A Door Standing Open

 

Revelation 4

Revelation 4 starts with the words “After these things.”

After what things?

It will help to look at Revelation 1:19, where Jesus gives the outline of the Revelation. He says:

Revelation 1:19 (NKJV) “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

“The things which you have seen” refers to the vision John saw of Jesus on the Island of Patmos. “The things that are” points to Jesus’ letters to the seven churches. In chapter 4, the Revelation transitions to the things which will take place after this. John moves through the vision sequentially as the vision moves through time sequentially. 

This exact phrase, “After these things,” is used 8 times in the Revelation, and each time it marks a transition in the events John saw in the vision Jesus gave him. This structure and manner of speaking are evidence that Revelation is speaking of things still in the future. 

In addition, “After these things” seems to refer to the things of the Church. From this point until chapter 22, the Church is not mentioned in Revelation, although the saints are. 

As a transition, Revelation 4:1 says, “I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.”

John says, “and behold,” because it was a surprise to suddenly see a door or passageway open to heaven. The transition is sudden, almost catching us by surprise. 

Revelation 4:1 refers to heaven. The Bible speaks of three heavens. The first heaven is the sky or our atmosphere. The sun, moon, and stars, or what we call “space,” is the second heaven. The third heaven is the invisible realm where God dwells. Though we cannot see it, this realm is all around us. For example, when Elisha’s servant’s eyes were opened, he saw the armies of God all around. (2 Kings 6:17) The door that stands open is a door into this realm.

When John saw the open door, he also heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 

We can observe two things in this statement. First, the things John sees will take place “after these things.” And second, Jesus says that these things “must” take place. The language He uses makes it clear that these things “must” take place as a matter of necessity. In other words, they HAVE to happen. 

Revelation 4:2 tells us that John was immediately in heaven upon hearing the voice. 

Revelation 4:2 (NKJV) Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and [One] sat on the throne.

This passage speaks of John’s experience in his vision and also prefigures what will happen at the end of the Church age. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 speaks of this event, saying:

1Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV) ¹⁶For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Verse 17 says that we shall be “caught up.” In the Latin Vulgate, this is translated “rapiemur,” which in English means to “snatch,” “grab,” or “carry off.” In the long history of the Church, the being “caught up” event described in 1 Thessalonians 4 has become known as the “rapture” because of the Latin word “rapiemur.”

The sudden transition of Revelation 4:2 points to the “rapture.” Look again at 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. The text says that the dead in Christ will rise first then we who are alive will be caught up. This passage purposely leaves out the unredeemed dead and states that “the dead in Christ” are raised at this time. In addition, Jesus is not said to descend to the earth, but the saints are “caught up” (raptured) to meet the Lord in the air.

Revelation 4 does not name the Rapture but prefigures it in the sudden transition to heaven as the scene from which events are viewed. As John views things in heaven, he uses the word “behold” again to express surprise at the scene before him. We find this in Revelation 4:2.

Revelation 4:2 (NKJV) Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and [One] sat on the throne.

“Immediately” and “behold” in this verse are sudden as will be our transition to heaven. 

The first things John observed in heaven are the throne and the One who sits on the throne. 

The throne and the One on the throne are what the book of Revelation, and indeed, the whole Bible, are about. We watch and wait for the One on the throne. Nothing in heaven or on earth moves without His permission.  All that happens in heaven and earth is subject to the throne and the One who sits on the throne. In Revelation 1, Jesus speaks of things that “must” take place. The throne is the reason for the necessity. These events are decided by God, who sits on the throne. All things exist and were created for His glory. Revelation 4 points to this conclusion as it ends in verse 11.

Revelation 4:11 (NKJV) “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

As the events that must take place begin to be revealed, Revelation takes us to the throne room of Heaven because everything happens according to the purpose of God.

