The Timeline and the Assemblies
Before Revelation discusses the timeline, first it talks about the seven assemblies. While there are various interpretations of what each of these assemblies are, the members of each assembly have various strengths and weaknesses. Many scholars believe they may be seven basic “personality types” that Yahweh’s people fall into. Some of them suffer tribulation, and even die. Scholars theorize that this may be either because they need to be refined by various trials (to become more pleasing to Him), or because He plans to give them a better reward in the resurrection. At the other end of the spectrum, some of the assemblies do not suffer tribulation (perhaps because they do not need it).
Hitgalut (Revelation) 1-22 (all)
1:1 The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah, which Elohim gave Him to show His servants — things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His messenger to His servant Yochanan (John),
2 who bore witness to the word of Elohim, and to the testimony of Yeshua Messiah, to all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
4 Yochanan (John), to the seven assemblies which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
5 and from Yeshua Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
6 and has made us kings and priests to His Elohim and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amein.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amein.
Scholars debate whether the “tribes of the earth” refer to non-Israelites around the world, or whether it refers to the tribes of Israel (which are dispersed around the world). If it is the latter, then this may also refer to Zechariah 12:10, where the tribes of Judah mourn on account of Him whom they have pierced.
Zechariah 12:10-11
10 "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
In verse 9, Yochanan tells us he is our companion in tribulation, which may indicate that there has been tribulation since the time Revelation was first written, even going all the way back to the first century.
Hitgalut (Revelation) 1:8-11
8 "I am the Aleph and the Tav, the Beginning and the End," says Yahweh, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
9 I, Yochanan, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Yeshua Messiah, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of Elohim and for the testimony of Yeshua Messiah.
10 I was in the Spirit on Yahweh's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
11 saying, "I am the Aleph and the Tav, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven assemblies which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
The seven assemblies are all located in modern-day Turkey, where the (Islamic) Turkish Ottoman Empire is prophesied to be re-established. (We give more details in later chapters.)
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amein. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the messengers of the seven assemblies, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven assemblies.
Those in Ephesus test all things. They are patient, and work for Him. They have not become weary. They hate evil, and they hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which Yahweh also hates. The word “Nicolaitan” translates to “Victory over the laity.” Some scholars believe this represents an episcopal or “hierarchical” church, in which follow the leadership blindly. Yahweh says they have left their first love, which may be to say that they no longer really follow Yahweh/Yeshua.
2:1 "To the messenger of the assembly of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love (Yahweh/Yeshua).
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent.
6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of Elohim."'
Other scholars identify the Nicolaitans as the followers of a certain Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch who later advocated Gnosticism and syncretism (mixing pagan elements into the faith). He is mentioned in Acts 6:5.
Ma’asei (Acts) 6:5-6
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Set-apart Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
More information on Nicolas can be found in Irenaeus, Against Heresies, iii, 11. However, it is ironic that traditional scholarship should condemn Gnosticism and syncretism, since that is essentially what mainstream Christianity is. Gnosticism teaches that “belief (without obedience) is all that really matters, and Christianity has a great deal of sun worship mixed in with it.
Those in Smyrna work. They are in physical poverty, but in fact they have great spiritual riches. They suffer tribulation, and some of them even die in tribulation, and yet Yeshua tells them that if they will be faithful unto the death, He will give them the crown of life. The assemblies in predominantly Muslim nations come to mind.
8 "And to the messenger of the assembly in Smyrna write,
'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'
Traditional scholarship tells us this may be a reference to Polycarp, who was the bishop at the assembly in Smyrna. He was martyred in 166 CE. The attribute the ten days of persecution to the ten years of affliction that all of the assemblies in Asia suffered under Diocletian.
Pergamos calls to mind any number of the mainstream churches. Those in Pergamos do well, holding fast to His name, and not denying the faith even in the face of death. However, they hold to the doctrine of Balaam, who altered Yahweh’s message on account of money. They also allow those who practice sexually immoral behavior into their assemblies, and they eat things that have been sacrificed to idols (e.g., communion given to honor IHS [Isis, Horus, and Seb]). Some also hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (“victory over the laity”, or the Gnosticism/syncretism).
12 "And to the messenger of the assembly in Pergamos write,
'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13 "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'
In a later chapter we will see more information on Satan’s throne, and how it may be set up either in Turkey, or on the Temple Mount (in Jerusalem).
Thyatira also calls to mind a number of mainstream Christian churches (and perhaps even some Messianic assemblies). They have works, love, service, faith, and patience. Their works also get better over time. Nonetheless, they allow the woman Jezebel (who calls herself a prophetess) to teach His people to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols (crosses, hexagrams, etc.). (In Covenant Relationships we explain that sexual immorality also includes many types of divorce, especially wrongful divorce.)
18 "And to the messenger of the assembly in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of Elohim, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
23 I will kill her children with death, and all the assemblies shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.
25 But hold fast what you have till I come.
The name Israel (ישר-אל) is often interpreted to mean, the “upright ones of Elohim,” or “the overcomers of Elohim.” Yeshua tells us “he who overcomes” (Israel) will be given power over the nations, and they will rule them with the rod Yeshua receives from His father.
