Revelation 3-5
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Chapter Review 3-5
Chapter Review 3-5
Chapter 3
This chapter continues addressing the the seven churches of Revelation. These churches are presented in the order that they appear on the postal route beginning with Ephesus and going counter-clockwise until Laodicea. Chapter three will look at the final three ( 3 ) churches: Sardis the dead church, Philadelphia the faithful church and Laodicea the lukewarm church
Chapter 4
John is transported to heaven. At this point some commentators would say that the rapture has occurred because the word church does not appear again until chapter 19. In heaven we see God sitting on His throne. It is a picture of imminent judgement tempered by His mercy
Chapter 5
The scene is heaven and we see a scroll with seven seals. John weeps because there is no created creature on earth or in heaven worthy to open the scroll. But there is one and He is the lamb that was slain. The scroll is the title deed to the earth. He alone is worthy to take back the earth from under the curse of Satan. All creation sings a new song.
Look for
— Prayers ( Blue )
— Promises ( Green )
— Warnings ( Red )
— Commands ( Purple )
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Read and summarize
Sardis: The Dead Church
Q: How did Jesus introduce himself to Sardis ( 3: 1 ) ?
The Correspondent
( 3:1 ) “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
Seven Spirits
— The Spirit’s fullness
— Or, the Menorah, temple lampstand ( Zech 4:1-10 )
— Or, the seven-fold ministry of the spirit ( Is 11:2 )
Seven Stars
— Seven messengers or seven elders ( cf. 1:20 )
— He who holds or controls the churches
Judgement
— He doesn’t introduce himself as a divine judge as He did to the previous church, Thyatira
— “‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:” ( 2:18 )
— But Sardis faced imminent Judgment
Q: What do we know about the church at Sardis?
— We only know what is written here in Revelation and from Melito
Melito of Sardis
— Melito from Sardis was a bishop in the first century (d 180 AD)
— He wrote the earliest know commentary on passages of Revelation
— He doesn’t mention fulfillment in the first century
— Melito, like Irenaeus, believed in a literal 1,000 year millennial reign of Christ on earth
The City: Sardis
Q: What do we know about the city of Sardis?
Fifth Church
— 5th Church along the postal route
— Going counter-clockwise this would be about 3 o’clock
Wealthy
— A wealthy city
— They mined gold from the near-by Pactolus River
— The city was also known for it’s textile industry
— They made wool and garments
John’s Time
— At the time John wrote this letter the prosperity of Sardis was in decline
— It’s glory days were long gone
The Concern
Q: What problems existed in Sardis?
( 3:2 ) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Be Watchful γρηγορέω (grēgoreō), be on the alert; be awake
— Literally, “prove yourself” to be watchful
— When they heard this phrase, it was like an arrow to the heart
Tall Plateau
— Sardis was on a mountain top 1,500 ft tall plateau
— 3 sides were sheer cliffs
— The only way in and out was from the South along a steep path
— They thought that they were invulnerable so they never bothered to guard the steep cliffs
A Child could have defended the City
— The Persians (549 BC) and again Antiochus the Great ( 195 BC) conquered the city
— Climbers climbed the walls unobserved
— It was said that a child could have defended the City
Complacent
— They had become complacent
— The believing Christians had to wake up and see what was happening in the church
Strengthen
( 3:2 ) and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die
— Fan the flames of that which was remaining from the healthier days of the church
— Go back and restart those things that were before
— That still survive
— That haven’t burned out yet
— This is urgent because they are spiritually dying
Not perfect before God
( 3:2 ) for I have not found your works perfect before God.
— Not quantity of works but quality of works
— “before God” reminds us that God’s evaluation is very different than man’s
Look at the heart
— God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7 )
— “ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ( 1 Sam 16:7 )
Before Men
— Their deeds had a reputation before men
Samson- illustration
— Sampson and Delilah illustrates Sardis
— Because of Sampson’s disobedience to God, he lost his strength ( Jud 16:16 )
— He was captured by the Philistines and blinded
— On the outside same man; same name
— But Judges says “he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.” ( Jud 16:20 )
Tragic
— It was tragic
— Sardis once spiritually strong
— Now blinded, weak and did not know that the Lord departed them
The Commendation
Q: Was everyone at Sardis guilty ( 3:4 )? What promise was given to the faithful?
