Looking into the Revelation: The Countdown to Christ’S Return

By Dr. Boyd O. Gray

Since the Bible was first written, the book of Revelation has provided readers with a glimpse of what is to come. But even as the world rapidly fulfills the ancient Scripture, many still avoid its obscure, symbolic language, which often lends itself to fanatical interpretation. In Looking into the Revelation, a seasoned pastor uses various version of the Bible to provide a clear explanation of biblical texts relating to the end of the world as we know it.

Dr. Boyd Gray, a minister with more than thirty years of experience, offers a comprehensive study from the premillennial view based on his opinion that the masses are either not ready for the return of Christ or have dismissed it as myth altogether. As Dr. Gray works his way through Scripture detailing the truths of John the Apostle and the predicted tribulations of the Antichrist, he demonstrates through his interpretations that Gods Word is the trutha message he hopes will motivate sinners to heed the Lords gracious call to salvation.

Looking into the Revelation shares a careful examination of biblical text that seeks to encourage people of all faiths to reexamine their lives and their beliefs and to fall in love with the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491704271

Dr. Boyd O. Gray

Dr. Boyd O. Gray, retired after thirty years of ministry, earned his master’s degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and his doctoral degree in theology and biblical studies from Ashwood University. The principles in Joshua Called to Lead shaped his ministry. He and Ruby, his wife, live in Erlanger, Kentucky.

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Looking into the Revelation

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The Countdown to Christ’s Return

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Dr. Boyd O. Gray

iUniverse LLC

Bloomington

LOOKING INTO THE REVELATION

The Countdown to Christ’s Return

Copyright © 2013 by Dr. Boyd O. Gray.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-0426-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-0428-8 (hc)

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iUniverse rev. date: 10/10/2013

CONTENTS

Foreword

Looking into the Revelation

The Seven Churches Spoken of by Christ

The Throne Room of Heaven

The Lord Takes the Scroll

The Seal Judgments

The 144,000 Evangelists

The Trumpet Judgments

The sounding of the Fifth and Sixth Trumpets

The Seven Thunders

The Witness Empowered By God

The Women and Child

The Beast Rising out of the Sea

The Lamb and the Evangelist

Introduction to Final Plagues

The Seven Bowl Judgments

The Great Harlot Woman

The Fall of Babylon

Christ Takes Back Plant Earth

The Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ

The New Heaven and New Earth

The River of Life

Bibliography

To my father and mother who are deceased, but who raised me in a conservative home. To my loving wife, who spent hours alone as I was writing this book. To my children, who also were strong encouragers. I also dedicate this book to the many pastors who have helped me along the way, especially Reverend Don Gown, director of missions for Phelps County Baptist Association for many years; Deacon Brother Harold Hart, a true friend who encouraged me when I decided to write this book; and others who also have been encouragers booking my endeavor.

More importantly, I dedicate this book to the one who was my greatest encourager, the Lord Jesus Christ by the way of the Holy Spirit. It is my desire that this book will encourage many to come to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ before it is too late.

FOREWORD

Looking into Revelation

The author of the book of Revelation is identified as John. However there are those who believe it is not the same John who wrote the Gospel of John and the Epistles of John. But I hold to this John as being the same apostle who wrote the other books bearing his name. In verse one, John is identified as a servant or bond slave of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was chosen to bear record of things to come in the end-times. The book was written in Greek around AD 95-96 while John was on the island of Patmos. The name of this book in Greek is Apokalypsis, meaning an unveiling, disclosure, or revelation. The book was not readily accepted into the canon of scripture before the time of Saint Jerome in AD 340-420. Tradition finally got the book into the cannon of books of the New Testament.

As a minister for over thirty years, I have always been interested in the Revelation of the end-times. I have made many notes and preached numerous messages on this topic during my years of ministry. Since I did not write down the names of the authors who wrote some of the materials on which I based my sermons, I do not claim that this entire book is free of others’ interpretations. Further, it is not my intent to claim that all the material in this book is my own interpretation.

I am writing this book so that others may see the premillennial view, as well as the signs Jesus talked about coming to fruition (Matthew 24:4-14). The premillennial view is that the church (all true believers) will be removed from the earth before the seven-year Tribulation as I have explained in this book. I write this book in the premillennial view, because I truly believe we are living in the last days, and because so many of those who profess Christ as Savior have lost their first love. Scripture tells us to warn those who have either rejected Christ all together or have grown cold and indifferent in their commitment to Christ. Either way, the masses are not ready for His return or have dismissed it as myth altogether.

