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Side-by-Side Study of the Book of Revelation
Chapter 1
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Revelation 1:1
The Revelation [apokalupsis] of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John Strong's 602 apokalupsis, ap-ok-al'-oop-sis
disclosure:--appearing, coming, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.

We get our English-language word "apocalypse" from this Greek word.

Revelation 1:1 (segments)

The Revelation of Jesus Christ
He sent and signified it by His angel
to His servant John
Who is the Author of the Revelation?
Who sent the angel?
What was the angel's function?
What was John's function?

Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel [aggelos] to His servant John Strong's 32 aggelos, ang'-el-os
a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger.

"Angel" means messenger, and may or may not denote a spirit creature. ANYONE is an "angel" when he or she functions as a messenger. Ergo, you have to check the context in which "angel" is used.

Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John Rev 22.8-9
Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

Hos 12.10
(God said...) I have also spoken by the prophets, and have multiplied visions. I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets.

Consider: What do you suppose was the species of the angel that Lord Jesus sent to John?

Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John God tells you that someone named John was the person He used to witness and write His revelation. That's all that God saw fit to reveal about His penman-witness.

If you're really curious about John, look him up when you get to Heaven.

Revelation 1:2
who bore witness [martureo] to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
Strong's 3140 martureo, mar-too-reh'-o
to be a witness, i.e. testify:--give (evidence)

The "who" in verse 2 refers to "John" in verse 1. Ergo, John is the person giving witness...

John can rightfully testify to what Jesus said in the Revelation. Why? Because John heard Jesus with his own ears.
John can rightfully testify to the events recorded in the Revelation. Why? Because John saw those events unfold with his own eyes.

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy [propheteia], and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. Strong's 4394 propheteia, prof-ay-ti'-ah
prediction (scriptural or other):--prophecy, prophesying.

Consider. What kind of book is the book of Revelation?

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy , and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. What two categories of people will be blessed by the book of Revelation?

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. What must you do in order to be blessed by the book of Revelation?

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep [tereo] those things which are written in it; for the time is near. Strong's 5083 tereo, tay-reh'-o
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon)
to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command)

God wants you to tereo the things that are written in the book of Revelation. As you see by its Strong's definition, tereo has two basic meanings...

1) to guard something. Is God exhorting you to TEREO the truths of Revelation from those who would twist and deceive? Decide.

2) to note and obey a command. Revelation is not merely prediction. Revelation contains many commands concerning how you should live and act in view of what God has revealed to you about the future. Is God exhorting you to TEREO His commands? Decide.

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. 2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Revelation 1:4
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, The book of Revelation takes the form of an epistle. "Epistle" is a fancy word for a personal letter.

This letter is from God. It was written down by God's penman-witness, John. It is addressed to seven churches.

Later in this study, you will be given evidence that (in our OPINION) proves that YOU are a de facto member of one of these 7 churches.

Ergo, this letter from God is addressed to YOU.

Revelation 1:4
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne
The 7 churches mentioned in Rev 1.4 are the first of MANY groups of 7 events and objects that God identifies in His book of Revelation.

When God says that there are SEVEN events or objects in a particular series, then you can be absolutely certain that...

The 7 events or objects are quite real. Not imaginary!
There are (or will be) EXACTLY 7 of those events or objects. No more. No less.

Consider: Many folks think that God's Bible uses certain numbers, such as 7, in "special ways."

To decide what God may be telling YOU when the Bible specializes in 7's...

HOLD DOWN THE SHIFT KEY and Click Here

Revelation 1:4
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God

Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Consider: In Rev 1.4, is there any significance to the fact that "grace" comes BEFORE "peace"?

Revelation 1:4-1.5a
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ
John sends you grace and peace from THREE persons...

Him who is/was/is-to-come
Seven Spirits
Jesus Christ

Now study the following information so that you may determine the IDENTITY of the first of these three persons -- Him who is/was/is-to-come.

(Moses asked God His name. God replied...) I AM [hayah] WHO I AM [hayah]." And God said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM [hayah] has sent me to you.'" Ex 3.14

Strong's 1961 hayah, haw-yaw
to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass

As shown by its definition in Strong's, the Hebrew verb hayah denotes the past/present/future tenses of "to exist."

Bible examples of hayah translated with various verb tenses...

Past tense "was" - Now the serpent was [hayah] more subtil than any beast of the field Gen 3.1
Present tense "is" - And if the household is [hayah] too small for the lamb Ex 12.4
Future tense "shall be" - it shall be [hayah], that every one that findeth me shall slay me Gen 9.26

Revelation 1:4
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne
The above panels show 2 facts...

Fact #1: In Ex 3.14, God declared His name to be Hayah.
Fact #2: Depending on context, Hayah can mean was/is/shall be.

Now decide: In Rev 1.4, what is the identity of "Him who is and who was and who is to come?"

Tuesday 3/12/02 - Finished giving info to identify #1 of the 3 personages of Rev 1.4-5. That's it for today. Lots of email to answer.

