Revelation Chapter 1



Re 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Jesus Christ, the First Begotten of the Dead - He is the first parent and head of the resurrection, the only one who raised himself by his own power, and who will by the same power raise up his people from their graves to everlasting honour; for he has begotten them again to a lively hope by his resurrection from the dead. 
Re 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. "kings" - basileia as royal power, kingship, dominion, rule not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom

"priests" - hiereus meaning one who offers sacrifices and, in general, is busied with sacred rites, referring to priests of Gentiles or the Jews; used of Christians, because, purified by the blood of Christ and brought into close intercourse with God, they devote their life to Him alone and to Christ.
Re 1:7 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.  
Re 1:8 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.  
Re 1:9 ¶ 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.  
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,  
11 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.  
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;  
13 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  
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;  
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  
16 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.  
17 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:  
18 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  
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;  
20 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.  



INTRODUCTION
The Book of the Revelation has been the subject of interest and study. Oftentimes the contents have been misunderstood. We must remember that God has not given us to know everything about everything (Acts 1:7). We do know there is a profound blessing pronounced upon those who read, hear and keep the things that are written in the book. Revelation 1:1 reveals this book to be a revelation of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we see Him throughout the pages of the book. We see Him in splendor, power and majesty. Already we have seen Him as the "Faithful Witness" and the "First Begotten of the Dead." Let's look upon our Savior and our God, through the lens of Revelation, Chapter One. John is receiving this powerful revelation of things that must "shortly" (Greek - EN-TACHOS - A brief space of time, in haste, speedily)"... come to pass." As he continues in Chapter One, we see an unfolding and unveiling of our Savior. The first chapter of the Revelation gives us a dynamic portrait of the glorified Christ. What John sees overwhelms him. He falls at the feet of Jesus... and feels His tender touch.


I. Introduction to Revelation

Re 1:1-4 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

A. REVELATION - GREEK - APOKALUPSIS =A disclosure of truth, an instruction, concerning things before unknown, used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all, unvieling of divine mysteries.

1. Of Jesus Christ - Christ is both the mystery and the revealer of it.

2. The order of this divine revelation. It was given by God... to Christ... to His messenger... to John... to the Church.

3. It must come to pass, because it is God's Will.

B. John a servant (v.1)

1. Apostle, Evangelist, Prophet and Beloved Disciple.

2. SERVENT - GREEK - DOULOS = one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men.

C. Was signified unto John (v.1)

1. SIGNIFIED - GREEK - SEMAINO = To make known.

D. By an Angel

1. John wrote what Jesus gave him through an angel.

2. Angelic revelation is one of many features Revelation has, just like Daniel.

E. Things He saw

1. HE SAW - GREEK - EIDO = to know, get knowedge of, understand or perceive the meaning of something which has definite meaning.

2. It is not only an unveiling of Christ, but an unveiling of God's plan FROM Christ. The purpose was to reveal "the things which must shortly come to pass."

E. The Blessing

1. BLESSED - GREEK - MAKARIOS = Supremely blessed; fortunate, well off.

2. The blessing is to those who read, hear and keep those things that are written therein.

a. who read - to recognise, to know accurately, to acknowledge.

b. who hear - to understand the sense of what is said; to comprehend or understand.

c. who keep - To attend to carefully, take care of, and to guard; to observe.

F. The time is at hand

1. TIME - GREE - KAIROS = when things are brought to crisis; an opportune or seasonable time; the right time; the state of times, the things and events of time.

