5. AND SYMBOLS Revelation 1:19-20 19 Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter;--In verse 11 is the general command to write what he saw; in this verse the command is repeated with more definite instruction about what was to be written. He was to record what he had seen--the initial vision described in verses 12-18. This would show by what power and authority he wrote. The things "which are" would include the state of the seven churches then, which necessitated the instructions and rebukes found in the second and third chapters. Of this fact the contents of these chapters is sufficient proof. The things which were to come to pass "hereafter" must mean the future events from the time that John wrote. They are presented in the symbols found in chapters 4 to 22. The contents of these chapters furnish proof of this fact. That the things recorded in this third division extended into the future is evident because the last two chapters of the book unquestionably describe the final judgment and the heavenly state. Of course the symbols used to portray the future events were given to John in visions that came after he received the command to record them. 20 the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.--The word mystery does not mean something that cannot be understood, but something that is secret, hidden, or will not be understood, till its meaning is revealed. To find the hidden thing or make known the secret means that the symbols were to be explained. When the explanation was given the symbols were understood and the mystery known. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are seven churches.--John was told that the seven candlesticks "are seven churches." This language means that they represent or denote seven churches. Without this explanation the candlesticks would have been an unrevealed mystery, for it is evident that the word is used symbolically. A candlestick is intended to give light. Nothing is more certain than that God's people, individually and as congregations, are to be light bearers. Jesus told his disciples that they were "the light of the world (Matthew 5:14); Paul told the Philippians that they were "seen as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15). Since Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), and is represented in this vision as being in the midst of these seven churches, the light shed abroad by the churches came from him. He alone supplies the true light; faithful congregations reflect it to those about them. The seven stars are called the "angels of the seven churches." There is much difference of opinion regarding the proper application of the word "angels" in this instance. As a word it means "messenger" and would appropriately apply to any kind of messenger, heavenly or human. In the Old Testament it referred to either priest or prophet. (Malachi 2:7; Haggai 1:13.) It also referred to John the Baptist who announced the coming Messiah. (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 11:7-10.) In the cases being considered it must refer to beings to whom these short letters were addressed and by whom they would be delivered to the churches, not to heavenly angels. Addressing "the angel" (singular number) of each individual congregation is the reason for such divergence of views among commentators. The angel could not refer to the modern denominational "Bishop," exercising authority over a diocese, for "the angel" of each congregation is addressed. Elders, bishops, and pastors are words referring to the same class and each congregation had a plurality. (Acts 14:23.) There is no scriptural authority for any elder or bishop having preeminence over his fellow elders. Without reference to the various views in detail, the following seems most probable as well as in harmony with known Bible teaching. Seven candlesticks represent the seven congregations; each candlestick (singular) must therefore represent one congregation. But the congregation is made up of a plurality of individuals. In like manlier, as the eldership is made up of a plurality of persons, the star--angel--of each congregation may mean the whole eldership, the word being used collectively to describe the medium through which the messages would be delivered to the congregation. The position of the elders collectively as teachers and shepherds of the congregation lends much plausibility to this view. It can do no violence to any true scriptural teaching. The value of the seven letters, however, will not be affected by any failure on our part to determine with certainty the proper application of the word "angel" here. No plain facts regarding the apostolic churches must be set aside by any fanciful interpretations. LESSON 1. Read Revelation 1:1-8 1. What does the word "Revelation" mean? Ans. When applied to the Scriptures it means a making known or manifest, an uncovering of divine truth. 