This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John
(Revelation 1:1).
Now is the time to pray for understanding... if you will not pray, you will not understand.
(Pause for prayer)
(Pause for prayer)
If you do not hear and keep the entire depth of this first verse... you will be lost in the book of Revelation.
I will divide this first verse into its three parts. Please prayerfully consider:
- "This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ," (Revelation 1:1a)
- "which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon," (Revelation 1:1b)
- "which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John" (Revelation 1:1c)
Please pause now and talk to our Lord about each phrase and word as described in subchapter 1.1.
(Pause for prayer)
(Pause for prayer)
I have prayed that you will see... that the entire book is... a REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.
Did you see it? If not, please pray through the first verse again. Very soon, you will see that the book explains that it reveals Jesus figuratively, through SIGNS. But now you must see, from the express statements which the book makes about itself, that the book is a revelation of Jesus Christ... Only then will you be prepared to hear the book and be blessed by it.
The entire book is about revealing Jesus. But before we continue, I must speak a little about perspective.
Story of the Eagle and the Earthworm
The eagle and the earthworm both decided to write a survival guide for the state of Texas. The eagle described a vast land of desert, forest, lakes, rivers, ocean, grassy plains and mountains with a tremendous variety of animals, birds, insects and fish. The earthworm described Texas as a land of rocks, moist soil, tall grasses, ants and snails. He climbed up on a small rock. And, as he was writing many details about the difference between ants and termites, he was eaten by the eagle.
The earthworm didn't need to know every detail about ants and termites. But the earthworm did need to know that eagles eat earthworms. The earthworm lacked a general perspective about Texas... and died because of it. He should have stayed in the grass.
We need detail about the book of Revelation and we shall see it. But, without the general perspective, we will get lost in the detail, as many have done. Most people think that the book of Revelation is about the revealing of the antichrist. No. It is about the revealing of Jesus Christ. The first sentence has told us and we will not forget it.
Please prayerfully consider the following general perspective on the book of Revelation.
Bird's Eye View of the Book of Revelation
A) Singular Theme: SIGNS OF WHAT MUST OCCUR QUICKLY: TO REVEAL JESUS (1:1)
B) Signs, Communication Corridor and Blessing (Revelation 1:1b-4a)
C) Attributes of Jesus (Revelation 1:4b-8)
D) Appearance of Jesus (Revelation 1:9-20)
E) Jesus' Messages to 7 Churches (Revelation 2:1-3:22)
F) Signs of Jesus Sealed in the Throne Room (Revelation 4:1-5:1)
G) Only Jesus Can Reveal the Signs (Revelation 5:2-14)
H) Events Revealing Jesus by Signs (Revelation 6:1-20:15)
I) The Eternal Bride of Christ: The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-22:5)
J) Jesus is Coming: Blessing and Warning (Revelation 22:6-21)
Yes, the entire book is about revealing Jesus. Before we continue, I must speak a little bit about the antichrist.
666
By the way, the antichrist is never mentioned in the book of Revelation. Not once. There is no scripture which proves that the 666 of Revelation represents the antichrist. Not one. Even though the beast known as 666 is a likely suspect, we should not be more specific that God has been. We should not presume to know (1 Corinthians 8:2). We should speak and think using the words and symbols which God has given. We must "learn not to think beyond the things which are written" (1 Corinthians 4:6, subchapter 1.5).
In later sections, we will be able to easily understand the mystery of 666 as we see 666 as a calculation of the number of the name of the "beast", because that is what the book of Revelation says it is.
- "no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six" (Revelation 3:17-18).
We shall also see the beast as a SIGN, because that is what the book of Revelation says that it is (B in the outline below). So, the beast is figurative, not literal... because scripture says that it is figurative.
I am not saying that the beast will not change the course of history by the shedding of blood... real blood. But, we will keep every detail of the SIGN of the beast, so that we will receive God's blessing... AND at the same time, we will "learn not to think beyond the things which are written".
You cannot understand the passages about the signs regarding 666 if you forget about Revelation 1:1. You can not understand how your name was written in the book of life before the foundation of the world (13:8), if you didn't see the names God will give you in 2:17 and 3:12.
You must see all of the book of Revelation to see any of it.
We have just seen the book of Revelation from the eagles perspective. That perspective will protect us as we see the book also from the view point of the earthworm... up close, in intricate detail.
Now that we have a bird's eye view of the book of Revelation, lets take a slightly more detailed view...
