Prologue (R00)

Revelation Made Simple

 

Amos 3:7   Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

  God will not do anything unless He first reveal His plans to men. Then, why is the book of Revelation so difficult to understand?

 

Sealed till the Time of the End

Dan 12:8-9  Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

  Daniel was gifted with the ability to interpret dreams and visions with one exception. However, he could not understand the imagery, metaphor and symbolism of end time visions because God has willed that only those living in the last days will be given the interpretation and understanding (for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end).

 

Endtime by our Lord Jesus

Mat 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

  When Jesus taught His disciples the end time signs, they are in chronological order as recorded in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. All endtime teachings must follow the above chronology.

 

Are we living in the last days?

  Please read - LG02 The Last Generation.

https://last-generation-events.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-last-generation-lg02.html 

  I am convinced that the signing of PLO-Israel Peace Treaty in 1993 kicked off the beginning of end time. God has begun to reveal end time truths to those who humbly seek after Him. We are the last generation who will witness Rapture.

 

Note   Our Lord's endtime teachings and those found in Daniel, deal with events up to Rapture (the last day for Christians).

 

Book of Revelation

  The first 11 Chapters of the book of Revelation are in chronological order.

It covers: -

 

1. the Apostolic church (Chapter 1-3),

 

2. scene in heaven then (Chapter 4-5),

 

3. last days church (Chapter 6 - first 6 seals) ending with the 6th Seal as the Rapture.

 

  Immediately after Rapture, Rev 7:1-10 is the scene on earth with the 144,000 new Israeli converts being sealed with the mark of God, and Rev 7:11-15 being the scene of the glorious saints taken back to heaven.

 

4. 7th Seal (Chapters 8-11) records the wrath of God (7 trumpets/bowls/vials) upon all those left behind who have taken the mark of the beast '666'.

 

However, from Chapter 12, onwards the Book of Revelation is no longer in chronological order for the chapters highlight earlier endtime events.

Examples

Rev 12-13 - 5th Seal (Tribulation)

Rev 15-16 - 7th Seal (Wrath of God)

Rev 17 - 1st Seal (False Christ)

Rev 18-19 - 4th Seal (World War 3)

 

5. It also records in Rev 20 - Jesus' Millennium Rule, Great White Throne judgment and in Rev 21-22 the New Heaven and the New Earth.

 

With this knowledge, the Book of Revelation is now easier to understand

Revelation Chapter 1 (R01a)

Scene in Heaven

 

Rev 1:1-2  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

  The revelation given to John encompassed the New Testament church (things which must shortly take place) and end time events which include World War 3, Wrath of Satan, Rapture, Wrath of God, Jesus Millennium Rule and the eternal New Heaven and the New Earth (Rev 21-22).

  Jesus instructed His disciples end time signs, which are in chronological order as recorded in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. It is interesting to note that while Jesus was the originator of end times teaching in the New Testament, yet He made cross reference to the prophetic word of Daniel in the Old Testament as in

Mat 24:15  “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand) ...

 

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

  To the seven churches which were part of the New Testament church recorded by John, God's warning is approaching (the time is near).

  Our Lord had assured those who have read, heard, understood and kept to the teachings of end times, that, by faith, they will overcome the deception of Satan.

John 14:29  “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe."

   

Rev 1:4  John, to the seven churches which 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...

 God generously reveals His attributes to His churches in order to foster trust in Him. He is the eternal God, who was from the beginning, and is, the Word made flesh to save men. He will judge the living and the dead. He is the Almighty who loves, unlike Satan who destroys. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and understanding.

 

Seven Spirits of God

Isa 11:1-2  There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 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 of the fear of the Lord.

1. Spirit of the Lord (salvation or empowering)

2. Spirit of wisdom

3. Spirit of understanding

4. Spirit of counsel

5. Spirit of might

6. Spirit of the knowledge of the Lord

7. Spirit of the fear of the Lord  

  These seven Spirits of God are the seven attributes/ministries of the Holy Spirit. They are given to His disciples in measures, in order to anoint and to empower them in their ministries.

 

Rev 1:5-6  ...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

  Our Lord Jesus is the faithful witness of God's word and He is the first fruit from the dead. He will be crowned as King during His Millennium Rule on earth. Out of His great love, He died on the cross as the propitiation of our sin. He has given every born-again Christian an opportunity to serve the Father as a priest and king to rule over all, including angels, for He is the King of kings.

Revelation Chapter 1 (R01b)

Rev 1:7  Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
 
1. Coming with the clouds
  At Rapture, during the great heavenly Blackout, our Lord will come with His heavenly hosts resembling the falling stars from the sky. Trumpets will sound heralding the coming of the King. As the stars draw nearer, they will become visibly bigger. At the end of the trumpet sound, all eyes will see our Lord Jesus on the clouds. Immediately, His elects will rise to meet Him there.
Mark 13:24-26  “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory."
Note - this heralding trumpet is not the same as the seven trumpets of judgment in Rev 8
 
2. They who pierced Him
  At Rapture, Jesus will pour His grace to all Israelites and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who will repent of their sins for crucifying Him when they see Him with His pierced wounds on the clouds. This will be the 144,000 Israelites saved in Rev 7.
Zech 12:10  “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn."
 
