To understand the “book” of the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, you must first understand and perceive with the mind, the nature and purpose of “Jesus Christ”. And before you begin to build upon this “foundation, be sure you are building upon a solid “foundation”. “But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon. For other foundation can no man lay then that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6—15; See Lk. 6:48,49; Eph. 2:20; 2 Tim. 2:19). To understand this “Revelation”, you must put it in its proper perspective, that you might understand it according to its law, which is of course, a “spiritual” law. In other words, you must first understand, that the “revelation” given to “John”, is a “spiritual” letter to the “churches”. You must understand the scriptures, and the teachings of “Christ” (“the sayings of this book”), which “God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants, of the “things which must shortly come to pass”, before you can understand the “Revelation” which “John” received, and delivered to the “seven churches”. “Paul” wrote, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” ( Rom.. 8:6,7; cf. Rom. 12:2). In this, you can see, that “the Revelation of Jesus Christ”, is only subject to “the law of God”, seeing that the “law of God”, is a “spiritual” law. The “mind of the Spirit” (cf. Rom. 8:27; 12:2; 1 Cor. 2:16; Eph.4:23; Phil. 2:5), which was also “in Christ Jesus”, can only be understood by them which “search” for “spiritual understanding” (cf. Col. 1:9), and have “put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col. 3:10). So understand, that we cannot be “conformed to this world” (cf. Rom. 12:2), for if we are, we cannot understand “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (cf. Gal. 1:12), “according to the revelation of the mystery” (cf.Rom. 16:25), “in the knowledge of him” (Cf. Eph. 1:17). To be “conformed to this world, is to oppose “all that is called God, or that is worshipped” (Cf. 2 Thess. 2:3, 4). The very first verse of this chapter, tells us, that this “book” (See v. 11) is the signification (A making known by signs, symbols, or other means) of this “Revelation”, no more, nor, no less. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book” (See 22:18,19). The “book” is a “revelation” (“of Jesus Christ”), and it can only be understood by “revelation”, which of course, can only come from “God” (cf. Matt. 16:17; 1 Cor. 2:10; Gal. 1:12,16). The “book” tells us, that this is the “revelation” of “things”, which “God” gave unto “Jesus”, to show (“reveal”) unto “his servants” the “things” which was to “shortly come to pass”. These “things” were given to “Jesus”, while he was still preaching “the kingdom of God” (Cf. Mk. 1:14,15), saying, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak” (Jn. 12:48; cf. Jn. 8:28; 14:10; 17:8,14). If you are to understand the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, then you must be where “John” was when he “received” it....in the “Spirit” (See v. 10).

As you study the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, keep in mind, that “it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them (“that are without”) it is not given” (Matt. 13:11; cf. Matt. 11:25, 27; Mk. 4:11; Jn. 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:10). So do not say, that we cannot understand, for “the Son of God is come”, and has “given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true....” (1 Jn. 5:20). If the “mysteries” of the “Revelation of Jesus Christ” be hid, “it is hid to them that are lost” (cf. 2 Cor. 4:3,4). The “truth” being, that this is a “revelation” of “the mystery of Christ” (Cf. Eph. 3:3—5), “according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret (hid) since the world began, but now is made manifest....” (Rom. 16:25; cf. 1 Cor. 2:6—10; Col. 1:26). If we “walk (and “live”) in the Spirit” (cf. Gal. 5:16,25), then let us also “study” the “word of God” in “the Spirit”, “rightly dividing the word of truth” (Cf. 2 Tim. 2:15). “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God....” (1 Pet. 4:11). “For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God....” (jn. 3:34). In other words, to understand the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, we must “walk”, “live”, “speak”, and “study” the “word of truth” (“for these words are true and faithful”. See 21:5; 22:6) in “the Spirit”. In this, you can see, that if a “revelation” is given “in the Spirit”, then you must be “in the Spirit” (as was “John”) to “under stand” it. As you “study” the “spiritual things” of the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, you must “compare” them to “spiritual things”. “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles (cf. Heb. 6:1,2) of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (cf. Heb. 5:12—14). It seems as if today, “man” tries to relate (To bring into or establish association or connection with) the “spiritual” things of “God” to the “natural” things of “man”. “Because that which may be known of God, is manifest in them (or, to them); for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible (“spiritual”) things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen (“understood”. cf. Matt. 13:13—16; Mk. 4:11,12), being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ;so that they are without excuse: Because that when they knew God (referring to the “old covenant”), they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations (“teaching for doc trines the commandments of men”. cf. Nk.7:6—9; 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 13:9), and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools; And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man....Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature (“men”) more then the creator, who is blessed for ever” (Rom. 1:19-25). Be not deceived, for you cannot take from the “spiritual” realm, and place it into the “natural” realm. Keep in mind, that a “fountain” does not “send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter” (cf. Ja. 3:10—12). Neither can you relate “spiritual” (“incorruptible”) things to the “natural” (“corruptible”) things of “this world”.

