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Revelation

Embracing God’s Sovereignty and Victory over Evil

Revelation, also known as Apocalypse in some traditions, is a very complex and symbolic book in the Bible. Apostle John wrote this book during his exile on Patmos Island. It provides hope and warning for believers then and now.

Excerpt


The Book of Revelation offers a profound vision of the end times, revealing Christ’s ultimate victory over evil. Through vivid apocalyptic imagery, it explores God’s judgment. It also examines the perseverance of believers. The book promises a new heaven and earth, where God will reign eternally with His people.

Structure

The Book of Revelation can be broken down into four main parts:

1. Introduction and Letters to the Seven Churches (Chapters 1-3).

The Risen Glorified Jesus appeared to John and told him to write letters to seven churches in Asia Minor. These letters highlight the unique struggles, shortcomings, and strengths of each of the congregations.

Ephesus was praised for working hard, but criticized for losing her first love.

Smyrna stood out by remaining faithful under persecution.

Pergamum was condemned for allowing false teachings to flourish freely.

Thyatira stood out due to its affectionate service but later condemned for allowing immorality to flourish within her walls.

Sardis was described as spiritually dead, although there were still some faithful followers.

Philadelphia was commended and offered protection during times of trial.

Laodicea was condemned for being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold in her faith.

These letters are warnings and encouragements for believers to stay strong in their faith. This is important even when facing false teachings. It is also crucial during persecution or spiritual complacency.

2. The Vision of Heaven and the Seven Seals (Chapters 4-7)

John sees God seated on His throne in heaven. He is surrounded by angels and elders. There is a scroll bearing seven seals that only Jesus can open.

The first four seals reveal the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, representing conquest, war, famine and death.

The fifth seal reveals martyrs crying out for justice.

The sixth seal brings about cosmic disturbances signaling God’s final judgment of humanity.

The seventh seal depicts seven trumpets that portend more catastrophic events on earth.

3. The Seven Trumpets and the Conflict Between Good and Evil (Chapters 8-14).

With the sounding of each trumpet, extra judgments are unleashed upon the earth.

The first four trumpets bring destruction to nature through land, sea, rivers, and skies.

The fifth and sixth trumpets release demonic forces like locusts and horsemen that represent demonic powers.

The sounding of the seventh trumpet announces the arrival of God’s kingdom in the world. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.“Revelation 11:15.

After this, John sees great signs in heaven. John sees a pregnant woman (Israel) with the sun and the moon under her feet and crowned with 12 stars. A huge red dragon with seven heads, 10 horns, and 7 crowns (Satan) waited eagerly. It wanted to devour the baby (Jesus) as soon as he is born. When the woman gives birth to a son (Jesus), God snatched him up to heaven. The woman escaped to the wilderness, where she will find refuge from God for 1260 days.

4. The Seven Bowls, Final Judgment and Creation of a New Heaven and Earth (Chapters 15-22)

The final set of judgments are symbolized by God pouring out His wrath upon the earth through seven bowls. This results in plagues and devastation. It ultimately concludes with the battle of Armageddon, the Second Coming of Christ, and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom.

After Satan and the Beast are defeated, there is a judgment called the Great White Throne Judgment. During this judgment, everyone is judged based on their works. It also examines whether their names are written in the book of Life. Anyone whose name is not found in the book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

Revelation then moves from judgment to hope. John sees a vision of a New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem. Former things have passed away. God dwells with His people. New Jerusalem is a kingdom of everlasting peace and beauty. In this kingdom, there will be no death, sorrow, or pain. It comes down from heaven to unite everything together.

Key Themes

1. God is sovereign

Despite depicting scenes of chaos and evil, God remains sovereign. Revelation consistently emphasized God as sovereign over his creations. God’s divine plan includes judgments, the rise of evil forces, and the eventual dethroning of Satan. His will shall prevail, despite how dire things are at any given moment.

2. Christ’s victory over evil

The main idea of Revelation is Jesus Christ’s victory over evil. This victory includes His death and resurrection as the victorious Lion of Judah. It also includes His future triumph when He returns in glory to create His eternal kingdom.

3. Judgment and Justice

Revelation vividly portrays God’s just judgment upon sin, evil, and rebellion. It clearly says that those who go against Him and follow the ways of this world will be judged. It also gives hope to those being persecuted by promising that justice will win in the end.

4. Perseverance and Faithfulness

This book encourages believers to persevere even during times of struggle and persecution, through letters to seven churches. Remaining faithful is crucial, even in the face of opposition, false teachings, or persecution. Those who overcome will be rewarded with eternal life.

