Have You Left Your First Love?

In the second chapter of Revelation, Jesus made a remarkable complaint against the congregation at Ephesus. "Nevertheless I have this against you", He lamented, "that you have left your first love."

Before we explore that complaint, however, let's look back for a moment.

In about 95 AD, while imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos, the Apostle John was approached by Jesus and instructed to record the Revelation (see our article, "The Day the Revelation Came to Man"). Moreover, Jesus told John that the Revelation would consist of three parts, including one portion devoted to the Church comprised of seven letters to seven congregations. (For more about the outline, see our article, "Jesus Outlines the Revelation").

The seven letters are recorded in Chapters two and three, and are particularly noteworthy because they are as relevant today as they were in John's time.

Yes, Jesus addresses issues appropriate to those particular congregations, but at the same time can also apply to all congregations, and even more, to all individuals. In other words, when Jesus ascribed His knowledge of these congregations' works and condition (good or bad) in the first century, He was also speaking to you and me in the twenty first century.

We must, therefore, explore each letter and therein embrace each praise and rebuke, encouragement and hope, despair and delight. Bearing in mind, that our Lord continues to move about the Church, watchful to guard against internal and external evils and mindful to rightly preserve its spiritual well-being as steadfastly today as yesterday.

Okay, with that in mind, let's consider this letter to Ephesus and see whether it strikes a chord and perhaps intends to admonish us.

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil", Jesus said. "And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary" (vs. 2-4).

Foremost, we must notice the good works attributed to the Ephesians lest we consider ourselves above reproach and ignore the admonition. This is not a lazy congregation devoid of church service; the works of the Ephesians were admirable. "Nevertheless," Jesus said, "I have this against you, that you have left your first love".

What does Jesus mean?

The love in question is the "early love" of the congregation. That first enthusiastically warm and affectionate love following a new life in Christ, where self is denied, all that displeases God is gladly abandoned, and fellowship one with another is joyfully embraced. In other words, despite commendable devotion to the Word of God, the members had strayed from sincerity; or as one commentator puts it, "members were going through the motions without emotion".

Has that happened to you? Do you attend church services out of obligation or a force of habit rather than a passionate desire to worship God (as you did in the beginning)? And has your fellowship (where your earlier heart was tender for one another) become argumentative and divisive?

If so, confess that condition to God right now and return to your first love. He loves you as a bridegroom loves his bride, and not unlike the members at Ephesus, is admonishing you because He desires you.

Welcome to the Revelation

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter"
--Proverbs 25:2

WELCOME! to the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Arguably, the most complete future installment of God ever beheld by a man and subsequently addressed to the Church.

BEFORE we get started, it’s important for us to understand why God has chosen to reveal this apocalyptic vision to us. Contrary to the teaching of some, the Revelation is not meant to serve as a “Tribulation Survival Kit” for the Church because the Church won’t be here. Nor is it given so we can set a date for Christ’s coming, or that we might identity the Antichrist. The Revelation has one primary purpose:

"To unveil Jesus Christ so we may know how God will accomplish all His work and purposes through Him in the last days."

WHILE many marvelous passages of truth in Revelation lend themselves to topical studies that should be discussed and learned, there are commentaries written by inspired men of God already available to the serious student without my adding yet another one. Therefore, I have limited my notes primarily to the events in the vision and have purposely avoided the traditional theological arguments and more complex exposition generally offered by scholars. My purpose is only to assist you in reading the Revelation from start to finish, help you better understand what the vision is about, and perhaps to wet your appetite enough to prompt more study.

ONE MORE THING before we dig in. If you've been avoiding the Revelation because you've considered it far too complex, obscure, or confusing for laypersons like us to understand, put your mind at rest. Even with all its symbols and images and some erratic shifts of events associated with John’s time travel, you’ll be surprised to discover how logical, chronological, and interpretable by Scripture this awesome vision really is.

PLEASE read each chapter of the Revelation directly from the Bible and then use the menu at the right to access my verse-by-verse notes. Afterward, test your knowledge with the Study Questions, and be sure to explore the other resources provided. Click "Post a Comment" below to leave a comment, or the envelope image to email this Revelation article to a friend.