“Paul” tells us, that if we are of, or, “after the flesh” (“carnally minded”), then we “mind the things of the flesh”. Since the “Revelation of Jesus Christ” was given “in the Spirit” (See v. 10), then it is consistent with the “Spirit”, and you cannot relate, or, “compare” the “Spiritual” things “of God”, with the “natural” things “of this world”. If you have a “spiritual” mind (Cf. Rom. 8:6; See “the mind of Christ”. cf. 1 Cor.2:16), then you will indeed, associate “Spiritual things with Spiritual”. But if you are “carnally minded”....well, “to be carnally minded is death” (cf. Rom. 8:5—13; See Gal. 5:17) To relate, or try to establish a relationship between “Spiritual” things (or, “of the Spirit”) and “natural” things (or, “of the flesh”), is “contrary” (“the one to the other”. Cf. Gal. 5:17) to all that “God” represents, seeing that the “natural” things of “this world” is “not subject to the (“spiritual”) law of God, neither indeed can be”. Just as we cannot be “conformed (To act in accordance with; to be or become similar in form, nature, or character) to this world” (Cf. Rom. 12:2; 1 Jn. 2:15), neither can the “spiritual” things “of God” be “conformed to this world”. In other words “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” is not “conformed to this world”. For example, the “war in heaven” (“of that great day of God Almighty”) was not “of this world” (See my comments in 12:7 & cf.), seeing that “God” would not “entangleth him self with the affairs of this life”, even as he “commanded” us (Cf. 2 Cor. 6:14—17). If we are not to be involved in the events and activities of “this world”, nor “the affairs of this life”, then the “Revelation of Jesus Christ” would not refer to the events, activities, nor to the “affairs of this life”. In other words, the “Revelation of Jesus Christ” only refers to the events, activities, and the “affairs” of “Jesus Christ”. Of course this is “contrary” to what is taught today. Even the “friendship of the world is enmity with God” (cf. Ja. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15). By studying the scriptures, you will see, that the things of “man” are “natural”, and the things of “God” are “spiritual”. “Natural” things, and “spiritual” things, do not come from the same “fountain”. Understand this, and you will understand, that “God” can “reveal” to you “the mystery of Christ”, just as he “revealed” it to “Paul” (Cf. Eph. 3:3—5).He is the same “yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8), and of a truth I perceive “that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

v. 1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ....”. As you study this “book” (See v. 11), keep in mind, that this “book” is comprised of only one thing, and that is the “revelation” (The act of revealing or disclosing; disclosure; something revealed or disclosed, esp. a striking disclosure, as of something not before realized or understood; Theol: God’s disclosure of himself and his will to his creatures) of the “man Christ Jesus”. It is not a “revelation” of the “things of the world” , but of “those things which pertain (To have reference or relation; relate; to belong or be connected as a part) to God”. This “book” does not “pertain to this life’, nor to “earthly things”. This is the “Revelation” of “one like unto the Son of man” (See v. 13). This “book” was intended to “reveal” to the “churches”, the “mysteries” of the “Son of God”. It is the revealing of his “purpose” and the reason for his “coming”, and the “message” which “God “ gave unto him, to “shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass”. Not “shortly” after “John” wrote the “book”, but “shortly” after “Jesus” had showed (To cause or allow to be seen; to indicate; point out; to make known; explain; to reveal; demonstrate. cf. Acts 2:22) “unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass”. The “one like unto the Son of man” said, “I Jesus have sent my angel (“unto his servant John”) to testify (or, “signified”) unto you these things (“which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants”) in the churches....” (See 22:16). The “sayings of (“the prophecy of”) this book”, is indeed, the “testimony” (The statement or declaration of a witness; evidence in support of a fact) of “Jesus Christ”, which by all accounts, is the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”. As you study this “book”, keep in mind, that one cannot “testify” (To bear witness; give evidence; to give testimony of a fact; To declare, or acknowledge openly), or “bear witness” (“of all things that he saw”. See v. 2), if that, to which he is “testifying”, had not yet taken place. To be a “witness”, or, “bear