Book of Revelation - Complete Verse by Verse Commentary

By Bill Belew

? Do you need help decoding the visions in the Book of Revelation? Unravel their meaning today and walk more securely in your faith. ?

 

Are you a dedicated student grappling with God's last book? Would you like to unravel the messages seemingly hidden in this final Word? Do you want an engaging commentary that combines scholarly analysis with practical insights? Look no further than veteran missionary, Bill Belew, PhD, MFA, a seasoned Bible teacher with vast experience teaching this book in multiple countries and cultures. With his insightful and direct approach, delve deeper into this often-misunderstood final book of the Bible.

 

The Book of Revelation Verse-by-Verse Commentary is a trusted resource that has enlightened 1000s of Bible students, empowering them to unlock the profound truths within this extraordinary biblical text. Through clear and easy-to-understand language, Dr. Belew unveils the symbolism and significance behind each verse of Revelation. In this invaluable commentary, readers will uncover the meaning behind:

 

✔️ The Seven Churches of Asia; identify their relevance today.
✔️ The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; discern their presence in our world.
✔️ The Mark of the Beast; unravel its mystery and implications.
✔️ 666; understand its symbolic significance.
✔️ The 1,000-Year Reign; explore its various interpretations.
✔️ Streets of Gold; interpret the vivid imagery..
✔️ And much, much more.

 

This commentary serves as your essential companion to decipher the timeless message unveiled in God's final revelation. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or new to the faith, The Book of Revelation Verse-by-Verse Commentary offers invaluable insights to foster personal growth and spiritual development. The reader is challenged to engage deeply with the text and be inspired to make transformative action in their lives.

 

If you admire the works of William Hendriksen, Sam Storms, and Kim Riddlebarger, then Bill Belew's seasoned commentary on Revelation is a must-have addition to your library. Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your understanding of God's last Word.

 

? Click "Add to Cart" now and embark on your transformative exploration! ?

• Language: English
• Publisher: GrowingUpAimi
• Release date: Aug 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201001933

Book preview

Preface

I have good news.

The bad news we read about daily is not the end of the story.

God has the last word. The Creator of Time knows how and when everything will play out.

The Good News is we win! God’s people win.

The Gospels are the story of how Jesus overcame death. The Book of Revelation is the story of how we overcome death.

Questions:

Are we on the verge of WW III?

Are the invasions the beginning of the end?

Has the Bible predicted these days all along?

Is the end near?

Can we find encouragement in the final book of the Bible - The Revelation of Jesus Christ?

Answers:

It might be.

It might be.

We have been in the ‘last days’ ever since Jesus arrived the 1st time and the church was born on Pentecost.

The end is nearer now than it has ever been. In fact, Jesus’ return has always been imminent and it has been our place to ALWAYS be prepared.

Yes. Yes! Yes!! The very purpose of the last book of the Bible is to provide reasons for us, the believers, to be encouraged. No matter what.

There has never been a better time to read and understand this marvelous book.

Welcome.

Overview - Chapter 1

There seems to be one predominant message developed in this first chapter of the Revelation of Jesus Christ and that is Christ and His Relationship to the Church.

In the first four words of this chapter, we can see this already. Whether it is translated as Revelation of or from Jesus Christ we can see that Christ is immediately involved. And it is so true that Christ is involved in the church.

Another central theme that is carried through the first chapter is the fact that Christ gives John much assurance.

If John who calls himself a fellow participant in the tribulation, in the kingdom, and the perseverance in Jesus can gain assurance so also can all the members of the church. Again we can see Christ in His relationship to the church. That is providing assurance to its members whether it involves the things which are certain to come to pass shortly or involves the fulfillment of the blessing which is promised to anyone who reads the words of this prophecy.

In verses 4 and 5, John states his name, destination, and his greeting. But more importantly, he reveals a relationship that exists among the Father, Holy Spirit, and Son. That relationship is united in that God in these three distinct personalities is active, alive, and functioning. Whether He is acting as the God of History or the eternal one or acting in his many diverse functions on our behalf as a spirit as designated by the seven spirits or setting himself as the example of the faithful martyr, the firstborn of the dead or the ruler over the kings of the earth is unimportant.

