Post by Joel on Oct 30, 2014 2:12:19 GMT -5
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, to all things that he saw. 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.
-Revelations 1: 1-3
The book of Revelations was written by the Apostle John on the prison island of Patmos, who was imprisoned by Emperor Domitian in 95 A. D. Revelations was revealed to John by Jesus in order to comfort the Church and prepare them for what was to come. At the time of writing this book, John was the last of the original twelve Apostles alive. He begins with letters to each of the seven churches in Asia. It took a lot of time for me to begin to understand the reason for these letters. However, after studying the Bible and notes from prophecy experts, I have began to piece together a comprehensive picture.
Revelation in Greek is the 'apokalupsis', which is where we get our word apocalypse from. And, before you ask, it does not involve a meteorite destroying earth, a worldwide flood, or aliens. The word 'apokalupsis' means to 'reveal' or 'unveil'. So, quite literally, Revelations is Christ's unveiling the events surrounding His Second Coming. This book was meant to be taken literally, unless otherwise indicated. The prophecies inside are literal and imminent. Most preachers are afraid to confront these subjects because of their controversial nature. However, we will try to break it down so that the common person can understand it, since that is how we learned it ourselves.
The Seven Churches
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 has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
-Revelations 1: 4-6
The first chapter of Revelations begins John's greeting to the 'seven churches of Asia'. However, his greeting indicated that it is actually the 'Spirits' of those churches that he is referring to. This indicates that John is addressing the different types of Christians during the end times generation.
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. 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. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love."
-Revelations 2: 2-4
The Church Without Love In Ephesus
This church is at first praised for their perseverance and labor for Christ's sake. They are the ones who have tested each new doctrine and proven the true doctrines and disproven the false. Unfortunately, they have allowed their love for others to wane. Jesus says that if they do not return to the initial love of salvation, that they will be removed from their place. If they repent and return to love, they will eat of the tree of life (Revelations 2:5-7).
The Persecuted Church In Smyrna
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
-Revelations 2: 9 & 10
This church represents those Christians who have suffered for their faith. Jesus tells them that He knows of their pain and tribulation. However, those Christians who persevere and keep the faith will receive the crown of life (Revelations 2:7).
In Part II, we will cover the remainder of the seven churches and give you a sneak peek of the next subject that we will cover. God bless you all and have a blessed day!
-Revelations 1: 1-3
The book of Revelations was written by the Apostle John on the prison island of Patmos, who was imprisoned by Emperor Domitian in 95 A. D. Revelations was revealed to John by Jesus in order to comfort the Church and prepare them for what was to come. At the time of writing this book, John was the last of the original twelve Apostles alive. He begins with letters to each of the seven churches in Asia. It took a lot of time for me to begin to understand the reason for these letters. However, after studying the Bible and notes from prophecy experts, I have began to piece together a comprehensive picture.
Revelation in Greek is the 'apokalupsis', which is where we get our word apocalypse from. And, before you ask, it does not involve a meteorite destroying earth, a worldwide flood, or aliens. The word 'apokalupsis' means to 'reveal' or 'unveil'. So, quite literally, Revelations is Christ's unveiling the events surrounding His Second Coming. This book was meant to be taken literally, unless otherwise indicated. The prophecies inside are literal and imminent. Most preachers are afraid to confront these subjects because of their controversial nature. However, we will try to break it down so that the common person can understand it, since that is how we learned it ourselves.
The Seven Churches
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 has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
-Revelations 1: 4-6
The first chapter of Revelations begins John's greeting to the 'seven churches of Asia'. However, his greeting indicated that it is actually the 'Spirits' of those churches that he is referring to. This indicates that John is addressing the different types of Christians during the end times generation.
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. 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. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love."
-Revelations 2: 2-4
The Church Without Love In Ephesus
This church is at first praised for their perseverance and labor for Christ's sake. They are the ones who have tested each new doctrine and proven the true doctrines and disproven the false. Unfortunately, they have allowed their love for others to wane. Jesus says that if they do not return to the initial love of salvation, that they will be removed from their place. If they repent and return to love, they will eat of the tree of life (Revelations 2:5-7).
The Persecuted Church In Smyrna
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
-Revelations 2: 9 & 10
This church represents those Christians who have suffered for their faith. Jesus tells them that He knows of their pain and tribulation. However, those Christians who persevere and keep the faith will receive the crown of life (Revelations 2:7).
In Part II, we will cover the remainder of the seven churches and give you a sneak peek of the next subject that we will cover. God bless you all and have a blessed day!