Participants: Pr. Kenneth Cox
Series Code: RJC
Program Code: RJC000001
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00:22 Good evening and welcome to The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
00:26 Very happy to welcome each of you here. 00:30 To those of you that are 00:31 joining us by television 00:33 or by radio or on the Internet 00:36 we're very happy to welcome you 00:38 tonight. This is a study 00:41 of the book of Revelation chapter by chapter. 00:45 And therefore I would like to encourage you to get your Bible. 00:51 And if you're at home, go get your Bible. 00:55 Those of you that are here in the auditorium 00:57 I'll encourage you to bring your Bible. 00:59 And it'd be nice if you brought along a highlighter 01:03 and a notepad... because we're going to study 01:06 the book of Revelation, take a look at it. 01:08 So we hope that all of you will do that as we study 01:11 God's Word together. This first session 01:15 that we're doing is made up of eight presentations. 01:19 Those eight presentations are going to be on the 7 churches 01:24 of Asia Minor. That's what they're going to be about, 01:27 and we will be covering the first three chapters 01:32 of Revelation. That's what we're going to be looking at 01:35 as we go through this first session. 01:37 So be sure and bring your Bible. 01:40 Our next presentation that we'll be doing tomorrow night 01:45 is entitled Seven Churches of Revelation 01:51 and we're going to look at particularly 01:53 the church of Ephesus. 01:56 Of the seven churches, this was probably the best one... 02:00 but it lost its love. 02:03 And we're going to take a look at what the scripture tells us 02:06 about the church of Ephesus. 02:08 And so we hope you'll be able to follow along as we 02:11 take a look at that. Since the book of Revelation 02:16 is a revelation of Jesus Christ, 02:20 what does it tell us about Jesus Christ? 02:23 That's what we're going to be looking at 02:26 and that is our subject tonight. 02:29 It's entitled: It's Who You Know. 02:35 And that makes all the difference in the world 02:38 is who you know. 02:40 And so we're going to start right out talking about Jesus... 02:43 what the book of Revelation has to say about Jesus Christ. 02:47 For those of you here watching, 02:50 this is the altar of incense 02:54 that was in the sanctuary of old. 02:58 It is the exact size of the altar of incense 03:03 that would have been in the sanctuary they built, 03:07 And it was overlaid with gold. 03:10 This one's not... it's overlaid with paint! 03:13 But... but... that's what it was. 03:17 And we're going to use it as a podium 03:19 because we think it fits in to the subject as we go through it 03:23 and you will see that as we study it. 03:27 Each night as we go into the presentation 03:32 we're going to read to you all the scripture 03:35 that we're going to be looking at that evening. 03:38 We'll do that each night. 03:40 And you can either read it on the screen 03:42 or you can follow in your Bible. 03:45 We don't care which... but that's what we will do 03:49 each evening. Any time I can have 03:53 Joe Pearles come and sing for me I'm always blessed. 03:59 Joe has been singing with us for about... 04:03 oh, thirteen, fourteen years now. 04:07 He lives in Greenbrier, Tennessee... which is 04:11 on the outskirts of Nashville. 04:13 And it's always a special blessing to have Joe with us. 04:18 Also, we're going to have Chuck Allgaier, 04:21 who is one of our team members, 04:23 has worked with us for ten, eleven years. 04:27 He's the one that's going to read the scripture to you 04:30 each evening and go through that with you. 04:32 So we hope you'll follow along as we read the scripture. 04:36 And so I'm hoping that as we study the book of Revelation 04:40 that it will bless you in a special way. 04:44 So Chuck, come and share the Word of God with us. 04:52 If you have your Bibles, turn them to the book of Revelation. 04:56 Revelation chapter 1. 05:00 We're going to read verses 1 through 20. 05:04 Revelation chapter 1 verses 1 through 20. 05:10 The Revelation of Jesus Christ... 08:46 May God add His blessing to the study of His Word tonight. 09:09 I'm not on an ego trip... 09:15 I'm nothing on my own. 09:22 I make mistakes 09:27 and often slip... 09:31 just common flesh and bone. 09:37 But I'll prove someday 09:41 just why I say 09:45 I'm of a special kind: 09:51 when He was on the cross 09:59 I was on His mind. 10:10 A look of love was on His face, 10:17 the thorns upon His head. 10:24 The blood was on 10:28 that spotted robe 10:32 and stained it crimson red. 10:38 Tho' His eyes were on 10:42 the crowd that day 10:46 He looked ahead in time. 10:53 When He was on the cross 11:01 I was on His mind. 11:10 He knew me... 11:17 yet He loved me. 11:25 He whose glory makes 11:31 the heavens shine. 