Revelation Chapter 2- The Churches- Complete Commentary
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Title: Revelation of Jesus Christ = Apocalypse = revealing, uncovering = Final Victory of Christ
Author: Apostle John – (Rev, 1:1, 4, 9, 22:8)
Gospel of John, The Epistles of John- confirmed by Irenaeus and Justin Martyr
Common Themes- Christ is The Word, Christ is the Lamb
Historical account of John’s exile to Patmos
Tradition holds that on one occasion, John was scheduled for boiling in oil. He escaped by divine intervention. His exile on Patmos easily could have been a death sentence. When Emperor Domitian, who had exiled him to Patmos, had died, John was brought back to Ephesus, where he was confined for two years. It is written that he was compelled to drink poison but was unharmed, and finally died in peace.
source: Foxes Book of Martyrs
Date: Early or Later Date? Majority believe it was written the end of the first century AD 94-96
Why is this significant? Destruction of the Jewish Temple 70 AD = Held by primarily Preterist
Strong evidence for a later date:
4 Views of Revelation:
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:1-3
Matthew Chapter 24 is the core of all future end time events and the return of Christ. Now there are many Christians who believe all of Matthew 24 is already fulfilled, however while I believe parts are fulfilled, there are still many things to come, and will break it down in the next verses. The first sign of the end of the Old Covenant is the destruction of The Temple. This is one the of the charges the religious leaders placed on Christ during his trial, his prediction of the destruction of the Temple
We know that in 70 AD , this prophecy was fulfilled and the Temple in Israel was destroyed and never rebuilt , even to this day. Whether your a Christian or not, you can’t deny the accuracy of Jesus’ prophecy. However the destruction of The Temple has even greater meaning, as with the destruction of the Temple, goes the entire Mosaic Worship system, such as sacrifices, high priests, these are all fulfilled in Jesus Christ and his New Covenant (Hebrews 8)
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Matthew 24:4-9
The disciples asked Jesus “What will be the signs of your return and the end of the age”? Jesus gives his disciples 4 signs, now when you study Revelation 6, the four horseman, they align perfectly with what Christ reveals here
Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many Matthew 24:5
Yes many Ant-Christs have already come and gone, but the Son of Perdition(2 Thessalonians 2) will come at the end to deceive most of the world
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom Matthew 24:6-7
Yes there have been wars in the past, but the Anti-Christ will generate a war on a global scale, with casualties never seen in human history
. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places Matthew 24:7
Famine will come on a global scale that has never been seen before, and large amounts of the worlds population will die
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Matthew 24:9
The Last Horseman will be death and it will been seen on a scale never seen before in the world
Other resources:
Is Jesus the First Horseman?
Who is the first horseman in Revelation? The Watchtower teaches that the first horseman is Jesus Christ himself, but is this Biblical? Does this idea line up with the rest of scripture? Lets take a look:
When we compare Revelation 6 with Matthew 24, the answer is clear:
And I saw when the Lamba opened one of the seven seals,b and I heard one of the four living creaturesc say with a voice like thunder: “Come!” 2 And I saw, and look! a white horse,d and the one seated on it had a bow; and a crown was given him,e and he went out conquering and to complete his conquest.f Revelation 6:1-2 (NWT)
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. Revelation 6:1-2 (KJV)
Now the first contradiction you’ll see here in scripture is the Lamb (Jesus) opens the seals. So if Jesus is supposed to be the first horseman as the JW’s state, why is he also opening his own seal? Not saying that it would be impossible for Jesus to do this, but does it really make logical sense?
