Podcast Episode 13 (Condensed)
As cliché as it may sound, we’re living in the last days. When people hear that, some get upset. Others may roll their eyes, huff/puff, or reject the truth.
The reality is that Jesus is soon to return. John’s act of obedience to document everything the Lord showed him and spoke to him about, proves how powerful obedience is. We’ve been given divine instructions, warnings, and revelation about what is to come. We must take heed to it instead of avoiding the truth about it.
I pray that you stick with me as we go through the journey of Revelation. We’ll discuss every chapter in Revelation, deeper meanings, and key themes from each. As we do a deep dive into Revelation 1, follow along in your bible (whether digital or print).
The prologue in Revelation 1 explains how this Word is declared a prophecy.
Rev. 1:3 says, “God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.” This is proof that God designed for us to study Revelation, just as well as the other books in the bible. We are blessed if we listen to the message and obey it.
As we read through Revelation 1, we discover that John (aka Saint John, John of Patmos, or John the Revelator) wrote this powerful final book in the bible. John wrote it to the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea). Studies suggest that these churches are likely located in Turkey today. The book of Revelation doesn’t state how old John was, but scholars that he was around 90 years old during this time.
John has been punished and sent to Patmos for testifying and preaching about Jesus Christ (Rev 1:9). I love how John declares that he is our brother and companion during hard times. Basically, John is just like us. When we’re persecuted for righteousness, standing up for our Christian beliefs, and being unashamed about God, remember Matthew 5:10-12. Those verses remind us how we’re blessed when we’re persecuted. Therefore, John the Revelator was blessed. Although he was exiled to Patmos for his standing firm in his walk with Christ, God calls him blessed.
John begins documenting what He sees as the Lord directs Him to. Imagine what Revelation would be like if John was disobedient. The power of obedience proves how God has a purpose and reason as to why He calls us to do what He says. God spoke to John and instructed him to record what he sees and hears.
Now, what if John was scared or rebellious? What if John waddled in discontentment because he was facing hardships from being persecuted and decided it was too much take on? That is why we must always obey God regardless of what it looks like, seems likes, and even feels like. Things may not even make sense in our lives, but if God says do something, do it.
We have no idea how John felt after being banished, but we do know He chose to obey God despite his circumstances. I urge you to remember John of Patmos and how his obedience led to many lives being saved. We have no idea what souls are connected to our obedience. We have no idea what blessings, breakthroughs, and outcomes are connected to our obedience to God.
As the chapter continues, John states that Jesus comes with the clouds. Every eye will see. There will not be a way to escape it. There are so many outside beliefs about Jesus Christ, the second coming, the rapture, and the book of Revelation as a whole. Romans 14:11 NLT states, “1 For the Scriptures say, “As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.”
No matter what anyone says, God is soon to return and every person of every denomination, religion, race, and ethnicity will bow at the name of Jesus Christ. Just like Thomas didn’t believe until He saw the piercing of Jesus in John 20:24-29, don’t be like Thomas. On the other hand, every eye will see where they pierced Jesus.
We’re reminded in Revelation 1:8 NLT, “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end, says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Hallelujah to the King! God was the beginning of the world, and He is the end of the world. The world started with God and will surely end with God.
John was praising God in the Spirit when the Lord spoke to Him. See, when we seek His presence, stay in His presence, and desire to live a life for God, He will speak to us. It doesn’t mean He will do so exactly like He did John, but He will speak to us.
Rev. 1:7 is very similar to Daniel 7:13. Rev. 1:7 NLT states, “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!”
Daniel 7:13 NLT states, “As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.”
It is amazing how God will remind us of His Word through more than one book in the bible. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. God revealed His glory to Daniel just as He revealed it to John of Patmos. It is clear evidence that Jesus will return again. All will see Him.
Both Rev 1:7 and Daniel 7:13 mentions how Jesus comes with the clouds. I think the choice of words really matter. I believe that the clouds represent witnesses, army of God, or group of saints. When Jesus comes, He will come with a cloud of saints.
As we continue, Rev 1:10 talks about John hearing a loud voice like a trumpet. We all know that a trumpet has a loud, piercing sound. It was at that moment that John was given instruction by God. He had a choice whether to turn a deaf ear to God’s instruction or to obey. We thank God for John’s obedience. Look what came out of it.
