My Bible Study: Revelation
Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega,(from A-Z) the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, (What book is he talking about? This book, The Bible) 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 unto Laodicea. (The church names mean nothing but you identify your church by the content of their teaching)
(these churches are in a circle to this day and stands for all churches so we can compare them to the church we attend)Located in modern Turkey, Ephesus was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the eastern Mediterranean area. It had a population of about 250,000 people. The temple of the Greek goddess Artemis was located there.
Rev 2:18 ¶And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
. Thyatira was a wealthy town on the Lycus River in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey).
Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,(Note: the day of the Lord is the first day of the millennium. A millennium is 1000 years one of God's days is 1000 years 2 Peter 3:8 ) and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, (John was taken to the first hour of the Lords day to the sound of the seventh trumpet to bare witness to all that is to happen when Jesus returns)
2 Peter speaks of the three earth ages. Jesus also showed Paul who said he was taking to the 3rd heaven which was also in the millennium age John was in the spirit, the holy spirit was with him on the Lord's day. 2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. Note John was taken to the first (1st) day of the Millennium 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise( meaning every promise God made in the scripture is going to come to past), as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering (because He loves his children) to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.(God wants every to have a chance.) 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;(some people will think he's already here because the antichrist come first at the 6th trumpet to deceive the world) in the which, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements (i.e. the rudiments which is the evilness of Satan and man) shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (again the rudiments which is the evilness of Satan and man)
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Note: this is at the seventh trumpet sounds when Jesus returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords)
All will be changed in spiritual bodies at that time, in a twinkling of the eye.
Rev 1:17 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:
Although this is a vision given to John in the year 96 BC; remember John was taken to the day of the lord in the year of the millennium
Revelation/Apocalypse
An apocalypse meaning uncovering, is a disclosure of knowledge, lifting of the veil or revelation, appearing, coming, lighting, manifestation, being revealed. Note: to open the page and understand and make knowing
Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Angels in Greek are messengers/people that He's going to send to seven churches which are symbolized by the seven candlesticks..
Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Apparently, a false prophetess was leading believers into compromise. The church was engaging in sexual immorality and dabbling in idolatry. like Jezebel of the Old Testament—another idolatrous woman who opposed God's ways. Rather than rebuke this false teacher and send her out of the church, the believers in Thyatira were allowing her to continue her deception.
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Balaam's error and the source of his wickedness came from sabotaging the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. According to Revelation (Revelation 2:14), Balaam told King Balak how to get the Israelites to commit sin by enticing them with sexual immorality and food sacrificed to idols. The Israelites fell into transgression due to these traps and God sent a deadly plague to them as a result (Numbers 31:16).
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Go back to teaching Christ and the word of God and repent or else you will not longer be considered a church
Rev 2:2 I know thy works and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles (sent ones), and are not, and hast found them liars:
God always knows our works we cannot cun Him. This church says that they are apostles, which are sent by God but they are not, therefore, they are being called liars.
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death(spiritual death); and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
God is saying he knows what they're thinking
Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; the Shekinah glory
God spoke to Moses out of the pillar of cloud in Exodus 33, assuring him that His Presence would be with the Israelites (v. 9). Verse 11 says God spoke to Moses "face to face" out of the cloud, but when Moses asked to see God's glory, God told Him, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live" (v. 20). So, apparently, the visible manifestation of God's glory was somewhat muted. When Moses asked to see God's glory, God hid Moses in the cleft of a rock, covered him with His hand, and passed by. Then He removed His hand, and Moses saw only His back. This would seem to indicate that God's glory is too awesome and powerful to be seen completely by man.
Revelations 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. (Note: John bare record to the word of God and the testimony of Christ not his own words, so, he saw and understood as he observed it)
He calls himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and speaks fondly of Jesus, his Lord, and Savior writing from his cave on the Greek prison Isle of Patmos. He reveals to us through divine revelation truths for today and our destiny tomorrow. John of Patmos, whose name means "God has been gracious," repeats for us Jesus' words in Revelation 3.16, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot." Early Church writers widely accept him as the author of the Book of Revelation. After being plunged into a vat of boiling oil and miraculously surviving, the authorities banish him to the Island of Patmos! To this day, icons bearing his image show a scar from boiling oil down his head. He was probably the only one of Jesus' Apostles who lived a full life and died a natural death. In his day, leaders, princes, and officials came to visit him to seek after his godly advice.✞
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: (Jesus speaking) even as I received of my Father.
