Revelation 9, Three Trumpets, Three Woes (Overview)

Four trumpets have been sounded. Each has announced something falling from heaven to strike the one-third of the earth.

Revelation 9: 1-5, The fifth trumpet

The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.  When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.  And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth.  They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.  They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 

This falling star set loose locusts. This time there appears to be no real destruction (of "one-third") as previously, but pain and suffering.

Revelation 9: 6-12, The first woe

During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.  The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces.  Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth.  They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.  They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 

They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.

The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come. 

The NIV footnotes say that Abaddon and Apollyon mean "Destroyer".   The star that fell with the fifth trumpet seems to be the "angel of the Abyss", that is Satan, Destroyer.

There are more "locusts".

The first four trumpets brought destruction; the last three will bring "woes".

Revelation 9: 13-19, The sixth trumpet

The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God.  It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."  And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 

The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.  The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur.  A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths.  The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury. 

Four angels are released. The Euphrates is mentioned in Genesis 2:14-16 as bordering the Garden of Eden. Once again, a third are killed.  Mounted troops number 200,000,000, a large number even in modern times!

Revelation 9: 20-21, The world's reaction to the plagues

The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk.  Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Despite the horrible disasters, mankind is resistant to change.  The most persistent charge against mankind is their idolatry, their worship of gods made by idols. But they also murder, steal, are sexually immoral and involved in "magic arts".

Why didn't the people repent?

Revelation 8: 6-13, Four of Seven Trumpets

Seven angels have been given seven trumpets.  A censer full of fire has been thrown down upon the earth. 

Revelation 8: 6-7, The first trumpet is sounded

Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

The trumpet played by the first angel brings hail and fire "mixed with blood", burning up a third of the earth. Something is "hurled down" upon the earth -- this image, begun with the censer of fire, will be repeated.

Revelation 8: 8-9, The second trumpet is sounded

The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 
9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

The trumpet played by the second angel brings a blazing mountain into the sea and a third of the sea is destroyed, along with animals in it and ships sailing on it.

Revelation 8: 10-11, The third trumpet is sounded

The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 
11 the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

Again something falls from the sky and a third is destroyed. What is the significance of the name of the star? (It is given to us as if it had meaning; Wormwood means Bitterness, say the NIV footnotes.) Is this falling star an astronomical phenomena? Or a metaphor for an angelic event?

Revelation 8: 12, The fourth trumpet is sounded

The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

Is this falling star an astronomical phenomena? Or a metaphor for an angelic event? Again we have one-third, one-third, one-third...

Could these four trumpets all be explaining the same event?  In each case, one-third of something is destroyed: earth, sea, waters, stars.

Revelation 8: 13, Woe! Woe! Woe!

As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”

There have been four trumpets.  Three more will be heard in the next chapter.  We have an intermediate verse here to warn us to the increasing disasters to follow.

Revelation 8: 1-6, The Scroll Opened

John saw the One of the Throne with a scroll that could not be opened, until the Lamb appeared to unseal this scroll.  Then (in chapter 6), six of the seven of the seals of the scroll were removed. Finally, in this chapter, the last seal is removed.  We now will see a repetition of the count to seven, representing either new events or a parallel description of the previous events.

Revelation 8: 1-6, The scroll opened

When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 
4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 
5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

The scroll is finally opened, after removing seven seals. Why is there silence for a time?  

Seven trumpets are about to be sounded, one after another, by seven angels. Before that happens, there is incense. Again we are told that incense represents the prayers of God's people. The incense flows out of a burning censer which, after being presented to God, is filled with fire from the altar and thrown down upon the earth.  

The fire from the altar seems to be in response to the prayers, as if it is an act of support or justice, a response against the world system. From that viewpoint, the calamities that follow are part of God's justice.

Revelation 8, A Burning Star (Overview)

John saw the One of the Throne with a scroll that could not be opened, until the Lamb appeared to unseal this scroll.  Then (in chapter 6), six of the seven of the seals of the scroll were removed. Finally, in this chapter, the last seal is removed.  We now will see a repetition of the count to seven, representing either new events or a parallel description of the previous events.

