Revelation 4-7 The Wrath of the Lamb Begins

TMS 1John 5:13 Assurance of Salvation

1Jn 5:11 “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

13 These things I have written to you

who believe in the name of the Son of God,

that you may know that you have eternal life,

and that you may continue

to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Observations: 5:13 Eternal life is given to those who believe in the name of the Son of God. John 1:12 equates believing in His name with receiving or welcoming Him into one's life. Forgiveness for sin is part of the package, given on the basis God's grace, to those who exercise faith in Christ's death for their sins. That forgiveness removes the barrier between us and God so we can have a relationship with Him. Nothing else that we can do provides the relationship. Maintaining and developing the relationship, and not forfeiting the benefits, are another story. We already have the assurance of the justification/forgiveness aspect of our salvation, according to the first half of verse 13. But John writes the epistle, and the second half of verse 13 (which some versions inappropriately omit) to enable us to maintain the benefits of the relationship by continuing to believe. As Jesus said in John 10:10, He came that we “might have life, and have it abundantly.” John wrote in 20:31 that by continuing to believe we will have life in (by means of) His name/power. To “have the Son” in 1John is to have an abiding relationship with Him (see Jn 15 and comments in 1Jn 5:13). Those who continue to believe will reap the benefits of the relationship, including glory/dominion in the Messianic Age. Those who don't continue to believe what God has revealed in Christ, don't lose their forgiveness, but will forfeit the blessings God intends to give those who are loyal and faithful.

Application: Belief in Christ starts the relationship and begets life; continuing to believe brings in the abundant life Christ wants to share with us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for wanting a relationship with me, may I believe all that You have said, and act accordingly. Amen.

Revelation 4-7 John gets invited to come up to heaven to see and record what God has planned for the future. The judgments of Revelation are the wrath of the Lamb, who pays back injustice and unrighteousness. This section describes six of the “seven seal judgments” that will occur during the Great Tribulation. In the Pre-millennial view, the Tribulation is the seven year period following the Rapture of the Church and before the Messiah returns to set up His promised Millennial Kingdom (thus the return of Christ is Pre-millennial). The term “Pre-Tribulation” refers to the Rapture of the church occurring before this time of trouble (see comments on 1Thess 4). Like a telescope, contained within the “seventh seal judgment” are “seven trumpet judgments,” and contained in the “seventh trumpet” are “seven vial or bowel judgments.” The cumulative effect of these judgments totally alters earth and life on it as we know it. It is obvious that these judgments are yet future.

Revelation 4 Worthy is the Lord

4:1 After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this." 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne 3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads. 5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. 7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.

8 The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!"

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy one, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!"

Observations: 4:1-8 After hearing the contents of the seven letters, John sees a door open in heaven and a voice calling him up there (some see this as an indication of the Rapture), to see the things which must happen according to the plan of God. Being transported in the Spirit to the presence of God like Ezekiel, he sees God on His throne, as did Ezekiel. This vision clearly links the two books, as Ezekiel is also about the establishment of the Messiah's Millennial Kingdom. Thus all that Ezekiel said should be in the back of the reader's mind as they consider Revelation. Daniel 7:9-14 has a somewhat similar vision which fits the next chapter better. The four “living/ruling” creatures are most likely angelic beings, reflective of the aspects of Christ in His roles as king (lion), servant (ox/calf), man, and God (eagle).

4:9-11 Whenever the four creatures gave glory to God, the elders also worshiped, both by their actions and words which acknowledged that all things were created by and for Him. We're not told the identity of the twenty-four elders in white garments with crowns on their heads. The crowns are golden victors' wreaths, which would designate them as rewarded overcomers, rather than angels (5:11 distinguishes them from angels as well). The next chapter (5:10) indicates that they are representative of those Christ has redeemed from all nations. The twelve apostles were promised thrones and rulership over the twelve tribes of Israel, so the additional twelve could be those who ruled over the Gentiles (rather than OT Patriarchs or prophets or priests), but most opinions are just that since we're not given more specifics.

Matthew 19:28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

The elders worship Him who lives (not just exists, but rules or exercises dominion) forever. Those who think that rewards don't matter because “we just give them back to Jesus” are deluded on multiple accounts.

Having a crown/glory is a means of honoring God. The giving of glory, honor, and thanks is different from the living creatures saying “Holy, Holy, Holy.” When they do, the elders cast (present tense) their crowns before His throne as an acknowledgment of His worthiness to receive glory and honor and power. For a ruler to put their crown under another's feet was to acknowledge not only the other's greater power, but that they ruled by the permission and pleasure of the greater power. Those who fail to overcome and be rewarded will not be able to honor God like this.

God doesn't want the area in front of His throne to be littered with pointy tipped crowns (stepping on them could be painful). Note that in order to fall down again, they have to get back up and put their crowns back on their head, and resume their duties of ruling, and carrying out God's will (which is why they have thrones in the first place).

The giving of rulership, authority, and power, means the person giving it, has it, thus when He rewards His faithful servants, God is displaying His hitherto unseen glory. Those who want God to receive the maximum amount of glory, will live so He can display it in rewarding them.

2Thessalonians 1:10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Application: God is worthy of our total worship and allegiance because He is the Creator and thus Owner of all. He is doubly worthy because He not only gave us life, He gave it back to us through His redemption of us, after we forfeited it through sin.

Prayer: God, You are holy, and worthy of all the honor I could ever give You; may I live to bring You glory. Amen.

Revelation 5 Title Deed to the Earth

5:1 I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book/scroll written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals. 2 I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?" 3 No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look in it. 4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look in it. 5 One of the elders said to me, "Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals."

6 I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9 They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and redeemed us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, 10 and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth."

11 I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands; 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!" 13 I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!" 14 The four living creatures said, "Amen!" The elders fell down and worshiped Him that lives forever.

Observations: 5:1-5 John sees the Father holding a scroll with seven seals on it. Roman law required that a “will” be authenticated by seven seals from seven witnesses. The scroll is the title deed to the earth which is inherited by Christ as a result of His obedience (Phil 2). He is worthy to open it because He is not only the legal inheritor of the promises made to David (2Sam 7; Ps 89 -Davidic Covenant) and Abraham (Gen 12), but also the faithful “overcomer” (verse 5). John was distraught perhaps because the purposes of God contained in the scroll would be thwarted if no one could open it. One of the elders encouraged John with the fact that the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, had overcome (was victorious) and therefore could open the scroll.

