Welcome to the Revelation Study The Glorious Vision, Chapter one.

Welcome to the Revelation Welcome to the Revelation StudyStudy

The Glorious Vision, Chapter oneThe Glorious Vision, Chapter one

REVELATIONREVELATIONTHE GLORIOUS VISIONTHE GLORIOUS VISION

Lesson 5

THE GLORIOUS VISIONTHE GLORIOUS VISION

“I saw...one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire...”

(Rev 1:12-14).

REVELATIOREVELATIONN

1 : 9 – 201 : 9 – 20

““Blessed is the Blessed is the one who one who reads reads aloud the words aloud the words of this prophecy, of this prophecy, and blessed are and blessed are those who those who hearhear and and keepkeep what is what is written in it, for written in it, for the time is near ”the time is near ” (Rev 1:3).(Rev 1:3).

I. Glorious Vision of Christ MessiahA.A. The Physical Setting of the Vision 1:9-20The Physical Setting of the Vision 1:9-20

11. “. “I John, your brother and partaker with you I John, your brother and partaker with you in the in the tribulationtribulation...and ...and patiencepatience in Jesus in Jesus.”.”

22. Out of pain and suffering, the servants of . Out of pain and suffering, the servants of the Lthe LORDORD have been entrusted with the have been entrusted with the highest calling and spiritual revelation:highest calling and spiritual revelation:

a. The great prophet Daniela. The great prophet Daniel b. John the Seerb. John the Seer have much in common. have much in common. Both are entrusted to bring the highest of Both are entrusted to bring the highest of revelatory experiences to believers of allrevelatory experiences to believers of all ages.ages.

I. Glorious Vision of Christ Messiah

A.A. The Physical Setting of the Vision 1:9-20The Physical Setting of the Vision 1:9-20

33. John like Daniel never exalted himself; he . John like Daniel never exalted himself; he walked out his call, setting an example for walked out his call, setting an example for all who were to follow.all who were to follow.

4.4. He was exiled on the island of Patmos for He was exiled on the island of Patmos for the word of God and his testimony for his the word of God and his testimony for his Messiah--Messiah--

To receive the Revelation and Message for To receive the Revelation and Message for the Seven Churches.the Seven Churches.

B. B. Spiritual Spiritual setting of setting of the Visionthe Vision

1. John 1. John states,states,

““I was in the I was in the Spirit on the Spirit on the Lord’s day, Lord’s day, and I heard and I heard behind me a behind me a loud voice loud voice like a like a shofar / shofar / trumpet...”trumpet...” (Rev 1:10).(Rev 1:10).


B. B. The Spiritual Setting of the Vision 1:10-11The Spiritual Setting of the Vision 1:10-11

22. Scholarship is divided over the meaning . Scholarship is divided over the meaning on on ““the Lord’s daythe Lord’s day.”.”

a.a. First position,First position, the passage refers to the the passage refers to the first day of the week, Sunday (Ref. listed)first day of the week, Sunday (Ref. listed)

b. Second positionb. Second position, the passage refers to, the passage refers to the “the “Day of the LDay of the LORDORD””


B. B. The Spiritual Setting of the Vision 1:10-11The Spiritual Setting of the Vision 1:10-11

2. 2. Scholarship is divided over the meaningScholarship is divided over the meaning of of ““the Lord’s daythe Lord’s day.”.”

c.c. The challenge is that the Scriptural text The challenge is that the Scriptural text does not fully support either position. does not fully support either position.

dd.. Personal thoughtPersonal thought, it is possible it could, it is possible it could be Rosh Hashanah the day when the be Rosh Hashanah the day when the Shofar is blown, the heavens open the Shofar is blown, the heavens open the Jewish people crown the LJewish people crown the LORDORD as King as King of the earth; a Day of Judgment.of the earth; a Day of Judgment.

B. 3. John heard these words from the Messiah, ““Write what you see in a book and send it to the Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches. Dr. Ryrie states, “All that John saw, seven churches. Dr. Ryrie states, “All that John saw, not just the particular letter to each church, not just the particular letter to each church, was to be was to be communicated to all seven churchescommunicated to all seven churches.”.”