What is important is that He is active, alive, and functioning and that there is a relationship involved in the Godhead which assures us that Christ has a relationship with His church.

In verses 7 and 8, the emphasis is placed on the person of Christ.

And the element which shines forth is the continuing majesty - Behold he comes with the clouds.

In the verses following, John gets a glimpse of this great and magnificent Christ and is told to write down those things which he sees. The element of assurance is again brought out. Those things revealed to John are to be recorded so that they can be passed on and studied by others, not merely as John’s words but as God’s words. How great it is to know that God has spoken and his words are recorded! The vision John receives is fantastic and recorded in the words the Holy Spirit deemed best to use.

Who can argue that?

A most interesting element, despite John’s description of the magnificence of Christ in the many descriptive terms, is John’s response to what he saw. He fell at his (Christ’s) feet as if dead. John had great respect, reverence, and fear concerning Christ. And in response to John’s reaction, Christ gently placed his right hand on him saying Fear not. What a comfort that must have been to John. John’s relationship to Christ and vice versa is one we need to be aware of and one we must certainly envy.

Christ then spoke words of consolation. I am the first and the last, the living one who died and now lives on eternal. It had to be a great consolation to John to know that the one whom he was before has been around for eternity. Surely if John could be consoled so should we be able to be consoled.

In closing Christ again tells John to write those things which are and which are about to happen. Certainly, we can see this also is for assurance purposes. However, in the final verse, the theme of the entire chapter becomes apparent. The one in the midst of the seven golden lampstands holding the seven stars we know is Christ and he holds what is revealed to us as the messengers of the seven churches in his right hand, the same hand that comforted John and held the keys of death and Hades.

The whole of this emphasizes that Christ is in the midst of his churches and that he holds the messengers in his right hand. Christ is in control. The message to us is to realize that Christ has this relationship with his church and from this, we can gain comfort.

Chapter 1 - Verse by Verse

—— Revelation of Jesus Christ ——

1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ - both of and from Jesus Christ. Christ is immediately involved. The message of the first chapter is Christ with his people. Revelation, not mystery. Opposite of mystery. Something is made known, not hidden,

which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants - from God through Christ. Christ is involved. Christians are His bondservants. Relationship, assurance - we belong to Christ.

the things which must shortly take place; - assurance term, not time-wise (chronology). Things are certain, they will come quickly enough for John to know.

and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John - The angel is a messenger of God. Something God uses to carry out a certain function. Not important to identify. Identification is not made clear. Notice the number of times He or His is used. God or Christ with His people.

2. who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Christ - carries the idea of John’s life’s witness and knowledge of the Word of God as an apostle or servant of Christ. It has the idea of John being a martyr, a complete and lasting dedication, an example that we need to follow and learn from.

to all that he saw - assurance, John saw and experienced all these things. Not second-hand. If it assures John it should assure us.

3. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, - not necessarily predictive but more proclaiming as a preacher does. Only book with a guaranteed blessing. But there are conditions to be met. It must be read and heard - listened to.

and heed the things which are written in it - heed, keep in heart and mind, to not let go. When the message is read and kept then comes the blessing. The same applies to us in our lives. We must read and heed.

for the time is near - assurance, the message is now. The time is coming quickly when the message of the book needs to be known to have comfort. The time is now for us. It is a message we need to know in our lives to have encouragement to persevere.

—— Message to Churches in Asia ——

4. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: - Author. The destination is general, to all.

Grace to you and peace - Greek and Hebrew background. The message is to go to all. Including us.

from Him who is and who was and who is to come, - shows God is eternal. Important figure. Brought out later. Figures are important.

and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne - helps us to comprehend the many functions of the Spirit. Tells us that God functions on our behalf as a Spirit.

