Book of Revelation – Chapter 1
The word revelation means unveiling or uncovering. The Roman government exiled the apostle John on a rocky island in the Meditteranean Sea. During his time there, John had a vision given directly by God to write what he saw. John gave details to everything he heard or witnessed. This book is about the unveiling of Jesus Christ and to show His servants things that “must shortly come to pass.” Here we learn that “shortly” means rapid action once there is a beginning. So we enter into a study of signs as we proceed.
Christ has bestowed upon all believers the majesty of a prince and the ministry of a priest. Reading the book of Revelation is a blessing. But there is a blessing to be received for just hearing Revelation read. Don’t put aside this book because it deals with future events. John Phillips, in his commentary, says, “The events it predicts can happen at any moment; not immediate, but imminent.” Let us not forget how short time is and how long eternity lasts.
The number seven (7) will come up again and again. Remember that seven is God’s number of perfection and completeness. Christ holds seven stars, walks among seven candlestands, and instructs John to write what he hears and witnesses to the seven churches in Asia Minor, which are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
We understand Christ as the beginning and ending of all things. He was, is, and always will be. While believers are in this world, they will have tribulation (see John 16:33), but in verse 9, this does not include the Tribulation hour. Kept out of this hour are the saints. It is “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” as stated in Jeremiah 30:7.
Clothed in the garment of an Old Testament high priest, Christ is about to enter into judgment with the world. Swayed by neither pity nor passion, He executes justice that will come swiftly. Bright whiteness speaks of His righteousness. The fire in His eyes reflects the righteous anger concerning the sins of the churches. Christ’s feet picture judgment and relate to the events when He returns to earth.
The seven stars are the seven messengers to the seven churches. Christ “has complete control over all forces, known and unknown, natural and supernatural, seen and unseen, that shape the destinies of men.” (John Phillips commentary). The two-edged sword is the Word of God.
Hades, Sheol, and Hell – what are they?
Sheol (an Old Testament term) and Hades (a New Testament term) are the same. Hades was a place where all humans’ souls and spirits went until the cross of Christ. There existed two compartments; one for the wicked and the other (known as Paradise) for the righteous. Paradise is where Christ went upon His death (Acts 2:27, 31). He ministered there to His people and led captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8-10). This act released them to enter the third heaven of 2 Corinthians 12:2. Presently, the comfort side of Hades (Paradise) is empty. Fully occupied is the torment side of Hades. On the White Throne Judgment day, God will open Hades’ torment side as told in Revelation 20:13, when death and hell (or Hades) must deliver up the dead. Judgment awaits the wicked.
Written chronologically, the Book of Revelation presents past (were), present (are), and future (shall be) events. Chapter 1 (past), Chapter 2 and 3 (present), and Chapter 4 through 22 (future).
Now we proceed to the seven churches of chapter 2 and chapter 3.
Obedience
Jonah, a great wind, a great fish, a plant, a worm, an east wind – which is the odd one out?
God’s servant Jonah – the rest obeyed God at once. Why? See Jonah 1-4.
The Wicked Among Us
In our society today, there are people who we could classify as ‘wicked.‘ That word seems like a harsh description to our sensible ears and imaginations. However, the Bible doesn’t pull back on any punches for those guilty of such acts. Perhaps, we shouldn’t either.
Notice the description used for the wicked in Psalm 10. These folks deliberately target the weak and poor to take advantage of them. If elected or appointed to a high office, they promise or boast of great things they will provide but deliver nothing. These people are arrogant, greedy, and profane. Lacking any sense of shame or morality, they possess evil desires and celebrate deeds done secretly to increase their wealth, control, and power.
These same people curse and insult the one true God by expressing contempt for godly things and even the Lord Himself. Publicly, they say the right things at times, but in secret, they are full of mockery and offend both the Creator and those who honor Him. Even those who disregard the sanctity of human life never admit that God exists. They have become fools in all their efforts to make something of themselves to self-admire.
Psalm 14:1
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
As we move closer to 2024 and the election season, study what candidates say and don’t say. Ask God for discernment and wisdom to make right choices in your candidates for office.
A Believer’s Death – Gone From My Sight
What follows is a depiction of a believer’s death that should be told at memorial services. It is a poem written by Henry van Dyke.
Gone From My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says; “There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?” Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “There, she is gone!” There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout; “Here she comes!”
And that is dying.
Where We Are Today – A Look At Psalm 4:6
Psalm 4:6
Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!
Have you ever wondered, “Who will make things easier for me? Who will ease my burden or the hunger my family faces? Where can I go to get my next fix of pleasure?” Life is hard enough, it seems, and a little pleasure might be what the doctor ordered. Such were the circumstances facing a small country during a civil war. The population was wavering. Even those involved in the military conflict developed doubts about their perspective positions. There were half-hearted men in both camps. What was the right course of action? Though flanked by indecision and various opinions, that did not mean there was inaction. Has a familiar ring?
Honors, riches, or pleasures that nearly all people desire mean very little while people suffer. All these temporal things were light as vanity, fleeting as a soap bubble, thin and unsubstantial as air, floating away as the slightest breeze determines. Too few recognized the need for the favor of God and His approval, both being necessary for the happiness of humanity.
If placed in their situation, would you want to see rather than to believe? For most of us, seeing is preferred before thinking of a solution. It is our tendency. We are fond of drinking the latest cup of pleasing delusions provided readily by overarching governmental imposters. Their drink doesn’t satisfy. All too soon, Despair shows up to be your constant companion. But a true believer drinks from the truth of God’s Word, a fountain that never runs dry. The light of His countenance is enough for that person.
In Numbers 6:24-25, a blessing of the Lord is stated. “The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.” In the days ahead, we need the blessings of the Lord, His grace and mercy, and His peace. May the Lord love you and make you know that He loves you. May He be well pleased with you and your obedient service. May you have peace with God, your conscience, and all men.
Bill Wyler
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