C. Seven Golden Lamps - Rev.1:12John recordsJohn records, , ““I turned back to see the voice which I turned back to see the voice which spoke with me, and having turned, I saw, Seven spoke with me, and having turned, I saw, Seven Golden Lamps.”Golden Lamps.”

We are made to understand that the Seven Golden Lamps are the Seven Churches (Rev. 1:17)

I. Glorious Vision of Christ MessiahC. C. The Seven Golden LampsThe Seven Golden Lamps

33. J. Sidlow Baxter in Explore the Book addresses verse 12, “In the vision of the Son of Man amid the lampstands...we are meant to get a vivid, moving impression of the Christ in heavenChrist in heaven operating throughoperating through the Church on earth....the Church on earth....Equally clear is that of the church on earth functioning for thethe church on earth functioning for the Christ in heavenChrist in heaven.”

I. Glorious Vision of Christ MessiahC. C. The Seven Golden LampsThe Seven Golden Lamps

4.4. Baxter’s Baxter’s words underscore Paul’s teaching, as words underscore Paul’s teaching, as Christ is the Head of the Church, collectively Christ is the Head of the Church, collectively believers are his Body (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Col. believers are his Body (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Col. 1:18, 24).1:18, 24).

5. 5. Oliver GreenOliver Green is his book is his book RevelationRevelation writes. writes. ““Gold, the most precious of metalsGold, the most precious of metals, signifies , signifies divine divine righteousnessrighteousness. Therefore, in the symbol of . Therefore, in the symbol of sevenseven golden lamps, we have the Church in its golden lamps, we have the Church in its perfection and completionperfection and completion here upon the earthhere upon the earth. . The true Church is perfect, and without spot or The true Church is perfect, and without spot or wrinklewrinkle...not the local assembly, the visible ...not the local assembly, the visible church, but the invisible Church as in Ephesians 5.church, but the invisible Church as in Ephesians 5.


DD. The Vision of the Messiah. The Vision of the Messiah

1. 1. In the midst of the lampstands John saw aIn the midst of the lampstands John saw a Person, Person, the Messiahthe Messiah, the , the Son of ManSon of Man..

22.. Walter Scott relates: Walter Scott relates: EzekielEzekiel uses this term about 100 times. uses this term about 100 times. DanielDaniel uses it one time. uses it one time. Christ MessiahChrist Messiah used it 70 times of used it 70 times of Himself; why?Himself; why?

I. Glorious Vision of Christ MessiahD. D. The Vision of the MessiahThe Vision of the Messiah

22.. ScottScott continues: continues: “ “The title is one which expresses a The title is one which expresses a wider wider

range of dominion and gloryrange of dominion and glory than that of King than that of King of Israel...As of Israel...As Son of GodSon of God He He quickens the quickens the deaddead, , spiritually spiritually and and physicallyphysically (Jn5:25, 28). (Jn5:25, 28).

As As Son of ManSon of Man He judges (v.22), and He judges (v.22), and executes His judgments (27).” executes His judgments (27).” It seems both It seems both titles should be cause for a “holy hush.titles should be cause for a “holy hush.” ”

D. The Glorious D. The Glorious VisionVision

Rev. 1:13Rev. 1:13““He was He was Clothed with a

garment down to the foot...

Girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle...

His head and His hair were white like wool, as

white as snow...

His eyes as a flame of fire,”

D. The Glorious D. The Glorious VisionVision Rev. 1:13Rev. 1:13

3.In the words, He was “Clothed with a garment down to the foot...” Scott draws our attention, “There is an evident allusion to the ephod, the preeminent garment of the high priest”

(Ex 28:31).


4.4. “Girt about at the breast with a golden girdle.” “Girt about at the breast with a golden girdle.” The girdle of gold depicts divine The girdle of gold depicts divine righteousnessrighteousness and and faithfulnessfaithfulness..

