Revelation #15

Lets continue looking at the throne in heaven this morning!



Revelation 4:6-11



6 And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,



"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,

who was and is and is to come!"



9And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created."



The latter part of verse 6 says around the throne are four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The number 4 represents the world or the earth. The eyes represent God who is all knowing and he moves through out the human race. In verse seven it is revealed to us what each animal is. The first is a lion which represents God's royalty. The second is an ox which represents God's sacrificial meekness. The third is had face of a man which represents God's supreme intelligence. The forth animal was like an eagle in flight which represents God's all seeing judgement. Verse 8 tells us all these creatures had 6 wings. The number 6 is the number of man so this tells us God is involved in the affairs of man. Again we are told they have eyes all around which we now know means God sees all and knows all. We also see in this verse they are always involved day and night. They are also never ceasing to lift praise up to God! Verse 9 and10 are awesome! When theses creatures give glory to God the twenty-four elders fall down to the ground from their thrones and cast put their crowns on the ground and worship God!!! This a great example that there will be no boasting in heaven but that God alone receives the honor and glory. They praise God as we see in verse 11 for His creation including themselves!



I am thankful God created me! I hope you feel the same about yourself!



Tom

Revelation #14

This morning we move on to look at God's glory in heaven. Oh this gets me so excited.



Revelation 4:1-6

1After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.



Chapter 4 begins the prophetic section of Revelation. In verse 1 John tells us after the letters to the churches he looked and seen a door open in heaven. He was going to get a look into heaven...wow! Then Jesus who voice sounded like a trumpet told John to come to Him and he would show him what was going to take place! In verse 2 the Spirit filled John and He seen God sitting on the throne! Oh my can you imagine??? Then in verse 3 John gave a description of God. God had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. Jasper represents transparency which is no sin. Carnelian is blood red which represents the redemptive holiness of God. The John told us there was a rainbow around the throne. This represents eternity. As you recall God promised never to destroy the earth again by flood and the half circle rainbow was a symbol of that promise. Well here the rainbow is a complete circle and represents a promise of eternity...thank you Jesus! The rainbow had the appearance of emerald which represents the radiating presence of God. In verse 4 we are told there are twenty-four elders sitting on 24 thrones. These 24 elders are representative of 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of the church age. We are told they are dressed in white garments which represent their righteousness by the blood of Christ. They also have gold crowns on their heads which represents their faithful service. In verse 5 we return to the throne John sees flashes of lighting and hears rumblings of thunder. This represents the splendor of God! I can only imagine what this will be like when we get to see this for ourselves. Before the throne were seven burning torches which are the seven spirits of God. Look at Revelation 1:4 as we have already seen this. Also before the throne was something that appeared like a crystal sea of glass. This represents pureness as there is no more sin to be asked forgiveness of in heaven! Give glory to God! This is also mention in Revelation 15:2.



I think this is enough for today to meditate on....wow it is overwhelming!



Tom

Revelation #13

Today we will look at the final church of the seven:



Revelation 3:14-22



To the Church in Laodicea

14"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

15"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"



In church history this church represents the time period of WWI- Now. As you will see that Jesus is not pleased with the church during this time. As you look at the church as a whole today you can see why! The city of Laodicea was a center for banking. It also had great industry and garment makers. They were known for eye salve. They had great wealth! In verse 14 Jesus introduces Himself in the letter in the most basic way which is a sad commentary to the church! "The Amen" represents Jesus being a reliable and true witness of God. He also reminded them He has been ever since the beginning of God's creation. In verse 15 Jesus tells the church basically they are fence walkers by saying He know "their works are neither hot nor cold". Jesus wants us either on fire for Him or nothing at all....lukewarmness makes Him want to vomit us out of His mouth as verse 16 tells us! WOW! Stop here for a moment and think...are you on fire for Jesus? Or are you making Him sick? In verse 17 Jesus tells us how the church thinks they are pretty well off. It is clear they are relying on self not Jesus. He then reveals to them their true condition...wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Folks this is the picture of the church today! In verse 18 Jesus tells the church how to get right! Get out impurities removed as they do with gold...repent!!!! Get rich in Christ the true treasure of the world. Clothe our selves with purity (white garments). Put some salve on our eyes so they will be opened up spiritually!!! Remember that salve was produced locally so this would have really hit home with them. In verse 19 Jesus reminds us He corrects those He loves so repent. Verse 20 tells us they had left Jesus standing outside and He wants back in! If the church will let Him back in He will gladly come and fellowship with us....oh church we must open the door! In verse 21 is a great promise from our Lord...if we overcome this world....we will sit on the throne with Christ! WOW think on that for a while. In verse 22 Jesus once again says listen!



