BOOK OF REVELATION (Introduction Chapter 1)

By Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD

LESSON NOTES:

Revelation 1 King James Version (KJV)

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

² Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

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.

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; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

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,

⁶ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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.

⁸ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

⁹ I John, who also am your brother, 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.

¹⁰ I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

¹¹ Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, 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 unto Laodicea.

¹² And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

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.

¹⁴ His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

¹⁵ And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

¹⁶ And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

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:

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.

¹⁹ Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

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.

I.                 THE DIFFERENT GROUPS OF FOLLOWERS THAT FOLLOWED CHRIST.

A.             THE CROWDS. Many were only concerned about their miracle of what they could get from Chris.

Matthew 19:2 ²Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

John 6:2 ²and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick.

Matthew 4:23-25 ²³Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. ²⁴News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. ²⁵Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Matthew 12:15 ¹⁵Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

B.             THE 70. This group was much closer to Christ than the crowds were. He could trust this group with special projects and missions.

Luke 10:1-9 New International Version (NIV)

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. ² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. ⁴ Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

⁵ “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

⁸ “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. ⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

 

Luke 10:17-19 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

C.             THE WOMEN. They were close to Christ because they financially undergirded his entire ministry.

Mark 15:39-41 ³⁹And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" ⁴⁰Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. ⁴¹In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Luke 8:1-3 ¹After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ²and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

D.             THE 12. These men were Christ’s direct representatives; with full delegated authority.

Mark 3:13-19 ¹³Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵and to have authority to drive out demons. ¹⁶These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), ¹⁷James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means "sons of thunder"), ¹⁸Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ¹⁹and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

E.             THE TREASURER. He had to have started off good because Christ chose Him. He had character flaws and sins, just like many of the other apostles. They were transformed. He betrayed Christ and hung himself, forfeiting restoration.

John 12:3-6 ³Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. ⁴But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." ⁶He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

John 13:29 ²⁹Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.

F.              THE INNER CIRCLE. These men were closer to Christ than anyone. They saw Him in His highest moment and also His lowest moment.

Matthew 17:1

[ Jesus Transfigured on the Mount ] Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;

Mark 5:37

And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.

Mark 9:2

[ Jesus Transfigured on the Mount ] Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.

Mark 14:33

And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.

Luke 8:51

When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl.

G.            THE BEST FRIEND. John was Jesus’ best friend (i.e., “the disciple whom Jesus loved). Jesus could entrust His own mother to John’s care. And John never took Jesus for granted.

John 13:23 ²³One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.

John 21:7 ⁷Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the LORD!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the LORD," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

John 19:25-27 ²⁵Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," ²⁷and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

II.            THE ONLY WANT TO HAVE SURVIVED MARTYRDOM. It is believed that all of the other apostles died of martyrdom. While John was persecuted, it is believed that he died at an old age of natural causes.

John 21:20-23 ²⁰Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "LORD, who is going to betray you?") ²¹When Peter saw him, he asked, "LORD, what about him?" ²²Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." ²³Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

III.        HIS FOCUS WAS THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. As close as John was; He never lost focus of who Jesus was (and is). Perhaps this is why he could be trusted with the Revelation.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 20:31 ³¹But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

1 John 4:15 ¹⁵If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.

IV.        THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

Revelation 1:19 ¹⁹"Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.

V.             THERE ARE MANY INTERPRETATIONS TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

A.             THREE DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS.

1.               Some think that these are past events that have already occurred during the time of the Roman operation.

2.               Some feel that this is a symbolic book meant to be an encouragement to believers of any generation.

3.               Some believe that the book describes events that have not occurred as of yet.

B.             NONE OF US KNOW IT ALL.

1 Corinthians 13:8-12 ⁸Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. ⁹For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. ¹¹When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹²For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

2 Peter 3:15-16 ¹⁵Bear in mind that our LORD's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ¹⁶He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

VI.        THE REASON THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN.

Revelation 1:1-3 ¹The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, ²who testifies to everything he saw-that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. ³Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

VII.    WHO IS JOHN WRITING TO.

Revelation 1:4-6 ⁴John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, ⁵and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, ⁶and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

A.             SEVEN SPIRITS IS A FANCY WAY OF REFERRING TO THE HOLY GHOST IN HIS FULNESS.

Isaiah 11:2 ²The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD-

John 3:34 ³⁴For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

VIII.                       WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE BOOK?

Revelation 1:7-8 ⁷"Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen. ⁸"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the LORD God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

IX.         JOHN RECEIVED A REVELATION OUT OF HIS SITUATION. Instead of having self-pity, he was under the anointing and received from God.

Revelation 1:9-10 ⁹I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. ¹⁰On the LORD's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

X.             JESUS IS THE FOCUS OF THIS REVELATION; AS IN ALL OF JOHN’S WRITINGS.

Revelation 1:12-16 ¹²I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

XI.         THIS IS THE GLORIFIED CHRIST. This just means to see Jesus in His divinity vs His humanity.

Matthew 17:1-3 ¹After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Matthew 25:31 ³¹"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.

John 13:31-32 ³¹When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. ³²If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

John 17:5 ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

XII.    THIS IS TOTALLY DIFFERINT FROM SEEING CHRIST AS THE “SUFFERING SERVANT. Jesus came to Earth the first time as the “Suffering Servant,” when He comes again, He will come as the “Glorified Christ.”

Isaiah 53:2-3 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

² Like a young plant or a root
    that sprouts in dry ground,
the servant grew up
    obeying the Lord.
He wasn’t some handsome king.
Nothing about the way he looked
    made him attractive to us.
³ He was hated and rejected;
his life was filled with sorrow
    and terrible suffering.
No one wanted to look at him.
We despised him and said,
    “He is a nobody!”

XIII.                        JOHN WAS NOT DIVINE. Although the King James Version calls him “the Divine,” in the sense of him being a minister that was consecrated to God; John was only a man. And, with that he was fearful at the sight of Jesus in all His glory and authority.

Revelation 1:17-18 ¹⁷When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

XIV.CHRIST IN HIS GLORY INTERPRETED. He has authority over the churches.

Revelation 1:19-20 ¹⁹"Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. ²⁰The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

XV.     CONCLUSION:

A.             PRAYER FOR SALVATION FOR YOU TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST; THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.[1] As we close, if you have not received this Jesus pray this simple prayer:

 

"Father, I know that I have sinned against You. Please forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust in Jesus, Your Son. I believe that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. I believe that He was raised from the dead. I surrender my life to Jesus today.

"Thank You, Father, for Your gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus' name, Amen."

                                                

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[1] http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/EverydayAnswers/How+to+Become+a+Christian/. (Accessed, March 2, 2011).