In this enlightening episode, we uncover the vital role angels play within the Book of Revelation. We learn about their immense power and humility, serving as worship leaders of heaven. Gain insights into why they worship the Lamb and God alone, and what these heavenly beings signify for our spiritual journey today. This discussion is sure to deepen your understanding of one of the Bible’s most intricate books.
I’ve heard people say, you know, hey, did you hear your brother got saved? Oh, no. Not him. Anybody but him. You know. And the way I see it, God is really saving some stinkers, isn’t he? I like to say, and many of you know what’s coming, that if you knew what was in the heart of the person sitting next to you, you would move. It’s God’s wonderful grace and love. And what do angels do? Take your cue from them. The angels of God fall down and worship our blessed Lord. Isn’t that great? All the angels worship him, the Bible says. Now what is it we learn about angels?
SPEAKER 04 :
This is Hope for Today with Bible teacher and author David Hawking. Today on the broadcast, we’re continuing in Revelation chapter 1, where the focus isn’t on symbols or speculation. It’s on a person. This book isn’t about predictions. It’s about a reveal, the revealing of Jesus Christ in power, glory, and in total authority over what’s coming next. And here’s what David’s going to show you today on the program. If you miss who this book is about, you’ll miss what it’s for. So before you try to decode the future, so to speak, start with the one who holds it. Stay with us for day three of our study in Revelation chapter one, titled, A Revelation of Jesus Christ. Right before today’s study, I want to tell you about a free resource that will encourage you every single day. It’s called Meditations in the Psalms. This is a short, powerful daily devotional from David drawn straight from the Psalms. If you need fresh strength, comfort, and clarity to start your day, you’ll find it with Meditations in the Psalms. You can read each new devotional on the homepage at DavidHawking.com. Just scroll down a bit there and you’ll find it on the bottom left corner, Meditations in the Psalms, David’s Daily Devotional at davidhawking.org. Now here’s David with today’s study.
SPEAKER 02 :
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, who bore witness of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth. and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it, for the time is at hand. Seven things about this book that is said in the opening salutation of three verses. Seven things. According to verse 1, it presents Jesus Christ in all of his glory. It is a revelation that Of Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God. And the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, another one. He is the Almighty, according to chapter 1, verse 8. The first and the last. Wonderful titles, and I’m just hitting the highlights, there are many more. The Amen. Amen. We’re talking about Jesus. He’s the amen. He’s the faithful and true witness. He’s the beginning of the creation of God. We owe it all to him. And according to the Bible, in the book of Revelation, he’s the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David. Over and over again, what do we learn in Revelation? The glory, the majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ. What wonderful names are given to our Lord Jesus Christ. In Revelation chapter 19 and verse 16, it says, He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Every single one of them exalts the glorious name of Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords. That’s Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior. So the first thing about this book is that it presents Jesus Christ in all of his glory. Number two, it proclaims the glorious return of Jesus Christ to the earth. That is the great event to which the entire Bible is pointing. The glorious return of Jesus Christ to the earth. The Lord is going to come. He comes with clouds and every eye will see him. That is his revelation. But number three, it prophesies events in the future that will take place within a short period of time. All prophetic events do not necessarily happen in a short period of time. But according to Revelation, everything it talks about does happen in a short period of time. And that involves from chapter 4, verse 1 on, as we shall show you in just a moment. The book of Revelation prophesies events in the future that will take place within a short period of time. Number four, as to what this book is all about. It not only presents Jesus Christ in all his glory and majesty, and not only proclaims the glorious return of Jesus Christ to the earth, not only prophesies events in the future that will take place within a short period of time, but number four, it pictures future events with unique symbolism. It pictures future events with unique symbolism. Right here, if you want to understand the book of Revelation, it’s one of the most important things that you can learn. It pictures future events with unique symbolism. Some people read the symbolism and they check out. They don’t want to study the book anymore. I don’t understand it. It’s all foolishness. I don’t know. Or they read somebody’s interpretation. There are 44 separate and distinct visions in the book of Revelation. 