Revelation 4

Here is my summary of Chapter 4, John's vision continues. 

While in the Spirit, he sees a door open in heaven, with a voice saying what he will see -is to come. In the vision there was one main throne shining like gems, and twenty-four other thrones holding twenty-four elders with clothes of white and crowns of gold. Surrounding them was thunder and lightening and seven lamps signifying the seven spirits of God. In front of the throne was a sea of glass-like-crystal with four creatures in the center. "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” (‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ NIV)". Then the the twenty-four elders fell to the feet of the one in the main throne threw down their crowns and said,"“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ NIV)".

Here is my summary of Chapter 4, John's vision continues. While in the Spirit, he sees a door open in heaven with a voice saying what he will see is to come. In the vision there was one main throne shining like gems, and twenty-four other thrones holding twenty-four elders with clothes of white and crowns of gold. Surrounding them was thunder and lightening and seven lamps signifying the seven spirits of God. In front of the throne was a sea of glass-like-crystal with four creatures in the centre. "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” (‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ NIV)". Then the the twenty-four elders fell to the feet of the one in the main throne threw down their crowns and said,"“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ NIV)".

Revelation 3

Have you ever heard of 'Philly' more officially known as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA? 



Could the basis of it's name be, that it was to resemble a biblical church? Find out about this church in Revelations 3. 

There was once another Philadelphia...

Amman, Jordan's capital, once named Philadelphia (after an Egyptian conqueror), it's a modern city of 1.5 million people, overlooked by a hill full of temples and shrines dating back to the Bronze Age.  -Huffington Post

Recap 

In the last blog post we covered Revelations 2, which covered the message to four of the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia,  and Laodicea. Here is a summary...

Ephesus, which tested those who called themselves apostles to see if they were false, hated the practices of the Nicholations that God hated, but were lacking in love.

Smyrna, a church racked with poverty, was about to suffer persecution and imprisonment, but they were promised that if they remained faithful they wouldn't suffer the second death. 

Pergamum, characterized as being faithful, but misguided in following the teachings of Balaam and the Nicholations. They were warned to repent.



Thyatira, Characterized by love, faith, service, perseverance, and the effort to improve its efforts. They needed to stop tolerating Jezebel's false and misguiding prophesy. Jesus promised them the 'Morning Star' (his spiritual guidance) and ruler-ship of nations for those who remained faithful. 

Finally, we're in Revelations 3...

It starts with the message to the church of Sardis... Jesus says, "...You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ NIV) Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. (‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ NIV)"

"...Repent! ...If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. (‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ NIV)" He also acknowledges that there are a few people in Sardis who have 'not soiled their clothes' and they would 'walk with him dressed in white' but for those who didn't repent he'd come for them like a thief in the night.

The next message was for the angel of the church in Philadelphia, among other things it was stated, "These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. (‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ NIV)"

At this point I asked: "What is the key of David?" I referred to GotQuestions.org... see the answer below.

When I was about to read the message to the church of Philadelphia I thought to myself this has got to be good, in the States they name a whole city in the state of Pennsylvania  after this church. I was really impressed by the message to this church including Jesus' recognition of it's character...

"...I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ NIV)."

"...Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. (‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ NIV)"

It is reassuring.

He also promises that he will make false Jews fall at their feet, he'll make those who are victorious, a pillar in the temple of God and on them he'll write God's name, the name of God's city (new Jerusalem), and Christ's new name.

The Final message was to the church of Laodicea

Jesus says, "I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown...I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! (‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭11, 15‬ NIV)

The description of the character of this church is an interesting one. This church is described as neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm in their deeds -for that reason Jesus says he is about to spit them out of His mouth (Rev. 16) They decribe themselves as rich, needing nothing -but Jesus describes them as "Wretched, poor, pitiful blind and naked." He encourage them to seek their "gold" and "white clothes" and "eye salve" from Him so that they can be rich, see and cover their nakedness. He says, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent."

