REVELATION STUDY NOTES (Pt.1)

Introduction

I thought I might share some of the things the Lord has shown me concerning the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. These notes I've taken are also from various teachers, and different commentaries. For me personally, the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is a book of majesty, a book of mystery, and a book of misery. Majesty in that this book contains one of the most glorious revelations of Jesus Christ in all of Scripture in my humble opinion... this is in addition to this book being the consummation of our current age, and all things that began in the book of Genesis. Mystery in that there is still so much of this book that has yet to be understood. Misery in that it reveals the ultimate doom of the wicked that reject the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ.


Now before I proceed any further, I'd like to make it known that my intent is not to sell anyone my views. I'm more than willing to explain what it is that I believe, and how I came to believe as I do, as well as answer honest questions. However I would encourage all who may find themselves taking the time to examine these posts, to use Acts 17:10-12 as a guide.

- And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:10-12) -

 That being stated, notice that this is the Book of Revelation...(singular) not Revelations. It is not a

collection of visions, but a single unveiling of Jesus Christ. I would further assert that the apostle

John was not simply having visions. He not only witnessed events, but he testified of the loudness of the sounds... he felt things, he wept, he answered questions, he fell down to worship, he participated. John had an experience not just a vision. Also, it should be noted that the book of Revelation is the only book in the entire bible that bestows a special blessing upon its readers. I've heard a bible teacher state that this book contains four hundred and four verses with over eight hundred allusions to the Old Testament. The New Covenant is concealed within the Old, while the Old Covenant is revealed within the New. It's all one book. This would probably account for why so much of this particular book sounds so strange to the majority of believers. We don't spend enough time in the Old Testament.
Now let me re-emphasize once more... I am not trying to sell my views to anyone as I have learned that they are considered radical, extreme, and even absurd. I would only exhort you to seek the Lord, study the Scriptures with an open mind and a heart willing to receive. You must cultivate a sincere hunger for the truth and come to your own conclusions. That being stated, for those of us that believe in a future episunagoge event...(that is the pre-tribulation gathering together of God's faithful in Christ, or the rapture) the most important chapters in this book are chapters two and three... the letters to the churches.

These letters have four different levels of application. The first is local. It has been thoroughly investigated and proven that these were local churches that existed at the time. They also struggled with problems that these letters address head on. The title of the church appears to be indicative of the issues it faced, as well as the overall theme of its letter. When Jesus addresses these churches, He picks a title for Himself that reveals the solution to the different challenges facing each church.
Next, notice that the Holy Spirit says he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (plural). In other words, every church was to pay close attention to what was being said to each of the seven. So there is an admonitory application to each church. Every true church on planet earth will have elements of all seven within it. All of the letters apply to all churches to varying degrees. And when you understand these letters you can pretty much map out whatever church you go to over time. One church may be ten percent Ephesus, sixty percent Pergamos, and thirty percent Sardis. While another church may be thirty percent Smyrna, sixty percent Ephesus, and ten percent Thyatira. The third application is homiletic (personal). How many of us have ears?

- He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:11) -

So there is a clear sense that each one of these letters should be applied to the individual, personally, regardless of the church they are attending.


Now I would contend that we're all on pretty solid ground with this. I don't think there are to many out there that would argue with this so far. However, the fourth application of these letters is prophetic. The order in which these letters appear in our bibles, profile the history of the church from the apostolic day to today. And if they were in any other order this would not be true. That being stated, hopefully it will be something we can explore later.



TO BE CONTINUED...