Revelation 1:1-8
The things which you have seen (past)
Introduction (Rev1:1-8)
- A special blessing. Unlike any other book in the Bible a special blessing for:
- "Grace and Peace" - Two sides of the same coin. You can not have Peace with God until you receive His Grace. In the same way you can not have God's Grace without accepting the offering of Peace by the Prince of Peace and God's Grace revealed. Jesus!
- Where does this Grace and Peace come from? From Him. Who's Him?. The Father "who is and was and is to come"
- The God of all ages. This maybe John's way of explaining YAHWEH in Greek. How do we know this is the Father? Because the Grace and Peace doesn't come only from "Him" but also from "the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ"
- "the seven Spirits who are before His throne" - This is not seven different spirits but the 7 fold Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit. In the book of Isaiah we also see this. (Isa 11:2) "The 1) Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, 2) The Spirit of wisdom and 3) understanding, 4) The Spirit of counsel and 5) might, 6) The Spirit of knowledge and of the 7) fear of the LORD." This seven fold speaks of the complete of perfect nature of the Holy Spirit. [See Symbols]
- It is here where we see the Triune nature of God. The Father Holy Spirit and the Son.
Vs. 5 - "The first born from the dead" Like in Col 1:18 Jesus wasn't the first to be resurrected from the dead. For there where others before him. Lazarus (John 11:1-43), Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:22:43). First born doesn't always mean first in time but first in position. The term "first born" is an honor or title that goes first to the first male born in the family. He upon the death of the father would receive a double portion of the inheritance. This was to support the family. If the son was unworthy it would go to another. Like Isaac and Ishmael and Jacob and Esau. Jesus wasn't first in time but in position. He is supreme over all who died and rose again because only He has power over life and death.
- "To Him who loved us and washed us". The love came first then the washing. Why would you wash something if you didn't love it. You just through it away and buy something new. But if you love it, no matter how dirty it is, you wash it. Ironic how blood stains but the blood of Jesus washes and makes pure white. Because in His blood there is life. (Lev 17:11) - (John 6:53-57) - (Isa 1:18)
- We see here that Jesus is the Faithful Witness, (Prophet), First Born from the dead (Priest), and Ruler over the Kings of the Earth (King)
- Vs. 6 "Has Made us" or "Appointed us" as "Kings and Priests" or a "Kingdom of Priests"
- In the Old Covenant it was for bidden to be both a priest and a king (2 Chron 26:16-23) but in Christ we are both king and priests. Kings - We are of royalty (sons of God) and Priests - (Holy) - (Dan 7:14)
- "to him be the glory" Worthy is Jesus to be worshiped and praised. Or is He?
- (Isa 42:8)
- (Ex 34:14)
- (Mat 4:10)
- Angel's wouldn't receive worship (Rev 19:8; Rev22:8-9)
- Men dared not receive worship (Acts 10:25, Acts 10:26). Except this guy (Acts 12:22-23)
- Creatures are also forbidden (Rom 1:24-25)
- Jesus is Worshiped!
1) At His birth - (Mat 2:11)
2) By People - (Mat 8:2; Mat 9:18; Mat 14:33; Mat 15:25; Mat 28:9; Mat 28:17) That's just in Matthew
2) By Angels - (Heb. 1:6)
3) By All - (Phil 2:9-11)
- His Name is above all names (Phil 2:9) and He is worthy of our worship! (Rev 5:12) -
Vs. 7 - He's a Coming - A central theme that runs throughout this book. He will surly come and He will come quickly. This is
not speaking of the Rapture but the Second coming. For information about these two see [Rapture Vs Second Coming]
- "Behold" - Pay close attention to this it is important.
- He is coming with clouds: When Jesus comes, He will be surrounded by clouds. This will be true literally, because when Jesus left this earth, He was taken up into a cloud, and God said that He would return in the same manner (Act. 1:9-11). It will also be true figuratively, because multitudes believers are called clouds in a figurative manner (Heb. 12:1). Clouds are commonly associated with God's presence and glory (Exo. 13:21-22, Exo16:10, Exo 19:9, and Exo 24:15-18), relating to the Old Testament cloud of glory called the Shekinah. (David Guzik)
- "Every eye will see Him" - Remember this was written before TV!
