Revelation: Vision of Jesus Christ
How might John’s vision of Jesus be different from the man he saw on Earth?
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Revelation 1:1 God’s revelation from Jesus Christ, given to show his servants what will happen soon, presented by a messenger to God’s servant John.
King James
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
John said these revelations were to “happen soon.” What do you think he meant by that?
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Revelation 1:1 God’s revelation from Jesus Christ, given to show his servants what will happen soon, presented by a messenger to God’s servant John.
Revelation 1:3 Read these prophetic words, and hear what God is saying. You will be blessed, for the time is almost here.
King James
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Rev. 1:1 KJV)
How can the revelation be an accurate report and the testimony of Jesus when so much is left unexplained?
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Matthew 13:10–16 His disciples came to him and said, “Why do you teach with illustrations that are difficult to understand?” Jesus said, “I have given you insights into the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have only the stories. Those who have a desire to hear will be given an abundance of knowledge, but those who dislike the truth will lose what little understanding they have. I teach with stories because some people with open eyes choose to see nothing. They hear with their ears but do not want to understand. In them, the prophet Isaiah’s words are fulfilled: You hear but do not understand. You see but have no recognition. Harden the hearts of these people and close their ears and cover their eyes so they will not see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts and be forced to turn to me and be healed. How fortunate you are to have eyes that see and ears that hear.”
Revelation 1:2 This is an accurate report of all that John saw and heard from God—the testimony of Jesus Christ.
King James
Matthew 13:10–16 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Revelation 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
A mystery is something we do not understand. What kinds of effort might be required to explain a mystery?
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Ephesians 1:9 To his great delight, he has revealed to us the mysterious secrets of his plan.
Ephesians 3:9 God who created all things by Jesus Christ had a plan from the beginning, a mystery that I have been sent to explain.
Colossians 1:27 God is making the richness of his glory known. No longer a mystery, Christ living in you is the hope for all nations.
1 Timothy 3:16 Without a doubt, how to be God-like was a great mystery until we saw him in the person of Jesus Christ, who was God in human flesh, perfect in spirit, seen of angels. A messenger to those who didn’t know God, he was believed by many in the world, and then he ascended into glory.
Revelation 1:3 Read these prophetic words, and hear what God is saying. You will be blessed, for the time is almost here.
King James
Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Why was the revelation to seven churches, not more or less?
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Revelation 1:4–5 John to the seven churches in Asia, grace and peace from he who was, who is, and who is to come, from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the first to rise from the dead and King over all the kings on Earth. He who loves us and died to free us from sin deserves all the glory.
King James
Revelation 1:4–5 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Who is the person John refers to as “he who was, who is, and who is to come”?
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Revelation 1:4–5 John to the seven churches in Asia, grace and peace from he who was, who is, and who is to come, from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the first to rise from the dead and King over all the kings on Earth. He who loves us and died to free us from sin deserves all the glory.
King James
Revelation 1:4–5 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
What is your visual image of the “sevenfold Spirit” before the throne?
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Revelation 1:4–5 John to the seven churches in Asia, grace and peace from he who was, who is, and who is to come, from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the first to rise from the dead and King over all the kings on Earth. He who loves us and died to free us from sin deserves all the glory.
King James
Revelation 1:4–5 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
If Samuel rose from the dead to speak to King Saul, how can Jesus be the “first to rise from the dead”?
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1 Samuel 28:15 Samuel said, “Why have you disturbed me by calling me here?” “I’m in bad trouble,” Saul said. “The Philistines are at war against me, and God has left me. He won’t answer my questions, not by prophets or by dreams. I asked for you so I can know what to do.”
Revelation 1:4–5 John to the seven churches in Asia, grace and peace from he who was, who is, and who is to come, from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the first to rise from the dead and King over all the kings on Earth. He who loves us and died to free us from sin deserves all the glory.
King James
1 Samuel 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
Revelation 1:4–5 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
How can we all be “leaders and priests” in God’s Kingdom?
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Revelation 1:6 He made us leaders and priests in service to God the Father in his Kingdom. To Jesus Christ be all glory and power. So it shall be.
King James
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
After two thousand years, how can those who crucified Jesus see his return?
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Revelation 1:7 Look, he comes with the clouds, and everyone will see him, even those who crucified him. Because of him, everyone on Earth will cry out. So it must be.
King James
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
For what reasons will people cry out at the time of Jesus’ return?
