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7-31-2022 Weekly Message

Meditation of the Week: Psalm 91:1-16

Text: Revelation 1:4-11

Word Title : Revelation  #2

Last week we went over the introduction. Today we will study the words starting with chapter 1 verse 4. One particularly important word from last week, Revelation 1:3 (KJV) 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. These words. I hope you all receive the blessing today through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Then, let us start our search from chapter 1, verse 4 . I will read up to verse 7. Revelation 1:4-7 (KJV) 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; 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, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 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. The fact that there is an Amen in the Word of God means that no one can stop it . [so be it]

In chapter 1 verse 4, we see the number seven, and the seven churches. The seven spirits. When we look at Isaiah 11:2, it talks about the seven spirits, right? The Spirit of the LORD, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might. The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD, seven spirits are shown. And then in Revelation 1:20, seven stars appear. Seven angels. Then there are seven golden candlesticks. And at the end, seven vials, seven trumpets, and seven seals appear. Then there are seven characters. Number seven, Americans call it lucky seven. We can see that God’s work is related to seven. Now, consider this. A week is 7 days, right? It is also said that cells in the body have a lifespan of 7 years. And there are seven colors. Aren’t there seven colors of the rainbow? Then there are seven notes of do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti, but what is really interesting is that the human pulse loosens every 7 days. Not sure why. taking a break perhaps. So, in the same sense, the pianos and instruments we know well have seven keys, right? Gentiles who do not know God are based on the number 10. However, if we look at Leviticus 23 or 25, about the Sabbath, the seventh day, and the eighth day, the seventh, 1234567. In the end, we can see that God’s Word is based on 7, notin 10’s. And I hope you will study this verse while knowing that the number seven is God’s number as a reference.

When we look at verse 5, it’s about Jesus Christ. After all, based on the age in which the Apostle John lived, wasn’t Jesus Christ a prophet in the past? Didn’t Jesus testify of the truth when he came in the flesh while walking on this earth with John and the other disciples? He always taught the Word. He taught the word of truth just like the prophets of old. Pontius Pilate asked Jesus about why he came about during his trial.  The Lord replied, He came to testify of the truth. Pilate said what is truth? Did the Lord answer him? When Pilate asked what the truth was, He didn’t ask because He genuinely wanted to know, but he criticized His words. Even now, many people laugh at us when we talk about the Word of God. To such people, God does not teach them His Word. Instead of living out the rest of their lives in vain, they should humbly ask God “I am nothing. I want to know the Word of God.” To those who speak like this, the Holy Spirit helps to understand the word of truth through the Spirit of the Prophet. So, wasn’t Jesus a prophet while Apostle John was alive? He was a prophet until ascension. He is now sitting on the throne in heaven and sitting at the right hand of God, interceding for God’s children as the high priest. From the Apostle John’s point of view, HE was a prophet in the past, and at the time of the apostle John’s writing these words, he is a high priest, and he will come as a king in the future. Therefore, we have to realize here what the will of the past, present and future is, and when the king comes, he will sit on the throne of David. For example, in Matthew 25:31,32, the Lord said  [Son of man … ] The Son of Man is when he came in flesh. In human form, Matthew 25:31-32 (KJV) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, this is His second coming to earth.

and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:Wetalk a lot about sheep and goats, don’t we? In fact, the real distinction between sheep and goats is what the Lord says here when He comes and sits on the throne of David in Jerusalem, on the throne of glory bringing together all the nations to judge them. And there is also the word that the Lord has promised His disciples of the times of regeneration when He comes. Matthew 19:28 says this: The disciples said this. What will you give us when we have left everything and followed you, Lord? When they asked, the Lord said to them. Matthew 19:28 (KJV) … Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Certainly, when the Lord returns, the 12 Apostles will sit with the Lord on the throne and judge the 12 tribes of Israel. This regeneration is when this earth will be totally new again. In fact, in Genesis 3:15, the Lord said this unto the devil, the serpent,the woman’s seed will bruise your head. You’ll be destroyed. He said this, and went to Adam, and because you have done this, and the earth will be cursed because of you, and thistles and weeds will grow. He said this, and now you will have to sweat in order to eat. The earth became the first to be cursed because of the first sin. The earth was cursed, and the spirit of man died. The soul was also cursed. The body was also cursed. The soul and body were all cursed. Those who were created perfectly in the image of God became cursed. That is why the Lord first said that He came to destroy the works of the devil, because in order to first renew the spirit, soul, and body of those who are cursed on this earth, in order to do so, the cause of sin must be wiped out. The devil’s job is to deliver sin and kill. The Lord said, John 10:10 (KJV) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews says that the Lord came and first imputed all the sins of the world to His own body, and He who is God who cannot die, who is a sinless body, has overturned the sins of life, the sins of all people, past, present and future, ultimately tasted death. That is why people who believe in Jesus Christ are born again, their souls are saved, and their bodies change when the Lord comes back into the air and is raptured. People are first to become new in the regeneration.Titus 3:5 (KJV) … the washing of regeneration…; Regeneration, being born again is called regenerationIt is God’s will for man to be born again, to be renewed, and then to renew the earth. So the Lord completely renews the heavens and the earth that have been defiled by sin and the devil. God destroys the devil. This is God’s will.

