This is the second Bible Study on Revelation. An outline for this Bible Study can be found here. The outline for today’s Bible Study are the pages 7 and 8. The video with the Bible Study can be found here.

Revelation 1:4-8

Greeting the Seven Churches

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, ⁵ 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, ⁶ and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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.

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.”

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Verse 4: John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

John: more about him in verse 9. There also about the time of writing of this book.

Revelation given in series of sevens. Completeness. Seven days of the week.

Numbers in Revelation:

Other numbers: 3 (Trinity), 4 (corners of the earth), 12 (tribes, apostles), 1000.

God’s order: world history no chaos. Order! God’s work!

Seven churches: specific churches, see vs. 11. Representative for the entire church.

            Question for discussion:

• Should every church have its own minister of the Word or could we just as well tell our members from all churches to watch the live stream from one minister in the federation? Can we learn something from how Christ addresses each of the seven churches?

Grace to you and peace: 

We, God’s people, may receive His grace and peace! No need to fear!

Him who is and who was and who is to come,

See Exodus 3:14-16 : I AM WHO I AM. the God of promise.

Who is to come: not: Who will be.

The seven Spirits before His throne:

Seven spirits: the Holy Spirit. Everywhere present.

Verse 5: Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

Faithful witness: He speaks the truth.

Witness: martyr: witnessing by giving His life. Good Friday!

Martyr: one of the themes of the book: victory by martyrdom.

Firstborn from the dead: His victory. Also: firstborn. Not only one.

Ruler: to Him is given ALL authority in heaven and on earth, see Matt. 28.

            Questions for discussion:

• Verse 5: witness: martyr: this speaks about suffering. The Book of Revelation is given to the church to prepare her for and encourage her in the sufferings that come over her. The churches in Australia in our time haven’t seen a whole lot of suffering yet. How do we have to see this: should we expect more suffering? Or is it because we shy away from witnessing out of fear for suffering? Or is there something else we should consider here?
• At the moment, as a result of government measures, we experience a bit of what our brothers and sisters in China and other countries are suffering: not being able to meet together, except in small groups. How does this present situation influence the way you appreciate the fellowship which we may experience on Sundays?

How important is the fellowship with each other to you?

To Him who loved us 

Love of Christ for His church very clear throughout this book.

He gave His own life, for us. The church is precious to Him!

and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

This sets the Church apart from the world: see 7:14. They are righteous.(see 14:4-5; 19:8-9)

and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, 

see 1 Peter 2:9, Ex. 19:6

to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Everything to the glory of God: redemption, calling, also punishment over unbelievers.

Verse 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.

With the clouds: see His Ascension, Acts 1:11

Daniel 7:13: ‘with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man’.

Every eye, even they who pierced Him: frightening for them.

all tribes of the earth: they see Him whom they persecuted coming as judge from heaven.  

Yes, Amen.

Verse 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.”

Alpha and Omega: first and last letter of Greek alphabet.

Beginning and End. Repeated in vs. 11.

The Almighty.