TEACHING NOTES Part 2: Context and Clues in Ch. 1 Introduction In this session, we’re going to learn that John tells us how to read Revelation in the very first chapter. Interestingly, John’s Gospel does the same. In John 1:1-18, he provides all the words and phrases that will be repeated and explained throughout the gospel. In Rev. 1:1-20, John provides us with clues to how we should read the rest of Revelation. The first chapter of Revelation gives us at least seven clues that teach us how to read the book. If we misread the first chapter, we will misread the entire book. The first chapter provides the context that helps us determine the meaning. Illustration: Imagine that 2,000 years from now American culture has been long destroyed. Archaeologists are digging and researching in major American cities of the past. Now imagine they found a letter that reads: Curt, to my brother Melvin and sister Marsie, I am excited to join you soon on our upcoming trip to the river city of the sunshine state. It will be good to get out and about after the events of the last year. It seems that the time of getting back to normal is near. I think it would be good to visit the Black Sheep as soon as we arrive. It will be wonderful to be together after what seems like a thousand years of separation. The next morning, after we leave the embassy, we should take ten to ninety-five to avoid the congestion. Don’t forget to bring your masks so we can avoid the persecution of the officials. Hopefully, the crowds will not be overly unruly like they were the last time the dolphins slaughtered the jaguars. That was a sad day in history and the results of that tragedy are still lingering. We can only hope that this time they will overcome and return to their former glory. I had a dream recently that the president issued an executive order outlawing the buying and selling of foam hands with logos, which resulted in a mass revolt that killed one third of the people. This dream troubled me as it is not unlikely, given the recent actions of this tyrant. It was only last year we were forced to start using only money with his name and image on it. Hopefully, the guidelines will be lifted before our trip. If not we will just have to be patient and endure. Finally, if all goes well, we will witness the boys rise from the dead and reclaim their dynasty. The mustang will be our ride if that is fine with you. See you soon and getting more excited as the time is drawing near. Point: The only reason you have any idea of what this letter is about is because you are familiar with the context. Without context, we would be left to come up with strange interpretations. ​ Revelation 1:1–3 ESV 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Revelation = Grk. apokalypsis - to reveal, disclose. Kalypto means to hide or conceal. Adding apo indicates the opposite, therefore “not hidden, not concealed.” The first word of the book indicates that it is meant to reveal something, not to be mysterious, complicated, and misunderstood. Show = Grk. deixai - to make known, demonstrate, explain. This is further indication that Revelation is meant to show us something important for the purpose of explanation, not confusion. Soon take place = Grk. dei en tachos ginomai - This phrase means that whatever John is about to write would quickly occur. Every time “soon” appears in scripture it always means soon. Made it known = Grk. semaino - sign. This is the same word the disciples used when they asked Jesus “what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age” (Matt. 24:3). John, the author of Revelation, also organized his Gospel around seven signs that Jesus performed. The signs point to something beyond what is being seen. The sign is not the point. Rather, the sign is pointing to the point. Revelation is a book full of strange signs/visions that point to something important. Point: John uses three words (revelation, show, make known) in the first verse that makes it clear to the reader that this book is meant to be understood. This book was never intended to be confusing or some kind of secret code. Bore witness to the testimony of Jesus Christ = Being a “witness” (Grk. martyreo) is going to appear several times in Revelation. The “testimony” (Grk. martyria) of Jesus is also going to appear several times. Those who bear witness to the testimony of Jesus are always portrayed as believers who are spreading the gospel. John describes himself this way in his Gospel (John 19:35). In Revelation, the “witnesses” and their "testimony” is a recurring theme (Rev. 2:13; 6:9; 11:3, 7-10; 12:11, 17; 20:4). Blessed is the one = This is the first of seven Beatitudes in Revelation. The others are found in Rev. 