Revelation: Chapter 1

Introduction
Background of book

1. Title – Revelation (or the Apocalypse): The supernatural unveiling of what will occur.  The book of Revelation belongs to a class of literature referred to as apocalyptic.  Many consider Revelation to be the NT counterpart to the OT apocalyptic book of Daniel.
2. Date – Possibly written between AD 81 - 96 (Emperor Domitian).
3. Author – John… We are not sure, but it is widely accepted that it is the Apostle John a.k.a. the beloved disciple of Jesus. 
4. Purpose – This letter/vision was written as a testimony of God’s plan in Christ for the world, and to disclose by a series of visions the fulfillment of his salvific purposes, through his judgment, both in history and in eternity. 
   1. Was intended to be read orally for a blessing and encouragement.  We will also read Revelation aloud for blessing and encouragement.
   2. The background is one of conflict between the demands of a totalitarian secular power (Rome/Babylon) and allegiance to the Christian faith (Jesus).
   3. Persecution was inevitable since the issue is not that Christians must oppose Rome because of persecution.  Instead, it’s that Christians needed to disassociate themselves from the Roman system and they will likely face persecution because of this.
   4. The author writes to encourage the recipients of this letter to be steadfast in faith and to endure hardships of persecution.
   5. John encourages the believers to direct their faith and hopes toward the worship of Jesus Christ and not of Caesar even if it leads to martyrdom.
   6. Thus, Revelation is a call to worship the true God and forsake false deities and religions.
   7. Words associated with Revelation, but not in the letter… Rapture and the Antichrist.
5. Audience – The letter was written to seven congregations in Asia Minor because the churches were facing persecution and oppression.
6. Difficulty in interpreting – Revelation is full of symbolism, visions, and strange occurrences (i.e., multi-headed beasts emerging from the sea, stinging locusts, false prophets, and angels).
   1. Mitchel Reddish writes in his commentary on Revelation, “(It) uses visions, symbols, and ancient myths to convey its message. The language of the book is primarily pictorial, symbolic language. It is not the language of science or science. Rather, it is evocative, powerful emotive language, at times more akin to poetry than to prose. Like the language of poetry, the language of Revelation sometimes is mysterious and slippery, teasing its reader to make connections and see possibilities that one has never made before. The language of Revelation ‘works’ not by imparting information, but by helping the reader experience what John experienced.”
   2. In fact, it is so controversial and confusing that some have even disputed that it even belongs in the Bible.
   3. The German reformer Martin Luther wrote, “(Revelation) is neither apostolic nor prophetic… I can in no way detect that the Holy Spirit produced it… Again, they are supposed to be blessed who keep what is written in this book; and yet no one knows that that is, to say nothing of keeping it… Christ is neither taught nor known in it.
   4. Founding Father and philosopher Thomas Paine wrote, “(Revelation) is a book of riddles that requires a Revelation to explain it.”
   5. New Testament scholar John Dominic Crossan writes, “(It is) a book that transforms the ‘nonviolent resistance of the slaughtered Jesus into the warfare of the slaughtering Jesus.”
   6. There are many views regarding this book thus it is unsurprising that Revelation has been and is interpreted in various ways. 
   7. Unfortunately, this has led to some irresponsible reading and translations of Revelation.
   8. However, it’s safe to assume that the original recipients of this letter understood the central message without much difficulty.

 
Prologue - Revelation 1:1 – 3
Vs. 1: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” – The Greek word for Revelation is “apocalypse” which means unveiling, or more specifically the unveiling of something that was once hidden.  Professor Michael J. Gorman writes in his book READING REVELATION RESPONSIBLY, “(This means) it is a revelation about Christ, from Christ, or both.”
 