Are we listening this morning church??? That is the question!



Tom

Revelation #12

Revelation 3:7-13



On to the sixth church this morning!



To the Church in Philadelphia

7"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

8"'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'



The church history period for this church is 1500 A.D.-WWI. Philadelphia is considered to be the finest of the seven churches. They had a love for missions and evangelism. Jesus had no criticism for this church!



In verse 7 Jesus reveals to this church what they obviously already know...He is the Holy One, the true One, and has the key of David which refers to having the key to the kingdom of heaven. What ever Jesus opens no one shuts and what ever He closes no one opens! In verse 8 Jesus tells them he knows their works which were great and Jesus had opened a door of blessing before them which no one could shut! Jesus also says He knows they have little power in themselves but in HIM they have great power, amen? They have kept the Word of God and been faithful...oh church may God say the same about us! In verse 9 Jesus reveals His power to us as he says He will make those who follow Satan bow before His church and learn how much Jesus loves them! In verse 10 Jesus tells them some great news! because of their faithfulness Jesus tells the church He will keep the "hour of trial" from coming upon them. This is a reference to the seven years of tribulation which the whole world will face! This is a great Word to the church! In verse 11 Jesus reminds them He is coming soon, to remain faithful, so they don't lose their rewards(crown) in heaven. In verse 12 Jesus says something interesting to the one who overcomes, "I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God". In A.D. 17 the city of Philadelphia was leveled by an earthquake. When they rebuilt the city Roman officials had a plan to make the project move along more quickly. They appealed to the citizens pride and offered a position pillar in honor of contributors inside the temple to Diana they were building. The contribution has to be considerable of course. The contributor then would have his name inscribed on his pillar! Jesus took this well publicized fact and used it to assure his followers of their secure position in God! Verse 12 is a great verse just to look at and praise God for His faithfulness and our security in Christ!. Then in verse 13 Jesus again tells us to listen to what the Spirit is telling us.



Follow Jesus my friends....follow Jesus.



Tom

Revelation #11

As we move on to the fifth church this morning I thank God for His Revelations to us!



Revelation 3:1-6



To the Church in Sardis

1"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.



"'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'



Sardis represents church history as the "Reformation" time period. It was known for being an entertainment center. Music and and sensual palaces were the leading entertainment. This church appeared very successful on the outside but as we will see what is on the outside is not always true on the inside!



In verse 1 We see Jesus jumps right into the problem! Jesus tells them He knows their works! They have the reputation of being alive but on the inside they are dead! Jesus knew their works and He knows ours too! In verse 2 Jesus tells them to wake up and Get their eyes on Jesus! Reminds me of Peter when He took his eyes off Jesus he sank into the water....that is what was happening to this church! When Jesus says "strengthen what remains" it is a reminder to get back to the Word for it endures forever. Jesus also tells them "I have not found your works complete" for their eyes were on self instead of God. Verse 3 Jesus reminds them to "remember what they had received and heard". The Word of God and the Holy Spirit! Jesus told them to repent! Then Jesus told them what will happen if they don't. He would come like a thief in the night with judgement! History tells us this happened twice! In 547 B.C.. Cyrus the second, and in 214 B.C. by Antiochus the third. Both times watchmen on the walls failed to detect an enemy army sneaking up its supposedly impregnable cliffs and walls!!! Coincidence? I think not....it is God! In verse 4 once again Jesus knows their is the faithful in the midst who are pure and worthy! I pray my Jesus will always be able to say that about me...amen? In verse 5 Jesus makes an interesting statement: "I will never blot his name out of the book of life" referring to the faithful. Don't miss this! In Exodus 32:33 it says:



Exodus 32:33



33But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.