I find that line interesting. Sometimes I felt like that myself. I felt like when I did something wrong God would discipline me. I would do the others do the same thing and come out without a scratch but when I did, I'd 'Feel It', if discipline makes you retreat back to God's shelter and loving kindness... is discipline that bad?

He continues by encouraging them to be victorious to earn the right to sit on His throne with Him just he was allowed to sit on our Father's. 

We'll see what's next in Revelations 4...

*Scriptural UsageThe Key of David is most directly referenced inRevelation 3:7, “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: these are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David.” The Old Testament reference isIsaiah 22:22. There, the prophet tells the palace secretary Shebna that he will be replaced by Eliakim, for God “will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David” (Isaiah 22:22). The one who holds the keys has the authority. Thus, the “key of David” implies control of David’s domain, which was promised to the Messiah in both the Old and New Testaments (Isaiah 9:7;Luke 1:32).Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/key-of-David.html#ixzz3RCB5gdSj

Revelation 2

Now that I have your attention, this is the second chapter of the Revelation series.

Note: By using this photo I do not mean to promote this magazine or their message, I just want to shed light on how biblical references are being used. In this case, probably to promote lust. Which is not what Revelations is about at all! 

Why did I use this photo -you ask? The truth is Google... when I typed in the word Jezebel into Google I got images of cover pages of an Atlanta Luxury Living magazine. We are not talking about the magazine, we are talking about the famous name Jezebel. Who is this mysterious woman?

Jezebel is cited in Revelation 2:20 and there is a another citation of (what is probably a different) Jezebel in 1Kings. These books are written like 600 years apart. 1 Kings is estimated to be written in 538 BC and Revelation 60 or 95 AD.

Let's cut to the Jezebel in Revelations... Thyatira is known by Jesus as one that, "tolerate(s) that woman Jezebel,who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols."

Recap, John had a vision while in the Spirit, where Jesus appeared to him to deliver news to seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

Based on John's vision, Jesus wants to deliver a message first to the church of to the angel of the church of Ephesus which had persevered and endured. The church had tested those who claimed to be apostles and found them false. They hated the same practices of the Nicolaitans that were against God. The main critique was that they were failing to deliver the same love that they had at first, they were to repent and return to deliver the love they once showed.

The church of Symrna was wracked with poverty, ridiculed by so-called Jews, and were about to suffer persecution, imprisonment and possibly death to be tested by satan. In the vision, Jesus asked John to deliver the message so that they could prepare themselves and their faith to endure those ten days of trials. However, he reminds them that there is life after death and that those who are faithful will not suffer the second death.

The church of Pergamum was faithful even after a man of faith, Antipas was put to death in their city.  But some were following the teachings of Balaam which led people to eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. They also followed the teachings of the Nicolaitans. They were warned to  repent before facing consequences, "Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." (‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬ NIV)

The message to the church of Thyatira was to recognize their love and faith, service and perseverance, and effort to improve efforts. However, they were tolerating or following the teaching of a false prophet, Jezebel, who was teaching sexual immorality. She was given time to repent, if she didn't she would be made an example of, and her children would be put to death, to show that people would be repaid for their deeds. Those remained faithful were asked to do so until the end, and they'd gain rulership over Nations. Jesus promises, "I will also give that one the morning star. (‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭19, 28‬ NIV)"

Each message to each church ends in some variation of this last verse... "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭29‬ NIV)

Questions:

I had a few questions after reading this chapter. "Why did John's vision ask him to deliver a message to the angel of each church? What does sword of my mouth mean (in Revelation 2:16 when Jesus promises to those in the church of Pergamum who don't repent I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth?" And why does she promise to Thyatira that all of those who are faithful to the end recieve the morning star?

Possible Answers:

Morning Star Question... 

Grace Communion International says...
Perhaps Christ is in view here, if we are

guided by his symbolic self-description at

the end of Revelation: “I, Jesus…[am] the

bright Morning Star” (22:16). To “have”

Jesus as the Morning Star would mean to be

in his glorious presence – to be with him.