Second we notice the rider of the first horse is carrying a bow, The bow in the Bible is also symbolic for deceit , reference (Psalm 64:3-4, Hosea 7:16, Jeremiah 9:3, Psalm 78:56-57)
Next lets take a look at Jesus teachings from Matthew 24 known as the Olivet Discourse. You will notice Jesus teachings line up perfectly with the four horseman prophecies in Revelation 6
4 In answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads you,e 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.f Matthew 24:4-5 (NWT)
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:4-5 (KJV)
Jesus is going to give the 4 signs of the end, notice how that lines up with the 4 Horseman. The first sign (Horseman) is the Anti-Christ. Now we can argue if the AntiChrist is one person or a group of people, however the point here is the first horseman is about deception. This would guarantee the first horseman is not Jesus himself
You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet.g Matthew 24:6 (NWT)
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6 (KJV)
When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creatureg say: “Come!” 4 Another came out, a fiery-colored horse, and it was granted to the one seated on it to take peace away from the earth so that they should slaughter one another, and he was given a great sword.h Revelation 6:3-4 (NWT)
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. Revelation 6:3-4 (KJV)
If you compare Matthew 24 and Revelation 6, you see they line up perfectly and the second sign and horseman is war
When he opened the third seal,i I heard the third living creaturej say: “Come!” And I saw, and look! a black horse, and the one seated on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 I heard what sounded like a voice in the midst of the four living creatures say: “A quart* of wheat for a de·narʹi·us*k and three quarts of barley for a de·narʹi·us; and do not harm the olive oil and the wine.”l Revelation 6:5-6 (NWT)
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Revelation 6:5-6 (KJV)
For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom,h and there will be food shortagesi and earthquakes in one place after another.j Matthew 24:7 (NWT)
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Matthew 24:7 (KJV)
Notice Revelation and Matthew line up as the third sign and horse will be famine
When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creaturem say: “Come!” 8 And I saw, and look! a pale horse, and the one seated on it had the name Death. And the Grave* was closely following him. And authority was given them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortagen and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth.o Revelation 6:7-8 (NWT)
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. Revelation 6:7-8 (KJV)
Then people will hand you over to tribulationk and will kill you,l and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name.m Matthew 24:9 (NWT)
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Matthew 24:9 (KJV)
The 4th Horseman/Sign is Death. Notice Jesus talks about how his followers will be killed for his name. Another thing to notice throughout all the seals, Jesus opened every seal.
The fact that many people , including the Jehovah Wittnesses, are deceived that the First Horseman is Christ, shows you how deceptive the Anti Christ will be. When he comes many will believe He is the Christ, but he is actually the Son of Perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
In Revelation 19, we see Jesus riding on a white horse and the assumption is made that he is also the first horseman. But there are many differences between the two:
Please also reference : Zechariah 6, Ezekiel 14:20-21
Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:1-2
Now we are seeing the first glimpses of Heaven, of Paradise that has been restored. Notice God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ are there right with us. Just like the Garden of Eden, God has provided a Paradise just for us!
“By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12
There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:3-5
The curse of Sin and Death are over! Victory is now ours through Jesus Christ. We will finally see the Lord face to face and serve him daily. When it says his name will be on their foreheads, I believe this means we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Notice there will never be darkness ever again! The face of Jesus shines so bright the Sun is not even necessary for Heaven.
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation– having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13
And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place. And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:6-7
Jesus tells us three times in this Chapter that He is Coming Quickly, Are you ready? Jesus may come today, maybe tomorrow, or maybe next year, don’t be like the 5 Virgins who were not ready when the Lord returned. Always keep your lamps lit! Blessed is the one who keeps the Word of God!
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Matthew 24:36
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.” Revelation 22:8-9
The Apostle John was so excited about what he heard and saw, he fell down to worship the Angel. The Angel quickly rebuked him and told him to only worship God. Notice throughout the Bible Jesus was worshipped. This should tell you something
When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. Matthew 28:17
And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.” Revelation 22:10-11
The Angel told the Apostle John, “Don’t seal up this book” Why? Because the time of Christ return is soon! Jesus said three times in this chapter alone “I will come quickly” Be ready and prepared for the return of our Lord and Savior
What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!'” Mark 13:37
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12-13
From the words of the Lord Jesus Christ himself, He is coming quickly! Notice also Jesus says that everyone will be judged according to their deeds. Everything you do daily for God matters! You will be rewarded for your labor as a servant to Christ!
Also Jesus confirms again his deity as he tells us He is Eternal (The Alpha and Omega) (Beginning and The End) Jesus reigns forevermore!
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. Isaiah 44:6
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. Revelation 22:14-15
Here we see two groups of people, those washed with the blood of Christ and those who are still covered in sin. But notice the timing of this scripture, the New Heavens and Earth has been established, the Holy City of the New Jerusalem has already come down from Heaven. The Great White Throne Judgement has already taken place. Could this be scriptural proof of an Eternal Hell?
