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Word of Encouragement
Vol. VI, Issue 1
The Revelation
of Jesus Christ
Part Four:
Jesus the Speaking King
Introduction
Jesus is the Speaking
King who speaks through His Holy, Inerrant and Infallible Word so that His
people might grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD. Today's
study is from Revelation 1:9-18, entitled Jesus the Speaking King. This will be a
two-part study of how Christ speaks to His people.
You will remember that
in the Old Testament God fed His people with manna and water so that they
would be filled and their thirst would be quenched. The purpose of
this provision was so that His people would be sustained, strengthened and
fit to finish their pilgrimage to the Promised Land. Jesus is the
Manna and the Water who feeds us and quenches our thirst through His
Word. He is the Speaking King who reminds us that if we are to live a
holy life before the face of God we need to know that it must be by every
word that proceeds from His mouth. If we are to grow in
Christ-likeness, it will not be by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit
and Word working in and through us! Today, the Speaking King gives to
His people His Word so that we might be sustained, strengthened and fit to
finish our pilgrimage to the New Heaven and the New Earth.
Revelation 1:9-18: I, John, your
brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient
endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account 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 a trumpet
11 saying, "Write what you see in a book 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."
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking
to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in
the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe
and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his
head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of
fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a
furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In
his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged
sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When
I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on
me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and
the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the
keys of Death and Hades.
Comforting Words
When I was young and
would get scared and afraid as I grew up and realized the world around me
was not always a safe and kind place, I would rely upon listening to the
comforting words of my mother as she encouraged me that "everything
would be alright". One time in school I experienced trouble with
a bully (I still remember his name: Mark Dunahoo- - Wow, I hope he's doing
well!), and for almost a year I dreaded going to school on the bus, because
he would hit me on the back of the head, call me names, and laugh at my
less than fashionable Sears Best sneakers.
When I would get home, I
wanted to talk to mom. I wanted her to know I was troubled.
Then she would speak, and her words would comfort me and remind me that
everything would fine. She would say to me that life holds these
troubles, but I was not to fear, but I was to face my troubles
courageously. Thank God for mom's words of encouragment to me!
But thank God for Jesus'
words of encouragement to us all in His Word. As we studied in the
previous lessons, John, as well as the churches to whom he was writing, was
experiencing pain, trouble, and the difficulties that come from living in
this scary and sometimes fearful world because of the Evil One. This
passage in Revelation 1:9-18 was (and is) an encouragment from
Jesus to His congregations that "everything was (is) going to be
alright" because he has conquered death, hell and the devil and
he IS the First and the Last, the Living One who holds the very keys
of Death and Hades (vv. 17-18). In John 16:33, Jesus told his
disciples that in this world they would have tribulation, but not to fear
for he had overcome the world.
This passage reveals
Jesus as the Speaking King
who speaks word of encouragement to his people so that they will keep
trusting him, remain faithful in their day-to-day challenges, and to
continue to be obedient to His Word no matter the challenge. Jesus
addresses the seven churches of the Province of Asia, correcting, rebuking,
and encouraging them through His Word (Rev. 2-3; cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17). As we learned in earlier lessons, the
churches were seven true historical congregations, but their virtues as
well as their vices are those experienced by all congregations since Jesus
was exalted to God's right hand.
"Speak
Lord, Your Servants Are Listening"
Today, Jesus still
speaks through His Word to His people. In fact, God has set apart the
first day of the week as the Lord's Day, so that Jesus' people will be
strengthened on their pilgrimage and given help by the Holy Spirit and the
Word to learn more of Christ and their need for him. In many
churches, the pastor raises his hands at the beginning of the service to
remind the people of God that from the call to worship, the rest of the
worship service is dedicated to hearing the Word of Jesus, the Speaking
King.
This is the reason why
the pastor doesn't say: "Hi, how are you? My name is Pastor Bob, and
this is what I need to say to you today." Historically, what
pastors in Christ's Church have said is: "Grace to you and peace,
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." The greeting is
from the Lord and the pastor speaks and stands in Christ's place.
This too is all because of God's grace and has nothing to do with the
pastors own inherent righteousness. The pastor stands and speaks in
the name of Christ clothed in Christ's righteousness just as the
congregation stands to hear the Word of Christ clothed in Christ's
righteousness. The sermon when exegetically derived and faithfully
preached, is the very Word of Christ, the Speaking King!
