As we continue our study of Revelation, this time we’ll begin to look at John’s vision while on the island of Patmos, which was a small island in the Aegean Sea. It was southwest of Ephesus and between Asia Minor and Greece. According to several early church fathers (Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Eusebius), John was sent to this island as a prisoner following his effective pastorate at Ephesus. Victorinus, the first commentator on the Book of Revelation, stated that John worked as a prisoner in the mines on this small island. When the Emperor Domitian died in A.D. 96, his successor, Nerva, let John return to Ephesus. During John’s bleak days on Patmos, God gave him this tremendous revelation, which is the final book of the Bible.
“Patmos was a small rocky island to which the apostle John was banished and where he wrote the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:9). The island, about 16 kilometers (ten miles) long and ten kilometers (six miles) wide, lies off the southwest coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Because of its desolate and barren nature, Patmos was used by the Romans as a place to banish criminals, who were forced to work at hard labor in the mines and quarries of the island. Because Christians were regarded as criminals by the Roman emperor Domitian (ruled A.D. 81–96), the apostle John probably suffered from harsh treatment during his exile on Patmos. An early Christian tradition said John was in exile for 18 months.” (Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).
Let’s pick up our study at verse 9.
v.9, “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos, because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
- This section begins with the expression “I, John.” This is the third reference to John as the human author in this chapter.
- v.9b, He describes himself as their “brother” in Christ because he and the persecuted believers were partners in suffering:
o He was a “fellow partaker in the tribulation” that the seven churches were experiencing under the Roman rulers.
o He was bound to them through the ties of spiritual life and kinship, and therefore was a companion of theirs.
- He partnered not only in their trouble, but also in the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ.
- And in the “perseverance,” or patient endurance, that they too were suffering because of their dedication to Christ:
o This “perseverance,” or patience, is the idea of the hope that their faith produces.
- v.9c, He says he “was on the isle of Patmos”:
o The Romans used Patmos to banish political prisoners.
- John was there “because of the Word of God and testimony of Jesus”:
o So, we know that it was because of his faithfulness to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, that John was exiled or banished.
o According to the early church fathers, John was forced to labor in the mines on the island.
v.10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,”
- v.10a, “in the Spirit”: What does that mean?
o This phrase indicates a condition into which God placed John for the purpose of giving him the revelations that we read about in this book.
o It was a state in which his ordinary senses of the flesh were suspended and somehow his spiritual senses were opened, or heightened.
o God brought John’s spirit into direct contact with the invisible spiritual world and with the things in God’s own mind.
o His experience transcended the bounds of normal human understanding.
o Under the Holy Spirit’s control, John was transported to an experience and perception beyond that of the human senses.
o While in that state, God supernaturally revealed things to him.
o Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Peter and Paul all had similar experiences.
v.10b, John received this vision “on the Lord’s day”:
- Some argue that this is refers to a period of time known as the “Day of the Lord” spoken of by the prophets:
o However, “the Day of the Lord” is a phrase used to as a description of the judgments that will come upon the world during the Great Tribulation,
o But, due to the Greek construction of the words, it is best understood as a reference to Sunday.
- Also, the vision that John received had nothing to do with the “Day of the Lord”:
o It was a vision of Christ’s present ministry in the Church and what the future coming of the Day of the Lord will look like, as God sends forth His wrath upon the earth and those who reject Him and His Son, Jesus.
- In the second century, the phrase “the Lord’s Day” was widely used to refer to Sunday. In western culture, it used to be known as “the Lord’s Day,” meaning Sunday:
o This was because Christ’s resurrection happened on a Sunday.
v.10c, “and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet.”
- John hears a loud voice “like the sound of a trumpet.” You know what a trumpet sounds like!
- Throughout the Scriptures we see trumpets being used to announce, or signal, very important events:
o A trumpet sounds and the dead will be raised imperishable.
o A trumpet signals the catching away (Rapture) of the church.
o Six trumpet blasts trigger six judgments upon the earth.
o You can’t miss it when a trumpet sounds!!!
o This voice that John hears is unmistakable; it’s as clear as the blast of a trumpet.
v.11, “saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
- The word “write” is in the imperative form, which means that it is a command:
o The voice commands John to record what he sees and he is to “send it to the seven churches.”
- As we said last time, these seven churches were in the area known as Asia Minor, what is now modern day Turkey.
- These churches were probably chosen because they were located in the key cities of the seven postal districts into which Asia was divided:
o They were the central points for the distribution of information.
