Onto the verses in chapter 1, where Jesus reveals Himself to John. There are different opinions on what the symbolism means. We can be certain that the meaning of each symbol will come to light at just the right time in history as the events recorded begin to unfold. We’re going to highlight the key points in each verse.

 V.1 sets the stage for understanding Revelation. We are told it came to John as a revelation from Jesus Christ. So, we can have confidence in it as such, even when we don’t understand it. John is the writer, but Jesus is the author. We are also told that God used an angel to enlighten John with the visions John experienced. The third thing is that it was a direct testimony of Jesus Christ. Something we can put our complete trust and confidence in, yes, even the difficult parts. 

V.3 tells us that we are blessed both reading and hearing it. But we are also, to take to heart what it states. What better reason could there be for both reading and also pondering it? We are also told that the “time is near”. What time is that? Certainly, it was near for those 1st century Christians facing persecution, but is the stage being set for each following generation, including ours? How near is it? We don’t know, but certainly closer than it has ever been for every other generation. 

In v.4 John addresses 7 particular churches in Roman Asia (modern Turkey). V.5 tells them and us, that out of love, Jesus freed us from our sins by the shedding of His blood, and crucifixion; certainly not because we deserved it.

Slide explains significance of seven churches. 

V.6 declares us a kingdom of priests, a royal priesthood. The same thought is expressed in 1 Peter 2:9 telling us we are "a royal priesthood." 

Map shows location of the seven churches. Why only those churches, when there were many more across the Roman Empire even within the City of Rome? Each one had different aspects addressed in chapters 2 and 3, believed to represent all churches down through the ages. We will take a brief look at those particular churches, which would be a study in and of itself. As previously stated, John wrote Revelation from the Roman penal colony on the Isle of Patmos, situated in the lower left corner of the map above. 

V.7 looks ahead into the future. Tells us that Jesus will return with the clouds. I’m sure down through the centuries, Christians wondered how "every eye could see Him"? I'll let the next slide answer. 

Most, in almost every age group, have a smartphone today and access to the internet, which explains how every eye not only can, but will see Him, something that earlier generations didn't have. As technology advances, answers will become increasingly clear as we get closer to the events unfolding.

The Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Jesus oversees every event from the beginning of time, to the His final coming and defeat of Satan. Nothing escapes his knowledge or view. 

In v.9 John tells the early Christians that he too has suffered for his faith, being exiled to the Roman penal colony on the Isle of Patmos. 

When he wrote Revelation, John’s age is believed to have been in his late 80s or early 90s. 

John tells us he was in the Spirit, when instructed to write a letter to those specific churches. There were more than seven churches throughout the region and across the Roman Empire, as such, we can see it as a message intended for all churches, both then and now. 

Each golden lampstands represents one of the seven churches. The number seven represents completeness, which again, is believed to represent all churches throughout the region and down through history, each of which, must discern what portion applies to them, even the criticisms. 

Chart shows the 7 churches in the order listed. The seven churches are the primary focus of the first three chapters of Revelation. This posting is extracted from our Sunday morning study of Revelation and revised to fit this format by excluding portions of that study. 

V.13-18 are very telling regarding Jesus, as we'll see. 

In v.13 describes John's vision "like a son of man", who we learn is Jesus Christ in His risen glorified body. 

In v.16 the stars are interpreted as representing the seven angels, messengers, or bishops of the seven churches. The brilliance of Christ is noted. Holding the seven stars in His right hand shows that they are under his special care and protection. 

Being overwhelmed with the slender of what he witnessed; John fell down almost in a deep faint. Jesus tells us that He is the First and the Last, from the beginning of creation to the very end of time. He tells of His death and resurrection. Holding the keys of death and Hades reflects Him as the final judge in which everyone will stand before Him at the final judgment and be held accountable. 

V.19-20 bring us to the close of chap. 1. John was told to write what he saw, regarding the seven stars & seven golden lampstands. Some believe the seven stars are pastors or elders who lead each church—angels not known to lead a church. Or they are angels assigned to protect each church by Jesus. Just as Archangel Michael is professed to be the guardian of Israel. 

One interpretation of the Book of Revelation is that it is composed of 6 specific visions, as shown on the chart, including chapters for each vision. The chart is a quick overview of those key events. It shows why many Bible scholars proclaim that we are already in the End of the Age. There is not on specific interpretation of Revelation, since it's generally believed that most is yet to come. 