However, some think of
the sermon as just another nice speech, or a gentle message that should
cause us all to feel good inside and meet our so-called "felt
needs". But the sermon is much more than this. The
sermon on the Lord's Day is the pastor standing in Christ's stead speaking
His Words to His people. What happens in the sermon is unique to all
over times of listening to the Word of God. Some of us listen to the
Word of God in the car on CD or cassette; some listen to the Word of God on
the radio. But nothing compares to listening and hearing the Word of
God through the sermon preached on the Lord's Day when an authorized
(ordained) representative of Christ (minister) stands up in the place of
Christ to speak Christ's Words to His people. (Note: This is not to say
that private Bible reading is not important- -it is! However, there
needs to be a distinction between the true and public worship of the Living
God, and our private time before God).
On the Lord's Day, the
Holy Spirit is present to apply and accomplish God's tasks and desires
through the Word as the sermon is being preached. The sermon on the
Lord's Day, when the people of God are gathered in a special way in
obedience to God's commands, is extremely important for hearing the
Speaking King every week. When we hear the Speaking King revealed here
in Revelation 1, we are reminded of Jesus' life, death, resurrection and
ascension for his people. We are reminded that no matter how
difficult our situation, no matter how much pain we are suffering, no
matter how strong our desire for a particular sin, that Jesus is the First
and the Last, the Living One, and He is the One we look to for grace,
mercy, and forgiveness in our time of need.
Remember to
Never Forget!
Jesus is the Holy One
who has gone before us and represented us. Jesus is the Speaking King
that reminds us again and again that we need his help and his grace.
The people of God are diverse, but there is one thing about us all that is
important for us to remember: We so
easily forget God's grace and goodness in our lives!
Thus, God graciously stoops in our weaknesses and inadequacies to speak to
us at least weekly through the Word by the Speaking King.
But do we have ears to
hear what the Speaking King is saying? When I would go back to school
after hearing the reassuring and comforting words of my mom, once I got
back on the bus, out of her sight and presence, I would practically forget
everything she said to me. Listening to the Speaking King as well as
reminding ourselves of his promises, goodness and strength, will help
us in our struggles against the world, flesh and the devil. In
Revelation chapters 2-3, the Speaking King speaks to the different
congregations as their King and Lord. He corrects, rebukes, and
encourages them. For every congregation to whom he speaks, he says
"For those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit says (present
tense) to the churches.
We should be reminded of
this as well. Once we leave the sermon, our morning or evening
devotions, how soon we forget and how easy it is for us to forget all of what
Jesus the Speaking King has said, and is saying to us! If we are to
understand more of the depth of His love for us; if we are to understand
His grace and the tight grip by which he holds us all; If we are to realize
more each day that we are indeed the children of God, then we need to
meditate up His Words. In John 15, Jesus told his disciples, if my
words abide in you and you abide in me, you will bear much fruit. He
promises that we will bear much fruit -- eternal and holy fruit- -that will
never be taken away, but will continue to produce a harvest of
righteousness.
Remember that Jesus is
the Resurrected and Living King, He is the Coming Judge and King, and He is
the Speaking King! May God remind you today of what he has said to
you. May you be reminded of all he has done for you in Christ and
what he has told you he has prepared for those who believe. May you
meditate and ponder in your heart of hearts the depths of His grace and the
magnificence of his glorious love for those He loves! In our next
study we will take a look at how Jesus as the Speaking King speaks with a
double-edged sword.
Next
Study: Jesus the Speaking King, Part II
Soli Deo Gloria!
For Further Reading
Herman Bavinck- The Last Things: Hope for this World and the Next.
Edited by John Bolt. Translated by John Vriend.
Published by Baker Books, 1996
G. K. Beale- The Book of Revelation, New
International Greek Testament Commentary, Eerdmans, 1999
G. C. Berkhouwer- The Return of Christ. Studies in Dogmatics Series. Published by Eerdmans,
1972
Dennis Johnson- Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation,
P&R, 2001
Vern S. Poythress- The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of
Revelation, P&R, 2000
Rev. Charles R. Biggs
9
S. Locust Street
Round Hill, VA 20141
www.APlaceforTruth.org
crbiggsman@adelphia.net
Word of Encouragement
Vol. VI, Issue 2
The Revelation
of Jesus Christ
Part Four:
Jesus the Speaking King, Pt. 2
Introduction
In our last study we
were encouraged that Jesus is the Speaking King who continues to speak to
His people through His Word by His Spirit. We should thank God that
He truly has always kept his Word to His people and never left them as
orphans in this world. Rather, God has stooped down to us to give us
His very Word. This Word strengthens and sustains His people until He
returns. This Word of God, however is a double-edged sword.
While it promises blessings to those who know the Speaking King and obey His Word, it
promises curses to those who will not hear it.
