CHAPTER 1
Jesus Revealed To His People
Revelation 1.



      —“‘Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary.
          Let humanity stand back,
          that all may behold Him
          in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered . . .’
      Let the church and the world look upon their Redeemer.
      Let every voice proclaim with John:
          ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away
          the sin of the world.’ 5T 729. (Emphasis added.)
      —“If we gaze even a moment upon the sun in its meridian glory, when we turn away our eyes, the image of the sun will appear in everything upon which we look. Thus it is when we behold Jesus; everything we look upon reflects His image, the Sun of Righteousness. We cannot see anything else, or talk of anything else. His image is imprinted upon the eye of the soul, and affects every portion of our daily life, softening and subduing our whole nature . . .
      —“As the mind dwells upon Christ, the character is molded after the divine similitude. The thoughts are pervaded with a sense of His goodness, His love. We contemplate His character, and thus He is in all our thoughts.
His love encloses us. . . .
      —“By beholding, we are conformed to the divine similitude, even the likeness of Christ . . . His Spirit, His character, colors everything; it is the warp and the woof, the very texture of our entire being . . .
      —“Open your heart to the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness . . . There are rich blessings for us; let us grasp them by faith.” TM 388-391. (Emphasis added.)
Page 65

Our Jesus on Earth:
          —“During every hour of Christ’s sojourn upon the earth, the love of God was flowing from Him in irrepressible streams.” DA 678.
          —“The Prince of heaven was among His people. The greatest gift of God had been given to the world.
          Joy to the poor; for Christ had come to make them heirs of His kingdom.
          Joy to the rich; for He would teach them how to secure eternal riches.
          Joy to the ignorant; He would make them wise unto salvation.
          Joy to the learned; He would open to them deeper mysteries than they had ever fathomed . . .” DA 277. (Emphasis added.)
      —“. . . As the people looked upon Him, they saw a face where divine compassion was blended with conscious power. Every glance of the eye, every feature of the countenance, was marked with humility, and expressive of unutterable love. He seemed to be surrounded by an atmosphere of spiritual influence. While His manners were gentle and unassuming, He impressed men with a sense of power that was hidden, yet could not be wholly concealed.” DA 137, 138.
      —“Jesus met the people on their own ground, as One who was acquainted with their perplexities. He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way. His language was pure, refined, and clear as a running stream. His voice was as music . . .
      —“Yet He was earnest, rather than vehement. He spoke as One who had a definite purpose to fulfill. He was bringing to view the realities of the eternal world. In every theme God was revealed . . .”
      —“His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and’ troubled hearts. Even amid the turbulence of angry enemies He was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace. The beauty of His countenance, the loveliness of His character, above all, the love expressed in look and tone, drew to Him all who were not hardened in unbelief. Had it not been for the sweet, sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look and word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did. The afflicted ones who came to Him felt that He linked His interest with theirs as a faithful and tender Friend, and they desired to know more of the truths He taught. Heaven was brought near. They longed to abide in His presence, that the comfort of His love might be with them continually.” DA 253-255. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Jesus worked to relieve every case of suffering that He saw. He had little money to give, but He often denied Himself of food in order to relieve those who appeared more needy than He . . .
      —“He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul. In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson that was appropriate to the time and the circumstance. He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising . . . Often He met those who had drifted under Satan’s control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, . . . Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could tee understood.” DA 87, 91. (Emphasis added.)
Page 66

This Wonderful Jesus Returns to Patmos—With a Message for You!

