By COGwriter
The project plan is to go through each and every verse of the Book of Revelation.
It will also include commentary.
This article is a draft and is not yet complete.
The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John when he was exiled on the island of Patmos.
It is believed to have been written in the 90s A.D. during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian.
It is the last book of the New Testament canon to have been written.
This is a book that many scholars realize was always accepted by the Church of God in Asia Minor, but was not fully accepted by the Greco-Roman churches for some time.
Notice the following from the early second century by Church of God leader Papias:
These things are attested by Papias, an ancient man who was a hearer of John and a companion of Polycarp … there will be a period of some thousand years after the resurrection of the dead, and that the kingdom of Christ will be set up in material form on this very earth. (Eusebius. The History of the Church, Book 3, Chapter XXXIX, pp. 68-69)
This shows that Papias accepted the Book of Revelation as inspired as that teaching is from Revelation 5:10 and 20:4-6. Plus it shows his connection to the Apostle John who penned it and Polycarp of Smyrna who was the lead successor to the Apostle John. Polycarp himself alluded to doctrines in Revelation in his Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians.
The fact that later second and third century Church of God leaders, like Melito of Sardis and Nepos of Arsinoe, taught the millennium, shows the continuity of the acceptance of the Book of Revelation by those in the Churches of God.
Notice something from the Greco-Roman Catholic historian Eusebius (c. 320):
It is not indeed right to overlook the fact that some have rejected the Epistle to the Hebrews, saying that it is disputed by the church of Rome. …
Among the disputed writings, which are nevertheless recognized by many, are extant the so-called epistle of James and that of Jude, also the second epistle of Peter, and those that are called the second and third of John, whether they belong to the evangelist or to another person of the same name.
Among the rejected writings must be reckoned also the Acts of Paul, and the so-called Shepherd, and the Apocalypse of Peter, and in addition to these the extant epistle of Barnabas, and the so-called Teachings of the Apostles; and besides, as I said, the Apocalypse of John, if it seem proper, which some, as I said, reject, but which others class with the accepted books. (Eusebius. The History of the Church. Book III, Chapter III verse 5 and Chapter XXV, verses 3-4, pp. 44, 59-60)
3. Dionysius ... 1. he speaks in this manner of the Apocalypse of John,
Some before us have set aside and rejected the book all together criticising it chapter by chapter, and pronouncing it without sense or argument, maintaining that the title is fraudulent.
2. For they say it is not the work of John, nor is it revelation, because it is covered thickly and densely by a vail of obscurity. And they affirm that none of the apostles, rend none of the saints, nor any one in the Church is its author, but that Cerinthus, who founded the sect which is called after him the Cerinthian, desiring reputable authority for his fiction, prefixed the name.
3. For the doctrine which he taught was this: that the kingdom of Christ will be an earthly one. ...
6. After this, he examines the entire Book of Revelation, and having proved it to be impossible to understand it according to the literal sense ... For he says ...
7. Therefore that he was called John, and that this book is the work of of one John, I do not deny. ... But I cannot readily admit that he was the apostle, the son of Zebedee, the brother of James, by whom the Gospel of John and the Catholic Epistle were written. (Eusebius. Church History, Book VII, Chapter XIV verse 3 and Chapter XXV, verses 1,2,3,6,7, pp. 159, 160)
Dionysius was a bishop, later sometimes called the Pope of Alexandria. He opposed the millennium, the biblical idea that the Kingdom of God would be on the earth once Jesus returned, and he took shots at the true Church of God leader Nepos of Arsinoe.
Cyril of Jerusalem c. 350 (Cyril. Catechetical Lecture 4. Translated by Edwin Hamilton Gifford. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 7. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1894) and Gregory of Nazianzus (Gregory of Nazianzus. Vol. 37 of Migne's Patrologia Graeca, cols. 471-474: Carmina Dogmatica, Book I, Section I, Carmen XII) left the Book of Revelation out of their lists of valid New Testament books. Both of them are considered to be saints by the Greco-Roman Catholic churches.