( 3:4 ) You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
A Few
— God always has a remnant
— Even in the church of Sardis
Garments
( 3:4 ) who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
— Garments are soiled
— Not fit for worship
— Many suggestions as to what this might mean
None are persuasive
— Soiling of the conscience
— Soiled robes of baptismal purity
— abstaining from the spiritually dead in the church
— abstaining from sexual, moral impurity
— soiling refers to the flesh
— Keep yourself pure from pagan and worldly practices in Sardis
— not soiled their robes of righteousness contrasts with the white robes of righteousness in this verse
— fits with garments of salvation (Ps 132:16; Is 61:10 )
— fits with “clothed in righteousness” ( Job 29:14; Ps 132:9 , Is 59:17; Eph 6:14; Rev 19:11,14 )
— fits with “rob of righteousness” ( Is 61:10 )
— But, this refraining from soiling it is a strange term
Best Interpretation
Robert Thomas
A general sense, not falling into sin (Thomas, p. 256 )
The Command
Q: Can you see in ( 3:3 ) some sense of the similarities to Christ’s teaching in the Gospel?
( 3:3 ) Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Gospel Parallels
— Some parallels with the gospel
— The Olivet Discourse ( Matt 24:42-43 )
— “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.” ( Matt 24:42-43 )
No one knows
— The church is ignorant of the Lord’s return
— It will catch the church by surprise
— The city was captured twice by surprise
— Would the Christians allow their spiritual opponent to surprise them again?
Difference
— In Matthew and Luke it was a general call ( everyone to be watchful )
— Here, the message is to a specific church and their watchfulness which they completely disregarded
— The Lord repeats this call for all of us to be watchful in Rev 16:15
— “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” ( Rev 16:15 )
The Counsel
( 3:5-6 ) He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Clothed in White
— Robes of righteousness
— Purity, holiness
— White robes are also worn at weddings
— We will attend the marriage supper of the lamb ( 19:7-9 )
Book of Life
Q: What is this “book of life” and is it teaching that we can loose our salvation?
— Some avoid the issue altogether
— They say that the book described in the OT is not the book of life
— “Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” 33 And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” ( Ex 32:31-33 )
— Rather, a record of those living
— The threat is physical death
— They call this the “book of the living”
The Wicked
— Another way to look at this
— Both the just and the wicked are recorded in the book of life
— In both Ex 32:33 and Ps 69:28 “blotting out” is a possibility
— “ Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.” ( Ps 69:28 )
— The psalmist prays for the blotting out of the wicked
— One of the “imprecatory” psalms
Figure of Speech
— In Revelation, this is a figure of speech
— An affirmative described as a negative
— It is a promise, not a threat
— We were put into the book before the foundation of the world
Before the angels
— Similarities with the gospels (cf Matt 10:32; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26 )
Philadelphia: The faithful church
The Correspondent
Q: How did Jesus introduce himself to the saints in Philadelphia, the faithful church ( 3:7 )?
( 3:7 ) “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
He who is holy
— Only God is holy, separated from sin
— Jesus had this title in the NT
— The Demon recognized this when he encountered Christ
— “saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
( 3:7 ) “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
The key
— He has the key of David
— The key of authority
— This is the messianic office ( 5:5; 22:16 )
— This phrase describes the Messiah in the OT ( Isa 22:15-25 )
Wilson Douglas
A man named Shebna was the steward or prime minister during the reign of Hezekiah. He was prideful and was ejected from the palace ( Is 22:15-22 )
Shebna was a traitor, communicating with the enemies of Judah. Eliakim replaced the treacherous Shebna. He was a faithful steward. When he opened something, no on could shut it. When he locked something, no one could open it. Eliakim is a type of Christ. Jesus is the steward of all human history, having replaced the treacherous steward, that is the devil (Wilson, p. 466 )
The Church - Philadelphia
Q: What do we know about the church at Philadelphia?
— We know that the Christians in Philadelphia stood firm
— Some were martyred with Polycarp at Smyrna
— The church lasted for centuries until the mid 14th century
The City - Philadelphia
— The 6th city along the postal route
— going counter clock wise about 4 o’clock
— The names means “brotherly love”
Missionary City
— Founded not as a military city
— Founded as a Greek language & Cultural center
— Very successful
— Soon the Greek language dominated the region
Earthquakes
The city location was not as lucky
— It was near several active volcanoes
— The soil was fertile but the city suffered devastating earthquakes
AD 17
— One earthquake in AD 17 destroyed 12 cities in the Lydian Valley including
— Philadelphia
— Sardis
AD 60
— Another large earthquake in AD 60
— The city was still rebuilding when John’s letter arrived
The Commendation
Q: What had Jesus opened for Philadelphia in ( 3:8 )? And in what way did he commend them?
