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 - December 2, 2006

Colossians Lesson 20

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Col 3:1-2 Service to God is needed for fulfillment; not things of the world (Jer 2:13; Eph 4:17). Vacuum of the soul results from mad pursuit of the world (Jer 2:23-24). Jer 4:1-3 has a call to the way back (Jer 29:13). Seek to make His will a priority (Mat 6:33; Psa 84:11). Make prayer a means of seeking (Mat 7:7; Mat 7:11; Jam 4:6). Seek things above (Phi 3:10-14 'the upward call'). Use your 'wants' as a guide to meet other's needs (1Co 13:4-5; 1Co 10:24; 1Th 5:15). Purse life compatible with being reconciled (1Pe 3:10-12; Heb 11:6). Jesus is seated; so are we with Him (Joh 19:30; Psa 110:1; Heb 1:3; Heb 10:12). Victory spoils are being dispensed (1Jo 5:4-5; Psa 110:1-2; Col 2:15). Spoils include gifts (Isa 53:12; Eph 4:8; Psa 68:18; 1Co 12:7). His reign includes us (Psa 110:2-3; Rom 5:17-21; 2Ti 2:12; Rev 5:10; Mat 6:10). Victory of cross provides power for our witness (Luk 24:49; Act 1:8; 1Pe 3:5). Christ is High Priest currently; which shows power over sin and evil (Job. 1:9; Psa 16:4; Gal 5:1; Eph 6:10-11; Jam 4:7). Christ seated makes effective prayer possible as priests and children (Mat 7:7; Mat 21:22; 1Jo 5:14-15; Joh 14:14; Jam 5:16). Jesus Christ extends His personal attention to us in 8 ways: (1) assurance (Heb 13:5); (2) companionship (Mat 28:20; Joh 14:21-23; Heb 11;27); (3) provision (Heb 13:20-21); (4) Christ our burden bearer (1Pe 5:7); (5) advocate (1Jo 2:1; 1Jo 1:9); (6) intercession for our needs (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25); (7) offer comfort (2Co 1:3-4; Heb 7:26-28); (8) mediator (1Ti 2:5; Joh 15:7)

Scripture References: Psalms 16:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, Hebrews 10:12, John 14:14, Jeremiah 2:23-24, 1 John 5:14-15, Psalms 110:2-3, Matthew 7:11, Hebrews 13:20-21, Job 3:5, 1 Corinthians 10:24, Hebrews 1:3, Matthew 21:22, Ephesians 4:17, 1 Peter 3:5, Psalms 68:18, Matthew 7:7, Hebrews 14:21, 1 Timothy 2:5, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Psalms 110:1, Matthew 7:7, Jeremiah 2:13, 2 Timothy 2:12, Ephesians 4:8, Psalms 84:11, John 14:21-23, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Luke 24:49, John 15:7, John 19:30, James 4:7, Colossians 3:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:7, Isaiah 53:12, Matthew 28:20, Matthew 6:33, 1 John 1:9, Matthew 6:10, Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 7:26-28, Ephesians 6:10-11, 1 John 5:4-5, Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 13:5, Jeremiah 29:13, 1 John 2:1, Revelation 5:10, Philippians 3:10-14, Hebrews 7:25, Galatians 5:1, 1 Peter 3:10-12, Psalms 110:1-2, James 5:16, Jeremiah 4:1-3, 1 Peter 5:7, Romans 5:17-21, James 4:6, Romans 8:34

From Series: "Colossians - 2006"

Paul never met the Colossians but wrote to them from a Roman prison around 62 AD to counter misconceptions of his day. It magnifies the character of Jesus Christ more than any other book in the New Testament, and counters misconceptions of our day as well. The key verse may well be Col 1:18 "...that in all things, He might have preeminence."