All names start out in the book of life but some are blotted out because they don not accept Christ as lord and Savior! Wow! God loves us...we make the choice! Jesus closes out by telling us He will confess us before the father and the angles and again to listen to what he is saying!



Great Word from Jesus as always!



Tom

Revelation #10

Alright let's look at another church:



Revelation 2:18-29

To the Church in Thyatira

18"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

19 "'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants[a] to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'



This church represents the historical church age of 500 A.D.-1500A.D. Historically there is not much known about this city. It was a buffer city against advancing armies towards Pergamos. They were known for there for purple coloring dye and that was a sizable industry for them. The church was in a sad state in these "Dark Ages". There wasn't much drive towards God or towards reaching others with the gospel.



So in verse 18 Jesus is introduced as being the Son of God, with eyes of fire which represent judgement and bronze feet represent He will crush His enemies. In verse 19 gives encouragement to the true believers. He knows their works, faith, love, service, and endurance. Also that they are getting better as their works are better then they used to be. Then comes the bad news in verse 20. They have allowed a women into the church who was teaching heresy. Now this could be a literal woman or it could be symbolism. Reguardless she would not repent of her sin (sexual and spiritual immorality). So Jesus in verse 2 tells that she will be punished along with all that follow her! This is a warning to liberal churches who do not listen and repent to the Word of God! In verse 23 Jesus talks about "striking her children dead" this refers to those who are offsprings of the faulty teachings of this doctrine. God also reminds us in these verse we are accountable individually! Then in verse 24 Jesus tells the faithful followers if you hold strong to God's word He will not burden. In verse 25 Jesus reminds them to hold strong until he comes and in verse 26 Jesus tells us when we conquer we will have authority over nations! Verses 25-27 refer to the Millennial reign of Christ. In verse 28 the morning star is Jesus. And in verse 29 reminds us once again to listen!



See you tomorrow!



Tom

Revelation #9

Let us look at the third church this morning!



Revelation 2:12-17



To the Church in Pergamum

12"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

13"'I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith[a] even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'



Pergamum was a church that was know for its compromises! Not good! The city hosted a major pagan worship center and the emperor himself was considered to be a god. In verse 12 as Jesus reminds them that His Words cut, it is a reminder to them about the false teachers in their midst who were not teaching God's Word correctly. In verse 13 Jesus lets them know that He is aware of where they "dwell". What he is says is that He knows they are in great temptation where they live. He also mentions "satan's throne" which may be a reference to either the sinful lifestyle of the city or the pagan worship center. Jesus also mentions their are many who are holding fast to His name which means are faithful! They even stood strong in the midst of persecution as they has seen the faithful servant of Christ killed. In verse 14 Jesus tells them what is wrong: some were teaching the doctrine of Balaam who in the old testament sold his God ordained authority to the wicked King Balak. Here they were double minded thunking they could serve God and be in the world too! The there were some who were following the teachings of the Nicolatans who were teaching sexual and spiritual adultery in verse 15. God demands total obedience to Him and Him alone! So in verse 16 Jesus says repent! And if they did not Jesus was coming with judgement:



1 Corinthians 11:28-32



28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.



In verse 17 again Jesus is telling us to listen! Jesus also says in this verse If we conquer we will receive "the hidden manna" which John 6:48-51 explains:

John 6:48-51



48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."



Jesus also tells us he will give us a "new name" written on a stone that only the receiver will know.....won't that be cool!



Awesome Words from Jesus once again!



Tom

Revelation #8

Alright, here we go! Let us look at the second church this morning:



Revelation 2:8-11



To the Church in Smyrna

8"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

9"'I know your tribulation and your poverty ( but you are rich) and the slander[a] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'



Symbolically the time period for this church would be from 100 A.D. to 316 A.D. This was the time period of great persecution for the church. The word Smyrna means suffering. In verse 10 Jesus says "for ten days you will have tribulation". From 100 A.D. to 316 A.D. there were ten distinct periods of severe persecution for the believers and church! Smyrna suffered greatly!



Smyrna was a place of great wealth. Resorts, spas and market places were in abundance. There also was a road of solid gold that stretched from the Temple of Zeus through the heart of the city.