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations —
27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' —
as I also have received from My Father;
28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."'
In Psalms 2, Yahweh tells Yeshua that He will dash the nations to pieces, like potter’s vessels.
Tehillim (Psalms) 2:7-9
7 "I will declare the decree:
Yahweh has said to Me,
'You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.'"
If Yahweh gives Yeshua a rod, and Yeshua then gives this same rod to His body (verses 26-27, above), then Yeshua does not need to be physically present in order to dash the nations to pieces (as His body can do it for Him). We will discuss this later in more detail.
The assembly in Sardis reminds one of an assembly in which the people have no personal relationship with Yeshua, or the Spirit. Those in Sardis claim to be alive, but they are dead (they are not filled with His Spirit). Nonetheless, some in Sardis will yet walk with Him in white, because they are worthy.
3:1 "And to the messenger of the assembly in Sardis write,
'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of Elohim and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before Elohim.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His messengers.
6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."'
Those in Philadelphia are dedicated. They have works, they have kept His word, and they have not denied His name. Yeshua promises to keep them from the hour of trial that shall come on the whole world, because they have persevered in doing what is right.
7 "And to the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is set apart, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":
8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Why does Yeshua keep those in Philadelphia from the hour of trial, which tests those who dwell on the earth? Is it that Yahweh does not need to prove them through trials, because they have already proven themselves?
Later we will see that although Revelation tells us “all” men must either take the mark of the beast or be killed, some men do not take it, and yet they live. Could those who escape taking the mark of the beast belong to the “congregation of Philadelphia”?
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My Elohim, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My Elohim and the name of the city of My Elohim, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My Elohim. And I will write on him My new name.
13 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."'
Scholars differ as to whether the promise in verse 12 is to be taken literally, or figuratively. They also differ as to whether verses 11 thru 13 pertain to all of His people or just Philadelphia.
Physical Laodicea lies near Philadelphia. In ancient times it was a rich town, having a strong trade in fine wool. The town was destroyed by an earthquake in 62 DC, and the citizens were able to rebuild it without any help from the state. However, their wealth led them to be very self-satisfied, and thinking that they had need of nothing. This may be why Yeshua says that they are lukewarm, without true zeal for Yahweh and His word.
Laodicea means, “The people rule.” This may be the opposite of the Nicolaitan spirit (“victory over the laity”). (It is not clear if Yeshua is referring to congregationalist or Presbyterian styles of assembly here.)
14 "And to the messenger of the assembly of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amein, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of Elohim:
15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked —
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."'"
In verse 20, the reference to hearing His voice, opening the door and inviting Him in to dine is the same concept as the indwelling of the Spirit mentioned in John 15.
Yochanan (John) 15:4
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
In Revelation 4:1, Yochanan tells us of a “door standing open in heaven.” This is a remez (hint) that what we are seeing is a vision. In 4:2 we are also told that Yochanan is “in the Spirit.” We should not expect that the fulfillment of visions will look exactly like the vision is depicted.
4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of Elohim.
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
The four living creatures parallel those in Ezekiel 10:14.
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Qodesh, Qodesh, Qodesh, Yahweh Elohim Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 "You are worthy, O Yahweh, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."
The scroll is now opened, which begins the timeline. We know that the events here are highly symbolic, as Yeshua is depicted as a Lion in verse 5, and then as a Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes in verse 6. It would be ridiculous to expect these verses to play out on earth as they read. However, some suggest these events will play out literally in heaven.
5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
2 Then I saw a strong messenger proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"
3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.
5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of Elohim sent out into all the earth.
7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our Elohim; and we shall reign on the earth."
It is important to note that verse 10 tells us we shall reign on the earth (rather than in heaven). This agrees with Yeshua, who says the tribulation will be shortened for the sake of the elect (who remain on earth).
Mattityahu (Matthew) 24:21-22
22 “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.”
Also, verse 9 tells us that those who will reign on the earth will be chosen from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. These verses are reminiscent of the second exodus of Deuteronomy 30:1-6, which tells us that the believers will be called back to the land of Israel from the farthest corners of the earth.
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 30:4-6
4 If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there Yahweh your Elohim will gather you, and from there He will bring you.
5 Then Yahweh your Elohim will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.
6 And Yahweh your Elohim will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Later we will see evidence that the ingathering may take place after the Battle of Armageddon, which takes place after the tribulation is complete, during what is popularly called “the Millennium” (the final 1,000 years of earth’s history).
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many messengers around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
"Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
14 Then the four living creatures said, "Amein!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
As we will see, Revelation progresses first through the seals, then through the trumpets, and then finally the cups (bowls) are poured out in judgment. After this is the battle of Har Megiddo (Armageddon), also known as the first war of Gog and Magog. This war serves as the wedding feast, after which the Ephraimites will be married to Yeshua, and will be brought back home to the land of Israel.
But in order for us to grasp all that Revelation speaks of, we need to take it in small pieces. Therefore, in the next chapter, let us focus on the first five of the seals.
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