This concludes chapter 1. Because of the length of the study, additional chapters will be posted over a period of time. 
To access earlier postings, go to the bottom of the page and click on older posts. 

 

We begin our study of Revelation with background information. We will also be looking at Revelation verse-by-verse, but overall it will be a topical study including signs of the End Times as presented in Revelation. In looking at any book of the Bible, I try to set the stage of its relevance for us, looking at when it was written and how it would apply to today’s world and church. Revelation presents future prophesy. But interpreting it also rests on historical and even current events, which we will look at, as appropriate. 

The question anyone will ask in reading Revelation is “How close are we?” How can we even know if we don’t recognize the signs? A scholarly study with every biblical reference is better left to the Bible scholars. You would be overwhelmed with details you would forget as soon as you logged off. BUT, we will delve into it sufficiently to understand its message, and it's relevance to us individually and collectively.  

Revelation was written as future prophecy portrayed in images, of things yet to come. First century Greek and knowledge is used to convey 21st century events. As such, it's not an easy study. Nor can you just read the text to fully understand its relevancy. It also raises a question. “Is Israel relevant to the Book of Revelation?” Some say no / some say yes. Whatever view one holds will determine how they see and interpret the events mentioned in Revelation.

To fully understand Revelation, we need to step back to Daniel’s 70-weeks prophesy; 69 weeks of which are O.T. history, with the 70th week constituting the future 7-year Tribulation. Scholars agree that each week equals 7 years, the past 483 years (69 weeks) and the future week of seven years, yet to come. The above chart lays it out. Note the key events: the rapture, the tribulation, the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, the 1,000 yrs. Millennium, the Great White Throne Judgment of all sinners from all of history. 

One’s interpretation of Revelation often rests on one’s preconceived beliefs. Many believe God rejected the Jews in 70 AD, as punishment for crucifying Christ, thus replacing them with the Church. But there are yet unfulfilled O.T. prophesies, that were made to Abraham and Israel. Though some believe they do apply to the Church, many Bible scholars don’t see how O.T. Jewish prophesies suddenly switch to the N.T. Church, especially in light of the rebirth of Israel in 1948. A fact not easily ignored. 

Disagreement begins here. In 70 AD, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans with the Jews being scattered. Since Israel no longer existed, early Church Fathers saw the Church as the new Israel. And that God’s unfulfilled promises to Israel now applied to the Church, because God doesn't discard His promises. No one down through the centuries could have foreseen or anticipated the rebirth of Israel as a nation. 

Map shows how the Jews were scattered across the known world, and even farther over time. No one could possibly have foreseen the rebirth of Israel almost 2,000 years later, which made all the difference in how Revelation was interpreted by the early Church. I think the next couple of slides will surprise you regarding the relevance of Israel.   

Over time, Jews escaping persecution, migrated further east, even as far as China. With great surprise, I first learned this as a pre-teenager from a book I read at my local NYC library, pertaining to Chinese Jews as shown on the slide.

Some Chinese Jews have immigrated to Israel. Chinese Jews in Israel comprise several separate groups many of whom have immigrated there as foreign students. Is God calling His people home to the very land promised to Abraham and his descendants? (Gen. 17:3-8) 

Emperor worship was demanded during much of the Roman Empire. Emperor Nero needed a scapegoat and blamed Christians for fires that destroyed much of the City of Rome. As Christians we are not of this world, but we certainly are in this world and affected by it in almost every aspect of life. The Antichrist will be cruel and evil, even worse than Nero and Hitler. It's believed that many will convert to Christianity during the Tribulation and be persecuted, even put to death. So, thank God for the Rapture. As such, we should be praying for our Nation, our loved ones, our pastor, his family, and our church. 

We are told in Ephesians 6 that we are in a spiritual struggle against the forces of evil in the heavenly realms. When the church sits back and doesn’t engage in the battle, Satan and those that follow him, will prevail. God knows how much effort and prayer His people will put into it and may have set His timetable for the End Times, accordingly. 