Revelation 8: 1-6, The scroll opened

When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.  Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.  The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.  Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.  

Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. 

The scroll is finally opened, after removing seven seals. Now we have seven trumpets sounded by seven angels.

Why is there silence for a time?

Revelation 8: 7, The first trumpet is sounded

The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. 

The trumpet played by the first angel brings hail and fire "mixed with blood", burning up a third of the earth. Something is "hurled down" upon the earth -- this image will be repeated.

Revelation 8: 8-9, The second trumpet is sounded

The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 

The trumpet played by the second angel brings a blazing mountain into the sea and a third of the sea is destroyed, along with animals in it and ships sailing on it.

Revelation 8: 10-11, The third trumpet is sounded

The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water-- the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. 

Again something falls from the sky and a third is destroyed. What is the significance of the name of the star? (It is given to us as if it had meaning; Wormwood means Bitterness, say the NIV footnotes.) Is this falling star an astronomical phenomena? Or a metaphor for an angelic event?

Revelation 8: 12, The fourth trumpet is sounded

The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.  

Is this falling star an astronomical phenomena? Or a metaphor for an angelic event?

Could these four trumpets all be explaining the same event?  In each case, one-third of something is destroyed: earth, sea, waters, stars.

Revelation 8: 13, Woe! Woe! Woe!

As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"

There have been four trumpets.  Three more will be heard in the next chapter.

Revelation 7: 9-17, White Robed Multitude

The first six seals of the Scroll have been removed.  Only one remains.  Before the last seal is removed twelve thousand each from the twelve tribes of Israel are "sealed" in protection. Now the author turns to a greater multitude...

Revelation 7: 9-12 ,The great multitude

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 
10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 
12 saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”

Whatever the role of the 144, 000 in the previous paragraph, they are part of a larger "great multitude", larger beyond counting. Unlike the 144,000 from Israel, this great multitude has people of every tribe, eveny nation, every tongue. All these people are praising God and the Lamb. Their praise is then echoed by the creatures, angels and elders.  God is praised for offering salvation and also for wisdom, power, strength....  The "Amen" is the short phrase that means "so be it" or "it is done".

Revelation 7: 13-17, Who are they?

Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
15 Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
    will shelter them with his presence.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger;
    never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
    nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

An elder asks John a question and he defers.  The elder then goes on to explain that this large multitude have come out of a great tribulation and now will receive every protection and honor God can bestow on them.  They will be in God's presence all the time ("day and night"), free of any pain or stress, with access to living water, without ever again needing to weep or cry.

I too look forward to that time when "God will wipe away ever tear from their eyes"!

Many view the "great tribulation" as a particular short time in future history, with a specific start date and end date (such as World War II, for example.) But that need not be the interpretation of this phrase.  It is possible that the entire church age, or various episodes of it, can be described as the "great tribulation", as Christians await the eventual redemption of the universe.

The Old Testament quotes in verses 16 & 17 are from Isaiah 49:10.  The final quote ("wipe away every tear from their eyes") is from Isaiah 25:8.

In the next chapter the scroll is opened.

Revelation 7: 1-8, Tribes of Israel Set Aside

The first six seals of the Scroll have been removed.  Only one remains.

Revelation 7: 1-3, Preparations to open the scroll

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 
2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 
3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 

A horrible natural disaster is about to unfold. The angels hold back the "four winds" from the "four corners" so that nothing stirs.  For a desert environment, this is ominous. Then an angel "from the east" comes, halting the disaster until people ("servants of God") are protected in some way.

What do the seals on foreheads represent?  It indicates some type of identification and protection. (The beast also seals people, see chapter 13.)

Revelation 7: 4-8, Those of Israel sealed by God

Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

Each of the twelve tribes of Israel has twelve thousand who are "sealed". Is this intended to be literal? Or is there something deeper, some symbolic meaning intended by the 12,000 from each tribe?

The tribe of Dan is replaced by Manasseh, a son of Joseph.  Why?

Revelation 7, The Great Multitude (Overview)

The first six seals of the Scroll have been removed.  Only one remains.