( 3:8-11 ) “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
Open Door
— A open door to present the gospel to the world
— Just like the city was originally founded to spread the Greek culture and language to Asia
— The Lord is saying, here is an opportunity for service
— An open door in terms of missions
A better Explanation
— If the first interpretation is correct ( missions )
— This is not the context of chapters 2-3
— Spreading the gospel is not urged on any other churches
— Strange to interrupt his encouragement with a parenthetical statement about missionary work
David’s kingdom
— Better, he is encouraging the Church
— Saying, you have a sure entrance into the kingdom
— Not even the synagogue of Satan can shut you out
— The previous verse ( 3:7 ) talks about David’s kingdom and the key
Deeds
— Nothing in their deeds caused him concern
Little Power
( 3:8 ) for you have a little strength
— Speaks of their strength
— Not a large church, but they use what they have
Kept Christ’s word
( 3:8 ) have kept My word
— They showed that their faith was real by keeping His word
Not denied His Name
( 3:8 ) and have not denied My name
— Would not recant their faith
Persevere
( 3:9-10 ) Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere
— “ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (NIV) ( 3:10 )
— He would spare them the ultimate test
— Supports a pre-tribulation rapture view ( John 14:1-4; 1 Cor 15:51-54; 1 Thess 4:13-17 )
Q: What does the Lord promise will happen to the church’s enemies ( 3:9 )
Bow Down
( 3:9 ) indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you
— They will be defeated, bow down at the their feet
— Gentiles will bow down to Israel ( Is 45:14; 49:23; 60:14 )
— But here the opposite way around
— Exact opposite of what the OT predicted about Israel in her kingdom
— This pictures the future repentance of Israel and respect towards the church
— One day all Israel will be saved ( Rom 11:26 )
Satan’s Throne
Wilson
Nominal Christians are not partial Christians, but rather devil-worshippers. Nominal Christians are not half way to heaven, but rather most of the way to hell ( Wilson, p. 485 )
The Command
( 3:10 ) Because you have kept My command to persevere
— He provides us with persevering faith
— We are saved by His power but not apart from our faith ( Col 1:22-23 )
— Those who abandon the faith were not really saved ( 1 John 2:19 )
— If we persevere, no one will take away our crown ( James 1:12 ) which is the crown of life ( 2:10 )
The Counsel
Q: What reward is promised overcomers ( 3:12 ) ?
( 3:12-13 ) He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Make him a pillar
— God will make overcomers a pillar
— Another name for a Christian (cf. 1 John 5:5 )
— stability but also honor
— eternal place of honor
New Name
— Ownership
— We belong to God
— To the overcomers in the compromising church ( Pergamos ) he said he would give a white stone ( 2:19 ) with a “new name”
Name of God/City
— Like our passport
— It is our city, country name on it
— Here, we have citizenship in heaven ( Phil 3:20 )
Laodicea - the Lukewarm Church
Q: How did Christ introduce himself to the church at Laodicea?
The Correspondent
( 3:14 ) “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
Amen
— The Amen in the sense that all of God’s promises and covenants are fulfilled in Him
— “ For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” ( 1 Cor 1:20 )
Faith and True
— The Faith and True witness
— Everything He speaks is true
— Always accurate, precise
— Always reliable
The Beginning
— He is the origin of Creation
— Colossae and Laodicea were neighbors ( 10 miles )
— Colossae had the heresy that the Church was created and the firstborn ( protokos ) and one of a series of emanations from God
— He is not firstborn in time but preeminence
Q: What do you know about the church at Laodicea ?
