The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ – part 1:
Last time, we traveled together through an introduction to the last book of the Bible. i.e. The Revelation of Jesus Christ. We learned who wrote it, who spoke it into being, what the contents concerned itself with, its literary style, and human interpretation ‘camps’ that insert their own opinions.
Today, we begin, in what you could call ‘Christ and the Seven Churches.’ Where we examine what the Bible says and let the Holy Spirit show us the truth. Let us commence our journey:
This is the revelation of Jesus Christ [His unveiling of the divine mysteries], which God [the Father] gave to Him to show His bond-servants (believers) the things which must soon take place [in their entirety]; and He sent and communicated it by His angel (divine messenger) to His bond-servant John, who testified and gave supporting evidence to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to everything he saw [in his visions]. Rv. 1:1, 2. AMP
God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. Rv. 1:3 NLT
The apostle John leaves no doubt that the revelations that he has transcribed, were relayed directly to him from an angel, who was made aware of them, by Christ Himself, who, received them from His Father, and he declares that every aspect of these divine disclosures will, without doubt, come to a complete fruition.
In addition, we are informed that reading and acting upon these revelations, including making churches aware of them, so that they may act likewise, will bring blessings upon them. In fact, it is the only book of the Bible to make this claim.
Obviously then, Revelation is not to be feared but devoured with joyful expectation.
John begins this process by bringing Christ’s revelatory messages to each of the seven churches. These would be instrumental in teaching them to both the laity, and to unbelievers.
Simultaneously, Jesus’ writes individual messages for each of the churches, to help them reach their greatest efficacy. He opens with a general greeting from the entire Godhead:
This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace be to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is that faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings in the world.
All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him – even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Rv. 1:4 – 7. NLT
The greeting is from God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Christ the Son. Jesus is referred to as the ‘faithful witness,’ because He faithfully delivered and stayed true to the testimony of His Father (the Gospel). He is the firstborn of the dead, raised to eternal life, which took place at His resurrection and facilitated our salvation.
The Son of God is also the ruler of all the kings on the earth because His name is above all names. [1]
We also see that Jesus already loves us, has already removed the stain of our sins with His blood, and has already made us Kingdom priests for Jehovah, wherein we now hold an honor like the children of Israel.[2]
Finally, we will be together with everyone who has ever lived, seeing Christ’s return simultaneously, even those who crucified Him. And those who denied Him, will mourn.
(This invalidates some religion that claims Jesus returned during WW1 or visited some indigenous tribes in Latin America with a ‘new gospel’).
With regards to these ‘seven churches,’ they were singled out because they represented specific examples of congregant and / or clerical behavior. Which, either brought blessings or curses to the churches. And we can see those ways that we can see manifest in our time as well.
Next, the apostle shares a direct greeting from Jehovah God Himself:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega [the Beginning and the End],” says the Lord God, “Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all.]” Rv. 1:8 AMP
God is asserting His authority as the Author ad Creator of all things – declaring that what is about to be revealed is by His own hand, and that it will come to pass. That He is the ‘beginning and the end,’ means that all things began with God, and that He, and He alone, will determine their final fate at the end of time…
We will now begin to examine the apostle’s divine visions. Which, he received when he was banished to the island of Patmos, (a Roman penal colony in the Aegean Sea, 60 miles from the city of Ephesus). Why? For the crime of spreading the Gospel. John begins:
I was in the Spirit [in special communication with the Holy Spirit and empowered to receive and record the revelation from Jesus Christ] on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write on a scroll what you see [in this revelation], and send it to the seven churches – to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” Rv. 1:10, 11. AMP
(Note that all the churches were located in Modern-day Turkey.)
John turns around to see Christ as He appears today, in His complete transcendent glory:
When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow.
And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were liked polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. Rv. 1:12 – 16. NLT
(Jesus’ white hair symbolizes the wisdom of His Father.[3] The flaming eyes, His omniscience, purity and judgment. The feet of brass His omnipotence. The voice of many waters represents His power and authority to speak for God.[4] And finally, the two-edged sword depicts His ability to use God’s word to discern the truth.[5] )
The apostle is so taken aback by Christ’s glory and majesty, that he falls at His feet, sorely afraid. However, our majestic Savior lays His right hand upon John and says:
“Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God], and the Ever living One [living beyond all time and space]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead).” Rv. 1:17, 18. AMP
Jesus is saying exactly what His Father said earlier, (Rv. 1:8). Where He talks about being the ‘Alpha and the Omega’ – immortal, and in absolute victorious control over life and death and the devil. Hmmm…
Next, Jesus tells John to write down everything he sees in his visions, be it in past, present, or future time frames. Then, He interprets the symbolism of the stars and lampstands:
As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels (divine messengers) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Rv. 1:20 AMP
(The angels are thought to be literal guardians for each church, and the church itself, (the lampstand), as a source of divine light, illuminating a dark world.)
