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| 1 A revelation of Jesus Christ, that God gave to him, to shew to his servants what things it behoveth to come to pass quickly; and he did signify [it], having sent through his messenger to his servant John, |
The Revelation of Jesus Christ – This is NOT 'the Revelation of St. John the divine' but it IS the Revelation of Jesus Christ!
Which God gave him – Even though this is the Revelation of Jesus, it does NOT originate from Him but from God.
Ho theos, the God (Strong's οG3588 T-NSM θεοςG2316)
His servants – The church throughout the Gospel Age.
Things which must shortly come to pass – In the "latter days" – compare Dan. 2:26-28.
We notice that it does NOT say "which may come to pass," but rather "which must come to pass."
Signified it – "And he shewed them by signs" (Roth) – i.e., this book is a symbolic book, written in sign language.
Definition of "signified."
Dictionary.com: "the thing or concept denoted by a sign."
Merriam-Webster.com: "a concept or meaning as distinguished from the sign through which it is communicated"
Dictionary.com also added "Few English speakers likely know this word."
His angel – Pastor Russell.
His servant John – The living members of the body of Christ during the time of His second presence.
– Note the 5 actors described in this verse. This verse sets the primary method for understanding of the entire book of Revelation.The actors are (in the order mentioned in this verse): Jesus Christ
God
His Servants
His Angel
His Servant John
In order to properly understand this book we need to recognize the importance of chapter 1 verse 1.This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
While it is the Revelation of Jesus, it did NOT originate with Him, but with God.
The intended audience for this Revelation is 'His servants'.
The book is written in sign (symbolical) language.
It is explained to John BY the angel (7th angel [messenger], Pastor Russell.)
This leads to an interesting possible translation of verse one:
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ which was given to him by the God to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass and by signs set apart his angel to his servant John."
Observation: Based on verse 1, it sould seem, at the very minimum, the only way to make sense of this book of Revelation is to look to the special "angel (messenger)" referenced for an understanding of what the signs (symbols) of Revelation mean. It was Pastor Russell who explained to us the meaning of many of these symbols, such as some of the following: | Symbol | Meaning | | earth | organized society under religious restraint | | sea | irrelegious restless humanity | | mountains | kingdoms | | islands | republics | | dragon | civil power | | the beast | papacy | | false prophet | organized protestantism | | fire | destruction | | winds | war | | seal in forehead | intellectual understanding | |
| 2 who did testify the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, as many things also as he did see. |
Who – John, the John class, the church in the flesh during the time of our Lord's 2nd Presence.
Bare record of the word of God – It would seem to be impossible to maintain a position within the 'John' class without being a witness to others of this wonderful present truth.
And of the testimony of Jesus Christ – the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10).
Not only does the little flock during our Lord's presence need to witness to the Bible (word of God) and point to the 'Times of Restitution of ALL things' (Acts 3:19-21), but they must also be pointing others to this last feature, i.e., 'the testimony of Jesus'. We must come to an understanding of 'the spirit of prophecy' or we are in danger of not remaining in the body of Christ.
Note: This does not mean that all who are of the little flock during this time will be able to give stirring presentations before others of the mysteries of prophecy, but rather that they will recognize the spirit of prophecy, the spirit of the Truth, the spirit of the Lord, and they will be drawn by and will follow that spirit and not follow others. - John 10:27*
And of all things that he saw – This reminds us of our Lord's instructions in Prov. 23:26 (KJV) "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways". It is not enough that we give our hearts to the Lord, but we must also be observant of what He is doing NOW. This is a manner in which we may double-check our own understanding. If our expectations are not measuring up to what is going on now, it is our expectations that need to change. It seems that now (2003 A.D.) many brethren seem to be largely stuck in the year 1912. They are still looking forward to all they read about in the long forward to the 4th Volume (which foreword was published in 1912). Would that all such would re-awaken themselves and look at this wonderful book in the light of modern history and not only in the light of what they expected would happen. |
| 3 Happy is he who is reading, and those hearing, the words of the prophecy, and keeping the things written in it for the time is nigh! |
Blessed is he that readeth – All who read will receive a blessing.
