Revelation Chapter 1

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Revelation 1

A.  Letters to the Churches (Revelation 1:1-3:22)  Near the end of his life, John received a vision from Christ, which he recorded for the benefit of the seven churches in Asia, and for Christians throughout history.  This book contains a beautiful promise of blessing for those who listen to its words and do what it says.

Prologue

1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,           

•  Revelation is a book about the future and about the present.  It offers future hope to all believers, especially those who have suffered for their faith, by proclaiming Christ's final victory over evil and the reality of eternal life with him.  It also gives present guidance as it teaches us about Jesus Christ and how we should live for him now.  Through graphic pictures we learn that (1) Jesus Christ is coming again, (2) evil will be judged, and (3) the dead will be raised to judgment, resulting in eternal life or eternal destruction.
•      According to tradition, John, the author, was the only one of Jesus' original twelve disciples who was not killed for the faith.  He also wrote the Gospel of John and the letters of 1, 2, and 3 John.  When he wrote Revelation, John was in exile on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea, sent there by the Romans for his witness about Jesus Christ.  
•      This book is the revelation of, concerning, and from Jesus Christ.  God gave the revelation of his plan to Jesus Christ, who in turn, revealed it to John.  The book of Revelation unveils Christ's full identity and God's plan for the end of the world, and it focuses on Jesus Christ, his second coming, his victory over evil, and the establishment of his kingdom.  As you read and study Revelation, don't focus so much on the timetable of the events or the details of John's imagery that you miss the main message--the infinite love, power, and justice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
•      The book of Revelation is apocalyptic (means uncovered, unveiled, or revealed) in style.  This style of ancient literature usually featured spectacular and mysterious imagery, and such literature was written under the name of an ancient hero.  John was acquainted with Jewish apocalyptic works, but his book is different in several ways: (1) he uses his own name rather than the name of an ancient hero; (2) he denounces evil and exhorts people to high Christian standards; (3) he offers hope rather than gloom.  John was not a psychic attempting to predict the future; he was a prophet of God describing what God had shown him. For more about angels,  (Revelation 5:11).
•      Jesus gave his message to John in a vision, allowing John to see and record certain future events so they could be an encouragement to all believers.  The vision includes many signs and symbols that convey the essence of what is to happen.  What John saw in most cases, was indescribable, so he used illustrations to show what it was like.  When reading this symbolic language, we don't have to understand every detail--John himself didn't.  Instead, realize that John's imagery shows us that Christ is indeed the glorious and victorious Lord of all.

2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.           

•      The book of Revelation reveals future events, but there is not the gloomy pessimism we might expect.  The drama of these unfolding events is spectacular, but there is nothing to fear if you are the winning side.  When you think about the future, walk with confidence because Christ, the victor, walks with you.        
•      Revelation is a book of prophecy that is both prediction (foretelling future events) and proclamation (preaching about who God is and what he will do.  Prophecy is more than telling the future.  Behind the predictions are important principles about God's character and promises.  As we read, we will get to know God better so that we can trust him completely.
•      The typical news reports--filled with violence, scandal, and political haggling--are depressing, and we may wonder where the world is heading.  God's plan for the future, however, provides inspiration and encouragement because we know he will intervene in history to conquer evil.  John encourages churches to read this book aloud so everyone can hear it, apply it ("take heart what is written in it"), and be assured of the fact that God will triumph.
•      When John says, "the time is near," he is urging his readers to be ready at all times for the Last Judgment and the establishment of God's kingdom.  We do not know when these events will occur, but we must always be prepared.  They will happen quickly, and there will be no second chance to change sides.