We live as if this life, this world (the physical universe), is all there is. We may go to church on Sunday and even read our Bibles, but our priorities, where we spend our time and money, show that we put ourselves and our desires before God. John gives us a glimpse into realities that support and maintain this world. We exist by God’s will, and yet we defy Him in order to satisfy ourselves. We must, absolutely must, follow the instructions given in Colossians 3.

Colossians 3:1-6 (NKJV) ¹If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ²Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ [who is] our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. ⁵Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.

To set our minds on things above and put to death our flesh, we must walk by faith and not by sight. The world we cannot see is the realm we will live in forever. We are in this world for a short time, and then we will be eternally in the world we cannot see today. 

John continues Revelation 4 by describing the One who sat on the throne.

Revelation 4:3 (NKJV) And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and [there was] a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

The Holy Spirit guides John in describing what He saw, and the choice of words is significant. Sardius is blood red, like ruby, and Revelation 21 describes jasper as crystal clear. When God established the tabernacle and the worship Israel gave to Him, He had them fashion a breastplate for the high priest. This breastplate had twelve stones, one for each of the twelve tribes. Jasper was the first stone and represented Reuben, and Sardius was the last stone and represented Benjamin.

When God says, “I am the first and the last,” He implies that He is also everything in between, and by using the first and last stones of the breastplate, God shows that He is the God of Israel, the One who said, “Thou shall have no other God’s before Me.”

Jesus taught that to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength is the greatest commandment. Nothing is more significant to us than God and who He is as our Creator, Redeemer, and Friend. 

As John continues His description, he mentions the rainbow. 

When God destroyed all life on earth with the flood, He made the following promise to Noah and his descendants (we are descendants of Noah). 

Genesis 9:11-13 (NKJV) ¹¹“Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” ¹²And God said: “This [is] the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations: ¹³“I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.

God remembers His promises. This is why He chooses to appear in colors like Sardius and Jasper, and this is why He chooses to show a rainbow around His throne.

God has made many promises. Most significant for us is that He has promised to forgive our sins if we confess them. He promises eternal life to anyone who believes in Jesus. He promises to complete the work that He began in us, and He promises to deliver us from the wrath to come.

As John describes the throne and its surroundings, he points to proof that God keeps His promises. The evidence is the 24 elders who sit on thrones around God’s throne.

Revelation 4:4 (NKJV) Around the throne [were] twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.

The elders wore the “stephanos,” the crown of a victor, rather than that of a sovereign. It was made of gold, indicating that the elders had been rewarded for victory accomplished. The Apostle Paul refers to this crown when he says:

2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Referring to this crown, Paul also said he ran the race to win the victor’s crown. Let’s look back at Jesus’ promise to the Church in Sardis.

Revelation 3:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴“You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Because of the white robes and victors' crowns that John sees in Revelation 4, we understand that the elders represent the raptured Church around the throne, giving praise to God. While we know who they represent, we are not told who they are individually.

Who they are individually is not as important to us as making sure that we are there when the time comes. Let’s look again at what Paul said about the crown of righteousness.

2Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The crown is for all who have loved His appearing. We must ask ourselves if we love this world more than God. Do we place more value in our desires than God’s? We must examine our hearts and ask God to grant us repentance. He promises:

Romans 10:13 (NKJV) For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

Lord of the Church

Lord of the Church

Revelation 2-3

In Matthew 16, Jesus speaks of the Church for the first time. He says:

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

The word translated “church” in this verse is the Greek word “ἐκκλησίαν” (ekklēsían). “Ekklesian” is a compound word meaning “to call out.” In the case of the New Testament Church, Jesus uses this word to denote a people called out of the world to Himself.  

Our English word “church” comes from the Greek word “Kurios”, which means Lord, Master, or of the Lord. Webster gives this short history of the word:

Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master

Jesus said He would build His gathering of “called out ones,” and we have come to call that the “Church,” which means “of the Lord.” I like that designation, just as I like being called “Christian,” which means “of Christ.”