- "They who pierced Him" - This call to look up first goes to the Jews as did salvation. (Rom 1:16)
- "All the Tribes" - God is not concerned just for the Jews but all people. "God so loved the world" (John 3:16)
- "All will morn" A fulfillment of (Zech 12:10)
- They will morn because they rejected the Messiah
- "Amen" - Affirming what was said will happen. "Even so" - This is a double affirmation.
Vs. 8 - "Alpha and Omega" - The first and the last letter in the Greek alphabet. He is the A to Z. Supreme over all. He is the whole thing. Not only is Jesus is the Words of God (John 1:1) He is his every letter. This speaks of Jesus all knowing or Omniscience. We know this is speaking of Jesus not the Father. Reasons:
1) In red letters - Some translation Have these letters in red. The translators believed these words were Jesus'
2) This is the Revelation of Jesus, He is the one introducing it.
3) "Alpha and the Omega" and "The Beginning and the End" are titles used By Jesus (Rev 22:13)
4) Context! Context! Context! - The Context of Rev 1 is Jesus.
- Reference: Rev 1:1; 1:11; 21:6; 22:13 - Each speaking of Jesus
- "The Beginning and the End" - This speaks of Jesus as everywhere or omnipresent. Everywhere always. This is omitted in translations that go off of the Alexandrian translation. The word God is also added. For more information on different translation [See Bible Translation]
- "Almighty" - Means All Powerful, Omnipotent. Used 57 times - 47 Old Testament and 9 me in the New Testament. In the Old Testament the word is "El Shadday" in the Hebrew. It is the name of God the Father. (Ex 6:3). In the New testament it is "pantokrato" Same meaning but in Greek. It is used 9 times. Once in 2 Corinthians 6:18 the rest in Revelation. Every time in the Bible it is used it is referring to God the Father, Except here in Rev 1:8 which is clearly speaking of God the Son. This one of the strongest cases of the deity of Jesus.
- Here in verse 8 we see Jesus as All Knowing, All Powerful and Every Where Always. The characteristics you must have if you are God.
- See [Attributes of Jesus]
The things which you have seen (past)
Introduction (Rev1:1-8)
- Vs. 1 "The revelation of" The word "revelation" means to reveal, uncover or to make known. The original word for revelation in the Greek is "apokalupsis" (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis). This word "apokalupsis" or "apocalypses" may bring up images of the end of the world. Like many movies call by that name. But the word only means to be made known. Like in (Rom 8:19) For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
- These first few words tells us
what the whole book is all about. The revealing of ... Something.
But what?
- The revealing of Jesus.
- His
revelation
- It is his to give. From the Father, to the Son, to His Angel, to
John to you. Since Jeiuss is God revealed , God reveals Jesus through this revelation.
- Of
Jesus
- It is also Jesus that is being revealed.
- His Person
-
His Character and
-
His Plan - For the
Believers as well as the non Believers.
- The
whole book of Revelation is about Jesus: If
we miss Jesus being revealed in the book that reveals Jesus then we
have missed everything. Jesus is not only seen here but all
throughout the Bible. (Heb
10:7) Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come– In the volume of the
book it is written of Me– To do Your will, O God.’ ” and
(Luke 24:27) And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He
expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning
Himself.
- "God gave Him to show His servants" The The Father gives the revelation to the Son who gives it to an Angel who gives it to John who wrote it down and gives it to His servants. (Us!)
- Jesus is the Light of the world. He does not intend to keep us in darkness. (John 15:14-15) “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
- An Old Testament example of this is found in Geneses 18:17 when the Lord looked towards Sodom and asked should I hid from Abraham what I am about to do? Since Abraham was the friend of God. (2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; Jam 2:23)
-
"things
which must shortly take place"
-
Many skeptics of the Bible will say "Ha
Ha, the Bible says that these things will take place shortly. But
it's been over 2000 years and these thing have yet to happen! The
Greek word here for shortly is tachos.
The idea is not that it will happen shortly after the writing of the
book but that when these things, that are written in this book,
begin to happen they happen very quickly.
-
Must"
As sure as God lives, these things will take place. Although there
is a lot of scary things in the book, for the Believers this book
gives us great hope. "For great is our reword."