The Church - Laodicea
— Very little, just what is here in Revelation ( similar to al the churches except Ephesus )
— This is a neighbor of Colossae ( 10 miles ) but Paul never visited Laodicea ( Col 2:1 )
Most Famous
— Of the seven churches this is the most famous
— This is the lukewarm and tepid church
— The basis of many sermons
The city of Laodicea
— On the postal route
— The last of the 7 churches, 5 o’clock going counter-clockwise
— 100 miles East of Ephesus
— 40 miles from Philadelphia
— It’s sister churches are
— Colossae, 10 miles East
— Hierapolis, 6 miles North
Wealthy City
— A very wealthy city
— Known for banking, textile industry, medical arts
— It is also located at the juncture of two important roads
— East / West to Ephesus and the interior
— North / South to Pergamum and the Mediterranean Sea
Rich
— It was so wealthy that after the devastating earthquake in AD 60
— The city refused any financial aid
— Life was so good in Laodicea that the Talmund spoke scornfully of the life of ease of the Laodicean Jews
Wool
— The city was famous for the soft black wool that was used to make carpets and clothes
Medicine
— The city had a medical school
— The city was famous for an eye salve that it had developed and sold throughout the Roman world
The Concern
Q: What problem did Laodicea have ( 3:15-16 ) ? Explain the “cold” and “hot” issue
( 3:15-16 ) “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
( 3:15 ) “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
Hot
— Hot people are spiritually alive
— Have a transformed life
Cold
— Rejected Christ
— Unmoved by the bible
— No interest in His word, the Church or Fellowship with His people
( 3:16 ) So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth
Macarthur
Some churches made the Lord weep, others made him angry, the Laodicean church made Him sick ( MacArthur, p. 136 )
Water
— The city had no water supply of its own
— Water traveled to the city through an aqueduct system
— Nothing like the aqueduct system that feeds waters to the Los Angeles basin from the Colorado River and the Sierra Mts
Hierapolis - Hot
— Water came from Hierapolis but it was 6 miles away
— Hierapolis had hot springs
Colossae - Cold
— Water also came from Colossae which was 10 miles away
— Colossae had natural cold water springs
Laodicea - Lukewarm
— By the time the water reached Laodicea
— The water was foul, dirty and tepid
— It was lukewarm and useless
Q: What does it mean to be lukewarm ?
Lukewarm
— Not saved, but hasn’t rejected the gospel
— They might attend church and even claim to know the Lord
— These are hypocrites
— Much harder to reach with the gospel than cold, unbelieving people
— No one is harder to reach than a false Christian
— They make a profession of faith but never experience saving faith
— No one is harder to reach than this person
— Professed Christ
— Secretly has not believed in Christ
— Thinks that profession is enough
Tepid
— Looks like good water on the first appearance
— But good for nothing
Q: What did the Laodiceans think of themselves ( 3:17 )? What where they really like?
( 3:17 ) Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Spiritual Wealth
— They thought that their material wealth mirrored their spiritual wealth
— They boasted
— Instead of being envied - they should be pitied
— You are:
Wretched - thought they knew God’s peace
Miserable - thought they were filled with grace
Poor - think their wealth made them blessed
Blind - think their eye salve made them well
Naked - think they are clothed with fine wool
— Jesus’ first Beatitude in the Sermon on the Mount was “Blessed are the poor in spirit” ( Matt 5:3 )
— Humility is the foundation of all other graces
— Pride has no place in Christ’s kingdom, until a person surrenders pride he cannot enter the kingdom
— We cannot be made worthy until we recognize our unworthiness ( Prov 16:5 )
— The church at Laodicea said proudly, “I an rich and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” not knowing she was instead “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked”
The Command
Q: What did Jesus offer to do for them ( 3:18) ?
( 3:18-20 ) I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Buy from me
( 3:18 ) I counsel you to buy from Me
— Buy from me:
Gold - that you may be rich
White Garments - to clothe you
Ointment - so you can see
Buy
— You can’t earn your salvation
— lost sinners have nothing with which to buy salvation
— “Buy” in this sense is an invitation to come ( Is 55:1 )
— “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.” ( Is 55:1 )
( 3:18 ) buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich;
— Gold refined by fire
— Pure gold, all the impurities have been removed
— “refined by fire” refers to the trials that test our faith
— Gold represents the purified faith that comes by the fiery trials
White Garments
( 3:18 ) and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed
— Clothed in righteousness ( cf. 3:4-5; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9; 7:13-14 )
— Also stated in the OT again by Isaiah
— “ I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” ( Is 61:10 )
In Contrast to Sin
— This is in contrast to the black wool ( sin ) garments of the Laodiceans
— Sin is pictured as unclean and filthy rags ( Is 64:6; Zech 3:3-4 )
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”
Nakedness
— Nakedness = shame ( 2 Sam 10:4; Is 20:4; Ezek 16:37; Hos 2:3, 9 )
— We are now covered and will avoid shame
— As soon as Adam and Eve sinned they felt shame and realized they were uncovered ( Gen 3:7 )
— We put on the clothes the moment we put our faith in Christ
— We avoid shame at His second coming
Eye Ointment
( 3:18 ) and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see
— Phrygian powder was used at the medical school in Laodicea
— They needed a cure for spiritual blindness
— They needed Christ to open their eyes
— “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’” ( Acts 26:18 )
Reprove and Discipline
( 3:19 ) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.