Clearly the Greco-Roman Catholic churches had canonical confusion as some considered Revelation to be fraudulent, some claimed the apostle Cerinthius wrote it (see also Cerinthus: An early heretic), many did not accept it, while some others denied it was written by the Apostle John.
It should also be noted that there was also canonical confusion among those who falsely claim that the New Testament was originally written in Syriac Aramaic.
What is pointed to as the oldest Syriac Aramaic New Testament (Peshitta) did not include all the books of the New Testament. The traditional New Testament of the Peshitta had only 22 books — --it was missing the Second Epistle of John, the Third Epistle of John, the Second Epistle of Peter, the Epistle of Jude and the Book of Revelation. The missing books were later reconstructed by the Syriacist John Gwynn in 1893 and 1897 from alternative manuscripts, and included them in the United Bible Societies edition of 1905. The 1997 modern Aramaic New Testament has all 27 books. But the fact that it originally missed 5 should raise flags.
As far as the Greek Orthodox go, their Council of Laodicea did not include Revelation in its c. 363 canon (Bruce, The Canon of Scripture, p. 210). Despite what Revelation states, the Eastern Orthodox Catholics do not read the Book of Revelation as part of their lectionary (Bruce, The Canon of Scripture, p. 215).
Protestants Martin Luther’s and Huldrych/Ulrich Zwingli’s position should also be mentioned:
As for Protestantism, the Anglicans and Calvinists always kept the entire New Testament. But for over a century the followers of Luther excluded Hebrews, James, Jude, and Apocalypse. … Zwingli could not see in Apocalypse a Biblical book. (Reid, Canon of the New Testament)
Martin Luther wrote about Hebrews and the books following it (his other prefaces confirm his opposition to James, Jude, and Revelation):
Up to this point we have had the true and certain chief books of the New Testament. The four which follow have from ancient times had a different reputation. In the first place, the fact that Hebrews is not an epistle of St. Paul, or of any other apostle (Luther, M. Prefaces to the Epistle of the Hebrews, 1546)
Martin Luther really did not believe in sola Scriptura and he did not want taught certain matters in the above books (see also, the free book, online at ccog.org, Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism).
Martin Luther's preterist learnings are dangerous for those living in the 21st century (see The Dangerous Rise of Preterists; there is also a related sermon video is titled Preterism: You've Gotta Be Kidding...Right?).
Martin Luther’s comments on Revelation may be part of why he did not accept the millennium and certain other prophetic teachings. The apostate Marcion also rejected the Book of Revelation and the millennium (Tertullian. Against Marcion, Book IV, Chapter 5).
Martin Luther’s statement that “Christ is neither taught nor known in it” is bizarre as much of the Book of Revelation consists of quotes of Jesus’ words, plus He was the one who repeatedly told John to write down in a book what he saw (Revelation 1:9-11,19) as well as various messages He gave (Revelation 2:1,8,18; 3:1,7,14) that we now read in it.
Martin Luther’s discounting of prophecies remains dangerous for his followers living in the 21st century.
The true Church of God differs from the Greco-Roman Catholic and Protestant churches because our history shows that we always accepted that the Book of Revelation was part of the canon of scripture (see also Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete?).
The late 20th century Church of God leader, Herbert W. Armstrong, wrote the following in his introduction to a booklet he wrote about the Book of Revelation:
GOD'S TIME has come! At last, the most mysterious, intriguing, never-before-understood Book of Revelation stands unveiled!
In this heretofore closed, sealed Book, the Eternal God now reveals, not only the wonderful world of PEACE -- of PLENTY -- of HAPPINESS and JOY soon to shine forth on this very present generation, but also the terrifying world-catastrophes this present world is first bringing on itself!
Science, technology and industry are producing more and more frightful weapons of mass destruction. Already they have produced the means to erase human life from the earth!
Meanwhile, immorality, crime, violence, poverty, sickness and disease, famine and starvation stalk the earth, in fast-increasing acceleration.