“Events that must soon take place.” – History is not a random sequence of unrelated events, but a divinely orchestrated of events that must come to pass.  Now, many have an issue with the word, “shortly” or “soon take place”.  According to theologian Robert Mounce, “One solution is to understand ‘shortly’ in the sense of suddenly, or without delay once the appointed time comes.” (Mounce p. 65). However, some also believe that John is speaking of the persecution of the church that did, in fact, take place shortly thereafter.  And some hold to taking the word in a straightforward sense.  This means that in the prophetic view of the word, the end is always impending or imminent.
 
Vs 3: “God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the Church” A blessing is pronounced on those who read this letter.  Not only to those who read it but those who read it aloud.  Reading scripture aloud publicly was a Jewish practice.  At first, someone from the congregation was chosen to read and this person probably had proficiency in the art of reading.  The ability to read well was not something that was a common trait.  The position of Scripture reader became an official office in the early church.
 
“the words of this prophecy…” John sees this work as prophetic literature that is on par with the OT prophetic books thus possessing an authority that required the obedient response of all believers.
 
“And he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says” Not only are those blessed who read it but also those whom both hear (by faith) and keep (obedience) to all that is written in the letter.
 
The Vision - Revelation 1:4 - 20
Verse 4:   The author reveals himself to be John.  It is widely held and my personal belief that the author is the Apostle John, and it is from his viewpoint that we will read this letter.
  
“Seven Churches in the Province of Asia” – The NT refers to Asia as the Roman province known as Asia Minor or modern-day Turkey. It is not exactly clear why Revelation is addressed to these seven churches, but it is suggested that the imperial cult (Roman Caesar worship) was widespread in these seven cities.  There were other churches in Asia Minor other than the seven mentioned here and it is assumed they are of equal importance. 
 
One reason it is believed that the letter was written to seven churches is that the number seven represents completeness, thus this is a letter written to the complete or universal Church.
 
“Grace to you and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come.”  Grace and peace come from a threefold source…. “who is, who always was, and who is still to come.”  Here, John paraphrases the divine name to remind his readers that God is eternally existent… He has no beginning or end.  This reminder is written as it is appropriate at a time when the church was in the shadow of impending persecution.  The future of the church is uncertain, so they needed hope in the one who is sovereign over all humanity.
 
“Seven Spirits…”  Some interpret this to represent the complete manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s being.  Some see this as a reference to the seven archangels of Jewish Tradition.   In the non-canonical book of Enoch 20:1 – 8 these angels are named Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Saraqael, Gabriel, and Remiel.   However, it is unlikely these are angels since it would be a strange intrusion of Jewish tradition into Christian thought.  There is uncertainty as to what or whom these seven angels represent conclusively but we can safely deduce that they are part of a heavenly entourage that has a special ministry in connection to Christ. 
 
Verse 5:  Grace and peace proceed from the eternal God, the seven Spirits, and from Jesus Christ who has the threefold title of …

1. “Faithful witness” – Jesus bears witness to the truth. From God.  
   1. Witness – Gk “martys” – This is where we get the English word martyr, which means one who has suffered death because of allegiance to a cause.  Through Jesus’s death, he showed himself to be a faithful witness to the truth of God.
2. “The first to rise from the dead” – Jesus, the faithful witness died a martyr’s death and rose from the dead making him the first to rise from the dead.
3. “The ruler of all the kings of the world” – Jesu was vindicated by the resurrection; thus He is acknowledged as the supreme leader.

The threefold title is intended to encourage and sustain believers who are about to enter severe persecution.  They are reminded of the death, resurrection, and supreme victory of Jesus.
 
Verse 7:  cf. Daniel 7:13 & Zech. 12:10. Jesus will return as the victorious King and when HE returns his sovereignty will be openly displayed “And everyone will see him even those who have pierced.”  The wailing will not be the same as in Zech. Instead, it will be wailing that results from impending judgment.
 
Verse 8: “Alpha and Omega…”  The Alpha and omega represent the Hebrew Aleph, and Tau, which are regarded not only as the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet but include every letter in between.  God is the sovereign Lord of all human history.  As the sovereign Lord he is the “Almighty”.  He is the beginning and the end and everything in between.
 
