Unraveling Revelation: An Understandable Commentary on the Book of Revelation

By Bill Gibbs

Have you ever read even a part of the book of Revelation and went away wondering what it meant or what God intended by including this in his Bible? This book is intended to help every layperson or preacher better understand the meaning and intention of this final book of the Bible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512796094

Bill Gibbs

William (Bill) Gibbs has served as an ordained Baptist pastor and a commissioned missionary of the North American Mission Board for more than forty years. Having attended Boyce Bible School at Southern Seminary and Luther Rice Seminary. He now brings the unique perspective of having heard from hundreds of laypersons, Sunday School teachers and preachers questions about the book of Revelation. Those questions, and years of study and ministry have prompted this commentary which is written in a style which is understandable to either layperson or theology professor.

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PART 1

BASIS FOR THE VISION

REVELATION CHAPTER 1:1–20

INTRODUCTION

Revelation 1:1–3

Verse 1: Here we encounter an important aspect of the book. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things that must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John. We should remember that these are the visions and instructions our Lord sent to John—not merely the illusions of John—and therefore they must be obeyed. The Christians of John’s day were suffering a great deal of persecution. Through this revelation, God seeks to assure them that He has not forgotten them and that there is victory to be revealed after this short season of persecution. This was intended to help them endure and be faithful, and likewise it should encourage us today in the same manner. We must remember that whatever trouble or persecution we face in life, God has not forgotten us, and we will only endure the persecution for a short time.

Verse 2: In this verse, John to whom this information was revealed is better identified. We are told, Who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. John is said to be one who preached the word of God and gave witness by living out what he had heard and seen during his lifetime. It is certain that this John could not have been John the Baptist as some have considered. However, it is a John of prominence, and it seems from the text that this John lived for some time during the lifetime of the Lord here on earth. This is further evidence that makes many of us conclude this is the apostle John, who outlived all the apostles and who it appears lived into his nineties. He would be approaching his early to mid-nineties at the time of this revelation.

Verse 3: Here is a promise given to us and to all who take the time to sit down and read this book. 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. Our Lord promises a blessing to us for this reading. And in reading we are truly blessed by the encouragement we receive in the assurance of His presence, His power, and His control. We are reminded that this is mostly a prophecy of things to come in the future at the time John received them. As we will see in chapters 1–3, it also includes a brief account of the present time in which we live. It reminds us that even this time is short.

BEGINNING OF THE LETTER

Revelation 1:4–8

Verse 4: John begins his writing in the typical style of first-century writers, naming himself at the beginning of his book. As the scroll was unrolled, the ones to whom the letter was written would know immediately who the author was. John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne. Immediately we are further told for whom this book was intended, the seven churches of Asia. These churches are identified and addressed in chapters 2 and 3. The apostle John had been the pastor of the church at Ephesus and was closely associated with the other six principle churches named in this revelation. This again adds to our belief that the John mentioned here is indeed the apostle John. (From this point forward, we will assume the apostle John was the author of this writing and simply refer to the author as John.)

John begins his address to these churches with a common Christian greeting, Grace to you and peace. The apostle Paul uses this same greeting in many of his letters to the churches in the New Testament. It is a wonderful Christian greeting extending the favor of our Lord to the reader, as well as the bond of His fellowship. This greeting is given with the clear desire that the readers not mistake John’s writing as simply a letter from a fellow associate. John wanted his readers to identify this blessing as coming not from him but from a heavenly source. He identifies this source in terms he knew they would quickly identify: Him who is and who was and is to come. This is clearly a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ who had come to earth in His incarnation, lived out His earthly mission, died on Calvary, arose from the grave, and ascended on high. There are some who feel this is a reference to the Trinity of the Godhead because Jesus is mentioned later in this chapter in verse 5. However, because Jesus arose from the grave and is living, John can say correctly, He is. Also, because Jesus died and is now ascended, John also refers to Him as He was. By identifying Jesus in this way, John gives everyone this reminder concerning the future: who is to come. Therefore, it seems that the simplest and most logical understanding of the passage is to identify this reference as Jesus Christ our Lord.

