Revelation Introduction & Chapter 1

 

Revelation

Introduction:

In reading and studying the Bible but especially the book of The Revelation of JESUS Christ you have to not think of GOD or His Eternal Kingdom as linear! GOD is not restricted by time He is the creator of time, and His Eternal Kingdom does not operate according to our understanding and concepts of time. The prophesies about Christ were not given to humanity linearly nor were they fulfilled in the order they were given. The four Gospels, the story of the life of JESUS are not written linearly (or the exact order of the events and teachings of His life) which confuses some people when they compare them to each other. John 20:30-31; 21:24-25

As I have studied the Bible and Revelation in my forty-nine years as a Christian, I have changed my mind or understanding of the Rapture, the Great Tribulation and Christ’s Millennial Reign from Jerusalem. As a young Christian I accepted what I was taught in Church and Bible College, but as I read, studied, and meditated on the Bible over the years my understanding changed. The reason for this study is to make clear the events of Revelation. Others have different understandings of the book of Revelation – I am not saying I am right and they are wrong. As JESUS told us, none of us know (Acts1:6-7), we can only study the signs of the time we live in and watch for His return. Matthew 24:1-14,32-35; Luke 21:29-36; John 16:1; Mark 13.

While I believe that I am fairly accurate in my understanding of the events of Revelation that is not what is important. What is important is that we each know the signs of the times in which we live as given to us by Christ; to keep an armed watch (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) against the world and lies of our adversary the devil and to be expectant and prepared for Christ’s return at any moment. Maranatha (Come LORD JESUS!)!

“Almighty GOD, there is so much that we cannot understand, yet You have given us Your SPIRIT and Wisdom so that we can understand what You reveal through Your Word; open our ears to hear, our eyes to see and our hearts to receive Your revelation.”

All scriptures quoted are from the (NKJV) New King James Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers

Or

The (CJB) Complete Jewish Bible, Messianic Jewish Publishers and Resources

 

Chapter 1

Overview

Chapter 1 is the introduction of and reason for the Revelation of JESUS Christ that is given to John. Verse 3, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the Words of this prophesy and keep those things that are written in it; for the time is near.” John sees JESUS and receives understanding of the Seven Golden Lampstands and the seven stars: the seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches in Asia; The Seven Golden Lampstands are the seven Churches in Asia. Why only these seven Churches in Asia, only GOD knows.

 

:1 The Revelation of JESUS Christ, which GOD gave Him to show His servants–things which must *shortly (quickly or swiftly) take place; and He sent and signified it by His **angel to His servant John,

Shortly meaning a fixed place in time that when started it will happen suddenly. A brief space in time – quickly. John 3:27-36, John The Baptist talking about the revelation given to him about JESUS. Revelation 22:6 “These Words are Faithful and True.”

 

:2 who bore witness to The Word of GOD, and to the Testimony of JESUS Christ, to all things that he saw.

                Bore witness 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 1 John 1:1-4

 

:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the Words of This Prophecy and keep those things which are written in It; for the time is near.

                Blessed are the reader and hearers of The Words of This Prophecy provided they obey the things written in It. Luke 11:27-28; Matthew 7:22-29; James 5:7-8.

 

:4 John. To the seven churches which are in Asia: “Grace to you and Peace from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

                Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea; why these seven churches? Who… Exodus 3:14-15; John 1:1-2; seven Spirits Isaiah 11:1-2; Revelation 3:1, 4:5, 5:6.

 

:5 and from JESUS Christ, The Faithful Witness, The Firstborn from the dead, and The Ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him Who Loved us and washed (Loved us and freed) us from our sins in His Own Blood,

                Witness Isaiah 55:3-4, John 8:14; First born Colossians 1:14-18; King 1 Timothy 6:13-17, Revelation 17:14; Loved John 13:34-35, Galatians 2:20; Blood Hebrews 9:14.

 

:6 and has made us kings (a kingdom) and priests to His GOD and Father, to Him be Glory and Dominion forever and ever. Amen!

kings 1 Peter 2:4-10; Glory… 1 Timothy 1:16-17; 1 Peter 5:10-11; Revelation 4:11

 

:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen!”