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Revelation 1:7 Look, he comes with the clouds, and everyone will see him, even those who crucified him. Because of him, everyone on Earth will cry out. So it must be.
King James
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
What does it mean to be the “beginning and the end”?
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Revelation 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega,” the Lord says, “the beginning and the end—who was, who is, and who is to come—the Almighty.”
King James
Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
If John was exiled to Patmos, how did his revelation reach the outside world?
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Revelation 1:9 I am your brother John, your companion in patient suffering for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, exiled to Patmos Island for preaching God’s message and telling about Jesus.
Revelation 1:11 “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. Write what you see, and send the scroll to the seven churches in Asia, to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
King James
Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
How would you describe the condition of being “in the Spirit”?
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Revelation 1:10 I was worshiping in the Spirit on the Lord’s day when I heard a loud voice behind me, like a trumpet.
King James
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Elijah heard God in a “still, small voice.” Why are all the voices heard in Revelation described as “loud”?
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1 Kings 19:11–12 “Go and stand upon the mountain,” God said, “and look when I pass by.” A violent wind blasted the mountain and shattered the rocks, but God was not in the wind. Then an earthquake shook the earth, but God was not in that either. The fire that followed wasn’t God, but then came a gentle whisper.
Revelation 1:10 I was worshiping in the Spirit on the Lord’s day when I heard a loud voice behind me, like a trumpet.
King James
1 Kings 19:11–12 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Why was the revelation sent to only seven churches in Asia, and not to Antioch, Jerusalem, and other churches?
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Revelation 1:11 “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. Write what you see, and send the scroll to the seven churches in Asia, to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
King James
Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
What are the lampstands that John saw? Why did he need help in understanding what he saw?
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Revelation 1:12 When I turned to see who was speaking, I saw seven gold lampstands.
Revelation 1:20 This is the meaning of what you saw. The seven stars in my right hand are the seven messengers to the seven churches, which are the seven lampstands.”
King James
Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
What might have the appearance of the Son of Man have meant to John? What should it mean to us?
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Revelation 1:13–16 The Son of Man stood there with a robe that touched his feet and a gold sash across his chest. His face was brilliant, his hair like snow-white wool, and his eyes were intense like fire. His feet were like polished brass made pure in a furnace, and his voice thundered like a mighty waterfall. He held seven stars in his right hand. From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. His countenance was as bright as the midday sun.
King James
Revelation 1:13–16 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
What were the seven stars that the Son of Man held?
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Revelation 1:16 He held seven stars in his right hand. From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. His countenance was as bright as the midday sun.
Revelation 1:20 “This is the meaning of what you saw. The seven stars in my right hand are the seven messengers to the seven churches, which are the seven lampstands.”
King James
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
What was the two-edged sword that came from the Son of Man’s mouth?
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Ephesians 6:17 and put on your knowledge of God and assurance of salvation like a helmet. Wield the truth of God’s word as a sword in the Spirit.
Hebrews 4:12 The word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than a double-edged sword, cutting through vain beliefs and misconceptions to the hidden truth at the core of our being, reaching our thoughts and motives.
Revelation 1:16 He held seven stars in his right hand. From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. His countenance was as bright as the midday sun.
King James
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
How can we best describe the glory of Christ?
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Revelation 1:16 He held seven stars in his right hand. From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. His countenance was as bright as the midday sun.
Revelation 21:23–24 The sun and moon were not needed, because the glory of God and the Lamb illuminated the city. The multitudes that were saved on Earth will walk in this light, and their leaders will bring their glory and honor into it.
Revelation 22:5 The light of the sun or a lamp will not be needed, for there will be no night there. The Lord God will be their light, and they will rule forever.
King James
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Revelation 21:23–24 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Why was John terrified when he saw the Son of Man? What reasons did John have to not be afraid?
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Revelation 1:17–19 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he placed his right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last. I am he who lived, who died, and who lives forevermore. Look! I hold the keys to death and the grave. Write everything you see—what is happening now and what is to come.
King James
Revelation 1:17–19 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Who were the seven messengers to the seven churches?
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Revelation 1:20 This is the meaning of what you saw. The seven stars in my right hand are the seven messengers to the seven churches, which are the seven lampstands.”
Revelation 8:2 Seven trumpets were given to the seven messengers who were standing before God.
Revelation 15:1 Another breathtaking sign appeared above. Seven messengers held the seven last plagues, which completed the expression of God’s anger.
King James
Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Revelation 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.