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Revelation 1 – The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The Apostle John had been boiled alive in oil for his faith in Christ. He miraculously survived and was banished to the Isle of Patmos. It was there that he had the vision of the glorified Jesus, messages for the churches in Asia Minor, given a glimpse of the heavenly scene, and a vision of “things which must shortly come to pass.” This great book has been a source of strength and encouragement for the church throughout the ages but was never more relevant than it is for us today.

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Revelation 1:1 – “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John.”

This is first and foremost “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” Revelation means unveiling, the removal of a veil or covering from a new monument or work of art as part of a public ceremony, the presentation or announcement of something in public for the first time. If we read and study this great book without seeing Jesus we’ve missed its primary purpose which is to reveal Jesus in all His splendor and glory. John had walked with jesus throughout His early ministry, caught a glimpse of His future glory at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9), and now sees Him in all His majesty.

As we study the Book of Revelation, I pray that if you do not know the resurrected and glorified Christ that He will be revealed to you and that you might come to know Him as your persoanl Lord and Savoir. If you are His child, I pray He might be made real to you through this study like never before. In the gospels we see His mighty works and life when He was among us. In Revelation we see Him in all His glory, majesty, and splendor. May the Holy Spirit reveal Jesus to you in a new and profound way.

We also see that another purpose was “to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass.” This is an apocalyptic book showing us end-time events. This book is more applicable to us today than at any other time. We very well be on the precipice of seeing these events unfold before our very eyes. We must get ready to meet the one Who shed His blood for us and redeemed us from all unrighteousness.

James 5:7-8 – “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

John 9:4 – We “must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Matthew 24:44 – “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Revelation 1:2 – “Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”

Three-fold ministry of John:

This must be our ministry as well.

1. The Word of God. We must present the Word of God. We are not to give our opinions and cute anecdotes but God’s Word. His Word is the only thing that will transform people’s lives and have a lasting effect in the lives of people and in the spiritual realm.

   Isaiah 55:10-11 – “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

   Hebrews 4:12 – “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

   John 8:31-32 – “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

2. The testimony of Jesus. This refers to what John testifies concerning Jesus. We must first and foremost testify concerning Jesus and all He did for us. His death burial and resurrection. We must also testify concerning all that Jesus did and does. It is the Word of prophecy.

   Revelation 1:9 – “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

   Revelation 12:17 – “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

   Revelation 19:10 – “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

3. All the things that he saw. This includes everything he saw in the vision of Revelation. John was faithful to record accurately everything he was shown in his vision. The Holy Spirit will also show us things for our life, ministry, and what’s to come. When He does we must give all diligence to give exactly what He gives us, nothing more and nothing less. We are to lay out with precision everything He reveals to us.

   John 16:13-14 – “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.”

   Habakkuk 2:2-3 – “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

Revelation 1:3 – “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

Three-fold requirement:

1. Read it. We must simply read it to obtain the blessing.
2. Listen to it being taught. Find those who have studied the Book of Revelation and let them teach you. I would not just listen to one but many. Research it thoroughly.
3. Keep it. Put what you learn from this great book into practice.

   Joshua 1:8 – “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

   Psalms 1:2-3 – “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

   James 1:22-25 – “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

Revelation 1:4 – “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne.”

1. John’s greeting. John is addressed the seven churches in Asia Minor. He gives a typical greeting of grace and peace. There will never be peace apart from grace. If we seek peace without grace it will always allude us. Peace only comes when we look to and depend on His unmerited favor.
2. The eternal one. Jesus is the eternal one. It’s from Him who is, was, and is to come. Jesus is and was the eternal “I AM” (Exodus 3:14 and John 8:56-59). He is present tense, He was in eternity past, and He is to come – future. He always was and will always be. He’s the Eternal Now – eternity past, present, and future!
3. The seven Spirits before the throne. This isn’t referring to seven separate and distinct Spirits but the complete working of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah, speaking of the anointing of the Spirit upon the life of Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2). This refers to the seven-fold working of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christ or the complete work of the Spirit of God in Jesus’ life.
   1. The anointing of the Spirit upon Him.
   2. The Spirit of wisdom upon Him.
   3. The Spirit of understanding upon Him.
   4. The Spirit of counsel upon Him.
   5. The Spirit of might upon Him.
   6. The Spirit of knowledge upon Him.
   7. The Spirit of the fear of the Lord upon Him.