May God bless and keep you throughout this incredible journey.

Jim Kobzeff
October 24, 2008
Learn the Revelation

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 5

1. True or False. What Jesus accomplishes in this chapter is best understood by His assumed role as a Kinsman-Redeemer.

2. True or False. Although the earth belongs to God as the Creator, He gave to man to have dominion over. But man—by his sin—in turn gave it to Satan, thereby allowing Satan to become the god of this world. (v.1)

3. Complete this statement: The "scroll” John saw in the right hand of the Father with writing on the ____________ and on the ____________ and sealed with ______ seals is the ______________________________. (v.1)

4. What might best explain John's convulsive weeping when no one immediately responded to the angel who asked, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" (v.4)

• a. John considered it to be an unreasonable request
• b. John was upset that he couldn't open the scroll
• c. John had concluded that no one was worthy
• d. John knew that unless Jesus came forward to redeem the planet, the restoration of his nation Israel would go unfulfilled
  

5. An elder quieted John's spirit by assuring him that Jesus Christ had prevailed and would come forward to open the scroll. However, he didn't speak of Jesus by name, but instead attributed several titles to Him that identify Him in a particular way. Although Jesus is surely all of the following, which one does the elder apply to Jesus at this particular moment? (v.4)

• a. The Bridegroom of the Church
• b. The Messiah of Israel
• c. Almighty God
• d. God the Creator
  

6. Which statement is NOT true concerning Jesus as a "lamb as though it had been slain"? (v.6)

• a. He bore the marks of crucifixion
• b. It was His work on the Cross that made Jesus worthy to accomplish the purposes of God for man and creation
• c. It is the shed blood of Christ that allows God to forgive and to redeem
• d. It shadows the Passover, and is consistent with His role as the Messiah of Israel
• e. The same image is used throughout Revelation
  

7. From whose right hand did Jesus take the scroll? (v.7)

• a. God the Father
• b. One of the four living creatures
• c. One of the twenty-four elders
• d. One of the arch angels
  

8. This chapter concludes with another resounding "cycle of praise" to Jesus Christ from an innumerable number of worshipers. How many are there? (v.9)

• a. Ten thousand
• b. Ten thousand times ten thousand
• c. Thousands of thousands
• d. Both b and c
• e. An innumerable amount
  

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 3

1. What did Jesus mean when He told SARDIS, "You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead"? (v.1)

• a. They had an appearance of Godliness
• b. They were denying the power of the Holy Spirit
• c. They were NOT teaching their congregation that they must "be born again"
• d. All of the above

2. What best describes what Sardis needed the most? (v.3)

• a. More good works
• b. New leadership
• c. A spiritual awakening
• d. More church services
  

3. Which statement is NOT true concerning the Book of Life? (v.5)

• a. It contains the names of all born again believers
• b. It will be used in the judgment of the condemned
• c. It contains an allotment of space which can be blotted out
• d. It contains the names of the unredeemed
  

4. Complete this statement to PHILADELPHIA: "See, I have set before you an ___________________, and no one can ____________________" (v.8) What might best explain what Jesus was alluding to?

• a. They would acquire a new building to meet in
• b. Their membership would flourish
• c. They would increase their weekly meetings
• d. They would encounter new opportunities to proclaim the Word, and spread the Gospel
  

5. True or False. When Jesus told the Philadelphians, "I will make them come and worship before your feet,” He meant that the Philadelphians would be there in the presence of Jesus when the unbelievers are forced to kneel at the feet of Jesus in the presence of His Church. (v.9)

6. True or False. The church at Philadelphia could be representative of the body of believers who will be delivered from the Tribulation. (v.10)

7. True or False: LAODICEA had departed from the true doctrine of Christ. (v.14)

8. Why is it that Jesus would have preferred that the Laodiceans be either "hot or cold,” and not merely "lukewarm”? (v.15)

• a. If they were "hot,” it would have signified a heart that burned for Christ
• b. If they were "cold" it might have stirred a need to know Christ
• c. "Lukewarm" is comfortable and stirs no need to change
• d. All of the above.
  