They that hear – Those who have a hearing ear will receive an even greater blessing.
This prophecy – All prophecy is important, but there is a special blessing attached to "this prophecy." Rev. 19:10 "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
The fact that this is specifically identified as a "prophecy" also helps us to understand just who will be able to understand this book. 2 Pet. 1:20-21
This is very interesting. Among some the stress is all on character development, and the understanding of prophecy is greatly minimized. This is all wrong. The only book attributed to Jesus himself is this book of Revelation, and it is this book which is specifically described as being prophetic in nature, by the words "this prophecy."
Keep those things that are written – This is the class for which this prophetic book is truly written. This is the little flock, the 144,000. Notice this special blessing is for those who do all three, i.e.,
1) Read
2) Hear
3) Keep those things.
Keep is Strong's 5083.It is variously translated 'hold fast', 'keep', 'preserve' and 'watch.' This seems to carry not only the thought of obeying but also of keeping near to our heart the things written in this book.
The time is at hand – The TIME for the fulfillment of all the things written in this book is come. See Rev. 10:6-7.
This book (Revelation) is all about TIME! Our Lord's first preaching was about time (Mark 1:15).
It is worthy of note that when "the time is at hand," the special blessing associated with this message is applicable only to those who are of the John class as described in verse 1. |
| 4 John to the seven assemblies that [are] in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from Him who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the Seven Spirits that are before His throne, |
John – The church in the flesh, especially those living at the end of the age (see comments vs 10)
In Asia – According to "Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary" the word means "muddy" or "boggy." If one is stuck in a bog, progress is difficult. Another way of looking at a bog is a mixture of earth and water. Thus mixing the world with the water of truth produces this arrangement where making progress becomes very difficult.
It is from the word bog that we get the term "bogged down" meaning to 'become stuck, unable to make progress'. Thus there is a reminder in this simple fact that these 7 churches are in Asia that while we are in the world, we are not to be of the world. Remember the 3 enemies of the true Church are: The World, the Flesh and the Devil.
Grace be unto you, and peace, from him – This combination of 'grace and peace' as used throughout the New Testament seems always to emanate from both our Heavenly Father and His Son. See all examples of this: Romans 1:7; Romans 16:20; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephes. 1:2; Philip. 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1 Thes. 1:1; 2 Thes. 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:3; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:2; 2 John 1:3;
Him which is, and which was, and which is to come – The Heavenly Father. - At first we were inclined to think this had reference to Jesus Christ because of the reference to him 'which was' (as though his existence had ceased at some time). However, verse 5 specifically identifies an additional greeting from Jesus as being separate from this greeting.
The seven Spirits – This really indicates the ONE Holy Spirit of God, operating through the seven stages of the church.
See topical mini-study "Seven Spirits of God."
Before his throne – Indicating that while there is a connection with the throne, yet there is at least some portion which is still on the earth. In this case, the seven churches - or rather the seven stages of the one true church. See Bible Topics "Before the Throne." |
| 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born out of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth; to him who did love us, and did bathe us from our sins in his blood, |
Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness – There may be other faithful witnesses, but there is only one who can fully be considered by the Heavenly Father and by the church as being THE Faithful witness, i.e., Jesus.
First begotten of the dead – First Born - "the first-born of the dead" (NASB); "the first-born out of the dead" (YLT)
Prince – Strong's 757 - "a first (in rank or power)"
Of the kings of the earth – This especially applies at the end of the "Times of the Gentiles", i.e., A.D. 1914. Prior to that date, the Gentiles had a limited dominion. This may also be said to date from our Lord's return (A.D. 1874) or from His First 'executive act', i.e., the rejection of the nominal church systems (A.D. 1878) and the time of the raising of the 'sleeping saints'.
Him that loved us – loved 'us', the 'John' class, the church in the flesh during the time of the Lord's Presence. What a wonderful thought! To imagine for a moment that the direct Son of the Heavenly Father could find anything within 'us' that is worthy of His Love seems almost unimaginable! Yet this and other scriptures declare this to be the case.
For us to imagine this love is completely impossible until we remember that He is looking at 'us' NOT from the standpoint of our fallen flesh, but instead from the standpoint of the desires of our hearts.