Revelation 1:5 – “And from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

John’s making it clear that this isn’t just coming from him but from Jesus Himself. He goes on to say a number of things concerning Christ Jesus our lord.

Four things concerning Jesus:

1. He’s the faithful witness. Jesus faithfully represented the Father. He was a faithful witness both in word and deed.

   John 1:18 – “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared Him.”

   John 14:8-9 – “Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?”

   Hebrews 1:3 – “Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

   Are we a faithful witness? Oh how I wish I have always been a faithful witness. We’re to witness for Him both in word and deed. We are not just to witness for and concerning Him but we are to be witnesses. We can by no means do this on our own or in our own power. We must lean completed upon Him and His power.

   Acts 1:8 – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

   2 Peter 1:3-4 – “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

2. He’s the first begotten of the dead. This refers to Jesus being the first to rise from the dead never to die again. He’s the first-fruits of them that slept. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). He said, “Because I live you shall live also” (John 14:19). Praise the Lord!

   First begotten in scripture is a title of preeminence and does not mean He was the first to be created as the Jehovah Witnesses and other cults and false teachers falsely proclaim. They take Colossians 1:15 where it says He’s “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” and say He was the first to be created. They blindly fail to see the context where it plainly says, He’s “the firstborn from the dead” (Colossians 1:18).

3. He’s the prince of the kings of the earth. He is the king of kings and Lord of Lords. All the kings and rulers of men will one day bow down to Him and confess Him to be Lord (Philippians 2:11). He first came as a servant to bare our sins (1 Peter 2:24). He will come “the second time without (apart from0 sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). His return will be as “King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords” (Revelation 19:11-16).
4. He “loved us.” Oh how He loves you and me. No greater words have ever been written. I’m here to tell you that Jesus loves you. He proved it by giving His life a ransom for our sins.

   John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

   John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends.”

   1 John 3:16 – “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

5. He “washed us from our sins in His own blood.” There’s power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb. I don’t care what you’ve done or how terribly you’ve sinned, if you’ll come to Jesus He’ll wash away all your sins and make you as white as snow.

   Hebrews 9:22 – “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” of sins.

   Isaiah 1:18 – “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

   1 Peter 1:18-19 – “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

   1 John 1:7 – “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (and keeps on cleansing) us from all sin.”

   SEE: Benefits of the Blood of Jesus

Revelation 1:6 – “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

We who are in Christ and have been washed in His blood have been made kings and priests unto God. We’re no longer lowly but elevated in Him. We will reign with Him throughout eternity.

James 1:9 – “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted.”

Ephesians 2:6 – “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”

Revelation 1:7 – “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

Jesus is coming back again but this time in victory and triumph. This is not a secret coming but all will see Him at His return – “Every eye shall see Him!”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Matthew 24:29-31 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 – “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.”

SEE: Signs of Jesus’ Return and When Will the Rapture Happen

Revelation 1:8 – “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

What a proof text to The Divinity of Christ! Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. He’s not just from the beginning but He was there when everything began. This clearly declares His eternal exitence as well as His deity. He is the Almighty!

Psalm 90:2 – “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

Micah 5:2 – “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Revelation 1:9 – “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

The Apostle John had been boiled in oil alive for his faith in Christ. He miraculously survived and was banished to the Isle of Patmos. He identifies with Us as being our “companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.” The church throughout history has gone through intense times of tribulation what makes us think that we’ll be exempt from it. I hope we’ll be taken out before the tribulation period but we must be prepared to go through it just in case.

Notice it was “for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Whether we are taken out prior to the seven years tribulation period or we go through much of it, we will face trouble, trials, and conflict for proclaiming God’s Word and and our testimony of Jesus. If we’re not facing persecution we’re probably not taking a stand for the Word and Christ.

