Revelation
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals
and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder,
one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
And I saw, and behold a white horse
and he that sat on him had a bow
and a crown was given unto him
and he went forth conquering
and to conquer.
...
Jesus opened one of the seals on that very important book in His hands. When He did so there was a great noise- isn't thunder a great noise? Thunder sounded. How ominous does that sound? You break a seal and thunder sounds. Again we can't help but imagine a movie scene here- the thunder booming as the seal is broken signifying something of importance taking place. And something important did take place-
One of the four beasts surrounding the throne spoke to John telling him to come and see... come look... And John was allowed the vision of a white horse with a person sitting upon the horse holding a bow and then someone was giving the person on the white horse a crown and after that the rider on the white horse when forth conquering right away, his mission to conquer.
White is a symbol of purity. Christ's righteousness is as a white raiment. To ride upon a white horse is symbolic of going forth in time in the purity, the righteousness of the new faith in Christ. This coincides with the first Church- Ephesus and the time line that was established there.
...
And when he had opened the second seal,
I heard the second beast say,
Come and see.
And there went out another horse [that was] red
and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth,
and that they should kill one another:
and there was given unto him a great sword.
...
Jesus opens the second seal and right away John hears the second beast - remember the second beast around about the throne is like a calf filled with eyes- this beast tells John to come and see. Again John is allowed another vision. He looks and he sees another horse- this time a red horse going forth. A red horse, no longer a white horse. If white symbolizes purity and righteousness, red symbolizes what? Blood, destruction, impurity. The one who sat upon the red horse was given power, power to take peace from the earth. This lull was to be destroyed, when you take peace from something you bring what? Discord. The peace was to be taken and power so people would kill one another was allowed, a great sword of death was being wielded by the one upon the red horse. Think about what history reveals for the time after the early church...
Note this-
'The spirit of this period perhaps reached its climax as we come to the days of Constantine, the first so-called Christian emperor, whose conversion to Christianity in A.D. 323 brought about a compromise between the church and the Roman Empire. The Edict of Milan in A.D. 313, is said to have granted toleration to Christians and allowed conversions to Christianity. Kenneth S. Latourette declares that the acts immediately preceding and culminating in the Edict of Milan in 313 "still remain the most significant of the many milestones in the road by which the church and the state moved toward co-operation.' [4]
[4] Kenneth Scott Latourette, A History of the Expansion of Christianity, Vol. I, The First Five Centuries, p. 159.
And Note this-
'The Diocletianic Persecution (or Great Persecution) was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman empire.[1] In 303, Emperor Diocletian and his colleagues Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians' legal rights and demanding they comply with traditional religious practices. Later edicts targeted the clergy and demanded universal sacrifice, ordering all inhabitants to sacrifice to the gods. The persecution varied in intensity across the empire—weakest in Gaul and Britain, where only the first edict was applied, and strongest in the Eastern provinces. Persecutionary laws were nullified by different emperors at different times, but Constantine and Licinius's Edict of Milan (313) has traditionally marked the end of the persecution.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletianic_Persecution
The persecutions of the early Christians grew so intense that it is noted in history - the 'last and most severe persecution' this took place under the red horse period and it's fitting isn't it?
'and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth,
and that they should kill one another:
and there was given unto him a great sword.'
A great sword indeed and it was geared towards the destruction of Christians, the destruction of the early church, truly a horse of red with a rider set to destroy.
May God bless us and keep us and may the Holy Spirit guide us into a fuller understanding of His word. By the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, now and forever, all honor, praise and glory to him!
Amen.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Worthy is the Lamb that Was Slain
Rev.
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
...
John saw a book in God's hand. A book that had words inside it (as most books do) and words on the back of the book. And the book was sealed not with just a single seal, but seven seals! This book is important, very important. Someone wanted that very important book sealed up good and tight. In our ficitional movies of fantasies with dragons and wizards and such it hasn't been unheard of to have special books sealed up and always the sealed books are of great importance. This is in a REAL book. This is a HEAVENLY book and even if it is figurative in a vision that John is witnessing it is symbolic of something extremely important.
...
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
...
A strong angel is seen. Clearly an angel that is different from the rest so far seen by John- this angel appeared to be strong- bigger perhaps, wider in the shoulders? However the difference is- it is clearly noted.
This strong angel asks in a loud voice- Who is worthy to open the book, to loose the seals on the book. Obviously just like those fictional movies and such only someone who is worthy can open the special books. This reality isn't fiction. This amazing book sealed with seven seals needs someone worthy to loose the seals and open the book.
...
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
...
No man any where- no man in heaven, no man in earth, no man under the earth- that just about covers everywhere. No man was worthy to open the book or to even LOOK at the book.
...
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
...
No wonder John wept. The special book he's shown, this amazing book containing something equally amazing has to remain unopened because there is no one worthy to open it, no one. The champion, the worthy is no where to be found. And it is tragic to lose that hope of enlightenment for books hold enlightenment, don't they? Their hidden contents so special we can't even imagine.
...
And one of the elders saith unto me,
...
One of the four and twenty elders surrounding the throne speaks to John as he's crying.
...
Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
...
What does the angel say to John, weep not. Why? Because there is one worthy! A worthy one has been found! The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David- Rev. 22:16 - I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.
JESUS! Jesus is worthy!
...
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
...
A lamb- a lamb as slain- seven horns and seven eyes - perfect king, perfect ruler, perfect sight - perfect Spirit! A complete, a whole, a perfectness sent from God into all the earth! Perfect Savior! The worthy, the only one worthy to open the book bound by seven seals.
...
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
...
Jesus took the book from God, from His father.
...
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
...
As the book changed hands the four beasts, the twenty-four elders fell down before Jesus. The beasts, the elders all having harps, and golden vials full of odours-- the prayers of saints. How amazing is this, how amazing. All those surrounding the throne of God bow down before Jesus, and with them they bow holding the prayers of saints. The prayers of God's people - in essence our very words to Jesus are there present before Him- we are represented in our prayers.
...
And they sung a new song, saying,
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
...
Such amazing words! Jesus is worthy to take the book to open the seals because He gave His life for us! Because He gave His life to save us. All glory to God! Jesus who alone is worthy died to make us kings and priests, true followers of God that will reign on earth with our Glorious Maker!
...
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands
...
WOW! Suddenly John can hear the voice of many angels- thousands and thousands and thousands of angels! So amazing!
...
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
...
The voices were saying Jesus is worthy! Worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing! Amen!
...
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and
ever.
...