Greetings and Doxology

4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 

•      Jesus told John to write to the seven churches that knew and trusted him and had read his earlier letters (Revelation 1:11). The letters were addressed so that they could be read and passed on in a systematic fashion, following the main Roman road clockwise around the province of Asia (now called Turkey).  
•      The "seven spirits" is another name for the Holy Spirit.  The number seven is used throughout Revelation to symbolize completeness and perfection.  For more about the Holy Spirit, (John 3:6 and Acts 1:5)

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

•       The Trinity--the Father ("him who is, and who was, and who is to come"), the Holy Spirit ("the seven spirits"), and the Son (Jesus Christ)--is the source of all truth (John 14:6, 17; 1 John 2:27; Revelation 19:11).  Thus we can be assured that John's message is reliable and is God's word to us.
•      Others had risen from the dead--people whom the prophets, Jesus and the apostles had brought back to life during their ministries--but later those people died again.  Jesus was the first who rose from the dead in an imperishable body (1Corinthians 15:20), never to die again.  He is the firstborn from the dead.
•      Many hesitate to witness about their faith in Christ because they don't feel the change in their lives has been spectacular enough.  But you qualify as a witness for Jesus because of what he has done for you, not because of what you have done for him.  Christ demonstrated his great love by setting us free from our sins through his death on the cross ("freed us from our sins by his blood"), guaranteeing us a place in his kingdom, and making us priests to administer God's love to others.  The fact that the all-powerful God has offered eternal life to you is nothing short of spectacular.

7“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”So shall it be! Amen.

•           Jesus is portrayed as an all-powerful King, victorious in battle, glorious in peace.  He is not just a humble earthly teacher, he is the glorious God.  When you read John's description of the vision, keep in mind that his words are not just good advice; they are truth from the King of kings.  Don't just read his words for their interesting and amazing portrayal of the future.  Let the truth about Christ penetrate your life, deepen your faith in him, and strengthen your commitment to follow him no matter what the cost.
•        John is announcing the return of Jesus to earth (Matthew 24; Mark 13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18),  Jesus' second coming will be visible and victorious.  All people will see him arrive (Mark 13:26), and they will know it is Jesus.  When he comes, he will conquer evil and judge all people according to their deeds (Revelation 20:11-15).
•       "Those who pierced him" could refer to the Roman soldiers who pierced Jesus' side as he hung on the cross or to the Jews who were responsible for his death.  John saw Jesus' death with his own eyes, and he never forgot the horror of it (John 19:34, 35; Zechariah 12:10).

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John’s Vision of Christ

9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 

•       Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  The Lord God is the beginning and the end.  God the Father is the eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present, and future (Revelation 4:8; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:12-15).  Without him you have nothing that is eternal, nothing that can change your life, nothing that can save you from sin.  Is the Lord your reason for living, "the Alpha and the Omega" of your life?  Honor the One who is the beginning and the end of all existence, wisdom, and power.
•      Patmos was a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea, about 50 miles offshore from the city of Ephesus and on the Asia Minor seacoast.  
•      The Christian church was facing severe persecution.  Almost all believers were socially, politically, or economically suffering because of this empire-wide persecution, and some were even being killed for their faith.  John was exiled to Patmos because he refused to stop preaching the gospel.  We may not face persecution for our faith as the early Christians did, but even with our freedom few of us have the courage to share God's Word with others.  If we hesitate to share our faith during easy times, how will we do during times of persecution?

10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”  12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 

•      The seven golden lampstands are the seven churches in Asia (Revelation 1:11, 20), and Jesus stands among them.  No matter what the churches face, Jesus protects them with his all-encompassing love and reassuring power.  Through his Spirit, Jesus Christ is still among the churches today.  When a church faces persecution, it should remember Christ's deep love and compassion.  When a church is wracked by internal strife and conflict, it should remember Christ's concern for purity and his intolerance of sin.

14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 

•      This man "like a son of man" is Jesus himself.  The title Son of Man occurs many times in the New Testament in reference to Jesus as the Messiah.  John recognized Jesus because he lived with him for three years and had seen him both as the Galilean preacher and as the glorified Son of God at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8).  Here Jesus appears as the mighty Son of Man.  His white hair indicates his wisdom and divine nature (Daniel 7:9); his blazing eyes symbolize judgment of all evil; the golden sash around his chest reveals him as the high priest who goes into God's presence to obtain forgiveness of sin for those who have believed in him.