In the New Testament, the Church is called the “Body of Christ” and the “Bride of Christ.” Ephesians says:

Ephesians 1:22 (NKJV) And He put all [things] under His feet, and gave Him [to be] head over all [things] to the church,

Jesus is the head of the Church, which is also stated in Ephesians 5:23.

Ephesians 5:23 (NKJV) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

In Revelation 2 and 3, we see Jesus functioning as the head of the Church. He holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. Then as we move into chapters 2 and 3, Jesus directly addresses each church. 

The message to each church is fitted to the circumstances of that locale, but the structure of the message is similar.

First, the location is addressed with the statement, “To the angel of the church in ….”

Second, there is a statement of “The words of ….” “He who…”, the words that follow this beginning phrase are a description of Jesus taken from the vision of the first chapter of Revelation that fits the circumstances in that particular church. For example, Revelation 2 starts out:

Revelation 2:1 (NKJV) “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

Third, each message begins with the expression, “I know your works….”

Fourth each message has a commendation where Jesus affirms their positive works. However, the letters to Sardis and Laodicea have no commendation.

Fifth, each message has a condemnation where Jesus points out their particular sin. However, the letters to Smyrna and Philadelphia contain no condemnation.

Sixth, each message has a promise that begins, “He who overcomes….”

Finally, each message concludes with the statement, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 

This is outlined like this:

1. To the angel of the church in…
2. The words of He who… 
3. I know your works…
4. Commendation (except Sardis and Laodicea) 
5. Condemnation (except Smyrna and Philadelphia)
6. He who overcomes…
7. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

As we read through the letters to each church, keep these elements in mind. Remember that these letters were also written for our benefit. We can look at our own lives and the life of our church and with the Lord’s help apply them to our situation.

First, let’s look at the church at Ephesus.

Revelation 2:1-7 (NKJV) 1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 “and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 “Nevertheless I have [this] against you, that you have left your first love. 5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent. 6 “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

Each of us can examine ourselves by the standard of this letter and should ask ourselves, “Have I left my first love?”

Let’s consider the church at Smyrna.

Revelation 2:8-11 (NKJV) 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and [I know] the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but [are] a synagogue of Satan. 10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw [some] of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

At any time, the world can turn and we could suffer persecution. Are we ready to suffer for the name of Christ?

To the church at Pergamos John wrote.

Revelation 2:12-17 (NKJV) 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne [is.] And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas [was] My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives [it.]” ’ (secret knowledge)

This church was guilty of embracing sexual immorality. Many churches in the United States have taken this stance. Have you compromised morally?

Next, to the church at Thyatira John wrote:

Revelation 2:18-29 (NKJV) 18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and [as] for your works, the last [are] more than the first. 20 “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman (your wife) Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 “But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’-- as I also have received from My Father; 28 “and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ (divine power in life)

The problem with this church is that they accepted a false prophet, a false teacher. Each of us, along with Thyatira, must examine our own heart and doctrine against Scripture to see if we have abandoned sound doctrine.

Next, to the church in Sardis John wrote:

Revelation 3:1-6 (NKJV) 1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ (complete trust in Jesus)

This is very serious. Are you pretending to have faith without having faith or the Spirit of God? Have you deceived yourself?

To the church in Philadelphia Jesus says:

Revelation 3:7-13 (NKJV) 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 “Indeed I will make [those] of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And [I will write on him] My new name. 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ (strength and honor)

We must pray for an open door that no one can shut, and then when God opens that door, we must go through it. What is your open door to preach the gospel? Where is the Lord working?

Finally, to the church in Laodicea, Jesus says:

Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV) 14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, [that] the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ” (sit in the very presence of Jesus)

Jesus stands at the door and knocks because these people did not believe they needed Him. We must make a habit of relying fully on Jesus.

A link to a video of this message.

Among the Lampstands

 

Revelation 1:20

Last week we considered different visions of God, given throughout the Bible, and we saw that John’s vision is consistent with all of these. However, one difference is that the One who John saw is Jesus.