Washed us from our sins – Praise His Name! Where would we be without the cleansing of our sins by the Lord Jesus Christ? We would still be in our sins and justly condemned to death.
In his own blood – "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins" (Heb. 9:22) |
| 6 and did make us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him [is] the glory and the power to the ages of the ages! Amen. |
And hath made us [to be] kings and priests – See NASB. This certainly is not anything we could have ever hoped to accomplish on our own, yea, it would have likely never entered our minds! (Philip. 3:21)
Who is being spoken of here as being the one who 'hath made us [to be] kings and priests?' It is Jesus (vs. 5).
God and his Father – "His God and Father" (NASB, YLT, ASV, DAR). "God his Father" (NLT, GW).
Glory and dominion – Jesus, as Adam's replacement, was a perfect man and thus had the same dominion over the earth and it's creatures that Adam had. (Gen. 1:26-28) Dominion appears to be part of "the image of God."
This could refer to either the Heavenly Father or the Heavenly Son. Both have dominion which lasts forever.
For ever and ever – Literally: "For ages and ages." Since there must be at least two to make something plural, this phrase indicates a minimum of Four ages. |
| 7 Lo, he doth come with the clouds, and see him shall every eye, even those who did pierce him, and wail because of him shall all the tribes of the land. Yes! Amen! |
He cometh with clouds – His presence is indicated by trouble. "The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet." Nahum 1:3
Every eye shall see him – Eventually this will be fulfilled. All will see (perceive) that the Lord has returned.
There is nothing here that says "at the moment he arrives every eye will see him." In the early part of his return it is only the watchers, those who look for him, who will see (perceive) that he has indeed returned – "as a thief."
They also which pierced him – It is VERY important that the Jews recognize Him! When they do it will indicate the church has finished its course and the door to the high calling of God will have then been shut. Zech. 12:10 (KJV) "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."
All kindreds of the earth – 'kindreds' = tribes. In other words, 'all the families of the earth'. We may recognize that 'all the families of the earth' will be blessed under the New Covenants arrangement (Gen. 12:3), yet we should remember that in order for them to be properly prepared to receive this blessing, they must first be humbled, prepared. They must first realize that their ways are not sufficient to bring about paradise. They cannot do it by themselves. They need help.
Shall wail because of him – In the realizing that they need help they ('all kindreds of the earth') will 'wail' as they go through the most severe portions of the great 'time of trouble' which shall try every man's work. |
| 8 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, beginning and end, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is coming the Almighty.' |
I – Jesus.
Alpha and Omega – Jesus (as the Logos) was the first (Alpha) and only direct creation of the Heavenly Father. As such, he was also the Last (Omega) direct creation of the Heavenly Father. John 1:1-3.
In Zech. 12:10 the reference is "they shall look on ME (Jesus) whom they have pierced.." The import of this is lost in English. In Hebrew the word 'ME' is made up of two letters: Aleph and Tay. These two letters are the First and the Last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, Just as Alpha and Omega are the First and Last letters of the Greek alphabet. Therefore the Zechariah text is saying: "they shall look on ME (Jesus, the First and the Last) .." |
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| 9 I, John, who also [am] your brother, and fellow-partner in the tribulation, and in the reign and endurance, of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, because of the word of God, and because of the testimony of Jesus Christ; |
John – The church in the flesh during our Lord's Second Presence.
Your brother – Not 'The Great Apostle' or 'St. John the Divine.' He was simply our brother in Christ.
Companion in tribulation – 'Filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ'. Col. 1:24 |
| 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's-day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, |
I – The John class, the church in the flesh during our Lord's Second Presence.
In the Spirit – This is the only way to understand the truth, i.e., to be 'in the Spirit' class, i.e., Spirit begotten.
On the Lord's day – The 7th day, the millennium.
Behind me – To understand this book we must take this perspective, i.e., to recognize we are in the 7th day and to look behind us for the fulfillment of most of what is about to be described.
