Thursday, January 30, 2014

Get God's Opinion! (2)

'Don't let anyone look down on you because...' 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV

Try as you may, you will never fulfil a dream that is not your own.

Stop and think about your personal history.


How have your plans, goals and desires been influenced by others?  
Is it possible your dreams are the result of who your parents think you are?  
Who others think you are?  
Who you wish you were?  
Or are they the result of who you really are and what God meant you to be? 
You will live the life for which God created you, only after you figure this out.

When a dream is right for you and you are right for a dream, the two cannot be separated from each other. 
TS Eliot said, 'Whatever you think, be sure it is what you think; whatever you want, be sure it is what you want.'  
Paul told Timothy, 'Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young.' Evidently certain people in the early church thought Timothy was too young and inexperienced to be in leadership. But Paul thought differently; and so did God. 
Cecil G. Osborne writes, 'The young child has no clear picture of himself. He sees himself only in the mirror of his parents' evaluation of himself...A child who's told repeatedly that he is a bad boy, or is lazy, or no good, or stupid, or shy, or clumsy will tend to act out this picture which the parent or some other authority figure has given him.'
Let God, and God alone, tell you who you are and what you should do. 

Get His opinion, for in the end it's the only one that counts!

Soul Food: Num 8-10, Matt 10:32-42, Ps 107:10-16, Pr 3:19-20

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Thursday, 30 January 2014
APPS available here

Boundaries (love or hate)

No matter what they are what they are & have a Purpose!

Exercising self-control and self-discipline, and establishing boundaries and borders in our life are some of the most important things we can do. 

A life that has no discipline is one that's filled with carelessness.

The Word of God establishes the necessary boundaries to keep us in God's safety zone. It tells us what we can do, and what we better not do, to be safe.

As Christians we can think it's kind of exciting to live life on the edge. We like the image of "Yeah! That's me! Living on the edge!" It's become a popular way of looking at life. But to be honest, God doesn't want us living on the edge, because if we're living on the edge, then we have no margin for error.

Highways have lines, one on each side and one in the center. These lines provide margins for our safety while we're driving. If we go over the line on one side, we'll go into the ditch. If we cross over the line in the middle, we could get killed. We like those lines because they help keep us safe.

It's like that in our personal lives, too. When we have boundaries, borders, and margins, we feel much better and experience God's peace.

The key is to go to God's Word, where He has laid out all the boundaries we need to live by. Let God direct your path every day.

Prayer Starter: God, I recognize the need for boundaries in my life. As I read Your Word, show me how to apply Your healthy boundaries in my life today.
By Joyce Myer


Editors note:
We can try and split hairs with ourselves or others but forget trying that trick on God.

He is the Righteous Judge and there is NO Shadows of Turning within Him 

Wrong will be Wrong and Right will be Right, there will be absolutely NO areas of DOUBT, you'll be inside the line or out. 

And being outside the line has serious eternal consequences.



A small piece of advise from an old dog.

Keep your life in the center of His word and Never Live it out on the Fringes, that's like plying Russian Roulette with your eternal salvation.

HIGH STAKES 

with ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Get God's Opinion! (1)

'...The Lord does not look at the things man looks at...'
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

David's father didn't think he was qualified to be Israel's next king. So when Samuel came looking for a successor to King Saul, he presented his oldest son Eliab, who was a general in the army. Samuel was impressed. '...Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here..."

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"' (1 Samuel 16:6-7 NIV).

When it comes to your life's calling, only one opinion counts:

God's!

In order to fulfil his destiny, David had to overcome his family's opinion of him.
John Maxwell writes, 'Any time you see people pursuing a midlife career change, you can be almost certain that they have been living someone else's dream and lost their way.
Nobel Prize winner for literature Joseph Brodsky observed, 'One's task consists first of all in mastering a life that is one's own, not imposed or prescribed from without, no matter how noble its appearance may be. For each of us is issued but one life, and we know full well how it all ends. It would be regrettable to squander this one chance on someone else's appearance, someone else's experience.'
It's not too late to become what God wants you to be, and do what He wants you to do. 

If you've been living somebody else's dream, ask God for a dream of your own and He will give it to you.

Soul Food: Num 7, Matt 10:21-31, Ps 107:1-9, Pr 3:13-18

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
APPS available here

Facing the Storms of Life

Hebrews 6:16-20 (ESV)
16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Jesus Christ

The Lord: Saviour of the World

The Holy Bible gives God's Son manifold titles. 

However, the one that means so much to all of us as poor, helpless sinners is "Saviour"- which immediately instills hope within one's heart concerning salvation.