5. Hope and Restoration

While Revelation includes several disconcerting images of destruction and judgment, its ultimate message is one of hope. The final chapters describe a perfect world. In this world, evil is gone and God’s people have eternal peace and communion with Him. It is an image that promises us the coming of a New Heaven and New Earth. In this new heaven and earth, all things shall be made new once more.

Symbolism

Revelation is known for its complex use of symbolic language and numbers that can be difficult to interpret, including various significant symbols like:

Lamb: Representing Christ who was crucified yet triumphant over sin and death.

Dragon: Representing Satan, God’s primary antagonist.

Beast: Representing Antichrist, a political dictator who opposes God.

7: a symbol of perfection and completeness. There are 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls, 7 letters, 7 churches 7 lampstands, etc.

666: the number of Satan, a symbol of imperfection and opposition against God.

Applications

Revelation assures Christians that God is in control and has already triumphed through Jesus Christ, even in difficult times. This message provides strength to endure trials and persecution with faith.

God values perseverance, even in tough times. He encourages believers to stay faithful, rejecting compromise with worldly values, and resisting spiritual complacency.

Christians should always be ready for Christ’s return. They should live holy lives and be vigilant in their faith. He will come back again to rescue Israel in the baatle of Ammageddon. This is a prompt reminder from the book of Revelation.

This book reminds us of the consequences of sinful behaviors against God. It encourages us to repent and align ourselves with His will.

Revelation gives believers hope for an eternal transformed universe if they stay faithful. It promises a new heaven and earth to expect. Prioritizing spiritual matters over temporary concerns and focusing on developing one’s relationship with God is encouraged by this perspective.

Studying Revelation can remind Christians of hope, victory, and eternal promises. It also encourages them to live faithfully and expectantly in the current age.

Conclusion

The Book of Revelation stands as an extraordinary and mysterious text, filled with prophecy, symbolism and apocalyptic imagery. The text explains the spiritual battle between good and evil, with warnings of judgment and hopeful visions for believers. The book of Revelation has a significant message. Despite the difficulties in life and Satan’s temporary successes, Jesus Christ will come back to judge the world. He will create His eternal kingdom, where righteousness, peace, and joy will prevail forever.

Dr Andrew C S Koh

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bible study devotion

Rekindle your first love: devotion

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

mock up image of a book cover

Setting

Revelation 2 and 3 are Christ’s seven letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor i.e. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These letters had a seven-preset template consisting of, the destination church, a description of Christ, initial commendation, censure, a call to repentance to avoid serious consequences, final commendation, and a promise of rewards for those who overcome. Christ is omniscient. He knew all the strength and weaknesses about each of these churches. Each letter always ends with, “he who has a ear to hear, let him hear“, which is a call to listen very carefully. The letter to Ephesus was the first letter to first of the seven churches of Asia Minor, which is Turkey today. 

Revelation 2: 1-7

1 “To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write:“ He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands says these things: 2 “I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. 3 You have perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God

Revelation 2:1-7

Ancient Ephesus was infamous for pagan worship. It was home to the temple of Artemis, the centre of pagan worship of the Greek goddess Diana. Paul lived and ministered in Ephesus for 18 months during his third missionary journey. He taught in the synagogue for 3 months but when the hostile, unbelieving Jews persecuted him, he relocated to the school of Tyrannus, Acts 19: 9-10.. Here, he taught, preached, and shared the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles from Asia Minor. Timothy and apostle John also played prominent roles in the Ephesian church at various times. 

The destination church of this letter was Ephesus. Christ described Himself as “He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands”. The seven stars represent the seven angels of the seven churches. Christ holds the seven stars in His hands. The seven golden lamp stands or menorahs symbolize the seven churches of Asia Minor. Christ walks among the seven golden menorahs i.e. the seven churches. He had close and personal contact with the churches and was never far from them.

Now, the initial commendation. Christ is omniscient. He knew everything about the church of Ephesus. He knew about their suffering, perseverance, and faithfulness. He commended them because they discerned and  rejected evil men and false apostles. They endured hardship and persecution for Christ’s sake and in Christ’s name, and yet were faithful to their calling.

Now, the rebuke. Christ censured them for losing their first love for Him. They neglected personal time and intimacy with Christ such as quiet time, prayer, praise and worship, communion, and bible study. Christ encouraged the Ephesian Church, to repent and take steps to return  to Him. Work of the ministry cannot substitute personal time and fellowship with Christ. They must repent, dethrone self, enthrone Christ, surrender to Him, and make Him centre of their life.

