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Revelation 1

Hallelujah! When we study together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will guide you to the truth, and the book of Revelation is especially important for those who have been saved because it is the future. It is the consummation of the prayer the Lord taught his disciples;thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God’s plan for heaven and earth to become one by righteousness in Jesus Christ, and God’s children who participate in this plan have a wonderful promise to enter New Jerusalem and live forever in heaven. Therefore, since the book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible and the conclusion of God’s plan,your blessings are contained in these words when you study them to the end. You will understand why God created the earth, why He still allows difficulties of the world, and what conclusion lies in the end. Some scholars refer to the book of Revelation as the Apocalypse, which simply is a transliteration of the title in Greek means “revelation”. For that reason, we want you to know this clearly and receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit at this time. It will be a blessing to you when you do not listen to people but receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In fact, historically, the book of Revelation has been criticized by sinners who reject the Bible and Jesus Christ. We need to know the reason why. According to 1 Timothy, those who want to live godly in Christ will be persecuted. Therefore, those who shine the light in a dark world will be persecuted. In this book of Revelation, only the book of Revelation in the Bible reveals the identity of Satan and his demise. There are also blessings about the church. It also describes in detail what will happen in the future for the Jews. The book also shows the rise and fall and the end of the nations that are neither the Church nor the Jews, Furthermore, it reveals especially the end of Roman catholic Church, and how the end of the universe dominated by the last sin will come to an end. Unbelieving sinners reject these words and rather persecute the believers of these words.

First of all, as an introduction, it is important to know, the book of Revelation was written between AD 91 and 96, during the reign of Roman emperor Domitian. However, many scholars say that it was written in AD 66 to 69, during the reign of the very Nero.Their reasoning is that after the Jews crucified the Lord, they believed that His word: there will be no stone left on the stone, and the temple will be destroyed. Came fulfilled in 70AD, as Jerusalem was devastated by the Roman general Titus. For that reason, those who claim that it was written between AD 66 and 69 are claiming that this book of Revelation was completed in AD 70. In other words, they are claiming the Great Tribulation is already over. That’s why written date is so important. If Revelation was written after AD 70, then Babylon the Great shows up after ch.17. The apostle John said it was strange seeing this Babylon the Great. He called it mysterious. Mysterious Babylon. If Babylon the Great was the Roman Empire at the time, there is no reason to be surprised. However, what surprised Apostle John was that when he saw that a religious group named after Rome had reappeared, he was puzzled and said it was a mystery. If the passage was referring to the Roman Empire, he wouldn’t have been surprised, because the Roman Empire had already persecuted, and exiled Apostle John to isle of Patmos. Many people consider Revelation as a difficult book. Many tend to believe it should not be interpreted lightly and such mistake will cause great harm. Conversely, the book of Revelation is actually one of the easiest books in the Bible. The problem is it’s hard to believe. It’s just what the Lord plainly said. He didn’t say that in a sarcastic way, but because God’s word always speaks directly, the word is just what it is, unless a special parable is given. The problem is the man’s heart is complicated and unbelieving. This is Satan’s scheme.

By obscuring God’s words by turning everything to be an allegory, spiritually interpreting it ways that humans can understand, God’s book of revelation is covered and altered.

The book of Revelation is the Word of God and has a total of 22 chapters and 404 verses. As mentioned earlier, the important thing about this date of record is that it was recorded in A.D. 96, so we need to confirm once again that it has nothing to do with the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Chapters 1, 2, and 3 are especially introductory.

What we must know before studying the Book of Revelation is what era the Bible is talking about. For example, we are living in the age of grace. In other words, from the time Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross, took on all our sins, died and rose again on the third day, and the Holy Spirit came upon us, this is the Age of Grace. It is where anyone who accepts Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of all sins and becomes justified and receives the Spirit of God to receive eternal life. For that reason, those who have not yet received this grace can receive it. In the old days of the Age of Law, Jews were given that law and they were stoned to death even if they did not keep the Sabbath for just one day, and if they committed adultery they would also be stoned to death. He must have already died. That’s why we don’t know how wonderful the grace we have received now. After this age of grace passes, the age of tribulation will come, right? That is why this doctrine of salvation is very important and when this becomes wrong, it is called heresy. That is why the important thing in the Bible is doctrine. Then the lesson. After that, various spiritual teachings. Doctrine is like the spine, backbone of the human body. Doctors claim all organs within the body share connection to the spine. When the spine is bent and twisted, all organs, such as the stomach, the liver, or organs eventually become ill. The same goes for the Word. If we do not understand the doctrine of God’s salvation according to the times, it becomes the root of all spiritual diseases. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Therefore, when you hear these words, you will realize that Revelation chapters 1, 2, and 3 show the types of churches in the church age, historically, there were such churches, and doctrinally apply to the age of tribulation.

