SERMON - THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS IN WORDS OF UNDERSTANDING part 1

The Book of Revelation

In

Words of Understanding,

Part 1

 

 

I recently received a note from one of my dear Christian sisters informing me of her love of the Book of Revelation. In reading that note I realized that many people have some thoughts as to the meanings of that Book of out Bible but some apprehensions as to parts.

 

In a series of Sermons I shall set forth all that I can as relates to the Book of Revelation in hopes of allowing you, and me, to get a cleared picture of that glorious Scripture.

 

I wish to point out one remarkable statement respecting the Book of Revelation. As stated in Revelation 1: 3, God extends blessings to the readers and to those who obey the things set forth in this Book.

 

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

 

This sets forth three promises for Christians. Those blessed are the readers and those that hear it with the taking to heart, keeping, God’s Word as their way of life.

 

Now, for some basic facts about the Book of Revelations:

 

1. The Book of Revelation is not the revelation of John, but of Jesus Christ.

 

2. The purpose of the Book of Revelation is to reveal.

 

3. The Revelation letter addresses a select group of people. 

 

4. The Book of Revelation is written in symbolic language.

 

5. The agent of the Book of Revelation is not a celestial being.

 

6. The Book of Revelation includes the past, present and future.

 

7. The Book of Revelation is written in seven series.

 

Respecting item #1, The Divine truth of Revelation is arrived at by your belief in Jesus Christ. Without this belief it explains nothing as only those who truly believe are able to understand that which is contained therein.

 

Respecting item #2, The Greek word, from which our Bible was translated, for Revelation is: apokalupsis. Apo- meaning, away from, and kalupsis, meaning, a hiding or veiling. Ergo: Revelations: an un-hiding, the taking away of a veil. Revelation 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades

 

Respecting item #3, the select group of people that are being addressed are those without sin; the forgiven, the saved.

 

Respecting item #4, in reading Revelation 1:1 the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John; such was accomplished by showing marks or symbols that are, themselves, explained in other Scriptures written throughout our Bible.

 

Respecting item #5, Jesus Christ had an angel accompany John in his ‘tour’ of Heaven but the true guide that was John’s, ‘true revealer,’ and guide was God’s Holy Spirit.

 

Respecting item #6 is self explanatory as every tense is set forth in God’s Word, those being past tense, present tense and future tense.

 

Lastly, respecting item #7, the following should adequately allow you to understand this item.

 

The Book of Revelation is a seven series Book and explained thusly:

 

Series 1 is comprised of Books 1 through 3. These Books contain the letters to the seven churches in Asia .

 

Series 2 is comprised of Books 4 and 5. A vision of God’s throne is given, the government of the church and God’s plan for the Salvation of His children.

 

Series 3 is comprised of Books 6 through 11. These Books set forth the opening of the 7 seals setting forth what is to be.

 

Series 4 is comprised of Book 12. This Book portrays the parental phase of the church as the Pure Woman bringing forth a new covenant. Also set forth is the power of Rome to devour the converts to God’s way of eternal life.

  

 Series 5 is comprised of Books 13 through 19. These Books set forth God’s enemies that are the false systems of religion brought forth by Satan and how the church overcame them.

 

Series 6 is comprised of Book 20. This Book is a series in itself setting forth the binding and loosing of the dragon.

 

Series 7 is comprised of Books 21 and 22. These Books give a clear vision of the church. The church remains as powerful in the evening as it was at first dawn.

 

 Throughout the sermon setting forth the Book of Revelation there will be many references to God’s Word as set forth in preceding Books of the Bible. As they are numerous I shall refrain from my usual copying them and setting them forth but will simply cite such and rely on you to seek out those Scriptural Passages. I will set forth a bit of how each pertains as there is a great deal of symbolic language involved and as you may recall as existing.

 

With no further adieu I shall set out in my best way an understanding of God’s Word as set forth in the Book of Revelation.

 

Having earlier set forth Revelation 1:1-3, I shall start with:

 

Revelation 1:4-8 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia:  Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.    To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.  7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him;
 and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.  8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

 

The seven churches are but seven of the many in Asia but the names of those churches are of importance but at this time the number, being seven is of greater importance.

 

Seven is a dominant number and God’s number. You will see that number as it is set forth in Genesis 2:2 and 41:2, Deuteronomy 32:4, Exodus 12:15, Joshua 6:4, Revelation 5:2 and 15:6-7. Seven, seven, seven, seven, repeated over and over. If you recall the battle of Jericho , Joshua led Israel around the city seven times. This is God’s number.

 

We are named as kings and priests as it is by the Blood of Jesus Christ that we are saved. He is the King of kings with us being the kings! He will come to us and we will see Him! He who is the Alpha and the Omega will come for His servants and we shall be kings and priests.

 

Revelation 1: 9 -12, 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. 10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 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."  12I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

 

John was ‘in the spirit’ when he heard the voice of Jesus behind him as It instructed him to write letters to the seven churches in Asia . John turned towards the voice which tells us he repented to the Lord! As you may recall to repent is to turn to or away from something. In this case John turned to the Lord.

 

The voice of Jesus was for all to hear as it was, “loud…like a trumpet.” That expresses a voice of power, a voice of strength.

 

John saw “seven golden lampstands..” Those lampstands were the name churches of Asia .  Those were to whom John was instructed to write as he witnessed all that was to be seen.

 

Revelation 13-20 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. 14 His head and hair were 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. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.  17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.  19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

John saw His master and sets forth His glorious description. So powerful was Jesus in appearance that the terms John used were almost overpowering as the sight of Jesus, standing before him, must have been almost overpowering. Seeing this Jesus sought to calm John and told him, “Do not be afraid,” and told John what he was seeing was indeed Jesus and that He, Jesus, was the living God, the ruler of everything and set forth His instructions of what John was to write and to whom He wanted John to write to.

Thus the letters to the churches of Asia were written.

(Closing prayer)

Heavenly Father, Lord on High, as You promised please bless us with Your Mighty blessings as we study Your Word as set forth in the Bible You have chosen to give us. As we learn Your Word please grant us the wisdom to understand and live by Your will and with Your Holy Spirit. We praise You Lord, we worship You Lord and You are our reason for being.  El Shaddai, we thank you for all You have done and will do for us in the days to come.

Father, we ask that You keep our military under your protection. We ask that You guide our judges and elected officials and the many men and women of our police forces and security services and keep the safe from harm. We ask that You touch the hearts of our Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world and shelter them.

Father, we especially ask that You intercede in Africa where there are many men, women and children that are in dire need of the most basic needs of life. Though we have sent money to many of the neediest of countries hunger and squalor continue. Father, we ask that You touch the hearts of their leaders and that You cause the opening of coffers to feed, clothe and shelter those in need. Lord, this we implore You to act upon in a swift manner.

In Jesus’ name we pray, who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever,

 

Amen, amen and amen.  

--
Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr
God's Word Christian Ministry
Conservative Patriot http://conpats.blogspot.com