DAY ONE BIBLE TEACHING UNDERSTAND SCRIPTURES - REVELATION CHAPTER BY CHAPTER (John MacArthur’s Commentary) THIS IS REVELATION CHAPTER ONE TO HELP YOU GROW STRONG IN FAITH: [Rev. 1:1 The revelation.] The Greek word from which the English word apocalypse comes lit. means to uncover, or to reveal. When it refers to a person, it means that person becomes clearly visible (see Introduction:Title; cf. Luke 2:30–32; Rom. 8:19; 1 Cor. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7). [Jesus Christ.] The Gospels unveil Christ at his first coming in humiliation; Revelation reveals him in his exaltation:1) in blazing glory (Rev. 1:7–20); 2) over his church, as its Lord (chs. 2–3); 3) in his second coming, as he takes back the earth from the usurper, Satan, and establishes his kingdom (chs. 4–20); and 4) as he lights up the eternal state (chs. 21–22). The NT writers eagerly anticipate this unveiling (1 Cor. 1:7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7). [God gave him.] As a reward for Christs perfect submission and atonement, the Father now presented to him the great record of his future glory (cf. Phil. 2:5–11). Readers eavesdrop on the gift of this book, from the Father to his Son. [soon.] This word (cf. Rev. 2:5 16 3:11 11:14 22:12; 2 Tim. 4:9) underscores the imminence of Christs return. [Rev. 1:3 Blessed.] This is the only biblical book that comes with a blessing for the one who listens to it being read and explained and then responds in obedience. This is the first of seven beatitudes in the book (v. 3 14:13 16:15 19:9 20:6 22:7 14). [time is near.] Time refers to epochs, eras, or seasons. The next great epoch of Gods redemptive history is imminent. But although Christs coming is the next event, it may be delayed so long that people begin to question whether he will ever come (cf. Matt. 24:36–39; 2 Pet. 3:3–4). [Rev. 1:4 seven churches that are in Asia.] Asia Minor, equivalent to modern Turkey, was composed of seven postal districts. At the center of those districts were seven key cities that served as central points for the dissemination of information. It is to the churches in those cities that John writes. [who is and who was and who is to come.] Gods eternal presence is not limited by time. He has always been present and will come in the future. [the seven spirits.] There are two possible meanings:1) a reference to Isaiahs prophecy concerning the sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit (Isa. 11:2); or 2) more likely, it is a reference to the lampstand with seven lamps (a menorah) in Zechariah—also a description of the Holy Spirit (see notes on Rev. 4:5; 5:6; Zech. 4:1–10). In either case, seven is the number of completeness, so John is identifying the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Rev. 1:5 firstborn.] Of all who have been or will be raised from the dead, he is the preeminent one, the only one who is the rightful heir (cf. 3:14; Ps. 89:27; Col. 1:15). [Rev. 1:6 a kingdom, priests.] All who believe live in the sphere of Gods rule, a kingdom entered by faith in Jesus Christ. And as priests, believers have the right to enter Gods presence. [Rev. 1:7 coming with the clouds.] This echoes the promise of Daniel:the Son of Man will come with the clouds of heaven (Dan. 7:13) —not ordinary clouds but clouds of glory. In the OT, God often manifested himself in an energized, blazing light, called the Shekinah or glory cloud. No one could see it fully and live (Ex. 33:20), so it had to be veiled. But when Christ returns, the glory will be completely visible. Cf. Matt. 24:29–30 25:31; see notes on Rev. 6:12–17. [those who pierced.] Not a reference to the four Roman soldiers usually involved in crucifixion, but to the Jews who were actually responsible for Christs death (Acts 2:22–23 3:14–15). Zechariah identified the ones who pierced him as the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and prophesied that they will weep tears of genuine repentance because of what they did to their Messiah (Zech. 12:10). [all tribes... will wail.] The mourning of the rest of the earths inhabitants is not that which accompanies genuine repentance (cf. Rev. 9:21). It is the result of guilt for sin and fear of punishment (6:16; cf. Gen. 3:8–10). [Rev. 1:8 the Alpha and the Omega.] These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. An alphabet is an ingenious way to store and communicate knowledge. The 26 letters in the English alphabet, arranged in almost endless combinations, can hold and convey all knowledge. Christ is the supreme, sovereign alphabet; there is nothing outside his knowledge, so as there are no unknown factors that can sabotage his second coming. (cf. Col. 2:3). [the Almighty.] Almighty God or the Almighty occurs eight other times in Revelation, underscoring that Gods power is supreme over all the cataclysmic events it records (see also Rev. 4:8 11:17 15:3 16:7 14 19:6 15 21:22). He exercises sovereign control over every person, object, and event, and not one molecule in the universe is outside that dominion. Rev. 1:9–18] This vision of Christ is equaled in grandeur only by the vision of his final return as King of kings and Lord of lords (19:11–16). [Rev. 1:9 tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance.] Four