Revelation 4, The Throne Room of Heaven

 

Revelation 4, The Throne Room of Heaven

The church is no longer mentioned. That is because the church has been raptured up. The church is not a name, it is the people who trusted in Christ. They are no longer on earth but in heaven. The church is now mentioned as the bride of Christ. In 1 Cor. 15:51-52 it says, “behold, I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” In 1Thess.4:17 it says “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” John saw an open door which is the way to God through Christ. This door remains open for all time. It is the door for believers to come through. The open door is Jesus Christ who also enters the door of our hearts. Christ says “come here”. It is an invitation to John and all believers that know Christ as their savior. Christ's voice is like a trumpet. It was a shout that pulled John up and will someday pull you and me up. Immediately (in a twinkling of an eye) John was in the spirit. The Holy Spirit is guiding John into new truths and showing him what is to come. John sees the throne of God and Jesus is at His right hand. This is no longer the throne of grace but the throne of judgment. John didn't see a form on the throne but the brilliance and brightness of precious stones. Jasper was a myriad of colors with purple being the most outstanding. It was the first stone in the foundation of the new Jerusalem and its walls. A sardius stone is a fiery red. It was the first stone in the breastplate of the high priest. The rainbow is like an emerald which is green. The rainbow is a promise that God will not destroy the earth by flood. The green is also the color of the earth. The 24 elders stand for the total church from the Pentecost to the rapture. The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ. The “crowns of gold” indicates that His bride will rule with Christ. Crowns are also given as rewards. The lightnings, thundering’s and voice indicate judgment is coming directed by the one on the throne. The seven spirits of God are a reference to the Holy Spirit. The Sea of glass represents the holiness and righteousness of God. We will be at rest and no longer victims of the storms of life. We will no longer be on a tossing sea. The four beasts are living creatures alert and aware of everything. The first living creature was aligned. The tribe of Judah was like a lion and the ruler and king will come from that tribe. Jesus was born a king, died a king, was of the tribe Judah and will return to us as king. The 2^nd. creature was like a calf. This is a beast of burden, a servant. Christ is present in Matthew as a servant. The 3^rd. creature has a face of a man. The Book of Luke presents Christ as the son of man. The 4th creature was like an eagle. This communicates the deity of Christ. The six wings relate to the seraphim in Isaiah 6. Their song is the same as the one in Isaiah 6:3. John saw the first great worship service in heaven. Praise and adoration are the eternal activity of God's creatures in heaven. We will be laying our crowns down at Jesus's feet as an act of submission and worship. The 24 elders worship God as their Creator. He didn't forget to create you and me because we are in His plan and purpose. We worship him because of that.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

The Church of Philadelphia, The Faithful Church

 

The Church of Philadelphia, The Faithful Church

This church is called the revived church. There are people there wanting to hear the word of God and are hungry for it. This was a typical Greek colony. It was known for their wine vineyards. The same earthquake that destroyed Sardis also destroyed Philadelphia. Since then both cities have been rebuilt. Christ had no condemnation for this church as they were true Christians. They were missionaries who taught the Word of God. The key of David speaks of Christ’s regal claim as ruler of the universe. When Christ comes to reign on earth, He will sit on the throne of David. Luke 1:32-33. Christ is the only one who can open and close doors for us today. Christ is looking for the church to produce fruit. He has opened a door of knowledge of the scriptures and once we enter that door, no one can shut it. Christ tells them that they have a little power. They didn't boast of the works, they merely taught the word of God and didn't deny His name. Christ says that He will let the followers of satan know that He loves this church. Because He loves them and they kept his word, He will keep them from the great tribulation. He who is patiently waiting for the coming of Christ will not have to live through the tribulation. Christ will come suddenly; we will be unaware until it happens. There will be a pillar in the temple of God for those who overcomes the world. We will have a personal relationship with Christ that bears His name in the new Jerusalem.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Revelation 3, The Dead Church of Sardis

 

Revelation 3, The Dead Church of Sardis.

