Presents
Pamphlet 1833 Rev. kc 2-3
So
John will write for us from the perspective of the Lord's Day
(NO,
NOT SUNDAY!), the first day of the millennium,
all
the things which he saw, both past, present and yet future.
In verse 10 John heard a great voice as of a trumpet.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Rev. 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
And so it is that they all have it! (The Bible)
But do they all teach it?
We'll get to test them in chapters two and three, for they will be identified by what they teach.
And now John will "SEE" exactly why he was just given the instructions of verse 11.
[12] And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
We will be told shortly.
Right now just see the PICTURE.
[13] And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
This is nothing new. We've seen description before:[14] His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
For documentation ask women.
(That's why wedding dresses are white.)
Rev. 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.
Is this something new in the Book of Revelation?
Nah.
Ezekiel gives the same description.
Ezekiel 1:24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
Of course, there is nothing new under the sun.
I think this was said before by a man with great wisdom:
John continues:Eccles. 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Rev. 1:16 And He had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
It's pretty awesome, isn't it?
Christ
is standing in the midst of seven golden candlesticks,
holding
seven stars in His right hand and has a sharp twoedged sword coming out
of His mouth.
Always "See" the picture first, before concerning yourself with the symbolism.
Got it so far?
OK, let's look first at the twoedged sword.
What is it?
Do swords come out of peoples mouths?
Oh please!
Words come out of the mouth, in this case His Word!
Christ's Word is the sharp twoedged sword.
This is nothing new.
Paul, tell us!
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
It can even kill the soul!
And, guess what?
God's elect also have this sharp Sword.
It
is part of the Gospel Armor that you must have on to be in the battle we
are soon going to read about
in
this exciting Book of Revelation.
So, you can see why it must be handled with the utmost care, for it is razor sharp!
Ephes. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Now back to John describing the vision.
Rev. 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
[18] I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
This was the name God gave to Moses on the mountain when
Moses asked
"Who shall I say sent me?" (unto Pharaoh).
Christ is alive for evermore.
He's not dead on a cross any more.
And He has the keys of both hell and death.
This would be a good person to get to know.
[19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Just wait until you see those pictures!
Oh, and just to wrap up the rest of the symbols in Illustration 1, here it is.
[20] The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
The seven stars are the angels and the seven candlesticks are the churches.
I thought the Book of Revelation was really mysterious.
This is pretty simple.
Now, let me see if I got the picture:
Jesus Christ, who is standing in the midst of the churches (hmmm, equal distance from all, that's fair), is going to use His messengers, the seven angels, to send a message, directly from His mouth (His Word which is the very, very sharp twoedged sword), to all seven churches, meaning ALL churches.
Oh!
This must be very serious.
I wonder what He has to say to them?
We'll soon to find out.
Keep in mind that these are church
"types",
and although some will resemble
certain denominations,
it is not our intent to identify
specific religions and/or organizations.
Christianity is a personal relationship between Jesus Christ and each one of us.
In effect, we are really testing ourselves to see if what we believe aligns with the Word of God.
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits;
to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
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