Revelation 1-3

Revelation Study …
Chapters 1-3
My notes from Revelation Bible College class

Read the Bible yourself to check for accuracy, don't take my word for it.
Study to show yourself approved unto God.
Homework
Things to Come by: L. Dwight Pentecost
Read two chapters per week
Read Daniel

Historical Background….
John the Apostle wrote Revelation
Brother of James, son of Zebedee
Worked on dads boat, mending nets on Sea of Galilee

John the youngest disciple. Jesus called James and John “the Sons of Thunder”
Because they were a bit rowdy (Mark 3:17)

Most Scholars believe Revelation was written around 95-96
Some think earlier. Liberals say John never mentions destruction of Jerusalem. Titus and Roman legions attacked and destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD
Quote from early church Fathers write ”John was banished to island of Patmos and remained there for 14 years
Until his death under Emperor Domelian 96 AD
The Emperor tried to boil John in oil. He was the only disciple not to die a violent death.
John was banished to Patmos because of rumors that he would never die.

In “Things to come” (Apostolic Fathers)…Three Witnesses…

Clement of Alexandria
In his book “Who is the Rich man” said John returned from the Island of Patmos when Emperor Diocletian died.
Eweiebius? “Eccelestical History”
Also stated Hon returned in 96 ad after death of Domentian

Iranaious—In “Against Hereies” Confirms John returns to Ephesus until rign of Trajan the Emporor

John Pastored church in Ephesus before being banished to Patmos and after his message was “Beloved….LOVE ONE ANOTER”

John probably wrote Revelation first, then Gospel of John and 1,2,3 John

TERMINOLOGY…….. from Text Book

*Hermanutics- The study of the princip;es of interpretations
*Literal- Adhering to the facts or to the ordinary construction or primary meaning of a term
We use….LITERAL< seed =" Word">>>my son is dead, now he is alive)
(I once was blind, but now I see)
*Eshcatology-the study of last things or the end times
*Millennium- 1,000 years
*Pre-Millennial-before a millennium
*Post-Millennial-after a millennium
*Tribulation-Distress and suffering
TYPES-
Old Testament Institution, ceremony, event, that has a reality in purpose in OT Biblical History but also by design has something yet to be revealed
Type…Moses Serpent on a pole…real but also was looked to for salvation (from dying by snake bite)
Real… Christ on the cross- (real, people looked to the cross for salvation)

RULES FOR TYPES
Rule #1-Use good sense
Rule #2- Base your interpretation on clear analogy
Rule #3-Do not base doctrine on types

INTERPRETATON RULES
Rule #1-Always follow the customary usage of the language (Greek for example)
Zodiates New Testament Word Study AND/OR Strongs Concordance
Rule #2 Thou shalt not commit any historical or cultural mistakes
(determine whether it’s cultural or historical)
*Read Josephus
Edershiem- Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
Rule #3- Make Jesus Christ central in all your interpretations
Rule #4 context, context, context!
Whos is speaking? Who is speaking to whom? Why are they saying it now?
Rule #5- Interpret by faith in God.

Revelation Chapter One

Revelation of Jesus Christ by John.
(Jesus is the faithful witness)
Jesus is the word. Blessed is the reader and hearer and keeper of these things
Why? Because the time is at hand
Letter to the seven churches of him
Book outline….
Which is…which was…which is to come
Present Past Future

Jesus
-who washed our sins with His own blood
-made us a kingdom of priests
-first begotten of the dead
-faithful witness, trustworthy
-loves us (present tense)
-prince of the kings of the earth
-comes with the clouds
-every eye will see him

John
Companion in tribulation
Our brother
On the isle of Patmos
In the Spirit on the Lords Day Worshipping as usual
Heard a loud sound like a trumpet saying…
-Alpha & Omega
-Beginning and the End
-The Almighty
-First and the Last

“Write these things in a book and send them to the 7 churches in Asia!” (modern Day Turkey)…Greece
1 Ephesus
2 Smyrna
3 Pergamos
4 Thyatira
5 Sardis
6 Philadelphia
7 Laodicea

These represent Churches- Individuals and Church History

The steps of Revelation
God--Jesus Christ--Angel--John—Servants
The Seven stars are the The Seven Angels—
“Aggelos” can be used for People or angels
Mat 11:10 Luke 9:51-52 Luke 7:24

Description
Eyes of fire
Hair as white as wool
Out of His mouth comes forth the word of God
Right hand 7 stars/angels
Left hand Authority (Keys of death and hell)
Golden Girdle
Feet of burning brass
7 spirits (7 fold ministry of the holy spirit, in the midst of the churches)
Candlestick (7 churches)

REVELATION: “Apokalypis” An unveiling, revelation disclosure
The revelation to John

Shortly= “suddenly” (when it begins it will happen quickly)

Given from God to Jesus Christ to Angel to John to Servants

Vs 2 John is faithful in writing down Jesus testimony
1Jo 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;

vs 3 Blessed is the reader-hearer-and keeper of this book and its contents
7 “Blessed” in Revelation 7 Beatitudes
7 is the number of completion
8 is the number of new beginnings

Rev 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.
Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Rev 20:6 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.
Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.


Vs4-5 Trinity
7 Spirits (Sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit)
Isaiah 11:2
Spirit of the…
LORD…………………………self exsistent Jehovah
WISDOM……………………wisdom in a good sense, skillful
UNDERSTANDING……perfect knowledge
COUNSEL………………….advice also prudence
MIGHT……………………...force, valor, victory, power, strength
KNOWLEDGE……………cunningly aware
FEAR OF THE LORD….awesome reverence of God

Websters Definition
WISDOM, n. s as z. [G. See Wise.]
1. The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion. I differs somewhat from prudence, in this respect; prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in avoiding evils; wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species, of which wisdom is the genus.
UNDERSTAND'ING, ppr.
Comprehending; apprehending the ideas or sense of another, or of a writing; learning or being informed.
COUNSEL, n. [L., to consult; to ask, to assail.]

Advice; opinion, or instruction, given upon request or otherwise, for directing the judgment or conduct of another; opinion given upon deliberation or consultation.
MIGHT, n.
Strength; force; power; primarily and chiefly, bodily strength or physical power; as, to work or strive with all one's might.
KNOWL'EDGE, n. nol'lej.
A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and repugnancy of our ideas.
FEAR, n. [See the Verb.]
In scripture, fear is used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear.

Vs 5 Jesus is… “prototokos”= first begotten of the dead, will not die again
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

~He comes with the clouds
~Pesonal physical return of Jesus
~Every eye shall see Him
~Even ones who pierced Him
~All tribes of the earth will wail
Order of end time events..
Rapture…Tribulation…Great Tribulation…Second Coming...Millenium
Alpha and Omega
~Beginning and the end which is, which was, which is to come
~Almighty
~Eternal One
vs 10-11 John Imprisoned
~For the Word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ
~Johns testimony…was a true believer of Jesus Christ
~Lived and preached Gods Word
~Brought persecution upon him
vs 19 WRITE!

OUTLINE OF BOOK>>>>
Chapter 1……….Things which you have seen
Chapters 2-3……Things which are (right now)
Chapters 4-22…...Things which shall be hereafter

Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the
seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Mystery explained)

Seven Churches of Revelation chapters 1-3 ..see chart
Blessings, Lady