Revelation 1

Revelation 1 Part I Observations 1. The seven churches which are in Asia…Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 2. From Him which is, and which was, and which is to come… 3. The seven Spirits which are before his throne… 4. The first begotten of the dead 5. Unto Him that loved us… 6. Washed us from our sins in his own blood… 7. Hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father… 8. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever… 9. He cometh with clouds… 10. Every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him… 11. All kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him… 12. Even so, Amen… 13. I am Alpha and Omega… 14. The beginning and the ending… 15. The Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come… 16. The Almighty… 17. In the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ… 18. For the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ… 19. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day… 20. A great voice, as of a trumpet… 21. I saw seven golden candlesticks…the seven churches. The churches are compared to candlesticks, because they hold forth the light of the gospel to advantage. The churches are not candles: Christ only is our light, and his gospel our lamp; but they receive their light from Christ and the gospel. 22.  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man… 23. Clothed with a garment down to the foot… a princely and priestly robe, denoting righteousness and honour. 24. Girt about the paps with a golden girdle… the breast-plate of the high priest, on which the names of his people are engraven. 25. His head and hairs were white like wool, as white as snow… He was the Ancient of days; his hoary head was no sign of decay, but was indeed a crown of glory. 26. His eyes were as a flame of fire…piercing and penetrating into the very hearts and reins of men. 27. His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace… strong and stedfast, supporting his own interest, subduing his enemies, treading them to powder. 28. His voice as the sound of many waters… His gospel is a profluent and mighty stream, fed by the upper springs of infinite wisdom and knowledge. 29. He had in his right hand seven stars…The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. 30. Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword… which both wounds and heals, strikes at sin on the right hand and on the left. 31. His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength…its strength too bright and dazzling for mortal eyes to behold. 32. I fell at his feet as dead…Christ is beyond our comprehension, terrible to behold. 33. He laid his right hand upon me…His kind embrace upon John and said the words “Fear not” to quell his fears. 34. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore…Christ references His divinity. 35. I have the keys of hell and of death…Christ references His authority. 36. The things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter…Christ refers to His eternity. Inquiries 1. Why does Christ appear in this manner? He does so to bring consolation and confidence to John and the church. 2. What did John really see? 3. How does this first chapter direct our approach to the epistle? Doctrines. I. The Son of God and the Son of Man. II. The Kingdom of God. III. The attributes of God. IV. The church. Uses 1. For our encouragement. 2. For our fortitude. 3. For our comfort. 4. For our confidence.