In chapter 1 of Revelation, the Lord identifies Himself to John, who is a prisoner on the Island of Patmos. He introduces Himself as the beginning and the end. Creation began with Him and will end with Him. In this chapter, verse 11, we are given the names of seven churches. Now in chapter 2 and 3 the Lord reveals His likes and dislikes of each one. In chapters 4-22 the church is no longer mentioned but rather the nation Israel and the signs of Matthew 24:12, and throughout the book of Revelation we are given a description of events to take place during the Tribulation. To the church of Ephesus the Lord has many good things to say concerning them and their works, but He says they lost their first love. He recognizes the suffering in serving Him in the church of Smyrna, but He encourages them to remain faithful even unto death. The church of Pergamos is identified as a church of compromise. The church of Thyatira is identified as the corrupt church. The church of Sardis is identified as the dead church. The church of Philadelphia is identified as the faithful church. The church of Laodicea is identified as the lukewarm church. Each section in this book is written to show what will happen to Israel in the end-time, and to those who are not ready for His coming in the air to remove His church. Those who refuse to accept the mark of the Antichrist will surely be persecuted by imprisonment or death.

I have used various versions of the Bible because I feel some translations offer a clearer picture of what I want to say to the reader.

I believe we are living in the end-times. The actual date is unknown, but it is sure to come with the fulfilling of scripture. Revelation gives the reader a glimpse of that which will come. Many of the signs reveal Israel’s demise among her Arab neighbors, Russia, and China, as well as other nations. Israel must feel all alone in her daily struggle. However, the God of Israel is still the God of Israel, and her Messiah; the Lord Jesus Christ will still protect a remnant.

My prayer is that this book will bring insight into the last days as the God of Israel is about to be revealed in a new and different way.

The following translations of the Bible are quoted in this book:

AB Amplified Bible

ASV American Standard Version

GNB Good News Bible

HCSB Holman Christian Standard Bible

ISV International Standard Version

KJV King James Version

NASB New American Standard Bible

NIV New International Version

NKJV New King James Version

NRSV New Revised Standard Version

RSV Revised Standard Version

LOOKING INTO THE REVELATION

Revelation Chapter 1

Why is a look into this book of Revelation so important today? I feel that its importance can be found as one looks around a world that is rapidly fulfilling scripture regarding the end-times. Some contend the book is too obscure to be understood, but if that is the case, why have it in the Bible at all? It is an important book, because it alerts us to the end-time events that are taking place today. But since its highly symbolic language lends to itself to fanatical interpretation, many people have avoided it all together.

Martin Luther said that in this book there are only images and visions; thus, he would have denied this book a place in the New Testament. He found the book offensive, because he could not find Christ portrayed in it as He was in other parts of the New Testament. John Calvin must have had doubts about the worth of the book, for he ignored it in his commentaries. Some modern scholars such as C. H. Dodd see the book primarily as an adopted eschatological work—a theology that treats death, resurrection, immortality, the end of the world, and final judgment as found in the Bible as truth, but too obscure on the teaching of Christ and sub-Christian in its teaching about God. Other scholars have different views. After a lifetime of study, R. H. Charles came to see this book as very important. Even though it uses Jewish categories, it is seen as distinctly Christian. For instance, in the fifth chapter of Revelation it is noted that the redemptive acts of Christ—the Lamb of God—constitutes the turn or apex of the ages. Even the second coming of Christ and the millennium on earth are seen as a continuation and fulfillment of the kingdom of grace and glory inaugurated in the first coming of Christ. Furthermore the judgments of God are seen as repetition of Israel’s experience in Egypt. The Antichrist-like pharaoh resisted God and oppressed His people. Therefore the Antichrist calls down on himself and all his cohorts’ judgments like the plagues of Egypt. As in the book of Exodus, the crucial event is not the plagues, but the redemption that Israel experienced. Obviously the emphasis upon the judgments in the book of Revelation is more intense and prolonged than in any other New Testament writing. John saw the church then and in the future facing the Antichrist and his war to defeat the churches of the living God.

For John, sin would bring judgment unless the churches repented and returned to the eternal truth of the gospel. H. B. Swete, like many devoted scholars, affirms that the book of Revelation is the crown of the Bible. It should be read in conjunction with the other New Testament books, and the other books are incomplete without the book of Revelation. It also needs to be read in conjunction with the book of Daniel and other Old Testament passages. Today there is new interest in the book of Revelation, and it has aroused interest among Christians, because people are more and more interested in knowing what the latter days will be like. The demonic forces manifested in history, and especially in our day, are of great concern for many believers. The human experience through all of this is of great concern. We may ask, If there is going to be a great Tribulation of unprecedented suffering, will the Church have to go through it? There are several views on the subject, and I will deal with them later. Evil is being seen in our time as rooted in a superhuman personality—Satan—and his demonic cohorts. This personal power of evil exceeds the wit or strength of man to overcome him. It is unfortunate that there are those who deny the reality and activities of the personal power of evil. Just as appalling is the manifestation of demonic forces of witchcraft, wars, and oppression among those who call themselves Christian. The plaque of evil is rampant today, even among churches. Surely the Lord’s return cannot be far off. According to the book of Revelation, evil is so radical that it can be overcome only by the mighty judgments and intervention of God. There is another reason that there is interest in the book of Revelation: What will happen to the church, and what will we be doing when Christ reigns?