Blessing, honor, glory, power unto God and to the Lamb-Jesus forever! All, everywhere in existence will give this praise. So amazing!
...
And the four beasts said, Amen.
And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
...
So wonderful! The four beasts say- amen. The 24 elders fell down and worshipped Jesus who lives forever and ever!
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
...
John saw a book in God's hand. A book that had words inside it (as most books do) and words on the back of the book. And the book was sealed not with just a single seal, but seven seals! This book is important, very important. Someone wanted that very important book sealed up good and tight. In our ficitional movies of fantasies with dragons and wizards and such it hasn't been unheard of to have special books sealed up and always the sealed books are of great importance. This is in a REAL book. This is a HEAVENLY book and even if it is figurative in a vision that John is witnessing it is symbolic of something extremely important.
...
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
...
A strong angel is seen. Clearly an angel that is different from the rest so far seen by John- this angel appeared to be strong- bigger perhaps, wider in the shoulders? However the difference is- it is clearly noted.
This strong angel asks in a loud voice- Who is worthy to open the book, to loose the seals on the book. Obviously just like those fictional movies and such only someone who is worthy can open the special books. This reality isn't fiction. This amazing book sealed with seven seals needs someone worthy to loose the seals and open the book.
...
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
...
No man any where- no man in heaven, no man in earth, no man under the earth- that just about covers everywhere. No man was worthy to open the book or to even LOOK at the book.
...
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
...
No wonder John wept. The special book he's shown, this amazing book containing something equally amazing has to remain unopened because there is no one worthy to open it, no one. The champion, the worthy is no where to be found. And it is tragic to lose that hope of enlightenment for books hold enlightenment, don't they? Their hidden contents so special we can't even imagine.
...
And one of the elders saith unto me,
...
One of the four and twenty elders surrounding the throne speaks to John as he's crying.
...
Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
...
What does the angel say to John, weep not. Why? Because there is one worthy! A worthy one has been found! The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David- Rev. 22:16 - I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.
JESUS! Jesus is worthy!
...
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
...
A lamb- a lamb as slain- seven horns and seven eyes - perfect king, perfect ruler, perfect sight - perfect Spirit! A complete, a whole, a perfectness sent from God into all the earth! Perfect Savior! The worthy, the only one worthy to open the book bound by seven seals.
...
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
...
Jesus took the book from God, from His father.
...
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
...
As the book changed hands the four beasts, the twenty-four elders fell down before Jesus. The beasts, the elders all having harps, and golden vials full of odours-- the prayers of saints. How amazing is this, how amazing. All those surrounding the throne of God bow down before Jesus, and with them they bow holding the prayers of saints. The prayers of God's people - in essence our very words to Jesus are there present before Him- we are represented in our prayers.
...
And they sung a new song, saying,
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
...
Such amazing words! Jesus is worthy to take the book to open the seals because He gave His life for us! Because He gave His life to save us. All glory to God! Jesus who alone is worthy died to make us kings and priests, true followers of God that will reign on earth with our Glorious Maker!
...
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands
...
WOW! Suddenly John can hear the voice of many angels- thousands and thousands and thousands of angels! So amazing!
...
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
...
The voices were saying Jesus is worthy! Worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing! Amen!
...
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and
ever.
...
Blessing, honor, glory, power unto God and to the Lamb-Jesus forever! All, everywhere in existence will give this praise. So amazing!
...
And the four beasts said, Amen.
And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
...
So wonderful! The four beasts say- amen. The 24 elders fell down and worshipped Jesus who lives forever and ever!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
A Door In Heaven Opened
Revelation {1:10} I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet {1:11} Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto
Laodicea.
Revelation {4:1} After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
The voice as if a trumpet told John to write in a book and send what he'd written onto God's people in various areas- a message truly for God's people throughout time.
The voice as if a trumpet afterwards said - 'Come up hither and I will shew thee things which MUST be hereafter.'
Must be- not might be, this isn't any fictional character of a spirit nature with a big scary voice saying he was going to show John things that might come to pass. This big voice (for how else would you catagorize a voice as if a trumpet?) told John he was going to be shown things which MUST be hereafter. So all that would be shown is factual in the nature of having to come to pass at some point in time after the vision. Prophecy.
Revelation {4:2} And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne
When we talk of John being in the spirit it's sufficent to note that He was caught up into heavenly things, yes? All the while he's being shown things, hearing things he's in the spirit- the Holy Spirit is there opening his eyes, his heart, his mind to all that is going on-- he's truly being led by the spirit he's not doing any of this of his own accord and refuses to have anyone even think he is. He was in the spirit as all this took place, this was of God.
The vision given to Him was one of heaven- a throne in heaven with someone upon that throne.
{4:3} And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
That someone sitting there was amazing to look upon- they weren't like humans, but rather they had an appearance of precious stones, not only precious stones but a rainbow was around the throne and then there is mention of an emerald- again a precious stone. We know for a fact God had Moses use precious stones when creating the Breastplate of Judgment-
Exodus {28:15} And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of]scarlet, and [of] fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. {28:16} Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof. {28:17} And thou shalt set in it settings of
stones, [even] four rows of stones: [the first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: [this shall be] the first
row. {28:18} And the second row [shall be] an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. {28:19} And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. {28:20} And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. {28:21} And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet; every one
with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes
The breastplate of judgment- modeled after the Ephod.
It's amazing to imagine such a sight isn't it? Such beauty- and with a rainbow round about the throne- yes, it certainly gives the imagination something to work with- something amazing.
{4:4} And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. {4:5} And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God
Such a vivid picture! A throne and around about the the throne 24 seats. In those 24 seats were 24 elders. These 24 elders have to be very important just by the fact they are surrounding the throne of God. You don't get such an important seating unless there is something special about you- as a rule. We can't help but think of the two important 12's in the Bible- the 12 tribes of Israel (the 12 sons of Joseph) of the Old Testament and the 12 Apostles of Jesus of the New Testament (12 being the one that replaced Judas after Jesus' death). The old and the new brought together- yes, this is pure conjecture it doesn't say the 24 elders are such but it's one possibility.
The mention of their clothing is important- white raiment. We just studied about the various churches Jesus gave admonishments and promises to. Remember this-
'Rev. {3:5} He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.'
He that overcomes will be clothed in white raiment- the symbolism of overcoming through Christ. Only the worthy are clothed in white raiment so the 24 elders are obviously worthy of such garments depicting their overcoming.
