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 #7

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Criteria for simplicity in Christ

To claim we abide in Him, we must walk as Jesus did (1Jo 2:1-6). The Christian life should be easier. The simiplicity of Christ is permanent and eternal. "As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him" (Col 2:6). "As" represents our point of salvation; "so" represents from then on. Our understanding of the gospel affects our Christian living. Keeping the law is complex. All commandments can be reduced to believe in Christ and love one another (Joh 15:11-12). We have but one rule (Gal 6:16), and result is peace. "As" is by Grace through faith; it is a gift; we do nothing (Eph 2:8). Faith by its nature is an admission of helplessness (Act 16:31). Sin complicates life (1Jo 2:1-3). When we choose sin, it opens the door for more. We defer our case to our defense attorney, Jesus Christ (1Jo 2:1). "Knowing" Him means fellowship with Him (1Jo 2:3). The person that consistently keeps His word demonstrates love for Him and a degree of maturity (1Jo 2:4-5). Abiding "in Him" denotes fellowship (1Jo 2:5-6, 1Jo 1:3-4, Joh 8:30-32). The Christian life is the life of Christ. The root is the Word of God; the fruit is the Word working out in our life. If we feed the soul we'll grow. We should feed on the Word of God as often as we feed our body.

Evidence for Simplicity in Christ

We have to live an other-centered life in order to demonstrate a love for Jesus Christ (1Jo 3:16-24). It is possible to live a simplified lives in a busy world. "Abiding" is written for believers only. Jesus Christ abides with us is we obey His commands (Joh 14:21-22). Our life must be 1) Christ-centered; 2) Biblically informed; and 3) time-oriented (sense of urgency). "Life" and "things" are contrasts; life does not consist of the things in it (Luk 12:13-15). Material things are in the hands of the Father. Things are the least (Luk 16:10-13); we cannot serve God and mammon. We do have an obligation, but not money (Rom 13:8). Our pre-occupation with things has made life complex (Mat 6:33). The things we don't let go of exclude us from fellowship with the Lord (Phi 3:7-21). We have to keep things into perspective; we need to rivet our eyes on Him. Jesus had nothing, but enjoyed life richley.

Scripture References: John 2:1, John 3:16-24, John 2:1-6, Philippians 3:7-21, John 2:1-3, John 8:30-32, Matthew 6:33, Acts 16:31, John 1:3-4, Romans 13:8, Ephesians 2:8, John 2:5-6, Luke 16:10-13, Galatians 6:16, John 2:4-5, Luke 12:13-15, John 15:11-12, John 2:3, John 14:21-22, Colossians 2:6