witness”, is to give evidence of something which you have seen, heard, or know by personal presence, thus, one would have to be present at an occurrence (The action, fact, or instance of occurring; something that happens; event; taken place; come to pass), before one could “testify”, that this occurrence, did indeed take place, and be fore one could say, “for these words (“the sayings of this book”. See 22:9; cf. Matt. 7:24) are true (Being in accordance with the actual state or conditions; conforming to reality or fact) and faithful” (Reliable, trusted, or believed; adhering or true to fact) (See 21:5). In other words, to “testify” (To bear witness to; attest), these things “in the churches”, one would have to attest (To testify or bear witness to; declare to be correct; accurate, in words or writing) to what had already taken place. Understand this, and you can understand the “Revelation” of the “testimony of Jesus Christ”, to which “Jesus” himself “testified”. This then, is the “Revelation of Jesus Christ,...and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John”:

v.2 “Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw”. I would like to say here, that whoever wrote the first three verses of this chapter, was referring to “John”, as one other then himself. “John” does not begin his “book” until verse four. The “record” (To set down in writing; an account in writing preserving the knowledge of facts or events; a report, list, of actions or achievements; a documented history of events or activity), to which he is referring, is this “book”, which “John” wrote (as a “record”), and sent “unto the seven churches which are in Asia” (See v. 11). In other words, this “book” is a “record” (written by “his servant John”) of “the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ (See 22:16), and of all things that he (“John”) saw”...while “In the Spirit” (See v. 10). The first thing that he “saw”, was “seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man....” (See v. 12,13). “John” used the words “I saw”, thirty nine times in describing “all things that he saw”. In this, you can see, that he “bare record....of all things that he saw”, which came to him while “in the isle that is called Patmos” (See v. 9). This then, is the “revelation” of that “testimony”, which was given to “John”, to send to “the seven churches which are in Asia”.

v.3 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy....”. Of course this is referring to “spiritual understanding”. “James” said, “But be ye doers of the word (“of this prophecy”), and not hearers only (“Man shall not live by bread alone.... cf. Matt. 4:4), deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word (“that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”), and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself (cf. 1 Cor. 13:12), and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (Ja. 1:22—25). In other words, not only are you to “read” the “prophecy” of this “book”, but you must also “hear what the Spirit saith” concerning “the sayings of this book”, or, “concerning (“the Revelation of....”) his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (cf. Rom 1:3: See Acts 22:18), which is of course, “the words of this prophecy”. If you do not “read” nor “hear” the “words of this prophecy” (Something that is declared by a prophet, esp. a divinely inspired instruction or exhortation; that which is spoken by a prophet as a mediator between God and mankind, or in God’s stead; the words of one that is chosen to speak for God, or to utter special revelations. See Jn. 3:34; 1 Thess. 2:13), then surely, you cannot “keep those things which are written therein”, or, “keep the sayings of this book” (See my comments in 12:17; 22:9). Be not deceived, for “the sayings of this book”, is not “sealed” (See 22:10) for some future time, but was meant for them of “yesterday, and today, and for ever”. This is a “message” from “Jesus Christ”, telling us, as he did them of “yesterday”, that we must “keep those things (“the commandments of God”, and “the testimony of Jesus Christ”. See 12:17; cf. 1 Cor. 1:6) which are written in this book”. In other words, “Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (See 22:7). “Jesus” said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words (or, sayings”): and my Father will love him, and we (“both the Father and the Son”. cf. 2 Jn.9; See Rom. 8:9 & Cf.) will come (“the second time....unto salvation”. cf. Heb. 9:28; See Acts 17:27; Cf. “look”; “seek”. See dict.) unto him, and make our abode with him” (Jn. 14:23,24). “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (See 