Sir Winston Churchill when speaking of the Soviet Union said this, "The Soviet Union is like a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." Some would view the book of the Revelation like this. This book, because of all its symbolism and strange language, at times has cased some to come to Sir Winston Churchill’s conclusion. Many have been put off even studying this great book including some notable commentators. Men like Calvin have shied away from writing about the book of Revelation.

It is not my intention to do a complete study of The Book of Revelation; rather I want to concentrate on the letters to the seven churches found in chapters two and three. However I want to say something about the whole book by way of introduction. It is vitally important that we look at chapter one before we come to view the churches in the next two chapters.

We can have many opinions as to the state of the church in this day and age. We could ask one person and they will say, "There is a problem here," and yet some might say, "The whole thing is a shambles," we could ask another who might say, "It’s the best thing since sliced bread."

When we come to look at the letters to the seven churches, we will find the Lord’s x –ray of the church. Surely what the Lord says should be paramount. If anyone is seriously interested in the church then they should take time to study the letters to the seven churches in The Book of the Revelation.

The Book of the Revelation is a rich book and indeed this book claims to be inspired of God as we can see from verse two of chapter one.

This book has much to say about God the father, it declares him to be holy, true, omnipotent, wise, sovereign and eternal.

The Book of the Revelation has much to say about man, it declares his depravity, his redemption. It shows us how that one day God’s devastating wrath will be outpoured on mankind. It warns sinners about the Lake of Fire, it encourages the saints about the reality of Heaven for the redeemed and solemnly shows us the Great White Throne Judgement.

It has much to say about Jesus Christ, which we shall discover shortly.

Dr Barnhouse said, "The whole of God’s word is a pyramid of truth and the Book of the Revelation is the perfect pyramid that crowns it all."

The author is called John; four times he identifies himself in this book, for example look at the first verse in chapter one.

There is little doubt that the Apostle John was the writer during his exile to the Isle of Patmos.

Most Biblical historians date this letter around 90 AD or later. We could put forward many arguments for this but it is not my intention to discuss them in this particular work.

Let us notice something again, purely by way of introduction about, The interpretation of The Book of the Revelation, there are four main views.

1. Preterist View, They state that The Book of the Revelation is not future, predictive

prophecy but rather a history of first century events that occurred during Roman empire. We only have to look at the third verse in chapter one to discount such nonsense.

Those who would hold to this view quite obviously ignore that the book claims to be prophetic in nature. For that very reason, that is to justify their false belief, some try and date it earlier to allow for fulfilment of many of the prophecies. For instance they claim that references to Christ’s Second Coming in Revelation refer to Christ’s return in AD 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed.

2. The Historical Viewpoint. Those who would hold to this particular viewpoint would see the events recorded by John as being fulfilled through church history. They hold that all will be fulfilled between the first and second coming of Christ. This particular interpretion leaves The Book of the Revelation at the mercy of many would be interpreters who subsequently move away from the literal meaning of the verses and instead would seek to spiritualise them.

3. This is The Idealist View. Those holding to this position emphasise the spiritual

message of Revelation. They strongly declare God’s triumph over Satan and God’s triumph over evil. They declare and latch unto the ultimate reign of righteousness in the earth. This viewpoint just like previous sets aside the literal interpretation of Revelation. Those who hold to this view see The Book of the Revelation as neither historical nor predictive, instead it becomes a collection of myths designed to convey spiritual truth.

4. The final view I want to consider is the futurist view. This view, which I hold, states that the bulk of The Book of the Revelation, from chapter four to chapter twenty-two, has yet to be fulfilled. It is future and unfulfilled as yet. Only this particular interpretation allows this book to be interpreted following the same grammatical, historical and hermeneutical method by which other scriptures are likewise interpreted. It is good when studying scripture to remember the following, "If the plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense."

As John Mc Arthur said, "Any approach, other than the futurist one, leaves the meaning of this book to human ingenuity and opinion."

Let us now get into the meat of the scriptures in revelation chapter one.

I want in this chapter to look at the first eight verses. We could ask ourselves the question, "Why bother with Revelation? Why not look somewhere else where there is less controversy and less contention?

Let’s see why we should bother and indeed why God’s people should bother to study this book.

Let us notice something very precious.

Read again the first verse.

Some would suggest that this book makes things difficult to understand and leaves us unclear and uncertain. However when we look at the title of this book called the Revelation, in Greek the word is ‘apokalupsis’ which means to uncover or reveal.

