Introduction to the book of
Revelation
This is where we find out who is speaking, what the context is, who is
involved, what/who this is about, etc.?
Who is speaking, to whom are they speaking?
Revelation 1:1-2
“1 The Revelation of Yeshua Christ, which Elohim gave unto him, to shew
unto 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 Elohim, and of the testimony of Yeshua
Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
Abba gave His Son Yeshua the things which would shortly come to pass,
so He could show His servants (His disciples and us). Yeshua sent His angel to
John, His servant, to show John these visions.
What we are to do with this information…
Revelation 1:3
“3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at
hand.”
We are to read and hear the words in this book of prophecy. We are to
keep these things that are written in it because “the time is at hand”, meaning
it won’t be long until these things happen.
What does it mean to read, hear, and keep the words in this book?
Let’s look at the Hebrew meanings of these words to find out…
“Read” = Hebrew “qara” = to call out to, call (for, forth, upon), cry
(unto), invite, mention, (give) name, preach, make proclamation, be announced,
pronounce, publish, read, say; read aloud; utter a loud sound.
“Hear” = Hebrew “shama” = attention, obedience; to tell; call (gather)
together, consent, consider, be content, declare, diligently, discern, give
ear, make to hear, tell, listen, be obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclamation,
publish, regard, report, shew (forth), make a sound, tell, understand,
whosoever (heareth), witness; hear exultantly of their fate; hear with
attention, interest, listen to; understand; listen, give heed; consent, agree;
obey, be obedient; yield to; hear and answer, hear and deliver; be regarded,
obeyed; { he caused the people (accusative) to hear and respond, i.e. he
assembled them}.
“Keep” = Hebrew “shamar” = be-ward, be circumspect, take heed to self,
keeper, self, mark, look narrowly, observe, to hedge about, Guard; to protect,
attend to, preserve, regard, reserve, wait for, watchman.
Who is this book written to?
Revelation 1:4-6
“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 Yeshua 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 Elohim and his Father; to him
be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
John is writing to the 7 churches in Asia, letting them know these
words come from him, Abba, the 7 Spirits before Abba’s throne, Yeshua (the
faithful Witness and 1st begotten of the dead, the Prince of the
kings of the earth) Who made us kings and priests unto Yeshua and Abba.
Confirmation of Who this is from…
Revelation 1:7
“7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they
also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of
him. Even so, Amen.”
Yeshua will come with clouds and everyone will see Him, this includes
those who pierced Him, everyone on the earth will see Him.
Revelation 1:8
“8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith Adonai,
which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Abba and Yeshua are the beginning and the ending, the first and the
last, the Alpha and Omega, They are EVERYTHING – which was, which is, and which
is to come – the Almighty.
Who is the one conveying this information to us, what is the context
of this information, who is this written to?
Revelation 1:9-11
“9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and
in the kingdom and patience of Yeshua Christ, was in the isle that is called
Patmos, for the word of Elohim, and for the testimony of Yeshua Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on Adonai'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
seest, 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.”
John was taken, in the Spirit on Shabbat, to the isle of Patmos. He
heard a Great Voice behind him talking like as a trumpet telling him to write
this book of prophecy to the 7 churches.
Who/What John saw…
Revelation 1:12-15
“12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with 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.”
John saw Yeshua standing behind him in the midst of 7 golden
candlesticks, clothed with a garment down to His food and girt about his legs
and hips with a golden girdle. Yeshua’s head and hair were white and His eyes
were flames. Yeshua’s feet were glowing hot brass and His voice sounded like a
lot of waters (could also mean like a lot of languages).
Revelation 1:16
“16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went
a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his
strength.”
Yeshua was holding 7 stars in His right hand and His mouth was like a
sharp two-edged sword (His Words “cut both ways” – hurt you to the bone but are
healing). Yeshua’s countenance shines bright like the sun in strength.
How Yeshua describes Himself:
Revelation 1:17-18
“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 liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Yeshua, Who was born on this earth as the Son of Adonai, Who walked and
taught the Torah to everyone, Who suffered blead and died for out disobedience
to Abba’s Word, He is the First and the Last, He is the One Who lived, died,
and Who lives ever more. Yeshua is the One Who has the keys of hell and of
death, He knows the Way the Truth and the Life because He is the Way the Truth
and the Life. He showed us how to “work out our faith” by following Abba’s
Torah.
Philippians 2:12
“12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear
and trembling.”
Isaiah 53
“1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of Adonai
revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out
of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him,
there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted
with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we
esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did
esteem him stricken, smitten of Elohim, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we
are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his
own way; and Adonai hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth:
he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is
dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his
generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the
transgression of my people was he stricken.9 And he made his grave with the
wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence,
neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased Adonai to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when
thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall
prolong his days, and the pleasure of Adonai shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by
his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their
iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall
divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto
death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Abba is giving Yeshua, Who is giving to John, the visions of the
things which are and which shall be…
Revelation 1:19
“19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are,
and the things which shall be hereafter;”
The Mystery of the 7 Stars and the 7 Golden Candlesticks:
Revelation 1:20
“20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand,
and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”
The 7 Stars = the 7 Angels of the 7 churches
The 7 Candlesticks = the 7 churches
So Yeshua is surrounded by the 7 churches and in His Hand are the
Angels of those 7 churches.
Keep in mind, these letters are from Abba to Yeshua so He could give
them to His servants. Yeshua gave them to His angel, and the angel then gave
them to John to write down for the churches. I submit to you that these letters
were so these churches would know where they stood in Abba’s eyes. They were
also for the angels of these churches because the angels are responsible for
helping these churches get through the problems they have and helping these
churches to correct those problems (as seen through Abba’s eyes, not man’s eyes).
We see this in Luke 4 and in Psalm 91…
Luke 4:9-12
“9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the
temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of Elohim, cast thyself down from
hence:
10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to
keep thee:
11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou
dash thy foot against a stone.
12 And Yeshua answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt
Adonai thy Elohim.”
The promise referred to in Luke is found in Psalm, given to everyone
that dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High, who also will abide under the
Shadow of the Almighty…
Psalm 91:1, 9-16
“1 He that dwelleth in the Secret Place of the most High shall abide
under the Shadow of the Almighty.”
“9 Because thou hast made Adonai, which is my refuge, even the most
High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh
thy dwelling.
11 For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all
thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot
against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the
dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in
trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My Salvation.”
Verse 11 above “For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep
thee in all thy ways.”, was told to those who were following Torah (Adonai’s
Ways). I submit to you that the angels were charged to keep watch over the
children of Israel who were keeping Torah, and they were charged to help the
children to stay in Adonai’s Ways (Torah). These are the ones who love Adonai,
who Adonai will deliver and set on high because they follow His Torah and
thereby know His Name (Yeshua, His Son). Those are the ones Adonai will answer
when they call, the ones He will be with in trouble, the ones Adonai will honor
and give long life to and give His Salvation (Yeshua) to. The children of Israel
who keep Adonai’s Torah are the ones who have this promise, and all of the
promises of Adonai.
Revelation 1:12-13
“…And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst
of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man…”
“Candlestick” in Hebrew is “menorah” = noun feminine lampstand; seven-branched
lampstand in tabernacle; candlestick.
“Candlestick” in Greek is “luchnia” = a lamp-stand (literally or
figuratively) -- candlestick.
Yeshua was standing in the midst of the 7 golden candlesticks. The
candlesticks that were made for the sanctuary in Exodus were made of pure gold.
Exodus 25:31-32, 36, 40
“31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work
shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his
knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches
of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick
out of the other side:”
“36 …all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.”
“40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed
thee in the mount.”
How was this candlestick to be made?
· * It was to be made of pure gold – Yeshua is pure,
perfect, sinless (He followed Abba’s Torah perfectly).
· * This candlestick was to be made of beaten work -
Yeshua was beaten for our transgressions of the Torah.
· * There were to be 3 branches on each side of the
candlestick – 6 branches in total.