5:6-10 In the midst of the throne John sees the Lamb that was slain having seven horns (symbols of authority and rulership -cf Daniel's visions), and the sevenfold (abundant and omnipresent) Spirit of God. Jesus came and took the scroll and the four living creatures and the twenty-four praised Him. It's noteworthy that Jesus' reward is not given to Him, but He takes it, as a just recompense, which is highlighted in the chapter. The elders now have bowls of incense, (instead of the crowns which represented their ruling function, John sees them exercising their priestly function) representing the prayers/praises of the saints (holy believers), and harps to accompany their praise. (The less honorable ones had accordions.) They sang a new song, acknowledging the worthiness of Christ to open the scroll/will and execute its provisions. They cite the cause of His worthiness, His death, and highlight what it accomplished, the redemption of people from all nations, and the constitution of them as kings and priests (crowns and incense), to reign with the Messiah upon the earth. Note that this is a vision of the future which had not yet been implemented.

5:11-14 Then John sees and hears innumerable angels joining in with the elders and living creatures in praising the Lamb who was slain, for His worthiness. He is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing (did they miss anything?). Every created thing joins in the praise of God the Father on the throne, and the Lamb, ascribing blessing, honor, glory, and dominion/power to them. The elders fall down (again) and worship Him that lives (exercises dominion) forever (to the Age of Ages).

Application: Jesus was worthy to be blessed because of His victorious obedience to the Father's will. The same goes for us; we are worthy by virtue of our faithful behavior (Mt 10:38; Eph 4:1).

Prayer: Lord, I praise You for redeeming me; You are worthy of all I could possibly give You; please guide me in being worthy to share in Your kingdom. Amen.

Revelation 6 Six Seals of the Wrath of the Lamb

6:1 I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, "Come and see!" 2 And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.

3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come!" 4 Another came forth, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. There was given to him a great sword.

5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come and see!" And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand. 6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius! Don’t damage the oil and the wine!"

7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see!" 8 And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on it, his name was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him.

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. 10 They cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course.

12 I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood. 13 The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. 16 They told the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?"

Observations: 6:1 John sees the Lamb undo the seals on the scroll. As each of the first four is opened, a judgment is unleashed upon the earth, commented upon by one of the four living (ruling?) creatures. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse come from this passage, and are an outpouring of the wrath of the Lamb (see verse 17). It should be obvious to any literary or literal interpreter that these have not yet occurred, as well as those who pay attention to the clues in the context (ie, how long until...?).

6:2 The first is a white horse, a symbol of power, as is the bow, and crown. White implies but doesn't guarantee righteousness. The rider is given authority/permission to conquer, but no more is said about him here. No arrows are mentioned, nor the effect on earth, possibly pointing to a peaceful conquest (cf. Dan 9:27; 1Thess 5:3).

6:3-4 The second is a red horse, whose rider was given a sword, and power to take peace from the earth, which resulted in people killing each other. Red usually symbolizes blood.

6:5-6 The third is a black horse, who has a balance scale, used in buying and selling (the word is also for a “yoke” to harness farm animals). Through destruction or manipulation of markets, famine conditions are reached. The prices of wheat and barley are about twenty times the normal price, consuming an entire day's wages. Oil and wine, consumed more by the rich, are not to be touched.

6:7-8 The fourth is a pale horse ridden by Death, followed by Hades (the grave) who killed a quarter of the earth's population with war, famine, death, and wild animals. There is no record of anything like this in history (see another clearly yet future terror in the sixth seal).

6:9-11 The fifth seal reveals what should be vengeance and justice, but instead it reveals under the altar (before the throne cf. Ezekiel) the martyrs who had been killed for their faithfulness to the work of God, and the Lamb. They ask how long it will be until they are avenged. Their holy and true Master gives each of them a white robe (glory? cf. 19:8 where it is put for the righteous acts of the saints), and they are told to “rest” for a while until their fellow saints should join them (cf Heb 11:39-40 comments about the future glorification of the NT saints). There will come a time when they are avenged, but it is still future.

6:12-17 The sixth seal is unprecedented apocalypse of Biblical proportions. It's a global earthquake that moves every mountain, and every island out of its original placement, and which turns the sun black and the moon blood-red. Bunches of stars fall out of the sky to strike the earth like figs shaken from a tree. The sky is rolled back like a scroll (wonder what's under it). Everyone on earth heads for the hills to hide in terror from the face of the God who judges and the wrath of the Lamb. It's payback time and the great day of Christ's wrath has come. Only those rightly related to him can stand.

Malachi 3:1...Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts. 2 " But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And like launderers' soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness. 4 " Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the LORD, As in the days of old, As in former years. 5 And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien --- Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts.

Application: God will avenge the injustices His servants experience at the proper time. While waiting, we can rest in confidence that His holiness demands justice.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks for dying for me, and enabling me to live so as to be spared from the wrath to come. Amen.

Revelation 7 144,000 and a Whole Lot More

7:1 After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. 2 I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, "Don’t harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!" 4 I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: 5 of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand, of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11 All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, 12 saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

13 One of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?" 14 I told him, "My lord, you know." He said to me, "These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them. 16 They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Observations: 7:1-8 Four angels stand ready to unleash four winds upon the earth to destroy, but another angle ascending from the sunrise (where God's glory shines) has the seal of the living God to make secure the servants of God, first. He seals 144,000 Jewish believers, specified as coming equally from each of the twelve tribes. Sealing was done to identify and protect. No Gentiles are mentioned.

7:9-17 After the sealing of the 144,000 Jews, John sees an innumerable multitude of people from all nations standing before the throne to serve God and the Lamb. They have white robes (righteousness) and palm branches (cf Jn 12:13; Lev 23:40). The refrain of their praise is similar to that in chapter 5. They are those who came out of the Great Tribulation (of the preceding judgments -Mt 24:21; Jer 30:7; Dan 9:24) and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb (note they are the active agents). They will no longer suffer, but the Lamb will shepherd them, and God will wipe away every tear (giving them joy instead).