Smyrna was one of only two churches that Jesus had no statements of criticism. The other was Philadelphia.



In verse 8 Jesus again identifies Himself to the church. In verse 9 Jesus tells the church He knows their tribulation. This should be great words for us....JESUS KNOWS everything we are going through! He is with us! He also knew that they were poor. They were poor money wise but Jesus reminded them that they were rich in spiritual things because they stood strong in Christ. A reminder to us where our true riches are! Also in verse Jesus also tells the church He is aware of the slander(false doctrine) of those who are claiming to be Jews but are not! Actually they are servants of Satin. In verse 10 Jesus warns them they are about to suffer but not to fear...in other words endure it patiently....wow another Word from the Lord for us to grasp on to. God tells them some will go to prison for their faith for a time of testing. Our faith will be tested from time to time so be prepared. I explained the ten days earlier from verse 10. Jesus tells the church to be faithful until we die...again it is also a Word for us. When we remain faithful we have a reward coming...the crown of life....eternity in heaven with Jesus....Praise the Lord! Verse 11 again reminds us to listen to God's Word but also goes on to say if we conquer we will not be hurt by the second death. This is explained here:



Revelation 20:4-6



4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.



For an example of what took place at Smyrna we can look at Polycarp. Polycarp was arrested because of his boldness for his Lord Jesus. At his trial cruel and false accusations were made about him by wicked men. He was convicted and sentenced to death. His captors tried to burn him at the stake. The flames started at at his feet for as tradition tells us and then by passed his body and came together again above his head! He just would not burn. After some time Polycarp looked toward heaven and prayed aloud to God: "It's all right! Let me burn if I can burn into the hearts of these soldiers!" With that prayer the flames burned him up and Polycarp died a triumphant death! These were the saints at Smyrna!



Tom

Revelation #7

As we start to look at the individual churches this morning I want you know a couple of things. First we can look at the churches in three different ways. A. Prophetic-Each of the seven churches represent a definite time period in church history. From the first church in the first century until the final church of end time. It is my view we live in the last church period which is Laodicea, which in characterized by lukewarmness. B. You can also look at the churches from a personal view. We all have responsibilities as believers and many times Jesus says "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches". C. Then you can also look at the churches in a practical sense. These letters are applicable to the Christian of every generation. We are to live these letters in our personal lives.



Ok lets look at our first Church:



Revelation 2

To the Church in Ephesus

1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'



Ephesus was an old city at this point and was a major trade center. It also had a temple to the pagan goddess Diana. The letter starts out in verse 1 reminding the church who this letter is coming from....the One who holds the pastors(stars) and the churches(lampstands) in His right hand and walks among them! Jesus! In verse 2 Jesus commends them for three things: 1. Their hard work 2. Their patient endurance 3. How they hated evil! In the remaining part of verse 2 Jesus tells the church He has tested those who who called them selves apostles and found them to be false! How did Jesus resolve they were false? By His Word! The false apostles were not keeping the Word of God. In verse 3 Jesus tells the church He knows they are staying strong for His name! I pray He can say the same about you and I. In verse 4 comes the complaint Jesus has against this church: They had abandoned their first love. Do you remember when you first accepted Christ? If you were like most we are very excited and tell anyone and everyone. It seems though over time many lose that passion. They get pulled back in by the world and are not serving Christ as they should...this is what was happening to this church! In verse 5 Jesus tells them the remedy to this problem: Remember where you have fallen from....in other words return to your early true love of Christ. Then He says repent....ask for forgiveness and turn back to Jesus. Then do the works you did before...tell everyone about Jesus....love others! If the church did not do this Jesus tells them what will happen: The church would be removed! Wow...if we don't keep Christ in proper place He will remove the true church! This happens today! True believers leave for Bible Believing Churches while the church they leave behind is full of false doctrine and no Christ....thus the true church is gone. In verse 6 Jesus gives the church credit for hating the works of the Nicolaitans which Jesus said He also hates. The Nicolaitans were a group who were attempting to set up a professional clergy with a hierarchy to satisfy their ego and to gain prestige. Then in verse 7 Jesus reminds the church and each one of us reading this to listen to what the Spirit says and to each one who conquers He will grant Heaven! Praise God! So how do we conquer:



1 John 5:4-5



4For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?