The first mention of this word in the New Testament is interesting. Simeon speaking about Christ said in Luke chapter two.

The word, "lighten," is the same word. It speaks of the shining forth of a person. Of course in the context in Luke it speaks of Christ. Revelation is not about hiding, rather it is about revealing or uncovering that which is hidden. It doesn’t make things more difficult, it should make things clearer.

When a sculptor has finished his work, sometimes it is covered over until the day it is shown to the world, then someone will pull back the cover and it will be revealed. This book is about revealing something. Look again at the first verse.

What makes this book very precious is that it is The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Actually the little word "of" could mean the Revelation from Jesus Christ or it could mean the Revelation about Jesus Christ.

Surely this book is precious in either case. It is precious because it comes from Jesus Christ and it is precious because it is about Jesus Christ.

Consider what this book has to say about Jesus Christ. It calls him the faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth, the alpha and omega, the living one, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, the lamb of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the bright and morning star to mention a few.

We could summarise what this book has to say about Christ.

He is the Lord of churches in chapters two and three.

He is the Lamb on the throne chapters four and five.

He is the Lion dealing with nations in Chapters six to nineteen.

He is the Lover at the marriage feast in chapter nineteen.

He is the Light in eternity in chapters twenty to twenty two.

This book reveals much about Jesus Christ. If this book reveals Jesus Christ does that not make it precious?

The Gospels present Christ in his humiliation The Revelation presents Christ in his exaltation. This is surely a precious book. Look again at the first verse.

Look at the words, "Which God gave unto him," this book is described as a gift from God the father to God the son.

Most commentators suggest the following reason. Look at the verses below.

They ask us to consider Christ’s humanity and the limitations that his humanity put upon him. So now God is revealing those things which Jesus professed not to know in his humanity. However you will search this book in vain for the timing of the Lord’s return, because of this I much prefer the following explanation.

Paul reminds us of the exaltation of Jesus Christ in Philippians.

This teaches us that God the father was pleased with God the son for all that he had accomplished.

Here I believe is another token of the father’s approval of the son because when you read this book you will find that it reveals to us the glory and position that Christ will occupy one day, when he is crowned king of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Truly we could sing those words. "I’ve read the back of this book and he wins!!"

Here is the love gift from the Father to the Son written confirmation of his exalted position as he will one day rule this old world.

Do you see how precious the study of this book is? Look again at verse one.

We can see whom this book was written for:

"To shew unto his servants," the word used for servants is ‘doulous’ which means bondslave. We are servants of Jesus Christ or bondslaves. A bondslave was one who would show love and devotion to his master.

This word was used of believers in Romans six.

It signified love and devotion. We see a wonderful Old Testament example of this.

The Book of the Revelation will be gladly received by those who really love the Lord and by those who are really devoted to him.

The world will have no time for this book; it is just rubbish to them. As Paul reminds us in first Corinthians.

Sadly some believers will also have no time for the teaching of this great book, but already we can see how precious this book is. Look again at the first verse.

Rev. 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

There we have conformation that this book relates to prophecy. The word "shortly" doesn’t necessarily mean right away but it carries the idea that once commenced it will be swiftly carried through. It will happen suddenly and in rapid succession without delay. Notice also the word "must," there is no doubt about it, whatever is written here in this book, as in all of God’s word will come to pass. Peter reminds us of the effect prophecy should have on God’s people.

This book will give us a glimpse into the future, we can go literally back to the future.

What a precious opportunity it is to be able to look at such a rich book. Back to verse one.

John received this revelation from an angel. This angel is not named. John simply calls himself, "his servant." Interestingly some call John, St John the Divine, but John refers to himself as a servant, what a lesson in humility for us all.

John was a yielded servant, he was chosen as the channel of this revelation. John was the disciple whom Jesus loved and he was the disciple who leaned on Jesus’ bosom at the Last Supper. It is reckoned he was only eighteen or nineteen years old then, now it is about sixty years after the death of the Lord. John was an old man and still a faithful servant.

Tradition says that when John was too feeble to go preaching, he was carried in a chair from meeting to meeting. It is said he would be exhorting believers as little children to love one another. And yet he was the one who was chosen to make known the awful judgements of God though this mighty revelation.

John was faithful in preaching about Christ’s first coming and what had happened when Christ was here on earth.

Now he would faithfully reveal the Lord’s Second Coming and all that would take place.

Why bother with this book?

Do you see how precious this book is, even from looking at verse one?

Look now at verse two.