These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16
Interesting to note here Jesus calls himself “the bright morning start” remember Satan was also referred to also the morning star, so what does this all mean. Notice throughout the Bible, Satan tries to copy or mimic Jesus. He tries to get people to worship him, he even tried to fake his own death and resurrection. But there is only one true Christ, the Son of God , Jesus!
How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! Isaiah 44:12
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. Revelation 22:17
The Holy Spirit and The Church are screaming for the return of Jesus Christ! Are you yelling “Come Lord Jesus”? Are you spiritually awake and lamps are lit? Or are you in a spiritual slumber? Time to Get Ready!
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19
Jesus makes it very clear, we are not to add to Gods word or subtract from it. Anyone who adds to the Word of God will be condemned. Its important to preach what God has written and not create false doctrines
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:20-21
Jesus emphasizes again that He is coming Soon! Are you getting the message Church? Are you ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ?
If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. 1 Corinthians 16:22
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:1-2
Probably one of the most exciting Chapters in the entire Bible. Here we learn what Heaven and Earth will look like when God restores his Kingdom. Notice it says the old Earth is going to pass away, God is going to restore paradise just like in the beginning at the garden of Eden
The holy city of the New Jerusalem is coming down from Heaven with God dwelling in it! Jesus will establish his throne here on Earth and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. Isaiah 65:17
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, Revelation 21:3
Think about this, God is going to dwell among us Forever! Now wait a minute, many people believe Heaven is in the sky, floating around on clouds , and playing harps. No, The Bible clearly tells us Heaven will be restored here on Earth, just as it was meant to be in the beginning!
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
One of the greatest scriptures in the Bible! Death, pain, suffering, and illness are all gone! There will be no more sorrow, no more depression, no more anxiety, these things have all been removed completely by God. The former things have all passed away!
He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 25:8
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. Revelation 21:5-7
Jesus is Eternal, Jesus states he is the Alpha and Omega (First and Last letter of Greek Alphabet), Beginning and the End. Meaning Jesus always existed, he was always here. Don’t confuse Jesus human side with his deity.
Everyone who is in Christ is a Child of God! No longer are you a stranger or foreigner in the Kingdom of God. You are a Child of God by the blood of Jesus Christ
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:16
“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
However those who reject Christ, will pay for the wages of their sins. Nobody can come to God except through Jesus Christ. Without the blood of Christ , you will be cut off from the Kingdom and thrown into the Lake of Fire! You need to get right with God today!
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Revelation 21:9-14
Here we see the Angel is showing the Apostle John what the New Jerusalem will look like. Visually its beyond our comprehension or words. Imagine a structure built by Gods hands using the finest stones and materials. The New Jerusalem will be beyond our comprehension when we are there
Notice the city has the names of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. It’s awesome to see how the Old and New Covenants have come together to worship the same God under the rule of the Christ Jesus
for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10
The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements. Revelation 21:15-17
The New Jerusalem is going to be about 1,400 miles wide and 1,400 miles long, a perfect cube. New Jerusalem will be larger than the current country of India with nearly 2 million square miles! Think about that! And the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will all dwell there among us, what a beautiful thought!
The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Revelation 21:18-21
Again the materials of the New Jerusalem are only the finest and so beautiful its beyond words or comprehension. The gold is so pure that its like clear glass. Remember the walls will be 1,400 miles high also. Also the streets are made of pure gold, what an awesome site it will be to see!
I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; Revelation 21:22-25
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19
“No longer will you have the sun for light by day, Nor for brightness will the moon give you light; But you will have the LORD for an everlasting light, And your God for your glory. Isaiah 60:19
The New Jerusalem has no need for a temple, why? Because God himself dwells there forever! There will never be any darkness and the gates are never closed! Access to God almighty 24 X7, its going to be a long worship service!
and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:26-27
Sin does not exist in the Kingdom of Heaven, this is why if your still living in sin you must remove it! Confess your sins to Jesus and repent! Become a new creation in Gods Kingdom! Make sure your name is written in the Book of Life! Make sure Jesus is your Lord and Savior!
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13