                Clouds Matthew 24:30, Revelation 14:14; mourn Zechariah 12:10-14; pierced Psalm 22:16, John 20:24-29.

 

:8 “I Am The Alpha and The Omega, The Beginning and The End,” says The LORD, “Who is and Who was and Who is to come, The Almighty.”

                I Am Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, Exodus 3:14-15, Hebrews 13:8, Revelation 22:12-13, 20-21; Almighty Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 4:8, 11:15-18.

 

:9 “I John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and Kingdom and Patience of JESUS Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for The Word of GOD and for the Testimony of JESUS Christ.

                Tribulation Acts 14:21-22, Romans 8:35-39; Kingdom 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalm 145:13, Matthew 3:2, Luke 10:9, 11; patience 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4, 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5, James 1:2-4, Revelation 2:1-3; Word and Testimony John 8:31-32, Revelation 12:11.

 

:10 I was in The Spirit on The LORD’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,

                Day John 20:1, Acts 20:7; Voice Job 37:1-5, Psalm 29:1-9, 46:6, Revelation 19:6.

 

:11 saying, “I Am The Alpha and The Omega, The First and The Last,’ and ‘what you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.’

                Write Psalm 45:1, Jeremiah 30:1-4, Habakkuk 2:1-3.

 

:12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me; and having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

                Lampstands Exodus 25:31-40.

 

:13 in the midst of the seven lampstands One like The Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to His feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

                Son of Man Ezekiel 1:26-28, Daniel 7:13-14, Matthew 24:29-30, Philippians 2:7-8, Revelation 14:14-16.

 

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

                His appearance Daniel 7:9-10.

 

:15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many water;

                Bronze Daniel 10:5-6; Voice Ezekiel 43:1-2.

 

:16 He had in His right hand seven stars***, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

                Seven stars Revelation 1:20; two-edged sword Isaiah 49:1-2, Hebrews 4:12, shining Matthew 17:1-2, Revelation 22:5.

 

:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I Am The first and The Last.

                Fell at His feet Ezekiel 1:28-2:1, Daniel 8:15-18, 10:7-11; Isaiah 41:1-4, 44:6, 43:10-13, 48:12-13.

 

:18 I Am He Who Lives, and was dead, and behold, I Am Alive Forevermore. Amen! I have the keys of hades and of death.

                Alive Matthew 28:1-10, Romans 6:8-11, Revelation 4:9-10; hell and death Matthew 13:40-42, 25:41, Revelation 19:19-20, 20:14-15.

 

:19 Write the things you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

                The things seen Revelation 1:9-18; the things which are Revelation 2-3; the things which are to come Revelation 4:1

 

:20 The mystery (hidden truth) of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels (Or messengers) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

 

*ĕntachŏs: ĕn = a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state)…X quickly, X shortly, X speedily…Often used in compounds with substantially the same import…

tachŏs = from tachus; (of uncertain affinity; fleet, i.e. (figuratively) prompt or ready:-swift.)  a brief space (of time), i.e. (with ĕn prefix) in haste:-+quickly, +shortly, +speedily.

This combination is used several times in The Bible as shortly (Acts 25:4; Romans 16:20; Revelation 1:1, 22:6; quickly (Acts 12:7, 22:18); and speedily (Luke 18:8).

 

**aggĕlŏs: from aggĕlō [probably derived from agō; compare agĕlĕ] (to bring tidings);a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication a pastor:-angel; messenger.

Agō: a primary verb; properly to lead; by implication to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce:-be, bring (forth), carry (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.

Aggĕlŏs is the only Greek word for angel or angels in The New Testament except for one time, Luke 20:36, isaggĕlŏs; from isŏs and  aggĕlŏs; like an angel, i.e. angelic:-equal unto the angels.

Isŏs: probable from ĕidō: a primary verb used only in certain past tenses…

 

***aster probably from the base of  strōnnumi or simpler strōnnuō from a still simpler strŏō: a star (as shown over the sky), literally or figuratively:-star.

Strŏō: (used only as an alternate in certain tenses; probably akin to stĕrĕŏs through the idea of posting); to “strew”, i.e. spread (as a carpet or couch):make bed, furnish, spread, strew.