5. and from Jesus Christ - the greeting comes from all three. It shows a definite relationship that exists between the Three. In the Godhead. This assures us to know that Christ will have a relationship with us. It tells us that he can have a relationship with us if we give ourselves to Him.

the faithful witness, - Christ is the faithful martyr, he is the example.

the firstborn from the dead, - 1 Cor. 15:20 first-fruit, he was the beginning of a family that we will become a part of. He was what we anticipate. Shows that Christ has a relationship with His people. Col. 1:18 He is the Head of the body.

and the ruler of the kings of the earth. – shows Christ’s position at the top.

To Him who loves - present and continuing love.

and released us from our sins by His blood - released is past and completed. We have been long loosed from our sins.

6. and He made us a kingdom - we are part of Christ’s reign. The Kingdom was Christ’s word that he used in referring to the church. Christ reigns over us.

priests to His God and Father - the priesthood of all believers. We don’t need to go to someone to have access to God. In the O.T. the function of the priest was to pray or make intercession to God. We can do that now without a priest.

to Him the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. - Christ receives all glory and power. He has all strength. Praise goes to Him. So be it!

7. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS - Dan. 7:13, Zech. 12:10. It Shows Christ’s majesty is continuing.

and EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM, EVEN THOSE WHO PIERCED HIM; AND ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH WILL MOURN OVER HIM. So it is to be. Amen. - the emphasis is on the person of Christ. It shows His supremacy and glory. Because of His position, it denotes coming judgment. It does apply to the 2nd coming but the emphasis is on the person.

8. I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’ - It does not matter who is doing the speaking. One or the other is and John can know that he had better do some listening. We’d better listen up also. This passage again shows the endless nature of God.

—— John’s Vision on Patmos ——

9. I, John, your fellow-partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance in Jesus, - John shows his relationship to the reader. Tribulation is a theme. Perseverance – holding up under. John identifies with the reader so that the reader can identify with the message.

was on the island called Patmos - his location.

because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. - John tells us that his persecution is a direct result of his witness to Christ. We can know that we will be persecuted because we live for Christ. If we aren’t, something is wrong.

10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, - John is brought into the spirit realm. John is taken somewhere he has never been. We can understand why it is that John uses figures so much. We can understand things only physically, but John has to describe spiritual things using figurative terms. The best way to describe things is through figures.

and I heard behind me a loud voice like of a trumpet - behind designates surprising or suddenness. Loud designates awakening and distinctness. God is speaking

11. saying, "Write in a book what you see, - Write is for assurance purposes. What John hears and sees he can be so sure of that he is told to write it down to be kept. He sees and is not told. What John will see is a first-hand experience. This is assurance for us.

send to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea. - the message is to go to all the churches. No specific church is designated possibly to show that it is to go to all believers. Including us.

12. Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; - voice speaking means John was being communicated with. This begins a series of figures that are to be taken as a whole, not separate. Look at the entire picture.

13. and in the middle of the lampstands - note position.

one like a son of man - this is a term that was used to designate a person as being God’s man. This was Jesus’ favorite reference to Himself. The emphasis is that this is God’s man in His service. It is Jesus that is going to be described by John in the following passages. Remember John is limited in His words.

clothed in a robe reaching to His feet and girded across His breast with a golden sash.- this figure reminds us of the priests in the O.T. or the kings and the way they were dressed. Especially their beauty.

14&15. His head and His hair were white like wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of many waters. – John probably went to great pains in His choice of words but wanted to describe what he saw as best he could. From the whole picture, we can see a great and glorious Christ.

16. In His right hand he held seven stars, - This is the Hand that does. The figure is explained later.

and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. - the whole picture gives the grandeur of being in the presence of Christ. The picture John saw would be very ugly. This supports John’s use of figurative language. John used the best words that the Holy Spirit deemed possible.

17. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man - John had great respect and reverence and fear concerning Christ. If John has this type of attitude toward Christ it should tell us something about the type of attitude we should have. And John probably had a lot more desirable relationship with Christ, than we do.

And He placed His right hand upon, - this is the same hand that held the seven stars.

saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the