Revelation 7: 1-3, Preparations to open the scroll

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.  Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:  "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 

A horrible natural disaster is about to unfold.

What do the seals on foreheads represent?  It indicates some type of identification and protection. (The beast also seals people, see chapter 13.)

Revelation 7: 4-8, Those of Israel sealed by God

Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.  From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000. 

Each of the twelve tribes of Israel has twelve thousand who are "sealed". Is this intended to be literal? Or is there something deeper, some symbolic meaning intended by the 12,000 from each tribe?

Revelation 7: 9-12 ,The great multitude

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."  

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" 

Whatever the role of the 144, 000 in the previous paragraph, they are part of a larger "great multitude", larger beyond counting.

Revelation 7: 13-17, Who are they?

Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?"  

I answered, "Sir, you know." 

And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.  Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

This large multitude have come out of a great tribulation and now receive every protection and honor God can bestow on them.  I look forward to that time when "God will wipe away ever tear from their eyes."

Many view the "great tribulation" as a particular short time in future history, with a specific start date and end date (such as World War II, for example.) But that need not be the interpretation of this phrase.  It is possible that the entire church age, or various episodes of it, can be described as the "great tribulation", as Christians await the eventual redemption of the universe.

In the next chapter the scroll is opened.

Revelation 6: 9-17, Seals Five and Six

The scroll of history has been revealed in heaven. The Lamb has begun to unseal it.  The first four seals reveal four riders, the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which bring death and destruction.

Revelation 6: 9-11, The fifth seal

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 
10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 
11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

The fifth seal reveals both complaint and reward for those martyred for their beliefs and actions.  The reward is a "white robe" along with instructions to wait just a little longer.  

The NIV footnotes point out that the Greek word translated here "brothers and sisters" was a word often used for fellow believers.

A theme of the book of Revelation is that the people of God are waiting for some type of culmination of history. This requires patience but that completion will occur, says this book.

Revelation 6: 12-17, The sixth seal

I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 

13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 

14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 

16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us[f] from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 

17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

The breaking of the sixth seal paints vivid geological and astronomical turmoil, a great earthquake, black sun, red moon, stars dropping form the sky.  Everything is removed from its place.  Is this a historical event (in past or future time)?  The symbolism is powerful and dramatic.  Yet we will see this type of climatic image repeated several times in the book.

The cry in verse 16 echoes Hosea 10: 8, the cry of the wicked in Israel who turned to worship other gods. 

Why does the chapter end here?  What is left to do?  The seventh seal is about to be broken and the scroll unrolled.  But before that happens, there will be a brief interlude.

Revelation 6: 1-8, First Four Horsemen

The scroll of history has been revealed in heaven. The Lamb has stepped forward to unseal it.

Revelation 6: 1-2, The lamb opens the first seal

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” 
2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. 

The white horse and its rider are bent on conquest.  (Military conquest, one nation over another?) Does this character affect history or merely prepare to affect history?

Surely the history of the human race have been an endless series of conquests, one nation after another.

Revelation 6: 3-4, The second seal

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 
4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword. 

The rider of the red horse destroys peace and makes people kill each other. Surely these first two riders bring war in all its forms.

Revelation 6: 5-6, The third seal

When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 
6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”

The Greek word "choinix" (probably about a liter) is translated here as "quart" and the Greek word "denarius", representing a Greek coin that was roughly one day's wage for the common man, is translated as "a days wage" by the NIV.

This third rider, on the black horse, brings economic chaos? Or a world system emphasizing greed and manipulation?

Revelation 6: 7-8, The fourth seal

When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 
8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. 

The fourth rider is on a pale horse. This rider brings death and destruction, killing a quarter of the population.

These are the "four horsemen of the Apocalypse."  What is their role in history?  Are they literal creatures?  Or symbols?

Why are there four, and not seven?  Does four have any meaning here, after the extensive use of the number seven?

Revelation 6, Six Seals on the Scroll (Overview)

The scroll of history has been revealed in heaven and the Lamb has stepped forward to unseal it.

