It is essentially Jesus Christ’s Revelation. God gave it to Him, and He, by His angel, gave it to the Apostle John, who put it into the hands of Christ’s servants. These are to be found in the church, which has been in building nearly two thousand years, and is nearing completion.
The Apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ were special servants; all saints, however, in the days of the church, whether men or women, are servants. In Amos 3:7 we read “surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” True to His word, God has let us into the secret of “things which must shortly come to pass.” This Revelation, be it noted, is “the word of God,” and it is written “the word of our God shall stand forever” (Isa. 40:8).
That the godly remnant of the Jews will also read it after the church is gone, is clear from Revelation 13:18. The number of the beast—666—will be discernible to those who will have the understanding when he is revealed. That they will read both the Old and New Testament is certain. Not only will they see their position clearly outlined in the Psalms but they will also be guided by the Lord’s own words—“when therefore ye shall see the abomination of desolation which is spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in [what is a] holy place (he that reads, let him understand:) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matt. 24:15-16).
John, chosen by the Lord to write the Revelation, was a fisherman who had no formal theological training, or educational distinction. He obtained his spiritual education by companying with his Master for three and a half years. When called to follow Him, the Lord surnamed him “Boanerges,” meaning “a son of thunder.”
Feeling righteous indignation at the treatment meted out to Jesus by the Samaritans, he sought permission to command fire to come down from heaven to consume them. Before long he imbibed the Spirit of the Lord, and in the end we find him leaning on Jesus’ breast, and he is referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20). Love is a predominating feature of his first epistle, yet he is the Holy Spirit’s penman for what is preeminently a book of judgment.
The Book of Revelation is unique in respect of the blessing which attaches to those who read it (Rev. 1:3). It is sad to think that some have not sought this special blessing through indolence or lack of willingness to apply themselves to the study of the book. Forbearance is needed in our discussions, but the conversational Bible reading is the theological training ground for the Christian.
The things written in the prophecy are to be kept as a secret in the family of God. The great white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15), may legitimately be mentioned in the preaching of the gospel, but it is written “those things which are revealed belong unto us, and to our children forever” (Deut. 29:29). It is no doubt for this reason that in the Revelation we are not given details of the judgments which will fall on the earth after the church is gone, in their historical sequence. It is my belief that God wrote it in such a way as to elude the curiosity of the natural man. Men of the world do read it. For example, the late W. L. M. King, frequently Prime Minister of Canada, whose occult proclivities were notorious, frequently referred to “the new heavens and the new earth.” “The time is at hand” for bringing to pass the things written in the prophecy. “The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision” (Ezek. 12:23). If the time was at hand in John’s day, surely “now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Rom. 13:11). In the book of Revelation, I think we see that God has before Him the glory of Christ, and oh! matchless grace, the place and blessing of the church, with the predominating theme of judgment on those opposed to such thoughts. The church too, we may bear in mind, is the church of God “which He has purchased with the blood of His own” (Acts 20:28 JND). The reader is referred to the fifth chapter of Revelation for the glory of Christ; the twenty first and twenty second chapters for the God given glory of the church.
The events to take place are mostly within what is now known as “the West,” a term describing what men once universally called “Christendom.” Within this sphere we have the judgment of the professing church, Babylon, the Beast, and the ten kings and their armies (the revived Roman Empire) and the Antichrist. The judgments to fall particularly on the Roman earth are to be found here. The reason for this takes us back to Psalm 2. There we read “the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed” (Psa. 2:2). This conspiracy of the Jew and the Roman took place at the cross. God has other thoughts and says “yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion” (Psa. 2:6). To do this God must raise up for judgment the powers which conspired against Christ and crucified Him. These powers are the Jew and the Roman. This explains the general site of the judgments as the land of Israel and the lands controlled by the old Roman Empire. Other and stupendous judgments are to take place at the time of the end, but as these do not relate to Christ and the church they are not given in the Revelation.