Application: Those who suffer and serve, even to the point of tears and death, won't regret the sacrifices they have made for Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks that You shepherd Your servants, and lead them to springs of living water, where lack is a forgotten memory. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God is the Creator and Sustainer of all, and worthy of all glory and honor.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is worthy to rule and receive all glory and honor with the Father because of His faithful obedience. In His rule He will pour out His wrath on the unjust and ungodly, yet still shepherd those who are loyal to Him.

Us in a nutshell: We have the responsibility to praise and worship God our entire lives, which isn't just singing songs, but dying for Him daily.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Revelation 1-3 A Peek into Heaven

TMS 1 John 3:18 True Love Loves Truly

1 John 3:18 “My little children,

let us not love in word or in tongue,

but in deed and in truth.”

Observations: 3:18 It's easy to say “I love you” but following through on those words is a lot more difficult. Many say they love Jesus, but how many are actually loyal to Him, and exclusively His? Our love toward others must not be lip service to the concept, but demonstrated in our deeds as well. When was the last time you sacrificed something you wanted to do in order to serve someone else spiritually or materially? When did you last step out of your comfort zone and risk rejection and ridicule to reprove or rebuke a sinning believer? How about sharing your faith or witnessing to your Lord Jesus so they wouldn't spend an eternity separated from Him?

Application: True love loves truly (according to the truth), whether convenient, comfortable, or welcome.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for loving me, and modeling the love You desire me to have towards others; please help me draw on Your strength and grace to love as You've loved me. Amen.

Revelation 1-3 John gets a trip outside of time to see God's purposes for the earth and believers. He writes of what he saw and heard, and what will be, to encourage believers to be loyal to Christ. This post focuses on the message Jesus revealed to John to give to seven churches in Asia. The accompanying charts under Digging Deeper provide some interesting ways of interpreting the communication to the literal churches.

Revelation 1 A Peek into Heaven

1:1 This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things which must happen soon, which He sent and made known by His angel to His servant, John, 2 who testified to God’s word, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.

4 John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by His blood; 6 and He made us to be a Kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so, Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

9 I John, your brother and partner with you in oppression, the Kingdom, and steadfastness in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet... 11 saying, "What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." 12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. 13 And among the lampstands was One like a Son of Man, clothed with a robe reaching down to His feet, and with a golden sash around His chest. 14 His head and His hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. 16 He had seven stars in His right hand. Out of His mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me, saying, "Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18 and the Living One. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. 19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter; 20 the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

Observations: 1:1-3 John introduces the book with a statement of its contents and origin. It is revelation of what must take place (because it is God's plan) concerning Jesus Christ. John sees these things happening. Envision the events of time as occurring linearly on a table, from one end to the other. God is outside of time, seeing the end from the beginning, and everything in between, all at once. As an infinite, transcendent being, He is outside of time. Most questions about what God knows and does are raised by time-bound humans who can't see (or think) beyond their own finite perspective. John gets to view aspects of our reality from God's perspective, as they unfold sequentially from the human perspective. At the end of the book he sees the heavenly Jerusalem descending on a new earth. Obviously this is yet future from our time-bound perspective, but is already a reality from God's point of view.

Blessing is promised to the ones who read or hear, and keep or hold on to the words of this book. That means there will be things to do or obey, which if followed will result in blessing, and which, if ignored, will result in lack of blessing. The certainty of the return of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, to reward His faithful servants, and set up the rule of His Millennial Kingdom, should serve as motivation to be faithful until He returns. The Judgment is certain, John has already seen it.

1:4-8 John writes the seven assemblies/churches in Asia, wishing them the covenantal blessings of grace and peace from God, who is described in past, present, and future aspects, and from the seven Spirits before His throne, and from Jesus the Messiah, who is, among other things: the faithful witness (to God's will/revelation), the firstborn from the dead (which means there are more to come), and the ruler of the kings of the earth (these three descriptions might match the time designations of the Father). John ascribes glory to Jesus, who loves the readers, and washed them from their sins by His own blood, so that they could be priests to God. Jesus is coming with clouds (as promised in Matthew 24:30; 26:64) and every eye will see Him (which obviously hasn't happened yet, nor has the mourning). He is the Alpha and Omega (beginning of the alphabet and the end, encompassing all that is in between). He was, is, and is to come, matching the description of the Father (1:4), and sharing the title of the Almighty. Trinitarianism anyone?

1:9-16 John describes himself as a fellow-sharer/partaker with his readers in the affliction (he was exiled to Patmos), Kingdom (used 7 times in the book), and steadfast endurance (used 7 times in the book). His exile was due to his adherence to God's word and proclaiming the testimony/witness about Jesus the Messiah. He was the only apostle to not be martyred. He was “in the Spirit” probably as in praying in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and heard a voice telling him to write what he sees and send it to the churches noted. They are in Asia, listed in a clockwise order (see map). When John looked, he saw seven golden lampstands, which stood for the seven churches (1:20). In the midst of the lampstands was One like the Son of Man in His glory. The seven stars in His hand are messengers or angels (same word since angels frequently delivered messages) of the churches. Considering this is a scene in heaven, the likely interpretation is that these are angelic beings, like guardian angels for the churches. Although because of the symbolism, of the lampstands being churches (that give God's light to those around them as Israel was supposed to do in the OT as symbolized by the lampstand in the Tabernacle and Temple), the stars might be emblematic or a symbolic “personification” of the message. They will show up again in the next two chapters.

Out of the mouth of Jesus proceeded a two-edged sword (the judging word of God - Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 2:12).

1:17-20 John does what any of us would do when confronted with the glory of God, and Jesus touched him (to revive and strengthen him), and elaborates on His identity and John's task. Jesus affirms that He is the Beginning and End (for whom all exists - Colossians 1:16), who was alive, dead, and alive again, permanently. He has the keys (power over) to Death and Hades (and all contained therein). He gives John the outline for what he is to write:

• what he has seen (this chapter);
• what is (the letters to the seven churches in the next two chapters);
• what will be (in the future).