There is also an important fact about the book of Revelation.As we study the Word of God, we must keep in mind that every verse of the Bible applies in three ways. The first is historical. How and where did this happen at any historical time in biblical events? Very important. The second is to know doctrinally. Every verse of the Bible was written to teach specific truths to specific people at a specific time for a specific reason. For that reason, the Age of Law is the Age of Law, the Age of Grace is the Age of Grace, and the Age of Conscience is the Age of Conscience. For example, in the days of Noah, entering the ark was the doctrine of salvation. In the Age of Law, keeping the law was the doctrine of salvation. Now, in the Age of Grace, salvation through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving Him as Savior is the doctrine of salvation. This is an example. Then third and lastly, we can apply God’s Word spiritually. When we hear the word of God and look at it, we can hear the sound of reproof and there are instructive words to discipline us in righteousness. That is why every verse of the Bible can be spiritually applied to correct or teach people. So, it is impossible to fully understand the Word of God without using these three: historical application, doctrinal application, and spiritual application.

Before we delve into the study of Revelation, the first thing we need to know is that we need to know the framework. When you study something, you can understand the overall meaning only if you know the framework first and then the content. If you don’t know the framework, or if you know it partially, you’ll end up getting incorrect understanding of the Book. The book of Revelation is divided into four main sections. First, in chapters 1, 2, and 3, the church age appears. Then, in the second chapters 4 to 19, the seven-year tribulation,the tribulation period appears. What Happens in the Age of Tribulation on this earth? Third, in chapter 20, we see the period of the thousand-year reign. It is the millennium period, the millennium, when Jesus Christ returns to earth and reigns for a thousand years. Lastly, in chapters 21 through 22, there is the final judgment after the millennial reign, then eternal reign of righteousness, where there is no wicked man, no devil, no antichrist, no false prophet, on the new heaven and a new earth where all righteousness dwells, and the eternity of the New Jerusalem is revealed.Church Age, Tribulation Age, Millennium Period, Eternal Age. That’s why the Apostle Paul said, 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.What does this mean? We Can’t apply what will happen in the Church Age to the Tribulation age. Also, we can’t apply the millennium period to the church age.Hence, the importance of rightly dividing.  We must properly divide the word of truth and study it. Otherwise, you will become a shameful worker.

Now, let’s study by reading from 1:1 verse by verse. 1:1-3testify of what the Apostle John saw. Revelation 1:1-3 (KJV) 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: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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.

Revelation of Jesus Christ. Now, we already know that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, shed His blood, died on the cross, resurrected, and ascended into heaven. But more importantly, when He comes the second time, the Lord is not coming to die, but to judge. The Lord is coming to save God’s children and people.It’s about the kingdom of God.The revelation of the Lord who comes to establish the kingdom of God, Jesus Christ! It’s important. Jesus is the Christ. Christ is the anointed one. Satan is also the anointed one, right? Antichrist is also the anointed one. But there is an antichrist and there is a true Christ, and Jesus is the Christ. He came as a prophetto testify the word, testified of the truth. He is now in heaven as a high priest, and will he come to this earth as the King of all kings and Lord of lords in the future. Just as prophets, chief priests, and kings were anointed with oil in the old days, our Lord received these three offices perfectly. That’s why we have to know all the revelation about Jesus Christ to know Him. The Lord said it himsel:John 17:3 (KJV) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

If you’re gonna know, you need to know how it ends.It is actually more important to not only know Christ died for me in the past, but to realize the promise of how he will save me and bless me in the future. More important. It is important to be born into this world, but just as it is important for the person who was born to eat well and grow to be truly successful in this world, the same applies spiritually. Those who believe in Jesus Christ and are born again of a dead spirit cannot overcome the world unless they live in the hope of meeting the Lord who comes to save them because they have been saved. That is why the Apostle John said that our faith overcomes the world. That faith is believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Lord Jesus Christ. God and the Messiah. Revelation 1:2 (KJV) Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  what’s the testimony? The word of God should be answered by the word of God.Revelation 19:10 (KJV) says… for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. What is the spirit of prophecy? It is the ability to speakof things to come. Simply put, whosoever confesses that they are sinners and accepts Jesus Christ, they become justified. Because all their sins have already been blotted out on the cross, the power appears the moment they believe, and the righteousness of God is imputed, and the Spirit of Jesus Christ enters that person. If there are people who have not yet been saved, if they accept Jesus Christ right this moment, the Spirit of God will enter you. The Spirit of the Creator will enter. What happens next? The Spirit of Jesus Christ, because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of prophecy, tells with certainty what will happen to me and what will happen to you. The Holy spirit teaching me that I am saved. Clearly assuring me that I am going to heaven. Otherwise, there is no way to know. It’s not something you know because you have some knowledge in your head. Because The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, is the Spirit of Prophecy, we are 100% sure because the Spirit of Prophecy has come in.

