The Book of Revelation Unredacted by Jim Schucker
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation Unredacted – Introduction
The Book of Revelation, the final book in the Christian Bible, is a vision delivered to the Apostle John. It contains powerful images, prophecies, and messages meant to guide believers through challenging times. Unredacted here, drawing on Jim’s approach, is a summary that aims to capture the essence and meaning of these complex scriptural ideas. Yet without a lot of explanation on the surface. Many links are provided if you wish to go deeper. And we pray that you do. I gave it the title unredacted because governments often redact thing that it believes the general public should not have access to. The lord has done the same thing with the bible and this is described in Revelation chapter 5, where we see a scroll sealed with 7 seals, written on the inside and the back side. The idea being that the bible has an inner and out meaning to it. 1 Corinthians 2:14 "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." The book is intended to be unsealed in time, and that time has come as we are now at the end of the age.
Revelation scriptures are shown in black and my commentary in red. This work explores those deeper meanings in Revelation, unsealed by Jesus using Charles Russell, who began to preach in 1878 that 1914 would be the beginning of Armageddon, so that when 1914 came and World War I broke out, many thought it to be and called it Armageddon. The Lord had him do this to fulfil what is stated in Isaiah 42:9, “Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth, I tell you of them.” Also: John 13:19, “Now I tell you before it comes to pass, that, when it comes to pass, you may believe that I am he.”
What Scripture Sounds like and What it Means can be Quite Different
One notable aspect of the trumpets is their resemblance to the plagues described in chapter 16—they both sound quite ominous. But are they genuinely harmful, or do they just seem that way? And who actually suffers from them? What is the true purpose behind these trumpet blasts or plagues? It's important to highlight that Revelation 9:20 states that the trumpets are plagues. Yet their aim is to reveal God’s name to his adversaries, as referenced in Isaiah 64:1-3. Historically, trumpets served to warn people of danger. There is much danger in the world today, but it does not come from God. It comes from our adversary the Devil.
So, how does God make his name known? By sharing the truth about his plans. Specifically, the truth that Jesus is his Son, and with his blood he will redeem all humanity from the grip of death. Currently, he cautions us about our adversary, the Devil. However, the world, which regards the Devil as its god, does not accept this truth easily—it’s a painful adjustment. Abandoning old beliefs generally taught by the Devil’s understanding of the Gospel can be difficult and is reflected in the trumpet’s destructive sound. Although it sounds negative, the ultimate outcome is in reality, very good. One should notice that only the bad people survive the plagues. The good are converted and die to self. “He that seeks to save his life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it”. Luke 9:24. Galatians 5:24 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
This principle is encapsulated in Luke 6:35: “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Similarly, Romans 12:20-21 cited from Proverbs 25:21-22 advises: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if thirsty, give him something to drink; for doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” These teachings are not commonly emphasized in most churches’ reading of the Bible.
Furthermore, the recurring theme of the trumpets and plagues—each with seven events—calls to mind Joshua’s march around Jericho. Upon entering the Promised Land, Israel’s first action was the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6). Spiritually, Jesus conveyed a similar message in Luke 19:12-14: “A certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom and return. He called ten servants, gave them ten pounds, and said, ‘Occupy till I come’. But his citizens—the Jewish people—rejected him, declaring, ‘We will not have this man rule over us.’" In this way, the trumpets and plagues in Revelation deliver truth to the world, ultimately breaking down barriers that resist God’s wonderful message to all mankind.
I have tried very hard to keep my commentary to a minimum and make it easy to understand. This document presently is about 41 pages long with a little over 23,080 words. Revelation itself takes 27 pages and uses 11,500 words.
One should also note that throughout this commentary I use the Berian Standard Bible. I prefer to call it by its original name the Berian Study Bible. Most bible reference links take you to it.
One of the things that I try to do in my interpretation of both the 7 trumpets and 7 last plagues in Revelation is to be consistent in our interpretation of its symbols, so I will endeavor to lay down what the symbol is and what I believe is meant by their usage: Please See: Glossary of Terms. With that said let us begin…
Revelation Chapter One
Revelation 1:1 This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants things about what must soon come to pass. He →God← made it known by sending His angel →Jesus← to His servant John, 2who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God according to the testimony of Jesus Christ. →[Given to you via the apostle John or another one of Jesus' seven messengers.]← 3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is at hand.
