Revelation Study Notes
Lesson 1 – The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Chapter 1
God’s Great Plan that started in Genesis 1:1 – the Conclusion
Rev.1:19: “Write the things which you have seen, the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”
I. From Approaching Hoofbeats, by Billy Graham
Apocalypse : calypto [to veil, to cover, to conceal] with apo [from]. Thus apocalypse means ‘to remove the veil’, ‘to uncover’, ‘to reveal’, ‘to make clear’”.
II. Jesus himself is the Revelator;
a. Jesus message is to his bondservants [see attached]; and it is to those for whom the events will happen soon – which generation is this? We will look at threats & promises Ch 2-3 – if it is historical – Jesus has not followed through
b. He uses an angel in the delivery and explanation of the meaning of what John was shown. [see attached on identity of this angel]
c. Ministry of Angels [Hebr 1:4-14]
i. makes angels [into] winds
ii. makes his ministers a flame of fire
iii. all ministering spirits
iv. sent to render service, for the sake of those who will inherit salvation…
III. The Blessing [v. 3]
a. Blessing to those who read and hear AND who heed, for the time is near
The only book in the Bible that provides a blessing for reading or hearing it read
b, Finale to inspired scripture, so it must be very important.
b. We should consider this to be important because we have the Spirit of God guiding us into this study
c. Time – The Time is near
a. This is a personal revelation from 25 years ago
i. Time does not pass in the same way in heaven as on earth
ii. 30 minutes may pass in heaven while years pass on earth
b. The Patterns of judgment
i. Seals are related punishments that may or may not be sequential
a. When a seal is broken or bowl poured out, the power has been released, and there is some individual freedom in how and when it is actually applied, plus it takes time in the physical world
ii. Look for patterns of a seal, a trumpet, a bowl, as a plague worsens from light to heavy
c. Seven Creation days patterns the seven milleniums – “With the Lord, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day”
i. God used the creation as a pattern for history – 6 days then a day of rest.
ii. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, and he has promised us a rest – so history patterns show Jesus will be Lord of the earth during the seventh 1,000 year millennium
iii. Read “Teaching of the Twelve” by Barnabas [one of the twelve]:
From the Didache, or “Teaching of the Twelve” by Barnabas [one of the twelve]:
“And elsewhere he saith: if thy children shall keep my Sabbaths, then will I put my mercy upon them. And even in the beginning of the Creation he makes mention of the Sabbath. And God made in six days the works of his hands; and he finished them on the seventh day, and he rested the seventh day, and sanctified it. Consider my children, what this signifies. He finished them in six days. The meaning of it is this: that in six thousand years the Lord God will bring all things to an end. For with him one day is as thousand years and himself testifieth, saying: “Behold this day shall be as a thousand years.” Therefore, children, in six days, that is, in six thousand years, shall all things be accomplished.(13:2-5); Ref: Shadows of Things to Come, Rick Joyner, p 27.
iv. Hebrew calendar – this year is 5763, and there is a 240 year error, making it about 6003 since creation
VI. V 4-5 John to the 7 churches – pattern of seven – then The Trinity
V. The Trinity
a. From the one who is, who was and who is to come
b. From the sevenfold Spirit before his throne [read Isaiah 11:1-2]
c. from Jesus Christ
f. Look for pattern of sevens in Revelation, seven is perfection, the number of God
VI. All the earth will see him come
a. Matt 25:41-46
b. Zech 12:10 look upon me whom they have pierced
c. Zech 13:6 wounded in home of friends
VII. Verse 8 – Jesus is speaking in first person – alpha and omega, aleph and tav [see attachment 1f.p]
-Genesis 1:1: ‘In the beginning God created’ then comes aleph tav; Zech 12:10: ‘They will look upon aleph tav that they have pierced’ – Jewish sages ask ‘who is the aleph tav who gets pierced?’
V 9 – John is companion in tribulation – kingdom – perseverance; John exiled to Patmos by Domitian, who died in 97 AD [18 months] and wrote Revelation in 95 AD while on Patmos; then John returned to Ephesus; the Ephesians knew him well – his Book was accepted as is by the local churches; later challenge as to authorship by 300 ad church;
V10 – WHAT DID THIS VOICE SOUND LIKE?? LIKE A TRUMPET
V 12 – seven lampstands [Menorahs] interpreted later as seven churches
V 13 – 14; Jesus looks like the Ancient of Days; John falls flat on his face – being transformed into King of Kings – see Dan 7:9; Dan 10:5-6;
V 15 – WHAT DID JESUS’ VOICE SOUND LIKE? MIGHTY OCEAN WAVES
V 16 – seven lampstands and seven stars [menorahs and stars of David] – note pattern of seven – perfection and completeness
V 17 – 18 Fell at his feet as DEAD; John couldn’t even stand before him; but Yeshua comforted him ‘ I am alive forevermore’
V 19 – Write therefore the things which YOU HAVE SEEN, and the things which ARE, and the things which SHALL TAKE PLACE AFTER THESE THINGS – all three included in Revelation
V 20 - angel = messenger; see v 1, angels are messengers
VIII. Conclusion
In the culmination of history, any tribulation becomes small compared to the vision of what is to come when our Lord returns to redeem the earth and rule. This is a revelation of the world as it will be when Jesus takes possession of the kingdom granted to Him by the Father, where He will physically reign for 1,000 years. All of creation has awaited this final redemption – this is the climax of earthly history and is the promise to all believers who will inherit this kingdom – THIS IS THE ‘BLESSED HOPE’ OF ALL CHRISTIANS.
Also, this warning allows us to be prepared.
a. Storms
b. Tribulations
c. Church cell groups – the end time church format
d. Prophetic restoration – the latter rain before the final harvest
i. A new wave of ministries is about to be released with extraordinary gifts
ii. Capture attention of church and civil authorities
iii. Initiates danger for those with these gifts
iii. Look for the authority of your spiritual anointing to increase