Stĕrĕŏs: stiff, i.e. solid, stable (literally or figuratively):-steadfast, strong, sure.

 

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible, A Concise Dictionary Of The Words In The Greek Testament; MacDonald Publishing

 

https://youtu.be/DbezW47FdSA

Hair!

 

Hair!

 

Hair, we all have it and we all think about it. There are all kinds of events and conditions that affect our hair; rain, wind, humidity, exercise. We do all kinds of things to our hair; wash and condition it, color it, style it, cut it, let it grow; we touch it several times every day and we are rarely fully satisfied with it.

 

The most important thing about our hair has nothing to do with what we do to it! What The Bible says about our hair is very important! But we usually just read over those passages because they are part of a greater message, or so we think.

 

Now you are probably remembering something The Bible says about your hair, maybe that you cannot change its color or that GOD knows how many hairs you have on your head; like Matthew 10:27-31, quoting only verse 30, “But the very hairs of your head are numbered.”

 

In the context of this passage about fearing GOD and not humans we lose the Power of this statement, “But the very hairs of your head are numbered.” Stop and think about this for a moment (selah). Every time you comb or brush your hair, every time you wash your hair, every time you run your fingers through your hair some come out. Some just break and some come out by the root and GOD knows this about you and every other living human being!

 

First this speaks of the Majesty of Who GOD is! Second it speaks of the Love GOD has for you! GOD is Omniscient (Hebrews 4:12-13), Omnipotent (Revelation 4:11) and Omnipresent (2 Chronicles 16:9)! He is all Powerful, Knows everything and is everywhere at all times! He made us in His Own Image; which we do not fully comprehend; so that we can do The Work of His Kingdom in the earth as it is in Heaven; we do not fully understand this either!

 

There’s another verse we do not really think about, “Our Father in Heaven, Holy is your Name, Your Kingdom Come Your Will be done on the earth as it is in Heaven…For Yours is The Kingdom and The Power and The Glory Forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13 GOD made all humans in His Image so that we can do The Work of His Eternal Heavenly Kingdom in the earth today! Are you? If not, Why? What better thing do you have to do than what GOD created you for?

 

So thinking about all the little details of our life that GOD knows and keeps track of, do you think about scriptures like, every word you say will be judged, “But I say to you that every idle word that men may speak, they will give account of it in The Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37; or everything you do is written in a book in Heaven? “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before GOD, and books were opened; and another Book was opened, which is The Book of Life; and the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” Revelation 20:12 Having your name written in The Book of Life is determined by what is written in the book of your life!

 

There are many Scriptures that we skip over during sermons or when we are reading The Bible and we miss key messages from GOD, we should be studying our notes from sermons and studying The Bible for these important Scriptures, “All Scripture is given by Inspiration of GOD, and is Profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Instruction in Righteousness, that the man (and woman) of GOD may be Complete, thoroughly Equipped for every Good Work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

No Scripture is so obscure or unimportant that we should ignore it, every Scripture is important and relevant to our life as a child and servant of GOD! If there is a Scripture that you do not understand and no one can explain it to your comfort or satisfaction then leave it with GOD and when it is in His Timing He Will reveal it to you, but never reject or ignore any Scripture! And remember when it comes to Scripture it is all about context, context, context! Who said it, who wrote it, to whom was it written and why was it written; then you can apply it to your life, because every Scripture applies to our life!

 

We are to “Seek Frist The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness…” Matthew 6:33; are you? If not, Why?

 

https://youtu.be/fVxCvxrWx_w

Hebrews Chapter 13

Hebrews Chapter 13

 

:1-2 Let brotherly Love continue (Romans 12:10). Do not forget to entertain strangers (Matthew 25:35), for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels (Genesis 18:1-22 – the promise of Isaac & Sodom, 19:1-29 – Lot in Sodom;  Judges 6:11-70 The Angel of The LORD = JESUS).

 

:3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them(Matthew 25:36)–those who are mistreated–since you yourselves are in the body also (Romans 15:1-13).