Jesus then provides the interpretation of the stars and lampstands as noted above.

Application: Jesus is in His glory, but has yet to come back to set up His kingdom and rule, but He will. In the meantime, He has expectations for those who believe in Him, that they would persevere and serve God as priests, offering Him what is pleasing in His sight.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Exalted One, who died to cleanse me from my sin, and enable me to serve You; may I be faithful to accomplish the tasks for which You have me on earth. Amen.

Revelation 2-3 Each of the letters follows a pattern of evaluation, and commendation or condemnation of the church and those in it. Jesus says (through the Spirit) that He knows the works of the believers, and evaluates them. He knows the conditions under which they live, and takes everything into account. Those sinning are urged to repent and a promise of blessing is held out to those who become overcomers. A promise of judgment is held out to those who don't repent. This judgment of believers is for rewards or punishment. It is not about faith in Jesus' death for them (the justification aspect of salvation), but their sanctification and glorification. Jesus issued His calls to discipleship to those who had ears to hear, meaning those who were willing to listen. Each message ends with the same call. See the Chart here, and under Digging Deeper.

When a king in the Ancient Near East would return from conquering new territories, he could reward his faithful servants with rulership (power), priesthood (pleasure - the best food, music, and architecture), and riches, land, or possessions. These are similar to the basic motivations of power, pleasure and possessions, with which we are created and by which we are tempted (compare the temptation of Eve with that of Christ - see comments on 1 John 2:16). When our Lord returns and sets up His Kingdom, He will reward faithful saints in a similar manner.

Revelation 2 Overcome for Glory and Blessing

2:1 To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: "He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, He who walks among the seven golden lampstands says these things": 2 "I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. 3 You have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will remove your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God."

8 To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: "The First and the Last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things": 9 "I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death."

12 To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: "He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things": 13 "I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to My name, and didn’t deny My faith in the days of Antipas My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise. 16 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it."

18 To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: "The Son of God, who has His eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished brass, says these things": 19 "I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces My servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of her works. 23 I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24 But to you I say, to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as don’t have this teaching, who don’t know what some call ‘the deep things of Satan,’ to you I say, I am not putting any other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless, hold that which you have firmly until I come. 26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. 27 He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of My Father: 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."

Observations: 2:1-7 The church at Ephesus had a lot going for it. It was the best taught church in the New Testament (see introduction to Ephesians). Both Paul and John ministered there. As a result they knew the truth, and repulsed the onslaught of false teachers seeking to undermine it. They persevered and endured persecution for the name/glory of the Lord, and didn't give up. Yet there was a fault Christ found in them, which would result in loss of their light/glory if they didn't repent and overcome it. The condemnation was that they left or abandoned their first or priority love. Too many preachers/pastors who have been busy doing “ministry” at the expense of abiding in the Vine, have erroneously taught that this passage means the Ephesians had stopped loving Jesus. This is classic projectionism (thinking everyone has your problem). In Ephesians 1 Paul writes that the believers are to be blameless in their love for each other, and then throughout the book (at least eight times) exhorts them to love each other (not the Lord; cf John 13:34-35). If the believers at Ephesus did not repent and love each other as Jesus wanted, they would lose their witness/light. Notice that the corrective is to repent and do works, not believe, to gain forgiveness, so the issue is not justification by faith, but rather sanctification (as is the case in most NT admonitions).

An additional commendation (sandwich rebuke) is given for their hatred of the works of the Nicolaitans. No one knows with certainty who these are or what were their deeds (they show up again in 2:15 as distinct from, not similar to, the doctrine of Balaam), but the etymology or derivation of the word yields two options. Nikao means “victory” or “to conquer” and laos means “people” or “laity.” So it could mean “victory of the people” or “conquer the people or laity.” The former would refer to some anti-authoritarian anti-nominalism (anti-law), which would result in recognizing no Biblical authority or restraints on a believer's behavior. The latter would result in just the opposite, the imposition of a leadership hierarchy on the people as would surface as a distinction between the laity and “clergy,” with abuses of authority. Both were real problems then, and today, as people have trouble submitting to others, and power corrupts. Either flaw should be avoided, but neither might be the issue Christ addressed. A third option is that they were followers of Nicolas, a deacon in Acts 6:5, of whom nothing else is known. Those who overcame or were victorious (same word as “niko”) over the flaw of failing to love their brothers and sisters in Christ, and became blameless in love (Ephesians 1:4 KJV/NKJV) would be rewarded with the right to eat/partake of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. Christ's desire is that believers be victorious overcomers, and only those are rewarded. Eating of the tree of life cannot be equivalent to getting one's sins forgiven, since it is a reward based upon works. The tree first appeared in Genesis 1:26, sin deprived man from eating of it (Genesis 3:22) so they would not eat of it and live (in a glorified state) forever; and only glorified saints will have access to it again in Revelation 22:14, to use the leaves for the healing of the nations over which they rule. The understanding of “live” in Genesis 3:22 and “life” is not mere continuous existence (for that is the destiny of all human and angelic life forms) but that of having glory and exercising dominion (as discussed in comments on Genesis 3 and Deuteronomy 30:19 “choose life that you may live”). To equate “life” with forgiveness of sins, or to say that all believers are “overcomers” is to twist, torture, maim, and kill the context of the passages where the words are found (as well as doing similar harm to justification by faith).

2:8-11 Smyrna was about 40 miles north of Ephesus, the seat of Roman Emperor worship in Asia. Christ knows their works, affliction and poverty (although in His eyes they are rich). They apparently had much opposition from the Jews who really belong to the synagogue of Satan. Jesus has no words of reproof for them, but instead warns them not to be afraid of the persecution which they'll suffer. Satan will use his agents to throw them in prison, and afflict them, even to martyrdom. “Ten days” is probably a symbol for completeness, which would result in death. Those who remain faithful and not deny their loyalty to Christ will receive the crown of life. Crown is a reward (1 Corinthians 9:25; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:8); life is dominion. They would rule in Christ's kingdom. Those who overcome and are victorious through the trials would not be harmed by the second death (see comments on Revelation 20). The second death is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). The portion (inheritance) of the unfaithful is burned up in the lake of fire (see Revelation 21:8). Interpreting this any other traditional way necessitates being victorious and overcoming all sin in order to have one's sins forgiven, an impossible position to defend Biblically. Equally impossible is the common but erroneous view that only those who are victorious are those who are born again, which negates faith and grace. These are passages about rewards or inheritance for the holy and victorious. The lack of harm from the second death counterbalances the physical death the martyrs would experience.