Now, how do you know that the Bible is the Word of God? It is the only book in the world that accurately prophesied everything in the future without a single error.Except for the fact that I am saved, we can realize through the Holy Spirit that it is the only book in the world that accurately prophesises all facts.Over 20 writers across three different continents that lived more than a thousand years apart, all accurately prophesied what will happen without a single mistake. Someone who didn’t believe in the Bible attempted to prove the Bible is false,and after reading deep into the Bible, he finally realized that the Bible is the Word of God. Jesus also said to search the Bible. Instead of reading the Bible like a novel, you need to thoroughly read the Bible from Genesis 1:1 to the last verse of Revelation 22. Many often read and study while staying up all night,because the books of the world require studying and passing exams in order to become successful. It is very unfortunate how much the children of God read and hear the Bible.It’s a problem when people tend to forget the previous week’s sermon preached from the pultpit. The word of God is most important to us. Those who believe in God’s Word have entered the kingdom of God in the spiritual world, not only need to know the laws of the world, but they should know God’s laws better. Now, when we read this Bible carefully, we can see that the spirit of prophecy is the truth of God’s Word. Our Lord said that too, right?? John 17:17 (KJV) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Moving forward to verse 3, we see a very important word made. Revelation 1:3 (KJV) 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.  there is a blessing. Blessed are those who read, hear, and keep the Book of Revelation. You’re listening to this right now, right?Also, you are blessed when you read these words alone, and you are blessed when you keep these words you have read and heard in your heart and live. This is what the Lord Himself said. Unfortunately, many scholars and even the Lord’s servants fear that if the book of Revelation is interpreted carelessly, it will bring curse. It is a dangerous book. For that reason, you should not be recklessly reading it, you should not listen to it, and you should not talk about it. This is taking away all the blessings that the saints will receive. Who will you listen to? Indeed, in Romans 3:4 (KJV) … let God be true, but every man a liar…Even a pastor is bound to lie sometimes. We’re not perfect. Only God is true, and every man is a liar, no exceptions. We need to know how God speaks to us. The old Bereans were some noble people. Even when the Apostle Paul preached the word, even if it is the word given through the Apostle Paul, they pondered whether there really was such a word in the Bible. In God’s eyes, a noble person is not someone who wears fine clothes, has a hefty education background, and is polite, but a person who follows God’s Word of truth with the standard of God’s Word is noble.Those who rebuke and reproach anyone who teaches God’s words incorrectly are noble people in God’s eyes. In terms of human standards, from a humanistic point of view, such a person seems very disrespectful.The Lord did not discriminate against sinners, but when he met prostitutes, publicans, or any person, whosoever repented and accepted the Lord, He took pity on them when they came to the Lord, and in some cases, like the Phenician woman at the well, she was an obscene woman who had changed her husband five times, but because she waited for the Messiah in her heart, He took pity on her and kindly taught her the truth. But for those like the Pharisees and Sadducees who have lived a long religious life while keeping the law as religious people, when we see the Lord rebuking them as the children of vipers, we can see that the nobility seen in God’s pov and the nobility in man’s pov are distinctly different.For that reason, I earnestly pray for you at this time that we know this fact clearly and that you all go out to a blessed place.

Now when certain things in the book of Revelation appear, we will see that the end is near. For example, starting in 3:15 talks about the church age, and the church of Laodicea. The Lord said the People are neither cold nor hot, and he will spue/ vomit them out. The Lord also said. Revelation 3:20 (KJV) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. The Laodicea means “civil rights”. We will study further later. IT also means human authority is more important than the authority of God. How much do the churches follow the authority of God’s Word these days? When you chime in church meetings, there are a lot of people that speak of their own thoughts and opinions. Because the church is a place governed by the law of God’s Word and is the kingdom of God, everything can be decided only by the Word of God, and anyone can obey the Word. If the pastor obeys the word, the saints will follow. Also, when pastors disobey the Word, the saints must tell the pastor, He must follow the Word. This is the way to become one body and serve the Lord.That’s why, as we study the book of Revelation and look at what happened, you will realize the end is near!! In verse 3,Revelation 1:3 (KJV) 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. What did the Apostle Paul say in Ephesians 1? What is the mystery of God’s will?(Ephesians 1:9)It is the dispensation of the fulness of times. It is the dispensation of the fulness of times, which is to bring heaven and earth together into one in Jesus Christ. This is what God planned before the foundation of the world that in the Age of Grace,this blessing of adoption, being adopted as many children of God in Jesus Christ, the blessing of becoming children of God now, not slaves. John 1:12 (KJV) 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:  God gave birth to you! How wonderful is that?? This new birth, born of the Holy Spirit in the Word, given through the Holy Spirit of God, the seed of God, is eternal. Because God does not die, if you receive Jesus Christ and receive the Holy Spirit, you will not die. The death of the body and cardiac arrest are not death, but the beginning of the true and perfect life of eternity. The Apostle Paul said, Philippians 1:23-24 (KJV) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.We clearly see the reason why we live in the flesh because we have to testify the Word to save even one more person. Therefore, we studied the introduction to verse 3 of the book of Revelation today. Although it’s just up to verse 3, the Holy Spirit will teach you that it is a blessing as you read and meditate on this verse at home. Amen Hallelujah!