The Book of Revelation: Chapter 1 (Part 2)

Introduction: Living as Exiles in Modern Babylon

We are living in Babylon. Just as the Israelites found themselves exiled in a foreign land, Christians today find themselves in a post-Christian world that often feels hostile to biblical values. But rather than merely surviving, we're called to thrive in this modern Babylon.

This study explores how Daniel's life provides a blueprint for faithful living in our current cultural moment, setting the stage for understanding not just where we are prophetically, but how we should live while we wait for Christ's return.

Prophecy Update: The Nations Are Aligning

Before examining Revelation 1, it's crucial to understand how current world events align with biblical prophecy, particularly Ezekiel 38. The ancient names in this chapter correspond to modern nations:

• Magog: Northern regions, including parts of China and surrounding areas
• Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal: Ancient names for regions in modern-day Russia
• Persia: Present-day Iran
• Gomer and Togarmah: Nations including Japan, Korea, Southeast Asian countries
• Cush and Put: Not just African nations, but also parts of India and Pakistan

Recent developments align remarkably with these ancient prophecies:

• China and Russia's strengthening partnership, with bilateral trade reaching $240 billion
• Russia becoming India's largest military equipment supplier
• Iran's increasing aggression toward Israel
• The formation of alliances that mirror the "kings of the east" described in Scripture

I'm not saying this to scare you; I'm saying this to encourage you because we know the end is near.

John's Exile: A Companion in Tribulation

Revelation 1:9 - John called himself a "companion in tribulation." Like Peter, Paul, and the Lord Himself, John received his greatest revelation during extreme suffering and persecution for Christ. At 90 years old, having survived being boiled in oil for his faith, John was exiled to the barren, rocky island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea.
John wanted his readers to know he understood their tribulation and persecution. Instead of worshiping with his church family in Ephesus, he found himself with a choir of seagulls and hermit crabs for company!

The Lord's Day Vision

Revelation 1:10a - "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day..." No doubt this "Lord's Day" was Sunday, the day of worship (and that's exactly what John was doing on Patmos).
This teaches us a crucial lesson: our circumstances should not dictate how or when we worship. Whether in a beautiful church building or on a barren island, we are called to worship our Creator.

Revelation 1:10b - "...and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet." Imagine the shock that ran through John's tired, old body! He was probably convinced his days of writing were finished, but God was not finished with John!
There is no retirement plan when it comes to serving the Lord!

Seven Golden Lampstands

When John turned to see who was speaking (verse 12), he saw seven golden lampstands. Seven is the number of perfection:

• How many days are in a week? Seven
• How many pairs of each clean animal did Noah take on the ark? Seven
• How many times did Joshua march around Jericho? Seven
• How many years of the tribulation? Seven

The Vision: Christ in His Glory

After seeing the seven golden lampstands, John saw "One like the Son of Man." We must remember it had been around 60 years since John had last seen Jesus, but he immediately recognized Him as "the Son of Man." However, there had been some dramatic changes to his teacher and friend!

The figure John saw looked much more like the Jesus he had witnessed on the Mount of Transfiguration than the man he reclined on in the upper room. This was Jesus in His full glory, the splendor of the Son of Man that the prophet Daniel had written about.

Daniel 7:13-14 describes this same figure: "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed."

His Majestic Appearance

Revelation 1:13 - His Clothing: "clothed with a garment down to His feet and girded about the chest with a golden band." These were not the garments Jesus wore during His earthly ministry. These are the garments of a king! The Lamb has become the Lion, and we all will meet Him as King and Judge!

Revelation 1:14a - His Hair: "His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow..." This symbolizes the purity and righteousness of Christ! Isaiah 1:18 declares: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." The whiteness of snow and the purity of bleached wool are symbolic of the absolute purity of Christ.

Revelation 1:14b - His Eyes: "and His eyes like a flame of fire." Jesus has vision that penetrates—He sees right through us! He sees ALL and He knows ALL! Hebrews 4:13 reminds us: "No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account."

Revelation 1:15a - His Feet: "His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace..." In the Old Testament, brass was a symbol of judgment. In Solomon's temple, all the instruments in the outer court were made of brass (1 Kings 7:40-47) because it was in the temple that sin was judged. Jesus' feet, appearing as brass, are going forth to judge!