2. Give instances where Paul used the word in this same sense. Ans. Romans 16:25-26; Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:3. 3. By whom was The Revelation written? Ans. Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. 4. By what other name may the words of the book of Revelation be called? Ans. Revelation 1:3. 5. What did Peter say about the interpretation of prophecy? Ans. 2 Peter 1:20. 6. Why is prophecy not of "private interpretation?" Ans. 2 Peter 1:21. 7. What other books of the Bible did John write? Ans. Search the New Testament. 8. Unto what office had Jesus appointed John? Ans. Matthew 10:2-4. 9. Where was John when these things were revealed to him? Ans. Revelation 1:9. 10. To whom is the book of Revelation addressed? Ans. Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 22:16. 11. From whom did John receive the Revelation? Ans. Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:17-19. 12. Of what three things does John bear witness? Ans. Revelation 1:2. I3. What does Christ "show unto his servants" in this book? Ans. Revelation 1:1. 14. Were these things signified, shown by signs and symbols unto John, or were they revealed without symbolic language? Ans. Revelation 1:1. 15. Give two other instances where John uses the term "signify" in the same sense. Ans. Jno. 12: 33; 21: 18, 19. 16. Name three things man must do to receive the blessedness of this book. Ans. Revelation 1:3. 17. What assurance do we have of the truth and trustworthiness of this book? Ans. Revelation 19:9; Revelation 21:5; Revelation 22:6. 18. Name thre e titles which were applied to Christ. Ans. Revelation 1:5. 19. What has he done for us? Ans. Revelation 1:5. 20. What did he make us to be? Ans. Revelation 1:6. 21. How will Jesus come? Ans. Revelation 1:7; Acts 1:9-11; Luke 21:27. 22. Who shall see him at his coming? Ans. Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:30. 23. What will all the tribes of the earth do? Ans. Revelation 1:7. 24. Who are "they that pierced him?" Ans. Psalms 22:16; Jno. 19: 33-37. 25. Can you show that "they who pierced him" will be alive and able to see him at his coming? Ans. Revelation 1:7; Jno. 5: 28, 29. 26. What is the meaning of Alpha and Omega? Ans. Revelation 1:8; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13. FOR CLASS 1. Has it ever been possible for man to discover the fulfillment of a prophecy without the aid of inspiration? That is, did Peter, or John, or the two on the road to Emmaus , or the eunuch ( Acts 8:26-35), or any one else know that Jesus had fulfilled prophecy before the fulfillment was divinely revealed unto them? 2. Discuss the difference between a prophecy and a mere warning of an impending calamity as a consequence of man's disobedience. LESSON 2. THE FIRST VISION Read Revelation 1:9-20 1. In what three things did John say he was a partaker with other brethren? Ans. Revelation 1:9. 2. What kingdom were John and others in at that time? Ans. Colossians 1:13; Matthew 16:18-19. 3. How do we know that John in Revelation 1:9 refers to the present kingdom or church? Ans. Revelation 1:6 (American Standard Version). 4. Give passages where the word "kingdom" means the final state or heaven. Ans. Acts 14:22; 2 Peter 1:11. 5. Why was John in the isle of Patmos? Ans. Revelation 1:9. 6. On what day of the week was John "in the Spirit?" Ans. Revelation 1:10. 7. Give the only other passage in which the Greek word translated "Lord's" in Revelation 1:10 occurs in the New Testament. Ans. 1 Corinthians 11:20. 8. On what day of the week did Jesus arise from the dead? Ans. Matthew 28:1-6; Luke 24:1-3. 9. Why did the early Christians meet on the first day of the week? Ans. Acts 20: 7. 10. What did "a great voice" tell John to do? Ans. Revelation 1:10-11. 11. Name the seven churches of Asia. Ans. Revelation 1:11. 12. How many golden candlesticks did John see? Ans. Revelation 1:12. 13. What do the candlesticks represent? Ans. Revelation 1:20. 14. What was in the midst of the candlesticks? Ans. Revelation 1:13. 15. Describe the person John saw in the midst of the candlesticks. Ans. Revelation 1:13-15. 16. What did he have in his right hand? Ans. Revelation 1:16. 17. What do the seven stars represent? Ans. Revelation 1:20. 18. Who are the "angels of the seven churches"? Ans. No one knows; it has not been revealed. 19. What proceeded out of the mouth of the majestic person of this vision? Ans. Revelation 1:16. 20. What is the "sword of the spirit"? Ans. Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12. 21. What effect did this vision have on John? Ans. Revelation 1:17. 22. How was John given assurance to hear the things which would be revealed? Ans. Revelation 1:17-18. 23. What three classes of things was John told to write? Ans. Revelation 1:19. 1. Discuss the expression, "Keys of death and Hades." (See Luke 16:23; Acts 2:27; Revelation 20:13; Matthew 16:18-19.)