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