Revelation 1.
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
      —a new vision of His love and guidance —
WHICH GOD GAVE UNTO HIM,
TO SHEW UNTO HIS SERVANTS THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS;
      —a map for the treacherous journey ahead —
      —The storms of life hold no fear for one who sees —and accepts— the revelation of Jesus Christ—the Master Pilot!
AND HE
      —Jesus —
SENT AND SIGNIFIED IT
      —the special message from God —
BY HIS ANGEL UNTO HIS SERVANT JOHN:
      —The angel Gabriel was the heavenly minister who came down to help John understand—and record—these vital messages for us. (This is the same angel who visited Mary. See Luke 1:19; DA 99.)
      —John, as God’s faithful scribe, brings three things to us in this book:
WHO BARE RECORD OF THE WORD OF GOD,
AND OF THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST,
AND OF ALL THINGS THAT HE SAW.
      —“In the Revelation given to him there was unfolded scene after scene of thrilling interest in the experience of the people of God, and the history of the church foretold to the very close of time. In figures and symbols, subjects of vast importance were presented to John, which he was to record, that the people of God living in his age and in future ages might have an intelligent understanding of the perils and conflicts before them.” AA 583. (Emphasis added.)
BLESSED IS HE THAT READETH,
      —depending on the Holy Spirit for guidance —
AND THEY THAT HEAR THE WORDS OF THIS PROPHECY,
      —who find a quiet Isle of Patmos where they can listen with John —
AND KEEP THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN THEREIN:
      —“Do you know that a holy and just God will accept your efforts to keep His law, through the merits of His own beloved Son who died for your rebellion and sin?” RH, July 24, 1888. (Emphasis added.)
FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND.
      —This threefold blessing is for readers, for listeners, and for doers!
      —Now— Jesus is revealed to mankind!
JOHN
      —the scribe God chose
          —to present the Revelation of Jesus Christ to His people, and
          —to record the thrilling preview of coming events,
TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES WHICH ARE IN ASIA:
      —Seven is a complete and perfect number. John’s letter goes to all of God’s people of the Christian era. See AA 585; COL 243.
GRACE BE UNTO YOU, AND PEACE,
Page 67

FROM HIM WHICH IS, AND WHICH WAS, AND WHICH IS TO COME;
      —God, the eternal Father—
AND FROM THE SEVEN SPIRITS WHICH ARE BEFORE HIS
      —God, the Holy Spirit —
AND FROM JESUS CHRIST,
      —God, the only-begotten Son —
WHO IS THE FAITHFUL WITNESS,
      —Do you wish for Someone to intercede for you in front of God’s
      —“. . . If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1John 2:1.
      —“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32.
      —Christ is the connecting link between God and man. He has promised His personal intercession. He places the whole virtue of His righteousness on the side of the suppliant.” 8T 178. (Emphasis added.)
AND THE FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD
      —Hear Christ’s triumphant voice ring out at the grave of Lazarus:
. . . I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25.
      —“. . . Because I live, ye shall live also.” John 14:19
      —“In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death . . . His resurrection is the type and pledge of the resurrection of all the righteous dead.” DA 785, 786. See 1Thessalonians 4:16-18. (Emphasis added.)
AND THE PRINCE OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH
      —Jesus will be given His kingdom of glory, when His work as a Mediator is finished. See GC 416
UNTO HIM THAT LOVED US,
      —“Christ’s love for His children is as tender as it is strong. And it is stronger than death; for He died to purchase our salvation, and to make us one with Him . . . TM 519. (Emphasis added.)
      —“Even before He took humanity upon Him, He saw the whole length of the path He must travel in order to save that which was lost. Every pang that rent His heart, every insult that was heaped upon His head, every privation that He was called to endure, was open to His view before He laid aside His crown and royal robe, and stepped down from the throne, to clothe His divinity with humanity. The path from the manger to Calvary was all before His eyes. He knew the anguish that would come upon Him. He knew it all, and yet He said, ‘Lo, I come . . .’” DA 410. (Emphasis added.)
      —He had your mind!
AND WASHED US FROM OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BLOOD,
      —He died the death we deserve to die—and paid our debt to God’s broken law with His own precious lifeblood’
      —“The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. . . That life sustaining blood, appropriated by living faith, is our hope.
Page 68