The church in Sardis represents the Protestant church. It was the capital of the great Kingdom in Lydia and one of the oldest and most important cities of the Asia minors. This was the 1st place coins were minted. Its last Prince was Croesus who was captured by Cyrus. He was considered the wealthiest man in the world and everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. Sardis was destroyed by an earthquake during the reign of Tiberius, a Roman. They worshipped Diana the goddess of the moon and apollos, the god of the sun. John's letter commended the church for the doctrine of justification by faith, and this faith produced works. He condemns the Protestant church for just going through the motions. They regularly attended church on Sundays but didn't go anymore during the week. They didn't come to hear the word of God. Christ through John tells them to wake up and watch and establish the things that are about to die. Their works were not fully acceptable to God. These were Protestants who have turned away from looking for the coming of Christ. They say certain things must happen before Christ comes. No one can say that, because no one knows when Christ will come. He can come at any time. Christ alone is the only one that knows when He will come. The great truths they had received were being lost, they lost the authority of the word of God. If we are not watching for the Christ to come, he will come on us as a thief and we don't know what hour that will be. John's letter tells them that there are a few people in Sardis that did not defile their Christian life, and they will walk with Christ in white garments for they are worthy. He that overcomes by the blood of Christ, will be confessed by Christ before God and his angels. We don't do this through our own strength, cleverness or ability but through the blood of Christ. He tells them to hear the voice of the spirit speaking through the Word of God

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

The Dead Church of Thyatira

 

The Dead Church of Thyatira

Is Romanism. It was a dark period. Christ is judging them and watching them intensely, He commends them for:

Their personal love of Christ which came out in their works. They were true believers.

They had love despite their ritualism.

They had a great ministry.

They were patient in days of darkness.

Their works were greater than in the beginning.

 

He condemned them for:

Jezebel who brought paganism into Israel. In Thyatira there was a woman who was a teacher and prophetess who was like the woman, Jezebel. Pagan practices were mingled with Christian works and worship. Christ gave her time to repent but she didn’t. The great tribulation could be the persecution which Rome endured under communism. Or it could be the great tribulation the apostate church falls into. Christ says He will kill all those who were brought up under the pagan system. He searches everything about us. He says He will come and take them out. To those who don’t hold to their doctrine He tells them to stand fast for Him. We overcome by faith, not our efforts. When we go to heaven, we will rule with Christ. In I Cor. 6:2 it says the saints shall judge the world. Christ is the bright and morning star and will come and take us home with Him. The children of Jezebel will not hear, but the children of the Lord will hear because the spirit opens their ears.

Sometimes people think they can hide portions of their lives from everyone. They try to hide angry tempers, deep jealousies, or sexual sin. In His message to Thyatira, Christ clearly stated that “He searches the minds and hearts.” Nothing is hidden from Him. No sin can escape His notice. People may think they are getting away with it, but God knows. Everywhere we go, everything we say, think, or do is seen by God. That understanding should help us to steer clear of sin.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Two Letters from God Through John

 

Letter to the Persecuted Church of Smyrna

This was a martyred church. They suffered for Christ. 5 million Christians were martyred during this time. Christ reminded them that he also suffered and was triumphant over death.

He commends them for:

For their tribulation. They suffered a lot for Christ under the Roman government.

They're poverty - they were lacking in material possessions but were rich in spiritual wealth. The church in Smyrna consisted of slaves, runaway slaves, X slaves and poor people.

Their blasphemy of those which say they are Jews but in truth belong to satan. The Lord tells them not to fear any of those things. There was a multitude of people going to their death, singing praises to the Lord. John tells them that satan will throw some of them into prison and will have 10 days of suffering. He tells them to be faithful unto death and they were. They will receive crowns of life for eternity. He tells them to listen to God as we should all be still and listen to what God tells us.

The Compromising Church of Pergamum

This was where paganism reigned. Ephesus was a political center, Smyrna the commercial center and Pergamum the religious center.

Jesus Christ had the sharp sword the word of God. It has the answers to man's need and man's sin, which in Pergamum was false religion. Even though satan's throne was in this city, religion was big business. Don't be mistaken, Satan is not in hell yet. He is loose and is the prince of the world, controlling kingdoms and going up and down the earth as a roaring line 1 Peter 5:8. The reason Christ said satan's throne is in Pergamum was because there were heathen temples there. Christ knew the church was in a bad place, but he spoke against them for the doctrine of Balaam, which revealed that God would curse Israel because they were sinners. They taught Balak the way to corrupt Israel was by intermarriage with the Moabite women. This brought in idolatry and fornication. In Ephesus they hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans but in Pergamum some adopted this doctrine. Christ tells them in John's letter to repent and if they didn't, he would fight them with the word of God. John tells them to listen to the spirit.

