REVELATION ISAIAH 46:9-10
 Introduction Revelation is the only New Testament book that focuses primarily on prophetic events. Its title means unveiling or disclosure. The title of this book in the Greek text is Apokalyspsis Ioannou. It is also known as the Apocalypse which means unveiling, disclosure, or revelation. A better title that fits this book is actually found in the first verse of the book which reads Revelation of Jesus Christ. Because this revelation actually came from Jesus Christ himself revealing the end time mysteries. Revelation uses symbolic language, and in revelation you will find the number seven appear allot. There are seven churches, letters, stars, candlesticks, spirits, lamps, seals, trumpets, horns, eyes, thunders, heads, crowns, angles, vials, and mountains. Revelation 1;19-20 There or two key notes two understand about revelation. The book of revelation rests upon the broad foundation of Old Testament history, imagery, and prophecy. Jesus Christ is the focus of end time prophecy. The book of revelation contains 404 verses and 270 are taken from the Old Testament. There are two types of prophecies in the bible classical and apocalyptic. A vast majority of the classical is written by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos etc. There are only two books in the bible which prophecies apocalyptic and that is Daniel and Revelation. These two books go hand in hand. In fact Jesus specifically says to understand Daniel. When Jesus is speaking of the end times he says by the way understand the book of Daniel.
Matthew 24:15 Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’[a] spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand). There is a sanctuary language in the book of revelation. So to help understand even more I will explain the basics of the sanctuary. In the Old Testament the sanctuary had an outer wall which was a covering made of linen. This represented righteousness. There was one door into the sanctuary, and past the first door the very next thing is the altar of sacrifice. This represented forgiveness through the blood of the lamb Jesus Christ. Then there was the laver which had water in it were the priest used to wash their feet and hands. This represented baptism saying I don’t want this world anymore death to your old ways and your selfish thoughts. After this you entered the Holy place inside the sanctuary were three pieces of furniture lye. The first piece you come to on your right is the table of showbread. This represents the word of God (John 6:48) which has a changing affect on the human mind. The second piece on your left is the golden lampstand or candlestick made out of one talent of Gold ($5,760,000). This lampstand represents God lighting our pathway or the Holy Spirit giving us light as we read God’s word. This lampstand also represents Christians being a light unto the world. After this directly in front was the altar of incense. This altar was located next to the curtain or veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The curtain represented Jesus Christ. This altar has a sweet aroma rising from it which represents are prayers. Finally on the other side of the curtain into the Most Holy Place you have the two cherubim angles which stood over the ark. Inside the ark lay a jar of manna, Aaron’s rod, and two tables of stones which are written the Ten Commandments.
This is basically saying “pride ambition are widespread; and when these are cherished, they open a door to envy which strives for supremacy. Many Christians are thinking, planning, and working so eagerly for self exaltation that in order to gain sympathy and support of people they are ready to pervert the truth, just as Lucifer had done.” (Patriarchs and Prophets Pg 403-405). Finally you have the two tables of stone of which the Ten Commandments written by God lay. In here is the law that life abides by and it is here were God will imprint his law into your heart (Jeremiah 31:33) (Philippians 2:5)
So in revelation in Sanctuary stage it tells us at what stage we are at in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Rev 1-3 Churches (light of the world) Rev 3-8 Seals (bread of the presence) Rev 8-11 Trumpets (golden altar) Rev 12-14 Ark (Law) Rev 15-22 Eschatology REVEALTION OF JESUS CHRIST Revelation 1 Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants— things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it: To make known, as with a sign or word. Things which must shortly take place: Things which will swiftly or quickly take place. And he sent and signified it: To make known, as with a sign or word. Some think that the book of revelation should not be read because it can’t be understood or for the damned. But God specifically says to show his servants things which will take place in the future so that we can be ready, and God will reveal the book to us through signs.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near: Revelation 1:5-6 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed[a] us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings[b] and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. This is being exclusive, there is no God equal to this one and Jesus Christ is ruler over all kings of the earth. Too him alone is glory dominion forever and ever, and through him our sins have been forgiven. Revelation 1:9-11 I John, both[e] your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,”[f] and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia:[g] to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. John was under persecution at this time for preaching the testimony of Jesus Christ. John received this prophecy/revelation on the Sabbath “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” (Mark 2:28).