15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 

•      The sword in Jesus' mouth symbolizes the power and force of his message.  His words of judgment are as sharp as swords (Isaiah 49:2; Hebrews 4:12).

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

•       As the Roman government stepped up its persecution of Christians, John must have wondered if the church could survive and stand against the opposition.  But Jesus appeared in glory and splendor, reassuring John that he and his fellow believers had access to God's strength to face these trials.  If you are facing difficult problems, remember that the power available to John and the early church is also available to you (1 John 4:4).
•      Our sins have convicted and sentenced us, but Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades.  He alone can free us from eternal bondage to Satan.  He alone has the power and authority to set us free from Sin's control.  Believers don't have to fear Hades or death, because Christ holds the keys to both.  All we must do is turn from sin and turn to him in faith.  When we attempt to control our lives and disregard God, we set a course that leads directly to hell.  But when we place our lives in Christ's hands, he restores us now and resurrects us later to an eternal, peaceful relationship with him.

19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

•      Who are the "angels of the 7 churches"?  Some say that they are angels designated to guard the churches; others say that they are the elders or pastors of the local churches.  Because the seven letters in chapters 2 and 3 contain reprimands, it is doubtful that these angels are heavenly messengers.  If these are earthly leaders or messengers, they are accountable to God for the churches they represent.

Footnotes

1. Revelation 1:4 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
2. Revelation 1:7 Daniel 7:13
3. Revelation 1:7 Zech. 12:10
4. Revelation 1:13 See Daniel 7:13.
5. Revelation 1:20 Or messengers

Daniel 7:13

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

• This "one like a son of man" is the Messiah.  Jesus used this verse to refer to himself (Matthew 26:64, Luke 21:27; John 1:51).  The clouds of heaven portray the Son of Man as divine; throughout the Bible clouds represent his majesty and awesome presence.  God's glory appeared in a cloud in Exodus 16:10 and Exodus 19:9 at the giving of the law at Sinai.

1. Exodus 16:10

 10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.

1.  Exodus 19:9 

9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

• Matthew 26:64  “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
• Psalm 110:1  The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”
•  Luke 21:27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
• John 1:51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
• Genesis 28:12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
• God's covenant promise to Abraham and Isaac was offered to Jacob as well.  But it was not enough to be Abraham's grandson; Jacob had to establish his own personal relationship with God.  God has no grandchildren; each of us must have a personal relationship with him.  It is not enough to hear wonderful stories about Christians in your family.  You need to become part of the story yourself (Galatians 3:6, 7). 
• Galatians 3:6, 7   So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
• Gen. 15:6  Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness

Revelation 1:7  “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”[a] and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[b]So shall it be! Amen.

1.  Daniel 7:13  “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
2.  Zechariah 12:10 Mourning for the One They Pierced “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Revelation 1:13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.

Daniel 7:13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

Revelation 1:20  The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels [messengers] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

• Angels are spiritual beings created by God who help carry out his work on earth.  They bring messages (Luke 1:26-28), protect God's people (Daniel 6:22), offer encouragement (Genesis 16:7), give guidance (Exodus 14:19), bring punishment (2 Samuel 24:16), patrol the earth (Ezekiel 1:9-14), and fight the forces of evil (2 Kings 6:16-18; Revelation 20:1).  There are both good and evil angels (Revelation 12:7), but because evil angels are allied with Satan, they have considerably less power and authority than good angels.  Eventually, the main role of the good angels will be to offer continuous praise to God (Revelation 19:1-3).
• Luke 1:26-28  In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
• Daniel 6:22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

1.        The man or woman who trusts in God and obeys his will is untouchable until God takes him or her.  To trust God is to have immeasurable peace.  God, who delivered Daniel, will deliver you.  Do you trust him with your life?

