We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together.

As we progress through Revelation, John discovers that the voice speaking to him is Jesus. In verse 16, he describes Jesus as having “a sharp, double-edged sword coming from His mouth.”

In Ephesians 6:17, we read about “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” We also know from John 1:1-3 that Jesus is the Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.” Verse 14 continues, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

So what does it mean that Jesus has a double-edged sword coming out of His mouth? Hebrews 4:12 makes it plain. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Jesus is the living Word of God and He is the judge of every human.

John 5:21 says, “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. ²² Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, ²³ that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.”

When Jesus walked the earth, His message was one of repentance. He wanted people to turn from their own ways and turn to Him. John is describing the risen Jesus, Who is the judge using the sharp sword of the Word of God to sort out the thoughts and intentions of every human heart. Those who have not turned toward Jesus will suffer, while those who have made the decision to accept Jesus will be with Him in heaven forever.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to study Revelation and give us understanding. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together.

In Chapter 1, John, the author, turns around to see who was speaking to him and it was none other than Jesus! We know from verse 1 that the book of Revelation is, “the revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.” John is told to write down what he sees so that the servants of God, (that is us), would know what is going to occur. We covered this portion of Revelation deeper in a prior post.

John knew Jesus, he had spent years ministering alongside of Him, had seen the transfiguration of Jesus and witnessed many miracles. Yet the Jesus that John describes for us is the risen Jesus. This is the Jesus Who stands before our Father in heaven right now pleading for us, (Romans 8:34). Jesus is our Protector and King, the Lord of Lords and the Head of the global Church.

In verse 14, John writes, “The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.”

Throughout Revelation, it is helpful to keep in mind that John was being shown things that he did not always have words to describe, so he references things that the reader of that time would have known. John describes Jesus as having hair like wool, eyes like fire and a voice that sounded like rushing waters.

The wool of lambs would have been a common sight to the readers of John’s letter as Jewish people were regularly bringing spotless or white lambs to be sacrificed to God. In the Bible, white hair is a blessing, an honor, and a sign of wisdom (Proverbs 16:31 and 20:29). The description of white hair like wool would have also been familiar to Jewish scholars of the time. Like John, Daniel the prophet and author of the book of Daniel, was shown visions of heaven. We read similar Scriptures in Daniel chapter 7 verse 9, describing God, the Ancient of Days.

“As I looked, thrones were set in place,
    and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
    the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire . . .”

Not only did John and Daniel use similar words to describe Jesus’ hair, their overall visions of Jesus are incredibly similar. Daniel, chapter 10 verse 5, says, “I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.”

The eyes of Jesus are like flames of fire, which represent His judgment. His eyes see into the human heart (1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 21:2, Psalm 44:21, Acts 1:24, Romans 8:27). The feet of Jesus appear like burnished bronze to both John and Daniel. Bronze that has been burnished in a fire is strong and gleams like gold, it is not easily broken or destroyed. Jesus’ feet will not falter or fail wherever He places them.

Finally, both John and Daniel describe that when Jesus speaks, his voice sounds like rushing waters – full of power and might. When He speaks, all creation responds. It is only by His Word that our hearts continue to beat, and our lungs fill with air. With one Word, Jesus gives life and can take it, for all things were made through Him, (John 1:3).

How might your prayer time look different if you pictured the risen Jesus? What if we envisioned Jesus with His eyes blazing with fire and a voice like the sound of rushing waters?

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to study Revelation and give us understanding. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together.

As we continue through the book of Revelation, in Chapter 1, verse 12, John writes, “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.”

This description of what Jesus is wearing reflects what the Old Testament priests would wear. Exodus 28, verse 2 says, “Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor. ³ Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. ⁴ These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. ⁵ Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.”

In verse 40 of Exodus 28, we read why Old Testament priests were to wear robes and sashes. “Make tunics, sashes and caps for Aaron’s sons to give them dignity and honor.” Jesus does not need a robe and a sash to give Him dignity and honor. So why does He wear something similar?

While the robe and sash that John saw the risen Jesus wearing is similar to that of the Old Testament priests, they are not the same. Jesus’ robe and golden sash represent the supreme authority over all priests. Jesus deserves all honor and praise and glory. Jesus reigns supreme over all priests, pastors, popes, bishops, and any other title that church leaders may have.