Now, the warning. If they do not repent, Christ will come quickly and dismantle their church.

Now, the final commendation. Christ commended them for rejecting the works of the Nicolaitans. According to the second century church father, Irenaeus, Nicolaitans were followers of a Gnostic sect, founded by Nicolas of Antioch in Acts 6:5. Gnosticism is a dangerous, heretic cult to be rejected at all cost

Now, the promise of rewards. Those who overcome, hear, and heed His words will be rewarded with the fruit of the tree of life in the new heaven and new earth in the new Jerusalem.. 

God placed the tree of life in the centre of the garden of Eden for Adam and Eve to enjoy.  After the fall, Adam and Eve were banished from the garden of Eden. But God will bring back the tree of life into the new heaven and earth in the new Jerusalem, Revelation 22:2. Those who make it to heaven will be able eat the fruits from the tree of life. 

But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 19:9-10

On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:2

Application

Remember your first love for Christ? Remember how fervent you were when you first became a Christian?

Do not lose your first love for Christ. Do not allow your love for Christ to go cold. Do not neglect personal quiet times, bible study, prayer, praise and worship, and communion with the Lord. 

Do not give in to persecution, trials, and tribulation. Persevere and be faithful to your calling. Christ will reward you with the tree of life, crown of life and eternal life in heaven. 

Discern and reject false teachers and have nothing to do with them. 

Repent and take steps to come back to Him. The works of the ministry cannot substitute personal time and communion with Christ. Repent, dethrone self, enthrone Christ. surrender and make Him the centre of you life.

Even the church needs to repent. If they do not repent, Christ will come quickly and dismantle our church.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to not to lose our first love for You. Help us to cultivate personal intimacy with You. Help us cultivate the daily habit of quiet time, bible study, praise and worship, prayer, and communion. Help us discern false teachers and reject them, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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Dr Andrew C S Koh

Categories
bible study devotion

A vision of Christ: devotion

Devotion

a picture of apostle John

Introduction

Revelation is the last book of the Bible. The Greek word for Revelation is apokalupsis which means to unveil. Revelation is a book that unveil the truth about Jesus Christ, who gave the apostle John a vision of future events that he must write down. God promised a blessing to everyone who read, hear, believe, and apply the teachings in this book. 

Apostle John, who was banished to the Greek island of Patmos, wrote this book from there to the 7 churches of Asia Minor, which is Turkey. 

Here, we get to see a vision of Christ through the eyes of John. 

Revelation 1:12-19

12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands. 13 And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, Daniel 7:13 clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. 16 He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. 19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter.

Reflection

John turned around and saw the seven golden lamp stands or menorahs, and the Post incarnate, Glorified, Risen Christ, the Son of Man. The seven golden menorahs represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. Jesus Christ stood among the seven churches. He was clothed in a robe from head to toes with a golden sash across His chest. His head and hair were as white as wool and snow. His eyes burned with fire. His feet shone like polished brass. Daniel saw an almost similar vision of Jesus Christ, Daniel 7:9. His voice was like the sound of a waterfall. The seven stars on His right represent the seven angels of the seven churches. The sharp double-edged sword from His mouth represent the Word of God. His face was brighter than the brightest sun.

John collapsed at the feet of the risen Christ, who is the first and the last, who died and rose again, and is alive for evermore. He have the keys to Death and Hades. The things that John have seen refer to the vision of Christ in Revelation chapter 1. The things that are refer to the letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 to 3. The things which will happen hereafter refer to future events from Revelation chapters 4 to 22. 

Daniel 7:9

I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word

Application

Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the author and perfecter of our faith. He is from eternity past to eternity future, the pre-existent, self-existent, and eternal God. He is before time, space, and matter. He is the I AM, Yahweh, Adonai, Elohim, Great High Priest, Melchizedek, and Messiah. Christ revealed a vision of Himself to apostle John in the island of Patmos and commissioned him to write the book of Revelation. Today, you can visit the island of Patmos as a tourist and explore the place. The Bible is about real geography, real places, real people, real history, and real events. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. Whoever believes in Him will be saved, John 5:24.

John 5:24, Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Hebrews 12:2, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to unveil to us the book of Revelation. Help us to interpret, understand, and apply the truth of Your word. We pray for opened eyes, opened ears, opened hearts, opened minds, and opened spirits. We pray for the double-edged sword of the Spirit to convict  our hearts and train us in righteous living, in Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Dr Andrew C S Koh