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14. Here, John states that those who read Revelation, and those who hear it and keep it, are blessed. However, in modern Christianity, we would say, “Confused are those who read this prophesy.” Apparently, we’re reading and teaching it wrong. John’s declares that we should read it, listen to it, and obey (Luke 11:28; John 8:51; 1 John 2:3). Who reads this prophesy = While many define prophesy as telling the future, that is not always what the Bible means. Most often in the Bible, prophesy is simply a word directly from God. The Greek word propheteia refers to an inspired utterance. Biblical prophesy can include foretelling of events in the future, but that is not the point of prophesy. Prophesy is simply a message from God that may or may not include information about the future. The time is near = Grk. ho kairos engys - This always means that something is right about to happen. It is also the same word Jesus used in Matt. 24:32-33. Also, see Rev. 22:10; 1 John 2:18; Rom. 13:11. 10 “Soon” and “Near” Statements in Revelation: Rev. 1:1 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,” Rev. 1:3 “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” Rev. 2:16 “Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.” Rev. 3:11 “I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” Rev. 11:14 “The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.” Rev. 22:6 “And he said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.’” Rev. 22:7 “‘And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’” Rev. 22:10 “And he said to me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.’” (compare to Dan. 8:26) Rev. 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” Rev. 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” ​ Revelation 1:4–6 ESV 4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. The 7 Churches in Asia = These are seven literal churches in seven literal cities in ancient Asia Minor (see map). Revelation was first delivered to these churches to prepare them for what would soon take place. Each church receives direct instruction in Rev. 2-3. Seven Spirits = These are mentioned again in symbolic terms as: seven torches of fire (Rev. 4:5), seven eyes of the Lamb (Rev. 5:6). This also has an OT connection to Zech. 3:9; 4:10. Jesus Christ the faithful witness = John calls Jesus “the faithful witness” because Jesus refers to Himself this way (Rev. 3:14; John 18:37). Jesus was the first witness for the Father on earth. The followers of Jesus become witnesses for the Son. The firstborn of the dead = This is a common theme in the New Testament. Jesus is often referred to as the “firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18) and “the firstfruits of resurrection” (Acts 26:23; 1 Cor. 15:20), which indicates that those who follow Jesus will also be resurrected. The ruler of the kings on earth = Psalm 89:27 is one example of the OT roots of this idea. In Revelation, the phrase is used here and later in Rev. 17:14; 19:16. This also proves that John believed that Jesus was already reigning as King. Freed us from our sins by his blood = The apostles understood the cross as a defeat of Satan who had us in bondage/slavery to sin. The sacrifice of Christ released or freed us from sin’s bondage. Made us a kingdom of priests = While this was the original plan for Israel (Ex. 19:6), they had repeatedly failed. However, the NT claims that Jesus has succeeded in making the church a kingdom of priests (1 Pet. 2:9; Col. 1:13; Rev. 5:10; 20:6). What Israel and the Law couldn’t accomplish, God did through Jesus (Rom. 8:3-4). Therefore, the kingdom is not something limited to the future, but exists now and extends into the future. This disproves the teaching of Dispensationalism (Darby) that the kingdom is only a 1,000-year period in our future. About the Kingdom: If the New Testament, and even Revelation, describes the kingdom as an already present reality, that should inform our interpretation of Rev. 20:1-6 (commonly referred to as the 1,000-year kingdom age). Many modern views teach that the kingdom is a literal and earthly 1,000-year age in our future. However, the New Testament, and Jesus Himself, repeatedly debunks this claim. More on this when we get to Rev. 20. The Theme of Revelation ​ Revelation 1:7–8 ESV 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Compare to Matt. 24:30 “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Which is shortly followed by Matt. 24:34 “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” If Jesus said this event would occur within 40 years, then the theme of Revelation must be connected to the Olivet Discourse in Matt. 24:1-34. He is coming with the clouds = Every time this phrase is used in the Old Testament, it is always about God coming to judge a nation (mostly Israel). In Isa. 19:1-2, God is coming on the clouds in judgment on Egypt. Jeremiah describes Israel’s first destruction as God coming like clouds with chariots (Jer. 4:13). In Ezekiel, the destruction of Israel is described as a cloud of armies (Ezek. 38:9-16). In Daniel, the Son of Man is coming with the clouds to be presented to God and given an everlasting kingdom (Dan. 7:13-14). Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him = If those who crucified Jesus will see him coming with the clouds, they must still be alive. This aligns perfectly with what Jesus told the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem who had Him crucified (Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:61-62). In Revelation, “those who pierced him” are the main subjects of judgment. Later in Revelation, we see that the “Lamb who was slain” is the only one worthy to open the scroll of judgments (Rev. 5). Jerusalem had slain the Lamb of God and now the Lamb is about to have vengeance. All the tribes of the earth will wail (mourn) = This is not all the tribes of the planet, but all the tribes of the land of Israel. In Greek, the world for earth is gē, which refers to land or a region of land—not the entire planet. Occasionally, Revelation refers to “the whole world” but the word there is often oikoumenē, which refers to an empire—not the entire globe. Why will they mourn? Because this event signals their judgment and destruction. Alpha and Omega = This is the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet. This speaks to God’s eternal nature. Jesus said the Son of Man would come in the first century: On several occasions, Jesus describes a “coming” that would occur within the lifetime of some of the apostles. The passages below are describing Jesus coming in judgment on Jerusalem, not His final return to earth. Matt. 10:23 “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” Matt. 16:28 “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Matt. 24:30 “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matt. 24:34 “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Matt. 26:64 “Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”” John 21:20-23 seems to imply that John would still be alive when Jesus comes. This is not about Jesus’ final return, but Jesus’ coming in judgment on Israel. Point: If the theme of Revelation is the coming of the Son of Man in the first century, then we might expect that much of Revelation is about that event. Revelation & The Olivet Discourse: Since John’s stated theme in Revelation 1:7 is directly related to Matt. 24:30, it is likely that we should be reading Revelation with the Olivet Discourse in mind. Interestingly, John’s Gospel doesn’t include the Olivet Discourse. This might be a clue that Revelation is John’s extended version of Matt. 24. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all include the Olivet Discourse where Jesus predicts the judgment of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. John’s Gospel doesn’t even mention it. Why would John not include such an important passage that all three other gospels include? It could be that John wrote Revelation before he wrote his Gospel account. It could also be the case that Revelation is John’s version of the Olivet Discourse that is far more detailed and farther reaching. If that is true, John doesn’t include the Olivet Discourse in his gospel because Revelation serves that purpose already. ​ Revelation 1:9 ESV 9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom = John states that the tribulation and the kingdom are already present. Patient endurance = Being patient and faithful under trial is a recurring theme in Revelation that occurs seven times (Rev. 1:9; 2:2-3; 2:19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12). Patmos = An island off the coast of Asia Minor about 60 miles from Ephesus. We know from ancient sources that Rome would exile people to islands. Since John has stated that he is in the tribulation with his readers, it seems most likely that he has been exiled to Patmos during a time of persecution. On account of the word of God = It could be that John was exiled to Patmos for preaching about Jesus or that he went to Patmos to preach about Jesus. Early Christian writers believed John was exiled to Patmos. Most likely, John was exiled to Patmos during the persecution of Nero, which began in 64 AD. ​ Revelation 1:10–11 ESV 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” I was in the Spirit = John mentions this 4x in Revelation. Each "in the Spirit” serves as a literary marker of transition or scene change (Rev. 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10). “In the Spirit” Frames Four Major Visions: 1. The Vision of the Son of Man (Rev. 1:10) 2. The Vision of the Throne & Judgments (Rev. 4:2) 3. The Vision of the Woman & the Beast (Rev. 17:3) 4. The Vision of the Bride/New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:10) Voice like a trumpet = This may be an indication that when “trumpets” are mentioned later it is actually a voice. A trumpet preceding the arrival of God’s presence is first seen in Ex. 19:16 when the Israelites are waiting at Mt. Sinai. The Vision of the Son of Man ​ Revelation 1:12–18 ESV 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. OT Connection: John’s description fits Daniel’s vision in Dan. 10. Note: The description of the Son of Man here will be restated in the letters to the seven churches. Jesus presents Himself to each church by using one of more lines from this vision. Seven golden lampstands = This will be interpreted by Jesus in Rev. 1:20. One like a son of man = Same language as Dan. 7:13-14; 10:16. For Daniel, seeing a human-like being in heaven was unusual. In the OT, humans did not go to heaven but to Sheol where they await the resurrection. In the NT, we find that this has changed and believers who die go to be with Jesus (2 Cor. 5:6-8). Long robe and golden sash = This is how the high priests were dressed. Also seen by Daniel in Dan. 10:5. This part of the vision presents Jesus as our High Priest. The book of Hebrews gives us the most information about Jesus being our High Priest (Heb. 