This would explain the promise that in the

resurrection the saints glorified will be

with Christ, wherever he is (John 14:3).

https://www.gci.org/bible/rev/ephesus

Bible.org...
The context suggests that in some way it

relates to the overcomers and their reward

in ruling with the Savior. Perhaps it is

the assurance of His presence and provision

to be able to handle the authority given

over the nations assigned.

https://bible.org/seriespage/message-

thyatira-rev-218-29

Message to Angels Question

The Greek word angelos simply meant

“messenger”; usually, the word was used for

supernatural “messengers” 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.

Question: "Are the ‘angels’ of the churches

in Revelation 1–3 real angels, or are they

human messengers?"


Some scholars interpret the angels of

Revelation 1:20 as heavenly beings. Others

view them as the human messengers who bore

John’s letter. Others identify them as

those who actually read the message to the

congregations, that is, church leaders such

as pastors, elders, or bishops. A pastor of

a church functions as a “messenger” for

God, delivering God’s Word to the

congregation.

Read more:

http://www.gotquestions.org/angels-seven-

churches-Revelation.html#ixzz3R5Qqy3Pp


With the sword of my mouth Question 


Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12. That is,

he would give the order, and they would be

cut as if by a sword. Precisely in what way

it would be done he does not say; but it

might be by persecution, or by heavy

judgments. To see the force of this, we are

to remember the power which Christ has to

punish the wicked by a word of his mouth.

By a word in the last day he will turn all

the wicked into hell.

Interpretation of Prologue

The word 'Revelation' means to reveal something in a surprising way. The first chapter in the book of revelation opens up saying that the revelation from Jesus Christ was given by God to show his servants 'What must soon take place.'
And that God sent an angel to John to share his testimony of the word of God and Jesus Christ. The prologue ends saying "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words in this prophesy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."

There are 22 chapters in Revelaton and 22 more days in February I'd love it if we all could contribute to at least one of these chapters.

Revelation 1

Here John testifies to the Seven churches of Asia the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. "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"

I love how John introduces himself as a "Brother and a companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus."

He then Identifies the seven churches:

Pergamum (North West of Thyatira)
Thyatira (North of Sardis)
Sardis (Slightly North West Smyrna)
Smyrna (Slightly North West of Ephesus and West of Philadelphia)
Philadelphia (North of Laodicea and North East of Ephesus)
Ephesus (North West of Laodicea)
Laodicea (The Furthest South and East of the 7 churches)

When he was in the Spirit he heard a voice from what resembled the son of man, telling him to deliver what he witnessed to the seven churches, he saw seven lampstands, and seven stars that he was told were the seven angels of the seven churches.

Revelations Series

Happy New Year Everyone! I love that feeling of newness that washes over us at the beginning of the year, a chance to turn over a brand new leaf! This year I want to reawaken this blog...which is a group blog and encourage people to share feedback, and contribute written works to the blog. I spent January reading the beginning of Revelations. This February I hope that you will join me in this journey through the book of Revelation. Share your input, correct me if you know that I am wrong in my interpretation etc. Also, contact me if you wish to share a post with the group. 

I confess that I have been afraid to journey through this portion of The Bible because I have seen people try use this portion of The Bible to scare people into faith...instead of drawing them into faith with love. I also can note that this portion of The Bible can be interpreted in several different ways. I will pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us to understand the way that it was meant to be interpreted as we journey through it this winter.

I want to prove to myself that this book is more than 'Fire and Brimstone' and more than people feeling that they'll be blessed if they go down to Dundas Square and scream to everyone 'Repent and accept Jesus or you'll  burn in hell' (or a lake of fire), or that 'Fire will rain down on us', or that the anti-christ is so-and-so.

(Loud Sigh) I believe that our God cares for us and intends to draw us close to Him kindly and gently if possible. I believe Revelations is best understood as a statement of faith -not fear for the future. This is the beginning of this series... please join me until the end. I plan on reading with the understanding of that age-old cheer -that i'm sure you've heard in one church or another -"God is good, all the time -All the time, God is good."

Simple words to live by this week...