THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

Rev. 1:1-8

LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION:  What greater joy could be experienced by the child of God than to focus on a study that reveals the person of Christ as Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  The blessed Holy Spirit must be our teacher and guide if we are to take away from this portion of God’s Word a blessing.

         I.      Background

a.        The very title of the Book gives a lie to the statement that the Revelation is a dark Book and impossible to understand.

b.       The Greek word for Revelation means “unveiling” or “discloser.”

c.        The Book contains 404 verses and 278 contain reference to the Jewish Scriptures.

d.       A knowledge of the Old Testament is critical. (Daniel, Isaiah, Zechariah, Joel, etc.)

e.        The place as last in the cannon of scripture is important.

f.         In Genesis we have a Book of beginnings, Exodus going forth from bondage.  Revelation, the Lord Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

g.       The method of interpretation has caused great division over the history of the Church.

1.        I believe in the literal interpretation.

2.        Sir Isaac Newton wrote (1643-1727) in his lifetime, about the time of the end; a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the prophesies of the Bible, and insist on their literal interpretation in the midst of much clamor and oppression.

h.       The human writer is the Apostle John

1.        The time is about 90 to 94 AD.

2.        John, the apostle of love, was a part of the inner circle.

3.        The writer of the Gospel of John plus his letters of 1^st, 2^nd , and 3^rd John.

a)     The very personal opening of I John    

       II.     The opening of the Book  (Vs,. 1-3)

a.        The unveiling of Christ in His power and glory.

1.        Heb. 1:8

2.        The Lord’s Prayer

b.       “Must shortly come to pass.” Indicates rapidity of execution after the beginning takes place.

1.        It is not, it may occur, rather when it does, it will be sudden. (Luke 18:8, Rom. 16:20)

c.        John is recipient of Revelation, and the angel is not named.

d.       John bore witness. (Vs 2)

1.        I John

e.        If this is a closed Book, why the blessing. (Vs. 3)

1.        Blessing on the reader. (I Tim. 4:13)

2.        Blessing on those who hear.

3.        Blessing on those who keep (James 1:22)

4.        Time at hand. “From a standpoint of prophetic revelation, not necessarily the event will immediately occur.”

5.        God’s delay of judgment has proven a season of rich grace for over 2,000 years.

     III.     The salutation. (Vs. 4-8)

a.        To the seven Churches in Asia

1.        Seven actual local Churches are addressed.

2.        Grace and peace.

3.        Seven Spirits before the throne.

a) The Holy Spirit is the executive person of the God-head.

b)His governmental office is sevenfold manner.

1)       His deity

2)       Wisdom

3)       Understanding

4)       Counsel

5)       Might

6)       Knowledge

7)       “The fear of Jehovah”

                                                                     i.      Again in Zech 3:9, 4:6-10 

                                                                    ii.      Governmental operation of the Spirit is covered.

b.       What Christ has done for Us. (Vs. 5)

1.        He is a faithful witness to the truth. John 7:7---He is the truth. John 14:6

2.        First begotten from the dead or first one brought back first fruits – I Cor. 15:20 ( first in time, rank)

3.        He is the ruler, not one of the princes, of the Kings of  the earth. (Zech. 14:9 – future office)

4.         The work of Christ

a)     His wonderful love

b)   He loosed us from the bonds of sin once for all.

c)    (Arroist) and redeemed us to Himself by His own blood (Eph 1:7)

c.        What He has called us to (Vs. 6)

1.        Made us Kings and Priest unto God

2.        We form both a Kingdom and priesthood unto God (I Peter 2:9)

3.        Because of this high calling, this brings forth praise and adoration from John.

4.        It should from us too.

d.       Behold He cometh. (Vs. 7)

1.        The coming of Christ for and with his saints needs to be carefully kept in mind.

a)   For His saints. Tit. 2:13 – in the air.  (I Thess. 13:18, I Cor. 15:23, Phil. 3:20)

b)  With His saints. (Zech 14:4-5 – His feet shall stand. (Rev. 19:11-14)   H

2.        is glorious appearing in the clouds.

a)      He ascended in a cloud. Acts 1:9           

b)   We are caught up in the clouds. I Thess 4

c)      He shall come in a cloud. Luke 21:27

1)       Clouds are a symbol of His majesty. (Psalms 18:9-12)

3.        All shall see Him.

a)   At the Rapture all will not see Him

b)  Matt 24:30 reveals all nations in mourning over whom they have pierced.

c)   Rev. 6:14-17 reveals the day is coming when all will bow down. (Rom. 14:11)

e.        The person of the one coming (Vs. 8)

1.        “I Am” denotes deity from Genesis to Revelation

a)     Moses at the burning bush

b)   Christ in John’s gospel, “I am the bread of life, I am the door.”

2.        Alpha and Omega, first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, which expresses His eternal character.

3.        The eternal character of the Almighty.

4.        The immutable character is in view.

5.        In the name Almighty, we have expression of the very highest.

a)     All creation in subjection to Him

b)   He is mighty in sustaining His people.

c)     He is mighty in judgment as the Book reveals.