THE BOOK OF REVELATION

To Reveal

By Don Hollifield

Introduction:

I'd like to say a few words about the Bible, especially the king James Bible, which is my favorite, published in 1611. King James Version was written by 52 scholars, It took them 7 years plus 3 years before publication. They were instructed to translate every word exactly as written, and do not add any comments or opinions. I also us Strong's Exhausted Concordance of the Bible containing every word.

The Bible is full of parables and symbolism, including the Garden of Eden. The serpent beguiled Eve, snakes don't talk, and in Revelation 12v9, The old serpent is called the devil. What better way to describe the devil, but as a sneaking, conniving snake in the grass pouncing on its victims.

Also, the two trees in the Garden of Eden are symbolic and are included in the Parable of the Fig Tree, which Jesus commands us to learn the Parable, as mentioned in Matthew 24v32 and Mark 13v28.

Once you learn the Parable, the Bible opens wide, and you understand many of the things that God and Jesus performed. I will again mention the Parables since it is also in the Book of Revelation.

Every time you find something unusual, different, unique, or repeated for emphasis, you probably have symbolism or a special message. Everything in the Bible was written for a reason, nothing by chance.

Revelation is meant to "Reveal," to make known. I believe this Book was specifically written to reveal "The Tribulation," "The Return of Christ," and "The World to Be." As such I believe everything involved in this Book is directly or indirectly associated with "The Tribulation," "The Return of Christ," or "The World to Be."

The Book of Revelation is the gathering of proof in the Bible, including a sweep of history, to the future, and the demise of this world age. This Book may seem difficult to understand, but it is how God has chosen to tell us of some of the awesome events of the future; so gigantic that there are no words in the English Language to adequately describe it.

As such this Book will require the intelligence of everyone that studies it to fully understand it, as God attempts to tell the world about these stunning events of the future as it reveals God's plan for each of us, as God uncovers the mysteries of the future through analogy and symbolism. There are many mysteries in the Bible and it often takes the Lord speaking directly to us to clarify them.

John was an old man of 78 years, exiled to the Island of Patmos in 96 AD, but God was not through with him as the future is revealed to him to reveal to us. Also, remember, John had never seen the many weapons of today, so you must put yourself in his position as he describes the visions he experienced.

"REVELATION CHAPTER ONE"
John's Vision of Seven Candlesticks

V1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants which must shortly come to pass, and He sent and signified it by His angel and unto His servant John.

This verse introduces Jesus Christ, who tells John a series of messages for the seven churches, which are prophesized to occur shortly. Also remember that a day in the life of the Lord is a thousand years. This message is signified by an angel of Christ specifically sent to John.

V2: Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw.

John will bear witness of the Word of God, as well as the witness of Jesus Christ. This is a direct prophetic communications from Jesus. Later, John is invited into the future to observe the judgment and tribulations of the world and Israel.

V3: Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy and keep things which are written therein, for the time is at hand.

We receive the promise of a great blessing just for reading and studying the Book of Revelation. We are responsible for using the knowledge obtained to do as the scripture reveals. At this moment we are receiving God's blessing just for reading His words, and our future blessing is so great that our present difficulties and problems are nothing.

However, we must also hear the words of this Great Book. We must hear the spirit of these words to fully understand their true meaning. This Book gives us the opportunity to change our way of life and stay on the righteous path.

V4: John, to the seven churches which are in Asia, Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before His throne.

Jesus is present with John. Jesus was previously with mankind from "The World That Was," and came to "The World That Is," to show us the way to "The World To Be." He is presently on His throne with the Seven Spirits, and will return to "The World To Be." John stands in the presence of Jesus, as we will someday stand in the presence of God and His Son.

The first part of the Book of Revelation deals with the Seven Churches. There were several more than Seven Churches, but these were specifically chosen by Jesus for a specific reason. Some believe they represent the history of the Christian Church, as it went through different periods of time, plus the church to come. I strongly disagree with this theory because I don't believe the various churches are directly associated with the future of mankind, or with our future.

The Seven Spirits, which are before the throne of God, and each Spirit represents the 7 powers of the Holy Spirit concerning Jesus as described in the Book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 11v2: And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of Wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and Fear (Or revere) of the Lord.

V5: And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

Jesus now speaks to John, not as the Son of Man, but as the Prince or ruler, or King of Kings, who was the first begotten Son of God, who was raised from the dead. He washed away our sins with His blood and we receive the great blessing of salvation through the Amazing Grace and Love of God and his Son.

John was probably stunned and speechless as he stood in the presence of Jesus Christ and he probably fell on his face as he bowed before Him.

V6: And hath made us kings and priest unto God and His Father, to Him be glory and domination for ever and ever. Amen.

John now writes of the roles some of us will have in heaven, as kings and priests serving God and Jesus, a royal priesthood in heaven forever and ever.

Amen.

V7: Behold, He cometh with clouds and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him, and all kindred's of the earth shall wail because of Him, even so. Amen.

Jesus will return in the clouds and every person will know Him and drop to their knees, including those that persecuted or refused Him. And all countries of the earth shall cry out to Him. Amen.

V8: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending." Said the Lord, "Which is and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

Jesus is the beginning of our salvation. He is also the ending of the devil and all evil. No other person will come after Him to provide us with salvation. He is the only way. Now Jesus states that the Almighty "Which Is" and came from the "World That Was," will also be with us in the "World To Be."