 

:4 Marriage is honorable among all (Proverbs 5:18-19; Ephesians 5:24-25), and the bed undefiled (Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-30); but fornicators and adulterers GOD Will Judge (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

 

:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness (Exodus 20:17; Ephesians 5:3-5); be content with such things as you have (Philippians 3:1-11; 1 Timothy 6:6-8). For He Himself has said: “I Will never leave you nor forsake you (John 6:36-40, 14:1-4, 18).”

 

:6 so we may boldly say: “The LORD is my Helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 27:1, 118:6; Luke 12:4-7)”

 

:7 Remember those who rule (lead) over you, who have spoken the Word of GOD to you, whose Faith follow (Mark 8:34-38; John 12:26), considering the outcome of their conduct (John 8:12, 14:1; Philippians 2:12-16; 1 Peter 2:21-25).

 

:8 JESUS is the Same yesterday, today and forever (John 1:1-2, 8:58; 1 Peter 1:19-20).

 

:9 Do not be carried about (away) with various and strange doctrines (Galatians 1:6-8; 1 Timothy 1:3-7). For it is good that the heart be established by Grace (Psalm 84:11; Ephesians 2:4-9; Matthew 5:8, 6:21), not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them (Matthew 6:24-34; Romans 14:1-4).

 

:10-11 We have an altar from which those who serve the Tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp (Leviticus 4:12).

 

:12-13 Therefore JESUS also, that He might Sanctify (set apart) the people with His Own Blood (John 17:13-18; Ephesians 5:25-27), suffered outside the gate (Matthew 31-33; Mark 15:20-22, Luke 23:26-33, John 19:16-18). Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach (1 Peter 4:14).

 

:14-15 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come (Revelation 21:1-2, 10). Therefore by Him let us continually offer the Sacrifice of Praise to GOD (Leviticus 7:11-13; Ephesians 5:15-21), that is, the Fruit of our lips giving Thanks to His Name (Philippians 3:17).

 

:16 But do not forget to do Good and to Share (Romans 12:13), for with such Sacrifices GOD is Well Pleased (Philippians 4:16-18).

 

:17 Obey those who rule (lead) over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls (Isaiah 52:8; 1 Timothy 2:1-2), as those who must give an account (Romans 13:7-8). Let them do so with Joy and not with grief (Acts 20:28), for that would be unprofitable for you (Romans 13:1-2).

 

:18-19 Pray for us, for we are confident that we have a good conscience (Ephesians 6:18-19; 2 Timothy 1:3), in all things desiring to live Honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

 

:20-21 Now may The GOD of Peace Who brought up JESUS from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the Blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete (perfect) in every Good Work to do His Will (Philippians 2:12-14), Working in you what is Well Pleasing in his sight, through JESUS CHRIST, to Whom be Glory forever and ever. Amen!

 

:22 And I appeal to you brethren, Bear with The Word of Exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

 

:23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

 

:24-25 Greet all those who rule (lead) over you and greet all the Saints. Those from Italy greet you. Grace be with you all. Amen!

 

https://youtu.be/YxNoyRUgd0M

Prayer 11-06-2024

 Thank You Heavenly Father for Your Will being done in The Church!

Thank You Heavenly Father for your will being done in Israel!

Thank You Heavenly Father for Your Will being done in America!

 

Thank you Heavenly Father, that you are giving the world a new opportunity to do your Will! You are The One Who raises up and takes down governments and expands and contracts the boundaries of nations.

 

As The Creator of the heavens and all that is in it, the earth and all that is in it and the seas and all that is in it, Your Will be done as it is in Heaven! Today the world again sees Your Hand in the affairs of mankind, because You have made humanity in Your own Image and it is Your Will and Purpose that we are created to fulfill.

 

Thank you ELOHIM that You are One GOD; The Father (JEHOVAH), The Son (JESUS), The Holy SPIRIT (The SPIRIT of GOD) and that You are bringing Repentance to Your People Israel, to Your Body, The Church so that the nations will accomplish Your Will and Purpose for the return of JESUS.

 

We pray for Your Wisdom and Grace that we who serve You may hear Your Voice (The SPIRIT and The Word), see Your Works (The Gospel and Israel) and Obey by Faith Your Call for us as individuals, families, fellowships, churches, organizations, ministries, denominations, and nations.