He's believers of this church the power to
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
He's golden because the Son of Man who is Christ has the Shekinah glory all over him. The word shekinah does not appear in the Bible, but the concept clearly does. By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people" (Exodus 13:20-22).
Rev 2:12 ¶And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; (that is with his tongue, his mouth)
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit (It's sharp enough to divide the soul from the spirit), and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Her worship was of the most debasing character, and orgies like those of Dionysos were practiced at the festivals held in her honor. Sins of the foulest and darkest impurity were committed on those occasions; and when we think of a small community of Christians rescued from such abominable idolatry, living in the midst of scenes of the grossest depravity, with early associations, and companionships, and connections, all exerting a force in the direction of heathenism, it may be wondered that the few members of the church in Sardis were not drawn away altogether, and swallowed up in the great vortex
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
However, they left their first love which is Christ and the word of God. God is not pleased with this church.
Rev 2:1 ¶Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
In the case of Ephesus, the word itself has no specific meaning in Greek. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the candlesticks are the seven churches. Being the closest church to Patmos; a port some 50 miles NNE of the Island, and also possibly because of its' apostolic links we find it mentioned first of the seven. We find the problem it had was having left its' first love. I don't think that meant idolatry; with their zeal for doctrine, I don't think that would have been tolerated. It means they had lost their passion; their zeal. They hadn't even left their love; they were faithful. But that heart-stopping, pounding all-absorbing desire had dissipated, and that had to be corrected.
Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.
Isa 14:12 Christ promises to share his own crown rights with those who will keep his commandments (works) for as long as needed. Remember there's also the "day star" which is Lucifer
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
It's gonna be a surprise to them, they won't know the parable of the "Fig Tree" to read the signs of the time.
Revelation 1:5 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,(Hew 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same(flesh and blood); that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil/satan;)
Jesus Christ meaning The Anointed One The first one to be resurrected from the dead He defeated death Ecc 12:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel is broken at the cistern. Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Act 9:15 GOD said to Ananias to go thy way: (Paul who was Saul this is his assignment from GOD) for Paul is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: Note Rev 21:1 (John speaking) and I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev. 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. (In the millennial and heaven ages they have their own kings which worship the true KING, All-Mighty GOD.)
Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Jesus is unhappy with this church however, he's still willing to work with the members that truly believe in Him
Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Jhn 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Jhn 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. Jhn 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Many water meaning (many people) which is documented in the 17th chapter
Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. ( What is the second death?) they are overcomers
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Revelations 1:4 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; (Christ that walked the earth, and was crucified, and is returning). and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;(Note: this is talking about the seven churches so that you can judge the teachings of your own church and how to choose the right church)
Note Him, JEHOVAH, means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS and IS, and IS TO COME. Seven (7) means spiritual completeness in biblical numerics Note: only two of the seven churches taught, the truth that Christ accepted and blessed Rev. chap. 2 & 3 Note: It's not about the names of these churches but the subjects that they teach
Revelations 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Note: That they hear and understand
Note: This is a prophecy - the foretelling or prediction of what's to come. A divinely inspired utterance or revelation Note: The Italians occupied all the islands of the Dodecanese in 1912, with of course Patmos, and remained there until 1943, when the Germans took over the island. In 1945, the Germans left and the island of Patmos remained autonomous until 1948 when it joined the rest of independent Greece with the rest of the Dodecanese Islands.
Rev 2:7 ¶He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Paradise is the garden of GOD
Rev 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas (meaning anti-father against Satan)was my faithful martyr Anitpas was Jesus faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Pergamos was a city on a hill and the center of Greek culture and education. It was well known for its cults and worship of idols. The church in Pergamos refused to renounce their faith, even after one of their members was martyred. These believers experienced great pressure to compromise and leave their faith.
Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven(#7 is completeness) Spirits of God (is the Holy Spirit), and the seven stars (the seven angels, angels are messengers that bring the message from God) I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Sardis was devoted to the worship of the mother-goddess Cybele, and no temple worshipper was allowed to approach the temple of the gods with soiled or unclean garments. A white and clean robe was required to approach its so-called gods. Yet note the following account of the actual moral conditions of this idolatry. Andrew Tate writes,
Rev 2:8 ¶And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead (crucified), and is alive; Christ himself
Smyrna means Adorable, Extraordinary, Beautiful Smile,
Rev 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Sometimes the pressure of "fitting in" with the world is overwhelming, but we are to stand firm in our faith, trusting God to provide and to take care of us. We are also to stand firm on the truth of God's Word and not tolerate those who disregard and distort it. As you study this letter to the church at Thyatira, be open to what God wants to teach you through the message to this church.
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega (Note: the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet), the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
The Alpha and Omega is the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet from A to Z GOD the almighty is the whole package.
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
The Nicolaitanes are the followers of Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is very plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, [when they are represented] as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practice adultery and to eat things sacrificed to idols. By Charles W. King
Revelations 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him to show (to uncover so that he could show), unto his servant things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: to witness to it. The apostle John was given a vision of end-time events leading up to the return of Jesus Christ.
The Revelation prophet John 2 Corinthians 11.33-12.9. John wrote his Gospel after the other Gospels, indicating the dating of 90-95 AD for Revelation. The writer of Revelation is traditionally recognized and generally considered to be John, the son of Zebedee, who is one of the Apostles and "the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Rev 1:16 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 shineth in his strength.
The two edged sword is the words that Jesus speak, which cut like a double edge sword and lies can't stand up against His word, including Satan's lies of deceit. Note: Christians also have the double edged sword that cuts both ways because Gods truth will offend some people and strengthen some people so that they may turn their life around
Rev 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
The white garments are what you wear in Gods Kingdom woven from your good works
Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
These are some of the good things about the church of Ephesus
Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
These candle sticks are symbolic for
Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
These church has a lot of rules and regulation and is holier than thou and they worship Baal but didn't know it
Rev 2:24 ¶But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
This church was doing many things well, but they were being led astray by someone teaching false doctrine. Evidently a woman claiming to be a prophetess had been influencing some in this church to join the local trade guilds without which a tradesman could not work in Thyatira. This meant participation in the guild feasts that included immoral acts and the worship of idols.2
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
This is Christ speaking and He has the keys that sets us free from hell and death. He teaches us. How to overcome hell and all of it's sickness and diseases and death which is the result of sickness disease and mishaps. The keys are God's truth
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:(This is on an individual level not all Christian at the same time) be thou faithful unto death (Satan), and I will give thee a crown of life.
We must know and be able to identify who the children of satan are because they claim to be Jews of Judah but they're not.. Mar 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues (that's the synagogue of Satan) ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. (This is the Tribulation) Mar 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Why do only English speakers celebrate "Easter"? Most other peoples of the world call the holiday observed by Christians this Sunday by some variant of the word "Pascha." (Eastern Orthodox churches will observe the holiday on April 12.) Blame it on a woman — and no ordinary woman at that — a goddess. Ēostre is variously depicted by scholars as a fertility goddess and a goddess of dawn and light. The dawn connection could explain a linguistic link between Ēostre and the word "east." According to an essay by Hebrew University Prof. Steven Fassberg, during the period of history marking the birth of the Christian church, both Hebrew and Aramaic were used in the Galilee, where Jesus's ministry was based. In Aramaic, the holiday is called "Pascha."
Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother(a fellow servant), and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
the island of Patmos declined when the Romans conquered it. It was used as a place of exile for convicts. This is how Apostle John came to Patmos, exiled by the Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus in 95 AD (Anno Domini "in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ). In Patmos, Apostle John conveyed the inhabitants to Christianity and wrote the Book of Revelation, the Apocalypse. Patmos then became a place of worshipping and pilgrimage and actually, the culture and history of Patmos are strongly connected to the Apocalypse of Saint John.
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings (HNV: Kingdom) and priests) (This is in the future part of the prophsey of Rev 20:4 Note: And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom (Note:Christians who have eyes to see and ears to hear will become kings and priest in God's kingdom) unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
βασιλεία basileía, bas-il-i'-ah; from G935; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm:—kingdom, reign. The royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom: Revelation 1:6 Amen meaning (That's that)