Truth Seeker
  Rev 1
 

(2013-1215) Here is a brief discussion of chapter 1 using the Rotherham translation. On the right is scripture, on the left my commentary.


Commentary:
Identity:
God is differentiated our glorified Lord Jesus. We see the interaction of two distinct and different beings.
he shewed them by signs:
In other words, Revelation is written with signs, symbols that must be interpreted.





4 -6 Identity restated:
4. God, the Almighty is "the one who is, was." This is not Jesus.



5. Jesus is firstborn from the dead, the faithful witness, and ruler of kings of the earth.

6. Saints = Priests and Kings. Reference Rev 5:8,10 (Verse eight the last word identifies these as the Holy Ones or Saints, and as Kings and Priests. ) These are the firstfruits in Christ.

7. Refers to our Lord Jesus.


8. Logic and chapter harmony demands that the reference is to the Father and not to Jesus.










12. The whole church or the whole congregation is depicted with the seven lamp-stands.




14. In Daniel 7:9, God has hair like pure wool. On Wikipedia a picture of such pure wool is pure white. It therefore seems that tthis depicts great age. Thus we recall that Jesus is second only to God in age.

The whiteness of the hair also may refer to the righteousness of both God and Jesus because of this quote:
Proverbs 16:31 A crown of beauty are grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found. (YLT)
Two edged sword:
Refers primarily to him being the Word of God. According to Heb 4:12, Christ therefore has the ability to discern the inner emotions and driving motivations of all and may judge not according to the exterior, but according to truth and justice. Secondarily, his power of judgment carries naturally the power of an executioner of evil ones if their judgment is negative.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and potent, and sharper, above every two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division both of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and discernible of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ACV)
17. Jesus Christ is the First and the Last. He is the Last Adam and the First to be resurrected to heavenly immortality. (If it has other applications remains a matter of study)



The Seven Lampstands and the Stars

It is clear from this that the agent or angel refers to each congregation's head or authority, the elders and the congregation's ministerial servants.

The seven lampstands mean the worldwide association of true Christians that obey Christ's commands.
Chapter 1

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to point out unto his servants the things which must needs come to pass with speed,—and he shewed them by signs, sending through his messenger, unto his servant John; 2 who bare witness as to the word of God, and the witness of Jesus Christ,—whatsoever things he saw.

 3 Happy! he that readeth, and they who hear, the words of the prophecy, and keep the things, therein, written; for, the season, is, near.

4 John, unto the Seven Assemblies which are in Asia, Favour to you, and peace, from—Him who Is, and who Was, and who is Coming, and from—The Seven Spirits which 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. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us out of our sins with his blood,— 6 and he hath made us [to be] a kingdom—priests unto his God and Father, Unto him, be the glory, and the dominion, unto the ages. Amen.

7 Lo! he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, such also as pierced him; and all the tribes of the land shall smite themselves for him. Yea! Amen.

8 I, am, the A, and, the Z, saith the Lord,—the, God who Is, and who Was, and who is Coming, The Almighty.

 9 I, John, your brother, and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and endurance in Jesus, came to be in the isle that is called Patmos, because of the word of God, and the witness of Jesus. 10 I came to be, in Spirit, in the Lord’s Day, and heard, behind me, a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying—What thou seest, write in a scroll, and send unto the Seven Assemblies,—unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum,—and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia,—and unto Laodicea.

12 And I turned round, to see the Voice which was speaking with me, and, having turned, I saw Seven Lamps of gold; 13 and, in the midst of the lamps, One like unto a Son of Man:—clothed with a robe, reaching to the feet, and girt about at the breasts with a girdle of gold,

14 And his head and hair, white, like white wool—like snow, and, his eyes, like a flame of fire, 15 And, his feet, like unto glowing copper, as if in a furnace refined, and, his voice, like a sound of many waters,






16 And, having in his right hand, seven stars, and, out of his mouth, a sharp, two-edged sword, going forth; and, his whole appearance, as when, the sun, shineth in its strength.











17 And, when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead, and he laid his right hand upon me, saying—Do not fear! I, am the First, and the Last, 18 and the Living One,—and I became dead;—and lo! living, am I, unto the ages of ages, and have the keys of death and of hades. 19 Write, therefore—what things thou hast seen and what they are; and what things are about to come to pass, after these things:

20 The sacred secret of the seven stars, which thou sawest upon my right hand, and the seven lamps of gold:—The seven stars, are, messengers of the seven assemblies, and, the seven lamps, are, seven assemblies 

ASV verse 20:  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 are seven churches.
 
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