Voice – The voice of present truth. 'The Lord himself shall descend from heaven .. with the voice of the Archangel ..' 1 Thess. 4:16
Trumpet – '.. with the trump of God ..' 1 Thess. 4:16
This would seem to indicate the clear understanding of the vision of Revelation would only come 'on the Lord's day' with the sounding (voice) of the (seventh) trumpet, the voice of "present truth."
This trumpet is the great anti-typical Jubilee trumpet which began to sound about October 1, 1874. See Vol. II, chapter 6. |
| 11 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last;' and, 'What thou dost see, write in a scroll, and send to the seven assemblies that [are] in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.' |
The seven churches – the seven stages of the one True church. |
| 12 And I did turn to see the voice that did speak with me, and having turned, I saw seven golden lamp-stands, |
I turned to see – Thus indicating that the John class is indeed on the Lord's day, the Millennium, and in order to see he must turn and look back through time.
The voice – the same voice mentioned in vs 10 (i.e., that of a trumpet).
That spake with me – This voice (the voice of Truth spoken by the returned Lord) speaks specifically to John (church in the flesh).
Being turned – it is only when we turn and look back that we come to recognize that the seven golden candlesticks indicate the church throughout the age.
It is wise to keep in mind the parable of Wheat and Tares (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43). By right, it is a wheat field (i.e., intended for the true disciples of Christ), but the enemy (Satan) sowed tares (imitation wheat). Eventually the imitation greatly outnumbers the true. This is the nominal church. During the Gospel Age it contains both the true and the false.
Seven golden candlesticks – The seven stages of the church. While this refers to the church nominal, it also refers to the true church, which was contained within the nominal church. This is referred to by the gold. – Jer. 51:7.
This reminds us immediately of the Golden Candlestick (Lampstand) in the Holy of the Tabernacle. There it pictures the light of the Holy Spirit given to the entire church – all 7 stages of it. |
| 13 and in the midst of the seven lamp-stands, [one] like to a son of man, clothed to the foot, and girt round at the breast with a golden girdle, |
In the midst of the seven candlesticks – Jesus has always been in the midst of the church (all 7 stages of it). "Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the age." Matt. 28:20
These 7 candlesticks represent the church in the flesh, all 7 stages of it. See verse 20.
The use of a candlestick to represent a stage of the church is very appropriate. Remember our Lord's words in Matt. 5:14-16 about lighting a candle and then letting our light shine.
Son of man – Jesus. 80 times does Jesus refer to himself by this title in the Gospels.
See Dan. 7:13-14
Clothed with a garment down to the foot – This shows the close relationship between Jesus and His body, the church. The garment (robe of Christ's righteousness) covers all the way to the end of the age, even the 'feet' members of the body of Christ.
Girt about the paps – As opposed to the loins, which represents servitude, labor, the sweat of the brow. This is an elevated condition indicating his being in glory.
Golden girdle – Indicating divine position and strength (gold = divine, girdle = strength). |
| 14 and his head and hairs white, as if white wool as snow, and his eyes as a flame of fire; |
Eyes as a flame of fire – See Dan. 10:5-6 |
| 15 and his feet like to fine brass, as in a furnace having been fired, and his voice as a sound of many waters, |
His feet – The 'feet' members of the body of Christ.
Like unto fine brass – Copper. Perfect human nature. This is, of course, because of the 'robe of Christ's righteousness' – the 'garment' mentioned in vs. 13.
Burned in a furnace – Mal. 3:2,3
His voice – The voice of Present Truth, the voice of the Archangel, the voice of our Returned Lord. This is the same voice mentioned in Isa. 52:8. |
| 16 and having in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth a sharp two-edged sword is proceeding, and his countenance [is] as the sun shining in its might. |
In his right hand – in His (Christ's) right hand. The right hand has always signified the place of strength or power).
The seven stars – The seven messengers to the seven stages of the church are all specially kept by the Lord's power.
Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword – The truth, the bible (Old and New Testaments, indicated by the fact that this sword has two edges) is described as coming out of the mouth of our Lord. "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Cor. 1:21
His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength – This brightness appears to be attributed to all spirit beings. The special indication to us here is that this brightness is 'as the sun shineth it his strength'. This would seem to indicate the Gospel light (emanating from our Lord), through the Bible.