Jesus presents Himself with the exact words that God uses of Himself.

Revelation 1:11 (NKJV) saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,”

 

Let’s revisit the setting where Revelation chapter one is taking place. John was on the island of Patmos and was in the spirit on the Lord’s day. He heard a loud voice behind him. Let’s read what he saw.

Revelation 1:12-13 (NKJV) ¹²Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³and in the midst of the seven lampstands [One] like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Revelation 1:16 (NKJV) He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance [was] like the sun shining in its strength.

John saw One like the Son of Man.

Jesus called Himself “Son of Man.” This name comes from the Old Testament prophet Daniel. Daniel says:

Daniel 7:13-14 (NKJV) ¹³“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, [One] like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. ¹⁴Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom [the] [one] which shall not be destroyed.

From this passage, we understand that the “Son of Man” is the Messiah, the One anointed by God to be king. When Jesus was in Judea with John and the other disciples, He referred to Himself as the Son of Man, saying things like:

Matthew 25:13 (NKJV) “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

When John saw Jesus among the lampstands, he noted that he saw One like the Son of Man. According to Daniel, the Son of Man is to be given a dominion and glory and a kingdom. This is the Son of Man who is among the lampstands. Revelation 1 verse 20 tells us:

Revelation 1:20 (NKJV) “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 which you saw are the seven churches.

I noted previously that lampstands hold the light but do not produce the light. At one time, Jesus said:

Matthew 5:14 (NKJV) “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

We, the Church, are the light of the world. As the body of Christ, we carry the light. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit and said:

Acts 1:8 (NKJV) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

God speaks to the world in a number of ways. He speaks through creation, and He speaks through His written word. He also gives people dreams and visions. The Church’s role in carrying the light to all people is crucial. God chooses to work through us.

Because of this crucial role, keeping His Church pure is paramount to Jesus. He walks among the lampstands and holds the seven stars in His hands. When He ascended to heaven, Jesus said, “Behold, I am with you always.” We are never out of His sight and care.

Revelation 1:20 says, “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.” 

Revelation 1:20 (NKJV) “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 which you saw are the seven churches.

The word translated as “angel” means “messenger.” In the New Testament, this word is used almost exclusively of God’s spirit messengers that we call angels. However, there are places where it is used of men who carry messages from God. For example, in Mark 1:20 and Luke 7:27, this same word is used of John the Baptist who was God’s messenger.

Jesus has John write a letter to the seven churches, and at the beginning of each portion directed to a particular church, He says, “To the angel of the church of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, etc. Why would Jesus write a letter to heavenly angels? No place in Scripture has such a strange thing. Now, we know that the Revelation given to John is unusual, but, like the rest of Scripture, it is intended for humans. A heavenly (spirit) angel, would not be sent a letter from the Lord. We do not get to read their mail. However, God has a human messenger in each church. Sometimes the word for this human messenger is translated “bishop” and in other places referred to as “pastor” or “shepherd.” Bishop and pastor are synonymous (two different words that point to the same office or position). The word translated as “bishop” is more literally rendered as “overseer.”

Jesus’ commendation and warnings for each church are directed to the pastor (the “messenger”) of that church. The overseer, or shepherd, of a church is responsible for the condition of that church.

As we look at chapter 2 and 3, each church is addressed by the Lord Jesus according to the characteristics of Jesus that are most fit for that church.

The church in Ephesus is addressed from Jesus as “He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.” (Verse 2:1)

The church in Smyrna is addressed from Jesus as “the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life.” (Verse 2:8)

The church in Pergamos is addressed from Jesus as “He who has the sharp two-edged sword.” (Verse 2:12)

The church in Thyatira is addressed from Jesus as “the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass.” (Verse 18)

The church in Sardis is addressed from Jesus as “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars.” (Verse 3:1)

The church in Philadelphia is addressed by Jesus as “He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” (Verse 3:7)

The church in Laodicea is addressed by Jesus as “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.” (Verse 3:14)

Each church is addressed according to the condition of the fellowship. The focus is on the church’s corporate “heart” toward the Lord Jesus. The circumstances or setting of each church was not as important as their attitude toward the Lord Jesus.

