Day #362

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Rev 1-5 - Reading
Rev 1-5 - Audio

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Revelation 1-5

Chapter 1

v. 1 – The book of Revelation has more than 500 allusions to the OT. Therefore, to understand Revelation, it is helpful to have some knowledge of the OT.

v. 4 – Seven churches – Seven – being the number of completeness - tells us that the message to these churches is relevant for all churches.

v. 8 – Patmos is a penal colony where those who were considered dangerous to good order were sent.

v. 12-13 – John sees lamp stands (Menorahs). These Menorah’s represent the fact that churches (not just their members) are to be a light to the world.

v. 18 – Keys are symbols of authority.

Chapter 2

v. 1-7 – The church in Ephesus was commended for doctrinal evidence and endurance, but was rebuked for its loss of love. The city’s landmark was the temple of Artemis and one of its symbols was the date palm tree (contrasted to v. 7 the tree of life).

v. 4-5 – Remove your lamp stand means that both in the near future and when Christ returns they would lose their status as a church and Christ would treat them like apostate Israel.

v. 6 – Nicolaitans were a heretical Christian sect. Like the prophet Baalam, they seduced God’s people to participate in idolatry and sexual immorality.

v. 7 – Tree of Life. Access to this tree in Eden, and the eternal life it promised to the pure, was banned after humanity’s fall. It reappears in the new Jerusalem, its roots watered by living water from God’s throne, its fruit a constant source of nourishment, and its leaves bringing healing to the city’s inhabitants, whose names appear in the Lamb’s book of life.

v. 9 – Physically poor, the Smyrnan believers were spiritually rich. The church’s opponents may say that they are Jews, but they have no legitimate claim to that name. Quite to the contrary, they belong to the synagogue of Satan. The NT defines God’s people in relation to Jesus, not their genealogy.

v. 10 – The crown of life is the laurel wreath of victory that God promises to those who love him.

v. 13 – Where Satan has his throne – Pergamum is the center of emperor worship and other deities. Satan seems to be working overtime in this city to keep people from worshipping the true God.

v. 14 – Eating food sacrificed to idols and being involved in sexual immorality broke the commands laid down in Acts 15:28-29 for Gentile believers.

v. 15 – Thyatira is guild central. You need to be a part of a guild that worships a pagan deity to survive. Lydia (seller of purple, Acts 16:11) is from Thyatira.

v. 28 – “Morning Star” is the planet Venus. Metaphorically it means “greater glory”.

Chapter 3

v. 3 – To come like a thief in the night refers to the two times that Sardis had been surprised by enemy armies who snuck into Sardis and captured it.

v. 8 – The open door in Philadelphia is in huge contrast to the closed door in Laodicia that Jesus is knocking on.

v. 14 – Laodicia was a very self-sufficient town. It relied on itself even in times of trouble. The church reflected this self-sufficiency…they needed nothing.

v. 15 – Hot/Cold/Lukewarm – Two nearby cities reflected the hot and cold water. Heiropolis had beautiful hot springs used for healing. Colosse was known for its fresh cold water from the nearby mountain. The water of Laodicia had a water system that brought them lukewarm water that was almost undrinkable.

v. 18 – Jesus does not command the people to buy, but advises them to. He takes this road because the Laodicians are too undisciplined to take orders.

Chapter 4

v. 1 – The throne room is a place that declares that God rules over the world, that he will win the victory over evil, that he is Lord of Creation.

v. 6 – The throne room and the living creatures remind us of Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah’s vision of the throne room in Isaiah 6.

v. 8 – The 24 elders remind us of 1 Chron. 24-25 and the 24 divisions of the priests who are to serve God. The 24 elders then serve as priests who worship God and tell us that the throne room is in the temple.

v. 10 – Laying down their crowns symbolizes that God is worthy of ultimate praise and worship.

Chapter 5

v. 1 – The idea of a sealed scroll that can not be opened has OT roots. In Isaiah 29:11-12 we find a scroll that can’t be read. Another important reminder that the NT finds its roots in the OT.

v. 6 – The appearance of the Lamb may reflect a picture of the ascension. Jesus suddenly appears in the midst of the throne looking as one who has been slaughtered. He appears with seven horns (symbolizing complete power) and seven eyes (symbolizing complete knowledge). This kind of power and knowledge reflects his being crowned King of kings and Lord of lords. Finally he takes the scroll, opens it and when he does, God’s plan moves forward. It is a plan that will be carried out because the Lamb has all power and all knowledge.

v. 9 – A new song celebrates a new act of divine deliverance.. When the seals are broken, a celebrations breaks out. A new song is sung because God is beginning many new things on behalf of his people and creation.