Revelation 6: 1-2, The lamb opens the first seal

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!"  I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. 

The white horse and its rider are bent on conquest.  (Military conquest, one nation over another?) Does this character affect history or merely prepare to affect history?

Revelation 6: 3-4, The second seal

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!"  Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword. 

The rider of the red horse destroys peace.  So presumably these first two riders bring war.

Revelation 6: 5-6, The third seal

When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.  Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!" 

The Greek word "choinix" (probably about a liter) is translated here as "quart" and the Greek word "denarius", representing a Greek coin that was roughly one day's wage for the common man, is translated as "a days wage" by the NIV.

This third rider, on the black horse, apparently brings economic chaos?

Revelation 6: 7-8, The fourth seal

When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"  I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. 

The fourth rider is on a pale horse and this time it is clear that this rider brings death and destruction, killing a quarter of the population.

These are the "four horsemen of the Apocalypse."  What is their role in history?  Are they literal creatures?  Or symbols?

Why are there four, and not seven?  Does four have any meaning here, after the extensive use of the number seven?

Revelation 6: 9-11, The fifth seal

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.  They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"  

Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. 

A theme of the book of Revelation is that the people of God are waiting for some type of culmination of history. This requires patience but that completion will occur, says this book.

Revelation 6: 12-17, The sixth seal

I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.  The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.  

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.  They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!  For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

What occurs with the breaking of the sixth seal?  Is this a historical event (in past or future time)?

Why does the chapter end here?  What is left to do?  The seventh seal is about to be broken and the scroll unrolled.  But before that happens, there will be a brief interlude.

Revelation 5: 6-14, The Lamb that was Slain

John, in a vision, has entered heaven where he sees the throne of God and 24 elders gathered around the throne. The One on the throne has a scroll that no one can open.

Revelation 5: 6-10, One Who can open the scroll

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 
7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 
8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 
9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood you purchased for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
    and they will reign on the earth.”

Only the Lamb who was slain can open the scroll. This Lamb of God, dead once and now alive, has all mankind in his debt.  I see in verse 7 the theme of Revelation. All of history flows out the sacrifice of the Lamb.

The response of the four creatures and the twenty-four elders is praise, praise for the Lamb's sacrifice and for the Lamb drawing people from every tribe/language/people/nation into the priesthood of God.

The elders hold harps and bowls of incense representing the prayers of the people of God. The harp might represent the best musical instrument for praise.

The scroll is sealed up like a will would have been.  Why is this significant?  (See Hebrews 9:15 ff.)

Revelation 5: 11-14, The angels and every creature join in

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 
12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

The praise of the four creatures and the 24 elders is followed by the praise of millions of angels (messengers) and then that of "every creature" in heaven and earth, under the earth and on the sea.... The angels' praise give seven attributes to the Lamb; the other creatures repeat four of them.

Revelation 5: 11-14, The angels and every creature join in

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

The four living creatures and the elders are not listed with the angels.  So who are they?  "Amen" means "so be it" or "it is right".

This scroll is important.  We will spend the next two chapters learning what happens as the seven locks ("seals") are removed.

Revelation 5: 1-7 The Scroll of History

John, in a vision, has entered heaven where he sees the throne of God and 24 elders gathered around the throne. The One on the throne has a scroll....

Revelation 5: 1-4, The sealed scroll of history

 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 
3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 
4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 

The scroll has important information about creation and the universe. But no one can open it! Symbolically, the scroll is paused, defeated, unable to continue...

Revelation 5: 5, There is one who can open it!

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

But as the writer weeps, an elder says, "Wait, one has been found who can open the scroll! That one is a descendant of Judah and David -- The Descendant -- the Messiah.

Revelation 5: 6-7 One Who can open the scroll

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 
7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 

The murdered Lamb, standing at (on?) the throne, described as encircled by the four creatures and 24 elders, endowed with the seven-fold Spirit, that Lamb is the only one with the right to the scroll. And so the Lamb takes the scroll from the One on the throne.

This is a powerful and dramatic passage. Only the Lamb can make history and creation fulfill God's plans.