When crises come, many attempt to explain the development and predict the future. Social and economic prophecies such as taught by Alvin Toffler’s in his book Future Shock have been quite popular. Personal prophets such as Jean Dixon have large followings. In the religious realm, Hal Lindsey’s book The Late Great Planet Earth was once a runaway best seller. Lindsey sees the book of Revelation as a detailed blueprint of exact happenings of our own day. A sequel to the The Late Great Planet Earth is his predictive commentary on the book of Revelation entitled There’s a New World Coming: An In-Depth Analysis of the Book of Revelation.

For the reasons spoken of here, and others not mentioned, it will be helpful to outline some of the distinctive models or methods for interpreting the book of Revelation that have emerged out of the history of interpreting prophecy. Some methods do not appear to be live options for conservatives or evangelical Christians. I will mention only briefly for the sake of historical purposes some of the views now held. From most of these prominent models, at least there is some element of truth. I will make an attempt to present the models fairly. Some strengths and weaknesses for each model will be noted as I continue through this book. The easiest approach, of course, is to follow one’s own tradition or model and see it as the only tradition or model and see it as the only true view and ignore other approaches. Intelligent Bible students should familiarize themselves with the various alternative models of interpretation so they may critique and purify their own view or find a more adequate view.

The first view to consider is known by several names—most commonly the symbolical or idealist view—and was held by Tertullian, Cyprian, Clement, Origen, and Augustine. This view takes the approach that what is seen in Revelation is symbolical of the spiritual power taking place in the world today. The message of the book centers in the assurance of the suffering saints and God’s final triumph. This assurance is given without prediction of concrete events in the past or future. This view takes a neutral stand in order to avoid any problems of trying to find any historical fulfillment of the symbols found in the book, and sees only a symbolic portrayal of the spiritual cosmic conflict between the kingdom of God and the powers of satanic evil. The beast of Revelation represents satanic evil wherever it breaks out to oppress the church. Now there is some truth to be found in it as one looks at chapter 12 of Revelation. Here we find portrayed a mighty conflict in heaven between Satan and the angels. However there is no place in history that can tie this adequately to the book, so I feel it inadequately represents the thought behind God’s intended purpose for His church.

The second view is the historical view, sometimes called the continuous historical view, and often called the Protestant view. This method views the book of Revelation as a symbolic prophecy of the entire history of the Western church down to the return of Christ and the end of the age. This view is held by Adam Clark, who finds inconsistencies in the end-time events. However there are no fixed guidelines as to what historical events are meant. One of the most prevailing features of this interpretation has been the view this is the Roman pope, who is also the false prophet of the Roman Church. Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins in their Left Behind series do seem to see this as truth for the end-times. Even the book of Revelation in chapter 17 verses 4-5 gives a hint of this view. Yet this view has very little to say to the churches of Asia to which it is addressed. It seeks to find the people of the events that fit the seals of trumpets and bowls found in Chapters 8 through 16 of Revelation, especially Revelation chapter 13.

The third view is known as the postmillennial view. This view sees the inhabitants of earth getting better and better until we will usher in the kingdom of God. All that is needed is to see that John is saying that at the time of his writing there was a formidable enemy of the church at work, and there would come a period of tranquility and peace, and then would come a time of persecution of believers. The view is not widely held today.

The fourth view is the amillennial, which teaches that there will be no earthly kingdom, because the Old Testament promises made to Israel are being fulfilled by the church of today. Amillennial and premillennial both view the church in Revelation chapter 20 as spiritual and not literal. Amillennialists see the coming of Christ as nonliteral and to be seen only as spiritual in scripture. It has nothing to do with the present or future. They believe the book was given to encourage the early Christians to hold out even under severe punishments. Now, the New Testament does teach this, and we who belong to God the Father by Jesus Christ the Son are obligated to do so. The early church saw that Caesar worship was prevalent. Caligula in AD 41-54 was called insane, and Domitian, AD 81-96, was called a complete devil. In this view, Revelation expresses the hopes of the early Christians of Asia that they were about to be delivered from their troubles at the hand of Rome. In the imperial Rome was the beast of Revelation chapter 13. The Asian priesthood promoting the worship of Rome was the False Prophet. The church was faced with practical extinction in the impending persecution, and John wrote to confirm the faith of believers, that even though terrible persecution was at the door, God would intervene. Christ would return, Rome would be destroyed, and the kingdom of God shortly established. Of course this did not happen, but the book fulfilled its purpose in strengthening and encouraging the first-century church.