Revelation 1:12-13 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. John turns and sees Jesus in the first chamber of the Sanctuary the holy place by the seven golden lampstands. Jesus is ministering to the seven churches. Jesus is the priest who has taken our sins and is cleansing the sanctuary. We are not doing this but Jesus is doing this for us. Revelation 1:17-20 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,[h] “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write[i] the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which 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 which you saw [j] are the seven churches. “I am the First and the Last” Jesus is saying do not be afraid of what is being revealed because God existed in the beginning and he will exists in the end, he will be the victor. “And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Jesus is the only one who takes someone to heaven or cast them into hell. There is no priest or anyone else who can cast you in to hell or heaven. “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches”, The seven angles represent messengers, messengers to the seven churches/seven lampstands.
The Seven Churches Revelation 2-3 Ephesus Ephesus was located were the temple of Diana (Mother of the gods) was built in 480 BC. In 451AD a Christian council was held in the very same place and title “Mother of God” was given to Mary. The Loveless Church Revelation 2:1-7 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” The church of Ephesus had discernment of who was a true apostle and who was not. Even in the early period of the Christian church you had those trying to lead others astray but, the church found them to be “and has found them liars”. They knew right from wrong but that zeal they had for God had faded “you have left your first love”. In this time period if the church did not live up to its cause God would quickly remove them and give there light to another “I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent.”
Revelation 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. God does not hate people for doing bad deeds, but he hates the deeds in which they do/false systems of worship. The Nicolaitans were a nastic sect that taught the law of God did not apply to men in the flesh because man was spirit and flesh and therefore what he did in the flesh did not apply to his spirituality. Nicolaitan was Poseidon worship “God of the Sea”. Ironically his birthday is on the 25 th of December, and so are many other Chief Deity gods’. Jeremiah 10:3-5 Today you hear St Nicholas we worship at his shrine, but he is no were in history he is a factious god most likely from Poseidon worship. Also we worship Jesus Christ birthday on Christmas but it’s the same day as Nicholas and he rides through the sky like all the other God’s on that day. He rides through the sky on reindeer and can tell you which child has been good and which one has not. He also lived forever and handed out gifts. 1911Encyclopædia Britannica/Poseidon Where did Santa Claus come from?
Smyrna Smyrna lasted from 100-313AD, there was a shrine to goddess Nemesis there. There first minister was Polycarp who was martyred. They had persecution that lasted ten days/ten years which ended 313AD. Today modern Smyrna is called Izmir. The Persecuted Church Revelation 2:8-11 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’ Smyrna was a church under persecution, and this persecution cleansed the church and made it a firm church in God. There is nothing said negative about this church infect its one of the only two of the seven churches which nothing is said negative about. They go through trials and tribulations but they are rich and heaven is there reward “(but you are rich)”. There were two churches one of God and one of Satan. “I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” The Devil could not corrupt this church and they stood up for what they believed in and died for it. There reward is in heaven “ 11He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
Pergamos Was the capitol of the Roman province Asia. This is where the temple of Zeus, and Asclepius (serpent god/ god of medicine and healing) was located. When Babylon was taken over by Media Persia, the priest hood revolted and was driven out to Pergamos which there lays the official Babylonian priest hood. The priests were called Pontifex Maximus: bridge between heaven and earth, and he had the key to hell and heaven. This title was later given to the Roman rulers by the last pontiff king of Pergamum Attalus III 133BC. Roman emperor Julius Caesur accepted the title 63BC and Roman Emperors from that time were called Pontifex Maximus to 375 AD. When the emperor Gratian became a Christian he renounced the title and transferred the title to the Bishop of Rome, Pope Damasus. European History Foretold pg.96 by Harold Hemenway Note: Short for Pontifex Maximus is PM which you will find this behind Pope.