BTGLW, I'll resume tomorrow with info on #2 of the 3 personages of Rev 1.4-5
Aloha in Christ, Bellgamin

Revelation 1:4
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

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Side-by-Side Study of the Book of Revelation Chapter 1 Navigate
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation [apokalupsis] of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John		Strong's 602 apokalupsis, ap-ok-al'-oop-sis disclosure:--appearing, coming, manifestation, be revealed, revelation. We get our English-language word "apocalypse" from this Greek word.
*Revelation 1:1 (segments)* The Revelation of Jesus Christ He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John		Who is the Author of the Revelation? Who sent the angel? What was the angel's function? What was John's function?
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel [aggelos] to His servant John		Strong's 32 aggelos, ang'-el-os a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger. "Angel" means messenger, and may or may not denote a spirit creature. ANYONE is an "angel" when he or she functions as a messenger. Ergo, you have to check the context in which "angel" is used.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John		Rev 22.8-9 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." Hos 12.10 (God said...) I have also spoken by the prophets, and have multiplied visions. I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets.
		*Consider: What do you suppose was the species* of the angel that Lord Jesus sent to John?**
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John		God tells you that someone named John was the person He used to witness and write His revelation. That's all that God saw fit to reveal about His penman-witness. If you're really curious about John, look him up when you get to Heaven.
Revelation 1:2 who bore witness [martureo] to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.		Strong's 3140 martureo, mar-too-reh'-o to be a witness, i.e. testify:--give (evidence) The "who" in verse 2 refers to "John" in verse 1. Ergo, John is the person giving witness... John can rightfully testify to what Jesus said in the Revelation. Why? Because John heard Jesus with his own ears. John can rightfully testify to the events recorded in the Revelation. Why? Because John saw those events unfold with his own eyes.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy [propheteia], and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.		Strong's 4394 propheteia, prof-ay-ti'-ah prediction (scriptural or other):--prophecy, prophesying. Consider. What kind of book is the book of Revelation?
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy , and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.		What two categories of people will be blessed by the book of Revelation?
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.		What must you do in order to be blessed by the book of Revelation?
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep [tereo] those things which are written in it; for the time is near.		Strong's 5083 tereo, tay-reh'-o to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon) to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command)
God wants you to tereo the things that are written in the book of Revelation. As you see by its Strong's definition, tereo has two basic meanings... 1) to guard something. Is God exhorting you to TEREO the truths of Revelation from those who would twist and deceive? Decide.		2) to note and obey a command. Revelation is not merely prediction. Revelation contains many commands concerning how you should live and act in view of what God has revealed to you about the future. Is God exhorting you to TEREO His commands? Decide.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.		2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,		The book of Revelation takes the form of an epistle. "Epistle" is a fancy word for a personal letter. This letter is from God. It was written down by God's penman-witness, John. It is addressed to seven churches. Later in this study, you will be given evidence that (in our OPINION) proves that YOU are a de facto member of one of these 7 churches. Ergo, this letter from God is addressed to YOU.
Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne		The 7 churches mentioned in Rev 1.4 are the first of MANY groups of 7 events and objects that God identifies in His book of Revelation. When God says that there are SEVEN events or objects in a particular series, then you can be absolutely certain that... The 7 events or objects are quite real. Not imaginary! There are (or will be) EXACTLY 7 of those events or objects. No more. No less.
		Consider: Many folks think that God's Bible uses certain numbers, such as 7, in "special ways." *To decide what God may be telling YOU when the Bible specializes* in 7's... HOLD DOWN THE SHIFT KEY and Click Here**
Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,		Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
		Consider: In Rev 1.4, is there any significance to the fact that "grace" comes BEFORE "peace"?
Revelation 1:4-1.5a John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ		John sends you grace and peace from THREE persons... Him who is/was/is-to-come Seven Spirits Jesus Christ Now study the following information so that you may determine the IDENTITY of the first of these three persons -- Him who is/was/is-to-come.
		(Moses asked God His name. God replied...) I AM [hayah] WHO I AM [hayah]." And God said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM [hayah] has sent me to you.'" Ex 3.14
		Strong's 1961 hayah, haw-yaw to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass As shown by its definition in Strong's, the Hebrew verb hayah denotes the past/present/future tenses of "to exist."
		Bible examples of hayah translated with various verb tenses... Past tense "was" - Now the serpent was [hayah] more subtil than any beast of the field Gen 3.1 Present tense "is" - And if the household is [hayah] too small for the lamb Ex 12.4 Future tense "shall be" - it shall be [hayah], that every one that findeth me shall slay me Gen 9.26
Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne		The above panels show 2 facts... Fact #1: In Ex 3.14, God declared His name to be Hayah. Fact #2: Depending on context, Hayah can mean was/is/shall be. Now decide: In Rev 1.4, what is the identity of "Him who is and who was and who is to come?"
Tuesday 3/12/02 - Finished giving info to identify #1 of the 3 personages of Rev 1.4-5. That's it for today. Lots of email to answer. BTGLW, I'll resume tomorrow with info on #2 of the 3 personages of Rev 1.4-5 Aloha in Christ, Bellgamin
Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,