9. What might explain what Jesus meant when He said, "I will spew you out of My mouth"? (v.15)

• a. The Laodiceans would lose their salvation
• b. The Laodiceans would forfeit the opportunity to be saved
• c. The Laodiceans would be "cut off" from fellowship with the Church
• d. None of the above
  

10. True or False. The great stumbling for the Laodiceans was their poverty. (v.17)

11. Complete this statement: “As many as I __________, I ______________ and ____________________.” (v.19) True or False. Therefore, we know that the Laodiceans were NOT true believers.

12. Which of the following is NOT true about this statement Jesus makes to the Laodiceans: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock”? (v.19)

• a. He continues to pursue them
• b. Though crowded out of their hearts, He remains at their hearts
• c. Though they were prodigal, He yearns for fellowship with them still
• d. He wanted access in order to rebuke them
  

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 2

1. Which of the following do NOT correctly describe the format that Jesus uses in writing to the seven congregations: (vs. 1-4)

• a. He addresses each letter to the pastor
• b. He includes a title of Himself to underscore His message
• c. Jesus always condemns before He commends
• d. Jesus always commends before He condemns
  

2. The theme of the EPHESIAN letter is that they had left their "_________________.” It might be summarized this way: They were going through the ____________ with many good works, but had lost the _____________ of a love relationship with Jesus Christ. (v.4)

3. To arouse the Ephesians into considering their spiritual state, Jesus told them to “___________________ therefore from where you have fallen.” (v.5)

4. What did Jesus mean when He warned the Ephesians to repent; otherwise, He would remove their "lampstand from its place"? (v.5)

• a. They would lose their salvation
• b. They would lose their usefulness as a light bearer of the Gospel
• c. They would be forced to relocate
• d. They would lose their financial support
  

5. True or False. The "Nicolaitans" were most likely sincere Christians that subjected themselves to the authority of the Apostles (v.6)

6. In the closing comments about Ephesus, additional information is given about the format Jesus uses at the conclusion of all seven letters. Which of the following is NOT a correct comment (v.7)

• a. Each letter always concludes with an exhortation to hear the Spirit
• b. To hear the Spirit means hearing with the heart so as to be in agreement with God
• c. Each letter always concludes with a promise to the overcomers
• d. The word “overcomers” signifies those who overcome all sinful acts
• e. The word “overcomers” signifies those who, by faith, overcome the world and find victory in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
  

7. Because SMYRNA was subjected to heavy persecution for their faith, Jesus—wanting only to encourage and comfort them—presented Himself to them as God the Eternal One, Who has both _______________ death and _________________ over it (v.8)

8. Which best describes what Jesus refers to as “a synagogue of Satan”? (v.8)

• a. A group of local business men that were in bitter opposition to Christ and His people
• b. A group of Satan worshippers that were in bitter opposition to Christ and His people
• c. A group of Jews that were in bitter opposition to Christ and His people
• d. A group of Roman soldiers that were in bitter opposition to Christ and His people
  

9. Although the meaning of the "ten day testing" Jesus told Smyrna they would have to endure is uncertain, it might be a reference to the only other ten day test recorded in the Bible. Which prophet endured it? (v.10)

• a. Ezekiel
• b. Isaiah
• c. Daniel
• d. Jeremiah
  

10. Which crown did Jesus promise as a reward to those in Smyrna who remained faithful until death? (v.11)

• a. The crown of Joy
• b. The crown of Righteousness
• c. The crown of Life
• d. The crown of Glory
  

11. True or False. In His title to Pergamos, "He who has the sharp two-edged sword," Jesus was making it clear to the congregation that—as the Possessor of the Word of God—He has been able to "cut" into the heart of their doctrine, and subsequently has been able to righteously divide truth from untruth. (v.12)

12. In His rebuke of Pergamos, Jesus accused the leadership of holding to "the doctrine of Balaam." What were they doing? (vs. 14-15)

• a. Allowing insincere members to teach the congregation
• b. Allowing worldly doctrines to be taught
• c. Allowing some within the congregation to stumble
• d. All of the above.
  

