Chapter one is a picture of the Person of Christ and describes the, witness He expects from John concerning the things that he has seen, the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter John is commanded to write these things to the seven churches which are in Asia.

I. The Servant of God (1:1-10)

There is no question that the, John mentioned in verse one is the, Son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of James. (Mk. 1:19-20; 15:40) He is referred to as "that disciple whom Jesus loved'' (Jn. 13:23, 20:2; 21:7,20) He wrote five books of the, New Testament, and only he uses Christ's title of "the Word.'' (Jn. 1:1,14; 1 Jn. 1:1; 5:7; Rev. 19:13)

A. The title of the message 1:1

"Revelation" is the revealing of a glorious truth as in (Lk. 2:32; Rom. 2:5; 8:19; 16:25; 1 Cor. 1:7; 14:6,26; 2 Cor. 12:1,7; Gal. 1:12 2:2; Eph. 1:17; 3:3; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7).

B. The object of the message 1:1

To Show things which must shortly come to pass (1:1; 22:6).

C. The threefold authenticity of the message 1:2

[1]. "Of the Word of God" (I Sam. 3:7; 1 Chron. 17:3; Jer. 1:4; Heb. 4:12).
[2]. "of the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy.'' (1:9; 6:9; 19:10, 2 Tim. 1:8)
[3]. "Of all things that he Saw" The testimony of the, Trinity and John who was moved upon by the, Holy Spirit (1:10; 4:2, 17:3; 19:10; 21:9,10) to record "all things that he saw'' from the Father and the Son.

D. The promise of the message 1:3

The, book opens with a promise (1:3) and closes with one. (22:7).

E. Reason for the message 1:3

"For the time is at hand" (2 Pet. 3:9; Rom. 16:20; Amos 3:7; Dan. 2:28; Matt. 11:25; Lk. 8:10).

F. The theme of the message 1:5-7

The person and work of Jesus Christ

[1]. His past work - redemption 1:5
[2]. His present work - sanctification 1:6
[3]. His future work - glorification 1:7 (Dan. 7:13,14; Matt. 24:30; Acts 1:9).

G. The power of the message 1:8

Here Jesus claims equality with the Father in eternity, state of being, power, and Lordship, as stated of the Father in (Rev. 1:4; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7,14; 19:6,15; 21:22; 2 Cor. 6.18). The words "Alpha and Omega" are used in (Rev. 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13). These words not only express eternity but also authority.

 

H. The location and time of the message 1:9,10

Patmos was a rugged volcanic island off the coast of Asia Minor. It was about 10 miles long and six miles wide. He was exiled there from about A.D. 86 to 96. The Lord's day it not the day of the "Day of The Lord" - the reference is to a Sunday.

 

II. The Son of God (1:11-20)

A. His Declaration 1:11

The words "Alpha and Omega" are the spelled out anglicized forms of the, first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.

B. His Description 1:12-16

[1]. His eyes were as a flame of fire (1:14; Heb. 4:13).
[2]. His feet like unto fine brass (1:15). Brass speaks of judgment.
[3]. His voice as the, sound of many waters (1:15, Jer. 25:30; Ps. 29:4).
[4]. "He had in His right hand seven stars." 1:16 The, seven stars are the, angels (ministers, messengers) of the, seven churches (1:20).
[5]. "Out of His mouth went a sharp two edged sword." 1:16
[6]. "His countenance was as the Sun shineth in His strength (1:16) This was also seen by Peter and James (Matt. 17:2) and Paul (Acts 5 9:1-5).

C. His Deliverance 1:17,18

[1]. "I am the, first and the last." This speaks of His deity. He came out of eternity, and He, moves into eternity.
[2]. "I am he that liveth, and was dead." His resurrection, affords justification.
[3]. "And behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen." This refers to His present state.
[4]. "And have the keys of hell and of death." Keys speak of authority and power.

Five keys mentioned in the New Testament, and our Lord carries them all.

(a). Keys to the kingdom (Matt. 16:19)
(b). Knowledge (Lk. 11:52)
(c). Throne of David (Rev. 3:7)
(d). Bottomless pit (Rev. 9:1; 20:1)
(e). Death and Hell (Rev. 1:18)