- We’ll take a closer look at these individual churches in chapters 2 - 3.
v.12, “And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands;”
- It appears that his back was to the voice that was speaking to him so he “turned to see the voice that was speaking.”
- When he turned he saw “seven golden lampstands.” These lampstands are later explained, in v.20, to represent the seven churches.
- The lampstands symbolize the churches as great lights in a world filled with darkness:
o Paul writes in Philippians 2:15, “that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,”
- Notice that these lampstands are described as “golden”:
o Gold was the most precious of metals in John’s day.
o The golden metal, as in the days of the tabernacle and the temple, also represents the Deity and glory of Christ.
o It’s also important to note that the church is to God the most beautiful and valuable entity on earth.
o So valuable, that Jesus was willing to purchase it with His own blood.
o These were real churches in real places, but they also represent all kinds of churches that exist throughout all of church history.
v.13, “and in the middle of the lampstands One like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His breast with a golden girdle.”
- “In the middle of the lampstands”:
o Meaning In and amongst the lampstands.
- The glorified Christ, the Lord of the Church, is moving among His churches:
o He said, “I will build My Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
- “one like a son of man” :
o This is a frequent title found in the gospels. The title emphasizes Christ’s humanity and Messianic position.
- John now begins to describe what he saw Jesus wearing:
o It’s not an accident that He is wearing these articles of clothing.
- “… clothed in a robe that reaches to his feet” :
o This type of robe was worn by royalty, kings and prophets.
o The word translated “robe” in the Greek text was a robe worn by the high priest of the Old Testament.
o While Christ is presented as a prophet and a king, His majesty and dignity are emphasized.
o The robe here, pictures Christ in His role as the great high priest for His people.
- “… and girded across his breast with a golden girdle”:
o This phrase serves to reinforce what we just said: the high priest in the Old Testament wore just such a sash.
Now John begins to try his best to describe what Jesus looks like.
In an attempt to describe this amazing vision that he is having, John is searching for words to help the churches understand what he saw.
He uses the word “like” frequently, which indicates that he may have been unable to truly describe what he was seeing.
v.14, “And His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire;”
- v.14a, “his head and hair were white, like wool or snow” :
- This description is similar to the description we read in Daniel 7:9, “I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool.”
o This parallel description helps affirm Christ’s Deity; He is God.
o He possesses the same attributes of holiness and wisdom as the Ancient of Days, that is, God the Father.
o “white” is the Greek word, leukos, which means bright or blazing or brilliant.
o It symbolizes Christ’s eternal, glorious, holy truthfulness.
o “White,” here, has the idea of complete purity rather than that of age.
- v.14b, “and His eyes were like a flame of fire”:
o This phrase speaks of the searching righteousness and divine judgment upon all that is impure.
o His searching, revealing, infallible gaze penetrates to the very depths of His Church, revealing to Him, with absolute clarity, everything there is to know about His Church.
v.15, “and His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.”
- v.15a, The metal described here as “burnished bronze” symbolizes Divine judgment as seen in the Old Testament types of the brazen altar and other items of brass used in connection with sacrifice for sin.
- In ancient times, kings sat on elevated thrones, so those being judged would always be beneath the king’s feet:
o The feet of a king came to symbolize his authority.
- The red-hot, glowing feet of the Jesus picture Him moving through His Church to exercise His authority, to correct or discipline His Church as needed.
- v.15b, “and His voice was like the sound of many waters.”
o Perhaps like the familiar sound of the surf crashing on the Isle of Patmos during a storm. His thundering voice was also revealing the majesty and power of the Son of Man.
o And when that majesty and power is made fully known, then, every human authority must bow before Him.
v.16, “And in His right hand He held seven stars; and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.”
- v.16a, We don’t know what these seven stars are just yet. We’ll find out in verse 20.
- We do know that, because these stars are in His right hand, He is in total control of these stars.
- v.16b, “and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword”:
o This sword represents divine judgment.
o In chapter 19, the sharp two-edged sword will defend the Church against external threats.
o But there is a sense, here at least, that this is speaking of divine judgment against enemies from within the Church:
§ Those who attack Christ’s Church, those who would sow seeds of discord or strife.
§ Those who would do harm to His people, whether from within or from without, will be personally dealt with by the Lord of the Church.
§ This should be quite a warning for those who grumble; for those who stir up trouble; those who gossip and slander; those who sit in judgment of others, those with a hidden agenda or are seeking power within a local church.