We need to grow in appreciation of its inestimable value, for it speaks for us only as we by faith claim its virtue, keeping the conscience clean and at peace with God.” 7BC 948. (Emphasis added.)
AND HATH MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD AND HIS FATHER;
      —“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne . . .” Revelation 3:21.
TO HIM BE GLORY AND DOMINION FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN
      —“As they gather about the great white throne, gladness unspeakable will fill their hearts, when they behold those whom they have won for Christ, and see that one has gained others, . . . all brought into the haven of rest, there to lay their crowns at Jesus’ feet and praise Him through the endless cycles of eternity.” GC 647. (Emphasis added.)
BEHOLD, HE COMETH WITH CLOUDS;
      —This is the blessed hope! —the precious hope that fills all Christians with joy!
      —Listen to Christ’s parting promise: “. . . I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2, 3. (Emphasis added.)
AND EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM,
      —As Jesus returns to receive His people, He descends from heaven in clouds of flaming glory. He will not come in secret He will be seen by every eye—around the circle of the globe!
      —Listen to Christ’s warning: “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. [See verse 5.] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:23-27. (Emphasis added.?
      —When the real Christ comes in the clouds of heaven, everyone will see Him at once! (Any person you hear about, will be a false Christ.)
AND THEY ALSO WHICH PIERCED HIM:
      —will be resurrected to see His second coming in the clouds of glory.
      —Those who crucified Jesus will be in this special resurrection, along with “the most violent opposers of His truth and His people.” GC 637. (Emphasis added.)
AND ALL KINDREDS OF THE EARTH SHALL WAIL BECAUSE OF HIM. EVEN SO, AMEN.
      —“The cry bursts forth from lips so lately scoffing, ‘The great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?’ The wicked pray to be buried beneath the rocks of the mountains rather than meet the face of Him whom they have despised and rejected.
GC 642; Revelation 6:17. (Emphasis added.)
      —But there is another group who lift up their heads with rejoicing!
Page 69

      —As they see the tokens of their coming Redeemer, they will exclaim “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him . . . We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 26:9. (Emphasis added.)
I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA
      —The “A” and the “Z”
THE BEGINNING AND THE ENDING,
      —The Creator and the Restorer —
SAITH THE LORD, WHICH IS, AND WHICH WAS, AND WHICH IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY.
      —“. . . the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8.

I JOHN, WHO ALSO AM YOUR BROTHER, AND COMPANION IN TRIBULATION,
AND IN THE KINGDOM AND PATIENCE OF JESUS CHRIST,
      —John sends this special letter (revealing Jesus) to his fellow believers
      —He was banished, for love and loyalty to his Master, in 96 A.D., and
WAS IN THE ISLE THAT IS CALLED PATMOS,
      —a little spot in the Mediterranean Sea where prisoners were isolated—
FOR THE WORD OF GOD,
      —which John held more dear than life itself —
AND FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST
      —which “is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10.
      —John was privileged to be on the Isle of Patmos
          —to reveal Jesus, the living Word of God, (See John 1:14), and
          —to receive His prophecy of future events.
I WAS IN THE SPIRIT
      —Picture the aged warrior for Christ as he sits on the rocky island, looking out over the restless waves,
ON THE LORD’S DAY,
      —“. . . The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28.
      —“. . . The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. . .” Exodus 20:10. (This verse is a part of the fourth commandment, which is in the center of God’s holy law, spoken from Mt. Sinai.)
      —The Lord’s day is the seventh day, the Sabbath of creation.” 6T 128; See Exodus 20:8-11; Genesis 2:1-3; Hebrews 4:4, 9; Matthew 5:17, 18; Luke 23:56.
      —It is our privilege to honor God’s memorial of creation, and have a beautiful companionship with our Creator on this day of His appointment. (This was His “family day” with Adam and Eve.)
      —We will learn to love the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as we commune with its Author, and make it our “family day” too!
      —The Sabbath comes to be a special “sign” between God and His people; God sanctifies them, and they “know” they belong to God!
          —“Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” Ezekiel 20:12. (Emphasis added.)
      —To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ’s creative and redeeming power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves in Him . . . While it calls to mind the lost peace
Page 70