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him."

Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that has his portion in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

2:12-17 Pergamum, about fifty five miles from Smyrna was where Satan kept his summer palace, and had more pagan temples than Jesus had disciples. Being a believer there must have been difficult not just because of the persecution, but because of the pervasive pressure to compromise. Christ commends their works and loyalty to the faith and His name, even when Antipas was martyred (we know nothing else about him). However, Jesus did have a few things against them. They had some who held to the teaching of Balaam, who when unable to curse the Israelites, taught Balak to derail God's people by enticing them into sensual pagan worship (see Genesis 22 for the difference between Yahweh and pagan worship). Participation in pagan idol worship usually involved feasting and sex, as one acted out the request for fertility. Many temples have excavated large numbers of chambers designed to house temple prostitutes of both sexes. In addition, there were some who held to the teaching of the Nicolaitans (see comments above, and in this context the meaning of “no restraints” would be a close fit). Jesus warns that if they don't repent, He will judge them with the “sword of His mouth” which was the word that said the immoral wouldn't have an inheritance in the kingdom (see comments on 1Cor 6:9-10; Eph 5:5, etc.). Instead of food offered to idols (the eating of which would give the strength of the God), the Messiah would give the hidden/secret manna (the miracle food which sustained Israel in the wilderness), and a white stone with a secret name on it. There are lots of conjectures about the meaning of the stone, many revolving around a white stone used for acquittal in a vote, but that view doesn't take into account the “name having been written on it" (perfect tense). An interpretation which comes close to fitting the context is the use of a stone with a special mark used to admit the possessor to an entertainment event like a play or concert. The counterpoint to pleasure of pagan sex would be the pleasure of entrance into the courts of the God in whose presence is fullness of joy (cx the unfaithful priests in Ezek 44, a key chapter to know in order to understand Revelation, see comments there).

2:18-29 Thyatira was forty miles south-east of Pergamum, and a center of commerce. Christ knows their works: their love, faith, service, and endurance. They had grown in usefulness to their Master, and were doing more as they matured than at the beginning (a great pattern that isn't always true today). Unfortunately, Jesus finds fault with their toleration (Gasp! Isn't open-mindedness a virtue? Not when sin is involved). It isn't enough to be busy serving the Lord and others, Christ demands purity of His Bride, the church. The assembly was allowing a woman, Jezebel, a false prophetess, probably energized by Satan to gain a following, to lead others astray. She taught and seduced Christ's servants to participate in sensual pagan worship just like at Pergamum above. God graciously gave time for repentance but because of her refusal, will afflict her and those who join with her with disease or sickness (cf 1Cor 11:30-31). When those who are the fruit of her evil are smitten and die, then all the churches will fear, and know that the Lord Jesus evaluates their minds and hearts and will give to each believer according to their deeds (cf 2Cor 5:10 comments). Those who haven't indulged in the “deep things of Satan” (probably the false esoteric knowledge the prophetess promoted as a means to power and success in life) have no other burden except to hold fast to the position they had achieved by their good works listed above, until Jesus returns to set up His kingdom. Those who remain victorious and keep doing Christ's works until the end will be given authority over the nations, to rule as the Messiah does (Ps 2). They will also get the morning star, a reference to partaking in the glory of the Messiah (Malachi 4:2; 2Pt 1:19; Rev 22:16).

Application: Those who desire the blessing and glory that comes from being faithful to Christ, must overcome the challenges and temptations of sin, to live victoriously now, and in the future.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, search my heart and thoughts, and expose my sin, so I can repent of it now, and not miss out on the eternal delights of Your blessings in the future. Thanks. Amen.

Revelation 3 Losers and Winners

3:1 "And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: "He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: "I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t pay attention, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you. 4 Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

7 To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things: 8 I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name. 9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and bow before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

14 To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God’s creation, says these things: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing’; and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me. 21 He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."

Observations: 3:1-6 Drawing on another aspect of the portrait in chapter 1, Christ instructs John to write to the angel or messenger of the church at Sardis, thirty miles south-east of Thyatira, and about a hundred miles inland from Ephesus. Sardis had a reputation for rich and luxuriant living (home of Croesus, the proverbial uber rich man). Christ knows their works and they stink. They have a reputation for being alive, but are in fact dead (like many “big name” churches today resting on their former glories). Jesus tells them to wake up out of their stupor (cf Eph 5:14) and strengthen whatever vestiges they have of the faith, because He has found no works perfected or brought to completion. They need revival, being brought back to life, by remembering the truth they had heard and discarded rather than applied. There are no words of commendation (even Jesus who knows all, couldn't find anything positive to say about the church). They need to go back to the word of God and obey it, changing their thinking about life and their deeds (repentance). If they don't pay attention He will come like a thief, and they will suffer loss. There were a few at Sardis, who did not defile themselves as the rest of the church did (and were probably the fodder for much gossip). The holy ones will walk with Christ in His future Kingdom clothed in white (cf Rev 19:8), for they are worthy. Unsanctified believers are not worthy of blessing and reward. However, those who listen, repent, obey and overcome, will be also arrayed in white, and will not have their name blotted out of the book of life, but Jesus will acknowledge them before the Father when the glory is distributed. The Book of Life was a register of all those citizens who could vote or participate in the rulership of a city-state (see how life is used for ruling or glory). The names of all believers are entered in the Book of Life (Rev 20:15) but those whose names are crossed out lose the right to rule. This is the fate toward which the spiritual sluggards of Sardis were headed, unless they repented and became victorious in overcoming defiling sin.