However, part of the key to understanding the condition of each church is understanding the city of that church.

As believers, we are called to be holy as God is holy. We say we are to be “in” but not “of” the world. However, we see in the seven churches that we are influenced by our environment. 

Each culture or people group is distinguished by some trait or “personality.” 

For example, if you will forgive me for making sweeping generalizations, the Germans are generally known for Engineering, the Italians for clothing or food, the French for food or romance. Accordingly, there are differences in German, French or Italian churches that reflect their culture. I must put in a disclaimer here that these are outlandishly broad generalizations to make a point and we need to be careful not to judge people as being one way because of ethnicity, language or national background. The point remains though that a person from California will, in general, be different from a person from Chicago, who will also be different from a person from New York, who is different from a person from London. While all speak English, they speak with different accents and use some words differently. 

Now, let’s take this difference in the use of the English language a little farther. When I was a boy, television was black and white and broadcasts were produced locally. A family moved to Idaho (where I was) from Alabama, and they had a son a year or two older than me. When he talked, I could not understand him; his accent was too thick. Now, jump forward to the present. Television is international. I can watch police dramas from Wales, Miami, Hawaii, and Los Angeles, and, as a result, accents have become a non-issue in speaking with people from other areas because we are all watching the same shows.

Television has conformed our language to a more uniform or common usage.

As the Church living in the world, our thinking, our language, and our morals are affected by the culture and neighborhood we live in. In just the last fifteen years, our world has been completely transformed by the smart-phone and internet. And, the Church is moving along with the world. Being Christians does not keep us from watching the same videos and looking at the same media.

This new and changing world situation demands that we take particular care not to be conformed to this world. As the Scriptures say in Romans 12:1-2:

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) ¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. ²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

In Revelation 2 and 3, we see Jesus among the lampstands. These lampstands are the seven churches or seven different cities. Each church was shaped by its environment.

Ephesus - was the most important city of Asia Minor, but it had a port that kept silting in and so had to struggle to keep its position. The church also started out as the first and most important church of the region, but in the business of maintaining that position lost its passion. Thus the warning from Jesus to return to their first love.

Smyrna - was a city fiercely devoted to Rome and Emperor worship. They did not tolerate other gods, so the church in Smyrna was persecuted and forced (persecuted) to be separate. They received no rebuke, only encouragement.

Pergama - was the capital city of Asia Minor and its greatest city. It was well aware of its status so it accepted various outside influences. The church also did not maintain moral purity but compromised.

Thyatira - was a prosperous city that was not easily defended. Business was run by guilds and so to be in business in Thyatira meant one had to be in the guilds, and to be in the guilds Christians compromised doctrinal purity.

Sardis - as a city appeared prosperous but because of shifting politics and trade it was as good as dead. The church also had once been alive and active, but at the time of the letter was active but dead. 

Philadelphia - was a young city, that had a lot going for it. The church in Philadelphia was small yet faithful. Like the city it showed great promise.

Laodicea - was rich. The city was so very prosperous that when it was destroyed by an earthquake, instead of accepting aid from Rome, they funded their own reconstruction. They were very self-sufficient. So, was the church; they hardly needed Jesus.

We will look some more at how Jesus was the answer for each of these churches, but for now we need to recognize that the characteristic of Himself that Jesus uses to open His words to each church is of utmost importance. In that particular characteristic is the answer for the problems of that church.

Every church can be classified as being similar in character to one of these seven churches, and just like these churches, the answer to the problems is found in the character of Jesus.

He walks among the churches to help, strengthen, encourage, and correct us. But do we have ears to hear?

How have we been conformed to the world?

