Keys to Understanding the Book of Revelation
Lesson 2: Part 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Part 2: Introduction Continued & Rev. 1:1-9
Dr. Mary Sue Davis
Key # 9 The Revelation of Jesus Christ
This is the most important key to understanding the book of Revelation and the Bible.
You have to look at the Book of Revelation as “The revelation of Jesus”, not a book about end times. There is a difference. The book of Revelation is all about Him, and those in Him. Some try to interpret it event by event. They will never figure it out.
There have been many books written on the book of Revelation. Many people call it “Revelation’s,” but in fact it is one revelation, thus the reason the title in the Bible is Revelation (Singular). You can read of, supposed future events, and then you can read books that compare historical events to the book, which they think explains the meaning behind, what seems to be a mystery to the reader. There is only one view that brings any help or joy to the true student of the Word. It is written in the Revelation that those who read and keep the Words of this book will be blessed (happy or enlarged). This view is the redemptive view. The book is all about Jesus Christ and what He has done to redeem man back to Father God. I pray that as you study these eleven chapters on the book of Revelation that you will allow the Holy Spirit to flood your eyes with the light of revelation, so that you might see Truth. We are not just studying the book, but we are allowing the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the revelation that already is!
The purpose for the book of Revelation is to bring the believer from a Outer Court experience (being quickened in spirit) and a Holy Place experience (receiving gifts to edify the body and having the mind renewed), by seeing the passion of Christ and our identification with it, to the Most Holy Place experience where we are ruling from the throne (made whole not just in spirit, but in soul and body; expressing the full life of Christ).
Christ Revealed. Nearly every title employed elsewhere in the New Testament to describe the divine-human nature and the redemptive work of Jesus is mentioned at least once in Revelation, which, together with numerous additional titles, provides us with our only multidimensional unveiling of the present position, continuing ministry, and ultimate victory of the exalted Christ.
Although Jesus’ earthly ministry is telescoped between His Incarnation and Ascension in 12:5, Revelation asserts that the Son of God, as the Lamb, has completely finished His redemptive work (1:5, 6). By His blood sinners have been forgiven, cleansed (5:6, 9; 7:14; 12:11), liberated (1:5), and made kings and priests (1:6; 5:10). All ensuing manifestations of His applied victory are based in His finished work on the Cross; hence, Satan has been defeated (12:7–12) and bound (20:1–3). Jesus, raised from the dead, is enthroned as absolute Sovereign over all Creation (1:5; 2:27). He is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (17:14; 19:16), and is entitled to the same ascriptions of adoration as God the Creator (5:12–14).
The only One who is “worthy” to execute the eternal purpose of God is “the Lion of Judah,” who was not a political Messiah but a sacrificed Lamb (5:5, 6) when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, His First Coming. (Although He will set Himself up as Messiah during the Millennium) “The Lamb” is His primary title, utilized twenty-eight times in Revelation. As the One who has conquered, He has the rightful authority and the power to control all the forces of evil and their consequences for His purposes of judgment and salvation (6:1–7:17). The Lamb is on the throne (4:1–5:14; 22:3).
The Lamb, as “One like the Son of Man,” is always in the midst of His people (1:9–3:22; 14:1), whose names are recorded in His Book of Life (3:5; 21:27). He knows them intimately, and with immeasurable holy love, He watches over, protects, disciplines, and challenges them. They share fully in His present and future victory (17:14; 19:11–16; dwells in them (1:13), and they dwell in Him (21:22).
As “One like the Son of Man,” He also is the Lord of the final harvest (14:14–20). He pours out His wrath in judgment upon satan (20:10), his allies (19:20; 20:14), and the spiritually “dead” (20:12, 15)—all those who have chosen to “dwell on the earth” (3:10).
The Lamb is the God who is coming (1:7, 8; 11:17; 22:7, 20) to consummate His eternal plan, to complete the creation of the new community of His people in “a new heaven and a new earth” (21:1) and to restore the blessings of the Paradise of God (22:2–5). The
Lamb is the goal of all history (22:13).
