:2-12; 12:22-28; Zeph. 1:14-18; Luke 19:41-44; James 5:9; Rev. 6:17.)
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says concerning the Day of the Lord: “The idea is a common Old Testament one. It denotes the consummation of the Kingdom of God and the absolute cessation of all attacks upon it (Isa 2:12; 13:6,9; 34:8; Eze 13:5; 30:3; Joe 1:15; 2:11; Am 5:18; Zep 1:14; Zec 14:1). It is a “day of visitation” (Isa 10:3), a day “of the wrath of Yahweh” (Eze 7:19), a “great day of Yahweh” (Zep 1:14). The entire conception in the Old Testament is dark and foreboding. In the New Testament it is eminently the day of Christ, the day of His coming in the glory of His father… there is a dark background to the bright picture, for it still remains a “day of wrath” (Ro 2:5-6), a “great day” (Rev. 6:17; Jude 1:6), a “day of God” (2 Pet 3:12), a “day of judgment” (Mt 10:15; 2 Pet 3:7; Ro 2:16). Sometimes it is called “that day” (Mt 7:22; 1Th 5:4; 2Ti 4:8), and again it is called “the day” without any qualification whatever… In that day He comes to His own (Mt 16:27), and therefore it is called “the day of our Lord Jesus” (2Co 1:14),”the day of Jesus Christ” or “of Christ” (Php 1:6,10), the day when there “shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven” (Mt 24:30).”
Since the Day of the Lord is in the future, the whole of Revelation concerns the things belonging to a future time. The book is a prophecy. Chapter 1:10 declares that the day of the Lord is a time of God’s “judgments.” It is “the day of vengeance” (see Isa. 61:2; 63:4.). It is the completion of Daniel’s vision concerning the fourth beast and the ten kings. In Daniel it is foretold; in the Revelation it unfolds.