Chapter One

The Exalted Christ

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” – Revelation 1:1-3

Revelation is the showcase of the risen Christ. Jesus Christ is revealed as the First and Last, Beginning and Ending, Kings of Kings, Lord of Lords, Judge and Ruler of Heaven and Earth. It is God the Father who gives Jesus his commission. In turn Jesus reveals himself to his servants (the Elect), primarily to John on the Island of Patmos by an angel. Those who read, study, and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep these words in their heart and mind are blessed of God.

The Seven Churches

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia.” – Revelation 1:4

John is writing to the Church of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Laodicea, and Philadelphia. In John’s time these were the seven major churches of early Christianity. Some believe the seven churches represent different periods in history. This is not the case due to verse four which states, “To the seven churches which are in Asia.” ‘Are’ is present-tense in John’s time.

In this portion of scripture Jesus is addressing the pros and cons, admonitions, and commendations of the seven churches that were in Asia Minor. If you were raised up in church as I was, there were lessons to be learned from Christ’s commendations and rebukes on these seven churches. Over the years I have attended many churches and have seen characteristics of all seven churches to one degree or another. Jesus pointed out several of these churches that allowed false teachings into them. The infiltration of false doctrine among the congregation of Christ has been going on since the inception of Christianity.

The Elect must know how and when to recognize false doctrine, and confront it. Christ’s rebuke of yesterday’s Church should be a warning for all believers today. The Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, speaks of Israel’s wilderness experience. They wandered forty years in the wilderness always murmuring and complaining against Moses until God destroyed that wicked generation except Caleb and Joshua. Paul accentuates that we identify and flee this attitude.

As we discuss the pros and cons laid out by the Exalted Christ, you must compare it to the church you are attending. There have been many times when I have heard motivational preachers put the congregation into a frenzied uproar only to leave the Word of God out of the message. It was a great atmosphere if you wanted to be entertained, but there was no spiritual milk or meat in the message.

“Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come: and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” – Revelation 1:4-5

John salutes the seven churches, honors the risen Christ, and recognizes the Seven Spirits before God’s throne. Revelation 4:5 describes the Seven Spirits of God as seven lamps of burning fire. Jesus Christ was anointed with the Seven Spirits of God. Isaiah 11:2 tells us exactly what the Seven Spirits of God reference. John goes on to recognize Jesus’ sacrifice, resurrection, and authority as the Prince of Kings.

“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him.”

“All kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” – Revelation 1:6-8

Because of His resurrection, Christ can resurrect all those who believe in Him (even in his name) and make us Kings and Priests of God forever. On the Day of the Lord when Christ returns in the clouds, every eye will see his true power. Jesus is Alpha: The Word is the beginning of all things. Jesus is Omega: The Word is the finality of all things. Jesus is that which was, is, and is to come. The Word exists through time, space, and all realities. The Word is the Almighty God: Beginning and Ending. Amen.

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” – Revelation 1:9

John was exiled to the Island of Patmos for his belief in the risen Savior, and gives us a short bio of the sufferings of the early Church. The Roman Empire under Caesar with the Jewish leaders persecuted Christians by imprisoning, and killing them. Christians were sport for gladiators, fed to the lions, tortured to death, beheaded, crucified, and even buried alive.

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” – Revelation 1:10

“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.” – Revelation 1:11

God gave John a vision. John heard a great voice of authority behind him. This great voice uttered, “I am the beginning of all things. I am the finality of all things. What I am going to reveal to you write in a book.” Send one copy to the Church of Ephesus; one copy to the Church of Smyrna; one copy to the Church of Pergamos; one copy to the Church of Thyatira; one copy to the Church of Sardis; one copy to the Church of Philadelphia; and one copy to the Church of Laodicea.

“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.” – Revelation 1:12-15

John turned towards the voice and saw Jesus surrounded by seven golden candle sticks. Jesus had on a full length robe with a golden belt. His head and hair is white like wool and snow. His eyes were as a flame of fire. His feet were like fine brass burning in a furnace, and his voice as the sound of many waters.

There is a misconception by some about John’s description of Jesus. I often hear people debate Jesus having wool-like hair. Jesus’ hair is not wool. One must understand that John is describing a heavenly encounter. John is comparing the Exalted Christ by his limited understanding. So this portion of scripture is descriptive by comparison. Notice the phrases John uses: ‘Voice as the sound of many waters’, ‘White like wool’, ‘White like snow’, ‘Eyes as a flame of fire’, ‘Feet like fine brass’.

If a person runs fast like a gazelle, the person is not a gazelle. If a guy has the agility like Spiderman, the guy is not Spiderman. If a woman punches like the Incredible Hulk, is she the Incredible Hulk? Jesus’ eyes burning like flames of fire are not literal. John’s description of the glorified Christ is metaphorical because there are no words to describe what John saw.

“And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” – Revelation 1:16

Jesus had seven stars in his right hand and a sharp two-edged sword proceeded out of his mouth. His face shined as the sun. This portion of scripture is also metaphoric.

• Shineth as the Sun = Glory of God
• Sharp two-edge sword = Word of God

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” –

Revelation 1:17-19

When John saw the Exalted Christ, he became paralyzed with fear. Jesus touched John with His right hand and told him not to be afraid. Jesus was alive with The Father, but was separated from The Father when he died for our sins. When Jesus became the propitiation for our sins, The Father could not allow sin in his presence.

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” – Saint Mark 15:34

Jesus died for our sins and was buried, but marvel now, for surely Jesus arose from the dead and is alive eternal, and he holds the keys of Hell and Death in His hand. Jesus told John to write in a book the things that have...