John 1:1-5, In the beginning was the Word (means tabernacle, the personal manifestation of God), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Colossians 1:16-17 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Psalm 103:19-22 The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Each of the creation days so beautifully recorded in the 1st chapter of Genesis is but a revelation of the redemptive work and plan of Jesus Christ. Most Christians think that it is ‘God the Father’ who is the central figure in the Old Testament but in fact is Jesus/Yeshua. The entire Old Testament should be studied in the “Light of Redemption.” Let us consider the following given that the “Torah, Prophets and Psalms” speak of Him (Luke 24:44)
#1) Yeshua created the heavens and earth (Colossians 1:15-16)
#2) Yeshua made the covenant with Abraham (Galatians 3:16) and believers in Yeshua as the Messiah are heirs of that covenant promise (Galatians 3:29)
#3) Yeshua is the ‘rock’ who led the children of Israel out of Egypt (I Corinthians 10:1-4)
#4) Yeshua is the ‘right hand’ who defeated Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea (Acts 2:25, Exodus 15:6)
#5) Yeshua is the lawgiver at Mount Sinai (James 4:12)
#6) The lawgiver is the King of Israel and the judge who saves us (Isaiah 33:22, James 4:12)
#7) The creator of the heavens and earth and the redeemer of Israel (the Messiah) is also the husband of Israel (Isaiah 54:5)
#8) Yeshua died on the tree to gather the exiles of Israel (Zion) (John11:49-52)
Cain & Abel
Cain was farmer, tiller of the ground. Abel was a keeper of sheep and he brought God the
“first fruit” of the sheep he tended as a sacrifice, which pleased the Lord. This is another picture of Christ.
Noah
Noah built an ark to save his household. As we look at that ark we see it is also a picture of Jesus Christ. In order to build an ark, one must cut down wood. In the Scripture, wood is a type of humanity. The account says of the ark:” … and thou shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.” Gen. 6:14 The word translated pitch is the same word of atonement. The ark of Noah’s had one door, another illustration of Jesus.
There are many more symbols and types of Jesus in the story of Noah, just too numerous to list, so this will be an incomplete list.
Abraham & Isaac
ABRAHAM AND ISAAC: A CLOSE-UP OF CALVARY: A TRIAL RUN
The place where God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac is the same place where God sacrificed His own Son: the hills of Moriah, now called Mt. Zion, once Calvary outside Jerusalem. Equally noted is the phrase “His only begotten Son in The Hebrew New Testament is translated: His Son, His “Yachild.”
(Gen 22:2 MKJV) And He said, Take now your son, your only one, Isaac, whom you love. And go into the land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will name to you.
TYPES AND SHADOWS OF Jesus Christ
Luke 19:35 Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the donkey, and they set Jesus on him.
Genesis 22:4-5 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”
Third day- day of resurrection- 3 the number of divine completeness, perfection, perfect
testimony.
Abraham saw the place (Mt. Moriah, the future place of the temple mount where sacrifices were later offered, yet he also saw a far off into the spirit and saw the death of Jesus Christ.)
Matt. 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
killed, and be raised the third day.
Luke 22:40-41 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed,
Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
Abraham in offering Isaac enacted in a figurative sense, Calvary. It was not just a foreshadowing, but a trial run.
Genesis 22:6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.
John 19:17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,
Genesis 22:7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
Genesis 22:8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
ABRAHAM’S WORDS MUST BE MADE GOOD; ABRAHAM GAVE GOD PERMISSION TO SEND HIS
SON; GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR HIMSELF A LAMB; THE ACTUAL HEBREW TRANSLATION IS :
GOD WILL PROVIDE HIMSELF AS A LAMB.
Genesis 22:9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
John 18:12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews
arrested Jesus and bound Him.
Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the LORD (CHRIST AS THE MESSENGER OF GOD)called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” 13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. (this later originated the shofar, the trumpet of Israel). So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; (Jehovah Jireh) as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of The Lord it shall be provided.”
