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Psalms
89:25-37 Also I will
set his hand over the sea, And his right hand over the rivers. He shall cry to
Me, 'You are my Father, My God,
and the rock of my salvation.' Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. My mercy I
will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall stand firm with him. His seed
also I will make to endure
forever, And his throne as the days of heaven. "If his sons forsake My law
And do not walk in My judgments, If they break My statutes And do not keep My
commandments, Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their
iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take
from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail. My covenant I will not break, Nor
alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness;
I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the
sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the
sky."
Father God, we give you all the Glory, Thanks, Praise,
and Honor. I ask that you bless all of those that read these messages around
the world and to bless their loved ones. Open our hearts to comprehend your
words, our ears to hear your words, and our minds to be changed from any false
beliefs to the truth that lies in your words. I ask that the truth that is in
your words of the Bible penetrate the heart of all that read it and hearts will
be changed, made new. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!
Revelation 1:9-20 NKJV
Jesus
arrives on the scene in the rest of this chapter and John gives us a detailed
description of Jesus, what He looked like, sounded like, and tells us who this
book is addressed to. With the description John gives us it is a bit frightful
and would cause anyone to fall at His feet, but the loving kindness that Jesus
has for his children comes through when He tells John not to be afraid. We also
do not have to fear Jesus if we have had a Spiritual Birth.
9
I, John,
both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of
Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and
for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I,
John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and
patience of Jesus Christ;
John is making a statement of introduction and in this statement he mentions
several things that all believers go through. Tribulation, kingdom, and
patience, as a believer one will go through trials and tribulation in the testing of our faith. As a believer one will
know there is a Heavenly Kingdom
without a doubt and will experience little things like the beauty of God’s
creation; flowers, natural scenic wonders, the intricate shape of a snowflake,
etc.; they will have a peace, comfort, joy, and completeness in their spirit,
and sense what Heaven will be like; they know that one day they will experience
the presence of His Glory. Some of these little wonders we may have never paid
attention, or much attention to before being saved, but now they bring on a
whole new dimension of wisdom and knowledge. As a believer we will be patient and willing to serve our
Almighty God here on earth while we await our departure from this earth. We are
patient knowing that we have eternal life being one of God’s children. All of
this is made possible because our faith is in Jesus Christ and what He did on
the Cross for us. John mentions these three things in his introduction because he
is experiencing these with his exile. He has no anxieties, depression, anger,
or anything of his humanistic character, because he is at total peace being a
child of God and trusting in Jesus. John
16:33 These
things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you
will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 2
Timothy 3:12 Yes, and
all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Acts 14:22; Col.
1:24
Was
on the island that is called Patmos; Patmos
is one of the clusters of islands in the Aegean Sea. It lies between the island
of Icaria and the promontory of Miletus. It is some six or eight miles in
length, and not more than a mile in breadth, being about fifteen miles in
circumference. It has neither trees nor rivers, nor has it any land for cultivation,
except some little nooks among the ledges of rocks. On approaching the island,
the coast is high, and consists of a succession of capes, which form so many
ports, some of which are excellent. The only one in use, however, is a deep
bay, sheltered by High mountains on every side but one, where it is protected
by a projecting cape. The town attached to this port is situated upon a high
rocky mountain, rising immediately from the sea, and this, forms the only
inhabited site of the island. Though Patmos is deficient in trees, it abounds
in flowery plants and shrubs. Maize and barley are cultivated, but not in a
quantity sufficient for the use of the inhabitants. About halfway up the
mountain there is shown a natural grotto in a rock, where John is said to have
seen his visions and to have written this book (Albert Barnes).
For
the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ; John was exiled to this island because
of his preaching the Gospel of the New Covenant.
10 I was in
the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a
trumpet,
Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos
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Art used; by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
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I
was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day;
This vision, trance, or out of body experience took place on the first day of
the week, Sunday. John states he was in the Spirit meaning that he was in deep
prayer and the Spirit of God fell upon him. We have a record of Peter experiencing
such a state also. This occurrence of Peter is recorded in the Book of Acts Acts 10:10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat;
but while they made ready, he fell into a trance. You can go to Acts and read more
about this experience of Peter’s. He also, was in a state of prayer when this
occurred to him. Paul also experienced this and you can read more about it
starting with; 2
Corinthians 12:2 I know a
man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or
whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to
the third heaven.
These visions or
experiences still happen today to those that have a close personal relationship
with Jesus. They aren’t spoken of due to the non-belief of people today. When
these things are talked about, people to think the person is crazy, in fact the
modern day churches would think the same also. If a person wishes these
experiences then they need to be in the Word of God and Prayer almost constantly.
And
I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet; John is telling us that Jesus voice
was as loud and clear as a trumpet. The trumpet has been used for its loudness
and sharpness over the centuries. It has been used to call people together for
an announcement, to be called into and out of battle, bring a gathering of
people to attention, etc. It is the best description John could have used for
the people of his time and ours.
John Turning
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Art used; by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
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11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the
Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in
Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia,
and to Laodicea."
John is getting his
instructions from Jesus and these instructions are to the seven churches of
Asia Minor. These churches were located in what we know as Western Turkey. Why
only these seven churches? Could it be because of their state of being and
straying away from what was taught them when they were started? We will see in
Chapter 2. These churches are to be an example of what Jesus has to say to the
other churches of that time and also to the churches of our time. There were
many churches at that time already started, but due to the sin nature and
Satan, the people started veering from the truth because of their
interpretation of Scripture. You ask, how can this be that the churches of John
and the other Apostles be veering from the truth already? Stop and think about
the persecutions and killing of those preaching the gospel at that time. The
people didn’t like what Jesus had to say and the same was true for the
followers of Jesus. Anyone teaching and preaching the truth of what the
Scriptures say, people don’t want to hear or believe. They will be shunned,
persecuted, or killed. This holds true for today also in our local communities.