44 of them. I saw, I heard. Chapter 1 verse 2 says he’s going to write about the things that he saw. John literally saw them. In chapter 22 verse 8 he said, I, John, saw and heard these things. He was an eyewitness. But as he describes them, he lives in the first century. He’s describing things that are still future from our day. It was impossible for him to fathom what is happening in our day. But did God tell him the truth about what was going to happen? Yes, but he did it in unique symbolism. And there are two words in Revelation that you really want to be careful. In some of my older Bibles, I have even underlined or highlighted it in yellow so I wouldn’t make a mistake. Two words, very small, maybe look insignificant, but are the key to understanding Revelation. Word number one is the word like. Like. Frequently, 22 times in the book of Revelation, it says that something is like something. That Greek word, homoios, has the idea of likeness in external appearance. So every time you see the word that something is like something, it doesn’t mean it is that. It means it’s like that in external appearance. That’s why John often tells you what he is looking at and what he is seeing. From his perspective in the first century, getting this wonderful vision from God, he is telling you it is like something. Doesn’t mean it’s the same as, but there’s a similarity in appearance. The second word is the word as, just a two-letter word, as, the word host in Greek. And what it means is a similarity in action or quality. It’s used 65 times in the book of Revelation, so you can’t ignore it. Something is as something. It means it’s similar in action or in substance or quality. There’s something that is the same there. And that’s why it’s important when you go through Revelation to first of all check and see if there’s a like or an as. Now what if it doesn’t exist and all it says is something is something? Now let’s back up and have a little English lesson for a moment for those of you who are still struggling with grammar. In English grammar, and we don’t often study grammar as we should, But in English grammar, there’s a very important point about similes and metaphors. A simile means that it has to have the word like or as in it. It has to have it. That’s a simile. It means it’s similar in some sense. A metaphor means that you won’t find the word like or as, but it functions like a simile. You say, wait, I was lost. Thought you might be. Let’s come back to it and hear a verse on it. The Bible says you are the salt of the earth. It doesn’t say you are like salt. It doesn’t say you are as salt. It says you are the salt of the earth. And there are actually people who study the Bible who then go into a deep discussion about how the chemical properties of the Bible do in fact include salt. But if we read the story, it’s what salt does that is the point. That’s what we call a metaphor. It means it’s similar, but the word like or as isn’t even there. So then it’s a judgment. You know, it’s a call. We’ve got to decide. Here’s another one. You are a city set on a hill. And you say, well, here are the streets and my veins. I mean, you can get really crazy over this, you know. That’s a metaphor. A metaphor means there is a similarity there, but the words that usually help us understand it’s a simile are like like or as, are not in the text. So you also have that problem in the book of Revelation. But if you would only take the like and the as and mark them and understand that that’s symbolic language, that there’s something there that is similar, but it doesn’t mean it’s exactly like that, it’ll save you a lot of pain and a lot of headache in studying. That’s what we call the literal view of the Bible. When the Bible makes sense, seek no other sense. You know, a lot of it is common sense, treating the Bible as we ought to treat it, as the word of God, and it ought to be literal. Now, number five, a fifth thing about this book that I know a lot of you have already discerned and seen as you’ve studied the book or read it, is that it puts heavy emphasis on the role and ministry of angels. Did you notice that? The book of Revelation puts heavy emphasis on the role and ministry of angels. It’s not just the beginning verse that says he signified this by his angel. He signed it. He did symbolic language by his angel to John. No, there are more angels than that. As a matter of fact, 74 times in the book it mentions angels. 