Matthew 5:10-12 – “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

2 Corinthians 12:10 – “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Romans 8:17-18 – “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Revelation 1:10-11 – “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. 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.”

When John says he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” it could mean he was taken in the Spirit on Sunday which was considered the Lord’s day because it was the day Jesus rose from the dead. On the other hand, it might be interpreted that he was taken by the Spirit unto the day of the Lord speaking of the end times. This would be consistent with the focus of Revelation.

I “heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” This was no doubt the voice of the Lord Jesus Himself. The force of His voice was as a trumpet. This emphasizes the power of His Words, the urgency with which He spoke, and the importance of His message to the church. It was something to be reckoned with and heeded.

He introduces Himself as the “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” This emphasizes once again, as in verse 8, our Lord’s deity and eternal existence. Jesus’ existence was from the beginning to the end. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. He’s not just from the beginning but He was there when everything began. This clearly declares His eternal existence as well as His deity. He is the Almighty!

He gives John instructions on what to do with what he would see in his vision. He was to write everything he sees in a book. Then he was to send it to the seven churches mentioned in Asia Minor. This no doubt refers to the letters to the churches but I’m sure each church undoubtedly received the book in its entirety as well. All that John would see was to be written in a book not only for the church of his day but for the church throughout the ages to this present time. We will bask in the riches of John’s vision and revelation in our study of this great book.

Revelation 1:12-17a – “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.”

John turned around to see the voice that spoke with him and he sees His Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory. John saw a glimpse of Christ’ future glory at the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9. It was so glorious they didn’t want to leave. They in essence said, “Lord, this is wonderful. Let’s just camp out here. We don’t want to leave!” John also saw Jesus many times after He had risen from the dead but nothing compared to this. This far surpassed anything he had experienced to this point. He was so overcome by the sight of Jesus that he “fell at His feet as dead.” What do you imagine it will be like when we see Him? What will our response be?

1 John 3:2-3 – “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.”

Titus 2:13 – “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 9:28 – “Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without (apart from) sin unto salvation.”

Revelation 1:17b-20 – “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: 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. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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.”

1. The Revelation of Jesus. “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not.” Wow! At the sight of His Lord, in all His glory, John falls down before His as dead. The Jesus lays His hand on him and says, “Fear not.” Matthew Henry said, “Jesus would have His people at ease in His presence.” There’s no need to fear, when in His presence, When we’ve been blood washed and redeemed by His work on the cross on our behalf. On the other hand, if we don’t know Him, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). For us who know Him, His Word to you is “Fear Not!”

   1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

   Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.

   Psalms 16:11 “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

2. The keys of hell and death. “I am the first and the last: 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.” Again He declares Himself to be the first and the last, the everlasting one. And He’s “alive for evermore.” And He has “the keys of hell and of death.” He has the very keys that kept us in bondage to hell and death. We have been liberated and set free.

   According to Luke 16:19-31 there were two compartments in Hades. One was a place of torment and the other a place of comfort – Abraham’s bosom or paradise. Jesus promised the thief on the cross today you will be with Me in paradise (Luke 23:43). Though it was a place of comfort, it was not heaven. We are saved looking back on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross whereas those under the old covenant were saved looking forward to ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary’s hill. However, they were not able to go into the presence of God until Jesus’ blood had been poured out on the heavenly altar. Therefore, they were in a sense held captive in hades.

   After Jesus had died and paid the penalty for our sins, He went into hell or hades and preached to those held captive there. 1 Peter 3:19 says, “He went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” This does not mean Jesus actually went to hell. Those who teach such are heretcial. He went into paradice and preached to those held captive there that the perfect sacrifice they had long awaited for had been made. Sometime after Jesus had risen from the dead paradice was taked from hades to the very presence of God. We know this because Paul said he was taken unto paradise, the third heaven, the very presence of God (2 Corinthians 12:1-4). Now to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

   Ephesians 4:8-11 – “Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”

