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 - April 8, 2000

Simplicity in Christ #5

Listen

Psa 103:1-14 There are great benefits to having God as Father. Simplicity refers to purity and single-mindedness (Phi 3:13). Faith is the key to simplifying life. Whatever is apart from faith is sin (Rom 14:23). Prayer is a wonderful provision for helping simplify life. Luk 15:11-21 illustrates God's attitude who forgives sin. We need to confess our sin in order to "walk uprightly" (1Pe 3:1, Psa 80:11). People were drawn to Jesus; He was not judgmental nor self righteous (Luk 15:1-11). At the bottom, "no man gave him anything" (Luk 15:16). There's no Grace without God. The prodigal son wasted his resources on wasteful living (Luk 15:13). Lost ground takes time to recover. Groveling is not the answer, but faith and acceptance of God's forgiveness (Luk 15:19-22). The waits to be gracious (Isa 30:18, Jer 31:34). He's waiting on us to get rid of distractions from Him. Culturally, it was shameful to run (Luk 15:20), but it shows God's attitude of graciousness when forgiving His children. God is in a hurry to forgive us (Heb 4:15-16). Sadly the prodigal's brother did not want him to return (Luk 15:25); much less be forgiven (Heb 10:17). Isa 53:1-12 says the Lord not only paid the penalty for our sin, but He also bore our shame, sorrow, and guilt. The Father protects His children; we have nothing to fear (Mat 10:24-31); the Father has the hairs of our head numbered. The cross is the doorway home through resurrection (Joh 17:1-5). A life free of fear, shame, and death is simple.

Scripture References: Jeremiah 31:34, Matthew 10:24-31, Luke 15:11-21, Isaiah 30:18, Isaiah 53:1-12, Romans 14:23, Luke 15:19-22, Hebrews 10:17, Philippians 3:13, Luke 15:13, Luke 15:25, Psalms 103:1-14, Luke 15:16, Hebrews 4:15-16, Luke 15:1-11, Luke 15:20, John 17:1-5, Psalms 80:11