He makes one further reference about this source, which is greatly debated among scholars. The reference to which I refer is from the seven Spirits. Some believe this to be the seven angels of the seven churches referred to in this section of the book. However, this is unlikely since they are said to be before the throne. While angels are spirits, it is doubtful that they would be before the throne. We must conclude that the throne spoken of here is the throne of God where the Father is seated with the Son at His right hand. If that conclusion is correct, John’s mention of the seven Spirits is most likely a reference to the Holy Spirit. The use of the number seven then is not to be taken as a literal number, for the Holy Spirit is one person as part of the Holy Trinity. The number seven must refer to the completeness of the gifts that He possesses to give to the saints in their service to the Lord Jesus.

Verse 5a: John continues his identification of the source of this blessed revelation to the seven churches as being from Jesus Christ. John explains, 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 us from our sins in His own blood. As explained earlier, there are those who feel this is redundant if it is Jesus who is referred to in verse 4. However, John wants to make sure he leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind regarding where this revelation came from, and therefore he gives further description of its source. Not only does he name Jesus Christ but he also describes Him in such terms that He cannot be mistaken for any other—firstborn of the dead and the ruler over the kings of the earth. There is no other person to whom this description could be ascribed. This revelation is from the Son of God to His people of all the ages.

Verse 5b and 6: At this point John breaks into a glorious doxology to Jesus for all He has done for His people, and he glorifies Christ as the giver of the revelation message he is about to announce. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Having been chosen to give and record this revelation as John thinks of the one who has chosen him, he praises Him as the one who loved us. It is somewhat unfortunate that this is translated in the past tense. While it is most accurate to the original Greek text, some of the newer translations have adjusted it to the present tense. Translating the text in this way better reflects the nature of God’s love for His people because His love is not in the past but is continual in every age. It is eternal and never ending. He loves us still. The fact that John uses the past tense in this statement should only reflect to us that God has loved us and has shown that love in the past by allowing His Son to come to us and die for us on the cross. Only in this way is the love of God in the past. His love is ever present, and this revelation shows the future of that love.

John continues his doxology of praise to God with the phrase washed us. How appropriate that we should remember this as a reason for praising the Lord Jesus. Our present-day lives and all our future glories are the result of having been washed in His blood. It is the blood that makes the difference, and we must never forget that the blessing of our salvation and the forgiveness of our sins rest not upon what we have done; rather our salvation and forgiveness come from the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus. We are clean and forgiven because of the blood that is applied to us. That makes us acceptable to Almighty God, who is holy.

John gives us one reminder of this blessing from the previous thought of our being washed and acceptable before God. He goes another step further in reminding his readers that having been washed, they are not just acceptable to God. Because we are washed and accepted, He has made us His kings and priests. This is the basis by which we become fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17); we are royalty to the Almighty.

Then he concludes this doxology with this thought. Because of all the ways we are blessed by God, He is worthy of all praise and glory and power throughout the ages.

Verse 7: With the foundation laid for the source of this revelation, John now begins with a projection into the future. Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. John’s statement reminds the reader that what presently is, is not all there is. Behold, He is coming with the clouds tells the reader that Jesus is coming again in spite of all who would say otherwise and in spite of the unbelief, evil, and persecution that are a part of every society. Jesus is coming in power and with Him is judgment upon all the injustice and evil of this world. (See Matthew 24:30–31, Daniel 7:13–14, Isaiah 19:1.) Our first look into the future of this revelation is a fast-forward to the end of the great tribulation period when Jesus returns to earth to bring judgment and victory over Satan. This is the beginning of the period of time known among scholars as the millennium. (See Revelation 19:11.)

John’s statement, every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him, points to the judgment of all who reject the Lord and most certainly those who were guilty of His crucifixion. The statement continues with All the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. This reminds us that all the earth is guilty before Him. We are not saved because of our heritage or our genealogy but by what we do with Christ, who alone is Savior and Redeemer. In spite of the fact that many will fall under the righteous judgment of our Lord, John concludes with Amen or so be it.