The Compromising Church Revelation 2:12-17 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.[a] 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’ “He who has the sharp two-edged sword” He who has the word of God“I know your works, and where you dwell, were Satan’s throne is” Indeed this church dwelt in heart of Rome were Satan was being worshiped. Constantine came in and married the church with pagan religion. Thus this is where there was compromise. “Those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel.” Numbers 22-25, women were used to seduce the Israelites into sexual immorality who then invited them to sacrifice to their Gods. This caused God to be angry with the Israelites and it truly was a stumbling block for them. The same thing has been done here and a comprise with false gods and the true God has been made with the church.
Not everyone in the church was taken in to the doctrine of Balaam therefore God says “And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr;” Unlike the previous church this one does not stand as one and you have those who were not against Nicolaitans but now accepted it with compromise. “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate”.
Thyatira Thyatira was from 538-1517 AD and means sweet savour of labor, sacrifice of contrition, may also mean Satan’s teaching. This church was located were the temple Apollo (Sun) with altar to female goddess. This church belonged to the middle ages/dark ages. Jezebel princess of Phoenicia married Ahab and led Israel into sun worship. In 538AD Justinian decree appointed Bishop of Rome as “The Corrector of Heretics.” He was able to forgive sins, and told you what to believe in. Therefore this was called the dark ages, but Catholics call it the middle ages. Revelation 2:18-23 The Corrupt Church
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“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith,[b] and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow[c] that woman[d] Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce[e] My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.[f] 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their[g] deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— God had always warned Israel of marrying pagan women, yet they lead you astray and that is just what Ahab did marrying Jezebel “that woman[d] Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce[e] My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” There are people who claim to know the depths of Satan/occultism. Like some of the people belonging to this church “as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan.” But there are those who resisted this teaching resisted compromise and to those Jesus says. “But hold fast what you have till I come.”
SARDIS Sardis: Renewal or reformation 1517-1798AD. City was thought to be impregnable but was taken twice without resistance by Cyrus and Antiochus. The Dead Church Revelation 3:1-6 1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.[a] 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You[b] have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” The Waldenses, John Wycliffe, Huss and Jerome, and Martin Luther. These names are the people who were reforming “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent” Everyone who listened, believed, and repented are those that “have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy” All though each one had a different message ever growing in knowledge. When more knowledge was found the ones part of one group did not except that knowledge. This is how we have so many denominations today.
Everyone’s name is written in the book of life already and it is up to them and their actions whether it is taken out. “and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Jeremiah 1:5
PHILIDELPHIA Philidelphia: means brotherly love, its time period was from AD1798-1844. It was a time period were you had the Advent, not the Adventist. The Adventist church didn’t exsist at this time but came about after 1844 great disappointment. It was a time period were world mission got started and everyone was fervent about preaching the word. This is the second church that God had nothing bad to say about it. The Faithful Church Revelation 3:7-13 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:[c] 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;[d] for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold,[e] I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. This was a time period were doors were being open from the holy to the most holy (The 2300 day prophecy Daniel 8-9). “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you”. As always you have God’s true church and you have the church that pretends to be God’s church but is not. “I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold,[e] I am coming quickly!” God will keep this church from the final hour, the end time events that will fall. He also says he comes quickly to the other churches he says soon but now quickly because the hour of his coming is near. Laodiceans Laodicea means nation of judgment. For this church God has nothing good to say but only a rebuke. This was a wealthy church, they had a earthquake AD 60 but rebuilt the city with their own funds. Note: This church lived in an area were hot wells were nearby, they piped there water through tubes. When the water came to Laodicea it was lukewarm. If you drinked this water while lukewarm you through it up. You could really only drinked it either cold or hot.
The Lukewarm Church Revelation 3:14-22 14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans[f] write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[g] I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’— and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[g] I will vomit you out of My mouth” Since this church is neither hot for God or cold it is lukewarm. This is a church were God will not take its candle stick and pass it along to another church because this is the last church. Since this is the last he will not give away its light but spew the church out of his mouth.
Thank God this is a warning and not a prophecy so he is telling us to repent Revelation 3:19. God stands at the door and knocks if anyone one is willing he will come in and fill there home Revelation 3:20. Whatever trials that we may endure on this world we are to keep our minds set on God and Heaven is just around the corner.