Reviews and Views

Book of Revelation – Chapter 1

The word revelation means unveiling or uncovering. The Roman government exiled the apostle John on a rocky island in the Meditteranean Sea. During his time there, John had a vision given directly by God to write what he saw. John gave details to everything he heard or witnessed. This book is about the unveiling of Jesus Christ and to show His servants things that “must shortly come to pass.” Here we learn that “shortly” means rapid action once there is a beginning. So we enter into a study of signs as we proceed.

Christ has bestowed upon all believers the majesty of a prince and the ministry of a priest. Reading the book of Revelation is a blessing. But there is a blessing to be received for just hearing Revelation read. Don’t put aside this book because it deals with future events. John Phillips, in his commentary, says, “The events it predicts can happen at any moment; not immediate, but imminent.” Let us not forget how short time is and how long eternity lasts.

The number seven (7) will come up again and again. Remember that seven is God’s number of perfection and completeness. Christ holds seven stars, walks among seven candlestands, and instructs John to write what he hears and witnesses to the seven churches in Asia Minor, which are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

We understand Christ as the beginning and ending of all things. He was, is, and always will be. While believers are in this world, they will have tribulation (see John 16:33), but in verse 9, this does not include the Tribulation hour. Kept out of this hour are the saints. It is “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” as stated in Jeremiah 30:7.

Clothed in the garment of an Old Testament high priest, Christ is about to enter into judgment with the world. Swayed by neither pity nor passion, He executes justice that will come swiftly. Bright whiteness speaks of His righteousness. The fire in His eyes reflects the righteous anger concerning the sins of the churches. Christ’s feet picture judgment and relate to the events when He returns to earth.

The seven stars are the seven messengers to the seven churches. Christ “has complete control over all forces, known and unknown, natural and supernatural, seen and unseen, that shape the destinies of men.” (John Phillips commentary). The two-edged sword is the Word of God.

Hades, Sheol, and Hell – what are they?
Sheol (an Old Testament term) and Hades (a New Testament term) are the same. Hades was a place where all humans’ souls and spirits went until the cross of Christ. There existed two compartments; one for the wicked and the other (known as Paradise) for the righteous. Paradise is where Christ went upon His death (Acts 2:27, 31). He ministered there to His people and led captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8-10). This act released them to enter the third heaven of 2 Corinthians 12:2. Presently, the comfort side of Hades (Paradise) is empty. Fully occupied is the torment side of Hades. On the White Throne Judgment day, God will open Hades’ torment side as told in Revelation 20:13, when death and hell (or Hades) must deliver up the dead. Judgment awaits the wicked.

Written chronologically, the Book of Revelation presents past (were), present (are), and future (shall be) events. Chapter 1 (past), Chapter 2 and 3 (present), and Chapter 4 through 22 (future).

Now we proceed to the seven churches of chapter 2 and chapter 3.

January 3, 2024 - Posted by Bill Wyler | Bible, Culture, Last Days, Religion | Bible, Future, GOD, Truth