REVELATION 1: 10 - 20 PART 2 of 2

REVELATION 1: 10 - 20
PART 2 of 2

   10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

   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.

   12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

   13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

   14) His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;

   15) And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.

   16) And He had in His right hand seven stars:  and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.

   17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

   18) I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

   19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

   20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:  and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.         (King James Version, Public Domain)

COMMENTARY

  First of all, consider the Apostle John, being in his later years, on the island.  If he was outside, he was facing toward the West, because seniors have issues with bright lights in their eyes.  He was in the spirit, and had to turn around at the sound of the voice.  He spent three years walking with Jesus when He was in the form of mankind, however, he fell to his feet as dead.  And The Lord touched him, saying, "Fear not!"  How comforting is that to all of us?  "Fear not!"

   How often do we boldly take our petitions and request before the throne?  Are you so confident that when you are faced with Him eye to eye, that you will not also fall down as dead?  It must have been quite intimidating, seeing Jesus in all of His power as God!  I wonder if John, even for a moment, thought about how he had laid his head on His breast.

   Note in verse 18 where Jesus says He has the keys to hell and death.  He fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 16:10, "He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, neither His flesh did see corruption." Acts 2:31 Before Christ descended into Hades, it had housed all the souls and spirits of all people who had lived and died before Him.  The saints and those who did not know Jesus were separated by a "great gulf".  Reference the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Luke 16: 23 - 26.

   However, "the cross, meant to kill, is my victory!"  Jesus descended into Hades like those who died before Him.  Hebrews 2: 14, 14 tells us , "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject in bondage"

   Therefore, after He went to Hades and proclaimed His victory to the evil spirits still incarcerated in prison (1 Peter 3: 18 - 20), He ascended up on high, leading the saints (who died after Him) to heaven rather than lingering in Hades.  Now, when we give up this life, we will "be with Him in Paradise".

   Remember that Daniel was instructed to "seal up" the things he had seen until a later time.  Here, John was told to write it down and send it to the churches.  Jesus named the churches by name, and He knows us by name, also!  In this, consider that when God gives us a mission, He provides everything necessary to complete the mission

   Then He explains the symbols John is seeing:  the candlesticks and the stars.  He wants us to study the Book of Revelation; and He will explain it to us!  

   John saw Jesus in the midst of the churches.  Every true church has an angel assigned for their guidance and watch-care.  Even when the pastors and members come and go, a true church's angel remains.  Know, also, that individual believers have angels assigned to them (Matthew 18:10, Acts 12: 15).

   I am excited about embarking on the study of this Book of Revelation.  Please leave a comment if we are ministering to you...no money necessary.  We want to encourage you to seek The Lord.

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