3. Tribes of the earth will mourn
  Before Rapture, the whole world has heard the gospel of Jesus and His coming. So when these unbelievers see the reality of Rapture, they will regret rejecting Jesus and missing their salvation. They will mourn because they know that it is already too late for they have taken the mark of the beast 666 and only damnation awaits them.
Mat 24:30  "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
 
Rev 1:8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
  Our Lord knows everything and He is in control of all things from the beginning to the end. So trust Him and fear nothing.
 
The Lord's Day
Rev 1:9-10a  I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island 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 I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet...
  John recorded Sunday as the Lord's Day in connection with the resurrection day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Unlearned and misled Christians attribute Sunday to be the day of the devil.
  The first recorded Worship Service held on a Sunday (the first day of the week) was Paul breaking bread in Troas.
Acts 20:7  Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
 
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath
Mark 2:27-28  And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
  We have 38 (Orang Asli) churches for the aborigines deep in the mountainous jungle. We thank Jesus that He is the Lord of the Sabbath and has made the Sabbath for man so that Sabbath can now be any day of the week.
 With only 7 pastors, we have no choice but to hold our worship services (Sabbath) everyday of the week, just as the New Testament Christians broke bread daily (Act 2:44-47). Worship services will start as soon as we arrive.
 
  We thank God that everyday of the week, we can pray, fellowship and worship our Lord Jesus in spirit and in truth.

Revelation Chapter 1 (R01c)

Rev 1:11  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

  Our Lord assured His people that He is the Almighty and is in control of all things. John was told to record the visions and to send them to the seven churches.   

 

Rev 1:12-13  Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

  The golden lampstands is a figurative representation of the churches that our omnipresent Jesus dwells in whenever there is a gathering of praise and worship.

  His garment was down to the feet without the exposure of the flesh or nakedness, i.e. without any sinful nature.

  He shows His eternal (golden band round His chest) faith, love and righteousness towards men. (breastplate of faith, love and righteousness)

Mat 18:20  "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

 

Rev 1:14-15  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;

  These are some of the attributes of our glorious risen Lord. He is from the beginning (the Ancient One), righteous and holy (white as snow), He see the intents of our hearts (eyes like flames of fire), a just God for His foundation is judgment with justice (feet of refined bronze), His voice is strong, loud and assuring.

 

Rev 1:16  He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

  He is in control of the 7 (all Christians) churches' leadership (stars - angels or leadership), His word is a sharp two-edged sword, which protects (by attacking the enemies) but also cleanses (sanctifies) Christians, His face shines as the light to the world.

 

Rev 1:17-18  And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

  John recognized the Lord and fell on His feet in fear. The Lord comforted Him by confirming that He is the resurrected Jesus, his Friend and Master. He affirmed John that He had complete power over Death and Hades after defeating Satan and his demons with His resurrection.

Heb 2:13-15  And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

 

Rev 1:19  Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

  John was told to write down everything that he had seen - things that was in heaven then and also events of the future.

 

Rev 1:20  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 which you saw are the seven churches.

  The stars or angels (angel means messenger) mentioned in the seven churches are a representation of pastors or church leaders, and lampstands represent churches or the gathering of believers.  

 Just like our Lord Jesus explained clearly to His disciples the meaning of the parables in Matthew 13, we also need the Lord to enlighten us on the prophecies in the book of Revelation.

Revelation Chapter 2 (R02a)

     Church of Ephesus

 

Rev 2:1  “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands”

  This letter was written to the leadership (angel) of the church of Ephesus. Our Lord comforted them that He has complete control of all church leaderships (stars) and also His presence in the church (lampstands).

Rev 2:2-3  “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

  This church looks like the perfect church of God that is full of righteous works, that despises evil, exposes false apostles and heresies, zealous and with great patience doing His commands.

Rev 2:4-5  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

  Regretfully, this church has forgotten its first love. First love is that peaceful and blissful moment when we first believed and accepted Jesus as our Saviour.

  It was only decades ago at Pentecost, that Christians filled with faith in God, love for one another, and full of the Holy Spirit, sold everything they had and gave to the Apostles for helping the poor and needy brethren. 

Acts 4:33-35  And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

How did they lose their first love?

Acts 5:3  But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?

  Unless Christians keep His words and crucify the flesh, Satan can deceive them just like how he had duped Ananias.

I Pet 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Doing the Work of God

John 6:29  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

  Our most important work is to believe who He is, in our daily life. Is He still your Provider when you are troubled and is deep in need? Is He still your Healer that you trust? Or do you depend only on health food and medical advice, making prayers undesirable? Is recognition and honour so important? 

Repent and do the first works

  Brethren, we may be serving God zealously and sacrificially, but when we lack faith in the work He had done for us, then we have failed to fully trust Him. Let our beliefs in Him be perfect so that with truth we can overcome the wiles of Satan.