13. True or False. Jesus threatened to fight the entire congregation at Pergamos unless they repented. (v.16)

14. What was it Jesus promised to the overcomers at Pergamos when He said that He would them "a white stone"? (v.17)

• a. An eternal reward
• b. Financial security
• c. A more productive life
• d. His vote of approval
• e. None of the above
  

15. True or False. Thyatira is the only congregation of all the seven churches that is NOT given over to idolatry. (v.18)

16. It’s unclear whether "Jezebel" (the self-proclaimed "prophetess" in Thyatira) was the name of an actual woman, or merely a reference to the ancient Queen of Israel, but because of her Jesus rebuked this congregation's leadership. Why? (v.20)

• a. They were wrong to allow a woman to prophesy
• b. They were wrong not to allow her to prophesy
• c. They were wrong to allow an unbeliever into the Church
• d. They were wrong to allow her to introduce idols and teach sexual immorality within the congregation
  

17. What might explain our Lord's warning to Thyatira that they would be cast into "great tribulation"? (v.21)

• a. The congregation would be destroyed
• b. Every member in the congregation was morally corrupt
• c. Jezebel herself would live to see the Great Tribulation
• d. An ecclesiastical system similar to Thyatira would exist in the last days and therefore be made to endure the Tribulation
  

18. True or False. Thyatira did consist of SOME faithful members. (v.21)

Revelation 1, John Encounters Jesus

John reveals his awesome encounter with Jesus Christ while imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos and the incredible call he received to write this book.

v.1-2 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to all things he saw."

John presents five truths about the origin and dispatch of the Revelation in this opening statement.

• 1. It is the "Revelation" (Gr. apokalupsis, "unveiling") of Jesus Christ
• 2. It is that "which God gave Him"
• 3. It was given so Jesus would in turn "show His servants"
• 4. It was "signified" to John by the angel of Jesus
• 5. John himself "bore witness" to the Revelation
  

God the Father gave God the Son the Revelation for Him in turn to show it to His servants (doulous, i.e., "bond slaves"). So He might make known to those whom He regards as His friends, His purposes and yet-future intentions for the consummation of our age (John 15:14,15).

Moreover, so that the Church would have a written record of these things, and the servants of Christ in every generation would be blessed in knowing what must "shortly take place" (or happen rapidly upon God's execution), Jesus sent His angel to escort John into the future to bear witness of it and to record it.

As a result, John the Apostle, from his first encounter with Jesus and entirely through his subsequent journey into the future and back again to Patmos, arduously recorded every word of God, every testimony of Jesus Christ, and every word picture and symbol (the meaning of the word "signified") just as he heard it and saw it.

v.3 "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."

This should encourage those who haven't wanted to study Revelation because they consider it too complex, or fearful. Because the day approaches, and the "time is near", the Holy Spirit, desirous that we know the Revelation, includes a "guarantee" that both reader and hearer (those taught by hearing) will be blessed. So get ready to discover a blessing, dear ones, it's been promised.

"Your words were found, and I ate them And your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jer.15:16)

"I rejoice at your word as one who finds great treasure" (Ps.119:62)

v.4-6 "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, 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, and made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen"

These seven churches in Asia were real congregations that existed at the time of John.

Throughout Scripture, however, the number "seven" is also taken to signify that which is "complete" and "whole". Seven days, for instance, make a complete week; seven colors create a complete rainbow; and seven notes make up a complete musical scale. Therefore, at the same time that this book was intended to instruct seven historical congregations, it is also meant to instruct the Church as a whole. So it is as relevant for you and me today as it was for those in the first century.

In this opening greeting, John introduces himself simply by name. Then he goes on and categorically and wonderfully identifies the triune God: He is God the Father ("who is and who was and who is to come"), God the Holy Spirit ("the seven Spirits who are before His throne"), and God the Son ("Jesus Christ").

Okay, but let's consider why John alludes to the Holy Spirit as "the seven Spirits" when the Bible emphatically teaches the oneness of the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7). The best explanation seems to surround the following prophecy Isaiah gave concerning Jesus, and the seven-fold manifestation of the Holy Spirit that rested upon Him during His time on earth. See if you agree. (The brackets are included for emphasis only and are not part of the original text).