— We know that the Lord chastens believers ( Heb 12:6 )
— But here he is talking to unbelievers in the so-called church
— These are lukewarm, self-righteous
— These are unregenerate desperately needing faith tested like gold
— clothes of righteousness
— eye salve to treat their spiritual blindness
— God loves the unsaved as well ( John 3:16 )
— Because He loves the sinner, it motivates Him to rebuke and chasten them as well
— “in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,” ( 2 Tim 2:25 )
Zealous and Repent
( 3:19 ) Therefore be zealous and repent
— In order to be saved they must
— Repent
— Hunger and thirst for righteousness
— Draw near to God through confession
service
worship
study of the Word
— Then he can rekindle your love for God
Q: We’ve all seen the picture of Jesus knocking on the door. It is often depicted as a door without a handle. Do you think this accurately describes ( 3:20 )?
( 3:20 ) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Heart
— This passage is often allegorized as Jesus knocking on the door of your heart
— This is a great truth, Christ came to seek and save the lost ( cf Lk 19:10 )
— That truth is not taught in this passage ( Thomas, p. 321 )
Eschatological Door
— This is eschatological literature
— This door is the 2nd coming
— It is imminent like knocking
— Christ is telling the church to get ready, get in shape (cf. Matt 24:33; James 5:9 )
— “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” ( Matt 24:33 )
— “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” ( James 5:9 )
The Counsel
Q: What blessings are promised to the overcomers ( 3:21 )?
( 3:21-22 ) To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
Sit on the throne
— Enjoy fellowship with Christ
— Sit on the throne he shares with the Father
— We will reign with Him (cf 1 Cor 6:3; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 5:10; 20:6 )
— All believers will sit on the throne of Christ ( Rev 3:2 ), exercising authority over the people of the earth ( Rev 2:26 )
— The apostles will uniquely rule over a restored Israel during the millennial
Over-comers are promised
— ( 2:7 ) eat from the tree of life
— ( 2:10 ) crown of life
— ( 2:17) white stone with a new name
— ( 3:5 ) white garments
— ( 3:5 ) Our names confessed before God the Father
— ( 3:12 ) A pillar in God’s temple
— ( 3:12 ) A name written on them which is the name of God and Jerusalem, our citizenship
— ( 3:22 ) sit on the throne with Christ and rule with Him
Jesus also overcame
( 3:21 ) as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
— Jesus also overcame
— He overcame through His death
— “I have overcome the world” ( John 16:33 )
The missing church
— After chapter four ( 4 ) the church is never mentioned again
— Some say that between chapters 4 and 5 the church is raptured to Heaven
Summary
Judgments
— None against Smyrna and Philadelphia
— Ephesus - left her first love
— Smyrna - the persecuted church
— Pergamos - the compromising church
— Thyatira - the corrupt church
— Sardis - the dead church
— Philadelphia - the faithful church
— Laodicea - the lukewarm church
Preterist
Preterist Explanation
— The Preterist are silent on chapters 2-3
— They say it must have already been fulfilled in the first century
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
John is transported to heaven. At this point some commentators would say that the rapture has occurred because the word church does not appear again until chapter 19. In heaven we see God sitting on His throne. It is a picture of imminent judgement tempered by His mercy
Read and summarize
Church
— Chapters 2-3 was all about the church on earth
— After Chapter 3 and all the way to Chapter 19 we don’t see the word church
— No where is church mentioned in 4-19
— Appears again as the Bridegroom of Christ ( 19:7-14 )
Did I miss it?
— See that “white space” between 3 and 4?
