Revelation Chapter 1‏

Hello Friends!

Happy New Year!

To celebrate another new year's beginning, over the next several months, we will partake in a chapter by chapter "10,000 foot" overview of the prophetic, eschatological end-times book of Revelation.

 

The actual title of this book is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." In the year 95 A.D. the Apostle John was entrusted by God to be the inspired writer of this last book of the Bible. These Scriptures encapsulate the "end of times" scenario for all Christians who want to understand exactly what the Lord has planned in the future for all of His creation.

The book of Revelation is an exciting and dynamic book. As you read through its pages a tremendous amount of information is presented. It is best to have a firm foundation of the whole Bible to more fully comprehend the information in this book. The Apostle chronicles all that he is shown and what he hears. It may be helpful to know the vantage point that John has as he records everything he experiences on this book.

 

John is viewing the events of this chapter from the perspective of earth and is receiving and writing the letters from Christ to the seven churches. This chapter is the first of three sections that was revealed to John. Each section represents a different and sequential time period. The first are those things that "were" - the Lord's first earthly ministry which ended with His death, burial, and resurrection. John was then told to write the things that "are" - which represents the church age. Finally, he was told to write those things that "shall be" - which represents all those things that will follow the church age, occurring after the rapture of the church.

It is our hope that you will be blessed by this rich, encouraging and urgent message! 
 

That said, let's get started with the first chapter of Revelation...

Revelation Chapter 1

From Genesis through Revelation, the Scriptures provide a prophetic prospective for us to live and learn from. In fact, each book of the Bible has passages that have a prophetic significance that are focused on Bible Prophecy. 

Throughout church history, there have been four different views regarding the book of Revelation – Idealist, Preterist, Historicist, and Futurist. Each of these views attempt to interpret Revelation according to the laws of Hermeneutics – the art and science of interpretation. This is central to the debate about how we should approach and interpret the book of Revelation.

 

Idealist: Teaches that Revelation describes in symbolic language the battle throughout the ages between God and Satan and good against evil. The Idealist approach believes that apocalyptic literature like Revelation should be interpreted allegorically.

Preterist: Teaches that the events recorded in the book of Revelation were largely a symbolic presentation of events fulfilled in AD 70 with the fall of the Jerusalem Temple. This false view was originally instituted by Jesuit Priest Luis de Alcasar.

Historicist: Teaches that the book of Revelation is a symbolic presentation of church history beginning in the first century AD through the end of age. The Historicist approach views the events as symbolic of all Western church history.  

Futurist: Teaches that Revelation prophesies events that will take place in the future. These events include the rapture of the church, seven years of tribulation, and a millennial rule of Christ upon the earth. The Futurist approach believes Revelation should be interpreted literally. In other words, the events of Revelation are to occur at a future time – The Futurist view is most accurately aligned with the Scriptures.

The book of Revelation is indeed a fascinating book! No doubt the debate regarding its interpretation will continue until the Lord Jesus returns. Despite our various views, there are some common threads upon which Christians agree:

• All views believe that God is sovereign and in charge of all that occurs in history and its ultimate conclusion and with exception to full Preterism and some forms of Idealism – believe in the physical second coming of Jesus Christ.

• All views believe in the resurrection from the dead.

• All views believe there will be a future judgment.

• All views believe in an eternal state in which all believers will be with God in Heaven, and all unbelievers will be separated from Him in Hell.

• All views agree upon the importance of the study of prophecy and its edification for the body of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, this debate among Christians has often been harsh, hostile and unkind. It is my hope that this debate would continue in a cordial, respectful manner which will challenge every believer to accurately study and interpret the Word of God. What matters most are the essential Christian Biblical doctrines of eternal salvation and faith in Jesus Christ alone. 

 

Remember: We must never forget to allow the Holy Spirit to direct our understanding of the Scriptures as we seek His Wisdom and Discernment in matters of faith!

As we visit the book of Revelation during our time together, we will find it is packed full of "end time prophecies" in which to glean a glimpse of God’s future plan for the universe.

 

By the way, when we read Revelation, we are promised a special blessing:

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near – Revelation 1:3

We see the "resurrected Jesus Christ" as described in His written Word:

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death – Revelation 1:12-18

Father God gives the "message" of this book to Jesus Christ. Jesus then gives the contents of this prophecy to an "angel" who then delivers it to the Apostle John. John then pens the book itself for our edification and benefit. 

 

The first chapter of Revelation presents Jesus Christ in His "Person", His "Power" and His "Program":

The "Person" of Jesus Christ is the resurrected, glorified Son of God with white hair. The Lord's "white hair" depicts his purity and his longevity:

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow – Revelation 1:14a

His "eyes" see our every activity:

and His eyes like a flame of fire – Revelation 1:14b

The "feet" of Jesus, as described by John, are like brass that has been burned in the furnace – which speaks of Jesus as the "coming Judge" of all:

His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace – Revelation 1:15a

The resurrected Christ has a loud, commanding "voice" like the sound of many waters:

and His voice as the sound of many waters – Revelation 1:15b

His voice spoke the worlds into existence. His voice will also one day shout for us to join Him in the heavenlies at the Rapture of His Church! 

To those who have never been saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ, His voice will say to them:

And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! – Matthew 7:23

Eternally terrible Words of judgment indeed.
 

The “Power” of Jesus is found in His final defeat of sin and death:

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death – Revelation 1:18

The Lord gives testimony of being alive, dead, and now alive! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the manifestation of His eternal strength and it is why we celebrate this special day in honor of His Resurrection Power!

 

NOTE: Revelation 1:18 is the one Scripture reference that will confound the Jehovah’s Whiteness and cause them to ponder Jesus Christ for who He really is – God! Please remember to reference this verse the next time you have an opportunity to speak with a JW – their salvation may depend upon it. By the way, this verse is correctly translated in their own “bible” the New World Translation. So, be sure to direct them there, as Revelation is their favorite New Testament book of choice.

 

The “Program” of Jesus Christ is found here:

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this – Revelation 1:19

John was told to write about those things in the "past", those things that are "happening at his time", and those things, which will happen "hereafter". The things found "hereafter" are all described in Chapters 4 through 22 – in which we will eventually get to in our study. The "resurrection" – which is the "cornerstone of our faith" – is also the "foundation of Bible prophecy". The "resurrected" Jesus Christ proves His authority to foretell the future as the authoritative Word of God ~ the only One who does indeed know the future.

As we learn and discern God’s Word, we await the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And together with the saints of all ages loudly proclaim:

“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” – Revelation 22:20

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 1 of Revelation.

 

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapters 2 & 3 of Revelation…

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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