Yesterday I learned
from Revelation verses 1-3 that God gave Jesus information that was extremely revelatory. Now some would say that because Jesus is God he already knows all that His Father does. But that is not quite true. The Word explains there are some things the Father did not tell His Son. In Mark 13:32, Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” It does not surprise me because the Holy Trinity is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as three distinct persons all in One. I also learned in verses 1-3, that Jesus had an angel deliver the message to John. I must say that just digging into verses 1, 2 and 3 has left my mind totally blown! Even so, this morning I am ready to explore the next few verses in Chapter One. Although, I am going to take it extremely slow so that I don’t get overwhelmed. Here goes. Verse 4 says, “This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne;” For some reason John directed his letter, that contained the revelatory knowledge given by the Father to Jesus, to seven churches that lived in western Turkey. The letter actually says “the province of Asia”- but look on a map and you will see the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna. Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea are all located near the western coast of Turkey. I wonder - why was that area so important? Why was this revelation knowledge that was given to Jesus that was extended to John directed at the churches of Asia Minor? Is it because it goes to show that the Seed of Promise will continue to grow in a land that is hard to sow? Asia Minor was steeped in witchcraft, emperor worship and paganism. "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry." 1 Samuel 15:23 And yet, the Body of Christ continued to grow. How do you think that was possible? Perhaps it's because out of the deep the Lord calls out His own. And even though this letter was written by the hand of John, John greeted the churches with the voice of the Holy Spirit, Father and Son. The Apostle and the Elder was a prophet of God! Verse 5 says, “and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.” Jesus is the reason we have access to God’s wisdom. He is the faithful witness to God’s revelation. Jesus is the first to rise from the dead, and He is The Ruler of all the kings of the world! Hang on - His time will come. “All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.” The only way that fallen, dead men can be washed clean from the sin that separates us from God is to put on a new heart, that beats to worship and circulate the blood of Christ The Lamb of God chose to be slain so that we could live with Him in the New Jerusalem. The Son’s body and blood that was final sacrifice that redeems all of mankind from our separation. Verse 6 says, “He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” Everything written in verse 6 is highlighted in Hebrews. I believe that whoever wrote Hebrews was in dwelled by God’s Holy Spirit! The book is full of spiritual wisdom. In verse 7 John makes a shift. He said, “Look! “He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him - even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!” As John wrote I believe the Lord gave him sight of spirit realm! He saw Jesus returning on the clouds, the clouds that once absorbed his presence. In verse 8 John took on God’s voice. John said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come - the Almighty One.” My God! Isn’t that good? I don’t understand why everyone is not digging into God’s Word. It must be because many do not know Him. It’s so rich! It’s so good! Don’t you see, Jesus has existed since the beginning of time. The Son of God will never die! He is eternally good! God is so good. He made a way to give us new life. He made a way to resurrect the dead. God gave us a Seed and He grows our faith, even in the most unlikely place - like the wilderness, or Islamic states. Turkey is a place that is filled with Islam, and a ruler who wants to return to their roots and traditions. And so we wait; and we pray to God that nations will be set free from evil strongholds. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Brethren- Encourage each other with these words. Maranatha - the Lord is coming back soon. 1 Thessalonians 4:18
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