Verse 8: At this point John announces that he has received a heavenly declaration concerning the revelation. He is to record and share the visions that will come as part of that revelation. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. The description that follows is clearly from the Lord Jesus: I am the Alpha and the Omega. These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and are explained in the phrase the Beginning and the End. Now the Lord describes Himself as John had described Him in verse 4, who is and who was and who is to come. But there is more in this verse from the mouth of Jesus as He identifies Himself as the Almighty. This proclamation declares the deity of our Lord and leaves no doubt that He is part of the Holy Trinity, the Almighty God.

JOHN’S RECEPTION OF THE VISION OF THE REVELATION

Revelation 1:9–20

Verse 9: John turns his attention to the actual reception of the vision and commission of the revelation. 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. He begins by reminding everyone of his situation: your brother and companion in the tribulation. He was aware of their suffering and persecution, and likewise he was in exile on the island of Patmos. We are reminded at this point that John had been pastor of the church at Ephesus and a leading figure in the churches of the area. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons he was exiled for preaching and leading the Christians of those churches. This should remind us that persecution is always most severe to the leadership of God’s church. However, they were all suffering persecution under the pagan rule of the Roman government because of their testimony and witness to the word of God. John reminds his readers that he is not exempt from that persecution and knows full well its extent.

It should be mentioned that there were others who persecuted Christians at this point, namely the Jews. It was, however, the Roman government that was the primary source of the persecution, which affected the churches to which John sent this letter.

Verse 10: I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet. The announcement and call to record the revelation came to John on the Lord’s day, on Sunday. (See 1 Corinthians 16:2.) For many years, by the time John was called upon to record this message from Jesus, Christians had been worshipping on the day of the resurrection, Sunday. John states that he was in the Spirit when he received this call. That is, he was in a spirit of worship. Even though he was in solitude and alone, he still found it necessary to worship and found fellowship with the Lord, the Almighty. This should tell us something about John’s faithfulness to the Lord. While he was in this near trancelike state, a loud voice shook him into reality. He describes the voice as being as of a trumpet. There was no mistaking or failing to hear this call. He was to wake up and carry out this new work to which His Lord was calling him.

Verse 11: Here we have the description of the Lord’s call to John as he quotes Jesus’s command to him, 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.’ Again, as in verse 8, Jesus identifies Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. We should note here that, as reflected in many of the newer translations like the New International Version (NIV) and New American Standard Bible (NASB), this phrase is left out. This is because in some of the oldest manuscripts, this phrase is absent. Older translations, such as the King James Version (KJV), which are translated from the majority text, include the phrase. Regardless of which version of text is used for the translation of this verse, it is clear the speaker here is the Lord Jesus.

His command to John is likewise clear. He is giving him a revelation and a command: what you see, write in a book. He was not simply to verbally pass it along but to write it in a book, which at the time would have been a scroll. The importance of this statement is that it allows us to understand the importance the Lord associated with this revelation. It was not only to be communicated in the immediate future but also to be preserved for future generations. This revelation was not intended to be a reminder of God’s faithfulness and encouragement to present-day readers but to readers of every generation. (See Revelation 1:3.)

Further, the command stated to whom the revelation was intended. Again we notice that this was not just for John in his persecution and loneliness but also for the seven churches which are in Asia. He follows this statement with a list of those seven churches—the seven churches with which John was closely associated and may have had some oversight. But the inference is more likely to be considered as not just the seven churches that were named but also the church of all ages. Otherwise, why would it have been important to write it down to be preserved? This is a revelation to the church age, which is represented by the seven churches of Asia.

Verse 12: As the Lord spoke, John turned to see the One from whom the voice was coming. Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands. Upon turning around, John describes what he saw. This begins the record of the vision presented to Him. Up to now we have had a record of what John heard, but now we begin the record of what John saw and experienced in the revelation. One thing we should note here is that every vision should begin with our Lord. If our vision does not begin with Him, it is suspect and likely flawed.