"The [Spirit of] the Lord shall rest upon Him, The [Spirit of] wisdom and [the Spirit of] understanding, The [Spirit of] counsel and [the Spirit of] might, The [Spirit of] knowledge and [the Spirit] of the fear of the Lord" (Isa.11:2)

v.7-8 "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,' says the Lord, 'who is and who was and is to come, the Almighty.' "

John concludes his greeting by drawing attention to our Lord's Second Coming. This speaks of our Savior's glorious Return to this planet to establish His Kingdom on earth, however, and not the rapture of the Church.

The rapture will be a covert event. Jesus will reach into this world's kingdom sight unseen and remove His Church "as a thief in the night." In the same way a homeowner is first made aware that a thief has come and gone when things are found missing from the home, the world will know nothing more of Rapture until after it discovers the Church's disappearance.

The Second Coming on the other hand will be an event as visible and dramatic as an invasion. The whole world shall see Him (Rev.19:11). And as John points out, all of the tribes of earth will mourn because of Him, meaning that the nation Israel will mourn because of Him (see-Zech.12:10).

It's time to get ready, dear ones. "Behold, He is coming...!" The seventh from Adam prophesied it (Jude 14), Jesus openly qualified it (Matt.24:30), the angels declared it (Acts 1:11), and again here in Revelation it's not just reiterated, but affirmed with an arousing heavenly cry "Even so, Amen."

v.9 "I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the 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."

The fact that John the Apostle was chosen to write the Revelation speaks volumes about God's ability to accomplish His purposes. Despite even the most adverse of circumstances, whether from natural causes, or the cunning devices of devil and man.

John, after all, was about ninety years old and therefore long past what might be considered a practical age for such an arduous task. Moreover, John's work and ministry was meant be silenced when Rome banished him to the remote island of Patmos. In other words, given the circumstances, we might regard John the Apostle as an untenable choice, and the enemy surely saw him as an altogether improbable one.

Nonetheless, because God knew all along the time, the place, and the man by which, and to whom He would reveal the Revelation, nothing prevented Him (or ever will prevent Him) from accomplishing His own wise and holy ends.

Oh, how sweet the words:

"There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord" (Prov.21:30)

"For I know that the Lord is great, And our Lord is above all Gods. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places" (Ps.135:5,6)

v.10-11 "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as a trumpet, 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.' "

Seemingly it was Sunday morning ("the Lord's Day") while in deep meditation when John received this command to record the Revelation and particularly noteworthy because it caught John unawares and surprised him. Nothing is said to suggest that the elderly Apostle had been seeking (or even expecting) an extended ministry. He was simply worshiping God; and had been drawn into a place of spiritual joy and elation.

v.12-16 "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 His 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 two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength."

The spoken word of Jesus Christ aroused John. First, he worshiped to draw into an intimate closeness with God, then he heard Him, and then he beheld Him; in turn giving us the only description given of Jesus in the New Testament.

But far from the human form He embodied as a man, John sees Jesus wrapped inside symbolic images; more vividly to illustrate Him glorified, as He is today alongside the Father.

Here are nine components of the vision with a short explanation for each:

(1) "I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man..." Because Jesus Himself interprets the lampstands later to be the "seven churches" (v.20), this illustrates that Jesus stands squarely in the midst of His church

(2) "...clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band." These are the garments of the high priest (see Exodus 28:2-4); thus showing Jesus in His capacity as our great High Priest, the One who is the Intercessor between God and man (Heb.4:14-16)

(3) "His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow..." This identifies Jesus as the eternally existent Ancient of Days spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Dan.7:9)

(4) "...and His eyes like a flame of fire..." This speaks of our Lord's penetrating insight into the hearts of men, and His ability to see all things openly, exposed, and with nothing hidden from His sight (Heb.4:13)

(5) "His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace..." This symbolizes judgment. Brass was the material of the altar upon which judgment was made (Ex.27:1-8; Lev.4:1-35), and it will be the feet of Jesus that shall one day tread in judgment (Isa.63:3)

(6) "...and His voice as the sound of many waters..." This adheres to the way others have described the voice of God (see Ez.1:24; 43:2); it shows that His is the voice of authority

