Bible Study – Revelation Chapters 1 – 5 › 2011 › 11 › rev-1-5-bible-study.pdf · Bible Study – Revelation Chapters 1 – 5 God’s Final Message to his church 1 Revelation

Bible Study – Revelation Chapters 1 – 5

God’s Final Message to his church

1 Revelation of Jesus Christ Revelation 1:1-11

1.1 The message originated from GOD

Rev 1:1

1.2 God gave this message to JESUS CHRIST

Rev 1:1

The title of this message: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”.

1.3 Jesus sent this message through HIS ANGEL

Rev 1:1

1.4 HIS SERVANT JOHN received this message

Rev 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8

Why John?

1.4.1 Apostle

Last living Apostle of Jesus Christ

Overseer of the church in Ephesus

John wrote the gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.

1.4.2 Suffering Hardship

“4th century writings by Eusebius of Caesarea maintains that Jews and Christians were heavily

persecuted toward the end of Domitian's reign.” 1

1.4.3 Island of Patmos (95 A.D.)

“The traditional view for the date of Revelation is during the reign of Emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96). The early church fathers affirmed this and most scholars since have agreed. The date has been traditionally set at between A.D. 94-96 (during the final and most severe years of Domitian’s reign). It is likely that John wrote Revelation during his exile on the island of Patmos.” 2 “The exile of Patmos must be placed in the last years of Domitian, about A.D. 94-97.” His work

references Jerome as follows: “According to Jerome (Vir. Ill.ix), St John wrote the Apocalypse when an

exile in Patmos, in the fourteenth year of Domitian (95); and under Nerva (96-98) obtained permission

to return to Ephesus.”3

1.5 JOHN WROTE this message ON A SCROLL

Rev 1:9-11

John by this act of writing on a scroll was also completing the Bible.

1 Eusebius of Caessarea (425). Church History. 2 Krell, Kieth , The book of Revelation an Overview (www.timelessword.com, 2003). 3 Ebrard, John, Biblical commentary on the Epistles of St. John (Oxford University, 1865), 38

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eusebius_of_Caesarea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Christians_in_the_Roman_Empire#Under_Domitian

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eusebius_of_Caesarea



1.6 JOHN SENT this message to the SEVEN CHURCHES

Rev 1:11

Intended audience: Christians

1.7 READ AND HEAR (1:3)

Rev 1:3

God’s intended purpose is that the church also read and hear his final message to the church.

Q. How many times have you read the Revelation of Jesus Christ or heard it read? 4

Q. Has God ever delivered any other scripture after Revelation? 5

2 Seven Blessings from Jesus Rev 1:3

Jesus Christ pronounced a sevenfold blessing to all of His followers beginning with those who hear this

prophecy and take to heart what is written in it.

2.1 READ AND HEAR Rev 1:3

Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

2.2 DIE IN THE LORD Rev 14:13

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

2.3 STAYS AWAKE Rev 16:15

“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

2.4 WHO ARE INVITED Rev 19:9

Then the angel said to me, “Write: „Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!‟ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

2.5 FIRST RESURRECTION Rev 20:6

Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

2.6 KEEPS THE WORDS IN THIS BOOK Rev 22:7

“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.

2.7 WASH THEIR ROBES Rev 22:14

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

4 0, 1, 5, 10 or more 5 Re 22:18-19



Q) What is the opposite of blessed?6

Q) Does the word blessed seem familiar?7

3 Second Coming (Rev 1:7) The verse from Matthew quotes Jesus words spoken around the year AD 30; likewise the quote from

Acts has a similar timeframe shortly after Jesus visibly ascended into heaven. John was a faithful servant

to these events he witnessed for over 60 years. In fact in 1 Jn 2:15 John wrote as an elderly Christian

that this was the “last hour” in preparation for the imminent return of Jesus Christ. In a similar fashion

Jesus ends his authenticated Revelation message to the churches, penned by John, with a threefold

reminder - “I am coming soon!”

3.1 Jesus testified Mt 24:30

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. Mt 24:31

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.