Bow your head right now and ask the Lord to show you where you are at spiritually. Have you abandoned your first love for Him? Have you compromised morally to fit in? Have you adopted false doctrine for conveniences sake? Have you remained busy in the Lord’s work, but without any real relationship with the Lord? Are you in a place spiritually that you find that you have no needs or anything that causes you to cry out to the Lord for help? 

Start here with these questions.

Do I love the Lord with all my heart?

Do I love my neighbor as myself?

Am I growing as a disciple of Jesus?

Visions of God

Revelation 1:12-22

In the introduction to Revelation, John says:

Revelation 1:1 (NKJV) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified [it] by His angel to His servant John,

This opening tells us that this is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The book’s main character is Jesus Christ, and it records His works. In addition, Revelation reveals much concerning Jesus’ nature and person. Another way of saying this is to say, “Revelation adds to our Theology (knowledge of God).” 

Revelation builds on our knowledge of God by visually representing things and events in heaven and the spiritual realm’s interaction with the earth. 

One of the most shocking and startling visual representations is the opening vision of Jesus Christ. It is shocking in the sense that He is pictured as having “eyes like flames of fire” and a “sharp two-edged sword” coming from His mouth. This visual representation of Jesus is also startling in that up to this point in the New Testament, Jesus has been gentle, humble, and compassionate. While His grace and compassion are unchanging, the picture of a sword and fire does not suggest these characteristics.

While we are beginning with the eyes like flames of fire and sharp two-edged sword,” other features are mentioned that communicate truth. We are reminded of what Hebrews 1 tells us of Jesus.

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NKJV) ¹God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ²has in these last days spoken to us by [His] Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; ³who being the brightness of [His] glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Look at verse 3 again. Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person. In John 14, Jesus tells us, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Think about what that means! He who has seen Jesus has seen the Father!

When God sent His Son, He sent him as one of us in a humble, gentle manner in order to invite us to accept His mercy and grace. However, some of the visual revelations of God throughout the Bible are anything but humble and gentle. 

In Exodus, when God met with Israel at Mount Sinai, we are told:

Exodus 19:16 (NKJV) Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who [were] in the camp trembled.

As Israel stood before the mountain, the Lord descended and was manifested in the physical world. The lightning was real (not imaginary or visionary); the smoke, sound, and trembling took place in this physical realm.

God is a person, not a human person, but a person in the sense that He thinks, feels, and has His own being inside Himself (i.e., He is self-aware). He sent His Son so that we can understand that we are created in His image. But, this is where the similarity ends because He is the Almighty Creator and has no physical limits. So, when God gives glimpses of Himself in the world or in visions, these glimpses are both terrifying and difficult to describe.

In addition to Sinai, two revelations of God stand out: Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel 1.

First, let’s read what Isaiah saw.

Isaiah 6:1-5 (NKJV) ¹In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His [robe] filled the temple. ²Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy [is] the LORD of hosts; The whole earth [is] full of His glory!” ⁴And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. ⁵So I said: “Woe [is] me, for I am undone! Because I [am] a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.”

The Lord was sitting on a throne, seraphim stood around Him covering face and feet with wings, and the Lord’s presence caused smoke to fill the house. Isaiah’s response was, “Woe is me, for I am undone!”

Next, look at how Ezekiel describes what He saw.

Ezekiel 1:26-28 (NKJV) ²⁶And above the firmament over their heads [was] the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne [was] a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. ²⁷Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. ²⁸Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so [was] the appearance of the brightness all around it. This [was] the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw [it,] I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.

Brightness and glory that overwhelms the human mind surround the Lord God. Notice Ezekiel’s response to what he saw. “So when I saw it, I fell on my face.”

In the Gospel accounts, we are introduced to God in the flesh. However, Peter, James, and John were given a glimpse of the glory of God in Jesus. At the Mount of Transfiguration, they were given a glimpse of who Jesus is.

Matthew 17:1-6 (NKJV) ¹…Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ²and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. ³And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. ⁴Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁵While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” ⁶And when the disciples heard [it,] they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.

