We will bring the actual scriptures to you as literally, historically and grammatically as they were written by the 40 inspired writers of the Holy Bible (KJV) while bringing to you our beliefs and why we believe them. However, I urge you to be as the Bereans at Thessalonica were and search the scriptures daily to see if what was said is true. (Acts 17:11)
'Revelation deals with the End Times that shows us the future tribulations the earth will go through. It brings us a glimpse of the Pre-Millennial, Pre-Tribulation Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Because none of us know when our time on this earth is at an end; it is paramount that you know exactly where you are in your walk with Jesus Christ. Since your justification/salvation is not determined by the Church you attend or the amount of good work you do, etc.; I urge you to make sure of your personal relationship with Jesus Christ in the privacy of your own time, before you read any further in this book.
Revelations, the Series: Chapter 1:1-6
Revelation is the only book in the bible that offers a blessing to those who read and understand its pages.
Tonight, we will be going over the Book of Revelation written by John of Patmos. Revelation is the ancient Greek word apokalupsis (apocalypse). The word simply means “a revealing, an unveiling.”. It is important to note that Revelation is singular and is NOT the Revelation of JOHN but rather the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:1-3.."The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew our word unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: v2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. v3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."
God (the father) is unveiling 1 His son Jesus Christ and all that He gave him. From this point on, it is Jesus who is speaking to His servants (John 12:26), John about the future prophecies that MUST SHORTLY 2come to pass.
Jesus sends one of His Angels3 to signified4 it so John would partially understand and be able to describe what He will be seeing to us.
When something is signified, it is placed in picture form. Even today, a good movie will affect your understanding of what you are seeing far more that the descriptive words of a book.
It is important to understand this is not a vision that comes into ones mind. But, rather it is the “picture” account of the events John actually saw both on earth and in Heaven. Rem. John was charged with writing “all things that he saw5”
No other book in the Bible gives a “Blessed is he that readeth,”. The "he" in this declaration is singular thus Jesus is speaking directly to the reader.
Rev 1:4-6 "John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; v5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, v6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: WHY is John only addressing seven Churches ?
Basically, “Asia”, a Roman province at the time of Jesus Christ, is the area we know today to Asia-Minor which includes the western parts of Turkey. After the birth of the Church (Body of Christ,Pentecost)6, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was spread throughout this area to include Greece and Italy. There were hundreds of churches during this time but only seven were chosen among them all. As to the WHY, I believe chapters two and three have the answers.
Notice the reference to a title of Jesus Christ; “from him which is, and which was and which is to come”. This title and six other titles recognized in this first chapter will appear again in future chapters. It also shows the eternal realm of Jesus Christ. To be all these is to be “beyond Time”
“from the seven Spirits”:7
Spirit of the Lord
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is the supernatural power source that creates God's thoughts in our hearts.
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Spirit of Wisdom
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is all of God's supernatural Thoughts themselves.
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Spirit of Understanding
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is God's personal illumination of those thoughts.
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Spirit of Counsel
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is God's personal instructions for Godly choices.
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Spirit of Strength
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is God's supernatural ability to perform those thoughts in our lives.
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Spirit of Knowledge
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is seeing God's Thoughts manifested in our life actions.
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Fear of the Lord
| is walking in God's Love and Truth, fleeing anything that would quench His Spirit. |
These descriptions of the seven spirits, “which are before His Throne” represents the completeness of the Holy Spirit.
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.15 The ancient Greek word translated witness is also the word for a martyr.
“the first begotten of the dead”, He is the firstfruits of re-birth and is the begotten (prōtótokos) Firstborn from the Dead. He is pre-eminent among all those who are or will be resurrected. He is the firstfruits of many.8
“the prince of the kings of the earth.“ He will rule over kings and Kingdoms. Beginning in the Millennium, Jesus will rule over the entire world from the Throne of David.9
“Unto him that loved us," The “Loved” is past tense meaning that Jesus from the beginning loved us. From Rom 8:29..”For whom he did foreknow”, suggest that the Beginning was long before the foundations of the Earth were laid. The thought that He LOVED us so long without fail is beyond compare. Remember, at the Cross He died for the sins of the world and whoever beliveth in Him should be saved. 10
“and washed us from our sins in his own blood” We now know how much He LOVED us for when He died, He washed away our sins in His Blood. Through His unfettered sacrifice on that Cross he died and shed His blood for the world’s sins. “But Christ was willing to shed his own blood, to pour out his soul unto death, that we might be saved.” (Spurgeon)
“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;” There are only three people who are kings and priests. One was “Melchizedek”11,, Jesus Christ12 and His Church (His Body, His bethrothed Bride).13 Under the Laws of Moses, It was forbidden for any man including the Levidic priesthood to be both a King and Priest. Judgement was brought upon all those who claimed to be both.14
to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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*The Authorized King James Edition (1611, 1769) was used exclusively as other versions are somewhat different depending upon the year of their printing.
*All verses in the Bible are: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (Note: we have placed all scripture in RED for your convenience)
*Thus God is considered the author of all 66 books through 40 writers including those of Psalm 2.
**We welcome your comments and questions..Please keep them precise and clean.
1 Cor 15:3-4.."For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
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References:
1. Dan2:28, 29; Amos 3:7; Romans 16:25; Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:3
2. τάχος táchos, takh'-os; from the same as G5036; a brief space (of time), i.e. (with G1722 prefixed) in haste:—+ quickly, + shortly, + speedily. Tachos translated to English is Tachometer.
3. †ἄγγελος ággelos, ang'-el-os; from ἀγγέλλω aggéllō (probably derived from G71; compare G34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:—angel, messenger.
4. STRONGS G4591: σημαίνω sēmaínō, say-mah'-ee-no; from σῆμα sēma (a mark; of uncertain derivation); to indicate:—signify.
5. Rev 1:2
6. Acts 2:1-26-47; John 14:25-28
7. Koinonia House, Seven Fold Spirit of GOD, Nancy Missler
8. Romans 8:29: (R. Nathan in Shemoth Rabba, cited by Lightfoot in his commentary on Colossians)
9. Isa 9:7; Luke 1:32
10. Romans 5:18; John 1:1; 1 Thes 4:17-18, comfort that He loved us.
11. Genesis 14:18 ; Psalm 110:4
12. Heb 3:1, 4:14; 1 Tim 6:15; Luke 1:31-33, Rev 17:14; Rev 19:16
13. Rev 1:6, 5:10
15. Proverbs 14:5
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Sources:
1. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2. Blue Letter Bible
3. The King James Edition
4. Koinonia House
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This article was originally published in the
5/30/2020, 'Sharing God's Word' @ Justifiedends.blogspot.com
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