John Greets the Seven Churches
Revelation 1:4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come →without beginning or end← and from the seven spirits before His throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, his faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, 6who has made us →Christians← to be a kingdom of priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
7Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will →eventually← see Him, even those who pierced Him →Requiring the resurrection of the dead.← And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of →what they have done to← Him →and his faithful followers.]← So shall it be! Amen.
8“I Jesus am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God →of me, it is He← who is and was and is to come—the Almighty. →Who exists throughout eternity without beginning or end.
John’s Vision on Patmos
9I, John, am your brother and partner in tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus. 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me →from the past← a loud voice like a trumpet →The trumpeter is Jesus← 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
12Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was like the Son of Man →Jesus← dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. →Dressed like a waiter at a wedding banquet.← 14The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, →Showing his Wisdom and age← and His eyes were like a blazing fire →fascinating to look into.← 15His feet →[members]← were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. →able to speak to you, through all people and languages.← 16He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword →The Bible← came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. →[Able to resurrect the dead.]
19Therefore write down the things you have seen, the things that are, and the things that will happen after this. 20This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. →Apostle Paul, Arius, Jacob Baradaeus, Peter Waldo, John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, And Charles Russell← and the seven lampstands are the seven churches →[which these messengers have led.]
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation Chapter Two Overview
Each church receives a tailored message. Some are commended for their endurance, while others are urged to repent and return to their original devotion. The messages emphasize the importance of faithfulness, perseverance, and spiritual vigilance.
The concept that the 7 stages of the Church, the 7 seals, and the 7 trumpets all signify identical time periods is reinforced by how each is divided into groups of four and three. When it comes to the seals, the first four feature living beings described in chapter 4:6, whereas the final three go into greater detail but do not mention these beings. The trumpets show a similar pattern, as they are also separated into the initial four and the last three. Note: Revelation 8:13, “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, which are yet to sound!”
Some feel the one that gives “meat in due season” in: Matthew 24:45 and Luke 12:42, “And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” →extending the “Marriage Supper” to those who remain.← is a class, not an individual. Although it can be well argued that this can be a class of people, meaning those that are wise: it can also be argued that ultimately the Lord does choose one of them to begin a movement. Also note Revelation 10:7, “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he has declared to his servants the prophets.” Note, it does not say when they shall begin to sound. It is noteworthy that, for each of the seven churches, a designated individual is selected to deliver the appropriate message of “meat in due season” at the appointed time. He does this in the place where he would have the greatest impact, usually wherever the center of the most Christian Empire’s power is at that moment.
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation Chapter Two First Church
Ephesus 33→286 APOSTLE PAUL
Revelation 2:1 “To the angel →[Apostle Paul]← of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of (Jesus)/Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. →[Jesus gave this message directly to Paul before giving it to the apostle John on Patmos.]← 2I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles. 3Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name.
4But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love →by thinking that you can be justified by the Mosaic Law.← 5Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you began with. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
6But you have this to your credit: You hate the →proud and boastful← works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches →given to you via Apostles Paul and John.← To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation 2:8 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of (Jesus) the First and the Last →of God’s direct creation← who died and has returned to life. 9I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich →in faith←! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews →Christians← but are in fact of the synagogue of Satan.
10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil →in the form of Diocletian← is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. →10 Years from 303-313 when Rome tried to get rid of Christianity.← Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death. →Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation Chapter Two → Third Church
Pergamum 539 → 1157 Jacob Baradaeus
Revelation 2:12 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of Jesus the One who holds the sharp, double-edged sword, →the Old and New Testaments.← 13I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits →Normally in Rome but after 330 in Constantinople for a while→ yet you hold fast to My name. You did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of My faithful witness Antipas who was →against the Church being run by the State← who was killed among you where Satan dwells. →in Rome before moving to Constantinople in 330.
14But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat →the doctrines of Church State Union← food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality →Having Church – State relations.← 15In the same way, some of you also hold to the teaching of the →proud and boastful← Nicolaitans, →which have become the Catholic Priesthood.← 16Therefore repent! Otherwise, I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My Mouth, →the Bible.
17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna →My words that are sealed within the Bible.← I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation Chapter Two → Fourth Church
Thyatira 1157 → 1367 Peter Waldo
Revelation 2:18 To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of →Jesus← the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire →fascinating to look into← and whose feet →members← are like polished bronze.
19I know your deeds—your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance—and your latest deeds are greater than your first. 20But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel →The Catholic Church← who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat →the teachings of Church State Union← food sacrificed to →Papacy’s← idols. 21Even though I am giving her time →360 years to repent of her immorality, from 1157 the start of Waldo’s message to 1517 the start of Luther’s message← I know that she is unwilling.