What about the crowns they wore- 'Rev. {2:10} Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'
There's the 'crown of life'.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1 Pet. 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Interesting bit of information here- http://refbible.com/c/crown.htm
One of two Greek words for crown-
(1) Stephanos means a chaplet (wreath) made of leaves or leaf-like gold, used for marriage and festive occasions, and expressing public recognition of victory in races, games and war; also figuratively as a reward for efficient Christian life and service (see GAMES). This symbol was more noticeable and intricate than the plain fillet. Only in the Re of John is stephanos called "golden." The "crown of thorns" which Jesus wore was a stephanos (woven wreath) of thorns; the kind is not known (Matthew 27:29 Mark 15:17 John 19:2, 5). Luke makes no mention of it. Whether intended to represent royalty or victory, it was caricature crown. Stephanos is found in 1 Corinthians 9:25 Philippians 4:1 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:8 James 1:12 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 6:2; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 14:14; plural in Revelation 4:4, 10; Revelation 9:7; "crowned" in 2 Timothy 2:5 Hebrews 2:9; "crownedst" in Hebrews 2:7.
A reward for efficent Christian life and service. These 24 elders wore the raiment of white- the righteousness of Christ and the golden crown of victory in Christ, life in Christ - the elders service, their devotion to Christ is uncontested and rewarded by their positions on thrones, their clothing, their crowns. We might not know exactly who the elders are but we know beyond a doubt they are worthy and overcomers in Christ. Some might say they can't be representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel and have the white raiment of Christ, and they'd be wrong. The hope of the Savior is known throughout the entire Old Testament. That hope is Christ.
Rev. {4:4} And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. {4:5} And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God
Out of throne came lightning, thundering, and voices. Wow! Such noise!
Also amongst all this were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne of God, the seven Spirits of God. Seven the number of perfection, of completeness.
This is an amazing heavenly vision to behold, it's powerful and thought provoking.
Rev. {4:6} And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne,
[were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
A sea of glass like crystal- we have a saying that something is- crystal clear. This sea of glass like crystal- a clear sea, such an amazing sea. Can you for a moment imagine a sea of glass, a sea of crystal clear glass? It boggles the mind it really does and it invokes such beauty.
Now the next bit- 'round about the thrown were four beasts...' This immediately seems to take away from what we envision to be a perfect, glorious scene- beasts introduced to such beauty. Beasts full of eyes before and behind. Truly the imagination can picture these beasts and they're not very pretty at all. Of course that's because of the translation really- read this--
'Four beasts. Four living creatures, as in the Revised Version. Four beasts, as in the Common Version, is an incorrect idea. The Greek for beasts is different ( thiria ). They are four zoa, living forms.' http://bible.cc/revelation/4-6.htm
Invoking the image of a beast doesn't do justice to this vision at all- changing that word to 'four living creatures' lets the imagination free to see beauty once more- not something hidious at all. Living creatures with the ability to see everything for what else could having eyes everywhere front and back mean? The ability to see the past and the future?
We're not left to imagine just any old living creatures though, we are given examples to implement-
...
'And the first beast [was] like a lion
...
Like a lion. Lions are majestic creatures aren't they? Powerful to be sure.
...
and the second beast like a calf
...
Like a calf. What do you think of when you think of a calf? Young and yet powerful, right? A calf with the ability to grow up into an amazing creature.
...
and the third beast had a face as a man
...
Well we know what men look like so having a beast with a face of a man does what? Tends to let us believe that there is intelligence beyond what is normal in an animalistic living creature.
...
and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
...
We imagine eagles and can't help but envision the sheer majesty and power of that bird, it's truly in a class by itself for envoking power and majesty isn't it? The strength of an eagle is something often used as a descriptive term. Strong as an eagle, swift as and eagle. Power.
...
{4:8} And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him;]
These four living creatures with attributes of the familiar all had six wings! Wings we know depict swiftness, speed. Two powerful wings can get you far, four double that, six triple the powerful speed behind such wings.
...
and [they were] full of eyes within
...
Again the mention of eyes- of having that ability to see all and it has to be all. To be full of eyes you are seeing everywhich way. You aren't limited by two eyes looking forward but if you're full of eyes you are seeing everything at once without limits.
...
and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
...
Amazing! A constant praise of our Lord God almighty! These super amazing living creatures using their voices to praise God, so wondrous.
...
{4:9} And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, {4:10} The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before
the throne, saying, {4:11} Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
...
Too awe inspiring for words really. True worship, true honor, true praise to our Creator! Our Lord! None deserves such worship but God and God alone by whom ALL things were created! What a privilege for John to be able to see such wonders. How blessed we are to have the vision told to us. Blessed.
Laodicea.
Revelation {4:1} After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
The voice as if a trumpet told John to write in a book and send what he'd written onto God's people in various areas- a message truly for God's people throughout time.
The voice as if a trumpet afterwards said - 'Come up hither and I will shew thee things which MUST be hereafter.'
Must be- not might be, this isn't any fictional character of a spirit nature with a big scary voice saying he was going to show John things that might come to pass. This big voice (for how else would you catagorize a voice as if a trumpet?) told John he was going to be shown things which MUST be hereafter. So all that would be shown is factual in the nature of having to come to pass at some point in time after the vision. Prophecy.
Revelation {4:2} And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne
When we talk of John being in the spirit it's sufficent to note that He was caught up into heavenly things, yes? All the while he's being shown things, hearing things he's in the spirit- the Holy Spirit is there opening his eyes, his heart, his mind to all that is going on-- he's truly being led by the spirit he's not doing any of this of his own accord and refuses to have anyone even think he is. He was in the spirit as all this took place, this was of God.
The vision given to Him was one of heaven- a throne in heaven with someone upon that throne.
{4:3} And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
That someone sitting there was amazing to look upon- they weren't like humans, but rather they had an appearance of precious stones, not only precious stones but a rainbow was around the throne and then there is mention of an emerald- again a precious stone. We know for a fact God had Moses use precious stones when creating the Breastplate of Judgment-
Exodus {28:15} And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; [of] gold, [of] blue, and [of] purple, and [of]scarlet, and [of] fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. {28:16} Foursquare it shall be [being] doubled; a span [shall be] the length thereof, and a span [shall be] the breadth thereof. {28:17} And thou shalt set in it settings of
stones, [even] four rows of stones: [the first] row [shall be] a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: [this shall be] the first
row. {28:18} And the second row [shall be] an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. {28:19} And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. {28:20} And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. {28:21} And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet; every one
with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes
The breastplate of judgment- modeled after the Ephod.
It's amazing to imagine such a sight isn't it? Such beauty- and with a rainbow round about the throne- yes, it certainly gives the imagination something to work with- something amazing.
