Understanding The Book of Revelations.
Because there are a number of Helium topics concerning relevant chapters in the Book of Revelations, I have hereby given my own interpretation of what I conceive to be the understanding contained within these books.
I begin with this essay covering the first three chapters not proposed for discussion, and I will methodically progress into those chapters which are proposed.
The Book of Revelation.
This Book was originally known as Revelation to John,' or The Apocalypse of John.' This is the last book of the Christian Bible and is wholly composed of Apocalyptic writing, purporting to be the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Revelation is considered to be one of the most controversial and difficult books of the Bible to understand, with its multitude of different interpretations or meanings. Indeed, the priest Martin Luther considered the book to be neither apostolic nor prophetic, maintaining that it did not teach about Jesus Christ nor promote his teachings.
In the 4th century several Christian bishops argued against including this book in the New Testament canon; they realised that the difficulties they encountered trying to interpret it, could leave it open for abuse by others.
Yet this was not the end of controversy; it was a disputed book in the 9th century, being rejected by the Syrian Christians and today it is still the only book of the New Testament which is not read in the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
But what exactly is this book?
And does it hold any significant meaning?
To begin with the Book of Revelations is strikingly similar in its story contents, to the Book of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, and you may find it interesting to compare the two.
Here, however, we will only be concerned with the Book of Revelations.
The first chapters of the book 1:3: introduce John and how an angel enlightens him in regard to the visions which he says were shown to Jesus by God.
[1:1] The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.
[2] Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
It seems as though John is asserting his dominance over the Christian leaders,' by proclaiming that he is the holder of new information; of how things were and also giving a prophesy of things to come. He uses the authority of the angel of God to give him jurisdiction in this matter and continues; blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
The latter part of the paragraph obligates those that hear or read it in that they wish to comply with the instruction of God, believing that they will be blessed.
In the first vision John relates that "one like the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt with a golden girdle", spoke with "a great voice, as of a trumpet", and was a statement to be addressed to the seven churches of Asia. (The Seven Churches of Asia; also known as the Seven Churches of Revelations were the seven major churches of Early Christianity. At that time they could be found in what is today Turkey
and they are not to be classified literally as in Asia). See http://www.apocalipsis.org/t2-churches.htm
[3] [4] John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
[5] And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
[6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
In the verses 3 to 6, John enforces his authority in claiming that he has the instruction and insight given by the angel of God, into what is and what will be. Here he shows Jesus to be a faithful witness of God, his father, and prince over all men.
[7] Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all people of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
[8] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, say's the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
In these verses it says how the Messiah will come and how the people of the earth will dread his coming, for they will know that he is the one true God.
[9] 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.
[10] I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
[11] Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou see, 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 Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
[12] And I turned to see the voice that spoke to me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
[13] And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
[14] His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
[15] And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
[16] And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shining in his strength.
[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:
[18] I am he that lived, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
[19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
[20] The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.
Basically, John seeks to establish God; he said that God was the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last,' and that the sharp two edged sword,' was the jurisdiction God would administer. He translates the meaning of the seven churches and seven angels into a common understanding.
Rev.2 mainly concerns his opinion of the churches; and how he believes they conduct themselves. Here he tells the Churches how they offend God and how God will remove them from his glory if they fail to comply with his word.
[1] Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things say; he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
[2] I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
[3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
[4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
[5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
[6] But this thou hast, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
There is no actual evidence pointing to a particular Nicolaitan sect although several of the early church fathers, such as Irenaeus, Epiphanius, and Theodoret mentioned such. Nor is there any evidence supporting the claim that Nicholas was in fact a Heretic.
It becomes interesting when we realise that there were Seven Deacons, leaders who were elected by the early Christian church to minister to the people of Jerusalem. These Deacons are described in the Acts of the Apostles, and are the subject of later traditions as well; for instance they are supposed to have been members of the Seventy Disciples who appear in the Gospel of Luke. The actual Seven Deacons were Stephen Protomartyr, Philip the Evangelist, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas.
Nicholas is described in Acts as a convert to Judaism, and is not remembered favourably by early writers. According to Irenaeus' Adversus Haereses, the Nicolaitanes were a heretical sect who took their name from the deacon. In Philosophumena, Hippolytus writes; he inspired the sect through his indifference to life and the pleasures of the flesh: his followers took this as a licence to give in to lust.