of Eden, it tells of peace restored through the Saviour.” DA 289.
      —“Among the cliffs and rocks of Patmos, John held communion with his Maker . . . From the exiled apostle on rocky Patmos there went up the most ardent longing of soul after God, the most fervent prayers.” AA 571, 572. (Emphasis added.)
      —As John was enjoying the peace of this special Sabbath, his thoughts were interrupted.
AND HEARD BEHIND ME A GREAT VOICE AS OF A TRUMPET,
      —Jesus had come down to Patmos to talk with John in person!
      —(What a privilege that we can listen to this interview!)
      —“. . . To the servant of God this gloomy abode became the gate of heaven.” AA 570.
SAYING, I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE FIRST AND THE
      —Again Jesus reminds John that He is the only answer to humanity’s great need —from the beginning of life to the very end. His grace sustains His people through every hour!
AND, WHAT THOU SEEST, WRITE IN A BOOK, AND SEND IT UNTO THE SEVEN CHURCHES WHICH ARE IN ASIA;
      —“. . . The messages given him on that barren coast were to go forth as a lamp that burneth, declaring the sure purposes of the Lord concerning every nation on the earth . . . The events that would take place in the closing scenes of this earth’s history were outlined before him, and there he wrote out the visions he received from God.” AA 571. (Emphasis added.)
UNTO EPHESUS, AND UNTO SMYRNA, AND UNTO PERGAMOS, AND UNTO THYATIRA, AND UNTO SARDIS, AND UNTO PHILADELPHIA, AND UNTO LAODICEA.
      —“The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian era. The number 7 indicates completeness . . .” AA 585.
AND I TURNED TO SEE THE VOICE THAT SPAKE WITH ME
      —This is the same voice that John had heard and appreciated, as he walked by the side of his Master for 3 1\2, years in old Judea.
AND BEING TURNED, I SAW SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS,
      —which are symbols of the seven churches. See Revelation 1:20. They are to reflect the brightness of their Master the Light of the world. John 8:12.
AND IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS
      —to represent how near Jesus is to the people He loves —
ONE LIKE UNTO THE SON OF MAN,
      —Jesus often referred to His human relationship when He walked on earth with His disciples.
      —And now, in the glory of His divinity, we are reminded that He is still human—the Son of man, our elder Brother.
      —Christ “identifies Himself with every child of humanity. That we might become members of the heavenly family, He became a member of the earthly family. He is the Son of man, and thus a brother to every son and daughter of Adam.” DA 638. (Emphasis added.)
Page 71

CLOTHED WITH A GARMENT DOWN TO THE FOOT, AND GIRT ABOUT THE PAPS WITH A GOLDEN GIRDLE.
      —Heavenly angels, who are dressed in white linen, also wear golden’ girdles. See Revelation 15:6.
HIS HEAD AND HIS HAIRS WERE WHITE LIKE WOOL, AS WHITE AS SNOW;
      —and lay on His shoulders. EW 16.
AND HIS EYES WERE AS A FLAME OF FIRE;
      —to search “His children through and through.” EW 16
      —“The depths of every heart are open to the inspection of God Every action, every purpose, every word, is as distinctly marked as though there were only one individual in the whole universe and all the watchfulness and scrutiny of God were employed on his deportment.” 5T 627.
AND HIS FEET WERE LIKE UNTO FINE BRASS, AS IF THEY BURNED IN A FURNACE
      —for “He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Revelation 19:15.
      —“To sin, wherever found, ‘our God is a consuming fire.’ Hebrews 12:29. In all who submit to His power the Spirit of God will consume sin. But if men cling to sin, they become identified with it. Then the glory of God, which destroys sin, must destroy them . . . Wherever men came before God while willfully cherishing evil they were destroyed . . . Only as they were willing to be purged from sin could they enter into fellowship with Him.” DA 107, 108. (Emphasis added.)
      —(We are all sinners, clear to the center. The deciding factor is our attitude toward what lies within
          —Will we permit God to put hatred for sin in our hearts?
          —Or do we choose to hold on to some pet idol?
      —If we continue to cherish sin, we will finally be consumed with it!)
AND HIS VOICE AS THE SOUND OF MANY WATERS.
      —The voice of Jesus sounds like “many musical instruments, all in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious.” It is “full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy.” 1T 181.
AND HE HAD IN HIS RIGHT HAND SEVEN STARS:
      —These stars are symbols of God’s ministers and teachers—those entrusted by Him “with weighty responsibilities.” Jesus holds them carefully in His own hand! Revelation 1:20; AA 586.
AND OUT OF HIS MOUTH WENT A SHARP TWOEDGED SWORD:
      —“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit . . .” Hebrews 4:12.
AND HIS COUNTENANCE WAS AS THE SUN SHINETH IN HIS STRENGTH.
      —“. . . The glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love.” DA 20.
      —John looks at the radiant splendor of his divine Master, and is overwhelmed.
Page 72