V9: I, John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

John was a cousin of Jesus, but also His brother (Or Brethren) and companion in the tribulations John experienced while in exile. Jesus was always with him, including his exile on the Island of Patmos, as John received the Word of God and the witness of Jesus.

V10: I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet.

John was in the Spirit as he witnessed the future, including when the Lord will return on the Lord's Day, therefore, we are witnessing prophesy of the future.

How long is the Lord's Day???

In II Peter 3v8, describes the Lord's Day as a thousand years or a millennium. The Lord's Day begins when Jesus returns, after the curses (Or vials) have been poured out on this earth.

The trumpet is used throughout the Bible to draw attention to an event. In this case, it was the voice of Jesus, loud and clear.

V11: Saying, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, and what thou sees, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia, unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

Again Jesus mentions that He is the beginning and the end or the only way. John is told to write the Book of Revelation, containing all he sees and send it to the Seven Churches.

But why only those Seven Churches??? Actually these Seven Churches represent all of us. I firmly believe these Churches represent Seven Spiritual Churches which exist today within each of us.

Which Church represents your Church???

So John is instructed to write the Book of Revelation for all of us to "Reveal" God's Word and God's Plan. Jesus then names the Seven Churches which represent the history of the Churches as revealed in the first century.

V12: And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks.

John turns and sees Jesus and seven candlesticks, one for each of the Seven Churches. These candlesticks represent the light of Jesus within the Churches that light the way to eternity.

V13: And in the midst of the seven candlestick one like unto the Son of Man, clothes with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Jesus now appears as the King of Kings, in the midst of the Seven Candlesticks.

Why??? Later!

Jesus is wearing a golden breast plate signifying His royalty.

V14: His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were as a flame of fire.

His hair is white as snow which is purity, and His eyes were as fire, as He looked upon John. The eyes of Jesus are penetrating and can pierce the hardest of hearts.

V15: And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace, and His voice as the sounds of many waters.

Even the feet of Jesus shined as metal purified with fire. And His voice was like the roar of many river, probably like the roar of Niagara Falls.

V16: And He had in His right hand seven stars, and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was as the sun shined in His strength.

In His right hand, or His power hand, He holds seven stars or angels of the Seven Churches, and from His mouth came the Word of God as a two edged sword that cuts both ways through the lies and deception of the evil one and his followers.

The appearance of His entire body shined as the sun in it strength.

V17: And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And he laid His right hand upon me saying unto me, "Fear not. I am the first and the last."

John falls on his face at the feet of Jesus, and Jesus laid His Right Hand on him and again states that He is the first and the last, for emphasis.

Notice Jesus laid His Right Hand on John.

Why??? Jesus sits on the right hand of God, and when Jesus returns He will separate the sheep (Christians) from the goats (Non-Christians); and the sheep will be placed on His right hand, and the goats on His left. The power of God is passed to His Son and then to the sheep, or the Christians which is salvation. Jesus is giving John the power of salvation so John can for-see the future and record it accordingly. Jesus tells John to be not afraid, He is the same as before, the first and the last sent by God for all of us.

V18: "I am He that lives and was dead and behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen. And have the keys of hell and of death."

Jesus again states that He was dead and now lives forever. There can be no doubt. Amen!!!

Now Jesus states that He has the keys to hell and death. We are all doomed to hell for our sins, but through our belief and faith in Jesus, He unlocks the doors of hell for us.

Jesus is the truth, and He is our light in our hour of darkness in this world, as we overcome death and enjoy eternity. If a person does not believe and does not have faith, Jesus will NOT unlock that door for him and he will remain in hell condemned to death.

V19: "Write the things which thou has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."

Again John is told to write what he has seen and the future John will witness. He is to record his vision of the future for all mankind to heed; that is the purpose of the Book of Revelation, to "Reveal."

V20: "The mystery of the seven stars which thou saw in my right hand and the seven candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the Seven Churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou saw are the Seven Churches."

It is obvious that the stars and the candlesticks are symbolic. Also, look how many times the number 7 appears in this chapter. The hidden spiritual meaning for the number 7 is "Spiritual Completion." Or according to the direction of God, so the message of the Book is according to God's direction.

As for the stars, it first appears that Jesus is holding the planets or stars in His Right Hand, but remember back in those days they had no ideal of the size of the stars, as they appeared as small lights in the sky. Therefore, I believe that Jesus was holding small lights in His Right Hand which appeared as stars which represented the angels protecting the Seven Churches. Notice that the stars are in the Right Hand of Jesus which is His power hand, showing that the 7 angels are subordinate to Jesus. Jesus is in charge!!!

The seven candlesticks represent the 7 Churches which are lit by the light of the candles, or the Prince of Light which is Jesus. His candles light the way for us to follow Him to eternity.

In the following chapters, Jesus tells John of His disappointment and/or pleasure in the Churches. As I said before, I believe the Churches also represent the Spiritual Churches or Temples of Jesus Christ, and our souls are members of these Churches. Which Church is yours???

Do any of the following Churches represent yourself and your possible shortcoming, or are you one of the few that try to do your very best to satisfy the Son of God? According to the "Parable of the Fig Tree," we are living in the final days of this world age. So the Book of Revelation was specifically written for us. Take heed.

It is also important that we notice that the Seven Churches form a circle, and according to Verse 13, Jesus is in the midst of the candlesticks. I believe the circle represents the world, and with Jesus in the midst of the candlesticks tells us that Jesus resides in the Temples of all the Churches in the world, and we are the spiritual members.

AMEN