The fifth view is the dispensational view, which is sometimes called the futurist view. In this view there are two forms of thought—the moderate and the extreme futurist view of end-times. The premillennial view divides time up into various periods of history, which will climax in the end-time by the entire total fulfillment of history as we know it. The word dispensation carries the idea of management. The method or scheme according to the word of God carries out God’s purpose toward the human race. Some hold to only three or four dispensational periods, while others see as many as seven. Those who hold to three or four break time down into the following categories: First: The stage of innocence, the time man was created and lived in the Garden of Eden. Second: The time of the patriarchal covenant, both Mosaic and Jewish as well as the Christian. In these covenants God unfolded His purpose of grace toward humanity. Third: The time of the Gentiles, which we are living in today. Fourth: The time of Christ’s reign at the end of the age, and the beginning of the one thousand years of peace with Christ the Messiah on the throne. Those who hold to seven dispensation periods break them down along the lines in the following stages.

•   Innocence

•   Conscience

•   Human government

•   Promise

•   Law

•   Grace

•   The established kingdom

As we move through the book of Revelation we have in the first chapter the Lord’s words to the seven churches (1:4-8), and John’s vision on earth (1:9-20). The vision of John is alarming to him (1:17). As we begin to look at the book we will find it broken up into twelve parts, and we will look at each one as we go through the book. The theme of death and dying is not something new in Revelation. Even before the Messiah preached the Good News of the gospel, John the Baptist, a forerunner of Christ, announced the bad news of judgment that would come upon the world (Matthew 3:2). During Jesus’s ministry, He repeatedly warned of the day of wrath coming (Matthew 10:5, 10:11, 10:22, 10:24, 12:36, 12:41-42; John 5:29-29). The apostle Paul wrote Romans 1:18:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. (NIV)

And Paul wrote in Romans 2:5-6:

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give to each person according to what he has done. (NIV)

He again wrote to the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9:

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power. (NIV)

We read these words in Hebrews 10:26-27:

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (NIV)

The apostle Pete wrote of the coming judgment 2 Peter 2:9:

If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. (NIV)

The doctrine of death and dying is found in the Old Testament as well in Isaiah 13:11-13:

I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. I will make man scarcer than pure gold, rarer than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the Lord Almighty, in the day of his burning anger. (NIV)

Isaiah also spoke of the judgment in Isaiah 24:21-22:

In that day the Lord will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below. They will be herded together like prisoners bound in a dungeon; they will be shut up in prison and be punished after many days. (NIV)

First we have the introduction found in Revelation 1:1-8. Emperor worship had come into full bloom by the time John was told to write what he saw (Revelation 1:1). Never was it enforced upon the population more than it was under Domitian, AD 81-96. Domitian was classified as a devil William Barclay’s (2001) Barclay’s Daily Study Bible Commentary New Testament. He was worst of all a cold-blooded persecutor. He took his divinity seriously and demanded Caesar worship. He began a bitter persecution against all those who would not worship the ancient gods. He called these people atheists. He launched his hate against the Jews and Christians. When he arrived at the theater, the people were urged to rise up and shout, All hail to our Lord and his Lady. He established himself as a god. All proclamations had to begin with Our Lord God Domitian or the issuer would suffer persecution.

All over the empire men must call the Caesar lord and god; there was no escape. What were the Christians to do? What hope had they against such evil? Their ranks were not filled with men of wisdom or men of might. They had no influence, no power, and no prestige. So they were given a choice—Caesar or Christ. It was under these conditions that John was given the instruction to write the book of Revelation. It was written to give believers hope and encouragement even in the face of death. Many did die for their faith. They would rather die than deny their Lord Jesus Christ. The faith you and I enjoy did not come cheaply, for it cost God his Son, and through the ages thousands paid the price through death and persecution. John could not see the dreadful thing before him in real terms, but he was given an inside view. The veil was pulled back, and the truth was given to him. This is the meaning of Revelation. God revealed to John that which was coming upon the church in his day as well as at the end of the age. We get our word apocalypse (revelation) from the Greek word apokalypsis. It signifies an unveiling, a revealing, and a disclosure of that which was hidden and kept secret. This is directly connected to the Holy Spirit as seen in Ephesians 1:17 where we find that it is God who gives to us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him… that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give us a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. It is God who revealed through the Holy Spirit what we are to do and what we are to say. Life does move on either to eternal judgment or on to eternal joy. Those who have submitted to God have grace, joy, and peace awaiting them. But for those who die without Him there is only the Great White Throne—the judgment of Revelation 20:1 awaiting them. Now the Jews had long since given up the idea that they would be seen as God’s chosen people by human means. They now hoped for the direct intervention of God in human affairs, which would result in their favor. To that end they divided up time into two stages, the present age and the age to come. Between these two there would come a time of terrible, terrible trials and Tribulations. There would also come a day in which there would be a New Heaven and a New Earth with the Messiah reigning supreme, and the Jewish people vindicated. We find first of all that the revelation was given first by God and then by Jesus. In Matthew 24 we find the disciples asking Jesus, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? (Matthew 24:3, NKJV). Now all of this was given in this book to show the apostle John what would shortly come to pass. This message, though from God given to Jesus, was given to John by God’s messenger. This is not some distorted fact, for God cannot lie. He is truth, and that which is delivered from Him is truth.

