The Book of Revelation: One Like The Son of Man

Jonathan Cahn presents a deep dive into the foundational verses of the Book of Revelation, providing a biblical and linguistic decoding of the text. Cahn emphasizes that Revelation is not merely a tale of disaster, but an unveiling designed to show God’s servants what “must soon take place”. By exploring the original Greek and Hebrew meanings behind key terms and titles, Cahn reveals the authority, identity, and destiny of both Jesus (Yeshua) and those who follow Him.

The True Meaning of “Apocalypse” (H2)

The name of the book, Revelation, comes from the Greek word Apocalypsis. While the word “apocalypse” in modern usage often suggests disaster and calamity, that is not its true meaning.

• The Unveiling: Apocalypsis comes from the root word calopsis or calypso, meaning “the cover or the veil”. Therefore, the word “revelation” fundamentally means the removal of the veil, the uncovering, or the unveiling.
• Imminence of Events: The book was given by God to show His bondservants the things which “must soon take place”. The Greek word used, antas, indicates that these events will come “quickly or come in a brief span of time”.

The Identity of John: Priest or Apostle? (H2)

The Revelation was communicated by an angel to God’s bondservant, Yohanan (John). While the text does not explicitly identify him as John the Apostle, Cahn explores the possibility that this John may have been a priest (a Cohen), descended from Aaron.

• Priestly Imagery: The Book of Revelation is filled with priestly imagery—the temple, the bowls, the incense, and the altar—similar to the Book of Ezekiel, who was a priest.
• Access to the High Priest: The Gospel of John (Chapter 18) mentions that “another disciple” followed Jesus, and this disciple was “known to the high priest”, granting him access to the high priest’s courtyard. Cahn notes that this “other disciple” is usually understood to be John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.
• The Tomb Evidence: Another piece of circumstantial evidence comes from John 20: when running to Jesus’s tomb on Sunday morning, the “other disciple” (undoubtedly John) arrived first, but did not go in. Cahn suggests that if John were a priest (Cohen), they were not allowed to enter tombs or any place where there was anything dead. This priestly background would explain why John would understand all the temple and priesthood imagery found in Revelation, where even the angels are functioning as priests.

The Blessings of Revelation and the Apostolic Greeting (H2)

Revelation is unique in that it offers a specific blessing to those who engage with the text.

• Triple Blessing: Verse three states: “Blessed is the one who reads this and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written there”. The Greek word for “blessed” is macarios, meaning happy or blessed. This is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing simply for reading and hearing its words.
• The Recipients: The message is addressed to seven churches which are in Asia. Unlike many of Paul’s letters, which address a single congregation, this is a “mega epistle” going out to all seven simultaneously.
• Grace and Peace: The greeting begins with “Grace be to you and peace”. Grace (karis) means God’s favor and mercy upon you, and peace (shalom) is the Jewish greeting, which is much more than just peace.

The Titles of the Almighty: Who Was, Who Is, and Who Is to Come (H2)

The blessing is sent from “him who is and who was and who is to come”. This is a cosmic description of God, covering the past, present, and future.

• Past: God “was” from ancient time and from forever.
• Present: God “is”, embodying the “I AM,” the living God. Messiah (Yeshua) “is” now; He is risen and sits at the right hand of God.
• Future: God “is to come” and is the eternal one who is forever and ever. This title, in the original Hebrew, is actually written in the future tense, meaning “I will be,” but is taken as “I AM”.

The Mystery of the Seven Spirits (H2)

The greeting also comes “from the seven spirits which are before his throne”. Cahn notes that the nature of these seven spirits is a mystery about which one cannot be dogmatic.

• Symbolism of Perfection: Revelation 5:6 describes the Lamb as having “seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent to all the earth”. The Lamb sees through the Spirit. The number seven often signifies perfection, everything, or completion.
• Link to the Divine: The seven spirits must be linked to the one Spirit of God, though the Bible asserts there is one God and yet three persons.

Yeshua: The Faithful Witness and the Ruler of Kings (H2)

Jesus is also described by powerful titles that underscore His divinity and supreme authority.

• The Faithful Witness: Jesus is called the “faithful witness”. The word here is martyrio (or martyr), which means a witness. It does not inherently mean one who was killed for their faith, but someone who bears record. Jesus is the one who bears witness of God more than anybody.
• The Firstborn of the Dead: Jesus is the “first begotten of the dead”. The resurrection is likened to a new birth, the new salvation, born from the death of the old life.
• Prince of Kings: Jesus is the “prince of the kings of the earth”. Cahn clarifies that the word “prince” in Greek and Hebrew (sar) does not mean a lesser royal figure, but “chief or ruler”. Therefore, the title signifies that He is the “ruler of the kings of the earth,” supreme over all leaders, presidents, and prime ministers.

The Believer’s Royal Priesthood (H2)

A staggering promise is made to those who have been loved and washed from their sins by Jesus’s blood.

• Kings and Priests: “He has made us kings and priests to God and his father”. The word for “kings” in Greek means sovereign.
  • Sovereign Kingship: This means believers are to be “over all things” and not under the bondage, enslavement, or control of anything in this world (except God). Believers are to live as royal sovereigns over their situation, problems, and sin.
  • Holy Priesthood: As priests, believers are called to be holy ministers of God, having direct access to God’s presence and ministering from God to man.
• Glory and Dominion: Glory (doxa) and dominion (kratos, meaning power, strength, and might) belong to God. Cahn stresses that because glory is given to Jesus, He must be God, as glory and worship are only given to the Divine.

The Messiah’s Return: Coming on the Clouds (H2)

The Book of Revelation immediately shifts to the Second Coming of Christ: “Behold, he comes with the clouds and every eye shall see him”.

• Rabbinic Title: The rabbis historically called the Messiah Anani (from the clouds) or Ben ha-Ananim (the son of the clouds), consistent with the prophecy in Daniel.
• Global Sight: The prophecy that “every eye will see him coming on the clouds” is only truly possible in the present age due to mass communication, satellites, and the worldwide web.
• They Who Pierced Him: The prophecy converges with Zechariah 12, stating that “they who pierced him” and all peoples of the earth will mourn. While Roman soldiers physically pierced Him, the passage appears to refer to His own people, Israel, who will look upon Him whom they have pierced and mourn.