Chapter 1
1:1, to reveal the second coming of the Lord. A semaino, a sign.
1:2, the Word of God is OT and NT. They are one, a whole book is the Word of God..
1:3, this book has 7 blessings, here is the first. The rest is at 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7,14. By faith we received the prophecies. The time is near !
1:4, the writer is John. And his caller is the LORD, Jahweh, in Exodus 3:14, He had called Moses. "I am who I am" He is eternal. He is the Only One, Universe Controller. The Judge is at the door.
The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit, The triune God. The trinity is forever and ever.
1:6, those years, God had made a covenant with him at Sinai. A kingdom belongs to priesthood and holiness. (Exodus 19:6) Jesus Christ is our King. We are His nations and His servants.
1:7, Those Jews and Romans will see Him. They had crucified Him on the cross. Amen. This is truth.
1:8, Alpha and Omega, He is the beginning of the world and He is the ending of the world. Jesus Himself confirmed this in Rev 22:13.
1:9, there are "tribulations" with the "kingdom" and "patient" is needed. "The End" is coming. He will come to restored His kingdom on earth. The difficulties and tribulations are a must for his followers. The conditions are becoming worst and worsen. Because of Immanuel, the follower lived in peace. God gave the power to endure.
The church was persecuted, the more the persecutions, and the more the Word becoming real to us, and the revival comes. Even John saw visions.
1:10, The Lord's day. The first day, the Sunday. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is on this day. They did not followed the Sabbath day, the Saturday, like the Jewish brothers any longer. They changed the habit of Sabbath day, from Saturday to Sunday.
They changed it to the first day, to remember the salvation and resurrection of the Lord. (Act 20:7, 1 Cor 16:2) The Word of Sabbath is still in the OT, and also in NT, but the meaning of keeping it already changed. The meaning is more important than mere word! John heard the sound like a trumpet, what does it means?
1:11, Seven churches were mentioned. They were in a circle. Jesus Christ is in the middle. The center!
1:12-14, seven lamp stands are seven churches. John saw a figure looked like a man. He is the Glorious Jesus Christ. He is wearing the garment like a priest. He is living, resurrected, highly saluted and worshipped. (Daniel 7:9) He has wisdom, reverence, and eyes like a fire, in His hands are the seven stars.
1:17, when John saw this scenery, he fell down. God revealed Himself to John. He is in fear and happiness. "Do not fear, do not afraid to die." He overcomes death. No matter what happened in our surroundings, He gives us a brighter tomorrow. A bigger hope.
1:19, John said he saw, and he wrote what he had seen. The things in the future. In the vision. Those things must happened.
1:20, seven stars, what does it means?
Thoughts:
The word of God is a sign in this book. What is that sign?
The time is nearer, but Jesus only mentioned two words, Alpha, omega in Greek!
The word "sabbath" is sabbath, a perfect word is a perfect word, what does it means, is more important than mere word it self.
The sound of the trumpet, what doest it means?
Seven stars, what is this means to us?
Seven lamp stands, where they are?
Conclusion, even we had the perfect manuscripts in our hands we dare not to interprete this chapter according to our understanding,
the meaning is more important than the word!
I hope the VPP theologians are very sure about the meaning of each word.
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