(7) "He had in His right hand seven stars..." The seven stars are interpreted later by Jesus to mean the "seven pastors" of the seven churches (v.20); and the right hand is used elsewhere as the symbol of power and strength (see Ex.15:6; Ps.16:11). The image, therefore, is meant to show that Jesus upholds, by His power and by His strength, the pastors; who are the messengers of His Word, and the shepherds of His sheep

(8) "...out of His mouth went a two-edged sword..." This characterizes the living power of His Word (Heb.4:12); and that by His Word, hearts and minds will be discerned, and judgment will be brought upon the nations (Rev.19:15)

(9) "...and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength." This shows Jesus covered with the garment of glory; the glory that He had with the Father before the world was (Ps.104:2; John 17:5)

v.17-18 "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 Death."

John last saw Jesus nearly sixty years earlier. Imagine the heartthrob felt by the aged Apostle when he turned and saw Him standing just a few feet away. It's no wonder he collapsed in awe. But what Jesus had done so frequently in His humanity, He repeats in His glory: Jesus comforts. "But He laid His right hand on me," John said, "saying to me, 'Do not be afraid.' (See also Isaiah 41:13).

"'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 Death'." Jesus, once again, as in His appearance, transcends what was His in humanity. For it's not His name, but symbols and titles associated with the sacred truth of Himself that Jesus uses to present Himself.

He is God the Almighty: "I am the First and the Last" (check-Isa.44:6). He is God the Redeemer: "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore" (check-Phil.2:5-11).

He is God the Victorious: "And I have the keys of Hades and Death." Having conquered death upon the cross, Jesus alone can redeem from death (Hosea 13:14) and sentence to death (Rev.20:2,3). Life and death answers to no other, whether in heaven or hell, than to the power and authority of Jesus Christ.

v.19 'Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

Okay, dear ones, now we come to the virtual outline of the Revelation, and as such, the "key" to understanding the vision. John is instructed to write the Book in three sections.

• (1) "Write the things which you have seen..."
• (2) "Write...the things which are..."
• (3) "Write...the things which will take place after this."

The first, "the things which you have seen" is clearly in the past tense. This concerns that which John had seen earlier as he beheld Christ. Thus corresponding with John's eyewitness account of the risen and glorified Son of God as contained here in Chapter One.

The second, "the things which are" is in the present tense. This concerns that which existed during the time of John, which is the Church. And as we will see, the next two chapters, Chapters Two and Three, surround the Church exclusively.

The third, "the things which will take place after this" is in the future tense. This concerns the yet-future events shown to John beginning in Chapter Four. It's generally accepted that these future events follow beyond the age of the Church, and thus support the rapture of the Church. Which many believe is foreshadowed by John when he is called and subsequently taken in the "Spirit" to heaven before the future events take place (Rev.4:1-2).

v.20 '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.' "

The word "mystery" signifies a hidden truth not yet revealed. It's used here in connection with the "seven stars" and the "seven golden lampstands" because these are symbols inside the appearance of Christ that John would not have understood without an interpretation. That the "seven stars" are the "seven angels" of the seven churches, and that the "seven lampstands" are the "seven churches".

Okay, let's consider it.

The Greek word "angel" (angelos) means "messenger" and doesn't carry with it any direct application to a spirit being; it can be interpreted to mean a human messenger. The prophet Haggai, for instance, was called "the Lord's messenger, [who] spoke the Lord's message to the people" (Haggai 1:13), and from Malachi we learn that the priest of Israel was considered "the messenger of the Lord of hosts" (Mal.2:7). So it's not required of us to interpret the word "angels" in this passage to mean literal angels. Given the context, it's more likely to think that Jesus is addressing the seven pastors of the seven churches.

The seven "lampstands" clearly signify the seven churches in Asia to which John was instructed to write and distribute the Revelation.

A possible explanation for the mystery or mysterious sense surrounding this passage is that Jesus intended to suggest that more than just seven pastors and seven churches are in view. That He deliberately used the imagery because this address is made to all the pastors and to all the churches, in successive ages, from the time of John to the end of the church age.

[This concludes John's account about what he had seen, and thus brings to a close the first section of Revelation. The next two chapters concern "the things which are", appropriated as the second section of Revelation, and our Lord's personal address to the Church]

Hi,

My name is Jim Kobzeff and I've been fascinated with the Book of Revelation from the time (as a young boy) my grandfather first told me about the vision.