Outline with Brief Explanations
A) Singular Theme: SIGNS OF WHAT MUST OCCUR QUICKLY: TO REVEAL JESUS (1:1)
- "This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon," (Revelation 1:1a,b).
Notice that it is the Revelation of Jesus, which shows the things which must happen soon. That is because Jesus is revealed in the events prophesied to occur soon. He is revealed in His actions against His adversaries and in His actions on behalf of His saints.
There are many spiritual and earthly beings in the book of Revelation other than Jesus Christ. But each is necessary to completely reveal the Son of God. In the earthly realm, the champion athlete cannot be revealed without competitors and competition. It is the same in the spiritual realm. Jesus will rule in both realms, and we are blessed as we know that.
B) Signs, Communication Corridor and Blessing (Revelation 1:1b-4a)
- "This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John, who testified to God's word and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw" (Revelation 1:1-2).
Instead of "made known", the three literal translations I use render the Greek word semaino as "signified", "signify" and "by signs" (Green, Young and Rotherham, respectively). The word means to give a sign. NASB shows "signified" as an alternate translation. KJV, Holman, Wycliffe and ASV translate as "signified".
The translation "made known" is not wrong. But, it is helpful to know that the book of Revelation makes the future known to us by SIGNS. So, the great red dragon in 12:4 is a SIGN, representing Satan (12:9). We must "learn not to think beyond the things which are written" (1 Corinthians 4:6, subchapter 1.5). We should not take as literal, what God has expressly stated is figurative... as SIGNS.
Here is Rotherham's translation:
- "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to point out unto his servants the things which must needs come to pass with speed, - and he shewed them by signs..." (Revelation 1:1).
So, the first point here is that the book of Revelation communicated future events figuratively, by SIGNS... SIGNS of real events, but SIGNS.
There is more...
- "1 This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John, 2 who testified to God's word and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw" (Revelation 1:1-2).
The revelation was given by God to Jesus (v. 1). He (Jesus) "sent" it to "His angel" (v. 1). Jesus' angel gave it to John (v. 1). John testified of it (v. 2) to the seven angels of the seven churches (2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14), who communicated it to the saints. So, the revelation of Jesus, was transferred from God, to Jesus, to the angel of Jesus, to John, to the angels of the churches, to the saints. So, the message passed through four spiritual messengers before it reached the saints. That was the five step spiritual communication corridor of the signs.
So, the book begins by opening our eyes to the inner workings of communication in the spiritual realm, with hints regarding levels of spiritual authority. Much about power and authority in the spiritual and earthly realm will be revealed in the book, as it reveals Jesus the king.
So, the events which quickly reveal Jesus Christ are communicated figuratively, through SIGNS.... SIGNS which were communicated through a hierarchy of spiritual authorities... a communication corridor.
And, they were communicated to bring blessing to those who keep the SIGNS.
- "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand' (Revelation 1:3).
So, the events which quickly reveal Jesus Christ are communicated figuratively, through SIGNS.... SIGNS which were communicated through a hierarchy of spiritual authorities... to bless those who keep the signs...
That applied to those who heard nearly 2000 years ago. And it applies to us today.
C) Attributes of Jesus Who is Coming (Revelation
1:4b-8)
Grace, peace and love in the eternal, crucified, risen, almighty, king who is to come, coming and to come (Jesus).
D) Appearance of Jesus, in the Spirit (Revelation 1:9-20)
John is in the Spirit and sees a vision of Jesus. Jesus is seen with hair as white as wool, wearing a long robe and the golden girdle of judge and priest, with fiery eyes and feet which came out of fire, a sword protruding from His mouth, and a voice of many waters indicating both destruction and abundant fruitfulness. He is standing among the churches, with the angels of the seven churches in one hand and the keys of death and Hades in His other hand.
This is a fearful image for those who should be afraid. He first came to die and rise from the dead to bring life to those who believe... so that the dead would live. But the signs of the events of the book of Revelation show that He comes the second time... to take all of the kingdoms of the world from Satan (John 14:30, Matthew 4:8-10) and give them to the saints (Daniel 7:27, Matthew 5:5, 25:34, Revelation 20:7-9; 11:15,18; 22:5).
Satan, his demons and human followers will not willingly relinquish control. So, God's authority will be established in a judgement of bloodshed, fire and destruction. The appearance of Jesus in Revelation 1:9-20 is fearful to His adversaries and it should be.
If this is not your image of the Jesus to come... then ask your Lord to adjust that image in your heart to conform to Revelation 1:9-20.
As God promised, you will be blessed if you keep this sign. But, you must keep the sign...
