The Commission

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Salutation

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These verses establish the author, the source of the book, the people to whom it was written, how John received it and the promised blessing.

The opening words, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ..." establishes the source of the information in this book. Then we are told how John received this information, "Given of God, revealed by Jesus Christ to the Angel Gabriel and from Gabriel it was given to God's servant, John."

The promised blessing, "Blessed is he who reads aloud the words of the prophecy and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written therein." The key words are READS--HEARS--KEEPS. This means:

1. Reads with the mind.
2. Hears (understands) with the heart.
3. Remembers and is evidenced by word and deed.

Why does John say we should do this? "because the time is near." What does this mean? Matthew Henry says that this concerns prophecy. The nearer we came to the accomplishment of the scriptures, the greater regard we should have for them. "The day" is at hand, and we should be more attentive as we see the prophecies unfolding and know that "the day" approaches.

Wiersbe says, "It concerns the Second Coming of Christ. The promise of Christ's coming should be all Christians need to motivate them to obedience, consecration and Bible study."

The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, "It refers to a period of time from the ascension of Christ to the Second Coming."

Broadman says, It refers to the time necessary for the fulfillment of the prophecies in this book." Time in the eyes of God is quite different than in the eyes of man.

Some believe that this statement was misunderstood by John as some 2,000 years have passed and the prophecies have not all been fulfilled. I believe, like the Bible Knowledge Commentary states, that God was speaking of the time of the "new dispensation", from the ascension to the Second Coming. Whatever length of time that is, it is relatively short in the eyes of God.

The Benediction

These verses are called the apostolic benediction. Verse 4 leaves no doubt as to who wrote the book and as to whom the book was written: "John, to the seven churches that are in Asia." Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Seven churches of the Province of Asia. (see map) All within about 100 miles of one another.

Now lets look at the benediction. "Grace, to you, and peace.." Grace is unmerited forgiveness (favor) and there can be no peace without forgiveness. Peace is the evidence of His forgiveness. The degree of peace that we enjoy depends upon the degree of our faith.

Notice from whom this grace and peace comes. "The Eternal God" who was, who is and who is to come. Also it comes from the "seven spirits" who are before His throne. This is the Holy Spirit who watches over the seven churches. And it comes from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born and the Ruler of kings, no one rules accept by His authority.

Why was John told to write this book? Because Jesus is coming and He will come quickly and He will come publicly. Every eye shall see Him. To some it will bring joy, to others, it will bring terror, especially those who "crucified" Him. Not just those who drove the nails but all who denied His coming. Matthew Henry says that it will be all who have crucified Him by their apostasy and indifference. Apostasy is the attempt to take from Him all that was given to Him by the Father.

1. He is the beginning and the end.
2. All things are made by Him and for Him.
3. He is the almighty.
4. He is the eternal.
5. He is unchangeable.

Anyone who presumes to blot out one character from the name of Christ, deserves to have his name blotted out of the "book of life". To those of us who accept His work on the cross as purchasing for us forgiveness from sin and eternal life, His coming will bring eternal joy.

John's Vision

These verses, to the end of the chapter, relates the glorious vision which the Apostle had of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will divide these verses into three parts:

1. The person to whom the account was given.
2. What he heard.
3. What he saw.

Notice how John is described as a "person".

1. A Brother to those who made up the seven churches.
2. Persecuted, as they were, banished, perhaps restrained or imprisoned.
3. Patient in suffering, enduring all for the sake of Christ.

He tells them this so that they might know that he can appreciate what they are experiencing and hoping by this that they might give more careful attention to what he is about to say to them.

Notice where he was. Banished on the Isle of Patmos because of his witness for Jesus Christ. The Isle was about 35 miles around and about 50 miles from Ephesus and was located in the Aegean Sea.

Notice the time that he received this revelation. It was the "Lords Day". Most scholars believe it was Sunday, the first day of the week, which ,by now, had established itself as the Christian's Sabbath.

Notice his "frame of mind". He was "in the spirit". Matthew Henry describes this as being in a serious, heaven centered, spiritual frame of mind which made him receptive to the leading of the Spirit of God. If we are to enjoy and be receptive to communion with God we must endeavor to remove earthy things from our minds and consecrate on heavenly things of a spiritual nature.

So John found himself on the Lord's Day in a spiritually receptive state of mind. Now lets see what he heard.

1. An alarm was heard like the sound of a trumpet.
2. Then he heard a voice identifying Himself as "the first and the last.
3. This voice commanded him to record the things that were about to be revealed to him.
4. Then he was to send the "revelation" to the seven churches of Asia Minor, Ephesus, Sardis, Philadelphia, Thyatira, Smyrna, Pergamum and Laodica.

Now lets look at what he saw. When he turned to look in the direction from which the voice came, a wonderful scene was revealed to him.

1. He saw 7 golden candlesticks. These were symbolic of the 7 churches to whom the letter was to go. Candlesticks symbolize light and the 7 churches were to send forth the "light of the Gospel". They were gold because gold symbolizes that which is precious and pure as His people are, made that way by His atoning blood.
2. Then he saw a "representation" of the Lord Jesus. It stood in the midst of the 7 candle sticks, as He promised to do until the end of the world.

John describes this "representation", this figure of Christ, this way.

1. He was clothed with a garment that went down to His feet. This was a "priestly" robe denoting righteousness and honor.
2. He had on a "breast plate" on which the names of all who were saved was written. This denoted the work of the Redeemer.
3. His head and hair was white as wool and snow. This signified the "Ancient of Days". It was like a crown of glory.
4. His eyes were like fire, piercing into the very hearts of man. Creating fear in the hearts of His enemies.
5. His feet were like "fine burning brass", strong and steadfast, treading under His enemies.
6. His voice was like the sound of many waters. Symbolizing that His voice can and will be heard from afar off. Also denoting that His word is like a mighty stream, fed by infinite wisdom and knowledge.
7. He had in His right hand 7 stars, symbolic of the 7 ministers of the 7 churches. They were under His direction, fed by His light and secured and preserved by Him.
8. Out of His mouth went a two edged sword, symbolizing His word, which is sharp enough to "rent asunder" and strike at sin, yet compassionate enough to "heal".
9. His countenance was as the shining sun. To bright and dazzling for human eyes to behold. (Paul on the road to Damascus)

What would you think if you saw someone who looked like this? What impression did He have on John? John fell, as dead, at the feet of Jesus. Even though John had lived with Jesus for 3 years and was very close to Him, he was not prepared for the luster and glory in which Jesus appeared.

What did Jesus do when He saw His beloved Disciple at His feet? He laid His hand upon him, He spoke gently and assumingly to John and raised him up. "Fear not", Jesus said to John and then He acquainted him with "His nature" and gave him his instructions.

1. Jesus said, "I am the first and the last." Signifying His divine and eternal nature.
2. He reminded John of His former suffering. "I am the one you saw dying on the cross."
3. He reminded John of His resurrection. "I live and am alive forever."
4. He reminded John of His office and authority. "I have the keys of hell and death." Sovereign dominion of the invisible as well as the visible world.
5. Then He gave John these instructions. "Write what you see. what is and what is to take place hereafter." From this we see that the book contains a record of events past, present and future. He wrote "what he saw", in Chapter 1. He wrote "what is", in Chapters 2 and 3. He wrote "what is to take place hereafter", in the remaining chapters.

With these instructions, John wrote to the seven churches of Asia Minor.

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