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 - June 9, 2000

Life of Moses #15

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The Jews thought of works as the means of salvation; Jesus corrects that (Joh 6:28-29). The work of God is faith, but also faith is the evidence of His work in us. The crowd was still thinking of the feeding of five thousand (Joh 6:30-34). Jesus straightens their application of manna. e.g. Moses gave it to the Jews (Joh 6:35-40). (1) Manna is a type of Christ; (2) it was a supernatural provision of Grace; (3) The manna had to be gathered daily; (4) Manna met the need according to their hunger; (5) It was profitable only as they acted in obedience. Testing was for their benefit (Deu 8:16). Israel did not learn a thing; testing God is failure to trust Him (Exo 17:1-7). In Exodus 16, Manna is a picture of Jesus incarnation. In Exodus 17, water from the rock is a picture of the Crucifixion. In Numbers 20, Moses is told to speak to the rock -- a picture of Christ resurrected. The water of the rock -- Christ is the source of never-ending blessings. (1) trials are designed to bring them/us to the end of themselves/ourselves to the cross -- a picture of general Grace (Rom 2:4, Act 17:27, Gal 4:3). When we come to the cross we find rest. When God guides us to the finished work of Christ, He guides us to rest (Mat 11:28, Heb 4:3). This is the foundation of the faith-rest life -- a journey of stages the Lord directs us to rest in trial. "Learn from Me, and you'll find rest for your souls" (Mat 11:29, Heb 4:9, Heb 4:11). Faith-rest is in stages of spiritual growth -- "faith to faith" (Rom 1:17); "strength to strength" (Psa 84:7); "glory to glory" (2Co 3:18, 1Pe 1:7). We start at the cross, are led into spirituality, then sanctification (Rom 12:1-2) and spiritual growth (2Pe 3:18), then service. It's impossible to learn without testing -- no water (Exo 17:2-3). Moses took his problems to God. You cannot learn faith-rest in conditions of comfort. Faithfulness of God in the past provides a promise to rely on in testing (Exo 16:23). Testing produces growth (Rom 5:3, Jam 1:2-5, 1Pe 1:6-7). The children of Israel tested God for 40 years; they saw His works but not His blessings (Heb 3:8-9). Heart of unbelief is evil and departed from God (Heb 3:12, Psa 106:14-15). Christ is the rock (Deu 32:15, Mat 16:18, 1Pe 2:4-8, 1Co 10:4); the water is the Holy Spirit (Joh 7:37-39). The Lord is our banner (Exo 17:8-16 Psa 60:4); He provides the victory (Gal 5:17, Rom 8:14).

Scripture References: John 6:30-34, Hebrews 3:8-9, Galatians 4:3, Exodus 17:8-16, Romans 1:17, John 6:28-29, James 1:2-5, Acts 17:27, John 7:37-39, Hebrews 4:11, Romans 5:3, Romans 2:4, Matthew 16:18, Hebrews 4:9, Exodus 16:23, Exodus 17:1-7, Deuteronomy 32:15, Matthew 11:29, Romans 8:14, Exodus 17:2-3, Deuteronomy 8:16, Psalms 106:14-15, Hebrews 4:3, Galatians 5:17, Romans 12:1-2, John 6:35-40, Hebrews 3:12, Matthew 11:28, Psalms 60:4, Psalms 84:7

From Series: "Life of Moses"

After 40 years in the Egyptian palace then 40 years in the desert then 40 years leading Israel to their land Moses' life can actually teach us about living in the time we live.