Revelation 1:10-20

Notes for Revelation lessons are >>>HERE<<<

The original, complete audio for Revelation Chapter 1 can be found >>>HERE<<<

John was banned to the Island of Patmos and was given a vision in which he was told to write what he saw. Part of the revelation given him related to local churches to which John ministered before being incarcerated. Each one of the churches has an associated city name, and the name identifies the character of that church. It’s fascinating how these names were given to those cities just so that they would reflect those churches at the right time in history. Additionally, John puts them in a particular order, beginning with Ephesus, so that he can reveal to us the progress of the Church through the ages. I don’t think anyone would question we are living in the Laodicean age which was a lukewarm church as judged by Jesus in the vision. The next video will cover those churches (Revelation Chapters two and three.)

What would you do if you heard the voice of a trumpet behind you? You would do what John did in Revelation 1:12, namely, “turn to see the voice that spoke with me, and having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, but the seven golden lampstands are pictures of the churches I saw.” The lampstands John sees are not “under a basket” but lights to the world. John also sees “one like the Son of Man” in the midst of the lights. Why would John say it that way? Well, he knew “the Son of Man” well, didn’t he? While Christ was on this earth, who was the closest disciple to Him? John knew him better than anyone else. The phrase “Son of Man” also harkens to Daniel Chapter seven, where you’ll remember Daniel saw the “Ancient of Days” seated on the throne. That was God, the Father, and “one like the Son of Man.”

John sees Jesus Christ clothed with a garment “down to His feet, and He is girded about the chest with a golden band.” Now, in the ancient world, the higher your rank, the wider your belt. The widest belt or golden band from your waist up to the chest speaks of His deity and authority. His head and his hair were white which connotes purity, and the holiness of God. His eyes “a flame of fire” speaks of judgment. He is coming to judge those who belong to Him. Those who walk in fellowship with him have nothing to fear. His eyes were a flame of fire and notice His feet were like, fine brass. An Old Testament idea of burnished bronze was judgment as it had been purified through fire. You’ll remember Peter talks to us about the fact that, “our faith being more precious than gold tried with fire, may be found onto praise, honor and glory of a Lord Jesus Christ.” So, our faith has to go through the refining furnace, just like gold or here as burnished bronze or brass.

John heard “His voice was the sound of many waters.” If you’ve been in Niagara or Victoria Falls, you know that thundering sound. “He had in His right hand, seven stars, and out of His mouth went a two-edged sword.” There are two kinds of swords mentioned in Scripture. The Roman short sword measured from the elbow to the fingertip a broadsword which measured which could be 6 feet long. “His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last.’” That’s what Jesus would say to you and me, “Do not be afraid.” We have nothing to fear from our Savior. “I am He who lives and was dead. And behold, I am alive forevermore.” This speaks of His humanity. “I have the keys of Hades and death.” Why the keys of hell and death? He can open the “door to death” behind which you are locked and set you free. Or he can take the keys to hell and lock you in there for eternity. Jesus Christ alone has the power of life! One more note from this passage. “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” The word “angel” means messenger. I take then that an angel of a church is the pastor, the messenger in that church. So the seven stars are the pastors of the churches and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches. John has made this easy for us because he has explained the meaning of the signs that he saw.

This world seems to be hurtling in the direction of the tribulation period. How important it is that we understand this book and know and apply it to our lives considering the nearness of the coming of our Lord. We should be challenged to do everything we can to bring other people who are saving knowledge of Christ and be faithful to His word in these perilous times.

Gene Cunningham - February 24, 2010

Beauty for Ashes #7

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Romans is outlined (Rom 1:16-17 is a key verse): Condemnation (1-3), Justification (4-5), Sanctification (6-8), Dispensation (9-11), Transformation (12-16). The written word ⇒ learning (disciple) ⇒ patience ⇒ comfort ⇒ hope (Rom 15:1-7, Heb 6:17-19). Summary of lesson notes . Psa 119:65-72 demonstrates taking hold of the Hand (Hebrew letter teth) of the helper. Can you say that God has "dealt well with you"? "Teach me" is the cry of Psa 119. "You are good and do good" (Psa 119:68). A Good God can only use affliction to bring people to perfection in a broken world -- we need resistance. "Delight" is a love term (Psa 119:70, Psa 37:4). The author is expressing the reality of the presence of the Lord in his suffering situation. The Lord is our Helper — we are not alone (Heb 13:5-6, Jer 20:11). See in Psa 119:65-66 the combination of gratitude in hardship coupled with a desire for enlightenment and illumination relevant to his daily experience. "He who does the word of God abides forever" (1Jo 2:15-17). There's a record being written in heaven. When we see the value of afflictions, for our spiritual refining (Psa 119:65, Psa 119:68), we are enabled to endure profitably. This is Rom 5:1-5 and Jam 1:2-4 in action. Hebrew word "lamad" teaching is focused on how to live. Delight means great joy (Psa 119:71, Rom 7:22, 2Co 12:10, Psa 42:7-8).

Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]

Scripture References: Psalms 119:68, Psalms 119:70, Psalms 119:65, Psalms 42:7-8, Psalms 119:68, John 2:15-17, Romans 7:22, Psalms 119:65-72, Psalms 119:65-66, Psalms 119:71, Hebrews 6:17-19, Jeremiah 20:11, James 1:2-4, Romans 15:1-7, Hebrews 13:5-6, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 1:16-17, Psalms 37:4

From Series: "Beauty For Ashes - Florida 2010"

Have you ever stood in great need of comfort and encouragement? If so you know that in time of affliction there is no thought or word that has deeper meaning nor any possession of greater value than that of effective and genuine comfort. The objective of this study is to equip us to have the assurance that there is comfort available and to know how to be comforted as well as how to be a comfort to others in the fires of affliction.