The very name Jesus means "salvation." Matthew 1:21 states, Thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Multitudes today are trusting in man-made rituals to get them inside God's heaven. Yet, there isn't a ceremonial rite in all of Christendom's churches that can save a man. Jesus Christ alone is the only way to eternal life.

Christ's saving power

In that tremendous portion of Scripture often described as the "Magnificat," Mary, the mother of Jesus, cried out, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour (Luke 1:46,47).

In Luke 2, the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, saying, Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (verses 10,11).

Also in Luke 2, Simeon had been waiting for the consolation or hope of Israel. He jubilantly exclaimed, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation (verses 29,30). He was looking upon the Christ child as he spoke those words.
Again in John 4, a wicked woman-who had five husbands and who was living under common law with number six-turned to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Then she excitedly ran back to the city and told the people about her newfound joy in this Saviour who had blotted out her sordid past. The men of that city listened to the Lord's discourses for two days and exuberantly stated, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world (verse 42).
In Acts 5, Peter and some of the apostles were threatened with punishment, even unto death (verse 33). However, the great Apostle Peter so loved Jesus. He believed so strongly in the fact that Jesus was the only way of salvation and eternal life that he was willing to die in order that the message might be proclaimed. I can almost hear this impulsive preacher saying, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour (verses 29-31)Acts 13:23 calls Him a Saviour, Jesus. Ephesians 5:23 says, Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Compare this verse with: 1 Corinthians 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. 
The body of Christ, into which one is implanted at the time of regeneration, is the Church, and Ephesians 5:23 states that Christ is the Saviour of this body. Baptism, reformation, confirmation, works, creeds, and human efforts cannot place one into the true Church because only the Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour of this body. Amen!
The Apostle Paul stated that one of the reasons he was willing to endure suffering, torture, and even death was because of his trust in the Saviour. Death could only mean that the One who saved him would welcome him home to heaven. Hear him in 1 Timothy 4:10. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
In 2 Timothy 1:9 and 10, Paul went on to say that it was not a system of self-attainment through works that would place him eternally in the glory land, but rather a precious Saviour whose name was Jesus Christ. Listen to the simplicity of these instructive verses. [God] hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel [or through the good news].
Again, He hath abolished death. What wonderful words! And [He] hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Immortality speaks of eternal life-and it comes through the gospel or the "good news."
Do you get the impact? Eternal life is through the gospel and gospel means "good news."
This good news is explained in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 where we find that Christ died, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Put it all together and it simply says that everlasting life does not come through one's denominational record or good works.
It comes as a result of one's acceptance of the Saviour's death by the shedding of blood and of His resurrection. Titus 2:13 speaks of Christ's return by stating, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Notice that it is not Buddha, Mohammed, or Zoroaster who is the Saviour, but only the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is no other Saviour-Jesus is the only way. Second Peter 1:1 again calls Him our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Christ's earthly ministry

"Saviour" is not some honorary title which was bestowed upon the Lord Jesus Christ in recognition of His wonderful teachings.

Rather, it depicts His ministry upon earth and speaks of His saving power.

Presently, we are living in a time of rebellion. Corrupted mankind is trying to destroy all of our foundational structures.

This trend can also be witnessed in the religious world as apostate, liberal clergymen mock the doctrines of the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, His blood atonement upon the cross, and His bodily resurrection.

Many laugh at the statement "Jesus Saves" as if the word "saves" were an invention of some simpleton.

Our God predicted this would happen, and it is one of the signs of the end. 
Second Peter 2:1,2: But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be [one of the signs] false teachers among you, who privity shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
There are two things one can do for these poor misguided souls: 
(1) pray for them, and (2) thank God for their presence because it means that Jesus Christ is coming soon to call Christians home. Let them laugh. The term saved was placed in the Bible scores of times by a holy God. One had better investigate and accept this truth if he is interested in eternal life.
I could quote numerous verses proving that salvation is of God and that God put this word in the Bible.

However, let's limit our discussion to those which speak exclusively about Christ being the way of salvation:
Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost (Matthew 18:11).  
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him [Jesus] might be saved (John 3:17). 
Jesus said, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved (John 10:9).  
I came not to judge the world, but to save the world (John 12:47). 
Paul said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31). 
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ [not rites, ceremonies, rituals, the Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule, or the Ten Commandments, but the gospel or the good news of Christ]: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (Romans 1:16).  
We shall be saved from wrath through him (Romans 5:9).  
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9).
In 1 Corinthians 15:1,2 we find this statement, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel [the good news] which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved.
How? 
Verses 3 and 4: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and...he was buried, and...he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. This alone is the message of the gospel, the good news, the only way of salvation. Christ died, shed His blood, and rose again.
Christ's redeeming blood

Christ's power to save all the world was wrought through His precious blood shed on Calvary. 
Leviticus 17:11: It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. 