{4:4} And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. {4:5} And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God
Such a vivid picture! A throne and around about the the throne 24 seats. In those 24 seats were 24 elders. These 24 elders have to be very important just by the fact they are surrounding the throne of God. You don't get such an important seating unless there is something special about you- as a rule. We can't help but think of the two important 12's in the Bible- the 12 tribes of Israel (the 12 sons of Joseph) of the Old Testament and the 12 Apostles of Jesus of the New Testament (12 being the one that replaced Judas after Jesus' death). The old and the new brought together- yes, this is pure conjecture it doesn't say the 24 elders are such but it's one possibility.
The mention of their clothing is important- white raiment. We just studied about the various churches Jesus gave admonishments and promises to. Remember this-
'Rev. {3:5} He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.'
He that overcomes will be clothed in white raiment- the symbolism of overcoming through Christ. Only the worthy are clothed in white raiment so the 24 elders are obviously worthy of such garments depicting their overcoming.
What about the crowns they wore- 'Rev. {2:10} Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'
There's the 'crown of life'.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1 Pet. 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Interesting bit of information here- http://refbible.com/c/crown.htm
One of two Greek words for crown-
(1) Stephanos means a chaplet (wreath) made of leaves or leaf-like gold, used for marriage and festive occasions, and expressing public recognition of victory in races, games and war; also figuratively as a reward for efficient Christian life and service (see GAMES). This symbol was more noticeable and intricate than the plain fillet. Only in the Re of John is stephanos called "golden." The "crown of thorns" which Jesus wore was a stephanos (woven wreath) of thorns; the kind is not known (Matthew 27:29 Mark 15:17 John 19:2, 5). Luke makes no mention of it. Whether intended to represent royalty or victory, it was caricature crown. Stephanos is found in 1 Corinthians 9:25 Philippians 4:1 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:8 James 1:12 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 6:2; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 14:14; plural in Revelation 4:4, 10; Revelation 9:7; "crowned" in 2 Timothy 2:5 Hebrews 2:9; "crownedst" in Hebrews 2:7.
A reward for efficent Christian life and service. These 24 elders wore the raiment of white- the righteousness of Christ and the golden crown of victory in Christ, life in Christ - the elders service, their devotion to Christ is uncontested and rewarded by their positions on thrones, their clothing, their crowns. We might not know exactly who the elders are but we know beyond a doubt they are worthy and overcomers in Christ. Some might say they can't be representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel and have the white raiment of Christ, and they'd be wrong. The hope of the Savior is known throughout the entire Old Testament. That hope is Christ.
Rev. {4:4} And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. {4:5} And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God
Out of throne came lightning, thundering, and voices. Wow! Such noise!
Also amongst all this were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne of God, the seven Spirits of God. Seven the number of perfection, of completeness.
This is an amazing heavenly vision to behold, it's powerful and thought provoking.
Rev. {4:6} And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne,
[were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
A sea of glass like crystal- we have a saying that something is- crystal clear. This sea of glass like crystal- a clear sea, such an amazing sea. Can you for a moment imagine a sea of glass, a sea of crystal clear glass? It boggles the mind it really does and it invokes such beauty.
Now the next bit- 'round about the thrown were four beasts...' This immediately seems to take away from what we envision to be a perfect, glorious scene- beasts introduced to such beauty. Beasts full of eyes before and behind. Truly the imagination can picture these beasts and they're not very pretty at all. Of course that's because of the translation really- read this--
'Four beasts. Four living creatures, as in the Revised Version. Four beasts, as in the Common Version, is an incorrect idea. The Greek for beasts is different ( thiria ). They are four zoa, living forms.' http://bible.cc/revelation/4-6.htm
Invoking the image of a beast doesn't do justice to this vision at all- changing that word to 'four living creatures' lets the imagination free to see beauty once more- not something hidious at all. Living creatures with the ability to see everything for what else could having eyes everywhere front and back mean? The ability to see the past and the future?
We're not left to imagine just any old living creatures though, we are given examples to implement-
...
'And the first beast [was] like a lion
...
Like a lion. Lions are majestic creatures aren't they? Powerful to be sure.
...
and the second beast like a calf
...
Like a calf. What do you think of when you think of a calf? Young and yet powerful, right? A calf with the ability to grow up into an amazing creature.
...
and the third beast had a face as a man
...
Well we know what men look like so having a beast with a face of a man does what? Tends to let us believe that there is intelligence beyond what is normal in an animalistic living creature.
...
and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
...
We imagine eagles and can't help but envision the sheer majesty and power of that bird, it's truly in a class by itself for envoking power and majesty isn't it? The strength of an eagle is something often used as a descriptive term. Strong as an eagle, swift as and eagle. Power.
...
{4:8} And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him;]
These four living creatures with attributes of the familiar all had six wings! Wings we know depict swiftness, speed. Two powerful wings can get you far, four double that, six triple the powerful speed behind such wings.
...
and [they were] full of eyes within
...
Again the mention of eyes- of having that ability to see all and it has to be all. To be full of eyes you are seeing everywhich way. You aren't limited by two eyes looking forward but if you're full of eyes you are seeing everything at once without limits.
...
and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
...
Amazing! A constant praise of our Lord God almighty! These super amazing living creatures using their voices to praise God, so wondrous.
...
{4:9} And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, {4:10} The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before
the throne, saying, {4:11} Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
...
Too awe inspiring for words really. True worship, true honor, true praise to our Creator! Our Lord! None deserves such worship but God and God alone by whom ALL things were created! What a privilege for John to be able to see such wonders. How blessed we are to have the vision told to us. Blessed.
Friday, September 4, 2009
I rebuke and chasten
Revelation
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write
These things saith the Amen
the faithful
and true witness
the beginning of the creation of God
I know thy works,
that thou art neither cold nor hot
I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm
and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest,
I am rich,
and increased with goods
and have need of nothing
and knowest not that thou art wretched
and miserable
and poor,
and blind,
and naked,
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed,
and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.
...
I know thy works,
that thou art neither cold nor hot
I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm
and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.
...
