"9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11 saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."
For the first time in our nations history, Christians are living in a hostile land. I ask that you would please continue to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters, not only in our own nation, but around the world,
as they work to advance the gospel despite growing opposition and persecution.
However, that's the world the church was born into. From the earliest days of the church, it has always existed in a pagan world, in the midst of tribulation. Tribulation means discomfort, distress, suffering resulting from oppression or persecution. The church in Jerusalem was surrounded by pagans, they were considered to be enemies of the world.
The Apostles were rejected, persecution broke out and most of them martyred.Early church believers were martyred. A practice that continued for several centuries.
In John16:33, Jesus promised that in this life we would experience tribulation.
I believe that the modern church is entering a time not unlike those New Testament days of severe persecution. Churches closed, pastors handcuffed and arrested mid-service, church shootings, Christians and the Houses of God are being targeted. The animosity and hostility toward the Bible, towards Christians, creating laws against what we believe is rapidly intensifying. It’s easy to become discouraged.
I believe that this a crucial time for us to take a long hard look at the church. As our world is shifting, it seems to be crumbling before our very eyes. The world in which we live, is dominated by hatred and violence. Sadly, the world's corrupt system dominates not only the many people in the church, but many of it's leaders. These are very troubling times for the church.
I believe that if we as the church are going again experience the power of the Holy Spirit, show forth holy glory of Christ, radiating glory of God, be fruit-bearing branches of the Tree of Life, we must return to teaching sound doctrine, pursue righteousness, holiness and purity in the church, being led by faithful, godly men. In other words, we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and do what God has called us to do.
Let us pray
Heavenly Father,
Father, thank You for this much needed Word. We thank You for the truth. We know that even now, Christ is in our midst. Thank You for this reminder of just how blessed we are to have this confidence that no matter what’s going on in the world, You are still at work. You will build Your church. Lord, search our hearts, convict us of anything that displeases You, anything that dishonors You, that we may we repent and turn from it. Thank You for opening our eyes to see a glimpse of the glorious coming of Christ. Thank You for protecting us, we have nothing to fear. May no one be found unprepared for His imminent return.
In Christ's name we pray
Amen
Today's Message: May God Be Glorified
Confusion and chaos abounds in the church. Selfishness and the tolerance of sin is running rampant. True worship, godliness, sound doctrine and discernment have become rare. In many cases, even non existent. The church needs to come to the understanding that we sit under the authority of Scripture and authority of the sovereign reign of Jesus Christ.
Open your Bible with me to the book of Revelation chapter 1. As we return to the study of God’s Word and the great book of Revelation, our text for today begins in verse 9.
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."
Beginning in verse 9, John receives his first vision. "I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus."
He is amazed at the overwhelming revelatory experience that is given to him. John was experiencing something that transcends a natural human experience. Notice that he say's three time in nine verses "I, John." And, rather than to refer to himself as an apostle, he refers to himself as a "brother and a fellow partaker." He does this because he isn't writing as one who has authority. He is writing as one who is a witness. A witness to these spectacular revelations of the Lord Jesus, which runs through the whole book of Revelation.
I hear so many Christians today complain about being discouraged and depressed. Crying "Why me?" The Apostle John had every right to bemoan his fate, every reason to really discouraged and be depressed. Jerusalem, where he once lived, and had been the pastor and a leader of the churches of Asia Minor and a witness for Jesus, was in ruins. It had been destroyed at more than 20 years earlier. Hundreds of thousands of Jews were slaughtered.
To kill him would have created another Christian martyr, advancing the gospel, but to
force him to beg for mercy and deny this Christ he followed would have
be a victory.Even this "disciple whom Jesus loved," was not immune from intense suffering. Just as we can identify with struggles our brethren are going through, John identified with these other Christians were experiencing. John would have been the most hated Christian, he was the leader of the Christians and the last remaining Apostle.
Historians have said, John's imprisonment would have been preceded by scourging, insufficient food, sleeping on the ground, barely clothed, perpetual chains, in a dark cave, because of his unshakable loyalty to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. From a human perspective, it had to be very bleak. His hope for the establishment of the kingdom, the establishment of the Messiah’s glory, was all but gone.
Banished to a rock off the west coast of Asia Minor, the Apostle John soared on the wings of prophetic revelation to the very throne and glory of God. Supernaturally transported to the divine realm.
The book of Revelation was given to John to tell him there is a future. This is a book of encouragement.
It has been my experience, when our circumstances appear to be darkest, God has the opportunity to shine the brightest.
In verse 10, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet." The Lord's day the customary way to describe the first day of the week. The church had been worshipping on the first day of the week since our risen Lord had come out of the grave. Many Christians today, have difficulty just getting in church on the Lord’s day, much less being there in the Spirit. It is a beautiful thing to be in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.
He then says, "I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet." The voice of God, piercing, penetrating, commanding like a trumpet. Notice this is not a trumpet, but "like a trumpet." This is a sound that comes from the Lord Himself. The Lord Jesus Christ, risen and glorified, is the one speaking, in a loud and startling voice. His Word speaks with authority. The Lord is speaking to His true church, with authority.
Verse 11,"Saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."
He says "Write it down, write down what you see." By the way, the word book there is the actual Greek word "biblion," which refers to a papyrus roll, a scroll that was rolled up. He is to write it seven times, it is to be disseminated to each of the seven churches. These seven churches were located in seven towns, which were postal centers, in the Roman province of Asia Minor. Which would have attracted an influx of people.
If you were to study a map of Asia Minor, you would see that the cities were situated in the order a messenger would have taken if he were going to visit these cities. It is fascinating to me, that the ruins of many of those towns are still there today. These are seven real historical churches in seven real towns. However, they are also representative of churches throughout all of church history until Christ returns. When He comes to take His church to be with Him. This vision was not given for the private enlightenment of John, it is intended for the church of God.
In spite I hear many people claim today, the Lord has not given up on His church! There's no need for us to be discouraged.
John sees the vision of the glorified Son of God, he not only sees Christ, he sees him in the middle of the seven golden lampstands. These seven lampstands are the seven churches. This is intended to remind us that the church is the light in the world. The Lord is still shining the light of His glory through His church.
We'll look at in more detail in our next message.
In Closing..
God’s people are assembled in churches so that they can shine forth the light. In and of ourselves, they have no light but they hold and issue light forth which
the oil of the Holy Spirit and the fire of sanctifying grace supply.
As God's people, we are not only to be lights in the world, but we are to be the heart of God, demonstrating His love to the lost, pointing them to Christ.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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