Regarding the seven churches that Christ will have the apostle write letters of praise or correction to, some biblical scholars feel that they each represent a particular church age in history. But I see no biblical support for that.
(Nevertheless, if it is a ‘correction’ letter, it will consist of an urgent message to get right with Him, before He returns, or it will be too late.)
Christ begins His letters before His apostolic scribe. To the church of Ephesus, He says:
“I know all the things that you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.” Rv. 2:2 – 5. NLT
(He is telling them that they have become doctrinally rigid and ritualistic, rather than a church of love. Jesus is saying that they (possibly we) need to return to our initial love and zeal for Him, keeping Him as our center focus, and repent of all behavior that diminishes that.)
Note that Christ also ends His ‘constructive criticism’ with the hope of a divine reward, for those who return to the right way:
“Let everyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Rv. 2:7 CSB (That of course, would result in immortality).
Jesus then dictates His letter to the church of Smyrna:
“I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but a synagogue of Satan. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Rv. 2:9, 10. CSB
Christ recognizes their material poverty but assures them that their greater rewards will come because of their spiritual largesse.
(He recognizes their suffering from persecution, by Satan-inspired Jews who attack the Gospel. Jesus tells them that if they will persevere in opposition to the world’s ways and the short time of suffering it will bring, (symbolized by ‘ten days of affliction’), that they will not be hurt by the ‘second death.’ The one that is promised to those whose destination is hell. Christ again offering eternal life in heaven. (Rv. 2:11)
In His message to the church of Pergamum (also called Pergamos), He finds a serious transgression:
“I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me.
But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin…Repent of your sin, or I will come suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Rv. 2:13, 14 & 16. NLT
(Jesus condemns them for polluting their doctrine (alluded to, by Christ having to do battle with the sword in his mouth), against worldly behavior and false religion. He is commanding immediate repentance. The only doctrine that belongs in church is the Bible.
Their reward for their compliance would consist of spiritual blessings (‘heavenly manna’) and a white stone engraved with a new name. Again, inferring new life.)
Moving onto the fourth church, Thyatira, was a church filled with love, faith, and service. Yet, they have allowed a so-called ‘prophetess’ in the church. Who was analogous symbolically to Jezebel, the evil wife of King Ahab, in ancient Israel. And who, advocated satanic paganism. Our Savior had this to say:
“I know all the things that you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet – to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.
I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds.
Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve. Rv. 2:19 – 23. NLT
Wow! Jesus doesn’t mess around with people putrefying His church with unrelenting, unrepentant sin.
(However, in His mercy, He always shows a better path, and motivates us to take it):
I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold onto this teaching, who haven’t known “the so-called secrets of Satan” – as they say – I am not putting any further burdens on you. Only hold on till I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works to the end: I will give him authority over all nations…I will give him the morning star.” Rv. 2:24 – 26, & 28. CSB
Well, the ‘Morning Star’ is Christ Himself! (Rv. 22:16)
Jesus moves on to the church of Sardis:
“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive – but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.” Rv. 3:1- 3. NLT
This fifth church had lost the presence of the Spirit because of their ho-hum, incomplete approach to doing church, losing their spiritual juice in day-to-day familiarness with the world. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want Jesus coming for me as a thief!
Nevertheless, our Savior never forgets those who are doing their best to walk His walk:
“Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.” Rv. 3:4, 5. NLT
Our King of kings moves on to the church where He finds that all they do is praiseworthy. The church of Philadelphia. Praise God for a good and godly example:
“This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open. Rv. 3:7. Note, too, that Jesus has the ‘key of David.’ Thus, He has sole authority over who enters the Kingdom of God and who doesn’t.[6]
“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me…Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. Rv. 3:8 & 10. NLT
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God – the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. Rv. 3:11, 12. NLT
(The testing of the world’s inhabitants shall not come upon the true children of God. (Note that some biblical scholars see that as being a reference for a ‘rapture’ that delivers Christians from the time of the ‘tribulations.’)
The Son of God wraps up His letters to the seven churches with the seventh one, delivered to a church where He found no redeeming qualities – the church of Laodicea:
“I know all the things that you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!” And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
So, I advise you to buy gold from me – gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so that you will be able to see.
I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne… Rv. 3:15 – 21. NLT
( Jesus is telling this materially minded church, filled with uncommitted ‘fence sitters,’ that He still loves and cares for them. That’s why He’s busting their chops. He tells them to return to the ‘gold’ in His word, pleading with them to open the door to their hearts, because they hold the key; and He can’t come in unless they unlock it!)
What is our Savior telling the seven churches? Is it not to repent, remain righteous, to build a stronger church by building stronger Christians? We must endure our trials as we wait for His return, separate ourselves from the unrepentant ungodly, emulate Christ, stay in the pure Word, and carry the Gospel to as many as we can…
Next time, we go to the throne room of God Himself!
Goodnight and God bless.