Start a conversation about the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a room of people and
within minutes the room will be cleared because people don’t want to hear the
truth, they only want to believe in their upbringing and religion, because
their flesh tells them they are right and the Bible is wrong. People are being
beaten, tortured, and killed today for preaching the Gospel. Look at the
American Pastor Saeed that has just been convicted and sentenced to 8 years in
one of the most brutal and deadly Iranian prisons this past week because he
will not deny Jesus.
Map of the Seven Churches
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Art used; by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
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With
the insertion of the pictures, I will insert the commentary notes in green
parentheses to conserve space for the rest of this lesson.
12 Then I
turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven
golden lampstands, (The seven gold lamp stands represent the seven churches Jesus
is addressing.)
13 and in
the midst of the seven lampstands One
like the Son of Man,(Jesus is the head of the church, the bridegroom, the one that
orchestrates all things.) clothed with
a garment down to the feet (Indicating a garment of splendor, something a king would wear.) and girded
about the chest with a golden band.(Apparel a High Priest would wear.)
14 His head
and hair were white like wool,
as white as snow, (White symbolizes purity, spotless, without sin, authority, and
majesty.)
and His eyes like a flame of fire; (Eyes that pierce the
hearts of humans to see what truly lies in their heart, God or man.)
15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined
in a furnace, (His feet were so bright and brilliant they appeared as molten
metal from a fiery furnace. So bright they were blinding to look at, indicating
His holiness, his holiness of walking on this earth in the form of man without
sin.) and
His voice as the sound of many waters; (His voice wasn’t such that it was hard to understand,
but it was one of authority, one of clarity, one that could be understood by
anyone that it was spoken to, one that would call anyone to attention, that
would hear it.)
16 He had in
His right hand seven stars, (The stars are explained in Verse 20 and represent the angels of
the Seven Churches. The word “angels”
as it is used here, in the Greek is “aggelos,”
and means “messenger.” So in a sense
this is referring to the Pastors of the Seven Churches, and the message that
will be delivered by the angel of that church.) out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, (A
two edge sword is designed to cut both ways; and such a sword penetrates no
matter how it moves. This is the way it is, of what comes from Jesus mouth. It
is the penetrating power of truth no matter how it is said. It will cut right
to the heart penetrating our soul when we are guilty.) and His
countenance was like the sun
shining in its strength.(Jesus is the light of the world. He was so bright Johns eyes
could not bear the brightness; a brightness so bright, that it signifies strength,
glory, and purity.)
Christ Amidst the Lampstands
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Art used; by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
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17 And when
I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. (The countenance of God is so great it causes
those in His presence to fall. Sometimes scripture states a touch took place
and then the person stood up. It’s possible these people actually fainted and a
touch from God brought consciousness back to the individual, we don’t know.
This was experienced by many throughout the Bible. It is the Spirit within us
that causes this action to take place, whether it is fear, muscle weakness, the
absence of breath, awe of God being a supreme being, or a combination of
several that causes one to fall down. Peter, James, and John experienced this up
on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured and God spoke to them from a cloud.
Matthew 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were
greatly afraid. Daniel
8:18 Now, as he was speaking with
me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and
stood me upright. Daniel 10:17 For how can this
servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me
now, nor is any breath left in me." Exodus
33:20; Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28; Ezekiel
43:3; Daniel 10:7-9) But
He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do
not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. (A hand that can life
one up, give life, or sweep life away.)
18 I am He who
lives, (Jesus is not only alive, but life for all who believe. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I
am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me.)
and was dead, (In human form Jesus died in our place on the Cross, He became
sin for us, our sins were nailed to the Cross, He did this for us because He
loves us so much.) and behold, I am alive forevermore. (Jesus rose from the
dead, he defeated Satan, and because of this work of the Cross, we can have
eternal life by believing in this act and admitting we are sinners by nature,
repenting of our sinful nature, asking God for forgiveness, and ask Jesus to
come into our lives.) Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of
Death. (This
verse, directly from Jesus, is proof there is eternal life after physical death
and there is a Hell. For anyone that believes a person just sleeps when they
die, then they need to read this verse every day until it sinks into their
heart.)
19 Write the things which you have seen, (Refers to the vision in Chapter 1.) and the things which are, (Refers to the state of
the churches in Chapter 2.) and the things which will take place
after this. (Refers to future events described in Chapters 3-22 when this
Church Age comes to a close.)
20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right
hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches, (Messengers to the pastors of the churches.)
and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
Romans 1:16 For I am
not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is
the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…...
Psalms
51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit
within me.
John
3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I
say to you,
unless
one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Bill Wiesbrock
Last Week’s Trivia: Who was Agabus?
Answer: Agabus was a Christian prophet from
Jerusalem. Agabus went to Paul in Antioch in 44 A.D. and predicted a famine.
Some years later, perhaps 59 A.D., Agabus warned Paul that he would be
imprisoned if he went to Jerusalem. In spite of Agabus warning, Paul went and
was seized. Acts 11:28; Acts 21:10.
This week’s Trivia: Who was Agag?
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