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 7:26-28; 8:1; 9:11). In the OT, the high priest had a large group of priests who served in the tabernacle/temple. In the NT, our High Priest (Jesus) has a large group of priests (believers) who serve and pray for others. Believers are God’s kingdom of priests (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9). White hair = In Daniel’s vision, the Ancient of Days (God) has hair like pure wool (Dan. 7:9). This implies that Jesus is divine. White is often a symbol of purity or being clean. Later in Revelation, the saints are portrayed in white robes (Rev. 3:4-5, 18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; 22:14). Eyes like fire, feet like bronze = Jesus presents Himself this way to the church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:18). This is a picture of conquering and judgment. Also mentioned in Rev. 19:12. This also implies that Jesus is watching what people do on earth. Voice like the roar of many waters = Also seen in Rev. 14:2; 19:6. This is also described when Ezekiel sees God’s glory coming to fill the temple, which he also says was similar to his vision of God coming to destroy the city (Ezek. 43:2-3). Seven stars in his right hand = This will be interpreted in Rev. 1:20. Jesus introduces Himself this way to the churches in both Ephesus (Rev. 2:1) and Sardis (Rev. 3:1). From his mouth a sharp two-edged sword = Jesus introduces Himself this way to the church in Pergamum (Rev. 2:12, 16). This is also seen when Jesus comes to defeat the beast and false prophet (Rev. 19:15). This sword is a picture of the word of God (Isa. 49:2; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12). Face shining like the sun = Also seen in Dan. 10:6. The disciples saw Jesus in this form at the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:2). In the Old Testament, Moses’ face would shine after meeting with God (Ex. 34:35). I am the first and last, the living one = This is a statement of His eternal nature. Jesus introduces Himself this way to the church in Smyrna (Rev. 2:8). I died, and I am alive forevermore = Jesus is affirming to John that He is indeed the risen Messiah. The fact that the Messiah has been killed and raised to life gives Him the power over death and the place of the dead (Hades/Sheol). The keys of Death and Hades = Also seen in Rev. 9:1; 20:1. Jesus introduces Himself this way to the church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7). This describes Jesus as having won the power over death and Hades. Later in Revelation, we see an angel (which is probably Jesus) with a key to the bottomless pit binding and loosing evil spirits (Rev. 9:1; 20:1). The idea that the Son of Man would have this key comes from the Old Testament (Isa. 22:22). Interpretive Clues from Jesus ​ Revelation 1:19–20 ESV 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Things you have seen, those that are, those that are to take place after this = Seems to indicate three tenses (past, present, future). What John has seen is the vision of the Son of Man (Rev. 1:9-16). The things that are refers to things that are current to John’s time (Rev. 2-4). The things that are to take place after this refers to the visions that John is about to see (Rev. 5-22:5), which contain events that will “soon take place” (Rev. 1:1-3). Seven golden lampstands = These represent the seven churches to whom John is writing. Implication: what John is seeing represents something else. John is seeing symbols that represent something literal. The lampstands might be implying that the churches are the light of their community. If they are faithful, their light will overcome darkness. If they fail to remain faithful, their lampstand (light) will be removed and they will be overcome by darkness. Seven stars = These represent the seven angels (Grk. angelos - messengers) of the seven churches to whom John is writing. Implication: what John is seeing represents something else. There is debate about whether these are actual angels or human messengers/leaders in the churches. However, everywhere else in Revelation the angels are actual angels and not humans. Therefore, it is more likely that the angels of the churches are actual angels who are watching over the churches. What Rev. 1 teaches us about reading Revelation: 1. John is seeing visions of events that will happen soon (Rev. 1:1-3). 2. Revelation is a blessing to those who read it (Rev. 1:3). 3. Jesus was coming soon in judgment on Israel (Rev. 1:7). 4. The tribulation and kingdom had already begun (Rev. 1:6, 9). 5. Revelation was written TO seven first-century churches (Rev. 1:11). 6. Jesus is portrayed as a warrior in Revelation (Rev. 1:12-18). 7. Visions contain symbolic details that represent something literal (Rev. 1:20).