— That’s where the Rapture happened (MacArthur)
— This is the dispensational view
Proof Text
— Philadelphia church represents the faithful churches in all church history
— “ Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” ( Rev 3:10 )
Rapture
— The subject of three passages in the NT
— John 14:1-4
— 1 Cor 15:51-54
— 1 Thess 4:13-17
— None of them speak of judgment, rather, the church taken up to heaven
We will not experience
— Characteristics of the Rapture
— A future event
— Limited in duration - hour of testing
— Expose people as they truly are
— Worldwide, upon the whole earth
Preterist
Preterist Explanation ( Gary Demar )
— Chapters 1-3 address the local church and not the church in general
— The word “saints” when it appears in 4-19 refer to the people of these literal 7 churches
— In rebuttal that church does not appear after chapter 3: If 4-19 is not about the church but Israel, why is Israel only mentioned once after chapter 3?
—It should be kept in mind that the entire pre-tribulation schema is based on a faithful interpretation of Dan 9
— There is no verse that explicitly teachers the rapture
Q: What did John see next in ( 4:1 ) ?
( 4:1 ) After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
A Door
— A door standing open
— New section of the book
— Was on earth but not the scene shifts to Heaven
Q: What did her hear? What did it sound like?
( 4:1 ) And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
A Voice
— Sounded like a trumpet
— A voice of authority
— Almost identical to ( 1:10 )
Come up here
— A command for John to come to Heaven, receive revelation
— Some think that this refers to the rapture
— it is not:
— The rapture will be for the church to receive final salvation
— Not to receive revelation / prophecy
— John’s body was still in Patmos
Q: What did he see in heaven ( 4: 2 )
( 4:2 ) Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
A throne
— God sitting on the throne
— John doesn’t name “The One” but Isaiah gives us a picture
— “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.” ( Is 6:1 )
— Isaiah sees the pre-incarnate Christ
— John provides us insight in his gospel
— “These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.” (cf. John 12:4 )
Sitting
— He is sitting, not resting
— He is reigning on His throne
— In contrast to the whimsical grandfatherly figure, God is reigning over the universe
— Is an awesome and fearful sight
Q: How is he described ( 4:3 ) ?
( 4:3 ) And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
Jasper
— Rev 21:11 says that the jasper was clear as crystal
— Diamond
Sardius
— A fiery, blood red ruby
High Priest
— These were the first and the last stone on the high priest’s breastplate ( Ex 28:17-20 )
— They represent the firstborn ( Reuben ) and last born ( Benjamin )
Q: What does it mean?
Judgement
— White light and fire ( carnelian ) pervades the OT ( cf. Ezek 1:4; 8:2; Dan 7:9; Rev 1:14; 10:1 )
Thomas
The picture is that of his anger because of His holy nature reacting in response to the prevailing sinfulness of mankind, resulting in the judgment he is about to send upon the earth. (Thomas, p. 342 )
Rainbow
— Not the rainbow that we see ROY G BIV
— An emerald rainbow
— Represents His covenant not to destroy the world by water ( Gen 9:13-17 )
Mercy
— It is a reminder that His mercy is as great as His majesty
— His coming judgment is tempered by His great mercy
Q: What surrounded the throne ( 4:4 ) ?
( 4:4 ) Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
Twenty-four Elders
— This has been much debated
— Some say angels or men
Men
— Only the church is promised to reign with Christ (Rev 2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4 ; Matt 19:28; Lk 22:30; 1 Cor 6:2-3 )
Gold
— Also, they wear gold crowns
— Angels are never seen wearing crowns
Over comers
— We wear the crown because we endured
Why 24
— Too much speculation
— 24 courses of the Levitical priesthood ( 1 Chron 24:4-5, 7-18 )
— 24 division of singers in the temple ( 1 Chron 25)
— OT and NT church
— 12 apostles
— 12 tribes
— The problem with the church idea is it requires us to think of the church as combination of the OT and NT
— That idea is foreign to scripture
— The church is one people
— You would also need 24 gates and foundations ( Thomas , p. 346-347 )
Angels
— Some say this 24 elders are a special group of angels that belong to the court of God
— Offer bowls of incense which is also done by and angel ( 5:8; 8:31 )
— Separate, not representing a group because they are called “one of the elders” ( 7:13 )
— Agents of Revelation ( 7:14 ) ( Thomas )
Q: What came from the throne ( 4:5 )? What was before the throne, what did they represent ( 4:6 ) ?