• Genesis 16:7  The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur.
• Exodus 14:19   Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,
• Exodus 13:21  By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
• 2 Samuel 24:16  When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

1. Genesis 6:6  The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.

• Does this mean that God regretted creating humanity?  Was he admitting he made a mistake?  No, God does not change his mind (1 Samuel 15:29)  Instead, he was expressing sorrow for what the people had done to themselves, as a parent might express sorrow over a rebellious child.  God was sorry that the people chose sin and death instead of a relationship with him.
• The people's sin grieved God.  Our sins break God's heart as much as sin did in Noah's day.  Noah, however, pleased God, although he was far from perfect.  We can follow Noah's example and find "favor in the eyes of the Lord" in spite of the sin that surrounds us.

1. Exodus 12:23  When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

•  1 Samuel 15:29   He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”
• Ezekiel 1:9-14  9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. 10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.
• 2 Kings 6:16-18  16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

1. Elisha's servant was no longer afraid when he saw God's mighty heavenly army.  Faith reveals that God is doing more for his people than we can ever realize through sight alone.  When you face difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember that spiritual resources are there even if you can't see them.  Look through the eyes of faith and let God show you his resources.  If you don't see God working in your life, the problem may be your spiritual eyesight, not God's power.

• Revelation 20:1  The Thousand Years  20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.
• Revelation 12:7  7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
  

1. This event fulfills Daniel 12:1ff.  Michael is a high-ranking angel.  One of his responsibilities is to guard God's community of believers.
2. Much more happened at Christ's birth, death, and resurrection than most people realize.  A war between the forces of good and evil was under way. With Christ's resurrection, Satan's ultimate defeat was assured.  Some believe that Satan's fall to earth took place at Jesus' resurrection or ascension and that the 1,260 days (3 1/2 years) is a symbolic way of referring to the time between Christ's first and 2nd comings.  Others say that Satan's defeat will occur in the middle of a literal seven-year tribulation period, following the rapture of the church and preceding the second coming of Christ and the beginning of Christ's 1,000-year reign.  Whatever the case, we must remember that Christ is victorious - Satan has already been defeated because of Christ's death on the cross (Revelation 12:10-12).

• Revelation 12:10-12  10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
• Revelation 19:1-3  Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall 19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2  for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 3 And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

1. Praise is the heartfelt response to God by those who love him.  The more you get to know God and realize what he has done, the more you will respond with praise.  Praise is at the heart of true worship.  Let your praise of God flow out of your realization of who he is and how much he loves you. 
2. A great multitude in heaven initiates the chorus of praise to God for his victory.

Revelation 1:11, 20 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”...20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[a] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

John 3:6  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?  God is three persons in one---the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  God became a man in Jesus so that Jesus could die for our sins.  Jesus rose from the dead to offer salvation to all people through spiritual renewal and rebirth.  When Jesus ascended into heaven, his physical presence left the earth, but he promised to send the Holy Spirit so that his spiritual presence would still be among mankind (Luke 24:49)  The Holy Spirit first became available to all believers at Pentecost (Acts 2).  Whereas in Old Testament days the Holy Spirit empowered specific individuals for specific purposes, now all believers have the power of the Holy Spirit available to them.  For more on the Holy Spirit, read John 14:16-28; Romans 8:9: 1 Corinthians 12:13; and 2 Corinthians 1:22

Acts 1:5  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

John 14:6, 17 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Revelation 19:11 The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.

1 Corinthians 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

•  First fruits were the first part of the harvest that faithful Jews brought to the temple as an offering (Leviticus 23:10ff).  Although Christ was not the first to rise from the dead (he raised Lazarus and others), he was the first to never die again.  He is the forerunner for us, the proof of our eventual resurrection to eternal life.