Jesus ends each message
to the congregations in Revelation chapters 2-3 with "He Who has ears
to hear, let him hear". We must remember that those who do not
hear, or who do not obey the Word of the Living God, those without
"ears to hear" will be judged by this Word. The disobedient
and the sinful who do not have the righteousness of Jesus Christ will stand
naked and ashamed before the Living God on Judgment Day to be judged by the
very Word of the Speaking King
that has been so precious to those He loves! The very Word of Christ
that brought life and encouragement to those who had ears to hear,
will bring eternal death to those who do not have ears to hear.
Today's study will be on Jesus the
Speaking King and His Words of Judgment to the unbelieving.
Revelation
1:9-20
Revelation
1:9-20: 9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation
and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the
island called Patmos on account 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 a trumpet 11 saying, "Write
what you see in a book 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."
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking
to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in
the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe
and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his
head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace,
and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right
hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and
his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I
saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on
me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and
the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the
keys of Death and Hades.
19 Write therefore the things that you have seen,
those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As
for the mystery of the seven stars that 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.
Lord's Day
Worship
Notice first that John
was worshipping God on the Lord's Day (v. 10). Since the time of the
resurrection, God's people have worshipped Him on the Lord's Day, the first
day of the week, or the day of the resurrection. We rest and keep the
New Covenant "Sabbath" or Lord's Day on the first day of the week
rather than the last day of the week. The reason for this change
was because Jesus was resurrected on that day, but also that a new
creation has dawned in the coming of the Spirit of God (2 Cor.
5:17-21). Rather than awaiting the fullness of the times as in the
Old Covenant, and so placing the day of worship on the last day of the week
(Saturday), since the coming of Jesus the first day awaits the final day of
salvation and judgment.
So a day of ultimate
salvation and judgment is already in view for all of us who live on this
side of the resurrection. Every time we worship, we should remember
that God has placed our worship on the first day to prepare us for the rest
of the week, but also to remind us of the ultimate rest and restoration
that is to come on the Last Day when Jesus Christ returns for His people.
The Glorified
Jesus Near to Us!
On the Lord's Day
(v.10), John hears the Speaking King.
His voice was like a trumpet - -powerful and resounding! The Speaking King gives orders to his
servant John to write to the seven historical churches in Asia, but these
commands are for all of Christ's people until He returns (Rev. 1:3;
22:17-21). When John turns he gets to see the glorified Christ.
This must have been astounding for him!
This was the Jesus who
loved John, who he remembers walking and talking with, the Jesus who he
laid his head on his breast to speak intimately as to
a brother. Now, the glorified Jesus appears before him!
John sees the glorified Jesus standing among the lampstands (v. 12-13),
which reminds us that Jesus is present among His people. As he
reminded His disciples and us, He will truly never leave us nor forsake us
(Matt. 28:20). Where two or more are gathered in His name, there He
promises us to be by His Spirit. The lampstands are the churches or
congregations who belong to Christ (Rev. 1:20; 2:5).
There is an
encouragement to know that Jesus stands among his people speaking to them
by His Spirit and His Word. There is also an implicit judgment.
We know that judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter
4:17ff). This means that God's judgment begins with Christ our
substitute, then through a process of becoming more like Christ, being
encouraged, rebuked, and corrected by His Word, we are judged, forgiven,
and slowly restored to be who we were ultimately created to be. We
know that He who began this work in us at regeneration, will continue you
it until He returns. We also are confident that His grace is
sufficient for us to become a spotless and pure bride prepared for
Jesus.
The Judgment of
Christ and the Christian
The Christian's judgment
is Christ's judgment. He is our substitute. We are not judged
for our sins, but He is. We are receivers of His righteousness that
does not belong to us. Yet, God works in and through us by allowing
us to experience the sufferings of Christ our Lord and King. We are
privileged participants in Christ's sufferings, persecutions and
tribulations so that through this "judgment" we might be made
more like Him because we are His children (Matt. 5:11-12; John 16:33; Phil.
3:9-12; Col. 1:24ff; Rev. 1:9). Notice how Peter explains this
difficult subject in his first epistle:
1 Peter 4:12-18:
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to
test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But
rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice
and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted
for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of
God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer
or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone
suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in
that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the
household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for
those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And "If the
righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the
sinner?"
In verse 13, Peter says
we share in Christ's sufferings that we may rejoice when he is fully
revealed in glory when he returns. In verse 16 and 17, Peter speaks
of judgment beginning with the household of God. The conclusion of
Peter's teaching is that our only judgment as the people of God is a
judgment of identification with Christ. Our judgment in Christ leads
to eternal life!