- Signified - This describes how the message is delivered in the Book of Revelation. It is a book of signs: the angel sign-ified this message to John. It is a book that communicates in signs. (David Guzik)
- Vs. 2 "Who testified to God’s word" - John was banished to the prison island not only for Preaching the Word of Gos but also for Receiving the Word of God. Ever wonder if the authors of the Books of the Bible knew that when they were writing that book they were writing the Word of God? I think John had an idea.
- Vs. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it. This book like no other has a special blessing for those who read, hear and keep these words.
- A special blessing. Unlike any other book in the Bible a special blessing for:
-
He
who reads - He (singular).
The Pastor/ Preacher. Was meant for there to be a single reader in
front of an audience. Unlike today there wasn't many copies to go
around. However I'm sure that there is still a blessing if you read
it to yourselves. Here we see a special blessing to the Reader
because he preaches it and what he preaches he must first believe.
-
Those
who hear - Those (plural)
Audience.
This blessing is for those who not just hear but receive it.
-
And
keep - (Everyone)
- Not
just receiving it but holding on to it.
-
Do
not be hearer of the Word only but doers also. (Rom
2:13)
- Doing is the fruit or evidence of faith! (Jas 1:22-25)
- This is the first of Seven Beatitudes in Revelation.
1) Blessed is he who reads, hears and keeps the words of this prophecy. (Rev. 1:3)
2) Blessed are those who die in the LORD before the great tribulation. (Rev 14:13)
3) Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garment. (Rev 16:15)
4) Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Rev 19:9)
5) Blessed is he who takes part of the first resurrection. (Rev 20:6)
6) Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. (Rev 22:7)
7) Blessed are those who do His commandments. (Rev 22:14)
-
words
of this prophecy -
Again the only New Testament book that is prophetic in nature.
-
for
the time is near - This
is the why
we should keep these words.
Everything is set for these things to happen. Nothing more needs to
happen.
-
The
book starts with a call to readiness and ends with the same. (Rev
22:10)
-
Three
times in Revelation Jesus says "Behold,
I am coming quickly." (Rev 3:11; Rev 22:7; Rev22:12). "Behold"
Make sure you pay attention to this. The fourth time he says this
He says
"Surly,
I am coming quickly" (Rev 22:20). It's
a sure thing!
-
Supporting Verses: Matt
24:42; Matt 24:43; 1Thess 5:2; 2Pet
3:10; Revelation
3:3; Revelation
16:15
- "Grace and Peace" - Two sides of the same coin. You can not have Peace with God until you receive His Grace. In the same way you can not have God's Grace without accepting the offering of Peace by the Prince of Peace and God's Grace revealed. Jesus!
- Where does this Grace and Peace come from? From Him. Who's Him?. The Father "who is and was and is to come"
- The God of all ages. This maybe John's way of explaining YAHWEH in Greek. How do we know this is the Father? Because the Grace and Peace doesn't come only from "Him" but also from "the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ"
- "the seven Spirits who are before His throne" - This is not seven different spirits but the 7 fold Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit. In the book of Isaiah we also see this. (Isa 11:2) "The 1) Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, 2) The Spirit of wisdom and 3) understanding, 4) The Spirit of counsel and 5) might, 6) The Spirit of knowledge and of the 7) fear of the LORD." This seven fold speaks of the complete of perfect nature of the Holy Spirit. [See Symbols]
- It is here where we see the Triune nature of God. The Father Holy Spirit and the Son.
Vs. 5 - "The first born from the dead" Like in Col 1:18 Jesus wasn't the first to be resurrected from the dead. For there where others before him. Lazarus (John 11:1-43), Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:22:43). First born doesn't always mean first in time but first in position. The term "first born" is an honor or title that goes first to the first male born in the family. He upon the death of the father would receive a double portion of the inheritance. This was to support the family. If the son was unworthy it would go to another. Like Isaac and Ishmael and Jacob and Esau. Jesus wasn't first in time but in position. He is supreme over all who died and rose again because only He has power over life and death.