The word servant is use twice in the first verse. It is the Greek word that means bond slave. The bond slave is no ordinary slave, for when we talk of slave (servant) we talk about someone who is hired to come in and do a certain kind of work for so many hours a day, so many days a week, so many weeks a year. He is paid for this, and he can quit anytime he wants and get a new master. But this word servant used here literally means the bond slave has freely chosen to stay with his master for life, and this is what Christians do when they are committed to God twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year for their entire lives. The children of God belong to God completely. They are committed to God as bond slaves. This illustrates how completely we must surrender our lives to God, for we read in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (NKJV). John was chosen to bear record—give witness—to the word of God and the testimony of Christ and to all he saw. He was an eyewitness and he concealed only that which he was instructed to conceal. Everything in this book is a record of God and the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 1:3 gives us three things we are to do in order to receive a blessing: read, hear, keep. It is a blessed thing to read the scriptures to find out how to live and walk faithfully with our Lord. It is a blessed privilege, not only to read, but to hear them read, but we must also keep that which we have read and heard faithfully; that is, keeping them in our memories, our minds, and our affections and in practice. If the time for Christ’s appearance in the clouds is at hand, then we should be more attentive as that day approaches. Here beginning with Revelation 1:4 through 3:22, the spirit, or messenger, of God is going to show John the seven churches of Asia Minor and there standing with Him. The seven churches of Asia Minor are addressed in verse 11. Now the number seven is used fifty-four times in this book or letter. Today there is nothing sacred about the number seven, but the people in Jesus’s day regarded seven as a perfect number, because it stood for completion. Even though the book was written to the seven churches of Asia Minor, its larger context applies to all the churches and the redeemed of God.

There is nothing given here or elsewhere that would give us the idea that these seven churches represent different periods of history. Some writers have suggested that these seven churches represent churches in different periods of history, but there is no textual evidence to support or discount this claim.

It is true that all of these things have been more revealing in one period of history over another. But from the context of the book, I believe that, in the time before the end, we will find all of these things consummated into the life of every church, which seems very prevalent in our day. Money, power, and the loss of our first love, who is Christ, is a mark of our day. Now we find the word grace used throughout the New Testament (2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 2:5; Zechariah 12:10). Grace refers to undeserved gifts of God’s wondrous love—peace or harmony restored between God and man through Jesus Christ. John says these come from God the Father. He is the first in the trinity. God is God, and there is no other. He is the God who is, who was, and who is to come. God is eternal, and he is from everlasting to everlasting. God is unchangeable, for He is the same God of the Old Testament and the New Testament. He is the same God of the Old Testament church that was, the New Testament church that is, and the triumphant church to come. God will redeem all who belong to him.

The Holy Spirit is called here the seven spirits of seven eyes of the Lord. Now, in Hebrews 2:4 we have mentioned the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word merismos means to divide or share. The idea is that God shares His Spirit with every born-again believer. So the idea here would be that the seven Spirits stands for the sharing of the Spirit that God gave to each one of the seven churches. It would mean that there is no Christian fellowship or assembly left without the presence, visitation, and power of the Spirit of God. It has been said of John that God found that man, for he had been faithful even in his confinement on the isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:9). Now we find in 1:5 that from eternity He was a witness to the counsel of God. He is a faithful witness and cannot be deceived and cannot deceive us, for it is not in His nature. We can depend on what He says and what He reveals. He rules the earth, and He is greater than Caesar. He is greater than Domitian. What the kings do or do not do is limited to what He allows them to do. He is working all things out for His glory, not ours. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. God loves us, for He is love and has shown it by giving us His Son to die on the Cross. God shows or displays His love for us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We are set free by His love and by our acceptance of that love. He is a friend of the church, for He washed us from our sins in his own blood. Sin leaves a stain upon the human soul, a stain of guilt and of pollution. Our sins were like rotten garbage before we accepted His love. Nothing can take out this foul smell of sin but the blood of Christ. Christ was willing to shed His own blood to purchase or pardon and purity us sinners. In Revelation 1:6 we are told we are made a kingdom of priest. In 1 Peter 2:9 we are told we are a royal priesthood. That means we can go to God for ourselves. Under the law only the priest had the right of access to God. When the Jewish men entered the temple they could pass through the court of the gentiles and the court of the women, which lead to the court of the Israelites, but they had to stop there. The court of the priest was forbidden to the people. That was as far as the Jewish male could go to the Holy of Holies. With Christ, the veil was rent, and all people could go to God for themselves (Matthew 27:5; Mark 15:38). In Revelation 1:7 we have the prediction of the second coming of Christ, and we learn His return will be public and visible. We are told every eye will see Him, and every tongue will confess to Him, and every knee shall bend before Him. In Zechariah 12:10 we find which pierced Him, which means Israelites who have not accepted Him will bow before Him in shame and disgrace.

