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The
Revelation Of Jesus Christ
– Revelation One –
In the first words of Revelation we find a general introduction to
the entire message. The book begins, "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." (Revelation 1:1) The message was signified
or given with signs through an angel to John. Through the years, the church has
received great comfort through the glorious prophecy of this book.
The announcement of the Revelation of Jesus Christ came with a
blessing for those that read, hear and keep those things that were written.
Urgency is seen in the phrase "the time is at hand." A study of the
books of Ezekiel and Daniel will help prepare the Bible student for studying
the book of Revelation.
The Revelation as a whole book and specifically the early chapters
were written to the seven churches in
Revelation is a book with some predictions of future events, but
more than that it is a book designed to provide encouragement and hope for the
people of God. The expectation of our present life and our eternal life is
built upon Jesus. It is a glorious hope because of His character and power.
A Revelation from God – Revelation 1:1-3: The
word translated "Revelation" is similar to our word
"apocalypse." The word means "a revealing," or "an
unveiling." It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It is the Revelation of
Jesus Christ because it is from Him and it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ
because it is about Him. The person revealed in the Revelation is none other
than Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation shows us Jesus in His power and
majesty. We may not be able to understand every sign in this great book, but we
can understand the Christ revealed therein. He is not merely some figment of
the imagination or a person of the past. He is the one that is, and that was,
and that is to come.
The Revelation was made to God's servant to show him things that
would shortly come to pass. The object of the book was to record a revelation
about these important events. The time was at hand or near for the fulfillment
of these things at the time of the writing of the book.
John said, "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." (Revelation 1:3) He said
"Blessed is he that readeth." It is a
blessing to be permitted to read the Revelation of God. This may be a reference
to public reading because the next statement has to do with those "that
hear the words of this prophecy." We learn God's will by reading, hearing,
studying and meditation. Those who have the opportunity to become acquainted
with God's revelation are highly favored. The readers and hearers must also
"keep those things which are written therein." None can be right with
God who does not obey those things that are their duty. The psalmist said of
God's commandments, "Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in
keeping of them there is great reward." (Psalm
A Revelation of love and blood -- Revelation
1:4-8: The book of Revelation was written to the seven churches of
Revelation begins with the formal greeting used in many New
Testament books. The greeting is that of grace and peace. (Revelation 1:4) John
identifies Jesus as being from everlasting. Jesus existed in the past. He
exists in the present. He will exist in the future. The most profound part of
the book of Revelation has to do with the fact that this eternal one
"loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." (Revelation
1:5) If we understand our own deep sinfulness, this seems almost too good to be
true.
A Revelation to the seven churches –
Revelation 1:9-11: On a certain Lord's day, from the Isle
of Patmos, John was commanded to write
this to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." These were not seven kinds of churches, but
the
In this book John provided many word pictures of Jesus, possibly
none more vivid than when he called Him "Alpha and Omega, the first and
the last." Jesus clearly claimed to be God and to have all the attributes
of the Almighty.
A Revelation of Jesus Christ – Revelation 1:12-20:
What a blessing this must have been to John to see Jesus again. Jesus
is pictured as standing in His magnificence in the midst of these seven
churches. He was "clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about
the chest with a golden band." The picture of Jesus was that of purity and
wisdom. When we see "His eyes like a flame of fire" we are aware of
the judgment of God.
Everything in this vision speaks of the strength, majesty,
authority and righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Savior. John was overwhelmed by this stunning vision and he
fell at the feet of Jesus as a dead man. Jesus helped John to understand by
telling him that the seven stars are the angels or messengers of the seven
churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches. The chapter closed
by John again being told to write these things in a book.
Jesus' greatness, power, might and sacrifice should move us to
obey Him. Those who obey the gospel are cleansed by the precious blood of
Jesus. To obey the gospel one must hear the salvation message (Romans
- - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer
List:
2. Requesting Our Prayer: Dustin Harrell responded to our Lord’s invitation. Please remember Him in your personal, private prayers.
3. Remember
To Pray: Eric Bagents needs our prayers as he
serves in
4. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to: (a) Mary Lawrence and her family in the death of our brother, William Lawrence. (b) Virginia Lowery and her family in the death of her brother-in-law, Tom Sheffield.
5. Great
6. Evangelism The Key To Growth: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16)
7. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: September 25th Patsy Nall, and September 26th Thomas Phillips.
8. Ladies
Bible Class: The Ladies Bible Class meets each Wednesday at
9. Joint
Baby Shower: There will be a joint baby shower for Arlena Gafford and
Libby Bozeman on September 25th at the home of Tiffany Till – time
10. Final
Fall Fling: Backwoods Christian Camp’s final retreat of the year will
be Friday – Sunday, October 7th - 9th. Bring your usual camp supplies and come ready
for an uplifting and fun weekend. We will leave after the football games Friday
night. For more info, contact Darrell Powell.
11. Fall
Childhaven Food &
12. Area
Events: (a) September 26th-28th – “Spiritual Enrichment Forum” – Hosted by Southern
Christian University – The forum will be at Embassy Suites Hotel in
13. Weekly Budget: Just a reminder that our weekly budget is $6,135.64. If each family gives as God has prospered us we will far exceed this amount. Your giving is a proof of your love for God. (II Corinthians 8:18)
Should We Anticipate the Rapture?
The term “rapture,” as applied by dispen-sationalists, refers to the idea that Christ will
come silently to snatch the living saints and the resurrected bodies of saints
who have died. We’re told people will
mysteriously vanish, leaving behind unmanned automobiles and a world of
confusion and chaos. Various Bible passages are used to establish this theory.
Let us look together at what God’s word says.
The most widely used passage used to support
the “rapture” theory is I Thessalonians 4:13-17. However, upon reading this passage in its
context, one can derive the true and simple meaning. It was purposed, first of
all, to assure Christians then living that their deceased loved ones would be
able to participate in the Lord’s return. Secondly, the passage was meant to
show that those who are alive when Christ comes will not have an advantage over
those who have gone on before.
Note, also, verse 16 of I Thessalonians 4,
which says, “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God…” Here, the second coming of
Christ is depicted as an awesome event that all men will see. Again it seems as
such in Revelation 1:7 which plainly say, “…every eye shall see him.” Man’s
“rapture” theory describes Christ’s coming as a secret event with no mention of
the trump of God, a shout, or anything that would allow all men to be made
aware.
There is no New Testament support for the “rapture.” The Bible never speaks of a secret coming of Christ for His saints, but rather a magnificent coming for all men to see. Matthew 25 paints a magnificent picture that provokes joy for some, and fear for others. There we are told Christ will come in His glory and separate the sheep from the goats. To the sheep on His right He will say, “Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom.” And to the goats on His left, He will say, “Depart from Me, you cursed into everlasting fire.” Be ready for that day.
- - - - Darrell Powell
A good
reputation is much easier to maintain than to rebuild.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)