As the scripture continues, John is ordered to write in a book and send it to the seven churches. When John turned, he saw seven gold lamp stands. We discover in Rev 1:20 that the seven gold lamp stands represent the seven churches. Then, he saw what looked like Jesus clothed all the way down. Jesus had a gold sash across the chest. The description is so beautiful. The Christian Pure website states that gold represents “purity, refinement, and divine presence”. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for Jesus to have a gold sash across his chest. He is the refiner of life. He is pure and his presence is divine.
Jesus’s head and hair was white as snow. His eyes were like burning flames. His feet is like “polished brown refined in a furnace” (Rev. 1:15). Then, John describes Jesus’s voice sounding like massive ocean waves. Jesus held seven stars in His right hand. We discover in Rev. 1:20 that the seven stars represents the seven angels. The number seven is mentioned quite a few times in this chapter. Seven represents perfection. Jesus is the epitome of perfection.
John continues to describe what he sees as a two-edged sword came out of Jesus’s mouth. Jesus’s face glowed like the sun hit it. John was very astonished as any of us would be. At this point, John has fell onto Jesus’s feet as if he was dead. I love how Jesus recognized the emotions that John faced and told him to “fear not” (Rev 1:17). John is reminded that the Lord is alpha and omega. Jesus was once dead, but He rose to life. He is alive today and forever more.
Jesus stated in Rev. 1:18 NLT, “And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” Rev. 1:19 calls John to an act of obedience by saying, “19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.”
So, what are key concepts from Revelation 1?
- God has a divine purpose for our obedience. There are blessings attached to our obedience. God blesses us to bless others.
- Jesus is soon to return. We must be watchmen on the wall. We have to study the Word (which includes the entire book of Revelation) as we prepare for perilous times.
- The book of Revelation was not written as a fear tactic, but as an act of love. God loves us enough to warn us ahead of time. God loves us enough to provide us with details and key tools about the future. God loves us enough to guide us on the path to righteousness through His Word.
- Be ready at all times. No one knows the day or hour of His return. (Matthew 24:36)
Ask yourself…
Are you ready for the return of Jesus?
If so, good. If not, why?
Ponder on what causes you not to be ready.
Is it fear of being left behind because you’re unsaved, a backslider, or lukewarm?
Is it fear that your loved ones won’t make it with you?
Is it because you love the pleasures of life and cannot let go of certain sins right now?
Is it because you don’t think you’ve fulfilled personal goals or enjoyed life to the “fullest”?
Be encouraged.
God’s Word says in Matt 18:14 NLT, “14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” Therefore, God doesn’t want any of us to go to hell.
If you’re stuck in a lukewarm lifestyle, Revelation 3:15-16 NLT says, “15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!” God commands us to pick a side. Either be hot (on fire for Jesus and living a life devoted to Him) OR be cold (in a lifestyle of sin and bound by the world). You don’t have to be bound.
I know this world is very tempting, but don’t get attached to the things of this world. 1 John 2:15-17 NLT says, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”
Are you ready to give your life to God or rededicate your life to God? Say this prayer with me.
Dear Lord,
I repent of all my sins. Forgive me for anything that I’ve ever did, said, or thought that was contrary to the Word of God. I give my life to you today. Your Word says in Luke 9:24, “If I try to hang on to my life, I will lose it. But if I give up my life for your sake, you will save it.” Lord, save me today. Help me to walk right, think right, and most importantly, live right for you. I decree and declare Romans 10:9-11 over my life. I openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. I believe in my heart that I am made right with God, and I openly declare my faith today. Help me to trust in you always. Strip away everything in my life that hinders me from my walk with you. Remove everyone that will draw me away from you. Lead me on the narrow path and the way to righteousness. Thank you for sending your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Today, I am free. Today, I am renewed. Cleanse me of all iniquities. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
I pray that this bible study of Revelation 1 blessed you. To listen to the podcast episode, click here. With so many people of God warning the body of Christ about where our nation is headed, there is no better time than now to study Revelation. Share this with a friend. I hope you took copious notes of your own. I pray that the Lord spoke to you in a special way. We’ll be back with Revelation 2 soon. Until next time with Wytinsea Writes.