John’s Message to the Seven Churches
John, then, addresses “the seven churches which are in Asia.” Asia, or Asia Minor, the Turkey of today, was the especial sphere of the apostolic labors of Paul and his companions, and there were many more churches than seven in Asia when John wrote. The number seven represents completeness, and in addressing seven churches his word was to convey the mind of the Lord completely respecting them of which more hereafter. The salutation of grace and peace is not from God the Father. That special relationship of saints in the Christian era is not found in the book. We find God represented as “Him which is, and which was, and which is to come.” This is the One of whom it is written “from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God” (Psa. 90:2). Seven spirits are before His throne—plenitude of divine power for the work contemplated in Revelation. “A short work will the Lord make upon the earth” (Rom. 9:28).
The saints, having been “reconciled to God by the death of His Son” (Rom. 5:10) are not objects of judgment. Rather the message of grace and peace comes to them from the One about to pour out judgments on the earth. The salutation comes from Jesus Christ. The mention of His name brings a threefold testimony concerning Himself:
First—“The faithful witness.” We find this faithful witness in Psalm 40:9—“I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained My lips, O Lord, Thou knowest.” And again in 1 Timothy 6:13, “Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.”
Secondly—“Firstborn from the dead.” “God ... raised Him up from the dead” (1 Pet. 1:21). Having purged our sins, He “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3).
Thirdly—“The Prince of the kings of the earth.” Risen from the dead, Jesus said to His disciples “all power is given unto Me, in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). In 1 Peter 3:21-22 we read “Jesus Christ, who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.”
The presentation of Jesus Christ completely overwhelms the heart of John, who breaks forth into that much loved and well known ascription of praise “to Him who loves us, and has washed us from our sins in His blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be the glory and the might to the ages of ages. Amen.”
Christ indeed has loved us and “given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor” (Eph. 5:2). That was the past, undying expression of His love which many waters could not quench. He loves us in the present and says “continue ye in My love” (John 15:9). We shall bask in the sunshine of His love, throughout eternal days, for Jesus Christ is “the same, yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).
“And when with Him beyond the skies,
Though raptures new my spirit thrill,
This well-known song shall ever rise,
He loved me and He loves me still.”
He “has washed us from our sins in His own blood.” John saw the soldier with a spear pierce His side, and saw the cleansing flow of blood and water (John 19:34)—so in his epistle he writes “the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
He “has made us a kingdom,” a kingdom not of this world assuredly, “for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17). “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God” (Luke 14:15).
He has made us priests to His God and Father. “An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). “Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end” (Eph. 3:21).
“Behold, He cometh with clouds ... ” (v. 7). This is the fulfillment of the Lord’s own words to Caiaphas “hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64). It will also be the fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10—“and they shall look upon ME whom they have pierced.” The Rabbis have sought in vain to find a pretext for changing “ME” into “HIM” but without success. The Jews used the Romans for their purpose, but Jesus said to Pilate “he that delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin” (John 19:11). What a sight will that be in the heavens—the Son of Man with power and great glory, come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. Well might they wail! Even so, Amen.
The Alpha and Omega of verse 8 is the “I AM” of Exodus 3:14, who appeared to Moses in the bush which burned yet was not consumed. He is Jesus who said to the Jews—“before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).
John, although an Apostle, and one who enjoyed the special favor of the Lord, humbly takes his place with the rest of the saints as their brother “and fellow-partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and patience in Jesus” (v. 9). He was a prisoner in the island of Patmos for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus. All are not agreed as to which Emperor banished him, but in any case he was only unwittingly accomplishing the will of God, who had a special work for John to do. He “became in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” It was not that he did not have the Holy Spirit indwelling always, but the special power of the Holy Ghost was felt, regardless of his solitary situation, on the Lord’s Day—that is “the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7). He was in a suitable moral condition to receive communications from the Lord, and did so, hearing behind him a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying “What thou seest write in a book.” This was to be sent to the seven churches in Asia, which are now specifically mentioned. Turning to see the voice that spoke, he sees seven golden lamps. Of these we will write later.