Our Sunday morning study is referred to as "GPS: God’s Positioning System". Revelation is not an easy 1, 2, 3 study. One reason is because there are different views regarding how to interpret it. My premise is that Israel is relevant and that the Church did not replace Israel in God’s plans. My goal in presenting Revelation is to discern God’s truth as best we can, with a great deal of research, including noting the different views held in today’s church. 

And now, for our journey into the Book of Revelation. We will read all of the verses as we go through it, but this is not going to be what one would call a verse-by-verse study, but we will delve deeper into the key verses. It definitely will be a long study, all 22 chapters. 

There are four principal views within the Church as shown on the slide. Postmillennial View: no Rapture; Jesus returns after the 1,000 year millennium. 2 Premillennial Views: 1. No rapture, no Tribulation; Christ returns and rules for a 1,000 years; 2. Rapture prior to the 7-yr Tribulation; then the return of Christ with the raptured saints, for 1,000 yr. rein on earth. Amillennialism View: rejects that Christ will have a 1000-yr reign on earth--that the Millennium is symbolic—a view held by Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and some Protestant denominations. This overview should help as we go through our study. 

Revelation opens with a warning to 7 churches. You may want to read each chapter on your own to get the full measure of Jesus' Revelation, as recorded by John.`

I believe charts are helpful in putting things into perspective. The first three chapters of Revelation are Jesus’ message to those specific churches. It's followed by chapter 4, when John is taken up to heaven to the throne room of God. 

We call Revelation a book, actually it was a letter. Its opening chapters were initially intended for the seven churches John addresses, and then the church in general as it was circulated throughout the Roman Empire. Its relevance hasn't diminished with time. 

The number seven represents completion, and even totality. The pros and cons are addressed to those specific churches, but most likely represent all churches across the region of the Roman province of Asia (modern day Turkey) and beyond, as well as all churches down through history. I’m certain, as it circulated, each church reading it saw similar traits of their own as noted for those particular churches. 

V.3 tells us it's a blessing just to read Revelation. I believe we are encouraged to do so, so that God’s people are both aware and ready when the time does come. The first century Christians suffered persecution. As the End Times unfold, all churches will suffer persecution. Jesus was clear that we will not know the exact time of its coming, but we won’t be able to recognize it if we can’t recognize the signs presented in Revelation. Our job is to interpret those signs as best we can, even as they apply to today's rapidly changing culture. The signs will increase and intensify as we approach the unfolding of the End Times. Nevertheless, in Matt 24:42, Jesus tells us to keep watch. That's good enough for me. 

42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 

When John wrote Revelation, most of his life was behind him. John’s age, when he wrote it, is placed, in his 80s or early 90s. Map shows the location of the isle of Patmos (yellow arrow), where he wrote it, which is a Greek island, in spite of its close proximity to Turkey. The first 3 verses speak volumes about Revelation and why it’s worth our time. 

We will pick up at chapter 1 on our next posting.

Posting was delayed but will be added in Aug. 2023. 

 

Each year, the Church addresses that important question as to "why Jesus came". The answer is a matter of life and death on an eternal scale for everyone, and not just a few. Let's explore Holy Week together.

Each Palm Sunday we are reminded that Jesus traveled through the streets of Jerusalem riding a donkey, and greeted by a cheering and tumultuous crowd, as we are told in Matt 21:9-11 – 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." 

A few days after His welcome, He celebrated the “Last Supper” with His apostles. After Judas (one of the 12 apostles) left the room, Jesus took the bread and wine for the Passover and created a new ritual, one that we celebrate in remembrance. He held the bread and said, “Take it; this is my body” (Mark 14:22). Then Jesus took the wine and said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24). 

Judas Iscariot had a sinister motive and mission—one of betrayal. He went to the high priests, as we are told in Matt 26:14-16 – 14 Then one of the Twelve — the one called Judas Iscariot — went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Him over. 

Judas’ betrayal was with a kiss, as we see in  Luke 22:47-48 – 47 While He was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  Was Judas looking for a different Messiah—a political one that would drive out the Romans? The Bible doesn’t tell us his motives. After three years, he still didn't know the real Jesus as Peter and the other apostles did.

Judas expressed remorse, which led to suicide, but it did not concern the chief priests that they condemned an innocent man as we see in Matt 27:1-4 – 1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."  Something they will have to stand in judgment for at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-12).