3.2 Angels testified Ac 1:9

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Ac 1:10

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. Ac 1:11

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

3.3 Every eye will one day see Jesus return Rev 1:7

Look, he is coming with the clouds,and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him;and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

3.4 I am coming soon Rev 3:11

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.


“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.


“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.


He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Q. It’s been more than 1900 years since the Revelation of Jesus Christ was given to the Apostle John and

to the churches. Why do you think Jesus has waited all these years?8

6 cursed 7 Mt 5:3-12, Eph 1:3 8 Ro 9:22-29, Jas 5:7-8, 2 Pet 3:15, Rev 1:3, Rev 11:18, Rev 14:15



4 A few important symbols (Rev 1:10 – 1:20)

4.1 Seven golden lampstands Rev 1:10

On the Lord‟s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, Rev 1:11

which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” Rev 1:12

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, Q. What do the 7 golden lampstands represent?

9

Q. What is a lampstand meant to hold?

10

Q. What day is the Lord‟s Day?

11

4.2 Seven stars Rev 1:16

In his right hand he held seven stars, Q. What do the 7 stars represent?

12

4.3 Sharp double-edged sword Rev 1:16

In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Q. What sounds are emitted from a human mouth? 13 Q. Why does the sword coming out of his mouth? Q. What does the sword represent? 14 Q. Is the sword actual or symbolic? 15

4.4 Son of God Rev 1:12

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, Rev 1:13

and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. Rev 1:14

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. Rev 1:15

His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. Rev 1:16

In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Rev 1:17

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. Rev 1:18

I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

9 Vs 1:11, 1:20 10 A lamp; Rev 4:5 11 Sunday 12 Vs 1:16, 1:20 13 Words 14 The word sword symbol means “The Word of God” in Jn 1:1, Heb 4:12, Ep 6:17, Rev 19:13. Also see Rev 1:16, 2:16, 19:15, 19:21. 15 It’s a weapon closely associated with the mouth of Jesus. The Word of Jesus is a weapon to be used by Jesus in battle against unbelievers, for wrath, for judgment and for ruling (Rev 2:16, 19:15, 19:21). When Jesus speaks mountains may fall into the sea. Eternity of every human soul hangs in the balance at His command. v1:18



Underline all human attributes from the verses above.16 Q. Who is the person being described?

Q. Why is his hair white? 17

Q. What about the term “son of man”? 18 Q. How many times do you see “I am” in this passage?19

Q. What does “I am” mean? 20

16 feet, chest, head, hair, eyes, voice, hand, mouth, face 17 Compare Rev 1:14 and Dan 7:9. 18 Jesus called himself the Son of man. Also a term used in Daniel and Ezekiel. 19 Three 20 See Ex 3:14 and Isa 42:8. These three “I am” are also titles for God.



5 A form letter to the seven churches (Rev 2:1 – 3:21) The seven churches, located in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and

Laodicea, were listed in their geographical order along an ancient triangular highway route in what is

today eastern Turkey, touching on The Aegean Sea. The island of Patmos was just off the coast.

Beginning at Ephesus, it was about 100 miles north through Smyrna, up to Pergamum, and then about

another 100 miles back southeast through Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, to Laodicea, which was about

100 miles east of Ephesus.21

5.1 To

5.1.1 Ephesus Rev 2:1

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

5.1.2 Smyrna Rev 2:8

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

5.1.3 Pergamum Rev 2:12

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

5.1.4 Thyatira Rev 2:18

“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

5.1.5 Sardis Rev 3:1

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

21 http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/sevnchur.htm

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/ephesus.htm

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/philadel.htm

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/aegean.htm

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/patmos.htm

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/sevnchur.htm



5.1.6 Philadelphia Rev 3:7

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

5.1.7 Laodicea Rev 3:14

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

Q. Why is each letter addressed to an angel rather than a pastor?

Q. Where are the churches located?

5.2 From Jesus


These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:


These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.


These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.


These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.


These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.


These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.


These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God‟s creation.