And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. (NKJV)

This probably should not be taken to mean only those of His day who had a hand in His crucifixion, but to all of every age who have been indifferent and hostile to Him. There are those today who would, if possible, crucify Him a second time. We live in a hostile world that has rejected, for the most part, the Lord Jesus Christ. Today the phrase God and country takes on a different meaning, as some don’t believe in Him at all, and others believe in many gods.

Jude said that, in the last days just prior to the coming of the Lord for His church, a great falling away or great apostasy will take place. So we see this taking place in our day and time as never before. All shall wail because of Him. They will wail because of the terrible judgment which He will inflict upon the secular world. Revelation 1:7 says He is the Almighty, the ruler of the universe. God is still in control, not man. God is complete in every way. There is nothing lacking in Him. It is in Him that we can fully trust, for in Him all things have their being, and there is nothing lacking. He is God who was, who is, and who will be. He is God from age to age and God from everlasting to everlasting. Listen to me. He is the one in whom you can fully trust. God never stumbles, He never falls, and He never fails. There is no event in life that can separate us from the Love of God. Listen, He loves you and me, and that is why He went to the cross and died for us. Come to Him before it is too late. For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you’ (2 Corinthians 6:2, NKJV). Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Listen to Him as He speaks, for in Him is deliverance unto eternal life.

The Glorious Appearing

Revelation 1:9-10

I, John, both 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. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet. (NKJV)

In 1:9 we find that John was a faithful brother, contrary to Judas who was an apostle in Christ’s ministry, but not a brother in the family of God. If you belong to Christ through salvation, you are my brother or sister in Christ says John. You see what John is saying is that all true believers are brothers and sisters. Now you may be saying, I don’t want so and so to be my brother or sister. But, beloved, when we get fully committed to the love of God, a brother or sister’s faults can be overlooked; instead of criticizing we will be praying. There is an old Indian saying No man can criticize another man until he has walked for a day in his moccasins. John and Ezekiel could speak because they had sat where their people were sitting. We read in Ezekiel: Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days (Ezekiel 3:15, NKJV).

Not only did John identify with the people of God as a brother in the faith. He was a companion of them as well. John was an heir with them in Tribulation. (The word tribulation is translated from the Greek thlibo—pressure of events that result in persecution). Now John was undergoing persecution because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. John thought that the cause was worth suffering for, but do we? He could identify with the people of God who were suffering for the cause of Christ, for he was also suffering. Such banishment meant the loss of civil rights and all property except for just enough to live on. They were not personally mistreated; neither were they confined to prison. They had freedom of movement upon the island. But for the Christians it was different. First of all, Christians were normally put to death, and why John was not executed only God has the answer. But one thing is certain: God was not through with John. God would protect him from the fiery darts of hell. Those who have studied the Roman justice system tell us that this banishment for John would have certainly contained great affliction: scourging (severe whipping), fetters (chains or shackles), scanty clothing, insufficient food, sleeping quarters on the bare ground, a dark prison, and work under the lash of a military overseer. Now we have no record that this happened to John. Yet we do well to remember John was an aged man at this time, which may have played a role in how he was treated. Perhaps his guards, because of his age, saw fit to be more sympathetic toward him. Still, the banishment would have been unbearable unless God was with him. His banishment and hardships on the Island of Patmos were due to his steadfastness to the word of God in Christ Jesus. The Greek word Basileia means kingdom, which means the kingdom of God. This kingdom finds rest from war, pestilence, sorrow, trouble, and persecution. It finds peace and joy with Christ the King. The word patience (translated from the Greek hupomone) does not mean sitting down with folded hands and a bowed head and passively submitting to the surrounding events. No! It describes the spirit of courage and conquest, which allows for bravery in suffering turning it into glory. John and his fellow believers in Christ suffered persecution for their word and testimony, and it will take a lot of patience on the part of believers as the toll on life will be great. Jesus says in Matthew 24:13, But he who endures to the end shall be saved (NKJV). To endure affliction was to receive glory. Now do not misunderstand the word for it does not say to inflict oneself and you will received glory. Asceticism—denying oneself, or inflicting injury upon oneself—is not what the word of God is speaking about. That which is endured, whether by death or persecution for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus will one day be rewarded, and there shall be glory in knowing you have been a faithful servant. Just to hear the Savior say Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21, NKJV). Oh that will be glory, glory for me (from The Glory Song by Charles H. Gabriel, 1900). We read in 1 Peter 4:13: But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy (NKJV).

John’s unshakable loyalty to the word of God and his insistence on preaching the message of Jesus Christ brought him loneliness and great pain, but he endured. Let us endure to the end. Let us be faithful to God in this life that we may be rewarded in the life to come. Let us show loyalty to the one who gave His life for us. In Revelation 1:10 John says, I was in the spirit (NKJV). Now what on earth was he talking about? Well, it means that he was in ecstasy—a deep, joyous, emotional rapture. He was lifted beyond the things of space and time and into the world of eternity and of God. He was in a serious heavenly spiritual frame of mind under the blessed glorious influence of the Spirit of God. In Ezekiel we find these words: Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: ‘Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place!’ (Ezekiel 3:12, NKJV).