· * All of the parts for this candlestick were to be
made of beaten pure gold – one complete piece, not pieces attached to each
other.
· * This candlestick was to be made according to the
pattern Adonai showed Moses of how to make it.
We know that the pattern Adonai showed Moses for how everything for the
sanctuary was to be made is a shadow of how things are in Heaven:
Hebrews 8:5
“5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses
was admonished of Elohim when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See,
saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in
the mount.”
Revelation 21:10-14, 21-23
“10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain,
and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven
from Elohim,”
11 Having the glory of Elohim: and her light was like unto a stone most
precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the
gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the
twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south
three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the
names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
“21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of
one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent
glass.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for Adonai Elohim Almighty and the Lamb
are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine
in it: for the glory of Elohim did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light
thereof.”
The New Jerusalem:
·
Has the Glory of Elohim, the Light of the Lamb,
Yeshua (vs.11,23).
o
Matthew 7:5-12
“5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own
eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's
eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast
ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn
again and rend you.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread,
will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good
things to them that ask him?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
·
A great and high Wall (vs.12) with 12 gates that
were the names of the tribes of the children of Israel – the only way through
the Wall around New Jerusalem is through one of the 12 gates – through being
one of the tribes of the children of Israel (either by birth or by being
grafted into one of the tribes).
o
Matthew 7:13-14
“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go
in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
·
The Wall has 12 foundations – the 12 apostles of
Yeshua. You can only enter into the New Jerusalem if you are one of the children
of the tribes of Israel and your foundation must be of the 12 disciples. Their
foundation is Yeshua. Yeshua is Torah in the flesh (John 1:1). So you must be
of one of the tribes of Israel and you must follow Torah as Yeshua and the
disciples did – Torah must be your foundation – you must build your house on
the Rock and not on the sand.
o
Matthew 7:21-27
“21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which
is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name
done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a
rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon
a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon
the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of
it.”
·
There will be no temple therein. Adonai Elohim
Almighty and the Lamb Yeshua HaMashiach are the temple of the New Jerusalem
(vs.22).
o
Matthew 24:1-2
“1 And Yeshua went out, and departed from the temple: and
his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Yeshua said unto them, See ye not all these things?
verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another,
that shall not be thrown down.”
o
John 2:19
“19 Yeshua answered and said unto them, Destroy this
temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
·
Yeshua is the Temple and the Light:
o
John 1:1-5, 9-14
“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim,
and the Word was Elohim.
2 The same was in the beginning with Elohim.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any
thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness
comprehended it not.”
“9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that
cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and
the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to
become the sons of Elohim, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of Elohim.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we
beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of
grace and truth.”
o
John 10:22-30
“22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication,
and it was winter.
23 And Yeshua walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How
long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Messiah, tell us plainly.
25 Yeshua answered them, I told you, and ye believed not:
the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I
said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow
me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and
no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.”
Yeshua is the Temple, Yeshua is the Light!
Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Yeshua is the Torah made flesh – the Lamp. Yeshua is the Light of the
Lamp. Yeshua lights our path through Himself. Yeshua is Torah and Light, Spirit
and Truth!
John 14:10-21
“10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?
the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else
believe me for the very works' sake.
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works
that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I
go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it
seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you,
and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me:
because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and
I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth
me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and
will manifest myself to him.”
1 John 2:3-6
“3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of Elohim
perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even
as he walked.”
We are to follow Yeshua and walk as He walked, in Torah. We can see
this in Yeshua’s prayer to our Father, Abba, in Heaven…
John 17
“1 These words spake Yeshua, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and
said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify
thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true Elohim,
and Yeshua HaMashiach, whom thou hast sent.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which
thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory
which I had with thee before the world was.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of
the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy
word.
7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are
of thee.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they
have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they
have believed that thou didst send me.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou
hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in
them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I
come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast
given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those
that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of
perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that
they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because
they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that
thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them
into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be
sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee,
that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent
me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may
be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and
that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou
hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me
where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou
lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known
thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that
the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
