Christian UniverseTM
Home | Christian Resources | Christian Links | Links | Site Map
A Bible Study:
The Revelation to John
May 30, 2006
A Study of the Revelation to John
A Study of the Revelation to John
By Bernie Parsons - May 30, 2006
A Study of Revelation Chapter 1:2-6
************************************************************************
Revelation Chapter 1:1: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
************************************************************************
Remember that John is describing himself as the recipient of the Revelation (singular—one Revelation, not many! Some mistakenly refer to this book as “Revelations” Some also call John “the Revelator”, but he would more aptly be called “the Revelatee”, and Christ “the Revelator”!)
“Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
While many scholars try to dismiss the Revelation as not being a work of the Apostle John, the internal language indicates that it is John. He said that he bore record of the word, and of Jesus’ testimony, and all the things that he saw. In other words, he was an eyewitness to Jesus. Compare verse 2 to the opening remarks in 1 John chapter 1.
1 John 1:1: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2: (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3: That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4: And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
Now compare the above language to that of the gospel according to John:
John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2: The same was in the beginning with God.
3: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4: In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
John 1:9: “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10: He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
It was the Apostle John who was an eyewitness to Jesus, the Son of God—the living Word in the flesh. Some Bible scholars argue that the Revelation was written in AD 99, and therefore could not have been written by Apostle John. (Sadly, in denial of the inspiration of God, these men maintain that only after the fact could these things have been known!) First of all, the Revelation is clearly written prior to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, so it was written much earlier than some suppose. Furthermore, it was hinted by Jesus that John might live until Christ’s “coming again”.
John 21:20: “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21: Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22: Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
23: Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
24: This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.”
************************************************************************
Revelation 1:3: “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.”
************************************************************************
Verse 3 indicates that attention should be paid to things in the Revelation, because the time was at hand. We have discussed “at hand” several times previously. It meant that it was not a long way off, but was soon to come to pass. Those who teach that it has not happened yet either ignore what John wrote in chapter 1, verse 3, or else say that he didn’t mean what he said. Since this was written to folks living almost 2,000 years ago, “at hand” would not have meant thousands of years later. Those living at the time that John wrote were to keep the things written in the prophecy of the Revelation.
************************************************************************
Revelation 1:4: “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;”
************************************************************************
This Revelation is addressed to the seven churches in Asia—referring to Asia Minor, or what is now known as Turkey. The seven churches were Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, and were located in the western portion, toward the coast. Some try to explain these as “seven church ages”, a man-made doctrine, which has no root in the scriptures, from a man named William Marrion Branham, born at Burkesville, Kentucky.
In verse 3, John uses a phrase: “from him which is, and which was, and which is to come”. This is a description used both for God, the Creator, and His son, Jesus..
Psalms 90:2: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
Psalms 145:8: “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
9: The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
10: All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.
11: They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
12: To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
13: Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
Jerermiah 10:10: “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.”
Daniel 4:3: “How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.”
Daniel 7:14: “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:27: “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
Remember in our earlier studies of Daniel, how that in the days of the Roman Empire, God set up His eternal kingdom on earth—a kingdom not made with hands. Note also the second part of verse 4: “and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;”
Compare to Zechariah 4:10: “For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”
Revelation 5:6: “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”
************************************************************************
Revelation 1:5: 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,
6: And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
************************************************************************
We see that the greetings of grace and peace are sent from the Almighty God, and His holy son, Jesus--called the faithful witness because His desire was to both teach and follow the will of God.
John 8:26: “I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.”
John 8:40: “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.”
John 15:15: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
John 10:36: “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37: If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38: But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”
He is also called the first begotten from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15: 20: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21: For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23: But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.”
Just a note for future study: notice in verse 23 that an order to resurrection is noted: Christ first, then later those that are His, to be resurrected at His coming.” No mention of the unrighteous in this context.
In Revelation 1:5, Jesus is also called “prince of the kings of the earth”.
1 Timothy 6:13: “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14: That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;”
Jumping ahead in Revelation a little:
Revelation 17:14: “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
Revelation 19:16: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
In Revelation 1:5, it is said that Jesus “and washed us from our sins in his own blood”.
It is essential that we understand that our salvation comes, not from the washing of the flesh during baptism, but what happens at the time of baptism. Peter pointed this out:
1 Peter 3: 21: The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”
Revelation 7:14: “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Our robes are made white in the blood of Jesus, at the time of baptism in water.
1 John 5:8: “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”
Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26: To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”
Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9: Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Ephesians 1:5: “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6: To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Colossians 1:13: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
Jesus was baptized in water, commanded baptism in water, and the apostles followed that commandment by baptizing converts in water.
John 3:3: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5: “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Mark 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Baptism in water signifies the purification that comes from the blood of Jesus.
John 3:25: “Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26: And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.”
Sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus, but at the time of water baptism.
Acts 22:16: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
It is because baptism is in the likeness of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, in which the old sinner is allowed to die, and is buried in the watery grave, and is then resurrected to a newness of life.
Romans 6:3: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7: For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8: Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10: For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11: Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
We see how that the blood of Jesus cleanses us when we are baptized in water.
************************************************************************
Revelation 1:6: And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
************************************************************************
1 Peter 2:5: “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6: Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7: Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8: And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
This is a quotation from:
Exodus 19:5: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
6: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”
Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
1 Corinthians 3:16: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17: If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
1 Corinthians 6:19: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
2 Corinthians 6:16: “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18: And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Since our body is a temple, we worship God from within this temple. Since each of us has a body, and is thereby in the temple of God, then we are each a priest of this temple, from which we worship God. We speak to God, each of us, as did the priests of the temple of the Law of Moses, seeking forgiveness of our sins. We offer our bodies as living sacrifices, as those ancient priests offered sacrifices. We offer up prayers of thanksgiving like the early priests offered incense.
Having said all this, bear in mind that Peter spoke to that generation, telling them that they were a chosen nation, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood.
Revelation 8:3: “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.”
Revelation 8:4: “And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.”
Hebrews 13:15: “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
As far as being kings, read:
1 Corinthians 9:24: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26: I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
2 Timothy 4:6: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
James 1:12: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
1 Peter 5:4: “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
Revelation 2:10: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Revelation 3:11: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
2 Timothy 2:10: “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11: It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”
We shall be winners, if we overcome sin and this world. We shall win eternal life—that is our crown that we shall receive for winning the race, for finishing the course a winner.
But also consider this:
Matthew 19:27: “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28: And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29: And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
Revelation 20:4: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5: But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Revelation 22:3: “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5: And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
All Christians win a crown of eternal life, but those believing Jews of that generation were told that they would reign with Christ for a thousand years—more on this later.
Back To Top Back To The Index Back To Revelation 1:1 Go To Revelation 1:7