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE, Christ Jesus, 1st prophesied in Gen. 3:15, now established.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture Cont.’:
SUMMARY OF FORESHADOWS, TYPE OF DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST, TRIAL RUN OF CALVARY WITH ABRAHAM AND ISAAC
1. Abraham represents the Father who out of love for mankind gave his only son as a sacrifice for sinners. John 3:16
2. Isaac is a type of Christ who submits to the will of his father; Isaac bore the wood as the Lord bore his cross Gen. 22:6; John 19:17
3. It was 3 days from the time Abraham left to sacrifice his son until they returned together. After 3 days Abraham received his son back. Hebrew 11:19. After 2 days, on the third day, our Lord arose from the dead. John 20; 21 Cor. 15:4
4. Isaac was sacrificed at the place on Mt. Moriah where the temple would be erected, also in view of Mt. Calvary, outside Jerusalem.
Joseph
Joseph (A Type and Shadow of Jesus As Beloved, Rejected, and Exalted Son) Genesis 37:1- Gen. 417:27
Type and Shadows of Jesus
1. Jesus was the Father God’s beloved son. Matthew 3:17
2. Both received a gorgeous coat or robe fit for a king.2 Samuel 13:18, Luke
23:11
3. Joseph declared himself in his dream to be a ruler, but was rejected; so was Jesus, John 19:15
Both were hated and rejected by their brethren.5. Both parents knew in their heart that their son was destined to be great. Luke 2:17-19, 49-51, John 4:5
6. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Luke 19:10, Matt. 15:24
7. Both were conspired against, a death sentence upon them. John 5:18 19
8. In both events someone tried to save their lives. Luke 23:4
Both were stripped of their clothes. Mark 15:241o. Jesus was placed in a tomb. Joseph in a pit. Matthew 27:60.
11. They could see Joseph in the pit, many looked upon Jesus. Mark 15:40
12. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah; his own betrayed him.
Sold for 30 pieces of silver, Jesus sold for 30 pieces of silver, the price of a male and female slave. Leviticus 27:5, Matthew 26:15 14. Jesus instructed his half brother to comfort his mother. John 19:25-27
15. God gave Jesus all authority. Joseph was given all authority over Egypt. Matthew 28:18
16. Jesus was without sin; he was tempted 40 days and 40 nights and other opportune times. Mark 1:12-13 Genesis 39:11-19- Episode with Podifer’s wife
17. Jesus was mocked and falsely accused. Mark 14:55-56
18. Joseph like Jesus always spoke the truth never lied. Satan is the father of lies.
19, JOSEPH WAS DELIVERED OUT OF ALL PERSECUTION; JESUS RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD Genesis 41:1-24,
20. Jesus was known as the Prophet. Joseph acknowledged as such. Gen. 41:47
21: Jesus worked all His sings, wonders, and healings by the power of the Spirit of God.
22. Joseph, just like Christ was resurrected from the pit and from the prison, just like Christ from the grave, exalted and given a royal position (Christ now sitting at the right hand of the Father) Acts 2:25-27.
Joseph was made lord over all of Egypt. Christ is Lord of lords and King of kings. Revelation 19:15-16 24. Joseph married a Gentile bride. Christ is married to the Church, His Gentile Bride.
25. Joseph was 30 years old; Christ was 30 when he began His ministry.
26. Joseph triumphed over his enemies just as Christ did over satan and all principalities and powers and made a public display of them.
Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He (Jesus Christ) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture Cont.’:
Exodus & Moses
Let’s look at the Exodus account and the unveiling of the Christ there.
1. Jesus is our Passover Lamb
The act of passing over when the lamb’s blood was applied to the doorposts (the doorposts of our heart) is my identification in which death or the death angel passed-over me, the act of Passover is not an escape from judgment, but there has already been a death in that house. A lamb has died and been eaten by the entire household.
Escaping Egypt and Crossing Over the Red Sea Typology here is we have escaped Egypt (the world system) and have been baptized into Christ.3. Encounter at Mt. Sinai
50 days after escape from Egypt signifies exactly 50 days after the true Lamb was sacrificed (Passover), the Day of Pentecost, where the Spirit of Christ (Holy Spirit, the Comforter) was sent.
4. Parallel of Christ when we see the tree cast into the bitter water at Marah. Ex. 15:23-25
The tree shows us the cross of Christ. He was nailed to a tree to deal with our bitterness. He took our old humanity (being a worm). When the cross is applied, our waters can be transformed from bitter to sweet.
4. Christ is our manna, the bread that came down from heaven (John 6:41) Christ is our spiritual drink (1Cor. 10:4)
Leviticus & the Offerings
Christ is our only Offering. He is our High Priest and Sacrifice. There are many more examples that could be given. The Bible could be called the books of revelations. We see that Christ is the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega. The end of the book of
Revelation is Christ as King!
There are many more types and shadows of Jesus Christ throughout the Old and the centric principle of the New Testament. Space does not permit for me to list them all.
In Revelation Jesus Christ is:
The Head of the Church Rev. 1,2,3
The Lamb of God Rev. 5:5; 14:1-2
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah Rev. 5:5
The Jehovah Angel/Messenger Rev. 7:1-3;10:1-5
The Bridegroom Rev. 19:5-8
The Word Rev. 19:11-16
King of kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19:11-16
Part 2 Introduction Continued: & Rev. 1:10 Revelation Chapter 1
The first 9 verses of Chapter 1 in nearly every verse the appeal is that see that we are: 1. servants (v.1) 2. blessed (v.3) 3. loved (v.5) 4. kings and priests (v. 6) 5. clouds of His presence (v. 7) 6. brothers through patience 7. and finally a testimony of Jesus Christ (v. 9)
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel
to His servant John,
Let’s look at the Amplified for it says: (This is) the revelation of Jesus Christ (His unveiling of the divine mysteries). God gave it to Him to disclose and make known to His bond servants certain thing which must shortly and speedily come to pass in their entirety. And He sent and communicated it through His angel (messenger) to His bond servant John. This word revelation is awesome! The word is “apokalupsis” in Greek, and means “laying bare, making naked, a disclosure of truth, instruction, concerning things before unknown, manifestation and appearance.” It is also “used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all.”
The Lord has revealed Himself to us through His gospel! He is no longer the hidden Lord, but open and made known to all He chooses to reveal Himself.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:7, “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This word “coming” is also “apokalupsis”! We see as we wait in the Lord’s presence, He will begin to make Himself known to us! Paul wanted above all things to know His Lord.
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:10-11).
So revelation means to unveil, to pull the curtain back, and to see that which has always been there.
Colossians explains it further:
(Col 1:26-27) the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
The apostle John is seeing things in his century mindset. An example would be if you were trying to explain to the apostle Paul an airplane. You would say it’s like a bird, but not with flapping but stationary wings. Revelation is written in apocalyptic language or literature. This book is a revelation by and of Jesus. The phrase “must shortly take place” uses a word indicating rapid execution. The phrase in verse 3 tells us that Revelation was intended for public reading in congregations, a practice the early church adopted from the synagogue.
Surveying the Text: Rev. 1:1-10
Revelation 1:1 – 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:
Revelation is the Greek word “apokalypsis” which means: revelation, unveiling, uncovering, or manifestation. It is important to note that if something needs to be revealed, then it is hidden. This same word is used in Romans 8:19 concerning the sons of God; meaning that they are hidden. Because it was signified (to be written or spoken in signs & symbols) the natural mind would not be able to comprehend what it was saying. It has to be revealed, uncovered by the Spirit of God. Only the mind that has the understanding of the keys can understand it. Just as the revelation came to Jesus and to John, so it is also coming to us today. It will be those that love Him, that love light rather than darkness, that will receive the impartation of the Spirit of God concerning the
mystery, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” Col. 1:27. When He is through, He shall be our temple (Rev. 21:22).
