A Good Overview of Revelation.

[Marilyn C]

The 4 Visions of the Lord in Revelation.

The predominant aim of Revelation is the setting forth the splendours of the Son of Man, & to reveal His glorious person. There are four visions of the Son of Man as He is known in the heavenly realm & each vision in turn carries through to completion one aspect of the fourfold ministry of Christ which He exercised when on earth. His Kinship was expressed in Matthew, His Heirship in Mark, His Mediatorship in Luke, & His Judgeship in John.

Vision 1. CHRIST - Head of the Body. (Rev. 1 – 3)

This reveals the empowered Son of Man as the Sovereign Administrator.

`in His right hand He held 7 stars.`


Vision 2. CHRIST - HEIR. (Rev. 4 – 7)

This reveals the enthroned Son of Man as the Supreme Executor.

`in His right hand He held the 7 sealed book.`



Vision 3. CHRIST - MEDIATOR. (Rev. 8 – 13)

This reveals the exalted Son of Man as the Stately Mediator.

`in His hand is a sacred censor.`



Vision 4. CHRIST - JUDGE. (Rev. 14 – 22)

This reveals the entitled Son of Man as the Sublime Adjudicator.

`in His hand is a sharp sickle.`



To reveal Christ to us in Revelation, there are over three hundred & thirty references to the figures, shadows, symbols, types, patterns, persons, & buildings of the Old Testament.

This unveiling is the culmination of all the truths expressed from Genesis to Revelation, for all scripture is centred on one purpose and that is to reveal Christ to us in all His Glory.

(reference - C.J. Rolls)

 

[Marilyn C]

The Unveiling of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 1: 1 – 8)

`The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him...` (Rev. 1:1)

Revelation – from the Greek Word `apocalypse,` meaning `to unveil.`

There has never been any monuments erected in honor of great personalities throughout the centuries that is comparable to the magnificence of this unveiling of Jesus Christ & the magnitude of His triumph.

What inexpressible pleasure God the Father enjoyed when unveiling His Son`s true character & credentials, for the purpose of showing to His bond servants the regal nature of His Well Beloved.

This unveiling of Christ`s Deity was given to John, the Apostle & he was to write it down for the Body of Christ down through the centuries.

`The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which shortly must take place. And He sent & signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, & to the testimony of Jesus Christ & to all things that he saw.` (Rev. 1:1- 2)

`Blessed is he that reads...` this prophecy as it shows the full manifestation of Christ enthroned & empowered on high. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, not only the Son of Man, but the Son of God.

`Blessed is he who reads & those who hear the words of this prophecy, & keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.` (Rev. 1: 3)


We then read that the whole Godhead is involved in bringing forth this wonderful unveiling

The Father, delighting in fully presenting His Son, (Matt. 3: 17 Rev.1: 1, & 4)
The Holy Spirit, who teaches & brings these truths to remembrance, (John 16:13)
The Lord Jesus Himself who desires us to behold His glory. (John 17: 24)

 

[Marilyn C]

Christ`s First Triune Titles.

John is writing to the seven churches in Asia, however they are but a representative of the whole Body of Christ down through the ages who will read this wonderful revelation.

Grace & peace are given from the Father, (who is....was...) the Holy Spirit, (7 fold Spirit) & Jesus Christ.

`John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you & peace from Him who is & who was & who is to come, & from the seven spirits who are before the throne, & from Jesus Christ...` (Rev. 1: 4 & 5)


The Father then presents us with the first of Jesus` Triune titles.

`Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead, & the ruler over the kings of the earth.` (Rev. 1: 5)


The Faithful Witness – The integrity of His ministry.

As a witness Christ far exceeds all others because of the greatness of the witness He bears. He did not trifle over transient things but testified to eternal truth. In His message to mankind He unveiled the mysteries of God, foretold the future of nations & disclosed the issues of life.


The Firstborn from the dead – His conquering victory over the enemy.

This title shows Christ`s victory over Satan, sin & death. Christ battled against the enemy & conquered victoriously. He died, rose again & ascended to sit at the Father`s right hand on high. This certifies His authority forever as the One who can never know defeat. He is preeminent even of the dead, as the first manifested alive from the dead.


The Ruler over the kings of the earth – His ultimate authority over all Rulers.

Christ is ruler, king of the regency of truth in the heavenly realms. (John 18: 36 & 37) And finally He will bring this rule to bear over the nations of this world.