74 times. The reason I find that interesting is it’s only 104 times in the whole rest of the New Testament. On nine occasions, it refers to this group called the seven angels. Now, the number seven appears 54 times in the book. a number of completion, God’s plan being unfolded. Fifty-four times you’ve got seven something. Nine of those times, seven angels. Angels are everywhere in the book. But there’s one basic lesson that you get out of Revelation about angels, in addition to many other things. The Bible says, for instance, in Hebrews 1.14, Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation? On the basis of that, we know every one of us has at least one guardian angel. But that’s a wonderful thought about angels. But the message of Revelation is a very interesting one. We learn in Revelation that angels worship God alone and the Lamb of God. Let me show you this. Revelation chapter 7. Revelation chapter 7. The angels are our examples. I like what one writer says. He calls them the worship leaders of heaven. Chapter 7, verse 11 and 12. And all the angels, it says, stood round about the throne and about the elders and the four living creatures and fell before the throne on their faces and did what? Worship God. What do angels do? We learn in Revelation they worship God. But they also worship our Lord Jesus Christ in addition to God the Father. Turn back to chapter 5, please. Chapter 5, and look at verse 11 and 12. And I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, and the number of them was 10,000 times 10,000 and thousands of thousands. By the way, 10,000 in the Greek mathematical system is the highest number. So God took the highest number and multiplied it by itself. Amen? In other words, there’s more angels than you and I could ever think about counting. It says, they will say with a loud voice, worthy is the, what? Lamb that was slain. They don’t even have the opportunity to experience it like the church does. Peter says the angels desire to look into the salvation that we receive when we experience the wonderful grace and forgiveness of our Lord. They’re amazed. The Bible says when one sinner repents, All the angels of God are praising the Lord in heaven. There’s joy in heaven over one, not 10,000, not 100,000. I don’t know what those meanings are like. I know that when one person comes to the Lord, they are breaking out in praise. We ought to be a little excited too, don’t you think? God gave me a special little blessing today. I met a man hungry and homeless. Some lady had come by and given him one of those little miniature Gospel of John things that has little red books. He was sitting there reading. He said, this stuff is really good. I said, well, show me what you’re reading. He had his finger right on. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. What a joy it was to lead him to Christ. Let me tell you something. God, the Holy Spirit, is bringing people out of every nation, tribe, tongue, and people to himself, isn’t he? And what’s happening in heaven? They’re having a praise meeting. It’s God’s wonderful grace and love. And what do angels do? Take your cue from them. The angels of God fall down and worship our blessed Lord. Isn’t that great? All the angels worship him, the Bible says. Now what is it we learn about angels? We learn that they worship God, but watch this, but that we are not to worship them. Hebrews 1.6 says, concerning the Father, that again he brings his firstborn, Jesus, into the world and says to them, angels, let all the angels of God worship him. Now wait a minute. According to Hebrews 1.6, the angels of God are to worship Jesus Christ. To those who say that Jesus Christ is nothing but an exalted angel or that he’s Michael the archangel, that is an abomination. He is the eternal God. He is the Almighty. Who do the angels worship? They worship God. And yet the Father tells the angels to worship Jesus. Now look at Revelation 22. In the last chapter, look at verse 8 and 9. Revelation 22, 8 and 9. It says, And I, John, saw these things and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not, for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them who keep the words of this book, worship God. The message of Revelation, which puts a heavy emphasis on the role and ministry of angels, is that the angels worship God and the Lamb of God and that we are not to worship them. We need to learn from the angels of God. Imagine being an angel with the power and ability they have. I don’t know how fast they travel, but in the book of Daniel, During Daniel’s prayer, an angel leaves at the throne of God, at the Father’s direction, and immediately, the same day, during the same prayer, is touching him on the shoulder. These angels can move fast. These angels have power, too, tremendous power. Not like God. It’s all given to them by God. But yet these angels never take glory to themselves. Imagine the creatures that God made in his own image and after his own likeness are always taking the credit. And the angels never do that. They always worship God. And here’s one of these sinners, saved by grace, falling down at the feet of the angel. And he said, hey, what are you doing? Stop that. The angel is saying, don’t worship me. Do you know angels in the book of Revelation are going to preach? One’s going to take the everlasting gospel all over the world in the tribulation period. That’s exciting. But these angels don’t then say, oh, aren’t you thrilled with how great I am? No way. Worship God. The angels are an example to all of us of what is greatly needed in our lives, and that’s to worship the Lord. Don’t focus on any individual. Don’t praise the instrument. You praise the living God and his wonderful word.
SPEAKER 04 :
That’s David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. David’s back in just a moment or so with some powerful words of encouragement to wrap up today’s program. So do stay tuned. First of all, Matt’s here, and we have a resource that was just made to go along with our Revelation series.