3:7-13 Philadelphia was about 27 miles south-east of Sardis and receives commendation from Christ, who is holy and true, and holds the key of David (see Isaiah 22:22 and the Davidic Covenant 2Sam 7), the right to rule on the David throne in the Messianic Kingdom. He has set before them an open door (entrance to possession in the Kingdom) which no one could shut (prevent them from entering as the Jews sought to do). Even though the believers had little strength or power, they had kept Christ's word, and didn't deny His name (weren't unfaithful), despite the persecution of the Jews who really belonged to the synagogue of Satan. Christ will make them bow before the faithful believers (which might imply the bad guys are around in the future). Jesus has loved the faithful because they were loyal to Him, keeping His command to endure. Therefore, He will keep them from (ek = “out of” or “away from”) the hour of testing/trial that will come upon all those that dwell on the earth. This means that some believers will escape this universal trial. Some see in this a reference to the Rapture, which does explain the words, but raises a difficulty summarized in the question “why just these believers?” An answer can seen in the chart under Digging Deeper, where each church is thought to represent an type of church, or successive church periods (one problem with this last view is that it could make the last church exist when all believers had been removed from the earth, which isn't an insurmountable problem). Anyway, the certain application for the initial readers is for them to hold fast to what they have so they don't lose their crown/reward, a distinct possibility, otherwise they wouldn't be warned against it. The one who is victorious and overcomes the difficulties of being faithful to Christ will become a pillar (permanent fixture) in the house of God (see the faithful and blessed priests in Ezek 44). Christ will write on the faithful the name of God, just like the High Priest had Yahweh's name on him (Ex 28:36-38). There is no condemnation of this church which was totally pleasing in Christ's sight.

3:14-22 Laodicea, forty miles south-east of Philadelphia and forty miles east of Ephesus, is the lukewarm church. They think they have no needs because their wealth insulates them from dependence upon God. Christ know their works, and they are totally lacking. They think they're rich, but are wretched and poor. He counsels them to pay the cost to buy from Christ, by their effort and obedience, what will remedy their situation. They don't perceive accurately, and are naked (no glory suits for these bad believers - 2 Corinthians 5). Yet Christ still loves them, even though he reproves and disciplines them. He exhorts them to be zealous and repent of their self-sufficiency and sin, and enter into fellowship with Him. Verse 20 is an invitation for intimacy, based upon them heeding His voice and opening their lives to Him. Then He will dine with them (a metaphor for not just fellowship but empowerment). Those who respond and are victorious, he will grant to sit on His throne (rule with Him), just as His right to rule was a function of overcoming the obstacles to do the Father's will, and as a result He sits/rules with the Father. Those who have ears to hear and obey should do so. It's eternally worth it.

Application: Our participation in the blessings of Christ are dependence upon our dependent obedience, otherwise we lose.

Prayer: Jesus, thanks for coming into my life and having a relationship with me; may I be zealous to maintain it, and enjoy Your company now and forevermore. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God shares His glory with Jesus so He can share it with us.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus evaluates the works of all believers and rewards them accordingly or disciplines those who are unfaithful.

Us in a nutshell: Believers must overcome the trials of persecution and temptations of their flesh, so they live in victory, and will share in Christ's victory in the future. Losers will continue to lose.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

1 John 3-5 Eternal Life in Christ

TMS Acts 1:8 Holy Spirit Power

Acts 1:6 “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

8 But you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me

in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Observations: 1:8 The disciples had forsaken all to follow Jesus with the expectation of receiving power and glory. Jesus had promised them reward in the Sermon on the Mount, and in His calls to discipleship, and spoke of His kingdom which He would share with them, so they were anxious to receive His promised power/authority. Jesus said it wasn't the right time for the restoration of the OT kingdom promised to Israel, but if they wanted power, they would get it when the Holy Spirit came upon them. As a result (use of kai for a consecutive sequence), they would be witnesses to Christ. They should start where they were, with those most similar to themselves, and then branch out to the surrounding areas, and finally reach to the ends of the earth. This is what happened in the book of Acts (see additional comments on Acts 1:8). Believers in Jesus all have the Holy Spirit (Eph 1; 1Cor 12) and as a result should be witnesses to Christ, first to those around them, and then as they mature to others that are dissimilar. A witness is someone who has heard, seen, or experienced something. Every Christian should have an abiding relationship with God in which they are experiencing things about God which they can share with others.

Application: God works in our lives so we can be witnesses of Him to those around us.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for Your work in my life; please guide me in sharing You and Your work in my life with others. Amen.

1John 3-5 John continues to build the confidence of believers in the apostolic message against the false teaching of the anti-Messiahs. John gives a number of “tests” or validations that the experience of the believers is the real deal, so they won't fall for the devil's deceptions. Among those are victory over sin as a result of an abiding relationship with Christ, based upon obedience; a Christlike love for other believers; a vibrant prayer life; ministry to the sinning; inner conviction of the Holy Spirit that they are pleasing to God, validated by their love and obedience. John also affirms that God had given them eternal life in His Son, so they should continue to believe in Him, and not in any false gods the false teachers present.

1John 3 No Need to Sin

3:1 Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us,

that we should be called children of God!

For this cause the world doesn’t know us,

because it didn’t know Him.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God,

and it is not yet revealed what we will be.

But we know that, when He is revealed,

we will be like Him;

for we will see Him

just as He is.

3 Everyone who has this hope

set on Him

purifies himself,

even as He is pure.

4 Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness.

Sin is lawlessness.

5 You know that He was manifested to take away our sins,

and in Him

is no sin.

6 Whoever remains in Him

doesn’t sin.

Whoever sins hasn’t seen Him,

neither knows Him.

7 Little children, let no one lead you astray.

He who does righteousness is righteous,

even as He is righteous.

8 He who sins is of the devil,

for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

To this end the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin,

because His seed remains in him; and he can’t sin,

because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are revealed,

and the children of the devil.

Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God,

neither is he who doesn’t love his brother.

11 For this is the message which you heard from the beginning,

that we should love one another;

12 unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother.

Why did he kill him?

Because his works were evil,

and his brother’s righteous.

13 Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed out of death

into life,

because we love the brothers.

He who doesn’t love his brother

remains in death.

15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer,

and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.

16 By this we know love,

because He laid down His life for us.

And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him,

how does the love of God remain in him?

18 My little children, let’s not love in word

neither with the tongue only,

but in deed and truth.

