God Speals to the Church: Lesson 1, Day 3

Revelation 1

Before we go into Chapter 2 and the actual letters to the churches, I would like to make some summary-type comments.

1. You found the number 7 used several times in chapter 1. Where did you see it? The number 7 has a symbolic representation of completeness, perfection, the essence of a thing that is most likely applicable here. 7 spirits ... 7 churches ... 7 lampstands ... 7 stars ... The number is used 52 times throughout the book of Revelation.

2. The word translated "angel" in English is the Greek word angelos and means: messenger, envoy, one who is sent, one who functions as a messenger. The word does not always mean a heavenly messenger. To see other ways the word is used look at Matthew 11:10, Luke 7:24 and Luke 9:52 just to mention a few. In all of these verses the word "angelos" is translated messenger. Same word. So who are these angels of the 7 churches? Are they heavenly beings or are they leaders in these particular congregations of believers? Swindoll sees them as either a pastor/elder or a prominent leader in the church. ("Letters to Churches ... Then and Now" by Charles Swindoll)

3. Why these 7 churches in Asia? We know of others ... there is Colosse, Troas, Hierapolis ... why don't they get letters? Again, speculation is the best we can do. These 7 cities lay on a great circular road that connected influential parts of the province of Asia. They also are central cities in the 7 administrative districts of Asia. Maybe they were postal centers. Perhaps they were John's special responsibility. Church tradition places John in Ephesus as the central leader of the churches in the area.

As we leave chapter 1 consider this: Christ STILL stands in the center of His church. Look at verse 13. He is walking among them - STILL. Would you "behave" any differently if you really believed that Jesus was in your assembly? Would you pray more fervently? Would you sing with more soul? Would you be less critical? He is there - He is here - He walks among the lampstands. Expect His presence ...

God Speaks to the Church: Lesson 1, Day 2

Today read carefully Revelation 1: 10 - 20. As you read, try and visualize this description of Jesus. This is a bit different from the artists' pictures of Jesus with the little children surrrounding Him or the painting of Jesus with a clean, little lamb wrapped about his neck, no? I believe we have finally discovered something truly worthy of the word, "awesome"! What would you have done had you been the one to see this? John "fell as His feet as though dead." (1:17) I imagine myself curling into a fetal position - attempting to become as small as possible and as still. John was terrified. And remember, this is the John who was the "disciple whom Jesus loved." This is the John who had walked and listened, served and observed Jesus throughout His public ministry on the earth. And yet, Jesus, in all His glory, was a sight that rendered him as a dead man. Truly ... worthy of "awe"!

Do you also see the gentle Jesus here - the compassionate Jesus? Read verse 17 again. This awesome Lord "laid His right hand upon John and said, 'Fear not', and then goes on to reassure and to commission John for the task ahead. As I read these verses I find myself asking: What terrifies you? What are your deepest fears? Oh my friends ... lay them out before our Lord and allow Him to lay His hand upon you. Hear His words ... "Fear not for I am the First and the Last." It reminds me in such a powerful way that there is NOTHING outside of my Lord's knowledge, providence and power. NOTHING.

I added the phrase, "first and last" to my Descriptors Chart. I also added the phrase "I am alive for evermore." True life, forever life, unending life, belongs to Jesus. Jesus had said in John's Gospel (John 10:10) "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." Life is His to give. Death is a part of this fallen world - a tragic part. But Jesus' invitation is to die to this world even as we live in it and find our life in Him. And life in Jesus is unending. Life in Jesus is the reality.

God Speaks to the Church: Lesson 1; Day 1

In Lesson 1, we will examine Revelation 1 to get the context before we begin to explore Jesus' messages to the churches. If you are joining on line and do not have the printed lessons, I suggest you keep a notebook and make 3 charts for yourself. We will need the first one in this lesson.

Chart 1: Descriptors of Jesus. In this chart you will list every phrase that describes Jesus. Mark the verse where you find it. Also, write beside the descriptor what that phrase means to you as you consider this Jesus.

Today read Revelation 1 through to get the sense of the "story". Don't stop on individual verses yet. Just read ... reading out loud is a great way to get the feel for the chapter.

After that initial read, carefully look again at verses 1 - 9. Make notes to yourself in your notebook about who wrote the book and from where it was written. Also, use your "Descriptors of Jesus" chart and write down all the descriptions that you find in these first 9 verses. Try and not be in a hurry with this. Let the reality of those descriptions fill your mind and your heart.

