REVELATION CHAPTER ONE
Joseph Smith – “After I got through translating the Book of Mormon, I took up the Bible to read with the Urim and Thummim. I read the first chapter of Genesis and I saw the things as they were done. I turned over the next and the next, and the whole passed before me like a grand panorama; and so on chapter after chapter until I read the whole of it. I saw it all!” (Draper, p. 12)
Vs. 1 – The JST informs us that the revelation was given to John, from Jesus by means of an angel.
The term “signify” is from the Gk. “Semaino” and means not only to foretell but also to give a sign or identifying token. (Draper, p. 26) "John confirmed the authenticity of the vision by attesting that the angel presented him a heavenly sing as validation that his visit was authorized from God. (Brandt p. 8)
Vs. 2 – “word of God” a title for Jesus Christ. Is it here?
Vs. 3 – This verse is the first of 7 “Beatitudes” in Revelation. 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 22:14
Note the additional requirement from the JST
“The time is at hand” means “time is limited or short. See D&C 64:23 (now is called today until the coming of the son of man.)
This verse shows the pattern of the synagogue, one reads the scripture while the congregation listens
Vs. 4 - A good time to introduce the #7- It is used at least 54 times in the Book of Revelation. Look for 7 churches, candlesticks, stars, angels, thunders, seals, trumpets, persons, vials, judgments on the Harlot and 7 great events.
Where is Asia? We’ll look at the location of the 7 cities in chapter 2
Note the titles for Christ
"Him which is, and which was, and which is to come, is a reference to the Divine Name (YHWH) which carries the meaning, I was, I am, I will be." (Ogden, p. 341-2)
The JST clarifies the seven spirits and says that they are the leaders of the 7 churches.
The throne is located in heaven and is a symbol of God’s divine kingship
Vs. 5 – Note the names of Christ in this verse and that in the JST it is John – not Jesus who is the faithful witness. Note the reference to Christ's blood washing us from our sins. The ordinance of washing as performed anciently (Ex. 29:4; Lev. 16:26-28; Num. 19:7; TG Wash) and today in our temples point to Jesus' atoning blood, which serves as a cleansing agent from sin.
Vs. 6 – Those holding the Melchizedek priesthood are Kings (pertaining to earthly or temporal things) and Priests (pertaining to spiritual things).
John alludes to the concept of our becoming like God throughout the book. See 3:12, 21; 14:1; 22:4-5.
God and his Father – Joseph Smith used this passage when he taught about the plurality of Gods. See TPJS p. 369-76-"This does not refer to Elohim and his Son, Jesus, who is already spoken of in the previous verse. It refesrs to Elohim and his Father."
Vs. 7 – Clouds represent the (1) glory of God, (2) act as the chariot of God for travel through heaven & (3) symbolize a veil that conceals God from mortals
See the symbol sheet for a definition of “ten thousands”
When Christ comes he will be clothed in Red Garments - see Is. 63:1-2 & D&C 133:48.
They also which pierced him – See Zechariah 12:10; D&C 45:53
Even so is from the GK and Amen from the Hebrew. They represent a double affirmation to John’s testimony
Vs. 8 – Note the names of the Savior in this verse. They are John's and Jesus' way of saying, "Don't worry, I have always been here, I always will be and I know what is going on." See D&C 1:35-38 and 1Nephi 9:6.
Vs. 9 - John, no stranger to tribulation, writes to people who are going through a very tough time. He has a message from the One who knows the most about tribulation and it is, "I love you. I know what is going on and what will go on; I have been and will always be with you, and you will be ok." Isle of Patmos - Picture in new Bibles - An island about 60 miles southwest from Epesus, among the Spor’ades (stars not included in any constellation=sporadic) in the Aegean Sea (Named after King Aegeus, whose son Theseus promised to hoist a white sail on his voyage home to Athens from Crete, to signal that he was alive. Theseus forgot to do this & Aegeus, thinking his son was dead, committed suicide by throwing himself into the sea that was later named for him.) A Roman prison camp used for banishment. 398 square miles. 10 X 5 miles. Rocky and barren. Population 2,500. Many churches and a monastery.
From John, their brother and companion in tribulation. For the testimony of Jesus.
Deportatio= a permanent exile consisting of the loss of rights and property. Only the emperor could impose it.
Relegatio=from ½ to 10 years & involved no loss of rights or property. The Roman senate, a city prefect or other official could impose it.
John seems to have suffered relagatio.
Good things happen to good people when they are encarcerated. Help me with my list; Joseph in Egypt, Daniel, Joseph Smith, Alma and Amulek, Nephi and Lehi...
Vs. 10 – the Lord ’s Day was Sunday, see Bible Dictionary, "Lord's Day"
The word “as” is used 56 times in Revelation, almost always to introduce a symbol.