- "To Him who loved us and washed us". The love came first then the washing. Why would you wash something if you didn't love it. You just through it away and buy something new. But if you love it, no matter how dirty it is, you wash it. Ironic how blood stains but the blood of Jesus washes and makes pure white. Because in His blood there is life. (Lev 17:11) - (John 6:53-57) - (Isa 1:18)
- We see here that Jesus is the Faithful Witness, (Prophet), First Born from the dead (Priest), and Ruler over the Kings of the Earth (King)
- Vs. 6 "Has Made us" or "Appointed us" as "Kings and Priests" or a "Kingdom of Priests"
- In the Old Covenant it was for bidden to be both a priest and a king (2 Chron 26:16-23) but in Christ we are both king and priests. Kings - We are of royalty (sons of God) and Priests - (Holy) - (Dan 7:14)
- "to him be the glory" Worthy is Jesus to be worshiped and praised. Or is He?
- (Isa 42:8)
- (Ex 34:14)
- (Mat 4:10)
- Angel's wouldn't receive worship (Rev 19:8; Rev22:8-9)
- Men dared not receive worship (Acts 10:25, Acts 10:26). Except this guy (Acts 12:22-23)
- Creatures are also forbidden (Rom 1:24-25)
- Jesus is Worshiped!
1) At His birth - (Mat 2:11)
2) By People - (Mat 8:2; Mat 9:18; Mat 14:33; Mat 15:25; Mat 28:9; Mat 28:17) That's just in Matthew
2) By Angels - (Heb. 1:6)
3) By All - (Phil 2:9-11)
- His Name is above all names (Phil 2:9) and He is worthy of our worship! (Rev 5:12) -
Vs. 7 - He's a Coming - A central theme that runs throughout this book. He will surly come and He will come quickly. This is
not speaking of the Rapture but the Second coming. For information about these two see [Rapture Vs Second Coming]
- "Behold" - Pay close attention to this it is important.
- He is coming with clouds: When Jesus comes, He will be surrounded by clouds. This will be true literally, because when Jesus left this earth, He was taken up into a cloud, and God said that He would return in the same manner (Act. 1:9-11). It will also be true figuratively, because multitudes believers are called clouds in a figurative manner (Heb. 12:1). Clouds are commonly associated with God's presence and glory (Exo. 13:21-22, Exo16:10, Exo 19:9, and Exo 24:15-18), relating to the Old Testament cloud of glory called the Shekinah. (David Guzik)
- "Every eye will see Him" - Remember this was written before TV!
- "They who pierced Him" - This call to look up first goes to the Jews as did salvation. (Rom 1:16)
- "All the Tribes" - God is not concerned just for the Jews but all people. "God so loved the world" (John 3:16)
- "All will morn" A fulfillment of (Zech 12:10)
- They will morn because they rejected the Messiah
- "Amen" - Affirming what was said will happen. "Even so" - This is a double affirmation.
Vs. 8 - "Alpha and Omega" - The first and the last letter in the Greek alphabet. He is the A to Z. Supreme over all. He is the whole thing. Not only is Jesus is the Words of God (John 1:1) He is his every letter. This speaks of Jesus all knowing or Omniscience. We know this is speaking of Jesus not the Father. Reasons:
1) In red letters - Some translation Have these letters in red. The translators believed these words were Jesus'
2) This is the Revelation of Jesus, He is the one introducing it.
3) "Alpha and the Omega" and "The Beginning and the End" are titles used By Jesus (Rev 22:13)
4) Context! Context! Context! - The Context of Rev 1 is Jesus.
- Reference: Rev 1:1; 1:11; 21:6; 22:13 - Each speaking of Jesus
- "The Beginning and the End" - This speaks of Jesus as everywhere or omnipresent. Everywhere always. This is omitted in translations that go off of the Alexandrian translation. The word God is also added. For more information on different translation [See Bible Translation]
- "Almighty" - Means All Powerful, Omnipotent. Used 57 times - 47 Old Testament and 9 me in the New Testament. In the Old Testament the word is "El Shadday" in the Hebrew. It is the name of God the Father. (Ex 6:3). In the New testament it is "pantokrato" Same meaning but in Greek. It is used 9 times. Once in 2 Corinthians 6:18 the rest in Revelation. Every time in the Bible it is used it is referring to God the Father, Except here in Rev 1:8 which is clearly speaking of God the Son. This one of the strongest cases of the deity of Jesus.
- Here in verse 8 we see Jesus as All Knowing, All Powerful and Every Where Always. The characteristics you must have if you are God.
- See [Attributes of Jesus]