Give glory to God!



Tom

Revelation #6

As we ended yesterday John was describing Jesus to us...we pick it up today:



Revelation 1:17-20



17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.



Wow in verse 17 I have a feeling when we see Jesus for the first time we will do the same thing John did...fall to our knees! Jesus shows His love as He always does to John and tells him not to fear. He also reminds him again who He is divine and eternal in the words "first and the last" and in verse 18 "the living one". Unlike others who have claimed deity our Jesus is ALIVE! Jesus goes on in verse 18 to remind John and us that He defeated death and He controls death and hell! Wow I just realized as I was writing this I have a big smile on my face. It is so awesome to dig into God's Word and see what Jesus had done for sinners like you and I. In verse 19 Jesus tells John again to record what he is seeing and the things that He will tell him that takes place in the future. In verse 20 Jesus reveals what some of the symbols are that he used in earlier verses. The seven stars are the seven angels which many scholars believe to be the seven pastors of theses 7 churches. The lampstands are the seven churches.



I guess I jumped the gun a little Friday as i said we would look at the seven churches on Monday but we still had a little scripture to cover before that! Tomorrow we will start looking at the individual churches!



Tom

Revelation #5

Let's continue in our study!



Revelation 1:12-16



12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.



As John was listening to Jesus speaking to him he turned to look and saw seven golden lampstands...some versions say candle sticks. Verse 20 tells us these lampstands are the seven churches. Soon we will break down each of these churches in the book of Revelation. Verse 13 tells us Jesus was standing in the middle of these churches. Makes sense doesn't it that the cornerstone of the church is in the midst of these churches! John describes his wardrobe. The sash is representative of His royalty and His authoritative priesthood. Then verse 14 reminds us of His sinlessness and purity of our Lord by telling us about his white hair. Like pure snow white! Then we are told of His fire-flame eyes. Don't miss this:



1 Corinthians 3:13



13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.



The Holy eyes of Jesus will examine and judge the daily living of everyone!



Bronze or brass is used in Revelation symbolically to represent judgement as is the case here in verse 15 as this verse goes on to say the voice of Christ is as "the sound of many waters" which drowns out the protest of anyone who rejects Christ! In verse 16 three symbols are use:



Seven stars...these are the seven pastors of the churches.

Two-edged sword...Hebrews 4:12 tells us what this is:



Hebrews 4:12



12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.



Sun...Jesus is the light of the world.



The description of Jesus in these verses are stunning!!! So stunning when we pick up tomorrow we will see how it made John fall to his knees!



See you tomorrow!!!



Tom

Revelation #4

Revelation 1:9-11



9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."



As we see here John was the one who penned Revelation. Verse 9 tells us he was a brother in Christ and he suffered in the tribulation of the saints. History tells us John was the only one to escape a martyr's death. But he was tortured terribly once being boiled in oil! We see where John was located....on an island called Patmos. He was banished to this island by the Romans because of his incredible faith in Christ! He would not stop preaching the Word of God! I love verse 10! John was on this island alone but it didn't stop him from having church! Of course he wasn't really alone as the God was there with him. As John was worshiping Jesus spoke to him. He told him to write a book! Then he was to send it to the seven churches. As a side note the churches are listed in the order that a courier would have delivered them leaving from Patmos!



May we all be as faithful and obedient as our brother in Christ John! On Monday we will start to look at the individual churches!



Tom

Revelation #3

As we continue on in our study of Revelation remember where we are picking up today in theses verses it is continuing to refer to Jesus:



Revelation 1:6-8



6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."



In verse 6 the Word is reminding us who we are in Christ. We are kings and priests to the Most High God whom we should be giving all the glory and dominion forever!! Isn't that a encouraging word for us this morning? Verse 7 is a warning to all that soon Jesus will be coming in the clouds, ALL will see Him, even those who persecuted Him, and all people groups (tribes) that have not called upon his name to be saved will cry uncontrollably as they realize that Jesus really is who He said He was....Savior of the world. We see in verses 6 and 7 there are two people groups in God's eyes..those who have trusted Jesus and those that haven't. There is no middle ground!



