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 - November 2, 2025

The Faithfulness of God (and Rapture hint) in Isaiah

Watch
Listen

We are studying the Book of Isaiah. What I hope I can impress on you is God's faithfulness and see some things in chapter 26 that I think are relevant to the time in which we live. Isaiah 26:19. See if this reminds you of any other passage you may have read. "Your dead shall live together with my dead body." Sounds like 1st Corinthians 15; sounds like 1st Thessalonians 4 sounds like John 14. What did Jesus say? "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me. In My father's house are many mansions. I'm going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again." That's a promise. "... So that where I am, you may be also." He's preparing a place for us right now. We'll look at what Isaiah says. "Together with my dead body. They will rise awake and sing. You who dwell in the dust. For your dew is like to dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isaiah 26:20 "Come, my people, enter into your chambers, shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment until the indignation is passed." What is the indignation? The indignation, of course, is the tribulation judgments. I call your attention to the little word "until" it's very important. In relation to the history of Israel. There are three "until's" in the Bible that have been given only to the nation of Israel. 1) Matthew 23:39. "You will not see me until you say, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 2) Luke 21:24 "Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 3) Romans 11:25, "I would not have you ignorant," Paul says, "that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." What is the fullness of the Gentiles? What is the coming in? Well, the fullness of the Gentiles refers to the harvest of the Gentile church. And the coming in, I believe, coincides with the invitation here come and hide yourself, for a little while. Isaiah 26:21, "For the Lord is coming out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain." You and I have a bright future. Our world is not. The future for this world is grim. God is faithful. Ten areas God is faithful to you and I: 1) He is faithful to forgive our sins. First John 1:9. Thank God for that one. It's not just once for all. It's as often as we come and confess. 2) God is faithful to keep us safe. 2nd Timothy 2:13 "Even if we're unfaithful, as Paul says, "He remains faithful." 3) God is faithful to deliver us through our temptations. 1st Corinthians 10:13. 4) God is faithful to keep his promises to us. Hebrews 10:23. 5) God is faithful to us in times of suffering. 1st Peter 4:19 6) God is faithful in fulfilling his plan for us. This, of course, requires our cooperation. 1st Thessalonians 5:24 7) God is faithful to strengthen us in times of trial. 2nd Thessalonians 3:3 8) God is faithful as a partner to us in our union with Christ. 1st Corinthians 1:9. 9) Jesus Christ is a faithful and merciful high priest to us. Hebrews 2:17. 10) Last but not least, Jesus Christ is the synonym for faithfulness. Revelation 19:11, "I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse. I can't wait. When we come back with him, we're going to be riding on white horses. Don't worry if you've never ridden. There will be riding classes during the tribulation, but. My friend, if I've done nothing for you today, that planted in your mind, and I hope that it's burned there indelibly. When you're struggling, when you're hurting, when you're overburdened, when your soul is aching. When you're lonely. When the world looks dark. When you can do nothing but cry. When you can't even lift up your head and look up. I want you to remember God is faithful. He always has been. He always will be. Trust him because he can only prove that faithfulness as you and I come to him with simple, childlike faith. Don't let the devil lie to you about who you are. Let God tell you who you are in Christ, and it'll make all the difference in the world.

Scripture References: Isaiah 26:1-21, Isaiah 25:1-12