This part of the vision is the theme of Revelation.  All of history revolves around the Lamb picking up the scroll.

Revelation 5, The Scroll of History (Overview)

John, in a vision, has entered heaven where he sees the throne of God and 24 elders gathered around the throne. The One on the throne has a scroll....

Revelation 5: 1-4, The sealed scroll of history

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"  

But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.  I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 

The scroll is sealed so no one can look inside it. This seems to be important, for John weeps when no one can even glance inside. And yet there is one -- only one -- who has the right to look into the scroll.

Revelation 5: 5-10, One Who can open the scroll

Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."  

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 

And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." 

Only the Lamb who was slain can open the scroll. This Lamb of God, dead once and now alive, has all mankind in his debt.

The scroll is sealed up like a will would have been.  Why is this significant?  (See Hebrews 9:15 ff.)

Revelation 5: 11-14, The angels and every creature join in

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.  In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" 

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"  

The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

The four living creatures and the elders are not listed with the angels.  So who are they?

This scroll is important.  We will spend the next two chapters learning what happens as the seven locks ("seals") are removed.

Revelation 4: 6-11, Around the Throne

The main vision of John begins in chapter 4 of Revelation. After initial messages from Jesus to seven churches, a door opens in Heaven. The throne, and the One sitting on it, are described in dramatic terms. The throne is surrounded by 24 elders and...

Revelation 4: 6-8, The four creatures around the throne

Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 
8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy 

is the Lord God Almighty,’ 
who was, and is, 

and is to come.”

There are four creatures before the throne, described as looking like a lion, ox, man and eagle.  Yet they have six wings and numerous eyes!  It is difficult to really imagine what they look like. (Can you draw them?)

These creatures eternally worship God, describing him in a praise chorus as "holy" and eternal in both directions of time: eternal past, eternal future.

Who are the four creatures??  What do they represent?  What do they do?  The Old Testament passage  Ezekiel 1: 4-7 is a vision of similar creatures.  The creatures in Ezekiel have four faces: man, ox, lion, eagle.

Revelation 4: 9-11, The elders join in

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

    and by your will they were created

    and have their being.”

The four living creatures give praise and the elders join in, falling down before the Eternal Creator. The elders apparently have crowns, which they lay before the throne as offering, reciting a chorus emphasizing God characteristic as Creator.

Every time the twenty four elders appear in Revelation, they seem connected with worship. Their "te deum" comes from Psalm 66:2.

Revelation 4: 1-6, Door in Heaven

The main vision of John begins here.  After initial messages from Jesus to seven churches, a door opens in Heaven....

Revelation 4: 1, A door in heaven

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 

John hear a voice, loud, powerful and resonating, that invites him "up" where he can see what must take place later. The vision will reveal things that are inevitable ("must take place") and part of future history. 

What does "after this" mean?  Does it mean immediately after John's time?  Or at the end of the church age?  It is my opinion that these things begin after John's time and continue, through our past and present, into our future.

Revelation 4: 2-3, The throne in heaven

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 
3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 

John's vision is carried by the Holy Spirit, and John gets to see a throne with Someone sitting on it. The One on the throne is described in dramatic terms, jewelry that is colorful, green and red, and a rainbow (again, very colorful) around the One.

Revelation 4: 4-6, Attendants to the throne

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 
6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 

The throne has attendants, twenty-four (twice twelve), all on their thrones.  These attendants are also described in dramatic ways, as dressed in white with gold crowns.

The throne appears like a thunderstorm, with lightning and rumbles of thunder.  The sevenfold spirit of God is before the throne (whatever that means) and in front of the throne is a crystal plane.

And also around the throne are four creatures, to be described in the rest of this chapter. (We will look at that tomorrow.)

The numbers here are interesting.  Seven, for the Jews, often stood for perfection, a perfect "week". There were twelve tribes of Israel and twelve special disciples of Jesus; twenty-four is twice twelve.  

Every time the twenty four elders appear in this book, they seem connected with worship. Their "te deum" comes from Psalm 66:2.