SPEAKER 03 :
Our Lord tells us that whoever reads the words of Revelation and heeds the message will be blessed. So let’s study Revelation. Amen. But you know, Matt, historically, people have often avoided studying this prophetic book because of the symbolism in it or because it just seemed too overwhelming to undertake. Or they write it off as too controversial. But we have a solution for you. We do. Number one, Jim. Yeah, stay tuned for David’s radio series in Revelation. And number two. Get the Revelation study, guide, handbook, commentary titled The Book of Revelation, Understanding the Future. It’s normally $25, but just $20 this month. And third?
SPEAKER 04 :
Yeah, we have David’s original sermon outlines and notes. Matt, these are the sermon outlines and notes that he drafted to preach each message in the series. And they’re wonderful for following along through the series and then into the future when you want to review or share the teaching with others.
SPEAKER 03 :
Discover and experience Revelation in a deeper, more encouraging fashion with our Revelation Radio series and these resources. We’ll be studying the coming world leader. Jesus Christ. The man of evil. Better known as the Antichrist. Future events in Israel. The second coming and time events in heaven. Deception and compromise in the church. The victory of believers. Get the Revelation series sermon notes ahead of time for just $10. And you can purchase and download at DavidHawking.org. Or receive them by PDF CD when you call us. And again, the book. Revelation, Understanding the Future, is just $20 this month. In Canada, call 1-888-75-BIBLE. In the U.S., call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE. And Bible by the numbers is 242-53.
SPEAKER 04 :
Well, Matt, I want to tell folks that our recent study through the book of Daniel, our radio series, is available on MP3. This is the complete series through Daniel that we’ve shared on radio, the verse-by-verse teaching that walks us through one of the most critical prophetic books in the Bible, laying the groundwork for everything we’re now studying in Revelation. The entire series is available for just $30, and you can order by phone if you like at 875-BIBLE in the U.S. or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada, or visit us at davidhawking.org. And now before we toss it back to David, can I ask you to think about something? If this teaching has helped you, if it’s made the Bible clearer or brought you hope in a time you needed it, would you consider helping us to bring that same impact to you and others in the weeks and months ahead? We do need help. Every gift you give is helps put solid verse-by-verse Bible teaching into the hands of people who are searching for truth. This isn’t just about covering costs. It’s about changing lives with the Word of God. So if you’re able to stand with us to co-labor with us in ministry today, we’d be grateful. Give by calling us at 875-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada, or go to davidhawking.org. And if you prefer to send your gift by mail, well, write to Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 8P1. And here’s David to close us out.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thanks for listening, folks. I hope you’re enjoying this study. I sure am. I love Revelation. I read it all the time. I have done studies on Revelation, both in schools and colleges, graduate schools, as well as on the radio, and I’m excited about doing it again. Now, we have Revelation, Understanding the Future, and And it is amazing what’s in this book. And we’re going to break it down for you piece by piece, and I hope it will be a blessing to your heart. And, you know, one of the things that we need to understand is that there’s a lot in Revelation that is given to us by signs and symbolism. And that’s kind of hard to follow. we got, well, over 70 signs in the book, and we’re going to break them down and show you what they mean and how they affect our lives today. Boy, this is a tremendous study. Invite other friends to listen in. Hope for today. On your radio station, if you don’t know which it is, you can look on our website, davidhucking.org, and there’s a listing of the radio stations across North America. So plan to be with us. We’re going to need at least one more study on the opening three verses. So get your Bibles ready, and I hope you enjoyed the study today. Next time, we’ll be here again.
SPEAKER 04 :
Well, thank you, David. And just before we go, you know, if this study has helped you see Jesus more clearly or brought clarity to the things that used to feel overwhelming, you’re not alone. And chances are someone you know needs that same clarity right now. You might have a friend who’s struggling to make sense of the world. Or maybe there’s someone who’s been burned by religion but still wonders what the Bible really says. Well, invite them to listen. Don’t keep it to yourself. God’s Word, it changes lives. Amen? Join us next time for more from the book of Revelation right here on Hope for Today.