21:2,3,10). “Jesus” said, “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do (“keep”) it” (Lk. 8:21). In this, you can see, that not only are we to “read” and “hear”, but we must also “do it”. It stands true, that if we do not “have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (“the sayings of this book”. See 12:17; 22:16), then surely we cannot “do it”. For to “do” the “commandments of God”, you must “have the testimony of Jesus Christ”, which you cannot “have” (To possess; receive; to show or exhibit in act ions or words; to partake of; to assert or represent as being; to gain possession of) if the “sayings of this book” are not yet come “to pass”. “Jesus” said, “He that hath my commandments (or, “have the testimony of Jesus Christ”), and keepeth (To hold or retain in one’s possession; to have) them, he it is that loveth me” (Jn. 14:21). If you study this “book”, you will “see”, that “things which are written therein”, are indeed the “words” (or, “the testimony”), and the “commandments” of “Jesus Christ”. it is “those things which are written therein”, that explains the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”. Keep in mind the words of “Christ”, saying, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things (“those things which are written therein”) be fulfilled” (Matt. 24:34 & cf.). Blessed is he that “heareth”....”what the Spirit saith unto the churches”.

To understand this “book”, you must understand these first three verses, seeing that they are the introduction to the subject covered in this “book”, which plainly states, that this only pertains to the “Revelation” of one man, “the man Christ Jesus”. A “revelation” is the act of revealing (To make known; giving insight, esp. of a significant or spiritual nature, about something previously concealed), or disclosing some thing not before realized, or, “which was kept secret since the world began” (Cf. Rom. 16:25,26). “Paul” wrote, “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Eph. 3:9). “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Col. 1:26). If this be true, then what you believe, must correlate (To place in or bring into reciprocal relation, esp. when one implies the other, or, both agree as one; so related that each implies or complements the other) with this “Revelation”. If not, then what you believe is not true, seeing that your belief is based on mistaken ideas, or facts. That which you believe, must be established in the “Spirit”, and not in the “natural”. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (cf. Rom. 8:2—8). If you “be established in the present truth” (“the true grace of God”. Cf. 1 Pet. 5:12; 2 Pet. 1:12), so as to produce unity between what you believe, and the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, then that which you believe, is in deed “true”. It seems as though, the teachings of today, does not correspond (To be in agreement or conformity) with the teachings of “Christ”, nor of “his apostles”. In other words, the teachings of today, has no agreement, nor conformity, with the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, but seems to be established upon the events and “affairs of this life” (cf. 2 Tim. 2:4), or “of this world”. The “doctrines” that teach that the “Revelation of Jesus Christ” is established upon the things of a “natural” nature, does not relate to the teachings of “Christ”, that the “sayings of this book” ,is established upon “spiritual things”, or, of the “divine nature”, which is “of God”. Keep in mind, that the “natural” and the “Spirit” are “contrary (So far opposed as to represent opposite extremes; opposite in nature and character) the one to the other” (cf. Gal. 5:17). What you believe must answer to and compliment, agree, and be in conformity with the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, so that what you believe, will be in harmony, “the one to the other”. “For he that soweth to his flesh (natural things), shall of the flesh reap corruption... .“ (Gal. 6:8). “Paul” said, “For they that are after the flesh, do mind (To look after; tend; to feel concern at; care about) the (“natural”) things of the flesh: but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:5). If them which are “born of the flesh, is flesh”, then them which are “born of the Spirit, is spirit” (Cf. Jn. 3:6). “But the natural man recieveth not the things of the Spirit of God....neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). To understand the “Revelation of Jesus Christ”, is to understand, that the things concerning him, are not ‘Of this world”. So as you study this “book”, know one thing, that this is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ”, no more, nor, no less.