Matthew 24   The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.  22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.  26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.  29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.  32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e] is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mark 13  The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”  2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” 5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.  20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. 24 “But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’  26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. 28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

• Knowing exactly when the dead will be raised, in relation to the other events at the second coming, is not as important as knowing why Paul wrote these words---to challenge believers to comfort and encourage one another when loved ones die.  This passage can be a great comfort when any believer dies.  The same love that should unite believers in this life (4:9) will unite believers when Christ returns and reigns for eternity.,
• Because Jesus Christ came back to life, so will all believers.  All Christians, including those living when Christ returns, will live with Christ forever.  Therefore, we need not despair when loved ones die or world events take a tragic turn. God will turn our tragedies to triumphs, our poverty to riches, our pain to glory, and our defeat to victory.  All believers throughout history will stand united in God's very presence, safe and secure.  As Paul comforted the Thessalonians with the promise of the resurrection, so we should comfort and reassure each other with this great hope.

Mark 13:26

26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Revelation 20:11-15  The Judgment of the Dead

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

• At the judgment, the books are opened.  They represent God's judgment, and in them are recorded the deeds of everyone, good or evil.  We are not saved by deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person's actual relationship with God.  The book of life contains the names of those who have put their trust in Christ to save them.
• Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire.  God's judgment is finished.  The lake of fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked---Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the demons, death, Hades, and all those whose names are not recorded in the book of life because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ.  John's vision does not permit any gray areas in God's judgment.  If by faith we have not been identified with Christ, confessing him as Lord, there will be no hope, no second chance, no appeal.

John 19:34, 35

34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water....35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

• The graphic details of Jesus' death are especially important in John's record because he was an eyewitness.

 Zechariah 12:10  Mourning for the One They Pierced

10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

• The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, 50 days after Christ's resurrection (See Acts 2).  Zechariah calls the Spirit "a Spirit of grace and supplication."  It is this Spirit who convicts us of sin, reveals to us God's righteousness and judgment, and helps us as we pray.  "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express"  (Romans 8:26).  Ask God to fill you with his spirit.

Revelation 4:8

8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

 Isaiah 44:6  The Lord, Not Idols

            6 “This is what the Lord says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

 Isaiah 48:12-15  Israel Freed

          12 “Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.
         13 My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together. 14 “Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The Lord’s chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians. 15 I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.

Revelation 1:11, 20

11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”.....20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

• Who are the "angels of the seven churches"?  Some say that they are angels designated to guard the churches; others say that they are the elders or pastors of the local churches.  Because the seven letters in chapters 2 and 3 contain reprimands, it is doubtful that these angels are heavenly messengers.  If these are earthly leaders or messengers, they are accountable to God for the churches they represent.

Matthew 17:1-8  The Transfiguration

17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

• The transfiguration was a vision, a brief glimpse of the true glory of the King (Matthew16:27-28).  This was a special revelation of Jesus' divinity to three of the disciples, and it was God's divine affirmation of everything Jesus had done and was about to do.

Daniel 7:9  

9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

• Here the prophecy shifts to the end times.  This judgment scene is similar to one that was seen by the apostle John (Revelation 1:14-15).  The Ancient of Days is almighty God, who assigns power to kingdom who will himself judge those kingdom in the end.
• Daniel had many dreams and visions he did not understand.  He dreamed of four beasts, which represented four kingdoms of the world, and of a ram and goat, which depicted two of those kingdoms in greater detail.  Daniel's visions reveal that the Messiah will be the ruler of a spiritual kingdom that will overpower and overshadow all other earthly kingdoms.  These visions help us see that we should interpret all of history in light of God's eternal kingdom.

Isaiah 49:2

2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.

Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

• Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, a vehicle fort communicating ideas; it is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us.  With the incisiveness of a surgeon's knife, God's Word reveals who we are and what we are not.  It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life.  It discerns what is within us, both good and evil.  The demands of God's Word require decisions.  We must not only listen to the Word; we must also let it shape our lives.

1 John 4:4

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

• It is easy to be frightened by the wickedness we see all around us and overwhelmed by the problems we face.  Evil is obviously much stronger than we are.  John assures us, however, that God is even stronger.  He will conquer all evil---and his Spirit and his Word live in our hearts!