John’s Vision of Christ as Judge
Our attention is now focused on the majestic Person appearing in the midst of the golden lamps. He was “like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot.” It was the garment of judicial authority, worn now by the Son of Man—a Judge! Thus had Jesus said in John 5:22—“for the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” He is “girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle” that is to say divine righteousness is holding in His affections! A Savior once, a Judge now! How solemn. “His head and hair white like white wool, as snow.” He is “the Ancient of Days” of Daniel 7:9.
At this point we might ask ourselves whom or what He is judging. Clearly not believers, for there is no condemnation “to them who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Just as clearly not the lost who are judged at the beginning (Matt. 25) and the end of His Kingdom (Rev. 20). It is rather the thought that judgment must begin at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). Christ is seen as judge on earth. He is also seen in the midst of seven candlesticks so clearly He is judging that collective thing which professed to give light to man on earth in His Name. This is the key. It is the judgment, not of the whole church of God (although included) but of the entire professing church, which includes believers and unbelievers. He is judging those who professed His Name in the world whether that profession be feigned or real. The parable of the grain of mustard seed explains this. Christianity began like a grain of mustard seed—the least of all seeds. When grown “it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof” (read Matt. 13:31-32). Now the work of responsible man, making a great outward profession in the world, must be weighed in the balances, so to speak, to see if it be found wanting. With this clearly understood we can continue.
“His eyes as a flame of fire”—nothing can be hidden from those piercing eyes! “Who shall stand when He appeareth, for He is like a refiner’s fire” (Mal. 3:2).
“His feet like fine brass, as burning in a furnace”—stamping iniquity out of the universe of God.
“His voice as the voice of many waters”—Awesome! Overpowering!
“Having in His right hand seven stars.”—In verse 20 we were told that the seven stars are the angels (or representatives) of the seven churches. The One who holds the ocean in the hollow of His hand, has also room there for those “angels” who represent the church. This representation is the individual responsibility of each and every Christian. Good to know, therefore, that we are at all times “in His right hand.”
“Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword”—Verse 16 and “His Name is called the Word of God” (Rev. 19:13). “The Word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12). These two scriptures go well together.
“His countenance was as the sun shineth in its strength”—who can gaze on the sun?
John wrote that “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). To see Him now as a Judge deeply affected the Apostle so much so that he fell at His feet as dead. How wonderful to feel the right hand of power saying “fear not.” The prophet Daniel describes a similar experience (read Dan. 10:7-10). To John the Lord says further “I am the first and the last, and the living One, and I became dead, and behold, I am living to the ages of ages, and have the keys of death and hades.” That He “became dead” and lived brings to mind that wondrous portion “therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father” (John 10:17-18). Christ the living One, has the keys “of death and hades.” So for the believer “whether we live, we live unto the Lord, or whether we die, we die unto the Lord” (Rom. 14:8). We are to share in Christ’s triumph over death which He has abolished (2 Tim. 1:10). In whatever state a man may be found when death overtakes him, in that state will he remain forever. “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Rev. 22:11). “In the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be” (Eccl. 11:3).
John then (v. 19) is to write, giving the three well known divisions of the Book of Revelation. Since an understanding of these divisions is vital to the proper understanding of the revelation, they have been emphasized in these notes by a three part presentation corresponding to the three divisions John gives us. These divisions are:
“The things which thou hast seen”—John has seen Christ in the aspect of a Judge.
“The things which are”—The history of the church as a responsible witness for God in the earth.
“The things which shall be hereafter” or “The things that are about to be after these”—These are the things to take place after the day of the church is over.
Finally, in the last verse of the first chapter the mystery of the seven stars and the seven candlesticks is given. We have already alluded to the seven stars. The seven candlesticks, or lamps, were the seven churches. In verse 12 we see they were golden lamps. Light bearers in the world these churches were intended to be, and on God’s part they were originally set in divine righteousness. This is plainly seen in the first epistle to the Thessalonian church, which was “in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:1). A golden lamp, surely!