In the hours after His arrest, Jesus was subject to insults, beatings, and scourging. The apostle Peter stayed close behind but feared for his own life, as we are told in Matt 26:57-58 – 57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas , the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. When confronted, Peter denied knowing Jesus. In today's secular, increasingly anti-Christian culture, how many Christians hesitate to even acknowledge Jesus? 

After Judas betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the mob took Jesus to the house of Caiaphas [KY uh fuhs], the high priest. These were the religious leaders of the nation of Judah. They provided temple worship service to God, yet, despite temple services, their hearts were not centered on the Lord Jehovah. Their concern was for preservation of their own prestige and positions of authority.

Jesus was then taken to the Roman governor Pilate as we are told in John 18:28-32 – 28 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?" 30 "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you." 31 Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled. 

Pilate offered the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, as seen in Matt 27:15-18 – 15 Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas . 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas , or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew it was out of envy [the Jewish leaders] that they had handed Jesus over to him. The Bible doesn't tell us what happened to Barabbas after his release. 

The Bible doesn’t tell us what instigated the change in the crowd’s view of Jesus between Palm Sunday and Good Friday, nevertheless, they turned against Him as we are told in Matt 27:22-23 – 22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" 23 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!“   We can be certain there were paid instigators in the crowd. They too will have to give an account for themselves at the Great White Throne Judgment. No excuse will excuse their betrayal. 

Pilate washing his hands of the situation. If word of disorderly conduct got back to Rome it would reflect on Pilate's position, as being incapable of maintaining order, which was an essential part of his duties—another example of self-preservation at the expense of righteousness. Matt 27:24-26 – 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" 25 All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. 

In keeping with Roman punishment of criminals, Pilot had Jesus flogged, as we are told in John 19:1-3 – 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face. The flogging given by the soldiers was brutal. But they weren’t finished with Him as we see in John 19:2 – 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face. The flogging given and crown of thorns He wore, bore the weight of our sin, both the seen and unseen. I'm sorry Lord Jesus. 

All that He went through it wasn’t enough to satisfy the crowd. On his way to Golgotha, the soldiers forced a man, Simon of Cyrene, to help Jesus carry His cross (some translations indicate He carried it for him, either way, we know Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus). After being scourged and whipped, Jesus was likely very weak – not being able to carry His own cross was a further humiliation he had to bear.

Cyrene was an ancient Greek colony in today’s Libya. Simon of Cyrene is mentioned in three of the four Gospels as the man impelled by the Roman soldiers to carry Jesus’ cross out of Jerusalem. His place of origin has led many to wonder if he was of African descent (and therefore black), or if he was simply born there as were many others of Greek, Roman, and Jewish descent.

The spikes were driven into His hands and feet and had to bear His full weight when hanging on the cross. Contrary to popular notion, some believe the nails which held Jesus to the cross were driven into His wrists and not his palms in order to support His full weight. Jesus' nails would have been made of heavy, probably square, iron material, 7-9 inches long.

If those crucified were still living at the end of the day, the Roman guards would break their legs so their body would slump, preventing them from inhaling and breathing, thus causing death. Jesus was nailed to the cross at 9 in the morning and died at 3 in the afternoon. He spent about 6 hours on the cross before declaring “it is finished” and then died. 

John 19:28-30 – 28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."  29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished ." With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.   One of the Roman soldiers then drove a spear through His heart to confirm His death.

They removed His body from the cross in preparation for burial. He was laid in the tomb as we are told in Matt 27:57-60 – 57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Matt 27:62-68 -- 62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." 65 "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. 

To ensure that none of His followers stole the body, from that Friday, when Jesus was placed in the tomb to Sunday morning, at His resurrection, the soldiers stood guard or faced the consequences of derelict of duty. 

He has risen!!!

He has risen indeed! 

Luke 24:1-4 – 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

Luke 24:5-8 – 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen ! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"  8 Then they remembered his words.   But that isn't the end of the story as we see in the next slide...

Yes, He is risen, and He is coming back to establish His kingdom. Rev 22:12-13 – 12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 

The empty cross stands as a testimony to His resurrection. Celebrate with us this Easter Sunday. Invite a friend or loved one to Easter Sunday worship at 10:15 A.M. – Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1855 N. Orange-Olive Road, Orange, CA – web site: covp.org 

Holy Week activities and worship at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Orange.

End of Posting