( 4:5 ) And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
Came from the throne
— Lighting & Thunder = God’s presence ( Ex 19:16; Ezek 1:13 )
— Also associated with God’s judgment ( cf 11:19 )
— “ Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” ( Rev 8:5 )
Seven lamps
— Seven lamps of fire = torches associated with war ( cf. Jud 7:16, 20; Nahum 2:3-4 )
— If this interpretation is correct
— God is ready to go to war with sinful, rebellious man
— The Holy Spirit is His war torch
Before the throne
— Four living creatures
Q: how are they described ( 4:6-8 ) ?
( 4:6-8 ) Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
Four creatures
— Cherubim surrounded God’s throne
— Two cherubim sat on top of the Ark of the Covenant ( Ex 25:18 )
OT
— Ezekiel gives us a detailed description of these creatures ( Ezek 1:4-25 )
Faces
They have faces which have a relationship with the created world
Lion - wild animals ( strength )
Calf - domesticated ( service )
Eagle - flying creatures ( speed )
Man - pinnacle of creation ( reason )
Full of Eyes
— Awareness, comprehensive knowledge
— Not omniscient like God but nothing escapes their notice as it pertains to their duty of worship
Q: What do the 24 elders do when the creatures worship God ( 4:10-11 ) ?
( 4:9-11 ) Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Fall down and worship
— They worship God
— ( 4: 8 ) First, the four living creatures
— ( 4:10 ) 24 elders join in
— ( 5:8 ) Harps are added
— ( 5:11 ) The rest of the angels
— ( 5:13 ) The rest of creation in the universe
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The scene is heaven and we see a scroll with seven seals. John weeps because there is no created creature on earth or in heaven worthy to open the scroll. But there is one and He is the lamb that was slain. The scroll is the title deed to the earth. He alone is worthy to take back the earth from under the curse of Satan. All creation sings a new song.
Read and summarize
Q: What was in the hand of the one on the throne ( 5:1 )? What was the significance of being written on both sides and why seven seals?
( 5:1-2 ) And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”
Both Sides
— Contracts are written on the inner pages
— The content of the contract would be summarized and written on the outside pages ( Thomas, p. 378 )
Seven Seals
— The Romans sealed their wills 7 times
Rule
— Many have tried to rule the earth
— Satan
— Nebuchadnezzar
— Alexander the Great
— Napoleon
Title Deed
— One day He will take back the title deed to the earth
Q: Why did John weep ( 5:4 )?
( 5:3-4 ) And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.
Who is Worthy?
— A search of the entire universe, heaven and earth
— No one was found worthy to open the scroll
— Nothing in the created order was found worthy ( not Abraham or Mary, or anyone else)
Worthy of What?
— To take back the deed of the earth
— To take back the earth from the under the curse of Satan
— So John, thinking that the earth would remain cursed, that death, sin, damnation would reign forever in the hands of Satan, wept ( W.A. Criswall )
— The only time that there were tears in heaven
Q: What did John see ( 5:6 ) ? How can Jesus be both a Lion and a Lamb? Explain the 7 horns and 7 eyes?
( 5:5-7 ) But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
2 Titles
( 5:5 ) “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,
— 2 Messianic titles
— The Lion from the tribe of Judah
— The title comes from Jacob’s blessing on Judah ( Gen 49:8-10 )
— “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” ( Gn 49:8-10 )
Lion
— The Messiah would be fierce like a lion
— Strong and powerful like a lion
— He would liberate them from their oppressors
— But, He would do so on His timetable not theirs
— His judgment awaits a future day which begins to unfold here in Rev 5
Root of David
— He is also called the Root of David
— The title comes from Is 11:1, 10
— “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” ( Is 11:1 )
— “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.” ( Is 11:10 )
Descendant
— Jesus was a descendant of David on both his Mother and Father’s side
— Genealogies of Matthew 1, Luke 3
Lamb
( 5:6 ) stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes,
— Had to be first ( John 1:29 )
— Lamb is used frequently in Revelation
— Almost a semi-technical term to describe the crucified Christ ( Thomas, p. 390 )
— ἀρνίον (arnion). n. neut. sheep, lamb
— “Little Lamb”
Thomas
— “Arnion” could mean little lamb or pet lamb but we shouldn’t try to press it too far
— Think of lamb in contrast to lion
— Here the meekness and gentleness of the lamb is contrasted to the majesty, strength of the lion (Thomas, p. 390 )
Sacrifice
— Lamb was sacrificed ( Ex 12:3-6 )
— Christ referred to as a lamb
— 1x in OT ( Is 53:7 )
— 4x in the NT ( John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet 1:19 )
— But, 32x in the book of Revelation
7 Horns
—Horns represent strength
— “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” ( Ps 18:2 )
— “All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.” ( Ps 75:10 )
Seven
( 5:6 ) which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth
— Perfect, complete, absolute power
— 7 horns = Perfect strength and power
7 Eyes
— Perfect, complete understanding, omniscience
— He sees everything, knows everything
— He (The Spirit ) goes to and fro over the earth searching for guilty, unrepentant sinners to judge
— “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;” ( Jn 16:8-9 )
Q: What happened when he took the scroll ( 5:8 ) ?
