(Revelation 1:1-3) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
John was in the midst of being persecuted for his faith, and was worshiping and finding comfort in the Holy Spirit when this vision began. John first heard a voice like a trumpet (which belonged to an angel)...
(Revelation 1:9-11) I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11 saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
When John turned to see the angel who had spoken, John did not see the messenger angel (this voice is "heard again" in chapter 4:1). But John did see far more than he had expected.
Jesus was there, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.
The seven golden lampstands which surrounded Jesus, represent the seven churches.
The seven stars in Jesus' hand represent the seven angels of the seven churches. This could imply that all churches have designated guardian angels...
(Revelation 1:12-20) Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; 13 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. 14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. 19 Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. 20 As for 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 churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
The message that John was to write down, came from Jesus, Himself, as well as from the "seven Spirits".
Some believe that this refers to the Holy Spirit in His perfect fullness (seven being a number associated with "completion"). Others think this represents the seven angels.
But because "Spirit" is capitalized, and because the seven angels never speak in the vision, I am leaning towards thinking this does represent the Holy Spirit...
(Revelation 1:4-8) John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him 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 released us from our sins by His blood— 6 and He has 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, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Further on in chapter 4, we see another reference to the seven Spirits - or the seven Spirits "of God"!
Wow! I am beginning to see "the light"!!! Okay, so the lampSTANDS represent the Church.
Because as believers we are filled with the Holy Spirit when we receive God's light - THE FIRE from the seven lampstands - the seven Spirits - would be THE HOLY SPIRIT!!! (Again, "Spirits" is capitalized)...
(Revelation 4:5) Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God
In chapter 5, John's vision continued with:
- Jesus appearing to everyone, standing between the throne and the elders
- Jesus is the Lamb of God
- Jesus' seven eyes are the seven Spirits of God
- the seven Spirits of God is the Holy Spirit
- the Holy Spirit is the Person of God who gives guidance
- the Holy Spirit is in the world right now:
- convicting and guiding unbelievers towards God's truth
- and indwelling and guiding believers in God's truth...
(Revelation 5:6) And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth
From this we see:
- God sent an angel to John to communicate this prophecy and revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1, 4:1)
- the angel had a voice which sounded like a trumpet (1:10, 4:1)
- Jesus has the keys of death and Hades because He has the dominion and He is the Judge of all (1:18)
- because Jesus is the worthy Lamb of God who was slain! (5:6)
- Jesus' "seven eyes" are the seven Spirits of God, which is the Holy Spirit, the Person of God who gives guidance (5:6)
- the seven "Spirits" refers to the Holy Spirit in His perfect fullness (seven being a number associated with "completion") (1:4)
- the fire from the seven lampstands refers to the seven Spirits of God, who is the Holy Spirit, the light of God who indwells all believers (4:5)
- the seven lampstands represent the seven churches (and all churches) who surround Jesus (1:12-13)
- the seven stars in Jesus' hand represent the seven angels of the seven churches, which could imply that all churches have designated guardian angels (1:16)
- the seven stars refer to the angels of the churches (1:20)
Personal experience: you know, today when I started reading the verses in chapter one, I was very overwhelmed and unsure of a few things - almost to the point of tears - until I prayed for wisdom and understanding in order to sort this out and present the truth.
God has answered my prayer!!! And now - I am overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit's faithful guidance!
Today's takeaway: God wants us to know Him and His word better and better, so when we pray for wisdom in order to do that - He will answer that prayer! THAT is praying in God's will...
(James 1:5-7) But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
(John 15:7-11) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
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