55. In verse 14 John writes, “. In verse 14 John writes, “His head and His His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow.”hair were white like wool, as white as snow.” Here Messiah is seen in parallel with Here Messiah is seen in parallel with Daniel’s Daniel’s vision of the “Ancient of Days” (7:9).vision of the “Ancient of Days” (7:9). The The whiteness of the hair is associatedwhiteness of the hair is associated with with Divine wisdomDivine wisdom, with , with absolute powerabsolute power and and authorityauthority..


6.6. “ “His eyes as a flame of fireHis eyes as a flame of fire,” ,” Theodore Theodore Epp statesEpp states, “His eyes speak of infinite and , “His eyes speak of infinite and infallible infallible knowledgeknowledge.” .” Thus eyes that Thus eyes that penetrate in depth rendering a keen assessment penetrate in depth rendering a keen assessment in in judgmentjudgment, , exposing evil behavior, motives and exposing evil behavior, motives and cover up.cover up.

D. 7 Glorious Vision of Christ Messiah““His feet like fine brass, as His feet like fine brass, as

burning in a furnace.”burning in a furnace.”

Concerning His Concerning His feet, Epp points feet, Epp points

out,out, “Brass“Brass speaks of speaks of

StrengthStrength, and , and the furnace the furnace where brass where brass

has been has been burned burned

speaks of speaks of PurificationPurification.”.”

D. 7 Glorious Vision of Christ Messiah““His feet like fine brass, as His feet like fine brass, as

burning in a furnace.”burning in a furnace.”

7.7. cont. The cont. The brazen laverbrazen laver in the in the Tabernacle / Tabernacle / Temple spoke Temple spoke of of judgment judgment and theand the water water provision for provision for cleansingcleansing..

““His voice was like to the roar of many waters.” His voice was like to the roar of many waters.” Ezekiel experienced His voice (43:2). Oliver Green Ezekiel experienced His voice (43:2). Oliver Green shares, “The grandeur of His mighty voice exceeds shares, “The grandeur of His mighty voice exceeds the noise of Niagara Falls with all of its thunderous the noise of Niagara Falls with all of its thunderous roar.” The psalmist wrote, “ The voice of the Lroar.” The psalmist wrote, “ The voice of the LORDORD is is powerful; the voice of the Lpowerful; the voice of the LORDORD is full of majesty” is full of majesty” (Ps 29:4). This is voice John heard.(Ps 29:4). This is voice John heard.


9.9. Verse 16 Verse 16 “In His right hand He held seven “In His right hand He held seven stars.”stars.” The seven stars are the seven The seven stars are the seven messengers of the seven churches (v. 20) Epp messengers of the seven churches (v. 20) Epp believes, “Being in His right hand they are in the believes, “Being in His right hand they are in the place of perfect rest, perfect power and perfect protection.” .” A gracious word and consolation for A gracious word and consolation for the pastor, teacher and believers properly aligned the pastor, teacher and believers properly aligned with His willwith His will. Scholarship is divided on this . Scholarship is divided on this passage; some believe the Stars are the Pastor or passage; some believe the Stars are the Pastor or shepherd over the church. shepherd over the church. I see the Seven Stars I see the Seven Stars as Angels, a messenger over each of the as Angels, a messenger over each of the seven churches. seven churches.

From His Mouth Came a Two-edged Sword

The Sword is the Word of the LThe Sword is the Word of the LORDORD, , quick and powerful, all discerningquick and powerful, all discerning......

(Heb. 4:12).(Heb. 4:12).John Phillips writes, “Nothing can “Nothing can stand before God’s Word. Ten times stand before God’s Word. Ten times in Genesis I we read, ‘And God said,’ in Genesis I we read, ‘And God said,’ worlds sprang into space, darkness worlds sprang into space, darkness fled, the earth arose and flung back fled, the earth arose and flung back the sea, life forms appeared in count- the sea, life forms appeared in count- less multitude. When the Word was less multitude. When the Word was made flesh demons, disease, and made flesh demons, disease, and death fled....His mighty Word is death fled....His mighty Word is invincible.’ ”invincible.’ ”