Acts 20:28: The church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 

First Peter 1:18,19: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 

Revelation 1:5: Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Yes, 

Hebrews 9:22 without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission [of sins] .

It is not enough simply to state that Christ died-as so many intellectuals do today in order to do away with the sacrifice of His blood. A bloodless death on the cross would not have saved anyone. Let me repeat that. Had Christ died of a heart attack or of suffocation upon the cross, mankind would have been lost forever, for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Because of this fact, Christ came to earth to take upon himself a body with blood so that He might shed that blood for our sins (see Hebrews 10:5). When one receives this sacrifice of the shed blood of Jesus Christ, he is saved immediately.
Christ's redemptive purpose

If the Lord Jesus Christ is the Saviour and has saving power, we may conclude that He came to earth because sinners need saving. 

This is exactly what Paul said. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

Not only does this statement include everyone we know, but ourselves as well. Christ would have all men to be saved, including you and me (see 1 Timothy 2:4). [Christ] gave himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6).

The only reason some people will never get saved is that they do not realize that they are lost. They think they were born into sainthood just like the Pharisee in the temple.
He said, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are (Luke 18:11). However, Jesus said in Matthew 5:20, Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Why? 
The Pharisees were so caught up in the admiration of their own goodness that they were convinced they needed nothing from God-nothing at all! 
Yet, God says in Isaiah 64:6, We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Galatians 3:22: The scripture hath concluded all under sin. Thus, God not only wants to save mankind from the misery of sin in this life, but also from the eternal penalty into which sin will drag those who reject Christ. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth [eternity] on him (John 3:36). 
Why? 
Because he won't receive the Son.
Oh, my friend, if you are lost, the Saviour longs to save you. 
You need saving because all are sinners and only through His blood can you be washed white. 

You may be whitewashed because you've had all the rituals of the Church performed upon you, but you really need to be washed white to inherit eternal life! 
Why not call on Him right now, saying, "Lord Jesus, come into my heart."

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

Monday, January 27, 2014

Get Ready to Move (3)

'...The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?' Psalm 27:1 NIV

If you've ever packed up and moved to another house, you may remember saying, 'This is the last time I'm moving!' Now you know how Joshua felt moving almost two million people into a new homeland. And they did it on foot.

So God told Joshua two things: 
(1) 'Be strong and very courageous...' (Joshua 1:7 NKJV). 
Why? 
Because his enemies were going to attack him, and his own people were going to make endless demands on him. 
Where do you find courage?
In these words: 'The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?' That word 'stronghold' means you are held in the safety of God's strong arms.
That means nothing can get to you, without first coming through Him.
Victor Hugo wrote, 'Have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones. And when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.'
(2) '...I will never leave you nor forsake you' (Joshua 1:5 NIV).
Who but God could make and keep such a promise?
Did He keep His Word to them? Yes! '
So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled' (Joshua 21:43-45 NIV).
And their God - is your God!

Soul Food: Exo 20:8-11, Isa 58:13-14, Luke 4:16, Heb 10:19-25 (Commandment 4: Remember the Sabbath)

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Sunday, 26 January 2014
APPS available here

Get Ready to Move (2)

'I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised...' Joshua 1:3 NIV

Can you imagine how Joshua felt stepping into Moses' shoes?


He needed assurance, so God told him: 

(1) 'I will give you every place where you set your foot.'
In other words, just step out in faith and claim it.
It's yours, if you're willing to walk towards it and take possession. Would it be easy?
Would they get there overnight?
No, but their confidence came from the words, 'as I promised'. The song goes: 'Standing on the promises that cannot fail; when the howling winds of doubt and fear assail. Standing on the living Word I shall prevail; standing on the promises of God.'
(2) 'No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life' (Joshua 1:5 NIV).
Will you face criticism? Yes.
Will you come under attack? Yes.
There were 31 kings, seven nations, and giants the size of telephone poles waiting for them in the Promised Land.
But every battle you fight is just an opportunity for God to show Himself strong on your behalf. 
(3) 'As I was with Moses, so I will be with you' (Joshua 1:5 NIV).
If you're anxious about the future, recall God's faithfulness to you in the past.
At the end of his life Joshua wrote: 'Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled...' (Joshua 23:14 NIV).
And the God who came through for Joshua, will come through for you.