 

[Marilyn C]

The 3 Groups of People.

The Apostle John now gives a hymn of praise to the Lord, bringing out the three different groups that Christ is dealing with – the Body of Christ, Israel & the Nations. Throughout the book of Revelation we will see how the Lord deals with each group & what their outcome will be.


The Body of Christ.

John gives praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is He who loves us & gave His life for us. He has made us kings & priests to rule & reign with Him forever. This is the Body of Christ, for no other group has the privilege of being kings & priests. When the Body of Christ is complete it will be caught away to the 3rd heaven to rule & reign with Christ.

`To Him who has loved us & washed us from our sins in His own blood, & has made us kings & priests to His God & Father, to Him be glory & dominion forever & ever.` (Rev.1: 6)


Israel.

The second group that God has plans for is Israel. They have been blinded to the truth of their Messiah. However at the end of the tribulation they will realise that Jesus, their Messiah is the one that they crucified. It will be a traumatic time for them but healing will flow as the Lord reveals that He bought atonement to them individually & as a nation.

`Behold He is coming with clouds, & every eye will see Him, & they also who pierced Him.` (Rev. 1: 7)


The Nations.

The Gentile nations of the earth, the different tribes are also a group in God`s plan. When they see the Lord coming to earth they will mourn. Their rule & authority has come to an end & Christ`s awesome power & glory causes them to wail in fear, guilt & grief.


`And & all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen` (Rev. 1: 7)

 

[Marilyn C]

Christ`s Signature

Christ would now have us to see His eternal attributes. This is His Deity that was hidden behind the `veil` of His flesh while on earth. He is the all- knowing, all powerful One throughout time & eternity. The `I am.`

“I am the Alpha & Omega, the beginning & the End,” says the Lord, “who is & who was & who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1: 8)


His Omniscience – “I am the Alpha & Omega,”

Christ is the whole alphabet, from whom the entire vocabulary for expressing revealed truth is derived. All the treasures of wisdom & knowledge are in Him. (Col.2:3) There is no such thing as knowledge before Him & there cannot be any beyond Him.

Christ, as the Alpha & Omega, is the only way to spiritual secrets, (Rev.2:17) He is the key to unlock the treasures of truth, Himself the interpreter of the invisible, (Rev. 3: 7) & the Door of entrance to eternal enjoyment. (Ps. 16:11 John 10:9)


His Omnipresence – “The Beginning & the End.”

Christ commenced & will conclude all time periods. He conceived the duration of the ages & will yet crown & consummate the ages to come. Everything is under His control. And no event came before the exercise of His will & none will come after His counsel. (1 Cor. 15: 28)

In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; therefore outside of Christ there is no wider, broader, deeper, higher, greater or vaster measure or authority known. (Col. 2: 9 & 10)


His Omnipotence – “which is, was & is to come, the Almighty,”

The strength of Christ`s might & majesty transcend all others in ability & authority. He is the competent & self-sufficient One in His almightiness.


When we pause to ponder His enormous energy, His great power, His awesome strength & might, these qualities with their tremendous potential causes us to tremble . But, when we turn & learn of the blended qualities of goodness, gracious care, glorious love which are lavished so freely, our fears depart for we view His heart. (Eph. 2: 4 – 8)

 

[Eleanor]

Another overview,
in addition to all the sevens (book of completions), starting with the seven churches and on through to the seven bowls poured out,
is not seeing Rev as a successive chronology from chps 1-22.
but rather structured as are the visions in Daniel, where the visions in Daniel were
the sum of prophecy revealed by the Son of Man (Da 10:4-9)
from the book of God's eternal decrees (Da 10:21, 12:1)
regarding the OT church (Da 2:28, 8:26, 10:14) and the end (Da 8:19) .

And the visions in Rev are likewise
the sum of prophecy revealed by the Son of Man (Rev 1:12-18)
from the book of God's eternal decrees (Rev 5:1-5, 6:1, 10:1-4, 8-10, 20:12)
regarding the NT church (Rev 1:19, 10:11) and the end (Rev 10:7, 11:18, 16:17, 21:6).