Q. What does each characteristic tell you about Jesus?



5.3 Praise


I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. Rev 2:3

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. … Rev 2:6

But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.


I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.


I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.


I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.


Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy


I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

5.3.7 Laodicea

X

Q. What qualities does Jesus admire in a church?

Q. Which church received no praise from Jesus? Why?



5.4 Rebuke


Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.

5.4.2 Smyrna

X


Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Rev 2:15

Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.


Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. Rev 2:21

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.


I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

5.4.6 Philadelphia

X


I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! Rev 3:16

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Rev 3:17

You say, „I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.‟ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Q. Jesus has identified some sin in the church. How does this make you feel?

Q. What characteristics does Jesus detest in a church?22

Q. Which churches received no rebuke from Jesus? Why?

22 Ac 15:28-29 idol food sacrifice, blood, strangled animals, sexual immorality



5.5 Call to Action


Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.


Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.


Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.


So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. Rev 2:23

I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Rev 2:24

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan‟s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Rev 2:25

Only hold on to what you have until I come.


Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Rev 3:3

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.


I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Rev 3:10

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. Rev 3:11

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.


I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Rev 3:19

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Rev 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

What call to action does Jesus proclaim to us at Hope church?



5.6 A Promise


To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.


He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.


To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.


To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— Rev 2:27

„He will rule them with an iron scepter;he will dash them to pieces like pottery‟— just as I have received authority from my Father. Rev 2:28

I will also give him the morning star.


He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.


Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.


To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne

Who are the recipients of these promises?23

23 The person who overcomes will inherit these promises. Jn 16:33



5.7 Listen to me


He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.












He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Q. Why do you think the word Spirit is used rather than God or Jesus?24

Q. What do the churches need to hear?25 Q. How did God speak to Israel in the Old Testament? 26

24 Jn 16:5-16 25 The churches need to hear the Word of God and be enabled through the power of the Spirit to understand God’s will and act accordingly. One additional example: A call for patient endurance and faithfulness (See Rev 13:9-10). 26 Ez 11:5 The Spirit came upon them and told them what to say. This same Spirit is speaking to the churches.



6 Throne in heaven (Rev 4:1-11) Rev 4:1

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

John is brought by the Spirit to the throne of heaven. The purpose is to set the stage so that he can be

provided with a prophecy that looks much further than the immediacy of the prophecies to the seven

churches. The credibility of this prophecy will stand upon the reliability of the prophecies soon to be

fulfilled to the seven churches in Asia Minor.

6.1.1 Throne in the center

Rev 4:2 throne in heaven

Ez. 1:26 throne of Sapphire

Belongs to the God of Israel (Ez 10:20).

6.1.2 Emerald Rainbow (4:3)

Ez 1:28 Surrounded by brilliant light and a rainbow.

When did a rainbow first appear on the earth?27

How does this heavenly rainbow compare with the earthly one in appearance?

6.1.3 24 Thrones (4:5)

6.1.4 Seven Lamps (4:5)

Rev 4:5 before the throne were seven lamps blazing

The lampstand and the lamps (Ex 25:31-40).

The seven lamps before the throne complement the seven golden lampstands (churches) on earth.

Likewise the power is distributed through the seven spirits of God (Rev 3:1, 5:6). We the churches have

a direct connection to the throne of heaven through the Spirit.

6.1.5 Sea of glass (4:6)

Rev 4:6 sea of glass, clear as crystal (view from above)

Ez 1:22 expanse sparkling like ice (view from below)

6.1.6 Four Living Creatures (4:6-7)

Ezekiel 1:4-14

How do the four living creatures of Ezekiel compare and contrast to those in Revelation? 28

27 Gen 9:12-16 The rainbow first appeared just after the flood and represented God’s everlasting covenant with all life on the earth.



6.1.6.1 Lion

Judah - Ge 49:8-12, Rev 5:5

Mighty – Pr 30:30, Hos 11:10, Am 3:8, Rev 10:3

Scripture points to Jesus and in fact Jesus has fulfilled the Law and the Prophets (Jn 5:46).

