It’s time to Wake up, Grow up, & Look up!

 

A Study of Revelation 

Key Verse: 

Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it (heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 

-What is it that defiles a man? 

Does the Word of God contain what we need for our day? 

Are you maturing in your walk with God? 

After years of being a Christian….have you graduated from milk to meat? 

Are there strongholds or sin in your life that you are not willing to let go of? 

Do you think that you are a good person? 

Does God still have the power to transform lives? 

…And have you given yourself completely to Him? 

Are there habitual patterns of sin that continue to pull your down? 

Are you living in victory because of the Blood of Jesus Christ? 

Who is God? 

Is the God of the Bible different from the god of __Luke______________?  

Is there evidence of my name being written in the Lambs Book of Life? 

Introduction to the book of Revelation: 

It is probably the most challenging book to study. 

It is a prophetic book and different from all other books in the NT. 

It foretells what will take place till Christ returns. 

It can be difficult to understand while some prophesies are explained, most are written in language that is hard to understand. 

There is widely varied interpretations and speculations of that which is to come to pass. 

Some people avoid the book and believe that it is not understandable. 

In the last 100 years, there has been increased interest in end time prophesy and many new ideas and theories have been created. 

Some prophesy teachers claim special revelation from God because their teachings are not in accord with the Bible. 

How early Christians interoperated the book has been scorned and out of date for many contemporary churches. 

The Book of Revelation inspires us to live our faith more than any other book in the Bible. 

The Book is full of pictures that add real emotional feeling to the Biblical expressions of mercy, grace, love, faith, and salvation. 

Those who read it are promised a blessing. 

The best way to interoperate it is by using scripture. 

Often the cryptic and obscure sentences become clear and meaningful when one discovers that it is based in previously written scripture. 

The Holy Spirit is the giver of the warnings and prophesies of this book.  

As we study Revelation, we will discover that there are many and varying interpretations and views that are held but there is only one correct interpretation.  

We do well to search the scriptures for a better understanding. 

Revelation is written to the People of the Kingdom of God. 

Although it refers to the seven churches in Asia, I believe it applies to us today! 

It tells us to expect evil, suffering, false doctrine, persecution, imitations, signs, warnings, and even judgement. 

Throughout the vision, Christ is ever-present and exceedingly powerful. 

Christ is the head of a Spiritual Kingdom of Love and Peace that has impacted the world. 

For the Christian, the theme of the Revelation is: 

-redemption in Christ. 

-victory over sin and death. 

-and perfect union with God. 

We will discover that the primary purpose of Revelation is not necessarily how Christ will return but to warn his people of the difficulties and trials to come and to encourage them to endure faithful to the end. 

Revelation 1:1-20 

1 ¶ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 

2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 

3 ¶ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 

9 ¶ I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 

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. 

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 

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. 

14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 

15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 

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. 

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. 

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 

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 in Christ right hand symbolize the angels(or ministers) of the seven churches and the candlesticks symbolize the seven churches. It is a beautiful picture of Christ in the midst of his church(the candlesticks) giving direction to those(angels) who are ministering to the believers.  

Although it uses the word angel, when speaking to the churches, it would indicate that he is referring to ministers, apostles, elders, bishops, or even shepherds, who are spiritual leaders of the flock of Christ and are worthy of respect and honor.  

Angels were uniquely created by God to be servants and messengers of His will.  

-They work under His authority and diligently do as they are instructed. 

-Their wisdom and power is God-given and limited to their individual work. 

To call pastors of the churches angels is therefore not that extraordinary. They are to serve the church with all diligence and humility, as ministering spirits. 

The angels of the churches are still susceptible to error but those that serve honorably will receive a greater reward. 

The greatest responsibility of an angel is to be a servant in the Kingdom of Christ, and this is true for a pastor as well. 

 

The Church is Christ’s prized possession! 

1Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 

God does not promise to remove us from trials and hardship, but he promises that He will be there with or in the midst of us! 

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 

Summary: 

Christ is in His exalted, rightful place of authority in heaven, having accomplished all that he had planned to do on this earth. He is now standing among His Church, and His awesome presence is both a source of comfort to His own and a cause for fear to those who are disobedient. The picture shows Him in complete control of every realm of authority. He is far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named. He holds the keys to hell and Death. The fearful and omnipotent God of the Universe protects and cares for His church. No one else can say, I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore! Amen. 

 

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