To John the voice was like that of a trumpet. This voice of God was commanding and unmistakable. It told John to write what he saw. No matter where man is, no matter how hard life has been, no matter what you may be passing through right now you can still be in the Spirit. John was and so can we if we fully trust the Lord Jesus Christ with our lives. If you are in the Spirit, even though you may feel at the moment you have been given your isle of Patmos, the glory and message of God will come to you. So keep your faith and trust in Him who has himself suffered and is able to give aid or help you in your suffering. The Lord’s Day in 1:10 is not on the Jewish Sabbath but the Christian Sabbath. Now the Sabbath commemorated the finish work of God in creation. The last day of the week (Genesis 2:2) where we find God’s finished work. God rested from His work because it was finished and it was good. Now the Lord’s Day is the first day of the week, which we as Christians observe. It commemorated the resurrection of our Lord from the grave. Jesus is alive and lives forevermore. Amen.

The Early Review

Revelation 1:11-20

Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, and, What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 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. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 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. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 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 are the seven churches. (NKJV)

In this overall passage we have the first of John’s visions. He is not called to heaven as yet to have the heavenly vision, which he will have beginning in chapter 4. Now he is given an earthly view of things to come. This passage is filled with Old Testament thought. In 1:11 John is given the instruction to write what he sees to the seven churches of Asia Minor. God has something to say concerning each one of them. In 1:12 John hears a voice behind him speaking to him, and turns to see who it is. Upon turning, the first thing that catches his eyes are the seven golden candlesticks that represent the seven churches. But also there are seven lamp stands, which represent the seven bishops of those churches. In Exodus 25:31-37 we find a candlestick of pure gold in the tabernacle. It was to have six branches, three on each side, with seven lamps to give light. In Zechariah 4:2 we read: And he said to me, ‘What do you see?’ So I said, ‘I am looking, and there is a lamp stand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps’ (NKJV). The bowl on top contained the oil that fed the seven lights. Oil is used to describe the Holy Spirit, and if the flow of oil—the Holy Spirit—is hindered, the lamp either does not function properly or it goes out altogether. The church must hold forth the light of God’s word. The church by its very identity says to the world, we have the answers to life’s problems. We offer the way to eternal life. It says to the world we have a sweet, sweet spirit in this place. To find love you must be willing to give love. If you want peace we can give you the peacemaker. If you are looking for joy in your life, we have the answer. Now all of this comes from Christ Jesus and not from man. Christ will give you joy, and it will be made to run over. In John 15:11 we read, These things I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full (NKJV). The light of God cannot be bought; no, it is a gift to those who will accept it.

Now, Christ is the head, which is the source of all light the eternal light. Here the candlesticks represent the seven churches and their light. They were to bring forth the light-bearing message of God. The light of the world is Jesus, for He is light. The church receives her power from the Light, and she is to reflect the light and glory of the head, which is Christ. Should the light fail, the lamp stand is removed. Revelation 2:5: Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place—unless you repent (NKJV). Matthew 5:14: You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden (NKJV). In Revelation 1:13 in the midst Christ stands in unbroken fellowship with His church here on earth, persecuted though they may be. Now Christ has got to be the center of the church’s activities. Christ must be the light the world sees through the local church as well as the corporate church. He must be the light that illuminates the heart of humanity. Listen to me! When the church makes God less than central, her light begins to dim and she begins to lose her identity. The light even goes out completely if the church is like the five foolish virgins of Matthew 25:1-13. If the church does not keep the Holy Spirit (oil) active in her life, and live without expectancy of the Lord’s imminent return, she loses her true identity. If the church does not stay alert to the signs of the times, the word ichabod may become her password. The word ichabod means the glory of the Lord is gone. Oh! How terrible for this to happen in any individual or church. In verses 13-15 we are given a description of the person John saw. This truly speaks of the Son of God who is none other than Jesus Christ. Again, John’s vision of God is the same as that in the seventh chapter of Daniel. Jesus also used the title Son of Man. Son of Man is the title of the Messiah. The revelation that was given to John came from none other than Christ himself.