Jesus says being lukewarm is not a good thing. In the employment world we might call a lukewarm performance weak and unacceptable because we want someone to be energetic about their job. If you submit work to someone and they say it's so-so, what are they telling you? That it's on that borderline between not quite bad enough to say it's bad and not quite good enough to call it good. A lot of people live in that type of existence- getting by without being too bad or too good. We actually silently applaud those who don't get into trouble and understand that not being high achievers is the standard. Being mediocre is the norm in our world. The bright and brilliant the few, the bad too many and the inbetween are just right. A Goldilocks and the Three Bears scenario. Not too hot, not too cold, but just right only in this case it is unacceptable. There is no 'just right'. It's an all or nothing situation and many people don't like that at all because they'd rather just get by. They'd rather just give enough to get by and no more. That isn't how Jesus works. You can't give just enough, you have to give all your heart to Him not just a piece of it. When we give our whole heart to Jesus our lives reflect that- they reflect Christ. Jesus would have us either hot or cold being lukewarm has him spuing us out of His mouth. You ever take a mouthful of a hot liquid only to find it cooled and just want to spit it out? What about taking a mouthful of something you hope to be cold and finding it lukewarm, you want to spue it out right? You can actually hear yourself go ewwwwwwwwwww, right? I know I can. The grimace, the ewww, it's icky and unless you're extremely thirsty you won't drink any more will you?
...
Because thou sayest,
I am rich,
and increased with goods
and have need of nothing
and knowest not that thou art wretched
and miserable
and poor,
and blind,
and naked
...
We boast though, don't we? We try to puff ourselves up even when we know inside that we are nothing. We don't like the idea of being nothing because we hear a constant barage about how special and wonderful we are and how we have to think positive about ourselves. Our lives are geared towards trying to be the best we can be all on our own because no one else can help us. We have to believe we are very special in and of ourselves because people don't like to hear others go on about how awful they are and it's not good at all to agree with someone who says they are awful, we're supposed to turn around and tell them how wonderful they are- it's the good and proper thing to do, isn't it?
As a result of all our self-esteem shoulds being beaten into us it's no wonder we believe we are rich, that we need nothing. It's not necessarily rich in a monetary sense - we believe we are rich in and of ourselves. The poorest person in the world can still believe they have need of no one, right? Sometimes we applaud the poorest person refusing to accept any charity because they have pride. Well, with Christ our pride means nothing.
Christ even says- knowest not. Don't you know? Listen up. You think you are one thing but in truth you're not at all.
You are miserable, you are poor, you are blind, you are naked. This is our condition. This is the condition of mankind in relation to God.
...
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed,
and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.
...
We are counseld to buy of Christ- gold tried in fire to be rich, to buy white raiment to be clothed and our nakedness doesn't show, and eyesalve to see.
Only in Christ can we find true riches- faith in Him for all our needs. Only Christ's white raiment, Christ's righteousness can cloth our nakedness. We can try as we might to cloth ourselves but nothing we put on will hide out true vile condition, nothing but the righteousness of Christ. And to see, to truly see we need the Holy Spirit opening our eyes to the truth in Christ. Annointed by the Holy Spirit we are no longer blind.
We can't depend upon ourselves and if we try to do that in the least way all we'll hear from Christ is that we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked to Him. Depending upon Christ for all things truly is a job for those living in the last times before His return as it is throughout all time. Satan would have us look to ourselves and away from Christ and as long as we are focused on ourselves he has us in his snare.
...
As many as I love,
I rebuke and chasten
be zealous therefore
and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock
if any man hear my voice
and open the door,
I will come in to him,
and will sup with him,
and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne
even as I also overcame
and am set down with my Father in his throne.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
We can't think being chastized by God is something extraordinary- it's through His love for us we are tried, we are rebuked, chastened so that we may see the truth in Christ and in Christ alone!
We need to be zealous and repent! Be quick to repent, to recognize our sad state and cling to Christ for all our needs.
Christ stands before us knocking- if we hear Him- if we open the door- He will come into us and sup with us. He will be our all in all, our everything. If we overcome through Him we will sit on His throne. Jesus had to overcome as well and He did so by complete dependence upon His Father. We overcome by complete dependence upon Jesus. Let us listen.
May God Bless and keep us all in Him, only in Him in none other not even ourselves. May our dependence on life be in Him solely now and forever. May our riches be found in Him, may we be clothed with His righteousness, may our eyes be opened to see the truth in Him- only in Him, by His mercy and His grace now and forever.
Amen.
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write
These things saith the Amen
the faithful
and true witness
the beginning of the creation of God
I know thy works,
that thou art neither cold nor hot
I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm
and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest,
I am rich,
and increased with goods
and have need of nothing
and knowest not that thou art wretched
and miserable
and poor,
and blind,
and naked,
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed,
and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.
...
I know thy works,
that thou art neither cold nor hot
I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm
and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.
...
Jesus says being lukewarm is not a good thing. In the employment world we might call a lukewarm performance weak and unacceptable because we want someone to be energetic about their job. If you submit work to someone and they say it's so-so, what are they telling you? That it's on that borderline between not quite bad enough to say it's bad and not quite good enough to call it good. A lot of people live in that type of existence- getting by without being too bad or too good. We actually silently applaud those who don't get into trouble and understand that not being high achievers is the standard. Being mediocre is the norm in our world. The bright and brilliant the few, the bad too many and the inbetween are just right. A Goldilocks and the Three Bears scenario. Not too hot, not too cold, but just right only in this case it is unacceptable. There is no 'just right'. It's an all or nothing situation and many people don't like that at all because they'd rather just get by. They'd rather just give enough to get by and no more. That isn't how Jesus works. You can't give just enough, you have to give all your heart to Him not just a piece of it. When we give our whole heart to Jesus our lives reflect that- they reflect Christ. Jesus would have us either hot or cold being lukewarm has him spuing us out of His mouth. You ever take a mouthful of a hot liquid only to find it cooled and just want to spit it out? What about taking a mouthful of something you hope to be cold and finding it lukewarm, you want to spue it out right? You can actually hear yourself go ewwwwwwwwwww, right? I know I can. The grimace, the ewww, it's icky and unless you're extremely thirsty you won't drink any more will you?
...
Because thou sayest,
I am rich,
and increased with goods
and have need of nothing
and knowest not that thou art wretched
and miserable
and poor,
and blind,
and naked
...
We boast though, don't we? We try to puff ourselves up even when we know inside that we are nothing. We don't like the idea of being nothing because we hear a constant barage about how special and wonderful we are and how we have to think positive about ourselves. Our lives are geared towards trying to be the best we can be all on our own because no one else can help us. We have to believe we are very special in and of ourselves because people don't like to hear others go on about how awful they are and it's not good at all to agree with someone who says they are awful, we're supposed to turn around and tell them how wonderful they are- it's the good and proper thing to do, isn't it?
As a result of all our self-esteem shoulds being beaten into us it's no wonder we believe we are rich, that we need nothing. It's not necessarily rich in a monetary sense - we believe we are rich in and of ourselves. The poorest person in the world can still believe they have need of no one, right? Sometimes we applaud the poorest person refusing to accept any charity because they have pride. Well, with Christ our pride means nothing.
