Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets!
The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed:
A Study into the Noahide Nazarene Way
By Ben Ruach ha Kodesh (John of AllFaith) © 9.16.09 (updated 5.7.10)
Chapter One
Go to the index page for: The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed
We pray to HaShem, the Holy God of Israel and to our Holy Master Y'shua the Anointed to fill our hearts with wisdom and understanding as we begin this study into the Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed. Amen.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
We begin our study of the Book of the Revelation by pointing out that this is not the Revelation of the Apostle John as is often stated. Rather this is the only one of the sixty six books of the canonical Bible that is given by Y'shua the Anointed. This makes this book unique and of utmost importance!
We further note that this book, while given to us by Y'shua was received by him from HaShem, the God of Israel. This places the stature of this work among the other prophetic writings such as Daniel. Indeed the Book of Daniel ends with the promise of further revelation:
Daniel 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
HaShem, Who sent His angel to reveal to Daniel the things that would come upon the Earth is the very same God who revealed to Y'shua the Anointed this great work. It is indeed correct to say that the Book of the Revelation is the conclusion of the Book of the Daniel the Prophet. This is how intimately the two works are interwoven. Therefore as we make our way through this book we will often reference Daniel's writings because it would be impossible to accurately understand certain aspects of either book without referring to the other. We will also draw from the writings of other prophets from time to time. In this way we will seek to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" (II Timothy 2:15).
Be advised that this study is coming from a slightly different perspective than you may be used to. For more information on the Noahide Nazarene Way refer to my website. Much of this information will be new to you no matter how familiar you may be with the prophecies. All I ask that you patiently and prayerfully read these things with an open mind because often Truth is not what we suppose it to be!
To avoid confusion, as we consider verses from other books of the Bible (and other sources), our main text, the Book of the Revelation of Y'shua, will always be presented in navy font while most other quotes will be presented in other colors.
The original version of this commentary employed a modern English version of the Bible known as the Noahide Nazarene Bible (NNB). I used this version hoping to make the text easier to understand for those not familiar with the older English styles of the King James Version (KJV). I have since come to the conclusion that as the KJV remains the preeminent version of God’s Word it would be best to use it here. I am therefore now in the process of replacing the NNB with the Authorized King James Version of the Bible. As this is a rather lengthy work this will take some time to complete. As you read my progress with this update should be evident. I discuss the NNB translation and other aspects of this commentary (including proper name usage) at the outset of this study. Once this update is complete I will update that page to reflect completion. I will be replacing the original commentary with the updated version a chapter at a time as the work progresses.
So, let us begin.
At the time of this writing John the Beloved Apostle was living on the prison island of Patmos. The authority of this great work and prophecy is that HaShem revealed these things to our Master Y'shua, he instructed "his angel" (aggelo or messenger) to reveal these things to John and John wrote them down for future generations.
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.
The entire Book of the Revelation is a prophecy. This is also unique among the biblical writings. The word used is propheteia which means this work is the direct result of divine inspiration and is intended to reveal information from God especially regarding matters of the future. Those who say propheteia simply means "discourse" are incorrect. Propheteia refers to specific types of discourses that have as their aim the revealing of future events and the calling forth of their hearers to preparedness.
Notice also that this is the only book in the Bible that specifically states that those who study, read or even hear it will receive blessings from HaShem. The Book of the Revelation is very important! The verse by verse commentary you are currently reading is one Bible students attempt to help explain the things contained within it.
As we make our way through this wonderful book we will, merely by reading its inspired words, be blessed by God! I hope you will join me for the entire journey and share your thoughts and questions as we go along! This can be done through my website or my blogs.
The text also adds that those who "...keep the things that are written in it..." will be blessed. Head knowledge is important, but its not enough. As we come to understand these things we are called to act on that knowledge. All the more today as we are approaching the End of the Age.