When we pray to Jesus, how do we approach Him? Do we approach Him as we do a priest or Pastor? Or do we approach Jesus as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings Who has supreme authority over all church leaders?

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to study Revelation and give us understanding. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together.

As we continue through the book of Revelation, in Chapter 1, verse 12, we see the risen Jesus through the eyes of John. Jesus shows John Who He is in heaven, John sees Him in all His glory. And He sure looks different!

In verse 12, John writes, “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.”

John describes the risen Jesus as “someone like a son of man”. John had heard Jesus call Himself the Son of Man during His earthly ministry. This is a title that Jesus uses to refer to Himself documented throughout the New Testament.

The title Son of Man means that when Jesus walked the earth and was born of Mary, He was both fully human and fully God. How can this be? John 1:14 explains, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus existed in heaven with God before the Word (Jesus) became flesh. He chose to become a human. How do we know this? In John chapter 1, verse 1 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning.” The Word is Jesus, He was with God in the beginning and He is God. Jesus chose to become a human to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, once and for all.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to study Revelation and give us understanding. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together.

Today, we are continuing with Revelation Chapter 1, verses 10 and 11. John writes, “On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

These verses pose a number of questions. Who was speaking to John? Why does someone want John to document what he sees? Why are those churches specifically named?

Let’s start with what we know. John tells us that it was the Lord’s Day or the Sabbath. John was in the Spirit or in other words, he was worshipping God. He may have been praying or singing hymns or quietly listening for the Spirit. Even though John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his belief in Jesus, he was continuing to worship the Lord and keep the Sabbath holy. While we do not know exactly how John was worshipping God, we know that God showed up on that island in a big way. Do you expect God to show up when you worship Him?

Why did Jesus tell John to “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

The church in Ephesus was the closest church to where John was at the time, exiled to the island of Patmos. The church in Ephesus was also John’s home church. Each of these churches are in order of a missionary journey, the way that one would walk if they were out sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. All seven churches are in Asia on the western side.

The Church, (with a capital C), is the global body of believers, and the church, (lower case c), is the local church. While there are churches all over the world, together they all make up the Church or the global body of believers. In the local church, there may be a Pastor or someone who leads that particular church, but Jesus knows every one of his churches, no matter how small or large they are. He knows every heart and mind in every church.

Jesus is Head of the global Church and the local church. He tells John to write the letters and dictates what needs to be in the letters. Within the seven letters, we will read that Jesus describes each church and their different levels of commitment and love for Jesus. Some things are good and some things are not good.

Every church today fits into one of the seven letters that Jesus tells John to write. Part of the lesson in the seven letters is to honestly reflect on your local church and see what kind of letter Jesus might write to your church. In the upcoming weeks, as we study the seven letters, we need to hear what Jesus is saying and ask ourselves the following question. Is your church passionately following Jesus or has your church grown lukewarm or complacent?

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to study Revelation and give us understanding. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together.

Today, we are continuing with Revelation Chapter 1, verse 9.

“I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

We know from our prior analysis that John is one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He authored the books of John, 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John. He calls himself our brother as the book of Revelation was written by John for believers. Thus, when this book is read, it is from John the disciple that Jesus loved, our brother in Jesus.

John also calls himself a companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus. At that time in history, there was great persecution of those who proclaimed their belief in Jesus. Many followers of Jesus had been sawed in half, crucified, burned, or thrown in prison. The believers at this time were no strangers to suffering. But, John is also reminding the reader that the kingdom of God is ours in Jesus. While we suffer on earth and endure many trials, we will be with Jesus in heaven, His kingdom. Until that time when we are welcomed into heaven, we must have patient endurance. Jesus provides us love, grace, peace and He also provides us with patience and endurance, (Colossians 1:10-12). 

In this same verse, John also tells us where he is and why. He was exiled to the island of Patmos, a penal colony off the coast in proximity to Ephesus in the Aegean Sea. John was exiled to Patmos because at the time of this writing, about 95 A.D., Emperor Domitian was persecuting believers in Jesus. We know that John was released from Patmos and he lived to write the book of John, after the book of Revelation. Jesus gave John the strength to patiently endure trials, to include the exile. As we continue in Revelation, we will read that while John was exiled, he began to worship the Lord and the Lord showed up. Despite your situation, never stop worshipping the Lord.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to study Revelation and give us understanding. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.