Over the past years, I have written numerous articles concerning God’s Prophetic Word and how it relates to our world and our lives today. In my discussions with various people, I find most agree on one issue. The book of Revelation. They haven’t read it or have tried to, only to find themselves lost and confused. Some fear this complicated book. I completely understand.
The book of Revelation, however, is the one book in the Bible that carries a blessing. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near.” (Kings James Bibles says: “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.”) No need to read out loud unless reading to someone.
As I was doing my devotions this morning, I felt drawn to Revelation, and I felt the Holy Spirit tugging at me. I was to simply write God’s Words as written in John’s Revelation. And in doing so, hopefully, ignite a spark in our minds and hearts and open us up to learning more. So, without further ado, I bring you Revelation: 1. NIV
The book of Revelation, however, is the one book in the Bible that carries a blessing. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near.” (Kings James Bibles says: “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.”) No need to read out loud unless reading to someone.
As I was doing my devotions this morning, I felt drawn to Revelation, and I felt the Holy Spirit tugging at me. I was to simply write God’s Words as written in John’s Revelation. And in doing so, hopefully, ignite a spark in our minds and hearts and open us up to learning more. So, without further ado, I bring you Revelation: 1. NIV
Prologue
1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Greetings and Doxology
4 John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
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 forever and ever! Amen.
7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. (2nd coming, not the rapture)
So shall it be! Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
John’s Vision of Christ
9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. (His Word) His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels (or messengers) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Greetings and Doxology
4 John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
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 forever and ever! Amen.
7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. (2nd coming, not the rapture)
So shall it be! Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
John’s Vision of Christ
9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. (His Word) His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels (or messengers) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
I get excited when I read this first chapter. Here is John, exiled to the isle of Patmos, likely nearing the end of his life, the last of Jesus’s apostles’ living. It says that John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and he heard a loud voice like a trumpet. Wow! And there before him was Jesus Christ in all His heavenly glory. Again, Wow! Jesus tells John not to be afraid. But to write down everything John sees because it will take place soon. He then proceeds to explain to John the mystery of the seven stars in His right hand and the seven golden lampstands.
The book of Revelation, if read all at one time, can be daunting. But, if we tackle this book one chapter at a time, possibly one verse, it’s completely doable. So, I would suggest that you grab your Bible and turn to Revelation 1. Take your time to really dig into this short chapter. Take note of the reference letters along the way and look up the related Bible verses. If that verse has a reference letter, then keep going. Taking notes would help.
I find it helpful to read the introduction page whenever I read a new book in the Bible. The information is invaluable in my understanding of the book and the message therein. According to my introduction page, the book of Revelation is: “lavish in colorful descriptions of visions which proclaim for us the last days before Christ’s return and the ushering in of the new heaven and new earth. The fact that it may at first seem too complex is no reason to avoid this book, for it is a full disclosure for the prophetic events which await every person, whether dead or alive.”
I feel the Holy Spirit guided me to write the first chapter of this incredible book as a way for us to dip our toes, as it were, into Revelation. And to relieve some of our fear concerning His Prophetic Word. Because the time is very near. Are you ready? One prophetic teacher commented that the book of Revelation and all of God’s prophecies are more accurate than the evening news. I would have to agree.
Studying and understanding prophecy is not an easy task, but it is vital to all believers. We either see all that is happening in the world through the world’s eyes and know only fear, or we see the world through the eyes of God’s Prophetic Word, and know hope. God gave us His Prophetic Word for a reason, and I am sharing His Word for a reason—What does He want us to learn?
I would suggest finding qualified Prophecy Study Resources. Dr. David Jeremiah's study materials are fantastic. If you are interested go to his website: davidjeremiah.org. It would also be helpful to study with a buddy, or several buddies. Perhaps a small group.
Revelation is only one prophetic book in the Bible. Daniel is is the forerunner of Revelation, as well as all the major and minor Old Testament prophets. And don't forget the New Testament. Wow! That's a lot. But today we are just dipping our toes in the shallow end of Prophecy.
With all this said I must ask some vital questions. Do you know the Lord? Have you confessed that you are a sinner and need Jesus? Have you asked Him into your heart? God's clock is ticking and we all will spend eternity in one of two places; Eternal Life with Jesus or Eternal Death. As for me, I choose to be with Jesus. How about you?
Waiting Expectantly,
Sandy Wells
Please take time to watch the video below by David Jeremiah, The Prophetic Times. It is a bit long so pull up a chair, grab your favorite beverage, and relax.
The book of Revelation, if read all at one time, can be daunting. But, if we tackle this book one chapter at a time, possibly one verse, it’s completely doable. So, I would suggest that you grab your Bible and turn to Revelation 1. Take your time to really dig into this short chapter. Take note of the reference letters along the way and look up the related Bible verses. If that verse has a reference letter, then keep going. Taking notes would help.
I find it helpful to read the introduction page whenever I read a new book in the Bible. The information is invaluable in my understanding of the book and the message therein. According to my introduction page, the book of Revelation is: “lavish in colorful descriptions of visions which proclaim for us the last days before Christ’s return and the ushering in of the new heaven and new earth. The fact that it may at first seem too complex is no reason to avoid this book, for it is a full disclosure for the prophetic events which await every person, whether dead or alive.”
I feel the Holy Spirit guided me to write the first chapter of this incredible book as a way for us to dip our toes, as it were, into Revelation. And to relieve some of our fear concerning His Prophetic Word. Because the time is very near. Are you ready? One prophetic teacher commented that the book of Revelation and all of God’s prophecies are more accurate than the evening news. I would have to agree.
Studying and understanding prophecy is not an easy task, but it is vital to all believers. We either see all that is happening in the world through the world’s eyes and know only fear, or we see the world through the eyes of God’s Prophetic Word, and know hope. God gave us His Prophetic Word for a reason, and I am sharing His Word for a reason—What does He want us to learn?
I would suggest finding qualified Prophecy Study Resources. Dr. David Jeremiah's study materials are fantastic. If you are interested go to his website: davidjeremiah.org. It would also be helpful to study with a buddy, or several buddies. Perhaps a small group.
Revelation is only one prophetic book in the Bible. Daniel is is the forerunner of Revelation, as well as all the major and minor Old Testament prophets. And don't forget the New Testament. Wow! That's a lot. But today we are just dipping our toes in the shallow end of Prophecy.
With all this said I must ask some vital questions. Do you know the Lord? Have you confessed that you are a sinner and need Jesus? Have you asked Him into your heart? God's clock is ticking and we all will spend eternity in one of two places; Eternal Life with Jesus or Eternal Death. As for me, I choose to be with Jesus. How about you?
Waiting Expectantly,
Sandy Wells
Please take time to watch the video below by David Jeremiah, The Prophetic Times. It is a bit long so pull up a chair, grab your favorite beverage, and relax.
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