( 5:8 ) Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Worship
— The four living creatures (Cherubim, 4:8 ) and elders fall down to worship
MacArthur
“That they offer the same worship to Christ that they did to the father in 4:10 offers convincing proof of Christ’s deity, since only God is worshipped ( cf. 19:10; Matt 4:10) ( MacArthur, 1-11, p. 170 )
Bowls
( 5:8 ) and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
— Prayers
— All that the prophets ever prophesied and believers ever prayed will be finally fulfilled
Q: Describe the song they sin ( 5:9-10 )? Why was the blood of the lamb important ?
( 5:9-10 ) And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
The Song
— They sang a new son ( Is 42:9-10 )
— Only here and in Job do angels sing
— “When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” ( Job 38:7 )
The blood of the lamb
( 5:9 ) And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation
— His Substitutionary atonement, also called vicarious atonement, purchased for God men and women from
— every tribe
— tongue
— nation
Redeemed ἀγοράζω (agorazō), buy; purchase
— Pictures slaves purchased in the marketplace and then set free
— Christ purchased us at the cross with His own blood
— “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. ( 1 Pet 1:18-19 )
— One of four places in the NT where Christ is pictures as a lamb ( John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet 1:19 )
— 32x lamb appears in Revelation
Aimless conduct
— Aimless conduct ( NKJV )
— Futile way of life ( NASB )
— the empty way of life handed down to you ( NIV )
— vain, worthless existence
— Unredeemed men or women are living a futile life
received by tradition
— Religious tradition is a feature of sin’d bondage ( Is 29:13; Matt 15:3, 6; Gal 1:14 )
Kings and Priests
( 5:10 ) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
— He has made us kings and priests to our God
— This is repeated 3x ( 1:6; 5:10; 20:6 )
Priests
— Full access to God for the purpose of praise and worship
— We are a royal priesthood ( 1 Pet 2:5, 9; Ex 19:6 )
Thomas
— Kings
— The redeemed will not merely be God’s people over whom He rules
— Also share God’s rule in the coming millennial kingdom( 1 Cor 4:8; 6:3 ) ( Thomas, p. 402 )
Q: Who joins the chorus in ( 5:11-14 ) ?
( 5:11-14 ) Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” 14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
Angels
— Many angels
— too many to count
— First the four living creatures ( 5:8 )
— Then, the twenty-four elders ( 5: 8 )
— Now, myriads of angels ( 5:11 )
Every Creature
— Every creatures in the world
— The rocks are crying out ( cf. Ro 8:19-22 )
Amen!
— “Let it be”
— “make it happen”
Additional Resources
MacArthur, John. Revelation 1-11. Moody Press, 1999.
MacArthur, John. Matthew 1-7. Moody Press, 1985.
J Vernon McGee. Revelation Part 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u7u6ItFh1c
J Vernon McGee. Revelation https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/thru-the-bible-with-j-vernon-mcgee/series/revelation
Chuck Missler. Revelation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewny6LF_zXs
Wilson, Douglas. When the Man Comes around: a Commentary on the Book of Revelation. Canon Press, 2019.
DeMar, Gary. Last Days Madness: Obsession of the Modern Church. American Vision, 1999.
Thomas, Robert L. Revelation: an Exegetical Commentary. Moody Press, 2016.
Barkley, William. The Revelation of John, Philadelphia. Westminster, 1976.