In verse 8 Jesus reminds us who He is....the first and the last meaning He has always been and always will be! He also reminds us He is coming and He is the almighty! Oh give praise to Jesus this morning!



When I read verse 8 it gets me fired up!!! See you tomorrow!



Tom

Revelation #2

Revelation 1:4-5



4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:



Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood



As we continue on today in our Revelation study please remember to open them Bibles! In verse 4 we start out by being reminded that John is penning these words. These verses today are part of the greeting to the seven churches that are in Roman Asia. Seven is a number of completeness in the Bible so this means he is addressing the whole church. John give us a greeting from God who is the "him" in verse 4. Remember Exodus 3:14 here:



Exodus 3:14



14God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"



and also Jesus in Hebrews 13:8:

Hebrews 13:8



8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.



The seven in verse 4 refer to the the complete Holy Spirit....remember seven means complete. In the book of Isaiah the seven qualities of the Holy Spirit are listed:



Isaiah 11:2



2And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might,

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.



The greeting also comes from Jesus. The it lists some characteristics of Jesus..."faithful witness" of all things from God since Jesus has always been! "the first born of the dead" refers to Jesus being the first resurrected from the dead. "the ruler of kings on earth" reminds us that Jesus in King of kings and Lord of lords and one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess this fact!



Verse 5 closes by reminding us of a very important truth HE LOVES US and has proved that love by freeing us from our sins by shedding His blood on the cross for our sins! Oh thank you Jesus!



Wow this is some good stuff to grasp onto! To God be the glory!



Tom

Revelation #1

For a few weeks I am going to look at The book of Revelation. I want to give a shout out to Harold Hunter whose book has helped me understand Revelation better than any other. I hope these posts may also help you understand the book better too!



Revelation 1:1-3



1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.



First, I want you to look at the title of the Chapter in your Bible. Please use your Bible during this study!!!! It may say "The revelation of John" or something like that. That is NOT a correct title! Why do I say that? Look at the first verse. It is the revelation of Jesus! Who revealed it to John! Very important to know that. Verse one goes on to say God gave Jesus this revelation to show his servants the things that MUST take place soon. Servants are those who have given their lives to Jesus! The word" must" shows us that the following Words in Revelation WILL take place...it is a promise from God! God made these things known to John by an angel. Verse 2 tells us the angel brought forth to John what he had seen and heard from God and Jesus. Verse 3 tells us those of us who read this book, listen to this book, and uphold what is in this book will be blessed!! A promise from God! Then Jesus reminds the time of these prophecies are near!



A couple of other things I want you to see as we get started:



#1 Revelation has two main themes: A. Who Jesus is and B. Where we are going!

#2 Chapter 1 talks about the past. Chapters 2+3 talk about the present. Chapters 4-22 talk about the future.



Now that should give you something to think about this morning. I hope you enjoy this study as much as I know I will!



God bless and share this with others!



Tom

Reflections from Ecuador. #5

This will be my last reflection from Ecuador. God taught me so many things there. What I share today may be the one thing that has continued to keep coming back to mind. So here it is:



Have you ever wondered why you were chosen by God to live here in the USA while others were chosen to live in various other parts of the world? If you have never been to a different country this may be hard for you to understand. You still can think of pats of our country where folks are not as blessed as you. Why has God blessed me the way he has and others have to struggle so much? Now I am not rich by any means....in my eyes anyway. BUT if you were task folks in other areas around the world they would say with out hesitation that I am rich. Have you ever thought about that? I have a great responsibility with the life God has blessed me with and so do you. God has blessed me so I can bless others. God is very clear in scripture that we are not to be hoarders of things and not to be putting our trust in things moths and rust can destroy. God has blessed us with the expectations that we will use those blessings to bless others in HIS name to bring HIM glory. Are you doing that???? Am I? In Ecuador we had three teachers that held a teaching clinic for teachers in Ecuador to encourage them and to give advice on how to be a better teacher. We could not believe the amount of teachers that showed up! It was a huge success and they want them to come back to share with them more! What really left a mark on me was we had gift bags for each teacher...simple stuff like erasers, pencils, pens, glue, markers, and calculators. Many who received these bags had tears running down their checks in appreciation. WOW! If we gave something like that away here at home.....well you know what the reaction would be!