Revelation 4, A Door in Heaven... and the Throne (Overview)

The main vision of John begins here.  After initial messages from Jesus to seven churches, a door opens in Heaven....

Revelation 4: 1-6a, The door in heaven and the throne

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.  And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.  

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.  Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. 

What does "after this" mean?  Does it mean immediately after John's time?  Or at the end of the church age?  

The throne is described in dramatic terms.  (Why jasper, carnelian?  I can't picture a rainbow like an emerald.)  The sea is large, without a horizon; a sea of glass is presumably a large smooth clear surface?

Revelation 4: 6b-11, The four creatures around the throne

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.  The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.  Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:  

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Who are the four creatures??  What do they represent?  What do they do?

Who are the twenty four elders?  (If there were just twelve, we might think of the tribes of Israel.)

Every time the twenty four elders appear, they seem connected with worship. Their "te deum" comes from Psalm 66:2.

Revelation 3: 14-22, Message to Laodicea

Jesus has given instructions to seven ancient churches. Here is the last one.

Revelation 3: 14-17, The church in  Laodicea

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 
16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 
17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 

Jesus identifies himself as the ruler of God's creation.

This contented and wealthy church has lost its priorities. It receives condemnation for its apathy and an invitation to return to its original passion for Jesus.  The church has become accustomed to luxury and comfort. (Sound familiar?)  It believes it has no needs when spiritually naked and impoverished.

Being "lukewarm" is attacked here. The church is told to be hot (excited, eager) or cold (dead, empty) so that it is clear of their status.  But instead they limp along pretending to be hot when they are really rather cold.

Revelation 3: 14-22, The message to Laodicea

18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Jesus offers rebuke and criticism, and encouragement.  Available from him are true spiritual wealth and dress. 

Verse 20 completes the invitation -- Jesus is inviting this church to open up and welcome him once again.  This verse, often taken out of context as an evangelistic invitation, certainly represents a more general principle emphasized by John -- Jesus is always inviting one to turn to him -- or, as in this case, turn to him again.

Revelation 3: 14-22, The message to Laodicea

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 
22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

There are a number of phrases repeated again and again in these messages to the churches and they provide a theme for this section and for the book. At the end of the message to Laodicea we again have promises to those who are victorious: they will sit with Jesus on the throne.

Whoever has ears... should listen to these emphatic messages!

How do we interpret these seven churches and Jesus's message to them?  Historically, there has been a number of approaches to this -- the letters could be interpreted literally, as true statements to seven specific churches in Asia Minor at the time of John. But given the dramatic imagery of this book, with layer on layer of prophetic allusions, it is easy to suggest that these seven churches represent more. Some have attempted to put church history into a time line with seven periods. (Those who do so always put themselves at the end, in the church of Laodicea.)  I think a more reasonable alternative is to interpret these churches as representatives of the Church in different places and times.  This interpretation can be combined with the first -- maybe, at the end of the first century, those seven specific churches were representative.

I'll say more on interpreting Revelation later. But first we must read it.  It was meant to be read; it is much more important that we read Revelation than that we attempt to interpret it!

Revelation 3: 7-13, Message to Philadelphia

Jesus has given instructions to four ancient churches.  Here are his instructions to the church in Philadelphia.  Philadelphia is now the town of Alesehir in Turkey.

To what does the paragraph on "come like a thief" allude? Jesus spoke in parables about returning "like a thief" (see Matthew 24: 42-44) but is that what is really meant here?

Revelation 3: 7-13, The message to Philadelphia

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 
8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 
9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 
10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 
12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 
13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The speaker "holds the keys of David". This is a Messianic statement; the speaker (who is "holy and true") is the Messiah, in the line of the kingdom of David, the promised One who will make David's throne eternal.

Jesus gives them an "open door" that "no one can shut." A door to God? to heaven? to eternal life?

There are Jews who are not followers of their Messiah, who claim to be proper Jews but, says the speaker, they are not.

This congregation will be spared from an "hour of trial" that "tests the inhabitants of the earth."
 (Walvoord claims that this sentence is "pre-trib".  I find that a bit of a stretch.)

