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 - October 18, 2012

Hosea Session 3

Listen

The Lord promises to let Israel go into Assyrian captivity, but save Judah (Hos 1:6-7, Isa 37:36-38). Judah sought God in prayer with the Assyrians outside the gate. Angel of Jehova (preincarnate Christ) slew 140,000 Assyrian troops. Love of God demonstrated with Judah and His Justice demonstrated with Israel based on their response to God. The focal point of being condemned by God is volition not sin (Joh 3:16-19). Witness of creation leaves men with out excuse; the witness of conscience convinces of condemnation; witness of scripture confirms. The Lord renders consequence accordining to our deeds (Rom 2:6). The northern kingdom was arrogant and southern kingdom humble (Hos 1:10-11). Love + Justice = Providence. God's work of redemption is centered in Jesus Christ; there is hope (Rom 5:5, Rom 8:24). Christ in you is the hope of glory. Arrogance blinds us to the power and simplicity of the spiritual life. Providence is precise; "It will come to pass in that place". Jezreel = Armageddon. The good news after the bad news plays out (Hos 2:19-23). God chose a people for the messiah to come through; the Jews are chosen because Jesus came through them (Isa 42:1). Be diligent to make your calling and election sure (2Pe 1:10). You can loose election — Saul rejected the Lord, therefore he was rejected. David sought the Lord and "made his election sure." David will reign during the millenium under Jesus Christ (Hos 3:5, Hos 5:15). Jacob is a type of Israel (Hos 12:1-6). God loves us as we are, but also loves us too much to leave us as we are. Hosea becomes the faithful bride at the end. The church has been as unfaithful as Isareal. Christ is the seed; He sows the Word — Himself — in the world (Mar 4:1-14). Productive soil "chooses" what to do with the seed. When we have failed the greatest and God brings disciple. In the very place you suffer the worst cursing, you will look back and say that was the place of repentance, and turn around.

Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]

Scripture References: Romans 2:6, Hosea 3:5, John 3:16-19, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 37:36-38, Hosea 2:19-23, Hosea 1:6-7, Romans 8:24, Mark 4:1-14, Romans 5:5, Hosea 12:1-6, Hosea 1:10-11, Hosea 5:15

From Series: "The Transforming Power of Forgiveness -- PA Conference 2012"

This conference was given at the Abundant Life Church in Uniontown PA in 2012. The theme of Hosea is the loyal love of God for idolatrous Israel and the power of His redemption and forgiveness to transform her into His beloved bride.