God has put you where you are at for a reason. The question for each of us this morning is are we doing all God wants us to with blessings He has given to each of us....think very hard about it!



Tom



P.s. The picture is of the teacher gathering in Ecuador.

Reflections from Ecuador. #4

While in Ecuador our Missionaries, Jared and Elisabeth, shared with us one night. They used this verse in telling us about their call to Ecuador. It has stuck with me and I wanted to share it with you. Here it is:



1 Thessalonians 2:8



8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.



As followers of Christ this should be a verse for all of us to grab onto. God has placed us where we are for a reason. The main reason is to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we talked about yesterday, if we love our neighbors as Christ commands then this verse should fit perfectly into our lives. We should have a deep desire to bring folks we come into contact with the good news of Jesus. The best way to earn the right to share Jesus is by pouring ourselves into people with our lives and love them unconditionally. All people should b dear to us because they were created by God. This verse sums up what God expects from us!



So this morning take a close look at the verse and then your life and ask yourself if you are meeting up to the expectations of Jesus!



Tom

Reflections from Ecuador. #3

Today let's take a closer look at the second part of what Jesus said are the two greatest commandments.



Matthew 22:39



39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’



The first thing I would like to point out is you can not do this second greatest commandment if you are not doing the first. You can try but to fulfill it like Christ desires we must have God first. We must be loving God with all out heart , mind, soul, and strength! Loving others is not easy. Matter of fact is is very hard. When Christ talks about our neighbors here He is referring to anyone we come in contact with each day. They are our neighbor. Now think about that. Do you love everyone you come in contact with as much as you love yourself? No you don't unless you are walking with the Lord and you are filled with the Holy Spirit. We must have that super natural power because we can not do it on our own. Jesus loves everyone and He expects us to do the same. Do we? Jesus even tells us to love our enemies. Do we? Remember who He prayed for when on the cross? The very people who put Him there...that is love and our example.



In Ecuador our team loved the people. It seemed easier to do when you don't see them everyday. At home it is much harder to love those whom you know much more about. We can not make excuses....we are to love our neighbors like Jesus loves us!



Tom

Reflections from Ecuador. #2

While in Ecuador I was studying this verse over and over. I asked you yesterday to spend some time thinking about all of the verses in Matthew 22:37-40. Look at this verse again:



Matthew 22:37



37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’



As we were ministering to the people of Ecuador I had to ask myself ....am I living this verse everyday of my life? It is easy to do on a mission trip. But when I am at home and in the everyday routine, do I give everything to God? Is all of my heart into serving God? If I was honest I would say some days yes and some days no. God has blessed me so greatly and He deserves all of me in Ecuador and at home! What about my soul? It longs for heaven but some days it longs for the things of the world. It hurts to say that but it is true. When I take my eyes off of Jesus, that is when I mess up and my soul desires the things of the world. The solution is easy....stay focused on Christ! What about my mind? My mind wants Christ and desires Christ but yet again if I don't keep my thoughts in check, my mind wanders to worldly things. When this happens I am not loving God the way He desires! I pray this morning I will stay faithful and love God the way He deserves.......with ALLLLLL my heart, mind, and soul.



I found myself in Ecuador feeling sorry for the things they do not have that we have here. As I know think about it, it may be a blessing not to have many of the distractions we have here as it tends to pull us away from God not closer.



Tom

Reflections from Ecuador. #1

I have just returned from a mission trip to Ecuador. I was able to see many of my friends from a previous visit and made many new friends. My wife and I were talking about how hard it is to leave there because of the love we have for our friends and the people. Our hearts hurt in love for our friends. God laid some things on my heart there that I want to share the next few days....I pray they will speak to you also.



I was reading a book called "What Jesus demands from us." By John Piper. On of my days reading really spoke to me. It was reflecting on what Jesus says are the two greatest commandments. Here is the scripture:



Matthew 22:37-40



37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”



For today I just want you to read these verses very slowly and think about them. Let God speak to you through them. Evaluate your self. What is the key word or words in these verses?????



Tomorrow we will break them down! And I will talk about some of the things God revealed to me in Ecuador!



Tom