However, there exists a living God of love, mercy, compassion, wisdom, justice, of transcendent PURPOSE and of SUPREME POWER, very soon now to intervene, and BY FORCE to save humanity from itself. If He did not exist -- then indeed the imminent end of the world would become also THE END OF HUMAN LIFE!
But the living GOD, happily, is VERY MUCH ALIVE! -- alive to world trends -- alive to the self-inflicted plight fast closing in on a humanity now caught hopelessly in the trap of its own rebellion -- utterly helpless to extricate itself from its fast-approaching fate!
What's Coming First?
But this happy WORLD TOMORROW, under the government of Almighty GOD, will not come until man has actually reached the end of his rope! Not until man has proved beyond his last shadow of doubt that he is utterly incapable of ruling himself -- not until he has been given his last chance!
The time has come when this world must be warned!
The present strife between major nuclear powers -- the constantly accelerating international tensions -- the internal upward spiral within nations of crime, race riots, violence of every sort -- combining to plunge the world into a holocaust of destruction and death such as never happened before -- and never shall again!
The God of Creation knows human nature and its inevitable END. Every gigantic step in world events from here is pictured in God's prophecies!
God's time has come to OPEN WIDE to human understanding the awesome prophecies of the BOOK OF REVELATION. Today this solemn warning is being thundered around the world, as a witness! Take warning yourself, while you may, and mark well this fact:
No PLAGUE NEED COME NEAR YOU! YOU may, if you heed and obey God, be accounted worthy to escape these things that shall certainly come to pass! ...
A Third of Bible Is PROPHECY
Approximately ONE THIRD of all the Bible is devoted to PROPHECY. Many whole Books of Scripture, especially in the Old Testament — Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and all the so-called "minor" prophets -- are devoted primarily to PROPHECY.
And do you realize that the very CHURCH of Jesus Christ is actually built on the very FOUNDATION of these PROPHETS, and of their prophetic writings? You'll read that in Ephesians 2:20.
But the actual FRAMEWORK, or superstructure, of all the prophecies is found in two prophetic Books -- one in the Old, the other in the NEW Testament -- the Books of Daniel and the Revelation. And in the Book of Revelation, alone, do we find events of the various other prophecies correlated in order of TIME SEQUENCE.
While the Book of Revelation, itself, is a vital KEY to a large portion of the other prophecies, there are certain KEYS which open up this Book to understanding.
ONE important key is that in the Book of Revelation is a STORY-FLOW, relating one future event to another in time order -- with occasional INSETS injected into the continuous story-thread.Let us TURN to this Book that has appeared to many as the most mysterious and unfathomable of ALL prophecies. NOTHING could be more intriguing. NOTHING, in today's upset and jittery world, could be MORE IMPORTANT at this hour! For it describes this very HOUR in which we live -- it draws back the curtain on the FUTURE!
A SEALED Prophecy
The Revelation was given as a mystic and CLOSED book, sealed with seven seals. Some of the prophecies revealed to and written by Daniel also were closed and sealed until this very time of WORLD-CRISIS at the close of this present age.
Daniel wrote, at the conclusion of his Book: "I heard, but I understood not" -- that is, he heard what the angel had revealed, which Daniel wrote in his Book -- but he himself did not understand the very prophecies he had been inspired to write. The angel said to Daniel: "The words are CLOSED UP, and SEALED till the time of the end" -- and the Moffatt translation renders it "till the crisis at the CLOSE" -- that is, till this world-crisis at the close of this age! (Dan. 12:8-9.) Again, verse 4: "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
As the prophecies of Daniel were CLOSED and SEALED until this time of the END -- this world-crisis at the close -- this time of rapid transportation, men running to and fro -- this time of INCREASED KNOWLEDGE -- so also the prophecies of the Book of Revelation were SEALED!
Yes, they were sealed with seven seals, as we shall see!