The first thing John sees when he turns around is seven golden lampstands. The earliest origin for this vision comes from God’s instruction to Moses for the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 25:32–37, and we see it again in Zechariah 4:2. There is a difference in the lampstand of the Old Testament and the vision John sees here. In both the Exodus and Zechariah accounts, lampstand is singular. In the Revelation account, John sees seven lampstands, plural. This seems to indicate that there are seven individual lampstands, whereas in the Old Testament accounts, there is one lampstand upon which are seven lights. The possible explanation for this is that in the Old Testament accounts, the lampstand was intended to symbolize the nation of Israel and its mission of giving the light of God to the world. Therefore it is a single lampstand. But there is little doubt that the seven lights on that lampstand were intended to represent the churches that God would use under the new covenant in the church age, otherwise known as the age of grace. In the New Testament, the church age is the period of time through which God extends His grace to all who believe and through whom He works and builds up His kingdom. Whether or not this is correct, it is certain that the seven golden candlesticks represent the seven churches to whom this revelation is addressed. (See Revelation 1:20.) The fact that they are made of gold speaks to the value, preciousness, and purity of the church that Jesus is using for the purpose of His kingdom.

Verse 13: Continuing his address, John tells us, 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 now describes the One he sees in the vision as One like the Son of Man amid the candlesticks. This symbolizes to us and reminds us that He, the Son of Man, is the one who unifies the church and is at the center of all its undertaking. In Revelation 2:1, we are told that He walks in the midst of the churches. Here we see this vision of Christ in the midst of the churches of John’s age and likewise throughout the church age.

Next we find the description of the clothing this Son of Man wears in the vision. He is seen wearing a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. The vision of this clothing is associated with the description of Daniel’s vision in Daniel 7:9–14. There it is associated with the Ancient of Days and two thrones upon which they are seated, the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man. This clothing is often classified with the clothing of dignity of three types of people: prophet, priest, and king. These three types are signified here. The Son of Man, having given His life as the sacrifice for sin and overcoming the grave in His resurrection, is seated with Almighty God. Following His ascension, He has been given a name that is above every other name and an office to which no other could ascend. He is our Prophet, Priest, and King. (See Philippians 2:9.)

Verse 14: John goes on with the description of the One he saw. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire. In the continuing vision his head and hair were white like wool. This too is a throwback to the vision seen in Daniel 7:9. This vision is reminiscent of Luke 9:29 in which Jesus is transfigured with His future glory before James, John, and Peter. That transfiguration was only for a time and had vanished by the time they came down from the mountain. Here, now seated at the right hand of the Father, we see Him in His eternal glory. This most likely signifies to all His purity, infiniteness, and wisdom.

Next we are told his eyes are like a flame of fire. This symbolizes that He is all knowing. Because of His all-seeing gaze, He is all knowing and looks upon His church and His people (Daniel 10:6, Mark 3:5, 34; 10:21) to know their ways and understand them. This reminds us that Jesus sees and knows everything about our situation, whether we are suffering under persecution or are failing to carry out His purpose for our lives in sin.

Verse 15: His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. We are told here that the One in this vision also had feet like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace. Along with this vision, there is a parallel one in Daniel 10:4–6. In Daniel’s vision, where he is in captivity in much the same state as John, he sees a likeness that is quite similar to the one John now sees. The feet of brass seem to represent the steadfastness, speed, and power for judgment possessed by this Son of Man. Certainly one of the things that would have been on the mind of John and his fellow Christians would be God’s judgment on those who were so dreadfully persecuting them. We too are reminded that our Lord sees and knows what is taking place in our world and that the day will come when He, with feet of brass, will bring righteous judgment on those who persecute His people and hinder their work in His kingdom.

John describes His voice as the sound of many waters. This simply implies that the words spoken were clear, powerful, and authoritative.

Verse 16: John continues, 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. The seven stars held in His right hand are symbols of the seven pastors of the seven churches to whom John is to write. (See Revelation 1:20.) God’s pastors are held in God’s hand. This reminds us that they are secure and under His control.

