Follow along with this chapter's full text
Since the book of Revelation was never sealed (as the book of Daniel was), it has been a helpful guide for all people since John wrote it almost 2000 years ago. Part of understanding the book is realizing that Jesus is the heart of the revelation, the one from whom the revelation stems. The book is even called "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1).
Establishing the Authority of the Book
The number seven is very prominent in the book. There are seven churches, seven letters, seven stars, seven candlesticks, seven lamps, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven horns, seven thunders, seven heads, seven crowns, seven angels, seven vials, and seven kings. Amidst these symbols stands Jesus Christ the great High Priest, the Supreme Judge, the King of kings. The sanctuary symbols are also prominent throughout the book, revealing Christ as Intercessor, Judge, and King.
Jesus stands in the midst of the seven lampstands. He is the light of the world, and this light is to be spread to the entire world by His Church. The fact that He walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands (Revelation 2:1) is a promise of His presence in the Church throughout the ages.
Jesus is not only revealed as our great High Priest, but as God Himself in Revelation 1. John uses an epanados (a repetition of sentences in inverse order) to identify Jesus Christ as the great I AM. John quotes the Old Testament prophets in this sequence to bring to light a salient feature—the divinity of Christ—and in this way to give the highest stamp of authority to that which is to be revealed.
The epanados is as follows:
Revelation 1:5 Witness (Isaiah 55:4)
Revelation 1:7 Coming with the Clouds (Daniel 7:13)
Revelation 1:7 Pierced (Zechariah 12:10)
Revelation 1:8 I AM, Alpha and Omega (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12)
Revelation 1:11 I AM, Alpha and Omega (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12)
Revelation 1:12 Golden Lampstands (Zechariah 4:2)
Revelation 1:13-15 Heavenly High Priest (Daniel 10:5-6)
Revelation 1:16 Mouth like a Sword (Isaiah 49:2)
The first and the last quotes are from Isaiah, the second and second last from Daniel, the third and third last from Zechariah, and the double quote in the middle is from Isaiah. This feature is repeated to highlight it. Christ is the great I AM. Sadly, some modern translations leave out the second "I AM" quote in Revelation 1:11, thus nullifying the epanados.
Christ, the great I AM, is thus the central theme of the book of Revelation. The Church through all the ages is the besieged bride, through whom Christ disseminates His truth to call people out of the world.
The book depicts Satan, the great foe, as the one bent on destroying Christ’s work. It describes the unfolding battle, the final destruction of sin, and the establishment of the kingdom of righteousness. The messages are not given to instill fear, but to encourage.
Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death (Revelation 1:17-18).
Ahead to A Study of Revelation 2-3: Letters to Seven Churches
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This article is adapted from Truth Matters by Professor Walter J. Veith, an international speaker who has studied Biblical issues in-depth in his quest for truth. His popular series Genesis Conflict brings the debate between Creation and evolution to a new climax as he dissects the arguments with a scientific eye. His highly-acclaimed series Total Onslaught sheds light on the state of the world today as we move to a one-world government and an anticipated apocalypse.
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Read several authors' thoughts on papal Rome's history.
This article highlights quotes from historical and Catholic sources proving the Papacy's aggressive nature.
Persecution in the First Centuries
An Era of Spiritual Darkness The Waldenses
John Wycliffe Huss and Jerome
Luther's Separation From Rome
Luther Before the Diet The Swiss Reformer
Progress of Reform in Germany
Protest of the Princes The French Reformation
The Netherlands and Scandinavia
Later English Reformers
The Bible and the French Revolution
The Pilgrim Fathers Heralds of the Morning
An American Reformer Light Through Darkness
A Great Religious Awakening A Warning Rejected
Prophecies Fulfilled What is the Sanctuary?
In the Holy of Holies God's Law Immutable
A Work of Reform Modern Revivals
Facing Life's Record The Origin of Evil
Enmity Between Man and Satan
Agency of Evil Spirits Snares of Satan
The First Great Deception
Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
Liberty of Conscience Threatened
The Impending Conflict
The Scriptures a Safeguard The Final Warning
The Time of Trouble God's People Delivered
Desolation of the Earth The Controversy Ended
Is Revelation a Sealed Book?
Revelation 1 Commentary
Revelation 1: Jesus, The Heart of Revelation
Revelation 2 Commentary
Revelation 2-3: Letters to Seven Churches
Revelation 3 Commentary
The Lamb and the Sealed Book
Revelation 4 Commentary
Revelation 5 Commentary
Revelation 6 Commentary
Revelation 7 Commentary
Revelation 8 Commentary
Revelation 9 Commentary
Revelation 10 Commentary
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