Notice that John says, "for the time is at hand." The time for repentance is always at hand. The time for righteousness is always at hand. However understand that neither Apostle John nor even Y'shua of Nazareth knew when these things would occur. This is because we humans have been granted free will. It was known that these things would happen, but the timing depended on us. As we read:
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
The various prophets were shown what they needed to reveal however they lacked knowledge of the exact timing and some of the details. Much has always been in flux due to free will. What is coming upon the world is occurring because we have allowed and /or created these conditions. The prophets were shown the overall events in enough detail that we today can recognize their fulfillment and know for certain that the Day has finally come:
II Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
While it is true that many people throughout history have believed they were living in the Last Days, now that Israel has been reborn in fulfillment of prophecy it is obvious the generation of 1948 (or 1967 at the latest) is the first generation in world history in which the essential requirements have all been met for the end of the age! This will be demonstrated as we continue on.
Revelation1:4 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;
The Seven Churches:
The Church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1)
The Church of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8)
The Church of Pergamos (Revelation 2:12)
The Church of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18)
The Church of Sardis (Revelation 3:1)
The Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7)
And The Church of the Laodiceans (Revelation 3:14)
As we will discuss in chapters two and three these were seven literal local assemblies. One could have gone to visit them. However from the context it is clear that there is much more to these than local congregations. These seven churches represent seven periods through which Christendom would pass.
We will likewise discuss “the seven Spirits who are before his throne" as we examine the next two chapters.
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,
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.
Long had Israel awaited the coming of Moshiach (Messiah) and his promised Kingdom! Those Jewish talmidim (followers) who walked with Y'shua of Nazareth as their teacher were sorely disappointed and confused when he did not fulfill the Messianic prophecies, but the time was not yet ripe as Paul explains at Romans chapter eleven. This disappointment is what Paul is addressing at II Thessalonians 2:3 quoted above. The establishment of the Kingdom was of critical importance to the Apostles and other early talmidim as it was to Jews in general! Like Paul, John received later instructions about the establishment of the Kingdom from Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit of God). John's presentation of Y’shua’s Revelation is all about how the Kingdom will finally be implemented throughout the earth and be based in Jerusalem. No wonder it is so singularly important! This is the book that heralds the coming of Moshiach and his Theocratic Kingdom!
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.
1:8 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.
John is here referencing the eternal hope of his (Jewish) people. As we read:
Deuteronomy 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.
30:4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
30:5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
30:7 And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.
30:8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
30:9 And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:
30:10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
This, Prophet John says, will come to pass in due time!
Note that at Deuteronomy 30:1 the end of the Diaspora is directly foretold. Through the future-history presented by the prophets we understand that the Jews will soon be gathered from among all the nations and returned to Jerusalem, even from the "uttermost parts of the heavens." Part of the Revelation of Y'shua therefore is the revealing of those events that will bring about this momentous event. As important as the restoration of Israel was in 1948 and the restoration of Holy Jerusalem in 1967, the fullness of this prophecy is yet future: The complete return of People Israel to the Land of Israel has only begun! It will be completed when Moshiach establishes the Kingdom of HaShem.
According to Jewish tradition the following conditions will lead to the advent of Moshiach (Messiah) and the restoration of the people:
- If Israel repents a single day;
- If Israel observes a single Shabbat properly;
- If there comes a generation that is totally innocent or totally guilty;
- If a generation of Jews loses all hope.
The events recorded by John in the Revelation will bring these conditions about and usher in the reign of Moshiach and the Kingdom of HaShem as we will see.
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.
1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
1:11 Saying, 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.
As described above, John was in exile on Patmos. He mentions he had his vision on Shabbat, confirming that he was still honoring the Lord’s Day. I discuss Shabbat and its observance elsewhere. John gives us a vivid picture of how this information came to him. Most Prophets do not go into such detail but John is certain that his revelation is of vital importance and he wants his readers to understand and accept this.
Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
1:13 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.
1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
1:17 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:
1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
In his vision Master Y’shua allows John to peer into the spiritual realms of existence to a degree seldom experienced by other mortals. Much of what John writes is beyond his comprehension as is clear as he attempts to relate his experiences. The Book of the Revelation is his eyewitness account of future-history and the things he was shown will all come to pass soon.
As I say above, chapters two and three deal with the Seven Churches and so I will leave this topic for there.
To confirm the obvious, standing in the midst of the seven candlesticks or menorahs John beheld the radiant, eternal form of Y'shua, our Cohen Gadol (High Priest). The content of the revelation is signified by Y'shua's angel or messenger.