22Behold, I will cast her onto a →doctrinal creed← bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation →Because of their false teachings about Hell Fire and Brimstone← unless they repent of her deeds. 23Then I will strike her children dead, →as they become part of the Protestant Reformation← and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. →Instead of your faith.
24But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned the so-called deep things of Satan: →For Satan is much deeper than they think.← I will place no further burden upon you 25than to hold fast to what you have until I come. 26And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work →Of spreading the Gospel to find my Bride Class← until the end, I will give authority over the nations. 27He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father. 28And I will give him the morning star →of the Reformation JOHN WYCLIFFE to help him along the way.
29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation Chapter Three → Fifth Church
Sardis 1367 → 1517 John Wycliffe
Revelation 3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of -Jesus- the One who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars →messengers to the entire church. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead. 2Wake up and strengthen what remains →Of the true gospel← which is about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God. 3Remember, then, what you have received and heard →From me through WYCLIFFE.← Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.
4But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white. 5Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.
6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation Chapter Three → Sixth Church
Philadelphia 1517 → 1877 Martin Luther
Revelation 3:7 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of →Jesus← the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
8I know your deeds. Behold, I have placed before you an open door →To the Reformation← which no one can shut. I know that you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. 9As for those who belong to the synagogue of Satan →The Catholic Church← who claim to be →Christian← Jews but are liars, I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.
10Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of trial →when everyone will be judged according to their works instead of their faith← that is about to come upon the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown →that I apportioned you when you first consecrated yourself to me.← 12The one who overcomes →the world, the flesh and the Devil← I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write →in his mind← the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.
13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation Chapter Three → Seventh Church
Laodicea 1877 →__ Charles Russell
Revelation 3:14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of -Jesus- the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot →as you have not expended any of your own energy towards being a true Christian.← 16So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth! →[As he vomited Adam and Eve at the end of the 6th day into the wilderness.]
17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from Me →not just the messenger I sent to you← gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white raiment so that you may be clothed and that your shameful nakedness be not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore, be earnest and repent.
20Behold, → I am no longer coming← I am standing at your door and knocking. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and dine →the wedding banquet← with you, and you with Me. 21To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne →as a mediator between God and Mankind← just as I overcame and →am presently← sat down with My Father on His throne →as your advocate.
22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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Revelation Chapter Four → The Throne of God Cinematic Reading
Revelation 4:1 After this I looked and saw a door →[Refering to doors: Revelation 3:8, Matthew 25:10, Luke 12:36, Luke 13:24-25, Revelation 3:20, and Matthew 22]← standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard spoke to me like a trumpet →we hear Jesus' voice through the voice of past messengers as trumpeters investing us to come to the (marriage feast)← was saying, “Come up here →to a higher level of understanding← and I will show you what must happen after these things.” 2At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with →the Ancient of Days← seated on it. 3The One seated there looked like carnelian and jasper →[Stones, the First (translation? Sardius, or Ruby) and Last stone (Jasper) on the High Priest’s Breast Plate]← and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders →who wrote the books of the Old Testament← dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads. 1. Moses, 2. Joshua, 3. Job, 4. Samuel, 5. David, 6. Solomon, 7. Isaiah, 8. Jeremiah, 9. Ezra, 10. Nehemiah, 11. Ezekiel, 12. Daniel, 13. Hosea, 14. Joel, 15. Amos, 16. Obadiah, 17. Jonah, 18. Micah, 19 Nahum, 20. Habakkuk, 21. Zephaniah, 22. Haggai, 23. Zechariah, and 24. Malachi.
5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God →Which were imparted to the seven messengers of the churches.← 6And before the throne was an altar like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back. 7The first living creature was like a lion [representing: power] the second like a calf [justice] the third had a face like a man [love] and the fourth was like an eagle in flight [wisdom]. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and they were covered with eyes all around and within →God is all-seeing← Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
9And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne →this vision represents our God who does not change. They do this especially at certain times where they all together prophecy about that event. Revelation 5:8, Revelation 11:16, Revelation 19:4. and Revelation 5:14 They all speak in unison about the major events of the Bible. saying: 11“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created. →For you have now brought to pass what you had us write about so many years ago.
[Table of Content] [Introduction] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [2-1st Church] [2-2nd-Church] [2-3rd-Church] [2-4th-Church] [3-5th-church] [3-6th-church] [3-7th Church] [Ch.4-Throne]
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