Revelation 1:15b - His Voice: "and His voice as the sound of many waters." John struggled to describe the voice of Jesus. David described the same qualities in Psalm 29:3-4: "The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty."

Revelation 1:16a - In His Hand: "He had in His right hand seven stars..." John tells us in verse 20 that these seven stars represent the angels, or messengers, of the seven churches and the seven golden candlesticks represent the seven churches to whom John was to relay his vision. Jesus holding the seven stars in His right hand represents that He is the author and sustainer of ALL things! This image reminds us that no matter how chaotic and unstable the world becomes, He is ultimately in control of ALL things! No matter how much Satan tries to destroy the church, it is under His protection!

Revelation 1:16b - From His Mouth: "out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword..." This "two-edged sword" is obviously the Word of God! (Hebrews 4:12) In this instance, though, it's not being used to instruct or correct, but to smite the nations in judgment.

Revelation 1:16c - His Countenance: "and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength." We've seen that Christ's clothes were like gold, His hair like snow, His feet like brass, and His eyes like fire, but now we see that His face radiates bright, powerful light!
In Acts 9, Paul was knocked off his horse when he saw the splendor of Christ. No wonder we will need glorified bodies and glorified eyes in heaven! it's the only way we could ever look upon the face of Jesus! 1 John 3:2 tells us: "Dear friends, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is."

John's Response: Falling as Dead

Revelation 1:17 - After beholding Jesus in all His glory, John fell at His feet as dead! The change was dramatic and terrifying! This wasn't the gentle teacher he remembered, but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in all His majesty and power. Notice what Jesus did as John fell at His feet: He touched him and said "Don't be afraid." When we see Christ for who He truly is, we too would fall at His feet and worship Him. As we worship Him and lift Him up, He begins to draw all people to Himself.

Christ's Ultimate Authority

Revelation 1:18 - "I have the keys of Hades and of Death." Keys stand for authority and possession; the one who holds the keys is the one in control! Keys open and lock things; they liberate and imprison. "Hades" is similar to the Old Testament "Sheol," which means grave (the place of the dead). Death claims the body, Hades claims the soul, but not until Jesus says so; He has the keys!

How did Jesus get those keys? By His resurrection!

As Adrian Rogers beautifully stated: "Jesus pulled death from his throne, threw him to the dungeon floor, put His heel on his throat, pulled out the sting of death, and in its place ignited a star of hope in the tomb!"

The Outline of Revelation

Revelation 1:19 provides the key to understanding the entire book of Revelation: "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this."

• "The things which you have seen" = Revelation 1 (the vision of Christ)
• "The things which are" = Revelation 2-3 (messages to the seven churches)
• "The things which will take place after this" = Revelation 4-22 (future prophetic events)

The book of Revelation gives us a look at history and the future from the eyes of God!

Two Judgments: Understanding Our Future

It's important to distinguish between two future judgments:

1. The Judgment Seat of Christ: Where Christians will give account for how they used their gifts and opportunities (not for their sins, which were dealt with at the cross)
2. The Great White Throne Judgment: Where those who rejected Christ will face judgment for their sins

This understanding should motivate us to faithful service while assuring us of our security in Christ.

Living with Urgency: The Great Commission

In light of current world events and biblical prophecy, we must embrace the urgency of the Great Commission. "As you're going"—wherever you go, share the Gospel. Whether it's with a cashier at the store or someone who cuts you off in traffic, we should be ready to share the hope we have in Christ. The Greek text of the Great Commission uses a present participle, meaning "as you are going"—making evangelism a natural part of our daily lives, not just a special event.

Conclusion: Hope in Uncertain Times

While the world around us may seem increasingly chaotic and anti-Christian, we have reason for hope. The same Jesus who holds the seven stars in His right hand is still on His throne. His sovereignty is our sanity in this crazy world.

We don't serve a God who is wringing His hands in worry about current events. Everything that happens must first pass through His sovereign hand. As believers, we are secure in His grip, and even death has been conquered by our King.

We are living in the last days, and Christ's return could happen at any moment. This should fill us not with fear, but with anticipation and urgency to share the Gospel while we still can.
"Even so, Lord, come quickly."

This study reminds us that while we may feel like exiles in Babylon, we serve the King of Kings who holds all authority. Our response should be worship, faithful service, and bold evangelism as we await His glorious return.

All for Him,

Pastor Dustin