I'm an evangelical Christian who accepted Jesus Christ at the age of thirteen. The Biblical teaching of Chuck Smith, senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Santa Ana, probably has had the most influence upon me as a Christian. While attending Calvary Chapel, however, I also gleaned heavily from the weekly classes taught by Chuck Missler as well as from radio teachers such as J. Vernon McGee.

Over the years I've taught Sunday School and home Bible study groups, worked with high school and college age youth groups, and acted as senior pastor for a small congregation here in Oregon for five years. I currently am a member of a large non-denominational church in Salem, Oregon.

This commentary on the Revelation was started in about 1998 and has been a work-in-progress since. It has served well as a supplement for my Bible studies on the Revelation.

I pray that it helps you discover this incredible vision.

Learn the Revelation

If you're a Christian, then you must learn the Revelation. Why, because God wants you to learn the Revelation.

It's true that the prophetic book is comprised of complex symbols and images that make it more than a casual reading. Nonetheless, it is God's intention for the Church to read, understand, and obey the sayings of Revelation. For it is clearly stated that it is that "which God gave…to show His servants" (Rev.1:1).

Before we dig in to the purpose for the prophecy though, it would be helpful to understand its origin.

Late in the first century, the Apostle John was arrested by Rome for his testimony of Jesus Christ and imprisoned on a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea called Patmos. Then on one given day around 95 AD, the aged apostle, while in worship, was visited by Jesus Christ and subsequently escorted into the future by an angel to bear witness of and to document the vision.

Accordingly, from his first encounter with Jesus through his subsequent journey into the future and back again to Patmos, John arduously recorded every word of God, every testimony of Jesus Christ, and every word picture and symbol just as he heard it and saw it. Then he presented it to the Church.

What you and I regard as the last book of the Bible called "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" is that selfsame account, exactly as it was presented first to the congregation at Ephesus nearly two thousand years ago.

Okay, let's consider the vision.

Arguably, the most complete prophecy of future events recorded in Scripture, it should be noted that the Revelation is not John's vision. The vision belongs to Jesus Christ. God the Father gave God the Son the vision to reveal to John that he would in turn reveal it to the servants of Christ. So that Christians in every generation might know the "things which must shortly take place" (Rev. 1:1). That is, that we might know the future.

But let's be clear. Yes, God has given us the Revelation to learn, but not for reasons some would suggest. The Revelation was not given so we can set a date for Christ’s coming; the Bible is adamant that of that day and hour no one knows, except the Father (Matt. 24:36). Or was it given so we can identity the Antichrist; the Church has been instructed only to watch for Jesus Christ, not for the Antichrist.

Make no mistake; the Revelation has one purpose: To unveil Jesus Christ so we may know how God will accomplish all His work and purposes through Him in the last days. It is the final work of Christ—the destruction of all that is evil and the restoration of all that is good—that God wants us to understand.

But there's more. A blessing is promised to those who learn the Revelation. Listen to the Apostle: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it" (Rev.1:3). It's as Solomon stated, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter" (Proverbs 25:2).

Finally, observe that Revelation is intended for "His servants" (Rev.1:1). That is to say, the "bond slaves” or devoted followers of Christ. What makes this special is found in the words of Jesus when He said, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends…" (John 15:15). In other words, we should want to learn the revelation, not as a mandate from God, but with an understanding that the privilege has been granted to us because we are regarded as His friends.

"Your words were found," the prophet wrote, "and I ate them and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jer.15:16)

If you're a Christian, and haven't read the Revelation, you are invited to do so on my site titled "Learn the Revelation" at http//learntherevelation.blogspot.com. There is a verse-by-verse commentary along with some study questions. It's a labor of love, so feel free to join in. Hey, let's learn the Revelation together.

About the Author

James Kobzeff has been a born again Christian for the past fifty years. He owes his biblical training to teachers such as Chuck Smith, Chuck Missler, J. Vernon McGee, and a host of biblical commentators. He maintains his blog titled "Learn the Revelation" simply to teach the Revelation. Please visit at => Learn the Revelation.