Some things that came to me as I studied:

1. From verse 3: The word "blessed" in verse 3 is a Greek word that means "happy, fortunate". The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament describes the word as follows: "the transcendent happiness of life beyond care, labor and death; a philosophical term for inner happiness". I want that! Did you notice why these particular folks would be "blessed"? It is because they took the time and energy investment to read and heed the words in this revelation. I am glad you have joined us. I want that for you also!

2. It moves my spirit to realize that when Jesus comes again, all eyes will see him, not just the believers. And they will mourn. Why? Because their eyes will be opened and all will fully know. I love the little prayer song, "Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus ..." My prayer is that I will have the eyes to see now.

3. I would love to know which of the descriptors of Jesus was most meaningful to you. I found 7 in these few verses. Each one of them holds particular significance as I think about the Lord in these ways. One that seems highlighted to me is in verse 6. He made us to be a kingdom and to be priests to serve His Father and God. I worship this God today because He has chosen to give me a purpose, to give me dignity and to provide me with a place of belonging. What tenderness. As our creator, He knows how desperately we need those things. And they are mine ... only because of Jesus. The world can supply little snatches of these things ... but it is never permanent. It is always temporary and fleeting. Thanks be to the God of the universe because He gives them to the citizens of His Kingdom - forever, eternal. So ... to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen ..

God Speaks to the Church - Introduction

Welcome! I am glad that you have decided to journey with us as we explore what God says to the church in Revelation 2 and 3. The book of Revelation was not written as a riddle for curious Christians who like puzzles. It was written for believers who were under a great deal of pressure from the state, from religious institutions, from their economy, and even from fellow church members. Sound familiar? Sound important for you and I?

It is also the only book in the Bible that states a couple of remarkable things: Read Rev. 1:3 and Rev. 22:7 I want to be in that group of people, don't you!?

So often, our focus in a study of Revelation seems to revolve around various interpretations of the symbolism that is in the book. And countless arguments are written to defend a particular interpretation or to disprove someone else's interpretation. In the midst of the debates over interpretations, it is easy to miss the point of the book! The central focus of Revelation is JESUS.

The word "revelation" comes from a Greek word that means 'to bring to light, to disclose, to unveil'. What is to be unveiled in this revelation? Jesus.

My prayer for us as we begin: Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus. Open our ears Lord, we want to hear your word for the church so that we can respond.

Outline of the study:
Lesson 1: Revelation 1 Setting the Scene
Lesson 2: Revelation 2:1 - 11 Ephesus & Smryna
Lesson 3: Revelation 2:12 - 29 Pergamum & Thyatira
Lesson 4: Revelation 3: 1 - 13 Sardis & Philadelphia
Lesson 5: Revelation 3: 14 - 5:14 Laodicea & Christ Revealed

I am excited to be walking through these verses with you. Remember, feel free to comment on the day's work. What is the Lord saying to you as you study? How does it apply? What is a necessary component for your own life and faith walk? Let's begin ...

Next Study begins March 24

I have enjoyed walking through the "I Saw the Lord" study with you. Thank you for the comments you made that stretched my thinking! The next study that will be available through this blog will begin on March 24. We will be looking deeply into the first 4 chapters of Revelation. I want to hear what God says to the church ... then and now. I dearly love the body of Christ ... so let's listen to God's messages to her ... and, by the grace of God, become better "members" of that body, doing our part to build her up!

Grace and peace to you ...

Lesson 7: Move Your Feet! Wrap Up

As we close this study, the thing that stays permanently fixed in my mind is ... "Trust and Obey". Obedience is always the touch point in personal revival. We seek God's heart on all matters - and that is done through prayer. Learn some lessons from Nehemiah. He cared. And because he cared ...

1. He cared enough to ask. (1: 1 - 3) He was genuinely concerned about the folks back in Jerusalem. It was not just polite asking - it was asking with the desire to really know.

2. He cared enough to weep (1:4) I hear Jesus saying "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

3. He cared enough to pray (1: 5 - 10) I must confess that I have a struggle here. My tendency is to plan first ... and then pray that God will bless my plans. That is totally backwards. Nehemiah understood that you must pray first ... seek the heart of God on the matter ... then, and only then, make plans.

4. He cared enough to volunteer. (1:11) He was like Isaiah when Isaiah said, "Here I am, send me." He knew that it was not someone else's task. He had a heart for the work ... so he had hands for the task.

What do you care about? What matters most to you? Learn from Nehemiah ...