AND WHEN I SAW HIM, I FELL AT HIS FEET AS DEAD.
      —We, too, will wish to fall at the feet of our Saviour, when we catch a glimpse of His surpassing loveliness, in contrast with our own selfishness.
      —“. . . One gleam of the purity of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character. It makes apparent the unhallowed desires, the infidelity of the heart, the impurity of the lips.” We will loathe ourselves as we view “the pure, spotless character of Christ.” SC 29. (Emphasis added.)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9.
AND HE LAID HIS RIGHT HAND UPON ME,
      —compassionate Redeemer
SAYING UNTO ME, FEAR NOT;
      —“. . . My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2Corinthians 12:9.
      —John, stretched out as dead on the Isle of Patmos, responds to the touch of his Master, and is revived. Then he receives the special commission His Lord is waiting to give him.
      —“It was after Isaiah had beheld the holiness of God and his own unworthiness that he was entrusted with the divine message. It was after Peter had been led to self-renunciation and dependence upon divine power that he received the call to his work for Christ.” DA 246. (Emphasis added.)
      —Are we willing to pay that price—so we can feel Christ’s touch on our shoulder?
      —Do we want to fall in the dust of our human pride, so that we may hear the special commission Christ has for us?
      —There is a work for your Lord, that only you can do —and if you don’t respond to His call, that work may never be done!
I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST:
      —This is the third time this thought is presented in Chapter 1. It must be very important!
      —“Unless we accept divine aid we cannot take the first step toward the Saviour. He says, ‘I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end’ (Rev. 21:6) in the salvation of every soul.” 1SM 381.


      —That grace is Jesus —the First and the Last! See COL 271.
I AM HE THAT LIVETH, AND WAS DEAD;
      —Don’t you remember, John, how you found the sepulcher empty on that resurrection morning?
AND, BEHOLD, I AM ALIVE FOR EVERMORE, AMEN;
      —“Christ is a living Saviour.” This is “the greatest message ever given to the world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of
Page 73

the human family for time and eternity depend.” DA 801. (Emphasis added)
      —I live—
AND HAVE THE KEYS OF HELL AND OF DEATH,
      —to unlock Satan’s prison house, and release My people who are sleeping, for
          “. . . I am the resurrection and the life: He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25.
      —“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1Thessalonians 4:16.
      —And now, Jesus gives John a very special commission —an assignment which would bring encouragement to His people to the end of time!
WRITE THE THINGS WHICH THOU HAST SEEN,
      —in the past revelations which God has given you —
AND THE THINGS WHICH ARE,
      —in the present words of truth —
AND THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE HEREAFTER;
      —the future events yet to unfold before you in vision.
THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN STARS WHICH THOU SAWEST IN MY RIGHT HAND, AND THE SEVEN GOLDEN
CANDLESTICKS,
      —The mysteries of the Bible symbols may be solved only as we prayerfully search God’s Word for an explanation of each symbol.
      —A Bible student (William Miller) “saw that the prophecies, so far as they had been fulfilled, had been fulfilled literally; that all the various figures, metaphors, parables, similitudes, etc., were either explained in their immediate connection, or the terms in which they were expressed were defined in other scriptures, and when thus explained, were to be literally understood.” GC 320.
THE SEVEN STARS ARE THE ANGELS OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES:
      —“Stars” in Bible prophecy, refer to the ministers or teachers in charge of God’s churches. They also include heavenly ministers —the angels. See Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; AA 586; Hebrews 1:14; Job 38:7.
      —Jesus is the bright and morning Star—the head Minister. Revelation 22:16.
      —Jesus lovingly holds the seven stars —His workers— in His right hand. These are “the teachers in the church,” who are “entrusted by God with weighty responsibilities.” AA 586.
AND THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS WHICH THOU SAWEST ARE THE SEVEN CHURCHES.
      —“Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks . . . He is the true watchman in the Lord’s house, the true warden of the temple courts. His continued care and sustaining grace are the source of life and light.” AA 586.
      —Now let us listen attentively to the seven messages our Saviour brings to us!
Page 74