We are given a three-fold reason to look at this book.

John would bear record in other words he would testify, we have the word of John. But more than that, it is the Word of God. Do we need any other reason?

Two hundred and seventy eight of the four hundred and four verses allude to the inspired Old Testament.

We also read that "it is the testimony of Jesus Christ."

This book contains as the verse says, "Every thing that John saw," There is no doubt about it this is God’s message to his people. What a wonderful book we have before us.

Why should we study this book? Look how precious it is.

Why should we study this book? Look at the promise attached to it.

This is the only book that has a promised blessing attached to it, therefore to neglect this book means one will miss out on a blessing from the Lord, look at verse three.

It is an interesting fact that on six other occasions we find a blessing in this book. I have listed the verses for our perusal.

Rev. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

This book spells bother to the world but praise God it brings blessing to the believer. Once again if we neglect this book and the study of it we will miss a blessing, so says the word of God. Look again at verse three.

Look who the blessing is for.

"Blessed is he that readeth," Scriptures were scarce and many had no Bibles at all. However the scriptures were read in the synagogue and here we see a blessing to the one who reads from this book note, it is singular. The reader will be blessed.

Not only the reader but, "They that hear the words of this prophecy." If you will listen to this book you will be blessed.

But best of all, both speaker and hearer need to not only to hear but also to heed as verse three puts it, "And keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."

"The time is at hand," the imminence of the events is described here, remember that the Second Coming of Christ is never said to be immediate, but imminent and impending. As we approach that day, [‘time’ in verse three is ‘kurios,’ which signifies a time period.] As these end time events begin to unfold, how we need to be found in the word of God especially The Book of the Revelation.

Why should we bother with this book? Notice how precious it is, it is the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ and the things that John saw.

Why should we bother with this book? Look at the promise. Blessed are those who read, hear and heed. Praise God we will be blessed as we study this book.

Why should we bother with this book? We should read this book and study it because of the peace it brings to our hearts, look at verse four.

John is not afraid to put his name to this letter. Don’t give much attention to anonymous letters you receive, they are a waste of space and time.

We can see from verse four that John is addressing the seven churches in Asia. These seven churches were situated in Western Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey. There are seven in number, he could have chosen a different seven but these seven and only seven were chosen.

Revelation has many sets of seven.

Seven viles, seven trumpets and seven seals to name but a few. Seven is the number of completeness. So in these churches we have a complete picture of the condition of the churches then, and now and indeed we have a picture of the churches down through the ages. We will say more about this as our studies progress

Here in this book were we will read of the wrath of God being poured out in an unequalled fashion and yet as God’s people what are we first reminded of? Look again at the fourth verse.

"Grace be unto and peace," we are met with grace, which is our standing, peace that is our experience. Before God will remind us of how his wrath will be poured out on this old world praise God he reiterates that we have been saved by grace through faith and we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What a comforting thought and what a wonderful assurance we find right at the beginning of this book. It is as if God is saying, "Don’t fear my children." We do not need to fear the wrath of God, Paul reminds us in 1 Thes.

We could think of Sodom before judgement fell, righteous Lot was first removed.

We could think of Jericho before judgement fell, Rahab was first rescued.

This book follows a wonderful pattern. We read in the first three chapters about the church but then the church is not mentioned from chapter four to nineteen. Look at the beginning of chapter four for a moment.

Before we read of the judgement to come we are taken to heaven. This is surely a wonderful picture of the church being caught up into heaven before the wrath of God falls. That is why the church is not mentioned in the following chapters as it has been removed from earth at the rapture.

Does this truth not fill our hearts in praise and adoration again?

Grace and peace are our portion, we can truly praise God, and for the child of God there is no great tribulation and no great white throne.

Before a seal is broken, before a trumpet sounds, before a vial is poured out, God assures his people of his grace and peace.

Hallelujah what a Saviour!

The news that Britain had entered the Second World War came at eleven o’clock one Sunday morning. It was announced in a particular church and a crushed silence descended, then a man stood up and gave out a hymn.

"Peace perfect peace in this dark world of sin,

The blood of Jesus whispers peace within."

Look closer at what John says in verse four, what amazing peace and grace this is.

Reference is made to God the father, "From him which is and which was and is to come," God is the eternal Jehovah, a God who cannot lie he is the great I Am. That’s the source of our grace and peace but there is even more, look again.

"And from the seven spirits," here is a reference to the Holy Spirit and its completeness. Some would translate this as follows, the sevenfold spirit of God. We can read of the sevenfold perfection of the Holy Spirit in the book of Isaiah.