 

In JESUS’ Name we praise You that Your Will is being done in all creation!

Amen!

 

https://youtu.be/Ie5LQH-JdSY

Hebrews Chapter 12

 

Hebrews Chapter 12

 

Remember we just studied Chapter 11, the chapter about Faith or having Trust in GOD!

:1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (every Saint listed in chapter 11; and every Saint since), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance (Romans 12:10-12) the race that is set before us (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Galatians 5:1; Colossians 3:1-17), looking unto JESUS, the Author (Originator) and Finisher (Perfecter) of our Faith, Who for the Joy that was set before him endured the cross (Luke 10:21; John 17:13), despising the shame (JESUS despised the shame people tried to put on Him as He hung on the cross), and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD (Psalm 110:1; Philippians 2:1-8; Colossians 3:1). For consider Him Who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul (Galatians 6:6-10; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

 

:4 For you have not yet resisted unto bloodshed, striving against sin (1 Corinthians 10:13); 1 Peter 4:12-13; Revelation 12:11-12).

 

:5-6 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son do not despise the chastening (discipline) of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom The LORD Loves, He chastens and scourges every son He receives (Proverbs 3:11-12; Revelation 3:19 chasten = discipline, zealous = eager).”

 

:7 If you endure chastening (it is for discipline that you endure;), GOD deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten (Deuteronomy 8:5-6; Proverbs 13:24, 19:18)?

 

:8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Timothy 2:14-19).

 

:9-11 Furthermore we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect (Proverbs 23:24-25; Ephesians 6:4). Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to The Father of spirits and Live (Job 12:10; Psalm 104:4)? For they indeed chastened us as seemed best to them (Proverbs 23:13), but He for our prophet, that we may be partakers of his Holiness (Leviticus 11:44-45; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Now no chastening (discipline) seems joyful at the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of Righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Romans 8:27-30; James 3:17-18).

 

:12-13 Therefore strengthen the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees (Isaiah 35:3-4), and make straight paths for your feet (Proverbs 3:5-8), so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

 

:14-15 Pursue peace with all people (Psalm 34:12-15; Romans 12:18-21, and Holiness, without which no can see The LORD (Matthew 5:8-9; 1 Peter 1:13-16): looking carefully lest anyone fall short of The grace of GOD; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble (Deuteronomy 29:18; Acts 8:22-23; James 3:13-18), and by this many become defiled (James 1:12-16);

 

:16-17 lest there be any fornicator (1 Corinthians 6:15-20) or profane (godless) person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his Birthright (Genesis 25:29-34). For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the Blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears (Genesis 27:33-34; Proverbs 1:25-27).

 

:18-21 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness (gloom) and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of Words, so that those who heard it begged that The Word should not be spoken to them anymore (Exodus 20:18-26). (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow (Deuteronomy 4:11-12, 5:22).” And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling” (Deuteronomy 9:19).)

 

:22-24 But you have come to Mount Zion and the City of The Living GOD, The Heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2, 9-27), to an innumerable number of angels (Revelation 5:11), to the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn (Romans 8:28-30) who are registered in Heaven (Luke 10:17-20), to GOD, The Judge of all (Psalm 50:4-6, 94:1-3), to the spirits of Just men made Perfect (Colossians 1:27-29; James 3:2), to JESUS The Mediator of The New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6, 9:15), and to the Blood sprinkling (Hebrews 10:19-22) that speaks better things than that of Able.(Genesis 4:10).

 

:25-26 See that you do not refuse Him Who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him Who spoke on earth (Hebrews 2:1-4), much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him Who speaks from Heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has Promised, saying: “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also Heaven (Haggai 2:6-7).”

 

:27-29 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made (creation), that the things which cannot be shaken may remain (GOD’s Eternal Heaven) (2 Peter 3:5-13; Revelation 21:1-2). Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 11:13-16), let us have Grace (John 1:16-17; Romans 6:12-14), by which we may serve GOD acceptably (Romans 12:1-2) with reverence and Godly Fear (Psalm 112:1; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Luke 12:4-5). For our GOD is a consuming Fire (Exodus 24:16-17).

 

https://youtu.be/7ej8Xf2SH0M