The justice that is revealed in the SIGNS is both sweet and bitter (Revelation 10:10). And the justice revealed is just... when viewed within the signs of the holocaust against God's children, as perpetrated by Satan and his followers (Revelation 13:1-18)... when viewed against God's relentless warnings, including the last warnings (Revelation 14:6-13).
E) Jesus Speaks to Angels of 7 Churches (Revelation 2:1-3:22)
F) Signs of Jesus in the Throne Room (Revelation 4:1-5:1)
G) Only Jesus Can Reveal the Signs (Revelation 5:2-14)
H) Events Revealing Jesus: 7 Signs in the 7th of 7 (Revelation 6:1-20:15)
I) The Eternal Bride of Christ: The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-22:5
J) Jesus is Coming: Blessing and Warning (Revelation 22:6-21)
The singular theme of the book of Revelation is... SIGNS OF WHAT MUST OCCUR QUICKLY: TO REVEAL JESUS
The book was written 2000 years ago. As you prayerfully read on, you will understand how the events occurred quickly. But first, let me present another outline of the book of Revelation...
Jesus said...
"Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come."
(Matthew 24:44)
Child of God... What must you do to "be ready"?
I prayed that He will show you, as you read...
The book of Revelation begins with a promise:
- "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand" (Revelation 1:3).
The blessing is for those who read, hear and heed its words. The purpose of my writings in this book is to help those who read to hear, heed and therefore... be blessed. So, I urgently, prayerfully and zealously admonish you to read using the intimate reading methods of subchapter 1.1... so that you may hear, heed and walk with our Lord, by the Spirit.
The book of Revelation contains three signs and four series of prophesies, with seven prophesies in each series. There are:
- seven seal prophesies
- seven trumpet prophesies
- seven bowl prophesies
- seven thunder prophesies
- three signs
Seals, trumpets, bowls, thunders, signs...
The seal prophesies have been revealing Jesus Christ for roughly 2000 years since the book of Revelation was written. We are waiting for the seventh seal, when the seven trumpets will blow... seven in the seventh of seven. And when the first trumpet blows, it will set in motion the series of seven trumpet and bowl judgements... it will set in motion the terrible wrath of a Father who has watched His children impoverished, starved, rapped, brutalized and murdered for their testimony of Christ for thousands of years... wrath to answer the prayers of the persecuted saints... wrath that will be sweet at first in the initial taste of it, and because of the long wait for it... but bitter in the stomach... as the wrath of justice is a horrible thing to watch... but it must be done, this evil must not continue... the continued murder of Able by Cain must stop... and it will by the hand of God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Pairing of Trumpets and Bowls
Each trumpet prophecy is paired with a bowl prophesy and are referred to as TB Pairs (Trumpet Bowl Pairs). The object of wrath is the same for each trumpet and bowl prophesy in a particular TB Pair. This will become clear as you read. The seven thunder prophesies have been concealed, so their contents are unknown.
Commentary on the Book of Revelation
Table of Contents
1) Introduction to Revelation (1:1-8)
2) Messages to the Seven Churches (1:9-3:22)
3) John in the Throne Room (Chapter 4)
4) Scroll with Seven Seals (Chapter 5)
5) Prophesies from the Scroll (6:1-20:15)
SEALS TB PAIRS* THUNDERS
Intro Intro Intro
1 Conqueror Earth ?
2 War Sea ?
3 Famine Rivers ?
4 Death Sun ?
5 Prayers Euphrates w ?
6 Justice Throne of 666 w ?
7 TB Pairs^ Satanmsrajw ?
THREE SIGNS (12:1-3; 12:4-14:20; 15:1-20:15)
* TB PAIRS are paired Trumpet/Bowl judgments.
^ TB Pairs are in the 7th seal.
m Millennial Kingdom is in the 7th Bowl.
s Second Coming is in 7th Bowl.
r Rapture occurs in the 7th Trumpet.
a Armageddon is in the 7th Trumpet
j White Throne Judgement is in the 7th Bowl
w Woe 1,2 and 3 are in T5,6 and 7, respectively
The first six seals reveal what is happening with people. The trumpet and bowl prophesies are pairs. The seven TB pairs (Trumpet Bowl Pairs) reveal seven objects of wrath, executed by seven pairs of angels. The seven thunders have been hidden from us by God. They appear in the 6th trumpet.