Christ even says- knowest not. Don't you know? Listen up. You think you are one thing but in truth you're not at all.
You are miserable, you are poor, you are blind, you are naked. This is our condition. This is the condition of mankind in relation to God.
...
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed,
and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.
...
We are counseld to buy of Christ- gold tried in fire to be rich, to buy white raiment to be clothed and our nakedness doesn't show, and eyesalve to see.
Only in Christ can we find true riches- faith in Him for all our needs. Only Christ's white raiment, Christ's righteousness can cloth our nakedness. We can try as we might to cloth ourselves but nothing we put on will hide out true vile condition, nothing but the righteousness of Christ. And to see, to truly see we need the Holy Spirit opening our eyes to the truth in Christ. Annointed by the Holy Spirit we are no longer blind.
We can't depend upon ourselves and if we try to do that in the least way all we'll hear from Christ is that we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked to Him. Depending upon Christ for all things truly is a job for those living in the last times before His return as it is throughout all time. Satan would have us look to ourselves and away from Christ and as long as we are focused on ourselves he has us in his snare.
...
As many as I love,
I rebuke and chasten
be zealous therefore
and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock
if any man hear my voice
and open the door,
I will come in to him,
and will sup with him,
and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne
even as I also overcame
and am set down with my Father in his throne.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
We can't think being chastized by God is something extraordinary- it's through His love for us we are tried, we are rebuked, chastened so that we may see the truth in Christ and in Christ alone!
We need to be zealous and repent! Be quick to repent, to recognize our sad state and cling to Christ for all our needs.
Christ stands before us knocking- if we hear Him- if we open the door- He will come into us and sup with us. He will be our all in all, our everything. If we overcome through Him we will sit on His throne. Jesus had to overcome as well and He did so by complete dependence upon His Father. We overcome by complete dependence upon Jesus. Let us listen.
May God Bless and keep us all in Him, only in Him in none other not even ourselves. May our dependence on life be in Him solely now and forever. May our riches be found in Him, may we be clothed with His righteousness, may our eyes be opened to see the truth in Him- only in Him, by His mercy and His grace now and forever.
Amen.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
No deceit before the throne of God.
Rev. {14:5} And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
No guile.
guile (gìl) noun
1. Treacherous cunning; skillful deceit.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
No deceit before the throne of God.
There will be a people that stand before the throne of God without fault, without any deceit. What does that mean? That there are also going to be a people- those not standing before the thrown of God that are at fault and are filled with guile- filled with deceit.
In a world where lying is acceptable as long as no one really gets hurt, as long as you can get away with the lie and all, how many people are filled with deceit? Seriously. White lies, harmless lies, lies that hurt no one, lies that would prove more harmful if not told- these are lies we accept; we even say we understand usually when a person confesses that lie later adding I didn't want to hurt you. We understand. Why do we understand? Because we find ourselve lying the same way and understand another's seeming need to do so. Because it's wrong to hurt someone isn't it? So the choice between hurting someone and lying is made and the lying considered the lesser of two evils.
Lying, deceitfulness.
To stand before the throne of God there will be a people that have no guile in them.
Impossible we say because we know all seem to lie in one way or another.
Not impossible with Christ.
Do you think Christ ever lied to save someone from a painful truth? No. Do you think Christ lied and decieved so that he'd be accepted? Do you think our Lord and Savior had anything deceitful in Him? Anything? No. The truth was considered better than a lie any day, the truth better than deception.
Only Christ can save us, only Christ. And those who stand before the throne of God without guile, without fault only do so because they are His and He claims them as being His. When we are Christ and take on HIS righteousness we can have hope of standing before the throne of God, we can't stand there at all in our own filthy garments, in our own filthy world of deceits and lies.
By the grace and mercy of Christ may we be found in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, knowing we have none of our own, none.
Amen.
No guile.
guile (gìl) noun
1. Treacherous cunning; skillful deceit.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
No deceit before the throne of God.
There will be a people that stand before the throne of God without fault, without any deceit. What does that mean? That there are also going to be a people- those not standing before the thrown of God that are at fault and are filled with guile- filled with deceit.
In a world where lying is acceptable as long as no one really gets hurt, as long as you can get away with the lie and all, how many people are filled with deceit? Seriously. White lies, harmless lies, lies that hurt no one, lies that would prove more harmful if not told- these are lies we accept; we even say we understand usually when a person confesses that lie later adding I didn't want to hurt you. We understand. Why do we understand? Because we find ourselve lying the same way and understand another's seeming need to do so. Because it's wrong to hurt someone isn't it? So the choice between hurting someone and lying is made and the lying considered the lesser of two evils.
Lying, deceitfulness.
To stand before the throne of God there will be a people that have no guile in them.
Impossible we say because we know all seem to lie in one way or another.
Not impossible with Christ.
Do you think Christ ever lied to save someone from a painful truth? No. Do you think Christ lied and decieved so that he'd be accepted? Do you think our Lord and Savior had anything deceitful in Him? Anything? No. The truth was considered better than a lie any day, the truth better than deception.
Only Christ can save us, only Christ. And those who stand before the throne of God without guile, without fault only do so because they are His and He claims them as being His. When we are Christ and take on HIS righteousness we can have hope of standing before the throne of God, we can't stand there at all in our own filthy garments, in our own filthy world of deceits and lies.
By the grace and mercy of Christ may we be found in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, knowing we have none of our own, none.
Amen.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
We must overcome through Christ
Revelation
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write
These things saith he that is holy,
he that is true,
he that hath the key of David,
he that openeth,
and no man shutteth;
and shutteth,
and no man openeth;
I know thy works behold
I have set before thee an open door
and no man can shut it
for thou hast a little strength
and hast kept my word,
and hast not denied my name.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan,
which say they are Jews,
and are not,
but do lie
behold,
I will make them to come
and worship before thy feet
and to know that I have loved thee.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world,
to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly
hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God
and he shall go no more out
and I will write upon him the name of my God
and the name of the city of my God,
which is new Jerusalem,
which cometh down out of heaven from my God
and I will write upon him my new name.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
Isaiah {22:22} And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
...
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write
These things saith he that is holy,
he that is true,
he that hath the key of David,
he that openeth,
and no man shutteth;
and shutteth,
and no man openeth
...
Jesus. Jesus alone holds the keys of all God's people. David, one of God's beloved - a representative of God's true people, the faithful. The key of the faithful is Jesus- faith in Jesus is the key- without faith it's impossible to please God. All of God's faithful had that special faith in God.