This church (in the Greek city of Philadelphia in Asia Minor) is weak but persistent and for that it is commended.

What is available to those who persevere? They will be a "pillar" int he temple of God, with God's name written on them. And, like those in the church in Pergamum, they will receive a new name.

Revelation 3: 1-6, Message to Sardis

Jesus has messages for seven churches.  Here is his message to the fifth church, Sardis.  Sardis was an ancient city, the center of the Lydian empire, prior to the arrival of the Persians and then the Greeks and finally, in the time of this writing, the Romans.  It was famous, previously, for developing the ability to separate silver from gold and thus create pure gold and silver. (See this Wikipedia site.) It is now ruins; a small village of Sart (or Sartmahmut), with about 5000 residents, is nearby.

Revelation 3: 1-6, The message to Sardis

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 
3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 
5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 

6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

(Throughout this book, the term translated "angels" is ambiguous, merely meaning "messenger".  And the phrase "the seven spirits" could be translated "the sevenfold Spirit". Translations, here from Greek to English, always require some type of interpretation.)

This church has all the appearances of being on fire but instead is mere glowing embers.  But there is hope -- the residents are to fan the flames, to revive and strengthen their commitment to God.  Like the readers of the book of Hebrews, this church is to recall what they have learned, to repent and return to that early understanding of Jesus and the gospel.

To what does the paragraph on "come like a thief" allude? Jesus spoke in parables about returning "like a thief" (see Matthew 24: 42-44) but is that what is really meant here? That they will be surprised, caught off guard, by Jesus' return? (If so, this interpretation should correct those who see the seven churches as a string of ages of time.)

The people in each church are promised certain characteristics if they stay strong.  Here they are told they will be "dressed in white" (in clean clothes, not "soiled".)  And that their name will be in the book of life, acknowledged before God and the angels.

We end with the reoccurring phrase, "Whoever has ears...", reminding the readers that this is an important message from the Spirit.

Revelation 3, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (Overview)

Jesus has given instructions to four ancient churches.  Now we have instructions to three more.

(Note: throughout this book, the term translated "angels" is ambiguous, merely meaning "messenger". And the phrase "the seven spirits" could be translated "the sevenfold Spirit". Translations, here from Greek to English, always require some type of interpretation.)

Revelation 3: 1-6, The message to Sardis

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. 

But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

This church has all the appearances of being on fire but instead is mere glowing embers.  But there is hope -- they are to fan the flames, to revive and strengthen the remaining commitments.

To what does the paragraph on "come like a thief" allude? Jesus spoke in parables about returning "like a thief" (see Matthew 24: 42-44) but is that what is really meant here?

Revelation 3: 7-13, The message to Philadelphia

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.  

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

This church (in the Greek city of Philadelphia in Asia Minor) is weak but persistent and for that it is commended.

To what does the open door refer?  (Walvoord claims that the sentence "I will also keep you from the hour of trial…" is "pre-trib".  I find that a bit of a stretch.)

"New name" is reminiscent of the promise to Pergamum.  

Revelation 3: 14-22, The message to Laodicea

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.  

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.  To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

This contented and wealthy church has lost its priorities. It receives condemnation for its apathy and an invitation to return to its original passion for Jesus.

There are a number of phrases repeated again and again in these messages to the churches and they provide a theme for this section and for the book.

How do we interpret these seven churches and Jesus's message to them?  Historically, there has been a number of approaches to this -- the letters could be interpreted literally, as true statements to seven specific churches in Asia Minor at the time of John. But given the dramatic imagery of this book, with layer on layer of prophetic allusions, it is easy to suggest that these seven churches represent more. Some have attempted to put church history into a time line with seven periods. (Those who do so always put themselves at the end, in the church of Laodicea.)  I think a more reasonable alternative is to interpret these churches as representatives of the Church in different places and times.  This interpretation can be combined with the first -- maybe, at the end of the first century, those seven specific churches were representative.

I'll say more on interpreting Revelation later. But first we must read it.  It was meant to be read; it is much more important that we read Revelation than that we attempt to interpret it!