Also, the word of the promise that the Lord will come as King is in Luke 1:31-33, which we know very well, and this is the promise that the angel Gabriel made when he told Mary the good news that she would conceivethe Messiah, Jesus, and he said: Luke 1:31-33 (KJV) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. God said that to David also,right? I will strengthen your throne forever. But was not the throne of David completely brought to an end by Babylon? It was done for, wasn’t it? But when the Lord, who came as David’s seed, offspring, the root of Jesse comes again, he will sit again on the throne of Israel where David sat, reigning eternally. This is the prophecy that the Lord will come to this earth as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Sadly though, It is unfortunate to see so many people deny this.

The Apostle Paul made it clear that 2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Now, if we look at verse 5, we see Jesus is the first begotten of the dead. This is not a rebirth; it is the first birth. Not first born, but first begotten. What this means is, God, the Creator, God the Word, God the Son, God the Only Begotten Son appeared on this earth in flesh and in human form. But He died for our sins. But he died and then rose again. When the Lord returns soon, He will come again in great glory. He will come as a son of man. This coming Lord never dies. Mystery indeed. The Word of the Creator became a man, and he who died and rose again will never die. This is the first begotten. Moses died also and was resurrected and appears in the book of Revelation, but he dies again. Also, in the city of Nain, the son of the widow died and the Lord raised him to life, but he also died again. Mary’s brother Lazarus was raised from the grave by the Lord. The Lord saved him while he was a smelly rotting corpse, but Lazarus eventually died again, right? Jonah actually died in the belly of the fish and we can see that his soul prayed. He also came back to life and preached unto Nineveh, but we can see that he died again. But our Lord is a God who never dies. The true eternal God, the truly mysterious One, the perfect man, the Lord who became a man because of us sinners.The book of Zechariahsays, when the Lord returns, the Jews will look at the pierced Lord and weep. Why? They will see his nail marks and spear piercing, right? They did not know that the one whom they pierced, was God  who became flesh, but the scene of them realizing it and weeping comes out in Zechariah 11 and 12.Beyond chapter 13, the fountain that washes away all uncleanness and sins is opened in Jerusalem, and when they repent, it becomes the National Day of Atonement.We will see the Day of Atonement in the Law, the eternal Day of Atonement, and thus the work of the Israelites being saved again.

As we see in 1:6 Revelation 1:6 (KJV) And hath made us kings and priests …, the saved children of God were made kings and priests. For Christians living in this age, those who have received the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, must act as priests. In the Age of Law, when the people sinned and brought an animal to die in their place, the sinner puts his hand on the beast, and when he himself slaughters the animal and cause it to bleed out, the priest takes it and offers it as a burnt offering. The same is true. When sinners come to visit Christians, to be counseled, and talk to them, when they confess that they are sinners, there is no need to slaughter animals anymore, right? “He died for your sins insteadlike the Lamb 2000 years ago. You have to trust Only in Him.”By doing so, you are a priest. In the old days, the priests would continue to sacrifice, chop up all the animals as their white robes were continuously stained red in blood. It was hard work, but we truly believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead on the third day. If you believe in this Jesus, your sins will go away and you will be saved now. You must act as a priest like this. There were no chairs upon entering the tabernacle in the old times The priests could not sit down. The same is true. Instead of a time to rest, Today’s Christians were also made to live on this earth so that they could stand up and save at least one more person while they are living on this earth. Otherwise, there is no need to live on this earth. There is no need to live in a sinful world. Therefore, what the Lord has done on earth and what He has done in heaven now, as priests, will be directed by the High Priest, and we will have to bear witness of the gospel to many.

That’s how we become kings in the future.Revelation 5:9-10 (KJV) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.The Bible sayson the earth. When the Lord comes, He will reign on the earth. This is why when the Lord reigns for millennium, on earth, we will rule together. The Apostle Paul also said in 2 Timothy 2:12 that if you endure, that is, if you suffer together, you will reign with him.Then, when the thousand-year period is over, the Great White Throne Judgment will come, right? When the New Jerusalem appears in heaven after the last judgment, we will leave this earth and live with the Lord in New Jerusalem forever. Wonderful New Jerusalem. We will study about it later on. This wonderful New Jerusalem isn’t just  heaven.Should we not know how big the place we’re going to live in, what it’s made out of, and what condition it is? “Oh when I die, I’ll end up in heaven”. Such vague belief of going to heaven after death cannot overcome the world. When we know the Bible and hold on to the promises God has given us, those words are the same words that created the heavens and the earth.Those words are the same words that holds the heavens and the earth together. Can’t those words hold of our tiny bodies? When these words take hold of us, we can live a life of power just like the early church members of the past.