The garment was that of the priest, prophet, and king. So John is saying that, in the ancient days, He was priest—the high priest—so He is king of kings. He is Prophet, Priest and King. A priest is a true believer in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and leads His people to acknowledge that fact as laid out in scripture. As shepherd of his flock, he is placed in authority and is expected to live a godly life that represents the one he serves, who is Jesus Christ. As priest, he would be responsible for administering the sacraments, which represents the broken body of our Lord and the blood he shed at Calvary. He is also one who has access to God, and opens the way for others to come to God. Jesus the High Priest is still carrying on His priestly work, and opening the way for us and for all men to the presence of God. The robe Jesus wore also represented royalty. He was no longer the mocked person on the cross. He is alive and is King of kings. Jesus is also a prophet, for He knows the future completely. He is the divine and supreme messenger of God. Jesus is the one who brings the truth of God. He is the one who enables others to come into the presence of God. He is the one to whom God has given power and dominion and the throne forever. The church must hold forth the light of God’s word. The church, by its very identity, says to the world, we have the answer to life’s problems. We offer the way to eternal life. It says to the world we have a sweet, sweet spirit in this place. To find love you must be willing to give love. If you want peace we can give you the peacemaker. If you are looking for joy in your life we have the answer. Now all of this comes from Christ Jesus and not from man. Christ will give you joy and it will be made to run over. John 15:11: These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full (NKJV). The light of God cannot be bought; no it is a gift to those who will accept it. Christ has promised to be with the people of God until the end of the age. He will fill the believer’s life with light, joy, and peace. Christ’s eyes were like a flame of fire. This means they were penetrating the very heart of man much as an x-ray or CT scan today. His feet being compared to fine brass carries the idea that they were strong and steadfast. In Him we find a solid foundation to build upon. A few years ago I remember a television show showing pieces of art supposedly by a known artist. People were paying large prices for them, only to find they were counterfeit. The signatures looked real, but under the eye of an expert they were found to be fakes. Now Christ’s eyes penetrate the very heart of man. He can tell whether the individual is counterfeit or not. His eyes know the author’s hand. If an individual’s life does not have the proper signature, he will not enter into kingdom of God.

Now Satan sells counterfeit life insurance. He offers peace through material things, which in one’s hour of need are not helpful. Christ says peace comes by knowing the truth, for it will set you free. John 8:32: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (NKJV). Satan does not want people to know the truth. He sells people on the idea that peace and joy come by acquiring things. Look out for number one is the kind of philosophy being taught today. Yet things can and often do cause people to worry, covet, lust, to be dissatisfied, fearful and end in suffering defeat not peace. Jesus says the Shepherd knows his sheep, and the sheep know the Shepherd’s voice. In Him we find the solid foundation to build upon. John hears what sounded to him a voice of many waters, like the voice of a great multitude. Now maybe John is speaking of the waves of the sea that surrounded him on the isle of Patmos or maybe he may have been referring to the gentleness of the Lord’s voice, or perhaps he was describing that which we find in Ezekiel 43:2: And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory (NKJV). Adam Clarke in his Commentary on the Bible, takes the view it is the latter and I am prone to agree with him. When our Lord speaks, the echo will be loud and clear and gentle. Thus the sound of many waters may be many waves. We hear the waves with one voice even though the waves are many. But the gentle waves put one at ease, and give peace.

Revelation 1:16 indicates that the seven churches of Asia Minor were held in the hand of God. He holds the whole world in His hands, as the song goes, which means that His power and authority was in His hands not the hands of the peoples. We follow His will or we follow not at all. He cares for the church for he died for it, and He will be its protector. The power that comes from the church is from Him and not man. Now in 1:20 Christ himself reveals the truth of this verse. The seven angels, who are represented by the seven stars (churches) in this verse, can also refer to the bishop-ministers of these individual churches. Christ speaks, and out of His mouth comes a two-edged sword. The meaning seems to be that true justice is in the hands of God. The point seems to be that judgment was about to be pronounced by Christ on both the rebellious Jews and persecuting Romans. His judgment was going to come to both. God will cut away the chaff. Matthew 3:12: His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (NKJV). We find Christ demanding a circumcised heart. Jeremiah 4:4: Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, And take away the foreskins of your hearts, You men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Lest My fury come forth like fire, And burn so that no one can quench it, Because of the evil of your doings (NKJV).

John is being given a preview of what will happen during the seven-year Tribulation of the Antichrist. It is during this time that the Antichrist will have full control for a short period. However, Christ, who was, who is, and who always will be, will shine forth as the sun on a cloudless day. In 1:17 this appearance of the Son of Man was more than John could bear, and he fell down lifeless. But with the hand of Christ on him, he was assured that what he saw was none other than the Christ of glory. The Christ of glory is from the beginning and will always be. He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega. John’s strength returned to him with the assuring word of his Lord. In verse 1:18 the keys of hell and death represent Hell or the unknown world of the dead. The keys are emblems of authority, opening and shutting at will the gates of Hades. Christ has been given the authority over death and Hades. It is His to unlock the gates of the brave and lead those who died in the Lord to their eternal home. Christ has been given the authority over death and Hades. It is His to unlock the fates of the grave and lead those who died in the Lord to eternal life. Christ has abolished death for the Christian all because He lives. We in the Lord will also live. Death has its gates, but Christ has the key to those gates. It is He who will let us in or lock out. At His second coming, He will unlock the door of death for the Christians, and we will go to be with Him forever. He opens and shuts at His will.

The Book of Life is a book described throughout this book. In it are written down those who accept Christ as their Savior. They receive full assurance of eternal life. In 1:19, John is instructed to write what he has seen, what he is about to see, and the future as given by Christ himself. John was given a panoramic view