The Holy Spirit encompasses sevenfold perfection with these sevenfold qualities.

This grace and peace is from God the father and from God the Holy Spirit. Now take a look at verse five.

"And from Jesus Christ," this is a Trinitarian blessing. Should we not rejoice as we come to look at this great Book of the Revelation?

Look again at verse five for we read about some wonderful things concerning Jesus Christ.

We read a little about his past.

From the cradle to the cross there was not one flaw, not one error. He never flinched from the task that was led before him. Oh how we count on the grace and peace that comes from such a one like the Lord.

We read about the present.

"And the first begotten of the dead,"

"First begotten," does not mean first in number but first in rank or dignity. He has defeated sin and death and hell for the believer. Oh how we can count on the grace and peace from one who has conquered the great enemy, from one who loved us so much.

We can read about his prospect.

"And the prince of the kings of the earth"

Praise God Jesus Christ will sit on the throne, he will be seen as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Are you glad your hope is anchored on the one who will be prince of the kings of the earth.

Do you see the blessing of studying this book already?

In this dark world of sin we have grace and peace from God the father, God the Holy Spirit and from God the son.

The perfect, sinless, spotless, triumphant and soon coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords does that not bless your heart?

Look at the result from such a meditation. We have looked at the preciousness, the promise, and the peace and now we want to look at the praise at the end of verse five.

"Unto him that loved us," Dr Tergelles spent his lifetime examining ancient manuscripts of scripture. He discovered the word ‘loved’ in this verse is present tense and not as found in King James Version.

He said, "This one discovery would make his life times work worthwhile."

To know that Jesus Christ continually loves us, what a blessing.

Praise God we should already be blessed through this book.

"Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood."

The word ‘washed’ could be ‘loosed’ it has the idea of being set free. Whatever it might be cleaned or set free the idea is surely the same. Praise God we have surely a right to praise him our sins are gone.

Think of it, ‘our sins’ and ‘his blood’ what a debt we owe. Well can we ask, how much owest thou unto my Lord?

Praise God we are in the sunshine of this verse and not the shadow of his coming, which will bring his wrath upon this old world.

Verse six continues on that note of praise

"And has made us a kingdom, priests unto God."

Some would translate this as, "A kingdom of priests." Peter reminds us:

As priests we offer up the sacrifice of our praise and our service unto him who hath loved us and washed us in his own blood.

John ends with a doxology.

Rev. 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

"To him be glory and dominion." Notice the two-fold praise. Let’s move on through this book and see some wonderful doxologies.

Notice now we have the three-fold praise.

Notice now the four-fold praise.

And now we reach a crescendo and the final seven-fold praise.

The more we read this book and the more we understand it, then the more we will praise his wonderful name. Only those who are in this book will truly and completely praise the Lord.

Do you see the reasons to study this book?

It is precious, it is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

We have that wonderful promise the blessing to the reader, the hearer and the one who heeds.

We also read about the grace and peace from a triune God.

We also noticed the praise, we will be able to praise him more and more as we go on.

Let us consider the prophecy.

"Behold he cometh," Jesus is coming again here we have a reference to his coming in judgement.

The words, "They also which pierced him," is not a reference to those who actually did the evil deed but to the Jewish people. Look at Zechariah chapter twelve.

Zech. 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

"All earth shall wail," "even so," says John, "so let it be amen."

No where in Scripture do we read that every eye shall see him at the rapture, that concerns Christ coming for his saints. Here it is the Lord coming with his saints in judgement.

1 Thes. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

We are taken up to the clouds, so the promise of his coming should make us want to study this book.

I want to finish by looking at the power of Jesus Christ again this brings confidence to our hearts.

Rev. 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

"The Alpha and Omega," by saying this, Christ claims to be deity.

All the letters of the alphabet are contained from Alpha to Omega. As letters make up words and that is how we know things. Here we can see that nothing happens with out his knowledge. He knows everything from A-Z.

He is omniscient and he knows all about us. Look again at verse eight.

"The beginning and the ending," that confirms that he is everywhere. He has no beginning and no ending he is always there.

Jesus Christ is there for you and he will see it through with you.

Jesus knows all about it and he is with you and praise God he is able to help you.

Praise God what a Saviour, does that not encourage your hearts?

David Livingstone said, "It is the word of a gentleman of the strictest and most sacred honour and that’s the end of it."

I am glad He is on my side, am I on His?