10.10. “His face like the sun shining in full “His face like the sun shining in full strength,” Phillips continues, “He is the strength,” Phillips continues, “He is the unapproachable One. Saul of Tarsus saw it and unapproachable One. Saul of Tarsus saw it and was blinded (Acts 9:3-7). we cannot look upon was blinded (Acts 9:3-7). we cannot look upon the sun shining in it strength; still less can we the sun shining in it strength; still less can we approach it. One pound of heat can raise twenty approach it. One pound of heat can raise twenty million tons of rock by twenty-five hundred million tons of rock by twenty-five hundred degrees centigrade and turn it into incandescent degrees centigrade and turn it into incandescent lava. You cannot approach a power like that.”lava. You cannot approach a power like that.”


10.10. Yet, when He walked on earth the Apostle Yet, when He walked on earth the Apostle John leaned on His breast, little children John leaned on His breast, little children sought Him, Simon the leper was healed, Mary sought Him, Simon the leper was healed, Mary with seven demons came finding His arms with seven demons came finding His arms open and His heart responsive; each found open and His heart responsive; each found Him approachable and available at their time of Him approachable and available at their time of need. Phillips states, “no longer” can mortal need. Phillips states, “no longer” can mortal eyes look upon this Glorified One, the Son of eyes look upon this Glorified One, the Son of God.” God.”

1.1.Glorious Glorious VisionVision

D. D. The Vision of the The Vision of the MessiahMessiah

11.11. The Effect of the The Effect of the VisionVision. v. 17-18. v. 17-18““When I saw him, I fell When I saw him, I fell at His feet as thoughat His feet as thoughdeaddead. ” John is in the. ” John is in theSpirit at the feet ofSpirit at the feet ofJesus overwhelmedJesus overwhelmedby the by the GloriousGloriousLight of His Presence.Light of His Presence.


11.11. He records: “He laid His right hand on me, He records: “He laid His right hand on me, saying, ‘saying, ‘Fear not, I am the First and the Last, Fear not, I am the First and the Last,

and the Living One. I died, and beholdand the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore... ...


D. D. 11.11. The Effect of The Effect of the Visionthe Vision. v. 17-18. v. 17-18

This same gracious This same gracious Savior he had Savior he had known so well known so well appears in His glory appears in His glory and John finds Himand John finds Himindescribable and the experience unutterable.


D. D. The Vision of the MessiahThe Vision of the Messiah

11.11. He speaks: “behold...He speaks: “behold...I have the keys of Death and Hades.’ ”

The Messiah Carries 5 KEYS:Keys to the Kingdom (Mt. 16:19)Key of Knowledge (Lk. 11:52)Key to the throne of David (Rev. 3:7)Key to the bottomless pit (Rev. 9:1;20:1) Keys of hell and of death (Rev. 1:18)

II. The Distinct Message A. Discerning the MessageA. Discerning the Message

“ “Write therefore:Write therefore: 1. The things you have seen Ch. 11. The things you have seen Ch. 1

2. Those that are Ch. 2-3 2. Those that are Ch. 2-3

3. Those that are to take place after this.” 3. Those that are to take place after this.” Ch. 4 – 22; Ch. 4 – 22; (Dan. 9:27)(Dan. 9:27)

B. Verse 19, Major Key to the Book of RevelationB. Verse 19, Major Key to the Book of Revelation Dr. Feinberg states this verse is the onlyDr. Feinberg states this verse is the only safe guide to its correct interpretation.safe guide to its correct interpretation.

III. ConclusionA.A. Stars are Messengers / Angels - Rev 1:20Stars are Messengers / Angels - Rev 1:201. Churches. Some scholars feel the angels refer to the pastor or spiritual leader over the local church. Others believe an angel is appointed to each church by the Lord.2. The “lampstands” represent light-bearing local churches.

B. Reflecting on John’s vision of the glorified Messiah,B. Reflecting on John’s vision of the glorified Messiah, as John saw Him in Revelation 1,as John saw Him in Revelation 1, Donald Grey Donald Grey Barnhouse states in his book, Barnhouse states in his book, Revelation, This is the vision of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Church will one day meet Him.”

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