During the reign of emperor Nero, many people were wrongfully burned at the stakes. They also became food for wild beasts. They sang hymns while burning to death. As the lions were heading to devour them, among the tortured said, “Lion, hurry up and eat me. But I have a favor to ask. Eat my head first. Only then can I meet the Lord quickly”. It’d be more slow and painful if the lion ate the legs first, right?“Starting at the legs will take too long to meet the Lord, I will meet the Lord sooner so if the lion  eat my head first.”The Book of Martyrs by John Foxe contains events from the Dark Ages, when the Roman church persecuted saints of God. Awaiting his execution, staked in a pile of firewood, a dying martyr said to the executioner: Bring more wood and douse me with more oil so that I can die quickly and meet the Lord. During this, some executioner fainted while another had chance to believe in the Lord.

Now, let’s move on to verse 7 Revelation 1:7 (KJV) 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. EVERYONE on earth shall mourn. Behold, he cometh with clouds. This is not the rapture. This is the second coming. The rapture is when the Lord appears in the air and takes away onlythe believers. Like a thief. The thief comes during the dark night. A Thief only takes goods like diamond rings,jewelry or cash, right? Likewise, when the Lord comes, the children of the Lord are like jewels. Like pearls, and gemstones.He’ll take away the children who have suffered on this earth. Everyone who hearsHis voice, “Come up hither!” shall come back to life. The Bible says the dead in the grave will rise and the living will be changed.Today’s word is about the Second Coming of Jesus, but the rapture is a mystery that only appears to those who received salvation.

Therefore, He is riding down on clouds to judge the earth. Zechariah 12:10 it says , [they … ] These are the Jews. Zechariah 12:10 (KJV): and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him…The Jews of Israel told the Romans to crucify the Lord. So, Pilate said “that man is not guilty. Bear that sin unto yourselves”.So the jews replied His blood be upon us and our children. How muchhas the jews suffer during the past 2000 years? When the Lord comes, they will cry over the wounds they have pierced. It is Jehovah, and the Only Begotten Son has come as a man and they shall look at me. Our Lord, who is one with the Father is in me, and the Father in me! In other words, it is like the coming of Jehovah again. That is why they will mourn. In Matthew 26:64, the Lord Himself said: Matthew 26:64 (KJV) Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. It is the same as what He told John in verse 7. That is why we can see what the Lord Himself said.

Now, let’s move on to Chapter 1, verse 8. Here, we see the Lord speaks again. In 1:8, the Lord says there is beginning and the end, and He is also Almighty.Jesus Christ testifies that He Himself is the Almighty God. Are God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit the perfect Trinity? We can clearly see they are one. 1 John 5:7 (KJV) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. This verse ismissing from various Revised Versions of the Bible, but in the King James version, 5:7 is clearly shown and the Trinity is clearly stated. Now, the Lord said this Matthew 23:9 (KJV) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. He said that there is only one father, God the Father in heaven. However, in this day and age, there is a man on earth who is called Holy Father.As mentioned in the verse, only Heavenly Father can be a father, right? Of course, a biological father is also a father.However, no one can be a father who refers himself to God. Especially that Holy Father in the Vatican. We are warned never to call them father on this earth. The people ranked below the pope are called are priests, right? People still refer them as father also.In fact, you shouldn’t. You should be able to distinguish this well.

Now, let’s go out a little bit more today. Let’s look at verses 9,10,11 for a moment. Revelation 1:9-11 (KJV) 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. Patmos. He was in the Holy Spirit . 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. Verse 10says that he was in the Holy Spirit. All Christians are in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in every Christian. If you believe in Jesus Christ and are saved, the Holy Spirit is in you. It appears in 1 Corinthians 12, Colossians 2, and Romans 6 and 8. This expression here is a bit special. Revelation 4:2 (KJV) And immediately I was in the spirit…The word of being in the spirit is found in Revelation 4:2, butthis means  Apostle John foresaw what would happen 2,000 years into the future right? Is the Holy Spirit eternal? There is no past, present, future. Always present. The future is the present, the present is the present, and the past is the present. That is why the Apostle John now hears the letters he sent to the seven churches in the Holy Spirit through a loud voice like a trumpet, and now we can see what he wrote. Ok, Everyone, we’ll stop here for today. Now is the time to be saved. Everyone, when you accept Jesus Christ at this time, all your sins and even the sins of murdering people are washed away. Even if you pay the full price for your sins, evenif the government of the world will not forgive you, because our Lord has paid for all of our sins, when we accept Jesus Christ, all our sins are gone and when we believe in Jesus Christ, who has taken away the sins of the world, you are saved now. This is a gift. This is because God Himself worked out all salvation, so not believing this is a sin, not believing in Jesus Christ is a sin. John 16:9 (KJV) Of sin, because they believe not on me;All other sins are covered by the Lord, so please believe in this truth. Confess that you are a sinner and accept the Lord. If you are moved by these words at this time, we will pray together.

Thank you Lord God. I am a sinner. I believe now that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Forgive me of all my sins, come into me so I can be born again of the Holy Spirit, and as my soul, as my body now looks to the day of the coming of the Lord as I live with the hope of living in those Words, please help me to overcome the world through faith, to be free from all curses and sins, to live a life of righteousness, and to go forth to the blessed places that leads all others on the path of righteousness. I wasn’t sure until now. At this time, I accept the Lord wholeheartedly. I Believe in you Lord. Save me right now and may the Lord be glorified. May the blood shed by the Lord be glorified. I thank you and pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hallelujah!