Chapter One
Revelation means “The Unveiling”
Revelation deals with Christ in His Coming Glory – Behold He reigns.
404 Verses contain over 800 allusions to the Old Testament.
It presents the climax of God’s plan for mankind.
John’s Vision of Jesus
John describes his vision of Jesus in Revelation 1:13-16
And among the lamp stands was someone “like a son of man”, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash round his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
1. The Lord’s Hair
His hair reminds us of Daniel’s words in Daniel 7:9
The hair of His head was white like wool.
2. The Lord’s Eyes
His eyes remind us of the author of Hebrews’ words in Hebrews 4:13
….Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
2a. Blazing Fire
The expression “Blazing Fire” reminds us of Paul’s words in I Corinthians 3:13
His work will be shown for what it is….and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
And John’s words in Revelation 19:12a
His eyes are like blazing fire….
3. Feet of Bronze
Bronze speaks of judgement and reminds us of the bronze snake mentioned in Numbers 21:8-9
The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole, anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
4. The Lord’s Voice
The Voice of Many Waters reminds us of Ezekiel’s words in Ezekiel 43:2
And I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His Voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with His glory.
5. Seven Stars
In His right hand he held seven stars. See Revelation 1:20b
….The seven stars are the angels (or messengers) of the seven churches…..
6. The Lampstands
The Lampstands are churches according to Revelation 1:20c
….and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
7. A Double-Edged Sword
In His mouth was a double-edged sword.
See Isaiah 49:2a
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword.
And Ephesians 6:17b
…..and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
7a. With it He judges unbelievers. We read that in John 12:48
There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not accept My words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
7b. Furthermore, the earth will be smitten
We read that in Isaiah 11:4b
….He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth….
7c. The Antichrist will be consumed
We read that in II Thessalonians 2:8
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendour of His coming.
8. His Countenance is as the Sun
Matthew mentions that in Matthew 17:1-2
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
The Book of Revelation deals with three categories according to Revelation 1:19
Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later.
The Apostle John was to write about the following:
1. Write what you have seen – the vision of Christ.
2. What is now – the seven churches.
3. What will take place later – what follows after the churches.