19 And by this we know that we are of the truth,

and persuade our hearts before him,

20 because if our heart condemns us,

God is greater than our heart,

and knows all things.

21 Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us,

we have confidence toward God;

22 and whatever we ask, we receive from Him,

because we keep His commandments

and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

23 This is His commandment,

that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ,

and love one another, even as He commanded.

24 He who keeps His commandments

remains in Him,

and He in him.

By this we know that He remains in us,

by the Spirit which He gave us.

Observations: 3:1-6 Believers are children of God, but the future blessings they will have as a result of that status aren't yet seen. When Christ is revealed in His glory, those who are pure in heart will see Him (one of the beatitudes - Mt 5:8). Those who have this hope of glory, purify themselves so as not to be disqualified (1Pt 1:22; 1Tim 1:5; Heb 10:22). The purpose in Christ coming wasn't to die for our sins, but remove them from us so we could have a relationship with God. In Christ there is no sin, since He is holy. Those who abide/remain in union with Him (“in Him”) don't sin. If we are drawing our motivations and strength from the vine, there's no room to sin. Whoever sins hasn't “seen” (used in 1:1, 2, 3 to describe the fellowship the apostles had with Christ) nor “known” Christ. There are three lines of interpretation. No one who read chapter 1 would claim sinless perfection, since that is refuted there. The more common view is to translate the present tenses as “habitual” which means those who know Christ don't continue to habitually sin. That view has some merit, but misses John's point. The view closer to John's thinking is that those who abide or remain in Christ don't wander off into trouble. A child staying contentedly on a parent's lap isn't going to get themselves into all kinds of trouble that would displease the parent (see comments on abiding in John 15).

3:7-15 To prevent the false teachers from leading abiding believers astray John points out that the believer who does what is right in God's sight is righteous, but the one who sins is of the devil (drawing their motivation from him, and his world). The devil has been sinning since before the Garden, and the Son of God was manifested, as promised in Genesis 3, to destroy the devil and His works of deceiving people into being unfaithful to God. The atoning work, and the indwelling Spirit of Christ put the devil out of business in the lives of those who abide in Christ. Whoever is born of God doesn't sin, because the seed of the word of God, energized by the Holy Spirit (1Pt 1:23; John 3:6) remains/abides in the believer. Those whose actions are sourced in God, don't sin. Those who don't do what is right in the sight of God, have their actions sourced not in God, but the devil. This particularly applies to those who don't love their brother (like Cain). Those who don't love are akin to murderers (Mt 5:21-22), and do not have eternal life (dominion of the Age, reward in the Messianic Kingdom) remaining in him. This is not about losing forgiveness, which is a permanent possession of those who are justified/born again, but it is about losing reward in the the Messianic Kingdom as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

3:16-24 Jesus sets the standard for the love glory-bound believers need to have for each other: self-sacrificial for the others' benefit. Those who love in word/truth and deed gain an assurance of their future reward, as well as confidence in praying. Those who keep God's commands, and do what is pleasing in His sight also have the assurance of answered prayer. This is because they are so in tune with God's will, that when they ask Him for help in doing what He wants them to do, He is more than happy to help them. John summarizes what God wants us to do: believe in the name/character/glory of His Son, Jesus the Messiah, and love one another as He commanded. The one who does this, abides/remains in Him, and He in them. Another source of confidence is the work of the Spirit (Phil 2:13).

John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

Application: Those who abide in Christ don't sin; if you find yourself sinning, you might want to move closer to God and do things His way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for Jesus, Your word, and Your Spirit, which make abiding in You possible, may I draw all my motivation and strength from You exclusively as I love others with a pure heart according to Your will. Amen.

1John 4 Victory

4:1 Beloved, don’t believe every spirit,

but test the spirits,

whether they are of God,

because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 By this you know the Spirit of God:

every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

3 and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes.

Now it is in the world already.

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them;

because greater is He who is in you

than he who is in the world.

5 They are of the world.

Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

6 We are of God. He who knows God listens to us.

He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us.

By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another,

for love is of God;

and everyone who loves is born of God,

and knows God.

8 He who doesn’t love

doesn’t know God,

for God is love.

9 By this God’s love was revealed in us,

that God has sent His one and only Son into the world

that we might live through Him.

10 In this is love,

not that we loved God,

but that He loved us,

and sent His Son

as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God loved us in this way,

we also ought to love one another.

12 No one has seen God at any time.

If we love one another,

God abides in us,

and His love has been perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us,

because He has given us of his Spirit.

14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God,

God remains in Him, and He in God.

16 We know and have believed the love which God has for us.

God is love,

and he who abides in love

abides in God,

and God abides in him.

17 In this love has been made perfect among us,

that we may have confidence in the day of judgment,

because as He is, even so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love;

but perfect(ed) love casts out fear,

because fear has punishment.

He who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love Him,

because He first loved us.

20 If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar;

for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen,

how can he love God whom he has not seen?

21 This commandment we have from Him,

that he who loves God should also love his brother.

Observations: 4:1-6 God has given us His Spirit, but that doesn't mean that every prophetic spirit is from God, because there is a world of evil spirits around us. Therefore, believers should apply this simple test to those “spirits” speaking though prophets: every spirit who confesses/acknowledges that Jesus is the promised Messiah who has come into the world in the flesh, is of God. Those that don't are anti-Messiah, empowered by the Anti-Messiah/Christ, Satan's chief agent. He is already in the world, but believers have nothing to fear, because greater is the One who is in them: the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Glory. Verse 4 is a good one to memorize and meditate upon. The false teachers draw their motivation and message from the world (and the evil one who runs this present age -Eph 2:1-3) therefore the worldlings listen to them, rather than to the apostolic teaching. Those who are sourced in God, listen to revealed truth. So one can discern the spirit of truth and the spirit of error based receptivity.

4:7-15 The one who is born of God not only listens to truth and doesn't sin, but loves as God has modeled and commanded. The one who doesn't love, doesn't know God, since God is the source and expression of love, as expressed in Jesus dying for our sins. God's love for us is the standard for us loving each other. If we do so, God abides in us, and His love is perfected (brought to fulfillment/completion). When we love like God intended, the inner witness of the Holy Spirit confirms to our conscience that we are abiding, and doing what pleases God. The apostles have seen/know and testify that the Father sent Jesus (His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased) to be the Savior of the world (as in everyone, not just a select few - John 3:16). Whoever acknowledges/confesses that Jesus is the Son of God has the abiding relationship with God, that is only possible through Jesus.

