This is a Book of Prophecy:   1) PROPHECY IS a communication originating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by disapproving and giving a warning to the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; especially by foretelling future events.

The Book of Revelation is written by the Apostle John through the inspiration of God the Father.

The Book of Revelation is the REVEALING OF JESUS CHRIST.

Jesus Christ is being reveal as the Son of God; The Judge of the World; The SOON coming King.

Chapter 1 (The Words of God are in RED)

Verse 1  “The Revelation[revealing] of Jesus Christ, which God [The Father] gave unto him [Jesus Christ], to shew unto his servants [the Born-again, the saved] things [events] which must shortly come to pass; and he [Jesus Christ]  sent and signified [to make known]  it by his angel [a messenger]  unto his servant John:“

God the Father wants to reveal the His Only Begotten Son (THE SON OF GOD) to the world.

It is written to show the “servants” of Jesus Christ “things which must shortly come to pass.”

You that are born-again are the “servants” of Jesus Christ, so Revelation is written to YOU!

THEREFORE BE AWARE: The events written in Revelation are going to happen shortly.

GOD’S purpose for writing Revelation was to inform the churches (the Christians) of the events that are coming.

Verse 2    [John:] “Who bare record [was a witness] of the word of God, and of the testimony [the testifying]  of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. “

The Apostle John was with Jesus Christ when Christ was walked the earth, during His earthly ministry. John was a witness to the things Jesus Christ said and did.

God choose John to witness Christ’s life and now to the soon coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Verse 3 – “Blessed [happy]is he that readeth [to read], and they that hear [understand] the words of this prophecy, and keep [tend to carefully] those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

This verse explains itself:

You (that means YOU) will be blessed and happy – if you READ, hear or UNDERSTAND, and  keep or TEND TO CAREFULLY the things written in the Book of Revelation.

REMEMBER:  These Prophecies in Revelation are going to happen “the time is at hand” or the time is imminent and soon to come pass.

Verse 4  “John to the seven churches [bodies of believers] which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him [Jesus Christ] which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;”

In this verse, God is speaking to seven literal churches.  (Meaning: these churches really existed)

But also, God is speaking to the ages: from beginning of the church to the end of time.

Each church represents a period of time through the ages to present.

John begins by reminding the Churches of God’s Grace, and His peace:

            “Grace be unto you, and peace, from him…”

We must be reminded that God’s grace (unmerited favor) is always present in the life of a Christian and peace only comes by knowing God’s grace.

Also, John makes it very clear that Jesus Christ is alive, has always been alive, and is Coming Again.

The “seven Spirits” which are before Jesus Christ’s throne are possibly the seven Gifts of the Spirit in Isaiah 11:2 “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

            1.  The nature of God – “shall rest upon him”

            2.  The wisdom of God

            3.  The understanding of God

            4.  The counsel of God

            5.  The might of God

            6.  The knowledge of God

            7.  The fear of the Lord

Verse 4-6  “John to the seven churches [bodies of believers] which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him [Jesus Christ] 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 [first to be raised from dead to glorified body], and the prince of the kings of the earth.  Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He is alive and has empowered us to be kings and priests unto God and his Father.

How has Christ empowered us?

By His love for us; He washed us – from our sins – in His own Blood!

Hebrews 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

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.”

            When Christ does come – it will not be a secret! 

                        Every eye shall see him!

                        Those who rejected him will see him!

                        And all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.

Verse 8  “I am [Jesus Christ] Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

            Jesus is All in All – the Almighty!

Verses 9-11  “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.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

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 Thyatria, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”

John was in the isle of Patmos – banished because he was preaching the Word of God and Salvation.

But he was still a faithful servant of God on the Lord’s day.  Despite his suffering, he was praising God.

God call to him “What thou seest, write in a book, and sent it unto the seven churches…”

God wanted the Christians to know what was coming!

Verses 12-15  “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;“

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man [Jesus Christ], clothed with a garment [robe] down to the foot, and girt about the paps [chest] with a golden girdle [a type of belt].

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.”

John turned to see the voice and found seven golden candlesticks (described in verse 20)

In the middle of these candlesticks was Jesus Christ.

John described Jesus Christ as best he could:

       He was clothed in a garment down to his foot and he is girt about with truth.

       His head and hair are white symbolizing Purity, Justice, Wisdom.

       His Eyes are flames of fire – missing nothing!

       His feet were like unto fine brass – glowing – representing judgment.

       His Voice is as powerful as the sound of many waters.

Verse 16   “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword [the Words of God]: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.”

            The seven stars are explained in verse 20.

            The Word of God is how God will judge and condemn the wicked.

Jesus Christ countenance is unbelievable powerful, like the sun shining at full strength!

Verse 17  “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:”

            John was scared to death! As I will be and you too!!!!!!!

            But remember – Jesus is a loving God! 

            He touched John and said “Fear not”!!!!

Verse 18  “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.”

            He has the way to escape Hell and Death!

Verse 19 “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;”

            OKAY JOHN!  You’ve already seen some mighty powerful things – now write them down!

            And get ready to write the things that you’re about to see!!

Verse 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 [messengers or pastor] of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

   The Pastor of the Church is in the hand of God.

            The Church is a candlestick AND is made to hold the light!