characteristics that John and his believing readers share:1) persecution for their faith; 2) membership in the redeemed community over which Christ serves as Lord and King; 3) eager anticipation of the glory of his coming millennial reign on earth; and 4) endurance and perseverance in spite of difficult times. [island called Patmos.] Located in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and part of a group of about 50 islands, Patmos was a barren, rocky, crescent- shaped island in Johns day that was about 10 miles long and less than 6 miles at its widest point. It served as a Roman penal colony. According to early Christian historian Eusebius, the emperor Nerva (a. d. 96–98) released John from Patmos. [Rev. 1:10 in the Spirit.] This was not a dream. John was supernaturally transported out of the material world awake—not sleeping—to an experience beyond the normal senses. The Holy Spirit empowered his senses to perceive revelation from God (cf. Acts 10:11). [Lords day.] This phrase appears in many early Christian writings and refers to Sunday, the day of the Lords resurrection. Some have suggested this phrase refers to the day of the Lord, but the context doesnt support that interpretation. [loud voice.] Throughout Revelation, a loud sound or voice indicates the solemnity of what God is about to reveal. [Rev. 1:11 book.] The Greek word refers to a scroll made of parchment formed from papyrus, a reed that grows plentifully along the Nile. [Rev. 1:12 lampstands.] These were portable gold lampstands that held small oil lamps. Each lampstand represented a church (v. 20), from which the light of life shone. Throughout Scripture, seven is the number of completeness, so these seven lampstands are representative of all the churches. Rev. 1:13 son of man.] According to the Gospels, this is the title Christ used most often for himself during his earthly ministry (81 times in the Gospels). Taken from the heavenly vision in Dan. 7:13, it is an implied claim to deity. [robe.] Most occurrences of this word in the Septuagint, the Greek OT, refer to the garment of the high priest. The golden sash across his chest completes the picture of Christ serving in his priestly role (cf. Lev. 16:1–4; Heb. 2:17). [Rev. 1:14 like white wool.] White does not refer to a flat white color but a blazing, glowing, white light (cf. Dan. 7:9). Like the glory cloud (or Shekinah), it is a picture of his holiness. [eyes... flame of fire.] Like two lasers, the eyes of the exalted Lord look with penetrating gaze into the depths of his church (Rev. 2:18 19:12; Heb. 4:13). [Rev. 1:15 feet... burnished bronze.] The altar of burnt offering was covered with brass and its utensils were made of the same material (cf. Ex. 38:1–7). Glowing hot, brass feet are a clear reference to divine judgment. Jesus Christ with feet of judgment is moving through his church to exercise his chastening authority upon sin. [voice... roar of many waters.] No longer was his voice like the crystal clear note of a trumpet (Rev. 1:10), but John likened it to the crashing of the surf against the rocks of the island (cf. Ezek. 43:2). It was the voice of authority. [Rev. 1:16 seven stars.] These are the messengers who represent the seven churches (see note on v. 20). Christ holds them in his hand, which means that he controls the church and its leaders. [a sharp two- edged sword.] A large, two- edged broad sword. It signifies judgment (cf. 2:16 19:15) on those who attack his people and destroy his church. [Rev. 1:17 fell at his feet.] A common response to seeing the awesome glory of the Lord (Gen. 17:3; Num. 16:22; Isa. 6:1–8; Ezek. 1:28; Acts 9:4). [first and the last.] Jesus Christ applies this OT name for Yahweh (Rev. 22:13; Isa. 41:4 44:6 48:12) to himself, clearly claiming to be God. Idols will come and go. He was before them, and he will remain after them. [Rev. 1:18 keys of Death and Hades.] See note on Luke 16:23. Death and Hades are essentially synonyms, but death is the condition and Hades, equivalent to the OT Sheol, the place of the dead (see note on Rev. 20:13). Christ decides who lives, who dies, and when. [Rev. 1:19] This verse provides a simple outline for the entire book:the things that you have seen refers to the vision John has just seen (ch. 1); those that are denotes the letters to the churches (chs. 2–3); and those that are to take place after this refers to the revelation of future history (chs. 4–22). Rev. 1:20 the angels.] The word lit. means messenger. Although it can mean angel—and does throughout the book—it cannot refer to angels here because angels are never leaders in the church. Most likely, these messengers are the seven key elders representing each of those churches (see note on v. 16). This is the End of Day One Teaching. Look out for Day Two Teaching that will be posted here soon. Pray you have been blessed with GODS WORD - So Precious. Pastor encourages you to abide fully in JESUS always. Read your Bible daily, pray and give thanks to GOD for all things. Add me as friend if you would like to be ministered with GOD’S WORD here on Facebook on a regular basis. GOD bless you. Pastor Ben Soon.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:12:03 +0000