4:16-21 The one who abides in love (and thus maintains an intimate relationship with the God of love) has love perfected or brought to its intended purpose, so that the believer can have confidence on Judgment Day. That confidence comes about from loving as God loved, which is the standard to which we are held. The one who has loved “perfectly” or in whom love has been “perfected” has nothing to fear on judgment day, because hitting and maintaining the standard God requires (which is only possible through an abiding relationship with the Vine), eliminates any possible negative consequences. The one who fears judgment needs to work on perfecting their love. The one who loves God is loyal to God (Jn 14:15) in response to the love God has shown him/her (hesed). The love God wants us to have will overflow into a love for other children of God. The one who doesn't desire what is in another's best interest, doesn't love God.

Application: Love of truth and other believers (reflected in our ministry to them) are hallmarks of those who will do well on Judgment Day.

Prayer: God, thanks that Your Spirit dwells within me and is far greater than Satan or any of his minions; keep me from his deceptions, and guide me in loving others as You would. Amen.

1John 5 Life in the Son

5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.

Whoever loves the Father also loves him who is born of Him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God,

when we love God and keep His commandments.

3 For this is the love of God,

that we keep His commandments.

His commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.

This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.

5 Who is he who overcomes the world,

but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is He who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ;

not with the water only,

but with the water and the blood.

It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

7 For there are three who testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood;

and the three agree as one.

9 If we receive the witness of men,

the witness of God is greater;

for this is God’s testimony which He has testified concerning his Son.

10 He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.

He who doesn’t believe God

has made Him a liar,

because he has not believed in the testimony

that God has given concerning His Son.

11 The testimony is this,

that God gave to us eternal life,

and this life is in His Son.

12 He who has the Son

has the life.

He who doesn’t have God’s Son

doesn’t have the life.

13 These things I have written to you who 
believe in the name of the Son of God,

that you may know that you have eternal life,

and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

14 This is the confidence which we have toward Him,

that, if we ask anything according to His will,

He listens to us.

15 And if we know that He listens to us,

whatever we ask,

we know that we have the petitions

which we have asked of Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother

sinning a sin not leading to death,

he shall ask,

and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death.

There is a sin leading to death.

I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this.

17 All unrighteousness is sin,

and there is a sin not leading to death.

18 We know that whoever is born of God

doesn’t sin,

but he who was born of God

keeps himself,

and the evil one doesn’t touch him.

19 We know that we are of God,

and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

20 We know that the Son of God has come,

and has given us an understanding,

that we know Him who is true,

and we are in Him who is true,

in His Son Jesus Christ.

This is the true God,

and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Observations: 5:1-3 Belief in Jesus as the Messiah promised in the OT (especially as the provision for our sins, the atoning sacrifice of Isaiah 53) results in being born again (Jn 1:12 the chiastic center of the prologue). Whoever loves the Father loves His children. When we love God and keep His commandments, we will love others. When our values change so that the sacrifices of love are not burdensome, we know we are loving as God desires.

5:4-10 The one who is born of God overcomes the world because of their faith in God's revelation. That revelation tells us that Jesus is the Son of God (the heir) who gives the Spirit to those who believe in Him, which makes overcoming and victory possible. Jesus came or was testified to by water and blood. When He was baptized, the voice of the Father testified that He was well pleased with His Son (Mt 3:17). The blood or sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection also testified to His identity, as did the ministry of the Holy Spirit in authenticating His works and His spokesman (particularly on the Day of Pentecost). Verse 7 has additional words in some versions which are most likely added in the eighth century, and are omitted in the WEB text above. The point is that there is more than one witness to the Sonship of Jesus, given by both men (the apostles) and God (in the life of Jesus). The one who believes has the testimony in themselves (their own lives), but the one who doesn't believe is calling God a liar, who authenticated Jesus.

5:11-15 The testimony is that God gives believers eternal life (dominion in the Age of the Messiah). This life is in His Son, the ruler of the Millennial Kingdom. The one who has an abiding relationship with the Son, has the life God promised. The one who doesn't have the relationship John has been talking about in the letter, doesn't have the life. It's one or the other. John says he is writing to those who believe in the name of the Son of God (Jesus -Jn 1:12) so that they may know they have eternal life (dominion in the coming Age), and that they may continue to believe, (so they don't forfeit what God has given them, like Israel did).

A relationship with God isn't just about what happens in the future, but has benefits in the present, like a vibrant prayer life. If we are abiding and knowing and doing His will, then asking anything according to His will gets a sure positive response from God.

5:16-21 While on the subject of praying according to God's will, if someone sees their brother in Christ sinning, he/she should intercede for the sinning believer, and God will give him life for those who are not sinning in such as way that they are headed to the discipline of deprivation of life. All unrighteousness is sin, but some have greater consequences than others. The one who is born of God, and in whom God's seed/Spirit remains/abides, doesn't sin (or continue to sin in the weaker alternative view). The one born of God keeps/guards him/herself so the evil one doesn't influence him/her. Believers are sourced in God's power, while worldlings are subject to the power of the evil one. Believers know that the Son of God has come in the flesh, and given them understanding so that they know Him who is true, and abide in Him who is true, that is Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. This is the testimony of the true God, and the testimony of eternal life. John closes with an admonition to keep themselves from idols which are false gods, rather than the true God.

Application: Loving and obeying the Lord Jesus, the coming Messiah, is the best way to live happily ever after.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for giving me life in Jesus, both now and in the future; may I be on my guard and abide in You so that I may have confidence and joy when You return. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God gives us life in His Son when we believe, and gives us ample testimony to base our belief in Him.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the authenticated Son of God, in whom God gives us forgiveness and eternal life.

Us in a nutshell: We need to abide in Christ, obeying His commands, particularly loving other believers if we expect to live the victorious Christian life in this world, and the abundant life in the next.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net