In the Catholic Encyclopedia it is recorded that after the Apostles reproached Nicholas for mistreating his beautiful wife, because of his jealousy, he left her and consented to anyone else marrying her, saying the flesh should be maltreated.
It is thought that the sect corrupted Nicholas' words, originally being designed to check the pleasures of the body, or to justify licentiousness.
[7] He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit say unto the churches; to him that overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
[8] And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things say; the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
[9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Say they are Jews but are not?'
This is a very controversial statement, in that it adheres to the Jewish religion. Is John saying here that the belief he follows is going away from its original understanding of Judaism?
That it is being corrupted by Satan?
[10] Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: but be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.
Do not be corrupted by Satan, but hold true to God and his commandments and you shall be rewarded with the kingdom of heaven?
[11] He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.
The first death is the initial death we suffer from living in the physical existence; the second death arises from Armageddon and the death of the spirit.
[12] And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things says he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
[13] I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan's seat is: and you hold fast to my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells
Antipas, also known as Saint Antipas is the person John refers to here as the "faithful martyr" of Pergamon. It is believed that the Apostle John ordained Antipas as bishop of the Pergamon during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian. Traditionally it is believed that Antipas was martyred in ca. 92 AD by burning.
[14] But I have a few things against you, because you hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
[15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
[16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
[17] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.
Reference to Balaam indicates that he was a non-Israelite prophet, the son of Beor, though Beor is not so clearly identified. Other sources indicate that he is a "wicked man" who attempts to curse God's people.
Does this also give reference to Gods people,' the Israelites?
[18] And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
[19] I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
[20] Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffered that woman Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Again reference is given to the Old Testament; In the Tanakh (the Hebrew Scriptures), Jezebel is a queen of ancient Israel. In 1st and 2nd Kings she is regarded as a Phoenician princess, the daughter of King Ithobaal I of Sidon. In the reference it says that she married King Ahab of the Northern Kingdom, during the time the nation of Israel
was divided into Northern (Israel) and Southern (Judah) kingdoms. She turns Ahab away from Yahweh of the Israelites and toward the worship of the Phoenician god, Baal.
Ahab and Jezebel allowed the worship of Baal in Israel, and the pagan religion was given presidence. Jezebel used her influence over Ahab to lead the Hebrews into idolatry, "sexual immorality" and subjected them to tyranny.
[21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
[22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
[23] And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Here John indicates the reward for the wicked; those who do not follow the true God.
[24] But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
[25] But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
[26] And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
[27] And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
The last line of Revelations 2 however, causes some concern.
[28] And I will give him the morning star?
The "Day Star" or "Morning Star" is a name frequently given to Satan, or Lucifer; Isaiah 14:3-20, the fallen angel?
Rev.3:9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie?
Why is John so concerned with the belief of Judaism?
Could it be that Jesus was a Jew, and had no intention of being anything else?
Why would John defend Judaism so intensely?
[10] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the entire world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
[11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
[12] Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Here John proclaims the worship of Jesus to God; I make a pillar in the temple of my God.'
[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
[20] 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.
[21] To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Jesus claims here (not John) that he overcame the falsity of belief to sit down with God, the true God, and that this was possible for all men.
This leads me to suggest that John, in the book of revelations, was not sponsoring Christianity but Judaism. As Martin Luther indicated; the book is neither apostolic nor prophetic.
What we all have to remember is that Jesus was not a Christian, Jesus was a Jew!
If Jesus truly believed in the God of Israel; if he was truly the son of God; he would not lead people away from the God of Israel and he would not seek to alter the worship of God through another understanding.
The first 3 chapters of Revelations indicate and suggest that the angel of God revealed to John the straying of a people; no longer were they worshiping Yahweh, now they worshiped a man; he they called the son of God.
There is one thing religious history as taught us, and that is Jesus worshipped and loved God with all of heart and soul; he stored his treasures in heaven where his God resided.
It seems as though John, in his Book of Revelations tried to show this Christian sect how they were straying from the original intention of Jesus Christ; that we should worship God.