The Greek word for angel means messenger. Here the word angel depicts one keeps and dispenses the truth of the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:2 – Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Here we have the three-fold witness of John concerning Jesus Christ as the word of God, the fulfillment of the old covenant and the institution of the new; the life, the walk, and the martyrdom of Jesus; and finally everything that he saw with his natural and spiritual eyes. (That’s the spirit of prophecy Rev. 19:10)
Revelation 1:3 – 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.
Readeth – to know again, to read. From the primary root word to perceive, understand, to be sure. Also from another primary root word which means repetition.
Hear – give audience to, come to the ears, to hear, to understand.
Keep – to watch over, hold fast, to guard or serve.
Time – due season, set time
At hand – to be within one’s grasp, at your fingertips, ready
Clearly, John is saying for us not to look for future things, for the time is within reach, for it is within us. We are blessed if we read, hear (understand), and protect the words that have been penned down in this book. It is in this reading and hearing that we will perceive the Son and His kingdom; and it is in the use of this understanding that God measures proportionately.
Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but 24 righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Exegesis of Rev. 1:1-3
The Revelation of Jesus Christ & His inChristed Body
Chapter 1
Verse 1-3
The explanation of Jesus the anointed Messiah, and the explanation of the Divine purpose of His coming, in a Man-body; including the unveiling of God’s Light and Glory in all mankind because of Jesus’ perfect redemptive work. Father God gave this Himself, to explain His Word (the other sixty-five books of His written Word) and his Work, to all Men. The understanding of this explanation of His Word is expedient to all in this age and the ages to come, world without end. Therefore, He detained and equipped me, His servant John, to speak these things to, by Himself, as the Messenger Himself, speaking in my Spirit with Words, and bringing to memory reminders of events of history revealing who and what men are presently, all, of which He desires to reveal.
At this place and time, I record, in writing on a scroll, of that which I heard and witnessed from the Divine communication of Father God, both the evidence given of Jesus the Messiah, and the Great and Marvelous Work that which Father revealed to my understanding.
Fortunate, well off and happy is the person who repeatedly studies, reads, and gives audience to, and understands this Divine discourse, and explanations. Furthermore, keeping these writings, unmixed by men’s theology, which are principally used to explain and to bring rest between Man and Father God; the reason being it is expedient for all people in this age, and of the ages to come – world without end.
Revelation 1:4 – John to the seven churches which are in Asia: 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;
Grace and peace is the heart of our Father and that is the only administration that is flowing from the throne today. Jesus was the full expression of a ministry of grace and peace. Not only does this life flow from the Son but it is also the ministry of the Holy Spirit (seven Spirits).
Seven is the number of God’s perfection.
Truly, the Son is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).
Which IS – He IS (today) for there is a real man in the heavens and He is tabernacled within each of us and corporately in a body.
Which WAS – He WAS (yesterday) for He was God in the flesh that walked this earth. He defeated sin in the FLESH thereby reconciling man and creation back to God.
Which IS TO COME – He WILL (tomorrow) come again for there is a REAL man in the heavens, AND…. He is the ever-coming Lord who is continually coming into lives and hearts – “Christ in you the hope of glory” – for Jesus IS COME in the flesh (John 4:2-3) even today! We are not the man Jesus, but He is come in us! The coming of the Lord is a past, present and a future truth!
The Seven Spirits of God:
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of
his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD“. Isaiah 11:1-2
As Christians, we have received the Holy Spirit of God whose mission it is to bring forth the nature of Him who has tabernacled Himself within us. He leads us, guides us, and enables us to become The sevenfold Spirit of God are sometimes referred to in the Word as “the eyes of the Lord”, “the Lamps of fire”, and “the candle of the Lord.” Seven is God’s number which represents perfection and reflects to us several things.
The very essence, being, and ministry of the Holy Spirit is that of perfection. One who will lead and guide us into all truth, show us all things, and cause truth to spring forth within our hearts thereby bringing into action the completion of all things concerning us through the power of the cross.