Soul Food: Num 1-2, Matt 9:27-38, Ps 100, Pr 3:7-8

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Saturday, 25 January 2014
APPS available here

Get Ready to Move (1)

'...Get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give...' Joshua 1:2 NIV

God said to Joshua: 
'Moses my servant is dead. Now then...get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give [you]...I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates...to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them' (Joshua 1:2-6 NIV).

Today, are you standing at the crossroads of change, contemplating a new season or assignment, and feeling anxious about it? 


If so, observe two things in this story:
(1) When his time came to lead, Joshua was ready. Until then, he faithfully served Moses and found fulfilment in the number-two slot. He didn't push and he didn't play politics; he just prepared himself. And when he was ready, God promoted him.  
(2) He went further than his mentor did. Moses' leadership ended where the Promised Land began. Under Joshua's leadership, Israel would move into it and become a great nation. Every day he had spent in the wilderness equipped him for this moment.
God never wastes experience. 
Everything you've been through, including the things you didn't understand, are preparation for what God has in store for you.


Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Friday, 24 January 2014
APPS available here

Friday, January 24, 2014

The Book of Revelation: Chapter 1: vs 7 - 20

Previous post: Study of Rev 1: 1-6 {here}

We want to continue in our study of the book of Revelation by finishing chapter 1.

Verse 7: Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. 

Even so, Amen.

This verse announces the Lord's return to earth. 
Notice that every eye sees Him. That is why this great event is described as the "revealing" or "revelation" of Christ and occurs when He comes as the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:11-16)
Thus, our text is actually a preview of what will happen when He returns with His saints in chapter 19
Isn't it thrilling to know that when the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west (Matthew 24:27), every eye will witness the spectacle of the ages? 
Notice also that the Israelites-a special group-will observe this momentous event, for they shall look upon [Him] whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10)
Furthermore, when He comes in power and great glory to smite the nations, all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. This is because He comes for judgment and none will escape. 
As John envisions the hour when the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints (Jude 14), he victoriously cries, "Amen! Amen!
The Greek for even so is "Amen," and "Amen" is the Hebrew for even so. John is literally shouting the praise or praises of God in two languages as he says, "Amen and Amen, He is coming!"
Verse 8: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

This text speaks of the eternal Christ. 
Alpha and Omega are the beginning and ending letters of the Greek alphabet. Christ is saying, "I am the beginning and ending of all things." He uses the title "I am," which is a verb indicating being, but not becoming.

He always was. 
He was before all things and created all things. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:3). For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist (Colossians 1:16,17).  
He also controls all things by upholding all things by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3), and He will consummate all things as well (see Ephesians 1:10).  
Yes, Jesus Christ is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. 
The terminology, I am... the Lord which is, and which was, and which is to come, expresses Christ's oneness with the Father (see verse 4)
In fact, He adds the term, the Almighty, a name used for the Father in connection with His person. This term is used forty-eight times in the Old Testament. This verse clearly refutes the doctrine of anti-trinitarianism, which is anti-God, anti-Christ, and anti-Holy Spirit.
Verse 9: I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

John realizes that he is an old man and highly revered, yet he wants no praise from men for his sufferings. He immediately identifies himself as a brother in Christ and a companion in heartache and suffering. He tells of the tribulation he endured during his incarceration at Patmos, but he rejoices that the other blood-bought sons of God will miss the Tribulation. How true!

The Saviour stated: 
In the world ye shall have tribulation (John 16:33). However, this does not include the Tribulation hour out of which the saints are kept (see Revelation 3:10). John's persecution came because of his devotion to Christ. This is always true when one takes a stand for the Saviour. Jesus said in John 15:18-20, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

Verse 10: I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Beginning with this verse, we enter into the revelation experience with John and observe firsthand all that is presented to him through the remainder of the book.

Joseph A. Seiss says that John was carried forward through the centuries until he saw a vision of the great and terrible day of the Lord-the Tribulation hour. A majority of scholars, however, believe that the phrase, on the Lord's day, refers to the first day of the week. Thus, on Resurrection day-Sunday, the first day of the week-John is visited by the One who had so loved him while on earth-Jesus himself. As He appears, John hears the trumpet-like voice of Christ...

Verse 11: Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Alpha and Omega are the titles we discussed in verse 8. Verse 11 pictures the eternal Christ giving instructions to His beloved servant concerning the seven churches mentioned in verse 4 and to be discussed in chapters 2 and 3

Then, John adds...

