The Vision of the Glorified Son
This is an in-depth study of chapter 1:9-20 of the Book of Revelation. It discusses each of the verses in the chapter, verse by verse.
This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references I mention.
If you do not have a Bible, I recommend Biblegateway.com or search for an online Bible.
9. John used his personal identification here, I, John.
Humbly, he calls himself your brother and is a companion in the tribulation.
He was being persecuted for his dedication in Jesus Christ.
John and the readers are together in the kingdom of Jesus.
He is also identifying with the perseverance they are going through.
They all are enduring persecution, but they do not give up.
When he received this vision, John was in exile on the island called Patmos ( Map B ). [NASB, 1995]. Patmos is a barre, volcanic island in the Aegean Sea, at its extremities about ten miles long and five to six miles wide, located some forty miles offshore from Miletus (a city in Asia Minor about thirty miles south of Ephesus; cf. Acts 20:15-17)…The conditions under which he lived would have been harsh. Exhausting labor under the watchful eye (and ready whip) of a Roman overseer, insufficient food and clothing, and having to sleep on the bare ground would have taken their toll on a ninety-year-old man. It was on that bleak, barren island, under those brutal conditions, that John received the most extensive revelation of the future ever given. (MacArthur, John. New Testament Commentary: Revelation 1-11. [Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1999], 40-41)
John was exiled there between A. D. 86 to 96. (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume V: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983] ,892)
First mention of tribulation in Revelation.
Not the Great Tribulation but persecution that we as Christian’s face. 2 Timothy 3:12
The word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ was his only crime.
Write Revelation In a Book
10. John was in communication with the Holy Spirit on the Lord’s Day.
God had sent the Holy Spirit to John who was going to write down the revelation of Jesus.
Sunday has become the Lord’s Day for Christians.
Jesus was resurrected on Sunday.
Great voice
Do you use a loud voice when you are calling your children (for a second or third time)?
Jesus did when He spoke to John here.
What do your children think you sound like? Like the sound of a trumpet?
Or think about how your mother called you!!
Use your middle name? Better get home, NOW!
11. saying, “What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches:
Unto Ephesus [EF uh suhs] and unto Smyrna [SMUR nuh] and unto Pergamum [PUR guh muhm] and unto Thyatira [thai-uh-TAI-ruh] and unto Sardis [SAHR diss] and unto Philadelphia [fil uh DEL fih uh] and unto Laodicea [lei·aa·duh·see·uhn].”
[The internet has pronunciation in several different languages. You may have to search for it.]
Footnote: (From Amplified Bible (AMP))
a. These were actual churches in Asia Minor (now western Turkey),
And in John’s time there would have been only one church body in each of the cities.
They are mentioned in the order in which they would be visited by a messenger
Traveling northward on the imperial road from Ephesus to Laodicea.
John, you are going to see things
And write about them.
Better bring many scrolls!!! (Sorry)
Son of Man
12. John had to look for the voice. Have you ever thought someone was speaking and had to look?
John had to turn around to see who was speaking.
Wow, when he turned to look, he saw seven golden lampstands.
The lampstands are identified in verse 20.
In the Bible the number seven indicates completeness.
13. One like unto the Son of man, See Daniel 7:13
“The intention of the author is to depict the Son of Man as perceptive, even omniscient, able at a glance to see, comprehend, and judge even the most hidden mysteries.” (Patterson, The New American Commentary, Volume 39 Revelation. [B & H Publishing Group, 2012], 68)
Clothed with a garment down to the foot.
This robe was like what the High Priest wore.
The High Priest wore a sash. This person also had a sash.
Instead of goats and calves, Christ offered Himself up as a sacrifice for our sins.
14. His head and His hairs were white like white wool, as white as snow; Daniel 7:9
Ever feel like your mother’s eyes were piercing as a flame of fire? Matthew 10:26
15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace.
In ancient times Kings sat on a throne that was higher than a person in front of him.
Seeing the feet of the King meant you were in the presence of authority.
His voice as the sound of many waters. Ezekiel 43:2
When you are on the beach or near a waterfall and listen to the water does it sound like many waters?
Seven Stars
16. He had in his right hand seven stars,
These are human messengers, possibly pastors or elders of the churches.
“These seven men demonstrate the function of spiritual leaders in the church.” (MacArthur, 48)
Revelation 19:15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword,
So that with it He may strike down the nations,
He will rule them with a rod of iron.
He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
The sharp twoedged sword goes back to Hebrews 4:12.
The word of the Son of Man “is piercing, cutting, separating, revealing, and absolutely irresistible.” (Patterson, 69)
His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
This reflects His Glory. Judges 5:31 Matthew 13:43 Ephesians 3:21
17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.
What would you have done? I would faint.
He comforted him by placing his hand on him.
I would need it.
“Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Jesus is there to help us through our troubles.
My name is I Am Exodus 3:15
He was he before the beginning and will be there for those who love Him forever
He Lives
18. I am he that liveth Joshua 3:10 Psalm 84:2 Matthew 16:16
God is eternal
Jesus paid for our sins and is always with us. 1 Peter 3:18
Keys of death means He has access and authority.
Hades is the place of the dead.
19. Write:
1. What you have seen
2. The things that are
3. What will take place later
20. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.
Each church has an angel. These are the leaders of the church: Pastor, Elder, and Deacons (not inclusive).
Are you allowing the angel to work for your church?
My church has one.
The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Is your church a light for Jesus?
Mine is!!!
References
Scripture quotations from the Holy Bible, King James Version.
Quotation marked NASB 1995 are from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Easley, Kendell H., Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. Nashville: B&H, 1998
MacArthur, John., New Testament Commentary: Revelation 1-11. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1999
McGee, J. Vernon., Thru the Bible: Volume V: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
Patterson, Paige., The New American Commentary, Volume 39 Revelation. B & H Publishing Group, 2012
Revelation 1:1-8 Revelation 2:1-7 Ephesus