To create within us Godly thoughts which will produce Godly actions.
To develop His nature in us for we have been born of His nature through the power of the cross.
The person of the Holy Spirit is all that God is and He has been given to us not just to facilitate change, but to enabler and bring to perfection and manifestation the expression and image of His Son Jesus in us.
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD is the (Ruwah-Pneuma) energizing source of life and the power of God. He is one with the children of God, working in us and through us. He is both the anointing and the source of the anointing. It is through this power source that God’s life begins working is us but actually creates the very life of God Himself within us. Through this life giving force, our will becomes crucified as we take upon His will for our lives. He gives to us His power to become all that He desires for us to be and to do the work of the ministry.
THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM (Chokmah-Sophia) is the supernatural intelligence of God which consists of true and right discernment between good and evil and releases direction and a course of action dictated by that discernment (1Kings 3:9,28). The Spirit
of Wisdom is the essence of all of God’s thoughts. It has been given us to know the wisdom of God (1Cor. 2:7-9) but it remains hidden from the world. James told us in James 1:5-6 that if we would ask, God’s wisdom would be given us. A child of God who leans upon the Holy Spirit in their walk, will not have to question if something is good or evil for He will impart wisdom to us in all situations if we simply ask.
THE SPIRIT OF UNDERSTANDING (Binah-Sunesis) is a perception, comprehension, and knowing released through revelation. He is God’s illuminations and insights released through the revelation of His word. Wisdom and understanding brings life to our soul (Proverbs 3:21-22) and helps to keep us from falling (Proverbs 2:1-5 & Jeremiah 25:10-11). It is when we do not have understanding, that we begin to question the truth of God’s Word and its application in our lives. We cannot relate to the ways of the Lord, nor the ways of others without understanding. It is in understanding that compassion is flow forth out of us. It works hand in hand with wisdom.
THE SPIRIT OF COUNSEL (Esa-Boulomai) is God’s advocacy, direction, and
instruction concerning life and daily living. He is our advocate that. He points the way in
which we are to go and instructs us in how to arrive there. “My ways are not your ways, and your thoughts are not my thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). We can freely seek His counsel with the confidence that He will not withhold from us. It is only when we seek our own way or make decisions concerning our lives without consulting Him, that we find situations in our lives goes wrong way. We are assured of His answering us (Hebrews 10:35-36 & Matt. 7:7-8). Our choice to follow His direction is the deciding power in our lives concerning the results that we will receive. Our choice is the determining factors as to whose life shall be lived within our soul. Gods or Ours! (Ephesians 1:16-19; Deut. 30:19-20; & Psalm 119:109).
As a child of God, we have been given the power (Exousia) of choice in our lives to either yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit or not to yield (Rom. 6:16-18 & 1Cor. 7:37) Non-believers do not have the power of free choice (Eph. 2:2-3 & 4:17-19) because they are still enemies in their own minds (Col. 1:21) and locked into following their own thoughts, desires and emotions. They are totally led by the passions of their flesh.
THE SPIRIT OF MIGHT (Gibbor-Kratos) is God’s supernatural ability and power to achieve the thoughts and intents of His will. This ability has been given the church to enable them to OVERCOME. Overcoming is the freedom from self (John 8:31-32,34-36). It is this power and ability in us that enables us to ‘put off’ the habits of our flesh and crucify it with its passions and to put on Christ (1Cor. 7:37 & Gal. 5:13,16). God’s
might is the activation process which gives us the power to carry out His will (Isa. 46:10-11 & Psalm 18:32). We have been made more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37) through Him that loved us and victory by which we overcome is our faith (1John 5:4). It is through faith that we choose to have the performance of His will in our lives and the confidence that He will perform it.