But today we live in the dynamic, exciting, terrible "time of the END" -- the world-crisis at the CLOSE of the age! The prophecies and mysteries of God, sealed until now, are today REVEALED to those whom God has chosen to carry His last Message to the world as a witness! Jesus Christ, Head of His Church, is the REVEALER! Christ has opened these mysteries to His servants!
The time has come for God's servants to open up to YOU -- to lay bare before your startled eyes -- these tremendous prophecies of the Book of REVELATION!
I want you, now, to look at this Book! We're ready, now, to come directly to the first chapter and first verse of this mysterious, exciting Book. We're ready, now, to see what it does say -- and you have SURPRISES coming!The REVEALING of CHRIST
The very opening verse says:
"The revelation of Jesus Christ … to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass."
The very word "Revelation" -- the English word translated from the original Greek word "Apocalypse," as it is called in one version -- means the REVEALING. Not the hiding, sealing, or closing up, but the REVEALING! Yet the prophecy of future world events in this Book was sealed with seven seals!
Of course! And absolutely NO ONE, except Jesus Christ, was able to strip off the seals, to open up, to REVEAL the meaning of the prophecies.
Now notice, GOD gave this prophecy to CHRIST. The first three verses form the introduction. Let us read them: "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: who bare record 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 therein: for the time is at hand" (Rev. 1:1-3).
So notice, the prophecy first CAME from God the FATHER! It is the REVELATION -- not the concealing, but the REVEALING -- the EXPLAINING -- the OPENING UP -- of JESUS CHRIST, but God gave it to Him sealed!
Christ is the WORD -- the SPOKESMAN. And He tells us plainly, in John 12:49 and elsewhere, that He spoke NOTHING of Himself, but only as the FATHER commanded Him! Christ is the WORD. Christ is the REVEALER. Now we come to another popular error of men. (Armstrong HW. The Book of Revelation Unveiled at last! © 1959, 1972 Worldwide Church of God)
Yes, Revelation was revealed by Jesus. And while the percentage of the Bible which is prophetic is subject to debate, the Book of Revelation is a prophetic book with important messages for us in the 21st century--and many events it discusses will come to pass in the 21st century.
Here are links to articles in this series on Revelation:
Thiel, B. Ph.D. Commentary on the Book of Revelation. www.cogwriter.com/revelation.htm (c) 2026 0613
Items of further interest may include:
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L’Histoire Continue de l’Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim "saints" from both? "Saints" that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?
The Seven Church Eras of Revelation This is a YouTube video. A summary of the history of the Christian church's history is included in chapters 2 & 3 of the Book of Revelation. Do you know what happened to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia? What are some signs of Laodicea? Who is keeping the word of God and who is holding to traditions of men above the Bible?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
1. The Ephesus Church Era was predominant from 31 A.D. to circa 135 A.D. The Church of James, Peter, Paul, and John, etc. Here is a link to a related video sermon: Ephesus Church Era.
2. The Smyrna Church Era was predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D. The Church led by Polycarp, Melito, Polycrates, etc. Here is a link to a related video sermon: The Smyrna Church Era.
3. The Pergamos Church Era was predominant circa 450 A.D. to circa 1050 A.D. An especially persecuted Church. Here is a link to a related sermon video: Pergamos Era and the Antichrist.
4. The Thyatira Church Era was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D.--but some are still in it. The Church during the time of Peter Waldo and the Inquisition. It claimed succession from the apostles. Here is a link to a related sermon: Thyatira, Succession, and Jezebel.
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D.--but some are still in it. Discusses some early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, CG7-Salem, Jerusalem 7DCG, and COG-7th Day-Denver. Here are two historical sermons: Sardis Church Era: Beginnings, Doctrines, and Leaders and Sardis: SDBs, SDAs, & CG7s.
6. The Philadelphia Church Era and Remnant Though the era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D., a faithful remnant has continued. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God were part of the era, and now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God. Here is a link to a related sermon: Philadelphia Church Era: History & Teachings.
7. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present.--and most end time Christians are part of it. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 50+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors. See also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from 31 A.D. to the 21st century.