Verse 12: And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks.

When the trumpet-like voice of Christ sounded in Verse 11, John turned to see the voice that spoke to him. 

This is different! One does not normally "see" a voice. Yet John turned to see the voice. As he looks in that direction, he sees seven golden candlesticks or lampstands. Verse 20 clearly explains the meaning of  Verse 12 as follows: The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks [means this:] The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The fact that the seven churches are pictured as seven lampstands is significant because believers are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Sad, as we shall see, is the fact that the history of the seven churches often diminished that light. 

Oh, pray that it shall not be so in your life. 

Jesus said, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Now that we have observed  Verse 12 in light of  Verse 20, let's take a closer look at the glorious Saviour who appears in the midst of the lampstands or churches.

Verse 13: And [I saw] in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

The Lord is clothed with the garments of the Old Testament high priest because He is risen and in heaven, performing His ministry of intercession. For this reason, he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).

Thus, sixty years after Christ's death and resurrection, John sees Him as the High Priest in the heavenlies. Paul also testified to this blessed fact by stating: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession (Hebrews 4:14).

Next our precious Lord is described in detail.

Verse 14: His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

John's description speaks of antiquity and coincides with the vision Daniel had in chapter 7, verses 9 through 13. This Ancient of days, the eternal One, Jesus Christ, is also pictured in terms of whiteness because of His righteousness, for He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens (Hebrews 7:26). The Greek also emphasizes the fact that His eyes "shot out fire." Christ is righteously angry concerning the sin of the churches depicted in Revelation, chapters 2 and 3.

Verse 15: And his feet [were] like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice [was] as the sound of many waters.

Christ's feet picture judgment and relate to the events that take place when He returns to the earth in chapters 19 and 20. His voice as the sound of many waters also depicts judgment.

Verse 16: And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

The seven stars of this verse are the angels or messengers of the seven churches (see verse 20), while the two-edged sword is the Word of God as described in Hebrews 4:12: The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Then the expression, his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength, takes our minds back to the transfiguration scene in Matthew 17:2 and thus pictures the glory of Christ, who is to be the Judge during the Great Tribulation hour, Armageddon, and the Great White Throne assembly of Revelation 20:11-15.

Because of it, John is stunned, astonished, and humbled at the experience and cries...

Verse 17: And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Verse 18: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

The sight of Christ glorified was breathtaking, and the one who laid his head upon Jesus at the Last Supper now falls prostrate at His feet. As John falls before his blessed Lord in fear, Jesus lovingly says, Fear not. He is saying the same to us today. In the midst of wars, rumors of wars, heartaches, and death, the blessed Lord says, Let not your heart be troubled (John 14:1).

This message to John is from the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega, the eternal One, Jesus Christ. The One that liveth (resurrection), and was dead (crucifixion) and who cries, behold, I am alive for evermore (ascension), Amen.

He also has the keys of hell and of death. Because of this tremendous fact, Christians are not to fear, for through death ... [Christ destroyed] him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:14, 15).

Not only have we been delivered from the fear of death but from the fear of Hades as well.

Let me explain: 
Hades was the place where the souls and the spirits of all humans went until the cross. Sheol (Old Testament) and Hades (New Testament) were one and the same. In Sheol and Hades were two compartments, one for the wicked and the other for the righteous. 
In Luke 16:22, 23, the rich man and Lazarus went to their respective places- one to suffering and the other to comfort. The thief on the cross went to the comfort side, or paradise, as promised by Christ when He said, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). 
This is where Christ went upon His death (Acts 2:27, 31). There He ministered to His people and led captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8-10), literally releasing them for their entrance into the third heaven of 2 Corinthians 12:2
Presently the comfort side of Hades has been emptied by Him who has the keys of death and Hades (hell), but the torment side is still full. This will be emptied for the Judgment Day when....death and [Hades deliver] up the dead which [are] in them: and they [are] judged... (Revelation 20:13).

Verse 19: Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

This verse gives us the order of the Book of Revelation, which is written chronologically, or as the events happen. One immediately recognizes the three tenses past, present, and future.

Write the things which thou hast seen-past, chapter 1; the things which are-present, chapters 2 and 3; and the things which shall be hereafter-future, chapters 4 through 22.

Verse 20: [God explains to John:] The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Since we have discussed the closing verse of this chapter in connection with verse 12, let us move on to the study of the seven candlesticks, or the history of the seven churches, which we will cover in our next newsletter.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE