OK, I'm going to have an attempt at understanding and interpreting Revelation, chapter by chapter.
This is going to be tricky, because everyone here has their own "take" on Revelation. So this is just
my "take".
I suspect there is a very simple "key" to understanding Revelation. It's about (a) perspective, and (b) allowing the Bible to interpret itself where possible - although since it is prophetic in nature, naturally we will have to refer to events outside of the Bible texts.
I am
not a prophet, the second Elijah, resurrected John the Baptist, or anything like that - I'm "just a bloke". I just want to see where this thing goes.
I'm sure you are going to want to comment on my commentary, so my posts will be in
PURPLE from now on.
OK, here goes...
I will be using the New International Version.
REVELATION 1
Rev 1:1
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
Rev 1:2
who testifies to everything he saw–that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
This is the introduction to Revelation, presumably written after John had received the visions, because he says he "testifies to everything he saw". He can only testify to it, once he'd already seen it.
There is an obvious sense of imminence, to show "what must soon take place", and that "the time is near".
There is debate as to whether Revelation was written during Nero's time (in the 60's of the 1st century) or during the reign of Domitian (the 90's).
Personally, I think the first half of the book is the "closure" for the rest of the New Testament, dealing with the events concerning Jerusalem; and the second half deals with the long war between the "wild beast" and Christianity - and ultimately, Christ himself.
Either way, it must be relevant to all Christians, because Jesus says, "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it."
Rev 1:4
John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[fn1] before his throne,
Rev 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
Rev 1:6
and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father–to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Rev 1:7
Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.
So shall it be! Amen.
And so begins John's part of the letter. John is writing to a specific group of Christians - seven churches (aka "congregations") in Asia.
Jesus Christ is here given several titles, familiar to Christians: "the faithful witness", "the firstborn from the dead", and "the ruler of the kings of the earth".
John refers to these Christians as being made "to be a kingdom and priests". Collectively then, Christians are a kingdom and priests. At this stage, we see no division into "anointed" and "non-anointed".
In verse 7, John poetically refers to the claim by Jesus that he will come with the clouds. In front of the Jewish Sanhedrin and the High Priest, Jesus said: "Yes, it is as you say... But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Mathew 26:64)
This was blasphemy to these Jewish leaders... for they knew Daniel's prophecy well enough:
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13,14)
Jesus was essentially claiming to be that "Son of Man" who would be given the "everlasting dominion"!
Just as Jesus promised that these Jewish leaders would see Jesus sitting at God's right hand, and coming on the clouds of heaven, John was reminding his readers of Jesus' words. Even those who pierced him would see him!
We must bear in mind then, when reading Revelation, that the prophecies are also intimately linked with the ones in Daniel. Jesus is that Son of Man!
Rev 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Rev 1:9
I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Rev 1:10
On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
Rev 1:11
which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
We know this is a true testimony, because there are now 3 witnesses. Jehovah God, the Almighty, adds the weight of His authority in verse 8.
John describes his situation - exiled on the isle of Patmos for his testimony to Jesus.
Verse 10 is a doctrinally crucial one for JWs, for they claim that John was writing under inspiration about "the Lord's day" from 1914 onwards.
However, most other translations simply assume (rightly or wrongly) that this is a reference to when John received his vision. John was still of Jewish descent, and he received it on the sabbath, "on the Lord's day".
Personally, I think it is wrong to assume that John was writing about events from 1914 onwards, as we'll discuss shortly. The themes of Revelation 4 and 5 show this not to be the case.
Rev 1:12
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
Rev 1:13
and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,”[fn2]dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
Rev 1:14
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
Rev 1:15
His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
Rev 1:16
In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double‑edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
In a moment, we are given one of the keys to understanding Revelation, but here we are being given a description of the "son of man".
This is not all that different from an experience Daniel had, just before being given the final prophecy of the war between the kings of the north and south:
"I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless." (Daniel 10:5-8)
The presence of the Son of Man has a similar effect on John, as we'll see...
John refers to these Christians as being made "to be a kingdom and priests". Collectively then, Christians are a kingdom and priests. At this stage, we see no division into "anointed" and "non-anointed".
Kingdoms are often referred to by their capital, or, in the case with Judah, its temple, often referred to as "the Temple"
Paul stated that, "You people are God's temple", and so it could be said that we make up his Kingdom.
To be priests, we would need to be anointed with Holy spirit, and Jesus said that we would be, "Jn 7:39 However, he said this concerning the spirit which those who put faith in him were about to receive; for as yet there was no spirit, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.'
We are all Christ's brothers. IMHO
Rev 1:17
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
Rev 1:18
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Rev 1:19
“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
Rev 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[fn3] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
John is told to write "what you have seen". Jesus explains that this describes "what is now and what will take place later."
Now we are given one of the keys to understanding this mysterious book - in many cases, Jesus interprets it for us!
Earlier, we saw him with "seven lampstands" and "seven stars". We are now given their meaning...
"The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."
So Key #1 to understanding Revelation, in my opinion, is this:
"When we are told X means (or is) Y, then that's the interpretation!"
The interpretation is not symbolic - it is the actual reality of the symbol.
So it's not that "seven stars" mean "seven angels" which mean "seven elders". No. Seven stars mean seven angels. End of story.
The seven lampstands mean, or are, the seven churches.
This is Jesus' interpretation of his own propechies. To deviate from Jesus' own interpretation is to get ourselves in a world of hurt
Either way, it must be relevant to all Christians, because Jesus says, "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it."
While I agree that the book is "relevant" to all Christians in the sense that their faith can benefit by reading it, I am not so sure about "relevant" in the sense that the prophecies are for all Christians. I think you are reading a lot into "blessed is the one." You seem to think it means "blessed is anyone."
Rev 1:4
John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[fn1] before his throne
If one checks out Rev. 4:5, one will see that the "seven spirits" are actually seven lamps. Or maybe it's better to say that the seven lamps represent the seven spirits, in which case we still don't know exactly what the seven spirits are.
Rev 1:16
In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double‑edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
This is one of several places where Jesus is said to have a sword coming out of his mouth. I think it is important to emphasize that his warfare is through speech, and by extension this applies to all Christians. Our war is a war of words, rather than actual bloodshed.
While I agree that the book is "relevant" to all Christians in the sense that their faith can benefit by reading it, I am not so sure about "relevant" in the sense that the prophecies are for all Christians. I think you are reading a lot into "blessed is the one." You seem to think it means "blessed is anyone."
Yes, I think Jesus' point is we can be blessed if we read and apply it.
If one checks out Rev. 4:5, one will see that the "seven spirits" are actually seven lamps. Or maybe it's better to say that the seven lamps represent the seven spirits, in which case we still don't know exactly what the seven spirits are.
You're right, we don't get an interpretation. So I'm happy to just leave it at "seven spirits"... they are spirits, and there are seven of 'em 
This is one of several places where Jesus is said to have a sword coming out of his mouth. I think it is important to emphasize that his warfare is through speech, and by extension this applies to all Christians. Our war is a war of words, rather than actual bloodshed.
Thanks. Good point.
Yes, I think Jesus' point is we can be blessed if we read and apply it.
Apply it? Hmm. I don't see how that's possible.
Let's say that a handbook on how to survive an attack from Al-Qaeda was published, and it opened with the words, "Happy are the ones who read this and take it to heart." Would you say those words would equally apply to people who read the book 2000 years later?
This is not to say that such a book would have no value at all 2000 years later. But would it have as much value as it does to people now?
Yes, I think Jesus' point is we can be blessed if we read and apply it.
Apply it? Hmm. I don't see how that's possible.
Let's say that a handbook on how to survive an attack from Al-Qaeda was published, and it opened with the words, "Happy are the ones who read this and take it to heart." Would you say those words would equally apply to people who read the book 2000 years later?
This is not to say that such a book would have no value at all 2000 years later. But would it have as much value as it does to people now?
hello brothers,
I personally believe that we should all be very familiar with the book of Revelation because it is giving us information concerning what will take place "at the last day" and it corresponds with the book of Daniel which also gives us informationconcerning the "time of the end", or "last day". It also speaks of the same 3 1/2 days as Revelation speaks of and concerning the kingdom which is given to the saints.
Even if it should not come in our day, when we are resurrected, and are facing Christ, much will become clear concerning Daniel and Revelation.
Just sharing my thoughts anyway,
Blessings,
Anchor~
REVELATION 2
Rev 2:1
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:
Rev 2:2
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.
Rev 2:3
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Rev 2:4
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
Rev 2:5
Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Rev 2:6
But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Rev 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
For the letters to the 7 churches, I'm going to draw on material from a book called "Days of Vengeance" by David Chilton. It's a Preterist book, and there's some concepts I don't agree with, but there's certainly a lot of eye-opening material in it - especially with regard to these 7 churches.
(You can get this book in PDF format for freehere:
http://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/19...eance.html
It's quite a tough read, but worth having for reference.)
Ephesus was a famous city, with its Temple of Artemis (or Diana, the goddess of fertility) now classed as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Despite that, Jesus guarded his established churches, for he "walks among the seven golden lampstands". This is Jesus establishing an early precedent for how he intends to use symbology in this book.
Paul's letter to the Ephesians shows a strong church enduring and persevering. Even 40 years later, Ignatius (who was martyred around 107AD) writes to them:
"You all live according to truth, and no heresy has a home among you: indeed, you do not so much as listen to anyone, if he speaks of anything except concerning Jesus Christ in truth... I have learned that certain persons passed through you bringing evil doctrine; and you did not allow them to sow seeds among you, for you stopped up your ears, so that you might not receive the seed sown by them. . . . You are arrayed from head to foot in the commandments of Jesus Christ." (Ignatius, Ephesians vi, ix)
So it is no real surprise that Christ himself commends them for their hard work, perseverance and their intolerance of wicked men. They are doctrinally firm.
Yet, Jesus has some counsel for them. "You have forsaken your first love."
Their desire for correct doctrine has allowed them to neglect the first commandment - love!
The city of Ephesus was "the temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the image that fell from heaven". (Acts 19:35) So it is perhaps an allusion to their own cities traditions that Jesus says to the Ephesians, "Remember the height from which you have fallen!"
"If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." This is a clear warning from Jesus that their lampstand, their status as a church in Jesus' eyes, can be removed from them.
Jesus warns that he will "come" to them. Clearly then, Jesus is not limited to some distant "second coming", but can "come" to individuals and churches whenever he chooses.
Still, the church in Ephesus had other redeeming features. "But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."
Who were the Nicolatians?
"According to the second-century bishop St. Irenaeus, “the Nicolaitans are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles [Acts 6:5]. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence . . . teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practice adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.” If St. Irenaeus is correct here – his viewpoint is certainly debatable – the deacon Nicolas (in Greek, Nikolaos) had apostatized and become a “false apostle,” seeking to lead others into heresy and compromise with paganism." (Days Of Vengeance, p50)
According to Chilton, Nikolaos in Greek means "conquerer of the people", and in Hebrew, Balaam means "conquerer of the people" also. So it appears Jesus is making a play on words, linking the Nicolations of Ephesus with the "Balaamites" of Pergamum.
Although the letter is addressed to the Ephesians, Jesus says, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches". So the message has application for us, too.
Jesus ends his message to the Ephesians by giving a general encouragement to all: "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."
Just as Christ possesses the keys of death and Hades, he can also grant access to the "tree of life", which was originally guarded by "cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth". (Gen 3:24)
Yes, I think Jesus' point is we can be blessed if we read and apply it.
Apply it? Hmm. I don't see how that's possible.
Let's say that a handbook on how to survive an attack from Al-Qaeda was published, and it opened with the words, "Happy are the ones who read this and take it to heart." Would you say those words would equally apply to people who read the book 2000 years later?
This is not to say that such a book would have no value at all 2000 years later. But would it have as much value as it does to people now?
hello brothers,
I personally believe that we should all be very familiar with the book of Revelation because it is giving us information concerning what will take place "at the last day" and it corresponds with the book of Daniel which also gives us information concerning the "time of the end", or "last day". It also speaks of the same 3 1/2 days as Revelation speaks of and concerning the kingdom which is given to the saints.
Even if it should not come in our day, when we are resurrected, and are facing Christ, much will become clear concerning Daniel and Revelation.
Just sharing my thoughts anyway,
Blessings,
Anchor~
Rev 2:8
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.
Rev 2:9
I know your afflictions and your poverty–yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rev 2:11
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Smyrna was a city steeped in Emperor worship, and with a large population of Jews hostile to the Christian church. So it was certainly not easy living as a Christian in Smyrna.
So Jesus opens with an eternal reassurance that he is "the First and the Last, who died and came to life again."
No matter what happened to them, their master was from the beginning and the end, and died and came to life again - he was the defeater of death!
In all their tribulations, they were physically afflicted and poor. Yet Jesus points out that, really, they are rich.
Jesus is explicit in stating where the opposition was coming from: "I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan."
It is just as Paul said: "Not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children." (Romans 9:6,7)
Jesus calls them a "synagogue of Satan"! We only have to read in the book of Acts for the many times the fleshly Jews hindered the ministry of the apostles.
Jesus tells them, "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer." The church in Smyrna was about to face a severe trial. "I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days."
However, Jesus says: "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." This is the ultimate assurance from the one "who died and came to life again".
Again, Jesus ends his message to the church with a message for all churches:
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death."
Although at this point we are not told what the "second death" is, we can be fairly sure that his hearers already understood the concept. And they knew that those faithful to Jesus "will not be hurt at all by the second death".
Rev 2:12
“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double‑edged sword.
Rev 2:13
I know where you live–where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city–where Satan lives.
Rev 2:14
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.
Rev 2:15
Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Rev 2:16
Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Rev 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
"Pergamum was another important Asian city, and played host to a number of popular false cults, the most prominent being those of Zeus, Dionysos, Asklepios (the serpent-god who was officially designated savior), and, most importantly, Caesar-worship. Pergamum boasted magnificent temples to the Caesars and to Rome, and “of all the seven cities, Pergamum was the one in which the church was most liable to clash with the imperial cult.”" (Days Of Vengeance, p53)
Pergamum was the official cult centre of emperor worship in Asia, so this may be the meaning of "where Satan has his throne".
We do not know who Antipas is, but Jesus identifies him as "my faithful witness", typical of the church in Pergamum.
However, the greater danger was from within. "I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality."
"When it was discovered that the people of God could not be defeated in open warfare (see Num. 22- 24), the false prophet Balaam suggested another plan to Balak, the evil King of Moab. The only way to destroy Israel was through corruption. Thus Balaam kept teaching Balak (cf. Num. 31:16) to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication (cf. Num. 25)." (Days Of Vengeance, p54)
This very thing is alluded to later in Revelation, by the dragon of chapter 12. When he cannot defeat the woman openly, "the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring–those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus." (Rev 12:17) It is then that the blasphemous and idolatrous wild beast arises, to whom all people worship admiringly.
Once again, Jesus demonstrates that his "coming" is not necessarily limited to some distant theological "second coming": "Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
Those ones of the Pergamum church who did not repent would find Jesus coming to them and fighting against them with the sword of his mouth!
Finally, Jesus promises two things to all those who overcomes, or conquers...
(a) some of the hidden manna. Manna was miraculously given to the Israelites during their trek in the wilderness. A portion of it was hidden in the Ark of the covenant.
(b) a white stone with a new name written on it.
There is a white stone connected in the Bible with manna, and it
is called bdellium (cf. Ex. 16:31 with Num. 11:7). Moreover, this stone is connected with the Garden of Eden, and is intended to be a reminder of it (Gen.2:12): Salvation is a New Creation, and restores God’s people to Paradise. (Days Of Vengeance, p55)
"Two onyx stones were placed on the shoulders of the High Priest, and on them were engraved the names of the tribes of Israel (Ex. 28:9-12). Yet the onyx stone was not a white stone – it was black. The explanation for this seems to be that the bdellium and onyx are simply combined in this imagery (a common device in Scripture) to create a new image that still retains the older associations. The connecting link here is the bdellium: it is associated in Genesis 2:12 with onyx, and in Numbers 11:7 with manna. Together, they speak of the restoration of Eden in the blessings of salvation." (Days Of Vengeance, p55)
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