Many things can one man open and another close it happens all the time. But when God opens something no man can close it save God. And what God closes, no man can open. God alone has the power of such magnitude, God alone.
...
I know thy works behold
I have set before thee an open door
and no man can shut it
for thou hast a little strength
and hast kept my word,
and hast not denied my name.
...
He knows us our hearts, He knows the deeds of our heart which are our works. God sets before us a way to Salvation and no man can take the from us, not one. Compared to the wonders of God we are very weak creatures. Even with the smallest of strength we can be strong in the Lord if we keep His words, if we don't deny His name. We can't deny God, we can't deny our Salvation. If we deny the power of salvation in Jesus Christ then we have no right to salvation at all.
...
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan,
which say they are Jews,
and are not,
but do lie
behold,
I will make them to come
and worship before thy feet
and to know that I have loved thee.
...
What are Jews but God's chosen people? God's chosen. Those who say they are God's chosen and aren't they will be accounted on Satan's side where all liars dwell. Satan is the father of lies and all his children liars with him, deceiving themselves and all they can deceive with lies.
Jesus will reign and all the liars will one day realize He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings, He is the Truth! And all those who cling to the truth through Him will stand on His side and in that day the liars and followers of Satan realize this they will be worshipping at the feet of Jesus realizing where true love is found.
...
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world,
to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly
hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.
...
Rev. {14:12} Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The saints will have kept the word of God's patience. Faith! Faith in Jesus! Keeping the commandments of God! If we keep through Jesus will will be kept by Him from the temptations that come about all- trying that patience and trying to rip it from us.
Before all in the world are caught in the snares of satan, before there are none faithful left, Christ will come. We have to hold fast! HOLD FAST! Keep believing, keep the faith so that we will have our crown of life in Christ. We can't let any man take our crown and yes, men will try. All that belong to satan will try to take that crown from us, to fill our minds, our hearts with deception, with lies, convincing us to lose faith. Our trust, our hope must be in Christ and Christ alone.
...
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God
and he shall go no more out
and I will write upon him the name of my God
and the name of the city of my God,
which is new Jerusalem,
which cometh down out of heaven from my God
and I will write upon him my new name.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
We must overcome through Christ- if we overcome we will stand in the temple of God an be with Him and never leave Him. We will have the name of God upon us, the name of the city of God, new Jerusalem, a city that will come down from heaven. We will have the new name of Christ- a new life in Christ- we must listen! We must hear the Spirit!
May God bless and keep us in Him now and forever though satan would have us and use all in his power to keep us from God. By the mercy and grace of Christ alone we live.
Amen!
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write
These things saith he that is holy,
he that is true,
he that hath the key of David,
he that openeth,
and no man shutteth;
and shutteth,
and no man openeth;
I know thy works behold
I have set before thee an open door
and no man can shut it
for thou hast a little strength
and hast kept my word,
and hast not denied my name.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan,
which say they are Jews,
and are not,
but do lie
behold,
I will make them to come
and worship before thy feet
and to know that I have loved thee.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world,
to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly
hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God
and he shall go no more out
and I will write upon him the name of my God
and the name of the city of my God,
which is new Jerusalem,
which cometh down out of heaven from my God
and I will write upon him my new name.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
Isaiah {22:22} And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
...
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write
These things saith he that is holy,
he that is true,
he that hath the key of David,
he that openeth,
and no man shutteth;
and shutteth,
and no man openeth
...
Jesus. Jesus alone holds the keys of all God's people. David, one of God's beloved - a representative of God's true people, the faithful. The key of the faithful is Jesus- faith in Jesus is the key- without faith it's impossible to please God. All of God's faithful had that special faith in God.
Many things can one man open and another close it happens all the time. But when God opens something no man can close it save God. And what God closes, no man can open. God alone has the power of such magnitude, God alone.
...
I know thy works behold
I have set before thee an open door
and no man can shut it
for thou hast a little strength
and hast kept my word,
and hast not denied my name.
...
He knows us our hearts, He knows the deeds of our heart which are our works. God sets before us a way to Salvation and no man can take the from us, not one. Compared to the wonders of God we are very weak creatures. Even with the smallest of strength we can be strong in the Lord if we keep His words, if we don't deny His name. We can't deny God, we can't deny our Salvation. If we deny the power of salvation in Jesus Christ then we have no right to salvation at all.
...
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan,
which say they are Jews,
and are not,
but do lie
behold,
I will make them to come
and worship before thy feet
and to know that I have loved thee.
...
What are Jews but God's chosen people? God's chosen. Those who say they are God's chosen and aren't they will be accounted on Satan's side where all liars dwell. Satan is the father of lies and all his children liars with him, deceiving themselves and all they can deceive with lies.
Jesus will reign and all the liars will one day realize He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings, He is the Truth! And all those who cling to the truth through Him will stand on His side and in that day the liars and followers of Satan realize this they will be worshipping at the feet of Jesus realizing where true love is found.
...
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world,
to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly
hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.
...
Rev. {14:12} Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The saints will have kept the word of God's patience. Faith! Faith in Jesus! Keeping the commandments of God! If we keep through Jesus will will be kept by Him from the temptations that come about all- trying that patience and trying to rip it from us.
Before all in the world are caught in the snares of satan, before there are none faithful left, Christ will come. We have to hold fast! HOLD FAST! Keep believing, keep the faith so that we will have our crown of life in Christ. We can't let any man take our crown and yes, men will try. All that belong to satan will try to take that crown from us, to fill our minds, our hearts with deception, with lies, convincing us to lose faith. Our trust, our hope must be in Christ and Christ alone.
...
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God
and he shall go no more out
and I will write upon him the name of my God
and the name of the city of my God,
which is new Jerusalem,
which cometh down out of heaven from my God
and I will write upon him my new name.
He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
We must overcome through Christ- if we overcome we will stand in the temple of God an be with Him and never leave Him. We will have the name of God upon us, the name of the city of God, new Jerusalem, a city that will come down from heaven. We will have the new name of Christ- a new life in Christ- we must listen! We must hear the Spirit!
May God bless and keep us in Him now and forever though satan would have us and use all in his power to keep us from God. By the mercy and grace of Christ alone we live.
Amen!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Clothed in White Raiment
Revelation
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write
These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God
and the seven stars
I know thy works
that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Be watchful
and strengthen the things which remain
that are ready to die
for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard
and hold fast,
and repent.