The fact that it indicates 'as the sun' would seem to imply at least the Gospel message and the fact that it also indicates 'in his strength' is indicative of the Presence of the Lord.
The Apostle Paul, in describing his own experience when he was converted described the appearance of the Lord by saying: "I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me." Acts 26:13 |
| 17 And when I saw him, I did fall at his feet as dead, and he placed his right hand upon me, saying to me, 'Be not afraid; I am the First and the Last, |
I – The 'John' class, the church in the flesh during the time of His second presence.
Saw him – Saw (discerned) him (Jesus), i.e., this class recognizes our Lord at His second advent.
I fell at his feet – The standard method of worship or submission. This phrase is a quotation from Dan. 10:5-11 (esp. vs 8)
Laid his right hand upon me – What a staggering thought! Not only does the right hand signify power and strength, but we also remember the instruction of Paul to Timothy to "lay hands suddenly on no man" (1 Tim. 5:22).
"..the Apostle intimates that a laying on of Timothy's hands upon a fellow-laborer in the vineyard would signify his approval, or indorsement: so that if the man turned out poorly in any respect, Timothy would share in his demerit. He must, so far as possible, make sure that he did not give his influence to introduce one who would do injury to the Lord's sheep, either morally or doctrinally.
"No risk should be run; caution should be exercised either in giving a letter of recommendation or a public indorsement in the form of a public God-speed. The same advice is still appropriate to all of the Lord's people in proportion to the degree of their influence." F285
This would indicate approval! Now consider that this is not Timothy or any other member of the church giving their approval. No indeed! This is the approval of our Lord Jesus Christ! - Compare Psa. 139:5-6
Fear not – because I have indeed given thee (the church) my (Christ's) approval as indicated by laying on of my hand.
The first – Jesus was the First direct creation of God.
The last – Jesus was the Last direct creation of God. All other things were created by Jesus as the Logos (John 1:3). |
| 18 and he who is living, and I did become dead, and, lo, I am living to the ages of the ages. Amen! and I have the keys of the hades and of the death. |
I am he that liveth, and was dead – There is no one else (at the time of our Lord's return) who could make this claim. Not even Lazarus could make this claim. Even though he had been dead and was then made alive again, he subsequently died and was therefore no long 'alive'. But Jesus indeed was dead and is now (ever since His resurrection in 33 A.D.) alive.
I am alive for evermore – "For evermore" is Strong's G1519 G165 G165. In every other case in the New Testament this phrase is translated: "for ever and ever." It is the equivalent to us saying "for all eternity." KJVwc
Have the keys – The authority. This is one of those expressions which involve our Lord quoting from the Old Testament. However, it is not immediately apparent. In order to make this connection, we need to go to Rev. 3:7 where our Lord declares that he has 'the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth.' - This is a quotation from Isa. 22:22.
Of hell – Hades, the place of the dead, oblivion. In the context of the quotation (Isa. 22:22) it is clear that Jesus not only has the key (authority) but also that He is the one who will indeed open the doors of hades and release its prisoners in the resurrection of the world of mankind.
And of death – The dying process itself, the results of which leads to hades. |
| 19 'Write the things that thou hast seen, and the things that are, and the things that are about to come after these things; |
Write – This seems not only to be a message to the John class, the church in the flesh during the time of the Lord's second presence, but especially to that special member of the John class who did indeed write the message of present truth, i.e., "The Man Clothed in Linen with the Writer's Inkhorn."
Have seen.. which are.. which shall be – This is exactly what Pastor Russell did. He brought forth "things new and old" from the storehouse of Truth. He explained much of the past and how God's dealings with mankind were all working out His great Plan of the Ages. He explained much of what was going on around him at the time. He also explained those wonderful things to come concerning the eventual destruction of all the systems of error and oppression and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God under the Christ. |
| 20 the secret of the seven stars that thou hast seen upon my right hand, and the seven golden lamp-stands: the seven stars are messengers of the seven assemblies, and the seven lamp-stands that thou hast seen are seven assemblies. |
My right hand – Jesus keeps the 7 messengers to the church by His own right hand. The right hand signifies one's greatest power and strength. |