Rev 2:6  But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

  The deeds of the Nicolaitans were to mislead Christians into heresies that destroyed their faith in Jesus and His words.

Heresies will deny, reject or contradict

1. Attributes of God (Triune Godhead, almighty, truth, love, faithful, cannot sin nor lie)

2. Divinity of Jesus

3. Truth in the words of Jesus

4. Teachings in the Epistles

5. Gospel of Jesus

6. Message of the Cross

Occults, cults and heretic practices will trespass one or more of the above truth.

Rev 2:7  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”

Revelation Chapter 2 (R02b)

      Church in Smyrna

Rev 2:8-9  “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:  “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan."

  The Lord made an affirmation to the church leaders asserting that He is the omnipotent God who wields all powers and authorities in His hands. As believers in a living Christ, we no longer fear death for death could not hold Him.  

  He complimented them of their:

1.  good works - preaching the gospel, caring and teaching the sheep, feeding the poor

2.  tribulations – resistance and persecutions by the Gentiles, false brethren and the Jewish leadership.

3.  poverty - suffered great financial losses by giving up all to follow Jesus.

  Despite living in poverty, they are rich in the Lord because they have stored up for themselves treasures in heaven

Those who say they are Jews

  In this church, there was a group of Christians who considered themselves as Jews, possibly because they observed one or more of:-

1. Keep Jewish Feasts

2. Do not eat unclean food

3. Keep Saturday as Sabbath 

4. Partially keep the Law 

5. Do not observe Christmas, Good Friday and Easter

6. Believe in Circumcision

7. Perform animal sacrifices 

  Keeping all the above will not make one a Jew, when Israel is without the Levitical Priesthood and Temple of God.

Who were the Jews ?

Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

  The Mosaic Law was a covenant made specifically for  the Israelites alone, to govern their lives in the promised land. At the death of Jesus, God left the temple when He tore the veil from top down. His death established the New Covenant that renders the Old Covenant (Judaism) obsolete.

Everyone including Jews, must believe in the gospel of grace to be saved, just like John, Peter, Paul and everyone else.

Heb 8:13  In that He says, “A new covenant ,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Synagogue of Satan

  With Judaism made obsolete by the New Covenant of His blood, Jesus labelled the gatherings of these rebellious  and heretic Christians, who partially keep the Law as synagogues of Satan. 

  The act of participating in the defunct Mosaic Law is one and the same as idolatry, which God hates. Instead of pleasing God with their sacrifices, unlearned Christians are cursed by God.

Gal 3:10  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

Rev 2:10  Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

  Out of love, God permits the devil to inflict pain and suffering on His mislead children who partake in Jewish traditions and feasts to gear them into repentance.

  To the faithfuls, they will receive the heavenly reward of kingship, the crown.

Rev 2:11  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

  For those who atone themselves of the heresy of keeping Jewish traditions and law, they will reign with Jesus during His Millennium Rule and as His priests in eternity.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Revelation Chapter 2 (R02c)

        Church in Pergamos 

Rev 2:12-13  “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells."

  Our Lord reminded the church that He has the sharp two-edged sword, a symbolic representation of the word of God. The sword is a weapon that can protect and help believers in overcoming deceptions and attacks. Our lives will be transformed into His likeness in the process.

  Despite dwelling in the midst of demonic strongholds and persecutions, the church remained steadfast in their believe and in doing good works. Even the martyr of Antipas could not dim their staunch faith. 

Doctrine of Balaam

Rev 2:14  "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality."

  Balaam who was a diviner was called upon by Balak, the king of Moab to place a malediction on the Israelites. Knowing that the Israelites were invincible because they were the people of God, Balaam told King Balak to connive a shady deal by giving their daughters for marriage with the Israelites. The Israelites began to worship Moabite's gods, eat food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Their sinful behaviour irked God to the extent of bringing death by plague upon themselves.

Heresies of the Nicolaitans

Rev 2:15-16  Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

  The doctrine of Nicolaitans is liberal with no distinction between biblical truths and paganism. Just as the rebellious Israelites in Moab who compromised idolatry, Nicolaitans are no different. Their open minded teachings lead Christians into worldliness, self gratification and sinful living. They propagate the false believe of once saved is always saved, prosperity gospel, secret rapture and keeping of Jewish traditions and laws.

Doctrines of demons

I Tim 4:1-2  Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

  If you refuse to repent from heresies or doctrines of demons, you have antagonized the Lord who will turn against you with His sword - the word of God.

  True repentance comes with regret of past wrongs, which is followed by commitment to turn over a new leaf. The act of abiding in the word of Jesus and taking up the sword of His mouth will safeguard your salvation.

Rev 2:17  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it. ”

  Heretics who teach distorted truth are popular among carnal men because what they said are pleasing to the ears, leading many astray.  

  Nonetheless, believers who held on to sound doctrine will be rewarded with the food of angels and be given an exclusively classified new name embossed on a white stone for overcoming Satan's stones which are destructive heresies.

Mat 4:3  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”