6.1.6.2 Ox

An Ox is a strong livestock animal typically used to plow fields. Ceremonially clean.

Face of a Cherub – Ez 1:10, 10:14

God is enthroned between the Cherubim (1 Sa 4:4, 2 Sa 6:2, 2 Ki 19:15, Is 37:16, Heb 9:5). The two

Cherubs watched over the Ark of the Covenant in the inner sanctuary and God was enthroned between

them.

6.1.6.3 Man

Created In the likeness of God, highest order of earthly creation – Ge 1:26, 1:27, 2:7

Rule, work, care, free-will, creativity, knowledge of good and evil

6.1.6.4 Eagle

An eagle is swift in flight and able to reach great heights. Biblical imagery is used to represent either

divine judgment or protection.

Judgment – Rev 8:13; ceremonially unclean, feast on blood (Job 39:27 – 30); Hos 8:1; Rejecting God’s

word brings judgment.

Deliverance – Wings; Rev 12:14; Dt 32:10-12; Abiding in God’s will brings protection and salvation.

6.1.7 Worship (4:8 -11)

The four living creatures continuously worship God who is holy, all powerful, and everlasting.

The twenty-four elders also participate in worship acknowledging that to God belongs all glory, honor,

and power because He created all things.

Speaking of creation, Genesis begins with the first seven-count in the Bible: the first day, the second

day, the third day, the fourth day, the fifth day, the sixth day, and the seventh day.

Ge 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested

from all his work. Ge 2:3

And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

The many seven-counts in Revelation reinforce the Holy nature of God.

28 The cherubim in Ez have faces that combine man, lion, ox and eagle; the cherubim in Rev have distinct bodies. The Ez Cherubim have 4 wings but the Rev Cherubim have 6 wings.



7 Scroll and the Lamb (Rev 5:1-14)

7.1.1 A precious scroll (5:1-4)

A search for one who is worthy but no one was found.

7.1.2 Only the Lamb (5:5-7)

This Lamb is not to be mistaken for the traditional Jewish Passover lamb. This Lamb is unique: 7 horns,

7 eyes, and 7 spirits of God29. The word Lamb30 is used throughout Revelation and means Jesus Christ.

A few additional details show conclusively that the Lamb means Jesus Christ:

Jewish roots (Rev 5:5)

Lamb of God was slain (Mk 14:12, John 1:29, Act 8:32, 1 Cor 5:7, 1 Pet 1:19, Rev 5:6, Rev 5:12)

Lamb is Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Rev 17:14, 19:15-16)

Lamb shines as a source of light in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:3) and

the 12 Apostles of the Lamb (Rev 21:14)are written on its walls

Lamb - means Jesus Christ

7.1.3 New song begins from the throne (5:9-10)

In response to the victory of the Lamb a new song emerges from the center of the throne. Three

components form the basis of the song: 4-living creatures, the 24-elders, and incense.

Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song:“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you

were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Rev 5:10

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Why is the Lamb worthy?

Incense – means prayers of the saints

7.1.4 Angelic heavenly refrain (5:9-10)

The Angels sing how the Lamb is worthy to receive:

Power

Wealth

Wisdom

Strength

Honor

Glory

Praise

29 Rev 3:1, 4:5,5:6 30 In one instance (Rev 13:1) the word “lamb” refers to a 2 horned lamb and is used to show that the beast attempts to imitate Jesus.



What is the difference between Power and Strength?31

7.1.5 The whole earth joins in worship

Every creature sings in unison worshipping God and Jesus Christ:

Praise

Honor

Glory

Power

Is every creature on earth presently worshipping God and the Lamb?32

31 Power can mean the possession of control or command over others whereas strength includes the quality of being physically strong. 32 Mt 6:9-10 No but that is the ultimate objective.

Bible Study – Revelation Chapters 1 – 5 › 2011 › 11 › rev-1-5-bible-study.pdf · Bible Study – Revelation Chapters 1 – 5 God’s Final Message to his church 1 Revelation

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