2. AT HAND - GREEK - EGGUS = as concerns times meaning imminent and soon to come pass.

G. To the Church

1. Seven Churches - The number seven speaks of completeness; therefore, He is speaking this to His entire church.
2. His Greeting

a. GRACE - GREEK - CHARIS = Graciousness, acceptable, favor, gift, joy, pleasure. (Titus 2:10-14; II Corinthians 12:9)

b. PEACE - GREEK - EIRENE = Peace, quietness, rest. (John 16:33; John 14:27; Philippians 4:4-9)

3. From the eternal God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ.

H. The seven Spirits - these are the seven spirits listed in Isa. 11:2

1. Spirit of the Lord

2. Spirit of wisdom

3. Spirit of understanding

4. Spirit of counsel

5. Spirit of might

6. Spirit of knowledge

7. Spirit of the fear of the Lord

II. THE FAITHFUL WITNESS (v.5)

Re 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

A. FAITHFUL - GREEK - PISTOS = Trustworthy, trustful, sure, true, faithful. WITNESS - GREEK - MARTUS = A judicial witness, a martyr, record.

B. He is Faithful

1. Lamentations 3:21-24; Psalm 36:5; Psalm 40:10
2. Hebrews 2:17; II Thessalonians 3:3 (I Corinthians 10:13)
3. I John 1:5-7; Proverbs 11:13; (Psalm 89:34-37; Isaiah 54:17)

4. Proverbs 14:5; Hebrews 10:23

5. Isaiah 11:5


III. FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD (v.5)

A. FIRST BEGOTTEN - GREEK - PROTOTOKOS = First born.

B. Of the Dead

1. He suffered the horrors of Calvary and died.

2. He then rose from the dead and became the first born of many brethren (Romans 8:29).


IV. PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH

A. PRINCE - GREEK - ARCHON = First in rank or power; chief ruler. KINGS - GREEK - BASILEUS = A foundation of power; a sovereign; King.

B. Exodus 3:14, I Samuel 2:8; Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 12:42 (I Kings 10:1-7); Matthew 28:18


V. HE LOVED US

A. LOVED - GREEK - AGAPAO = Much love.
B. I John 3:1-2; John 1:1-17

1. John 3:16; Romans 8:35-39; Isaiah 49:15-16; Romans 5:5;


2 Timothy 1:7; I John 4:9-10


VI. HE WASHED US

A. WASHED - GREEK - LOUO = To bathe the whole person (not just wash or wet a part; not just the garments)

B. From our sins... in His own blood.

1. Isaiah 1:18

2. John 1:29; Zechariah 13:1; Ephesians 1:7; Psalm 51:7; Revelation 7:14; Ephesians 2:12-14; Hebrews 9:11-15; I Peter 1:18-19


VII. DIVINE APPOINTER (v. 6)

A. MADE - GREEK - POIEO = Agree to appoint; cause; ordain.

1. "Unto God"... not the world.

B. KINGS - GREEK - BASILEUS = A foundation of power.

1. Jesus. (Revelation 1:5) Matthew 28:18; Colossians 2:9-10; Colossians 2:15

2. Revelation 5:10. He has given us power! John 14:12-14; Ephesians 2:6; Acts 1:8; John 1:12

3. Revelation 19:16

C. PRIESTS - GREEK - HIEREUS = A Priest; (Fr. Hieros = Holy)

1. I Peter 2:1-9

a. (v. 5) HOLY - GREEK - HAGIOS = Sacred, pure, holy (v. 9) ROYAL - GREEK - BASILEIOS = Kingly in nature; royal
(Romans 8:15; Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:5; Isaiah 56:5; Galatians 4:1-7)


VIII. HE WILL COME (v. 7)

A. The first time He appears, it will be as a thief in the night (I Thessalonians 5:2). When He comes every eye shall see Him.

B. Pierced. - Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37

C. WAIL - GREEK - KOPTO = To beat the breast in grief; lament; wail; mourn

1. "All kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him."