3. The three divisions of Revelation. The John is commanded, “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” This gives us the clear cut divisions of the book. “The things which thou hast seen” – past, “the things which are” – present in John’s day, and “the things which shall be hereafter” – future. He deals with what had happened to him in chapter one, then the present day churches in Asian Minor and his ascension into the heavenly scene in chapters two through five, and chapters six through twenty-two yet future.
4. The mystery of the seven stars and seven candlestick. This gives us what was meant in verse thirteen where John sees Jesus “in the midst of the seven candlesticks” and verse sixteen where He “had in His right hand seven stars.” “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.” He doesn’t give and explanation of the rest of Jesus’ description but these alone which demonstrates their importance.
   1. The seven golden candlesticks or lampstands. “The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” These represent the seven churches both then and His completed church. It’s not only the churches then but the complete church through the church age from the beginning to the last church age. When we study the letter to each church we’ll see they were not only churches that existed then but they also speak of the church through the ages.

      Jesus is seen standing in the midst of His church. Whenever there are those gathered together in His name He’s present in the midst of them. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). It should be noted that all but one of the seven churches were rebuked by Jesus. We live in an imperfect world and His church isn’t perfect either. Even so, Jesus is nonetheless in the midst of its assembly.

      If we were to ever find what we think is the perfect church and join it we’ll soon find out it’s no longer perfect because we’re now apart of it. Don’t wait to find just the right church to become apart of it. It should suffice that Jesus is there! Having said that, we should be sure it is doctrinally sound and that it’s teaching the Word of God. That doesn’t mean you have to agree on every issue but at least on the fundamentals of the faith.

      We know that a lampstand is intended to give light. The people of God, both as individuals and as congregations, are to be bearers of light. Jesus told His followers that they were the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Paul told the church in Philippi that they were to be “seen as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Since Jesus is the “true light” of the world (John 1:9), it makes sense that He is standing “among the lampstands” (Revelation 1:13) — the light shed abroad by the churches comes from Him. The stars held in Jesus’ hand are also light-bearers.

   2. The seven stars in His right hand. “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” The Greek word angelos simply means “messenger”; usually, the word was used for supernatural “messengers” or angels sent from God. However, sometimes the word was applied to human messengers of God’s Word: John the Baptist is called an “angelos” in Matthew 11:10, “For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.”

      Some scholars interpret the angels of Revelation 1:20 as heavenly beings. Most view them as the “messenger” of the local church. A pastor of a church functions as a “messenger” for God, delivering God’s Word to the congregation. It would make no sense why Jesus would have to give an angel (heavenly being) a rebuke which He gave to most the churches. The only logical interpretation contextually can be that it refers to the “messengers” or pastors of the churches.

      Revelation 1:16 – “And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.”

      Jesus has the pastor in His right hand as a place of care and protection. He has a special place in His heart for those He has called. “No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God” (Hebrews 5:4). As pastors are meant to care for their flock, even so the chief shepherd cares for His under-shepherds.

      “His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.” This speaks of His favor that’s upon those He has called to shepherd His people (Numbers 6:24-26). His grace and favor is upon those who are truly called, dedicated, and committed to caring for and feeding the flock of God. This includes both care, love, and affection and preaching the uncompromising Word of God.

      1 Thessalonians 2:4 – “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”

      1 Thessalonians 2:8 – “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”

      “He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword.” A sharp twoedged sword proceeding out of His mouth clearly speaks of God’s Word (Hebrews 4:12). It also speaks of Jesus’ fierce judgment on all who come against those under His care (in His right hand). A sharp twoedged sword proceeds out of His mouth in defense of His messengers. God help those who come against His chosen vessels.

      You say, “They are in error and need corrected.” Let God handle it. They’re accountable to Him. When King Saul was in error and was chasing David he refused to take it in his own hands but rather left it in God’s hands. When he had opportunity against Saul he refused and said, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord” (1 Samuel 24:6).

      1 Chronicles 16:21-22 and Psalm 105:14-15 – “He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, He reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm.”

Instead of attacking and coming against men and women of God let’s support and encourage them. And pastors, make sure you are properly caring for the people of God under your care and that you are feeding them a proper balanced diet of God’s Word. You must get behind those God has place over you and pastor must do what God has called them to do or God Himself will deal with them.

Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

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