Revelation 2, Letters from the Lord Through John to the 4 Churches

 

Revelation 2, Letters from the Lord Through John to 4 Churches

In each of these letters to the seven churches is mentioned some features of the glorified Christ. The letters are addressed to the Angel of the church who is a human messenger, possibly the preacher. John tells each of the churches that “He knows their works.” He commends them and condemns them in the same letter except for Smyrna and Philadelphia where there was no condemnation. He had no commendation for Laodicea. He warns each of the churches to hear what the spirit says. Each of these letters come directly from Jesus Christ through John.

The loveless Church in Ephesus

The first church was in Ephesus with the population of 2000 people. Ephesus was founded by the Hittites in 2000 BC. It was where Paul had his great ministry and later John arrived as their preacher. God is holding the church in his hands and is judging the church. He commends the church for the following: 1. Works for being filled with the Holy Spirit.

2. For their labor - their weariness in service.

3. For their patience which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

4. For their intolerance for evil men. They tested everyone who came to Ephesus and claimed to be an apostle. If they hadn't seen the resurrected Christ, they were asked to leave.

5. They preached Christ, believing in His virgin birth, His deity, His death and resurrection and they paid a price for their belief.

6. They had not grown weary. They may have grown weary in the work but not of the work. You may be tired of going to work, yet you love what you do.

His condemnation was that they have lost their first love. They had suffered in their personal relationship to Jesus. There are a lot of rules in the world on how to love yourself, and your neighbors. How to love your spouse but if you don't have an intimate relationship with Christ, then you will always struggle. If you do, all your relationships and all your Christian service will be a joy. John tells the church to remember how they started and go back to that. It's like getting married and in the beginning everything is perfect. After a while thing might become complacent or unacceptable. Looking back at how it was in the beginning and going back to being loving and loveable makes it good again. John told the church to repent and return to Christ. Until churches break the shell of self-sufficiency, conceit, sophistication, vanity, pride and so forth they cannot have an intimate relationship with Jesus. If they don't repent Jesus will come and close them down. The Nicolaitans were a cult that believed that you must indulge in sin to understand it. They believed that the sins did not touch the spirit. The Church of Ephesus hated this and so did the Lord. John tells them don't just hear the words but listen to the spirit of the Lord.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

Revelation 1, Glorified Christ

 

Revelation 1   Glorified Christ

In mark 4:11 it says, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God.” Jesus said this to His apostles. Along the way God always gives knowledge to whomever he wishes. John tells us that whoever reads this book will receive a special blessing. In this chapter we see Christ in His unveiled beauty and power and glory. This revelation started with God to Jesus Christ to the Angel who revealed it to John and finally to His servants and that includes us. Jesus is the living word. John not only heard the living word, he saw it too. John greets the seven churches in Asia which today is modern Turkey. We know John was a pastor of the church in Ephesus. Apparently, he had oversight of these churches in that area. The number 7 means completeness. Such as seven years of plenty, seven years of famine, 7 beatitudes, the seven spirits refer to the Trinity Jesus the God son, the Holy Spirit and God who was and is and is to come. Jesus Christ is the faithful witness of the facts of this book. He is the first born from the dead. He resurrected and is the only one who had come back from the dead with a glorified body and His children will follow Him. Ultimately Christ will be the ruler of all kings and peoples of the earth and that is because He loves us and washed us from our sins. He will come in the clouds as a physical body and all eyes will see Him. Not everyone will want to see Him. Those who live in their sins or do not believe in Him will not want to see Him. When it says He is the beginning and ending it means He is of all time and eternity. John talked to his troubles he had in the Isle of Patmos. The Roman Emperor had put him in prison for preaching the Word of God. That was his tribulation that Christians experience today in God's kingdom here on earth. It was on this island of Patmos that he received his visions. It was a vision with sight and sound. What he heard was a voice like a trumpet. When Jesus comes, he will come with a shout. What he saw was 7 lampstands which stood for seven churches. The person who he saw was seen in high priest clothes. Jesus Christ was the High Priest clothed in righteousness. He is judging the seven churches. His hair and head speak of His eternal existence. He is the ancient of days. His flaming eyes speak of his penetrating gaze that knows everything about you and me. His brass feet is symbolic of judgement. In His hands He held seven stars meaning he controls the whole universe. The two-edged sword represents His word. Hebrews 4:12. This vision of Jesus was paralyzing to John. Even though John was favored by Jesus while on earth, John had great reverence for Jesus. Jesus reveals who He is in this vision and who the seven lampstands or candlesticks are the churches, and the seven stars are the angels of the churches. All that John seen and heard he writes about to the seven churches, and this is just the beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.