A trumpet was used to awaken, proclaim, introduce and call to arms. See Alma 29:1.
Vs. 11 – “Write in a book” – If Revelation had been written on a scroll it would have been about 12 feet long. Three scrolls are mentioned in the Book: 1:11; 5:1 – the one that the Lamb of God opens and 10:2 – the little book that an angel opens
The SEVEN churches symbolize ALL of the Churches.
Vs. 12 – the voice appears to be the voice of the Savior
“The word candlesticks reflects the King James translators’ familiarity with wax candles. What John actually saw, however, was a 7 branched menorah with a bowl at the top of each branch. Each bowl held olive oil into which a wick was placed and then lit, providing light. Lamps might be a better translation. (See Matt. 5:15) Olive oil was a source of light and also of healing. (Luke 10:34 –Good Samaritan parable) (Wilcox, p. 21)
The exact type of candlestick John saw is not really as important as the reason why the churches were represented by candlesticks and not by candles. Perhaps a significant lesson can be learned from this: people and the Church are not the actual light. The light is the Savior and his gospel. We have the responsibility to hold up the light just as a candlestick holds up the candle. (Williams)
Vs. 13 – the image of Jesus in the midst of the churches is significant. See Matt. 18:20
“Like unto the Son of man” – Many versions way “like a son of man or one who looked like a man. See Moses 6:57 where Jesus is described as the son of the Man of Holiness. Son of Man is the title he most often uses to refer to himself in the Gospels.
John is about to describe what it is like to look upon the Savior. Daniel 10:5-9; Ezekiel 1:26-28; and D&C 110:2-4 are other attempts.
Paps=chest, girdle=sash
"Sometimes the reader of Revelation is startled by some of the imagery and symbolism used by John. They seem almost bizarre at times in their unusual nature. This is due, however, to a basic difference in cultural background and the use of language. Most members of the Church today are products of Western (Occidental) civilization. The occidental peoples tend to use language like a contractor uses building materials; he builds structures which are concrete in detail and form. but the oriental world, of which the Holy Land was a part, is more artistic with its use of language. Words are but colors with which the artist paints verbal pictures. thus, the Oriental is usually more concerned with effect than with form and detail. Westerners say the sun is rising, while an Arab may say that it leaps from its bed of sleeping. John, of course, being Jewish, was a product of Oriental, not Occidental, culture. So his depiction of the Savior as having a sharp, 2-edged sword protruding from his mouth is perfectly acceptable, even though the Western mind trying to picture that image concretely may find it somewhat jarring to the sensitivities. To the Eastern mind the symbolism is most appropriate, for such a person is more concerned with the effect of the symbol that with its detail. Pushing the images and symbols of John's writings for literal interpretation will lead to baffling and sometimes grotesque pictures. But if one remembers the Oriental's love of imagery, such things as beasts with 7 heads, and 10 horns, armies compared to locusts, and prophets with fire coming from their mouths (11:5; 19:15) will become beautiful and profound symbols of eternal truth."(Institute Student Manual-Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, p. 451)
Vs. 14 – White=light purity & triumph. Hair=wisdom. Wool=Lamb of God. Eyes=knowledge. Hair=God’s omniscience. Flame of fire=brilliant glory
Vs. 15 – Fine brass=beauty, permanence. Sound of many waters=Describes power, uniqueness & intensity in the Lord’s voice
Vs. 16 – Right hand=Covenant hand, associated with righteousness, creation, execution of justice. Partake of sacrament, administer to sick, baptism, sustain
Seven stars=servants of the 7 churches
Shineth=shining in JST
Vs. 17-Fell at his feet – Others who fell – Abraham Gen. 17:3; Joshua 5:14; Peter James, John, Matthew 17:6; Brother of Jared, Ether 3:6; Nephite multitude, 3 Nephi 11:12; those who partook of the fruit of the tree after continually holding fast to the rod, 1 Nephi 8:30-31. John fell, even though he spent 3 years in the constant companionship of the Savior, including the Mount of Transfiguration and the Garden of Gethsemane. He is now seeing the glorified Lord. Note the Savior's compassion.
Vs. 18 – Keys of hell and of death – See 2 Nephi 9:10-13 – For more on keys see Rev. 9:1
Vs. 19 – John is commanded to write the things which Nephi was told not to write in 1 Nephi 14:14-28. Write the things which thou has seen=Christ as in 1:10-13
And the things which are=the 7 Churches
And the things which shall be hereafter=Rev. 4-22
Verse 20 – The word mystery comes from the GK. Musterion – It means silence imposed by initiation into religious rites. (Smith p. 9) That which is unknown until it is revealed by God.
This verse gives the interpretation of symbols previously presented. Note the JST and the repetition of the Right hand.