§ This is Jesus’ church, not ours!!!
o John saw a sharp double-edged sword coming out of His mouth. This type of sword was used by the Romans in a stabbing action designed to kill.
o Jesus Christ is no longer a baby in Bethlehem, or a man of sorrows crowned with thorns. He was now the Lord of glory!!
- v.16c, “and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.”
o John’s vision culminates in a description of the radiant glory that he saw on the face of Jesus.
o He could only describe it as “like the sun shining in its strength.”
o The bright light that is often manifest by the glory of God was seen by John.
o Just as it was seen by Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration; just as it was seen by Paul on the road to Damascus.
o That bright shining light, which is terrifying to the sinner, gives assurance to the believer.
o The glory of God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, should shine in and through any Christian church. The church should be a reflection of His glory to the world. And that, then, results in Him being glorified by us.
o In our glorified body, we will be able to see the Lord in all His glory.
o That assurance is given in 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.”
That was a lot of information to take in! Stay with me and we’ll continue with verse 17.
v.17, “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last”:
- v.17a, “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man.” :
o Fear was the normal reaction for those who had experienced such heavenly visions:
§ Daniel had no strength left in him when the angel appeared to him.
§ Isaiah cried out, “Woe is me, for I am ruined!”
§ Ezekiel’s response was the same; he fell on his face.
o Paul was struck to the ground in a similar way when he saw Christ in His glory.
o About 60 years earlier, John had put his head on Jesus’ chest and ate with Him. But now, John could not be quite so informal with the Lord of glory.
- v.17b-18a, “And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One;”
o Jesus’ touch was one of comfort and assurance. “Do not be afraid” is literally, “stop being afraid.” He was compassionate and reassuring in His words.
o The comfort Jesus offered was based on who He is and the authority He possesses.
- v.18b, “I am the first and the last, and the living One;”
o Jesus identifies Himself as “the first and the last.” That’s a title used of God in the Old Testament.
o When all the false gods are gone, only He remains. He existed before them and He will continue to exist eternally, long after all of mans’ gods have disappeared.
- v.18c, He is also “the living one”:
o Here is a third title used to express His Deity.
o Throughout the Scriptures we see this title used of God.
o God is the eternal, uncaused, self-existent one.
- The One who’s presence struck fear into John’s heart, the “I Am,” the first and the last, the Living One, the One whose death freed John from his sins is the very One who comforted and reassured John in this moment of fear.
v.18c, “and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore,”
- The Living One, the eternally existing One, the One with no beginning and no end, the Alpha and the Omega.
- He took up residence in a human body and, literally, from the Greek, “became dead.”
- In His humanness He died, without ceasing to live as God.
- 1 Peter 3:18 tells us that He was “put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.”
- He became dead, but now, after His resurrection, He is alive forevermore:
o Never to die again!
o He defeated death and the grave.
o And that’s what leads us to the next part of the verse.
v.18d, “and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”
- “keys” means control or access:
o He controls life and death:
§ Eternal life and eternal death.
§ All the redeemed, all those who by faith have believed and received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, need not fear.
§ He has already conquered death and the grave and promises us imperishable bodies.
- In John 11:25, He has declared that “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live, even if he dies”
o Because he lives, we too will live.
v.19, “Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things.”
- Jesus commands John to record or write:
o The things that He has already seen.
o The things that are right now.
o And the things that will take place in the future.
v.20, “As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels [or messengers] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
- Here Jesus explains the symbolism behind the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands.
- The “seven stars,” – Are they “angels” or “messengers?”
o In the Greek text, angellos can mean angels or messengers.
o More than likely these are not angels, because the seven letters in Revelation 2-3 contain reprimands against the messengers, its doubtful that these “messengers” are heavenly messengers.
o Also, angels are never considered to be heads of churches.
o More than likely, these are earthly leaders, or earthly messengers, that John is writing to and they are accountable to God for the churches that they represent.
- “the seven lampstands are the seven churches”:
o The seven golden lampstands, among which Christ had been standing in v.13, represent the seven churches to which this letter would be circulated.
o The churches may have been facing difficulties and persecution, but they must never forget that Christ is standing among them, totally in control.
o We, as modern-day believers must remember the same thing. Remember who’s in charge.
Whew!! That was a lot to digest. Thanks for staying with me as we continue to learn more about future events, events that have not yet happened but will, most assuredly takes place as God moves us towards the culmination of human history at some time, yet future.
May the Lord bless you as you study and learn from His Word.
By His Grace,
Gary T. Dromi, Ph.D., D.Min.