As the visions in Daniel are not a successive chronology, but four progressive parallelisms (chp 2, 7, 8 10-12),
progressively revealing more details of the same events and persons each time (as are the eight visions in Zec 1-6), so with
the visions in Rev, which are not a successive chronology, but seven progressive parallelisms (chp 1-3, 4-7, 8-11, 12-14, 15-6, 17-19, 20-22)
progressively revealing more details of the same events and persons each time.

And as the numbers and time frame regarding the OT church in Da 9:24-27 (fulfilled) are not literal, but are prophetic riddles,
so the numbers and time frame regarding the NT church in Rev are not literal, but are prophetic riddles.

I think that seeing Rev as a literal successive chronology is the basis for much interpretation of prophetic riddles today that is contradictory to clear, unequivocal, authoritative NT apostolic teaching (1 Th 414-17, 2 Th 1:6-10, 21-8).

 

[EarlyActs]

Another overview,
in addition to all the sevens (book of completions), starting with the seven churches and on through to the seven bowls poured out,
is not seeing Rev as a successive chronology from chps 1-22.
but rather structured as are the visions in Daniel, where the visions in Daniel were
the sum of prophecy revealed by the Son of Man (Da 10:4-9)
from the book of God's eternal decrees (Da 10:21, 12:1)
regarding the OT church (Da 2:28, 8:26, 10:14) and the end (Da 8:19) .

And the visions in Rev are likewise
the sum of prophecy revealed by the Son of Man (Rev 1:12-18)
from the book of God's eternal decrees (Rev 5:1-5, 6:1, 10:1-4, 8-10, 20:12)
regarding the NT church (Rev 1:19, 10:11) and the end (Rev 10:7, 11:18, 16:17, 21:6).

As the visions in Daniel are not a successive chronology, but four progressive parallelisms (chp 2, 7, 8 10-12),
progressively revealing more details of the same events and persons each time (as are the eight visions in Zec 1-6), so with
the visions in Rev, which are not a successive chronology, but seven progressive parallelisms (chp 1-3, 4-7, 8-11, 12-14, 15-6, 17-19, 20-22)
progressively revealing more details of the same events and persons each time.

And as the numbers and time frame regarding the OT church in Da 9:24-27 (fulfilled) are not literal, but are prophetic riddles,
so the numbers and time frame regarding the NT church in Rev are not literal, but are prophetic riddles.

I think that seeing Rev as a literal successive chronology is the basis for much interpretation of prophetic riddles today that is contradictory to clear, unequivocal, authoritative NT apostolic teaching (1 Th 414-17, 2 Th 1:6-10, 21-8).

Who told you Dan 9 was to be turned into symbols? It is a very good description of the Jewish War in the 60s and what transpired. V24 is the Gospel. It times the crucifixion of Christ; the only variation from history that I know of is that the last half of the last week is stretched to be that whole decisive generation.

The material is only riddles if we are not steeped in current Judaism.

If you sample the NT, the ordinary language (non-symbolic) passages on the final future day of judgement have nothing Judaic and the final day actually takes place very quick. They usually say it is coming soon, but 2 Peter 3 answers that. Rom 2, 8, I Cor 15, 2 Pet 3, Heb 9, 12, 13, the Thess segments (there are some segments there on the events of the 1st cent.).

An extensive listing of "this generation" by Jesus will lead you to see that it is...that generation. OR as Luke 23:38 says 'those who nurse now will ask the mountains to fall on them as adults.' This image is used in the Rev, giving an important clue about what time Christ meant.

 

[Eleanor]

Who told you Dan 9 was to be turned into symbols?

I said it was riddle, not symbol. They are not the same.

It is a very good description of the Jewish War in the 60s and what transpired. V24 is the Gospel. It times the crucifixion of Christ; the only variation from history that I know of is that the last half of the last week is stretched to be that whole decisive generation.

The material is only riddles if we are not steeped in current Judaism.

That makes it a riddle, and according to you the riddle is now solved.

If you sample the NT, the ordinary language (non-symbolic) passages on the final future day of judgement have nothing Judaic and the final day actually takes place very quick. They usually say it is coming soon, but 2 Peter 3 answers that. Rom 2, 8, I Cor 15, 2 Pet 3, Heb 9, 12, 13, the Thess segments (there are some segments there on the events of the 1st cent.).

An extensive listing of "this generation" by Jesus will lead you to see that it is...that generation. OR as Luke 23:38 says 'those who nurse now will ask the mountains to fall on them as adults.' This image is used in the Rev, giving an important clue about what time Christ meant.