We are further told in this verse that in the vision John saw out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. This is the word of God, which is strong, powerful, and convicting. In the first chapter of Genesis, God spoke the world and all creation into existence. When God speaks, it is powerful! The same is true throughout all generations. In Hebrews 4:12 we also see the word of God in its power to pierce and convict. (Regarding the power of God’s word, also see 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Revelation 2:16 and 19:15.) It is no different in the future. God’s word is powerful, and the future brings judgment to those who have refused to surrender to His authority.

The vision of the One giving this revelation ends with John describing His appearance as being like the sun shining in its strength. He sees the Lord as strong and radiant in all His glory.

Verse 17: 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.’ John’s encounter with the Lord caused this reaction: I fell at His feet as dead. Face-to-face with the splendor of His majesty and holiness, John falls before the Lord. This is not unlike others of the Bible. (See Isaiah 6:5 or Daniel 8:16–17.) When we come face-to-face with the Lord, it is overpowering. His splendor and awesomeness are simply overwhelming. Likewise, when faced with the holiness of God, we like Isaiah in chapter 6 are driven to our knees by the reality of our sinfulness. John is no different.

However, the Lord reassures John by touching him and again speaking to him, saying, I am the First and the Last. The Lord’s touch and His words of who He is were the assurance John needed to strengthen him for the task God had for him. His touch and word reassure believers of all ages as we carry on the task of building His kingdom under His guidance and power.

Verse 18: It seems evident from the text that at this point the Lord speaks of His own identity. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and Death. The Lord continues to identify Himself with these words: I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. This further explains who is speaking and His power and much more. This speaks to the extent of what Jesus has done and His ability to carry out what He is going to do in the future. He reminds John that He is alive. He overcame death. His point is if death could not defeat Him or hold Him, then, as the living Lord, He is able to bring to pass the promise of the future blessing to His people and judgment to His enemies. There is a further point to this statement that has a great impact on those who trust Him as their Savior. He has abolished death and brought about life to all who will believe.

He also says to John, I have the keys of Hades and of Death. This signifies that Jesus alone has the authority over Death and Hell. He alone is the final Judge regarding who will enter heaven and hell. Not Satan, nor any other power or person in all of creation, Christ alone! Satan cannot steal those who belong to Christ. He can torment and cause us to lose our peace, testimony, hope, and even our assurance from time to time if we let him, but he cannot steal what belongs to Jesus alone: our salvation.

Verse 19: Following this encounter, John records the command he received from Jesus: Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. This is a three-part message to be revealed and is a general outline of the book. He was to write the things which you have seen. These are past things he had witnessed through his life with Jesus up until His death, resurrection, and ascension. This is the first chapter of this revelation. He was also commanded to write the things which are. This is the present age in which John was living, the church age. This is chapters 3 and 4, where the revelation message is sent to the seven churches of Asia. Lastly he was instructed to write, the things which will take place after this. These are the events of the future, following the church age. This will include chapters 4 through 22. There will be interludes where the vision will look back or forward, and events will not always be in chronological order but will generally follow this outline.

We also find another interesting aspect in this verse that helps to interpret the events of the revelation. That is the use of what the translators of the King James Version translated as after this. It is helpful to notice each time this phrase shows up in the text. It denotes a change either in the events taking place or the location of those events. It is helpful to notice this because at times we will see things that are taking place in heaven and at other times the event being described is taking place on earth. This phrase almost always marks the immediate time after the previous event.

Verse 20: As this section ends, Jesus gives us the explanation of the symbols that we have already seen and what they represent. 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. He explains, The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. In heaven, angels created beings that are messengers of God. Here our Lord describes the pastors of His churches as angels, or His messengers to His people in the church. He then defines the seven golden lampstands. These are the seven churches. There will be many symbols throughout this book that are debatable and hard to understand, but these symbols are beyond debate.

PART 2

THE CHURCH AGE

REVELATION 2:1–3:22

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