6) New Jerusalem 21:1–22:5
7) I am coming: blessing and warning 22:6–21
Commentary on Book of Revelation
This commentary on the book of Revelation is organized according to the table of contents above. To read the commentary, click here . In the page that opens, you will see the same table of contents. You just click the chapter you want to read. Links need to be spaced farther apart than you see above to provide the best user experience. But I felt that the spacing above created the best user experience for this page. So, click here to begin reading. It is all free! Donations are not accepted.
But, If you want to learn how to be ready for the coming of Christ, read below:
Jesus said,
"Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come. "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has."
(Matthew 24:44-47)
Jesus said,
"Take my yoke upon you... my yoke is easy" (Matthew 11:29-30). Jesus said that His yoke is easy. It is. Child of God, who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit... What you must do to "be ready" is easy. He will show you, from the scriptures and by His Spirit, as you read on.
Now is the time to pray. Where ever you are, I have prayed that you will come into the intimate presence of your Lord right now... Please ask Him to open your ears to hear. Ask Him to open your eyes to see.
(Pause for Prayer)
(Pause for Prayer)
Now, if you have done as I asked, please continue in a state of prayer and prayerfully read on.
Jesus said "Be Ready"
This subchapter will help you to be ready. Subchapter 5 titled, "Fellowship with God in Pain" will also prepare you. If you have not read that chapter, I prayerfully admonish you to do so... and take heed. If you prepare and don't go through the Great Tribulation, at least you will be better prepared for the suffering that you will be faced with in this life. But if you don't prepare... you will suffer the consequences of not preparing. Jesus was speaking to believers in Matthew 24:44 when He said "be ready". And some events of the end times have been purposefully been concealed by God. John was not allowed to write for us the message of the seven thunders which are contained in the text of the sixth trumpet (Revelation 10:1-7). Scripture is clear that all believers will be surprised at the timing of His coming, by God's design.
How will you be ready?
Permit me to tell a story...
1968
When I was young my childhood family had many great difficulties. It was oppressive. I had a daily mantra that I repeated each day throughout the day. My mantra was "I will overcome every obstacle by the sheer force of my will". I was taught that man can do anything he sets his mind to. I was taught to roll with the punches... to never give up.
When I was young, I swam a lot. And we had some contests to see how far we could swim underwater. So at some point in my youth, I decided to try to hold my breath for three minutes. I was standing in the bathroom watching the second hand of my watch as I held my breath. As it pasted 2.5 minutes, I was determined… I would not give up… I would succeed… I would never never give up… The last thing I remember is the second hand approaching two minutes 45 seconds. The next thing I knew, my head was pounding and vibrating. I had passed out and hit my head on hard tile. If I had passed out under water, I probably would have drowned.
No, you will not be ready by mustering up all the determination that you have. You will not be ready by the sheer force of your will. You will become ready… by the power of obedience granted by the Almighty as you pray the Endorsed Prayers (chapter 4). And by His power granted to you in His grace, you will roll with the punches... you will never give up... you will be ready... you will be advancing the Kingdom until He returns. "Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.'"
I will repeat the first part of the passage:
"Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come" (Matthew 24:44)
This passage about the end of the age is tightly connected with and provides the framework for correctly hearing the book of Revelation. I will that explain later. But if you are expecting the book of Revelation to remove surprises from your future, you will will be disappointed. Matthew 24:44 tells us that Christ will come when you don't expect Him. The book of Revelation does not alter, bend, modify or contradict Matthew 24:44. But after certain prophecies of the book of Revelation have occurred, possibly as they occur to you... you may know what has happened and where you are in each of God's revealed steps as He rips the rule of the earth out of Satan's hands and establishes Christ's rule forever. Our instructions are to be ready... by making disciples as revealed in Matthew 24:45-47... we are to be faithful... over... the Lord's household... giving them their food... in due season. In other words, we are to make disciples. It's easy. Read subchapter 2.3 titled, "The Easy Yoke of Christ" to begin.
Satan, his demons and human followers will not willingly relinquish control. So, God's authority will be established in a judgement of bloodshed, fire and destruction... followed by God's creation of the new earth... the eternal state. In the final step of the seventh trumpet and the seventh bowl, the prayers of the persecuted saints will be completely and decisively answered. The fate of our persecutors will not be pretty, but their rule and tyranny must end... it will... and Christ will bring it to pass... as He is revealed to the world as judge, conqueror and king. The book of Revelation is the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said,
"Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come. "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has."
(Matthew 24:44-47)
It is easy to give those in your sphere "food in due season". Jesus said that it is easy, as is presented, from the scriptures in the subchapter 2.3 titled, "The Easy Yoke of Christ". Click here to read "The Easy Yoke of Christ".
To read the commentary, click Interactive Table of Contents.