The judgment of the
wicked, however, leads to eternal death. When the Spirit of God
descended on the Day of Pentecost, the fire did not judge and consume
Christ's people. Rather, the Spirit hovered over their heads.
The implicit teaching was that Christ had taken all of the judgment of God
and undergone a baptism of fire on behalf of His people (Mark
10:38ff). This was so that we could be filled with the Powerful Holy
Spirit -- rather than being consumed by God in fire and judgment.
The Spirit of God now
works in us to make us more like Christ and we experience a "judgment
of grace" by being allowed to participate in Christ's
sufferings. We are identified with Christ with our own cross and one
day our own crown (Matt. 16:24; 2 Tim. 4:8). This is why John writes
in his letters to the churches earlier that perfect love casts out all of
our fears! Fear has to do with judgment, and we will not be judged by
God! (cf. 1 John 4:18-21). Has God's perfect love gripped you with
this reality yet? While our present tense problems can be
overwhelming in this world, we can be reminded of two important truths: (1)
We are identified with Christ in His sufferings and judgment for our sins!
(2) We have eternal life NOW, and await a Living Hope that will be revealed
on the Last Day!
The Double-Edged
Sword of Judgment
But what is the judgment
to be like for those who do not have ears to hear what Christ has
said? Notice in Revelation 1:16, after Jesus is described as the
Glorified-Prophet-Priest-King of His people (1:12-16), John sees him with a
sharp double-edged sword coming from his mouth. The Word of God is
described as a sharp double-edged sword elsewhere in Scripture (Eph.
6:17-18; Heb. 4:12-13). Here John sees the vision of this Word coming
straight out of the Speaking King's mouth. This is a sword of
judgment for those who do not believe.
In the Prophet Isaiah's
vision of the future, God makes clear to His people that those who have
repented and turned to him for help, or "those who have ears to
hear" (cf. Isaiah 6:8ff) will not enter into judgment, but
peace. However, for those who do not hear or obey God's Word, they
will be eternally punished (cf. Mark 9:47-48; Revelation 20:14-15).
Isaiah teaches this in Isaiah 66:12-18, which is very helpful for us having
a better understanding of John's vision in Revelation 1.
Isaiah 66:12-18:
For thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will extend peace to her like a
river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you
shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you
shall be comforted in Jerusalem. 14 You shall see, and your
heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand
of the LORD shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his
indignation against his enemies.
15 "For behold, the LORD will come in fire,
and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his
rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire will the LORD enter
into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the
LORD shall be many. 17 "Those who sanctify and purify
themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig's
flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares
the LORD. 18 "For I know their works and their thoughts,
and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall
come and shall see my glory...
In verses 12-14, God
promises peace "like a river", and a relationship with God like a
child cared for by a loving mother! God will comfort all those who
have trusted in him! Yet in verses 15-18 we see a different
picture. God will come in judgment with fire, anger and fury.
However, those who sanctify and purify themselves (those spoken of above in
1 Peter 4) by God's grace, will see God's glory! In Revelation 1,
John sees a vision of Jesus' glory, the One who will come in judgment to
judge the world on the day he returns. Jesus will judge with His Word
by the double-edged sword. Contrast the passage from Revelation 1, 1
Peter 4, and the Prophecy of Isaiah with the Scripture from Revelation 19
below.
Revelation
19:11-21: 11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white
horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in
righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 And his eyes are
a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath
a name written which no one knoweth but he himself. 13 And he is
arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood: and his name is called The
Word of God.
14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him
upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure. 15
And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite
the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the
winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. 16
And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KINGS OF KINGS,
AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he
cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven,
Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God; 18
that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the
flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon,
and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great. 19
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered
together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his
army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet
that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had
received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two
were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone: 21
and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, even
the sword which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were
filled with their flesh.
This Judgment of Christ
should cause us all to tremble with fear because of the awesome power and
majestic glory revealed in the return of Jesus Christ! For the people
of God we will be with him as the "armies of heaven" (v. 14), so
we do not fear because we have been redeemed by the One Who has the Sword
of Judgment, the Word of God. By His grace we have been given a
salvation from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:9-10), and have had ears to
hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Therefore, because this
Word has searched our hearts and taught us, going deeply into the hearts
and minds we scarcely know ourselves (cf. Jer. 17:9), the Word has
also revealed to us a Savior for sinners like us! The Word of God has
corrected, encouraged, and rebuked us and given us everything we need for
life eternal and godliness!
Warning: Judgment for
Those Who Do Not Have Ears to Hear!