If therefore thou shalt not watch,
I will come on thee as a thief
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments
and they shall walk with me in white
for they are worthy.
He that overcometh,
the same shall be clothed in white raiment
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life
but I will confess his name before my Father,
and before his angels.
He that hath an ear
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
*******
1798 to 1844
You live and art dead.
If something is said to live but art dead what's it like, I mean in our modern terms? A coma? Those in a coma live but are as if they are dead. How many people slip into a coma and die? Quite a few, right? I suppose it depends on the cause of the coma. Do all coma patients die? No.
God's people, His church, most assuredly suffered many periods of time in which the truth in God was stifled. The outward religious revivals, the zeal of the people mean little when it's a zeal that is misplaced and not genuine, when it is not the truth of God through Jesus Christ. Living yet dead.
...
Be watchful
and strengthen the things which remain
that are ready to die
for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
...
Strengthen the remaining things that are ready to die- die without intervention? Isn't it often the way that weak things are known to die? If God's people don't hold fast through the adversity surrounding them it's easy to grow weak. Imperfection in actions are unacceptable. So much admontion and this isn't something that can be taken lightly. Sabbath keeping- the keeping of God's commandments in full- was not pronounced until the 20th century and yet it steadily grew up out of small groups here and there which held fast to the truth. Strengthening the things which remain, there is a remainder that needs strength.
No, the works aren't perfect and we can't believe God will ever accept anything less than perfection in Christ.
...
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard
and hold fast,
and repent.
If therefore thou shalt not watch,
I will come on thee as a thief
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
...
Remember! Hold fast! Repent! Watch!
These are things that throughout history God's people have to adhere to. There will never be a time we should no longer remember all that we've been taught and have received of God. There will never be a time we should loosen our grasp on the faith we need in Jesus. There will never be a time we shouldn't repent, and there will never be a time we shouldn't watch for the coming of our Lord and Savior- never. Foolishness some will say, but it's true. We watch and we keep the hope alive, the faith strong in Christ. If we stop watching for Christ we will not be prepared and like a thief sneaking in and stealing away all that is yours without your ever being alerted to their visitation until it's too late and all your goods are gone- Christ will come and salvation will be lost to those who aren't watching for Him.
Remember! Hold fast! Repent! Watch!
...
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments
and they shall walk with me in white
for they are worthy.
He that overcometh,
the same shall be clothed in white raiment
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life
but I will confess his name before my Father,
and before his angels.
He that hath an ear
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
Defiled garments are unsuitable, if we're not clothed in the pure white of Christ's righteousness then we are stained by unforgiven sin, unrepented sin and we will not walk with Christ. There are few that remain clothed in Christ's righteousness among God's people, few that are trusting solely in Him and not relying on their own filthy righteousness. Only those who are clothed in white will be worthy in Christ.
God's people who overcome with have white raiment, pure undefiled garments and they will have their names in the book of life- Christ will confess our names before God, before God's angels! We want our names confessed by Christ. We want Him knowing our names, knowing us, knowing that we rely on Him and wait for Him, watching, seeking Him and the gift of His salvation.
May the Lord bless us with His mercy. May we be among those clothed in the pure white of His righteousnss and have our names confesed by Jesus to God and the angels. In His name!
Amen.
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write
These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God
and the seven stars
I know thy works
that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Be watchful
and strengthen the things which remain
that are ready to die
for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard
and hold fast,
and repent.
If therefore thou shalt not watch,
I will come on thee as a thief
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments
and they shall walk with me in white
for they are worthy.
He that overcometh,
the same shall be clothed in white raiment
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life
but I will confess his name before my Father,
and before his angels.
He that hath an ear
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
*******
1798 to 1844
You live and art dead.
If something is said to live but art dead what's it like, I mean in our modern terms? A coma? Those in a coma live but are as if they are dead. How many people slip into a coma and die? Quite a few, right? I suppose it depends on the cause of the coma. Do all coma patients die? No.
God's people, His church, most assuredly suffered many periods of time in which the truth in God was stifled. The outward religious revivals, the zeal of the people mean little when it's a zeal that is misplaced and not genuine, when it is not the truth of God through Jesus Christ. Living yet dead.
...
Be watchful
and strengthen the things which remain
that are ready to die
for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
...
Strengthen the remaining things that are ready to die- die without intervention? Isn't it often the way that weak things are known to die? If God's people don't hold fast through the adversity surrounding them it's easy to grow weak. Imperfection in actions are unacceptable. So much admontion and this isn't something that can be taken lightly. Sabbath keeping- the keeping of God's commandments in full- was not pronounced until the 20th century and yet it steadily grew up out of small groups here and there which held fast to the truth. Strengthening the things which remain, there is a remainder that needs strength.
No, the works aren't perfect and we can't believe God will ever accept anything less than perfection in Christ.
...
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard
and hold fast,
and repent.
If therefore thou shalt not watch,
I will come on thee as a thief
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
...
Remember! Hold fast! Repent! Watch!
These are things that throughout history God's people have to adhere to. There will never be a time we should no longer remember all that we've been taught and have received of God. There will never be a time we should loosen our grasp on the faith we need in Jesus. There will never be a time we shouldn't repent, and there will never be a time we shouldn't watch for the coming of our Lord and Savior- never. Foolishness some will say, but it's true. We watch and we keep the hope alive, the faith strong in Christ. If we stop watching for Christ we will not be prepared and like a thief sneaking in and stealing away all that is yours without your ever being alerted to their visitation until it's too late and all your goods are gone- Christ will come and salvation will be lost to those who aren't watching for Him.
Remember! Hold fast! Repent! Watch!
...
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments
and they shall walk with me in white
for they are worthy.
He that overcometh,
the same shall be clothed in white raiment
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life
but I will confess his name before my Father,
and before his angels.
He that hath an ear
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
...
Defiled garments are unsuitable, if we're not clothed in the pure white of Christ's righteousness then we are stained by unforgiven sin, unrepented sin and we will not walk with Christ. There are few that remain clothed in Christ's righteousness among God's people, few that are trusting solely in Him and not relying on their own filthy righteousness. Only those who are clothed in white will be worthy in Christ.
God's people who overcome with have white raiment, pure undefiled garments and they will have their names in the book of life- Christ will confess our names before God, before God's angels! We want our names confessed by Christ. We want Him knowing our names, knowing us, knowing that we rely on Him and wait for Him, watching, seeking Him and the gift of His salvation.
May the Lord bless us with His mercy. May we be among those clothed in the pure white of His righteousnss and have our names confesed by Jesus to God and the angels. In His name!
Amen.
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