Verse 9:  The Apostle John writes this letter from the island of Patmos.  It was a rocky island located in the Aegean Sea.  It was an exile island where people were sent who were banished for religious or political reasons.  The Apostle John tells us he was exiled to Patmos for preaching the Gospel.  Some believe that he was sent to the Island to receive the vision.
 
Verse 10 - 11: “It was the Lord’s Day and I was worshiping in the Spirit” – It is suggested “In the Spirit” means that John was taken from the Island of Patmos and transferred to the throne room of Heaven (we see this in Chapter 4).  Others suggest and probably more rightly that John was in a trance-like state, or he had a holy vision or revelation.  
 
Early Christians recognized Sunday as the day Jesus rose from the dead, so it is believed the Lord’s Day was Sunday.  Pagans would also set aside a day to honor the emperor, and in response, Christians chose the first day of the week to honor Christ.   
 
John hears a loud voice telling him to write down what he is told and send it to the seven churches.  According to D.A. Carson, “The cities were both postal and administrative centres. It has been reckoned that at the time of John’s writing this area had the greatest concentration of Christians in the world.”
 
Verse 12 – 16:  John turns around to see the person who is speaking to him, and he is not prepared for what he is about to see.  
In the next few verses, John gives the reader a vivid description of the risen and glorious savior.  These verses are filled with symbols and are a glimpse of our Savior in his full glory in the heavenly places.

1. Symbolism - The number 7:  The number seven is significant.  There are seven lampstands, seven churches, seven stars, and seven angels.  Seven is the number of completeness. 
   1. The Seven Lamp Stands represent the seven churches which represents or is symbolic of the complete church.  It is the Church universal (this letter applies to the church today).
   2. Amid the seven lampstands is Jesus.  The presence of Jesus Christ is at the center of the ancient church and the church today regardless of the state the church may be in.  
   3. He is clothed in a long robe – This is a priestly garment and shows the priestly character of Jesus.  He is our high priest who makes intercession for us.
   4. He has white hair – Which represents purity.
   5. Eyes of fire – Eyes that penetrate and burn to the heart and is the one who judges.
   6. Feet of bronze – Strength and stability.  Jesus is our fortress and our solid foundation that will not be moved.
   7. Voice of rushing waters – The mighty and powerful voice of God.
   8. The seven stars – The seven angels of the Churches.
   9. The double-edged sword – The power of his word (Hebrews 4:12)
   10. His shining face – The shekinah glory of God

 
Verse 17:  John’s response was probably no different than yours or mine if we encountered Jesus in His full glory.  He falls at Jesus’ feet as if dead.  His response is like the reactions of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel when they had visions of Jesus.  
 
Verses 17b – 20:  Jesus reassures John, “Don’t be afraid…” Jesus says this repeatedly to comfort his people.  John was living in a time of persecution, and it was going to get worse, so Jesus tells him not to be afraid.  He comforts John and restores his confidence to hear the words that he was about to speak.  Jesus assures him that he is the one who is the beginning and has no end; he has conquered death.  He lived, he died, and he rose from the dead.  He holds the key to death and Hades which means he has the power over death and Hades.  All power belongs to God and God alone. 
 
John is then commanded to write down the things he has seen (the vision of Jesus), the things he is about to hear (the letters to the church), and the things that will take place (the future and heavenly glories). 
 
Conclusion
Although this letter is not specifically written to the church today, it is important to understand that the blessing continues for us today.  We are blessed in reading and speaking the words of Revelation.  We are also blessed when we take seriously and heed the words of Jesus.  My hope and prayer for this series are that we would not only gain a better understanding and knowledge of Revelation, but we would also gain a better understanding of Jesus and His Kingdom which forever changes and transform us into the people that God has called us to be.

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