These men, who were Jesus’ closest companions, fell on their faces and were greatly afraid! In Revelation, around 60 years later, John sees Jesus’ glory once again. And, once again, he is overwhelmed to the point that He fell at Jesus’ feet as dead. Here is how John describes what he saw.

Revelation 1:12-16 (NKJV) ¹²Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³and in the midst of the seven lampstands [One] like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴His head and hair [were] white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵His feet [were] like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance [was] like the sun shining in its strength.

This description of Jesus reminds us of Israel, Isaiah, and Ezekiel’s visions of God. However, a difference that we see in John’s narrative is that it is clear that this vision is enhanced with symbols. For example, a physical sword from our physical world is not sticking out of Jesus’ mouth. While I do not profess to know what Jesus’ eyes are made of, they are not made out of physical fire. These images are given to communicate truth about Jesus in His person.

Jesus tells us that some things that John is seeing are symbolic. He says:

Revelation 1:20 (NKJV) “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 which you saw are the seven churches.

The seven lampstands are us, the Church. As an important side note, we should notice that the lampstand holds up the light as a “light bearer” but is not the source of the light. We are the light of the world because we carry the Spirit in our persons and corporately as a body. The source of the light, however, is Jesus. We will consider some of the implications of this as we look at the seven churches.

However, as John beholds His Savior, He notices His eyes. When I meet a person, I like to look in their eyes, and by this act, I seek to connect with that person; even if briefly, I fix my attention on that person. When we connect with Jesus, He sees into our souls. He knows our thoughts, intentions, and desires. This is the fire. It is a refining fire because everything about us is laid open and bare before Him who is perfect in holiness and power. He is our judge, the One we lived in fear of before the cross. Even as believers, we are refined by this fire. As Peter says:

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷that the genuineness of your faith, [being] much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…

We are to be found to praise, honor, and glory God, but this means we must be refined like gold in the fire. Jesus, who began a good work in us, will continue that work until it is complete, as Philippians 1:6 tells us.

Related to this is the sharp two-edged sword that is seen coming from Jesus’ mouth. Ephesians 6 tells us what our spiritual armor is. Of all the armor, the only offensive weapon we are described as having is a sword, which is said to be “the word of God.” Hebrews tells us this:

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Jesus is the Word, He is with God, and He is God. We see Him thus in Revelation, and the sword coming from His mouth reminds us of this. The word from His mouth vanquishes His foes and lays bare before Him all our thoughts and intentions. 

We would despair but for other elements of His appearance. For one, His garment is a robe down to His feet with a gold sash. Oh! Such a glory! These are the robes of a priest! He is our high priest. In Exodus, the priest’s robes are described, and the one difference is the Old Testament priests wore a plate with stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel on their chest. But Jesus, Oh Jesus, He wears a gold sash over His chest because His is the perfect priesthood, and He represents all the tribes and nations of the earth before the throne of God.

His loud voice speaks of His absolute victory over sin, death, and the grave, and His white hair speaks of His purity. The feet are the feet of the mighty warrior who conquers the earth and all His (our) enemies. 

These things are terrifying to His enemies and the glory of us who He calls His friends.

I want to draw a very brief and sudden conclusion to this talk. 

We, like John, should fall as dead before our great and glorious God and Savior, and then getting up as He has raised us, we need to tell people, publish far and wide, what we have seen, the things that are, and the things that will be. 

Jesus is the only hope of this world, and He has us here as His Church to be people who help people know Jesus. It really is as simple as that.

Our great commandments are to love God and People, and our great commission is to disciple, baptize, and teach. We are people who help people know Jesus.

How are you doing with this?

The first step is to accept Jesus.

The second step is to learn how to walk by:

1. joining with other believers (church membership, our combined efforts go much further than our individual efforts ever could, plus Jesus works through His Church)
2. finding a place to serve (we serve Jesus by serving others as part of His body)
3. teaching others to do as we have done.