THE SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE (Daath-Oida) is God’s intuitive, cognitive power which possesses everything that God knows. The Spirit of Knowledge brings us His ability to perceive and know truth. Israel knew the acts of God, but Moses knew His ways. Worldly knowledge (Ginosko) causes us to know something by what we have learned, experienced, seen or come to know through our own efforts (John 17:3), but this is only
beginning knowledge. But Godly knowledge (Oida) comes through revelation and gives us the ability to know without effort. This is fullness of knowledge (John 5:20) that the Father gave to Jesus. And we too are His sons and He will show us all things also. It is important that we remain not in the beginnings that God has brought us to, but rather we are to go on into ‘intimate’ knowledge of Him. He doesn’t want us to just know about Him, He wants us to KNOW Him. (2Peter 1:10-11). We have been called to be ‘conformed to His image’. (Phil. 1:21) With this knowledge, we can see from God’s perspective and truly know that “all things work together for the good for those who love God and called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28)
To KNOW is to SEE (John 12:21; Matt. 13:14; & 1John 2:11)
Steps to knowing (Oida) God
Because we love Him, we make faith choices (1John 5:3)
Because we make faith choices, we will ‘see‘ Him in everything (Rom 8:28; John 8:56)
Because we see Him in everything, we will come to ‘know‘ His character (Heb. 13:5)
Because we know His character, we can entrust ourselves to Him (Phil. 3:8)
Because we can entrust ourselves to Him totally, we are going to ‘know‘ His life
through us ((2Cor. 4:10)
Because we have His life as our own others will see Jesus in us (3John 3)
THE SPIRIT OF THE FEAR/AWE OF THE LORD is the Spirit of holy reverence and respect to the awesomeness and majesty of God. The fear of the Lord will cause us to hate sin but love the sinner and to understand that it is by the grace of God that we have entered the kingdom. It will cause us to walk in love and truth (2Cor. 10:11; 3John 3). We are to glorify God in our living. Oftentimes we look for anointing, but God is looking for anointed lives. It is through the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the drawing upon Him, that our lives will become anointed and we will glorify God. When we are walking in the Spirit, and leaning upon Him, we will manifest His fruit. (Gal. 5:24-25)
Revelation 1:5 – 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,
(Psa 89:27) Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
CHRIST SEEN AS:
FAITHFUL WITNESS: Jesus was faithful even unto the death and became the perfect witness (Martyr) concerning the resurrection, love, and keeping power of God. Although there were many raised from the dead, He was the first to take up His own life out of the pit of death giving life back unto Himself (John 10:17-18).(John 18:37). He is our prince for He has made us kings and priests (next verse). We have been WASHED!!!! That means that we are CLEAN!!!! And He did it with that which was most precious, HIS OWN BLOOD!!!! That which was sufficient to fulfill and judgment and answer any penalty!
witness, martus (mar-toos); Strong’s #3144: Compare “martyr” and “martyrdom.” One who testifies to the truth he has experienced, a witness, one who has knowledge of a fact and can give information concerning it. The word in itself does not imply death, but many of the first-century witnesses did give their lives, with the result that the word came to denote a martyr, one who witnesses for Christ by his death (Acts 22:20; Rev. 2:13; 17:6).
CHRIST REVEALED IN REVELATION
Here are some more of the revelations of who Christ Jesus is in this book.
Faithful witness 1:5; Jesus is presented in terms of His redeeming sacrifice, His resurrection, and His eternal reign. Jesus as Messiah-King is a major theme in Revelation. Also see 3:14
Sovereign over creation 1:5; 2:27
Returning Lord 1:7; 22:20
Alpha and Omega 1:8; 22:13
Lord of the Church, Head of he Church 1:11, 2,3
Son of Man 1:13
Morning Star 2:28
Lion of Judah 5:5
Root of David 5:5
Lamb of God, Worthy Lamb 5:5, 5:8,14:1-2
Lion of the Tribe of Judah 5:5
Jehovah, Angel, Messenger 7:1-3; 10:1-5
Lord of final harvest 14:14–20
In the midst of His people 14:1
King of kings 17:14
Lord of lords 17:14
Defeats Satan 20:1–3
Bridegroom, Husband to His Bride, the Church 19;5-8,21:2, 9
The Word, King of kings and Lord of lords 19:11-16
Our Reward 22:12
FIRSTBORN OF THE DEAD- DEAD IN CHRIST-FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD- FIRSTFRUITS- This phrase is used to define those who have died to this world system, not in a physical sense but a spiritual sense. They are not perfect, just surrendered to the Master’s hand. The are “sold out” to Jesus. Paul says in Gal. 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” He also said that he dies daily. (Col. 3:1-4) This shows the dead in Christ is a position in Christ that is to be obtained. Being dead in Christ is to be “sold out” to Christ. It also means that Christ is your Lord and has birthed His Spirit in you. The focus of this phrase is,” it is no longer we who live but Christ-in-us who lives. He has control and we are “beheaded” to the world.
PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH-
As believers we shall rule and reign with Him. Rev. 2:10, Rev. 2:26, Rev. 3:21
Revelation 1:6 – And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(Exo 19:6) And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
(Isa 61:6) But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
We are a royal priesthood and a holy nation (1Peter 2:5,9). As kings we are to rule, as priests we are to serve. It is Him (Jesus) that has the fullness of all glory and dominion. And it is through Him that we have been given glory (John 17:22) and the power to reign.
There is a wonderful act of God that transcends by far anything that has ever been known. It is the unveiling of the sons of God. Early in the opening verses of the Revelation we read that Christ “has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father” (Rev. 1:6). And so, through the book, again and again, we see this many-splendored unveiling — THE SON and the sons, THE OVERCOMER and the overcomers, THE LAMB and those with Him on mount Zion, THE WORD and they that are with Him who are called, chosen, and faithful, THE KING and those who reign with Him, THE HIGH PRIEST clothed in the priestly garment and those who are in Him made a kingdom of priests unto God.
Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
(Dan 7:13) I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
(Zec 12:10) And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Throughout scriptures, clouds have been indicative of people. The Word tells us that He
comes both IN and WITH the clouds. Jude talks about a people who are clouds without water. In Matthew the 27th chapter we see that the graves were opened and the saints
went into the city and appeared to many. In Acts Jesus ascends with the clouds, the risen saints, and in like manner He shall return again (Acts 1:9-11). Then Heb. 12:1 speaks that we are encompassed about by a great cloud of witnesses. Just as surely as the rain comes from the clouds, so has He placed His rainbow (covenant) in the clouds (people) to release into the earth. A people who have become ministers as a flame of fire and a cloud of witnesses, becoming one with the Cloud by day and the Fire by night to show forth the way in which to go. Clouds also represent the Glory Of God. And the vehicle through which He is coming. Throughout Exodus He appeared in a cloud. In Revelation He is clothed in clouds. God appeared in a cloud over the mercy seat and in Solomon’s temple. Again in Heb. 12:1, we are encompassed by a great cloud of witnesses. Clouds are the place of His appearing Luke 9:34:
Luke 9:34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.
Wail – means to mourn and this is not a term to be negative but rather it is to reveal the transition which will take place. All who pierced Him shall mourn concerning their role in what He suffered, but it is in that mourning that they shall inherit the kingdom of God. This sorrow of heart, this depth of groaning wroughts within us the new creation as we recognize and receive His sacrifice.
In essence spiritually, you are the clouds in whom He comes, the revelation of Jesus Christ, revealing Himself in His Body. Every spiritual eye shall see Him.
Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
(Isa 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
He not only created all things, but He is the BEGINNING and He is the ENDING! He has the final say in all things! He is sovereign and all things are kept in His hands! AND HE LIVES IN US!!
Revelation 1:9 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.
Patmos literally means the place of my killing. The isle of Patmos is the place where we die to ourselves, self-centeredness and become a living sacrifice unto our God. In the laying down of our lives, then His life is released in us and can come forth. Testimony is the Greek word for martyr. Our testimony is IT IS FINISHED and it is through His death that we have come alive.