2. and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

3.  Word of God  Savior  Lord  Prophet  Priest  King

4. Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

5.  Daniel 7:13 "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.  Zech. 12:10 "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

6.  Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

7.  Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.“  Why is this important?

8.  at the end-so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled. It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded Amen, and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own.

9.  The word "amen" is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related—in fact, almost identical—to the Hebrew word for "believe" (amam), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean "sure" or "truly", an expression of absolute trust and confidence. (HMM)

10. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

11.  Isaiah 41:4 Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He.’"  Isaiah 44:6 "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

12.  And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’" Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’

13. I.Introduction A.Greeting 1:1-8 B.The Commission to write 1:9-20

14. I.Introduction A.Greeting 1:1-8 B.The Commission to write 1:9-20

15. I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

16.  Tribulation  Kingdom  Perseverance

17.  There were for 18 months  Victorius in A.D. 303 says the John worked the salt mines  Tacitus, The Annals 3.68 speaks of such an exile and says that he was not allowed to kill the prisoners  He also said their wives were ordered to go with them  Juvenal, Satires 1.73-74

18. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,

19.  Only time used in the New Testament  It is important because it shows us that by the 90’s everyone knew when “the Lord’s day” was  Ignatius, Manesicas 9.1, says Sunday is the Lord’s day  Didache, 14.1 they came together every Lord’s day and broke bread

20.  What does this mean?  Prophetic phrase  Rev. 1:10  Rev. 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.  Rev. 17:3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

21.  Rev. 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,  Ezekiel 3:12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice:  Ezekiel 3:14 So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.  Ezekiel 8:3 He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem

22. saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

24. Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

25.  The Seven churches, vs. 20

26.  Daniel 7:13-14 "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

27.  We get more information about the son of man  Vs. 5- 6 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

28.  Looks like man  White hair  Burning, glowing feet

29.  Looks like a man  Long robe Exodus 29:39 and a sash of fine woven linen with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, made by a weaver, as the LORD had commanded Moses.  Golden belt  Eyes of flaming fire  Burning, glowing feet  Loud powerful voice  Face shinning like a brilliant light

30.  Holding seven stars  One of Domitian’s son’s died and he was deified by his father and put on coins, his image was with seven stars in his hand  Sharp two edged sword

31.  And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

32.  Daniel 7:28 As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart.  Daniel 8:17 So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face

33.  Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.

34.  When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, "My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.

35.  Verse 28b This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.

36.  Verse 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

37.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

38.  While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid."

39.  "at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. "And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

41.  Isaiah 44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.  Isaiah 48:12-13 "Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens

42.  Used 15 times in the Old Testament  Used 10 times in the New Testament

43.  2 Timothy 1:10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

44.  Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

45.  The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

46.  Some say that every church has a guardian angel  Daniel 10:13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

47.  Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. "But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.)  Also see 12:1

48.  The word for angel is angelos  The word for preacher is euangelos

49. Revelation 2-3

50. II.The Message to the Seven Churches a. To the Church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7)

51. As we go through this and the other churches we have to ask a few questions: If Jesus wrote us a letter what would he say? Would he say something about doctrine? Something about our love? What would he say? If Jesus wrote us a letter what would he say? Would he say something about doctrine? Something about our love? What would he say? Which of the seven churches do we most look like? Which of the seven churches do we most look like?

52. ChurchDescriptionPraised forWarned about Ephesus (2:1-7)Loveless ChurchLabor Patience Not being those who are evil Testing false apostles Perseverance Hating the deed of the Nicolaitans Leaving their first love Smyrna (2:8-11)The Persecuted ChurchTribulation Poverty Faithfulness under persecution Pergamos (2:12-17)The Compromising ChurchHolding fast to Christ’s name Not denying the faith, even faced with martyrdom Allowing false teaching having to do with immorality and idolatry Holding fast and overcoming Thyatira (2:18-29)The Corrupt ChurchLove Service Faith Patience Allowing Jezebel to teach and seduce to immorality and idolatry Holding fast and overcoming SardisThe Dead ChurchA few faithful peopleDeadness, even though they had a reputation for being alive PhiladelphiaThe Faithful ChurchA little strength Keeping Christ’s word Not denying Christ’s name Perseverance Holding fast what they had and overcoming during coming tribulations Laodicea (3:13-20)The Lukewarm ChurchBeing Lukewarm Pretending to be well off spiritually when they were impoverished Need for repentance and overcoming

53. Ephesus Most important city in Asia Minor Most important city in Asia Minor Fourth most important city in all the Roman Empire Fourth most important city in all the Roman Empire About 250,000 lived there at that time About 250,000 lived there at that time

56. Occult Acts 19:19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. Acts 19:19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. Famous for the temple of Artemis Famous for the temple of Artemis Domitian had named Ephesus “guardian” of the imperial cult Domitian had named Ephesus “guardian” of the imperial cult