But for those who do not
have ears to hear, they will be judged with a severe and everlasting
judgment. As no man has conceived, nor has it entered into the heart
of man what God has prepared for those who love him, so no man can
conceive, nor can it fully into the heart of man the awful and destructive
judgment God had for those who hate him!
The double-edged sword
that proceeds out of the Speaking
King's mouth is one of blessing and curse. When Christ
speaks, those who hear are blessed and by His Spirit enabled to be obedient
to His gracious commands! When Christ speaks, those who do not hear
are cursed and will be judged by Jesus the Faithful and True One on the day
he returns! We must make sure of our calling and election, knowing
that His divine power has given us everything we need as his people for
life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-10). Those who do not love Christ,
those who are apathetic to his Person, Work and commands must be warned
that He will return with a judgment of fire. On that day, all men
without the robes of Christ's righteousness will suffer eternally for their
sins against the Holy and Living God!
One sin against such a
Holy, Majestic, and Powerful is enough to merit eternal death and
damnation, yet because of God's graciousness and mercy, One act
of righteousness by the man Christ Jesus is enough to satisfy divine
justice and judgment and give eternal life which is the gift of God (Romans
6:23).
We all so richly deserve
to perish in the fires of God's judgment for our many and ongoing sins
against the Holy God! Yet, because he looks upon us with pity and
mercy, he desires for all men to repent! But please be reminded that
you do not have much time to repent! If you have not repented of your sins
and turned to the Living God for salvation from death and damnation in
Christ, turn now. Flee the wrath that is to come! If you have repented of your sins and
believed upon the Lord Jesus, continue to repent daily, resting in what His
Word says to you! Continue to rest in His loving and gracious grip as
you ponder the riches and depth of His mercy!
All of us must remember
what 2 Peter 3:3-10 says:
2 Peter 3:1-14:
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of
them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2
that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the
commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3
knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with
scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say,
"Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell
asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of
creation." 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that
the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and
through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these
the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7
But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for
fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is
as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord
is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient
toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach
repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,
and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies
will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done
on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be
dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and
godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of
God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and
the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to
his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness
dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these,
be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
Jesus is the Speaking King may we truly hear what
he says to the churches and avoid the wrath that is to come. Do you
have peace today knowing that Jesus is surely your Savior from sin and
knowing that you have an imperishable inheritance preserved in heaven for
you by the Loving Lord Jesus? Do you know for sure you will avoid the
wrath to come? Remember for us to daily repent and turn from our sins
to the Living God as He gives us commands, by His Spirit convicts,
corrects, and rebukes us, so that rather than facing the judgment of the
One who has the double-edged sword proceeding from his mouth, we might through
the blessing of the Word of God, become spotless and pure and more
conformed to His image!
By God's grace, these
studies on Revelation will help you to see Jesus as Lord over all of the
book. If you will prayerfully ponder the first chapter carefully, it
will help you foundationally to understand the remainder of the book.
Don't give up, but be encouraged to read the Book of Revelation. It
is indeed a blessing to read it! It gives us hope for the future and
peace for TODAY! May God richly bless your study and may the
loving-kindness and mercy of God be known to you today!
Next
Study: Jesus the "Ever-Present-Help-in-Times-of-Trouble
King"
Soli Deo Gloria!
For Further
Reading
Herman Bavinck- The Last Things: Hope for this World and the Next.
Edited by John Bolt. Translated by John Vriend.
Published by Baker Books, 1996
G. K. Beale- The Book of Revelation, New
International Greek Testament Commentary, Eerdmans, 1999
G. C. Berkhouwer- The Return of Christ. Studies in Dogmatics Series. Published by Eerdmans,
1972
Dennis Johnson- Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation,
P&R, 2001
Vern S. Poythress- The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of
Revelation, P&R, 2000
Rev. Charles R. Biggs
9 S. Locust Street
Post Office Box 628
Round Hill, VA 20141
www.APlaceforTruth.org
crbiggsman@adelphia.net
571.334.7420
Word of Encouragement
Vol. VI, Issue 3
The Revelation
of Jesus Christ
Part Five: The
Ever-Present-Help-in-Times-of-Trouble-King
Introduction
In our last issue we
learned how Jesus was revealed in Revelation chapter one was revealed as the
Speaking King, who ever
lives to instruct and to teach His Church through His Word and by His
Spirit. Today's study will be our final study of chapter one of the
Book of Revelation. We will focus today on the presence of Jesus
Christ with and among His people. From Revelation chapter one, we
learn that Jesus is also the
"Ever-Present-Help |