IX. ALPHA AND OMEGA (v. 8)

A. ALPHA = First letter of the alphabet; first; the cause.
OMEGA = Last letter of the alphabet; finality; conclusion; completion

B. He is the eternal and everlasting one.

1. Psalm 90:2; Psalm 93:2

C. He is the cause and the completion!


X. BEGINNING AND THE END (v. 8)

A. BEGINNING - GREEK - ARCHE = Commencement; chief in power and rank; corner

1. Chief in power and rank - Matthew 28:18; Colossians 2:9-10; Ephesians 1:19-23

2. Corner - Isaiah 28:16; Acts 4:9-12; II Timothy 2:19 (The corner stone (1) tells the story (2) is the most beautiful part of building (3) sets the boundaries. Colossians 1:18)

B. ENDING - GREEK - TELOS = The point aimed at as a limit; ultimate; result

1. He is the ultimate limit!


XI. ETERNAL OMNIPOTENT (v. 8)

A. He is (ever present), was and is to come!

1. He has no past or future... He is (John 8:58)

B. ALMIGHTY - GREEK - PANTOKRATOR = The all-ruling, absolute and universal sovereign, omnipotent


XII. EXILED ON PATMOS

A. A great portion of the Bible was written during a time of great distress and tribulation.

B. This book is no different. John was exiled by the Roman Emperor Domitian, "for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

C. Patmos

1. A small rocky island in the Agean Sea, about ten miles southeast of Ephesus. Patmos was ten miles long and six miles wide. Many people in exile died there.

D. Why?

1. On account of the Word and John's testimony of Christ. (v.9)

2. John was a leader in the Ephesian Church and a powerful preacher. The Romans tried to weaken the church by taking John.

3. There is a great lesson here for us. John was identified as the disciple Jesus loved. (John 13:13; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20)... but that did not exempt him from trouble.

E. "In the Spirit" (v.10)

1. Literally... I became in Spirit (The limits of the body were set aside)

2. On "The Day of the Lord"


II. THE GLORIFIED CHRIST

A. To the Seven Churches (v.11)

1. Twelve times John is told to "write it down."
2. Seven golden candlesticks (v.12). The seven golden lampstands give light for the night. This represents the corporate church.

B. His Position (v.13)

1. In the midst of the churches... the Son of Man (this speaks of His incarnation)

2. His central place - in the midst (Matthew 18:20)


III. HIS PORTRAIT

A. His clothing

1. Robe - Isaiah 6 (King)

2. Golden sash around His chest - Isaiah 11:5 (Righteousness)

B. His Head/Hair

1. White like wood/snow - Daniel 7:9 (Ancient of Days)

2. We see Him as holy and wise.

3. Proverbs 16:31 (Crown of Glory); Proverbs 20:29 (Magnificence/beauty)

C. His Eyes

1. Flame of fire - Hebrews 4:13; Psalm 11:4 (Nothing is hidden - He is Omniscient)

D. His Feet

1. Brass - Exodus 39:39 (The altar in the Jewish Tabernacle was brass - Judgment)

2. Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15 -- I Corinthians 15:25; Ephesians 1:22

E. His Voice/Mouth

1. Sound of many waters - Jeremiah 25:30-31; Ezekiel 43:2; Psalm 29:4; Psalm 93:4 (Power)

2. Sword - Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17; Revelation 2:16; 19:15, 21 (Warfare)

F. His Hands

1. Right hand = Covenant, control or authority

2. Ephesians 1:20

3. Seven Stars = The messengers of the seven churches (v.20)... Pastors/Preachers

4. Wanna be a star? Daniel 12:3

5. Jesus is in control!

G. His Face

1. As the sun... shineth (rays), strength ("Dunamis") Matthew 17:2; Acts 26:13; II Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:16


IV. JOHN'S RESPONSE

A. He fell as dead. (It overwhelmed him)

B. Jesus' response to John... Fear not... Why?

1. I'm the first and the last.

2. I live, and was dead, I'm alive forever.

3. I have the keys...

CONCLUSION
Read, hear and keep... you will be supremely blessed!

CONCLUSION
He is everything that you need.

CONCLUSION
See Him... unveiled in His glory!


CONCLUSION
Jesus then tells John to write what he saw. Remember, Jesus is the central message of Revelation. What a powerful portrait we have already seen!


Bible Study Notes based on outline provided by

Pastor Tim Oldfield, Potter's House Church of God, Columbus, Ohio.


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