REVELATION 1:19-20
The Key To The Book
The key to the book of Revelation is found here. The Lord said unto John, "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (Revelation 1:19).
The word hereafter in the Greek is "meta tauta" which means "after these things."
This command actually divides the book of Revelation into three sections. (1) The things which John saw, the vision of Christ in Revelation chapter one. (2) The things which are, which deals with the messages to the seven churches in Asia in Revelation chapters two and three. (3) The things which shall be meta tauta, "after these things," chapters four through twenty-two.
This command actually divides the book of Revelation into three sections. (1) The things which John saw, the vision of Christ in Revelation chapter one. (2) The things which are, which deals with the messages to the seven churches in Asia in Revelation chapters two and three. (3) The things which shall be meta tauta, "after these things," chapters four through twenty-two.
John sees the events of the future, the things that transpire after the church has finished its mission on the earth and has been removed.
It is significant that the fourth chapter of Revelation begins with this same phrase, meta tauta, "after these things."
It is significant that the fourth chapter of Revelation begins with this same phrase, meta tauta, "after these things."
After what things? After the things of the church are completed. "I saw a door open in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as of a trumpet saying unto me, Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be after these things [meta tauta]" (Revelation 4:1).
Beginning with Revelation 4:1, we are dealing with things that are future - things which have not yet taken place but shall take place after the church's testimony is finished upon the earth.
Beginning with Revelation 4:1, we are dealing with things that are future - things which have not yet taken place but shall take place after the church's testimony is finished upon the earth.
If you follow this key, you'll find the divisions in the book of Revelation easy to understand. (1) The things which John saw. (2) The things which are. (3) The things which will be after these things.
Jesus explains to John the vision that he has seen. "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches" (Revelation 1:20).
The word angels actually means "messengers." They generally refer to divine messengers, supernatural beings created by God. But the word literally is "Messenger."
Jesus explains to John the vision that he has seen. "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches" (Revelation 1:20).
The word angels actually means "messengers." They generally refer to divine messengers, supernatural beings created by God. But the word literally is "Messenger."
The "seven stars" are the messengers of the seven churches. They could refer to the ministers of those particular churches.
"And the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches" (Revelation 1:20). The "seven churches" symbolically speak of completeness.
"And the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches" (Revelation 1:20). The "seven churches" symbolically speak of completeness.
I believe that in these messages we have a picture of the complete church history.
There is a three-fold application of these messages. First, they were written to the seven churches and dealt with problems within the church at that very time (local application).
There is a three-fold application of these messages. First, they were written to the seven churches and dealt with problems within the church at that very time (local application).
Second, I believe that there is an historic application in these messages, giving us the seven periods of church history.
Third, I believe that even today this message is applicable because you can find these same conditions in different churches today.
In many places these messages will apply directly to us.
In many places these messages will apply directly to us.
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