11:38 So unworthy 11:45 of such mercy... 11:53 Yet when He was on the cross 12:01 I was on His mind. 12:08 Yet when He was on the cross 12:17 I was on His mind. 12:43 Gracious Father, tonight as we open the book of Revelation 12:49 we pray, Lord, that it may be a revealing to each one of us. 12:57 We ask that our hearts may be open, 13:01 soft, tender. That the voice of Your Spirit 13:05 may speak to each one of us and that we might see 13:09 and understand what You have written. 13:13 That we might prepare our lives to walk with You 13:16 and be with You in your kingdom. 13:19 For the marvelous promises of Your Word 13:21 we thank you in Christ's name. Amen. 13:31 The book of Revelation was not written for the world. 13:36 It was written for the church... not for the world. 13:42 And what is recorded in the book of Revelation 13:48 is probably the most important 13:50 book of all the books 13:53 in the Bible to the people 13:55 that are living today. 13:57 If you didn't have any other book for this day, 14:01 this age, you need the book of Revelation 14:05 because it tells about the perils and the trials, 14:10 tribulation that the people of God are going to go through. 14:13 It also talks about your triumphs and your joys 14:15 that you find in your walk with the Lord. 14:18 So that's the reason we're looking at it. 14:20 So I'd like to encourage you: take your Bible. 14:23 Open it up to Revelation the first chapter 14:28 because that's where we're going to begin with, 14:30 that's what we're going to take a look at now 14:32 as we study the book of Revelation 14:34 and what it has to say. 14:36 And we took a look, and it says this: 14:52 This is the order that it comes in. 14:56 It says that God took it and gave it to Jesus Christ. 15:03 And Jesus Christ gave it to the angel. 15:06 This is probably the same angel 15:08 that you find in the book of Daniel when God sent 15:12 messages to them concerning the last days... 15:14 the angel Gabriel. 15:16 And so he's probably the one here that's taking this to John. 15:20 And it says that then John took it 15:23 and gave it to the 7 churches. 15:25 That's the order that it's given 15:27 so when you're reading it you understand. 15:29 And it says that it is 15:32 a revelation of Jesus Christ. 15:36 That's what it is: a revelation of Jesus Christ. 15:40 How much of it is a revelation of Jesus Christ? 15:47 The name Jesus... or names for Jesus 15:51 or pronouns referring to Him... 15:54 there are... it's 140 times in the first three chapters. 16:00 So indeed when it says it is a revelation of Jesus Christ 16:05 it is that... no question about it. 16:20 Now folks, it's making it very clear that God 16:24 has placed a special blessing on the people that read 16:29 the book of Revelation, 16:31 hear it, and keep those things that are written in it. 16:35 So it's very, very important 16:37 that you and I do not take the book 16:39 and set it on a shelf somewhere and not read it. 16:42 Even, folks... even if you 16:46 have a hard time understanding the book of Revelation, 16:49 I will assure you that if you will just keep at it 16:53 it will open up and you will understand. 16:56 So the scripture says: 17:01 What does read mean 17:03 when it says: "blessed is he who reads? " 17:07 Well that word read actually means search. 17:11 Look into it... see what it has to say. 17:14 It doesn't mean that you and I just give it a casual reading. 17:18 It means that we need to look at it; read it; 17:21 try to understand what it's saying. 17:32 That's what Jesus said. 17:33 He said: "the words in this book... what testifies of Me. " 17:39 So as you go through here and we study the book of Revelation 17:43 this is going to testify of Jesus Christ. 17:46 The word revelation means to reveal. 17:51 Certainly doesn't mean that it's closed. 17:54 It means that it is a revealing of the truths of God's Word. 17:59 It's revealed to you and to me as we study 18:03 and find out what the Word of God says. 18:05 So we are told here: 18:17 So He's telling us, you know, this book has been given 18:21 for you to understand, folks. 18:24 It's not something that's sealed. 18:26 It's something really that is open that you and I 18:29 can understand. It's true... 18:31 true there are sections in it, chapters in it, 18:35 that are hard to understand. 18:36 We'll take a look at some of those 18:38 that are hard to understand. 18:40 But you would expect it to be. 18:43 I mean, I have to be honest with you, 18:45 this is not kindergarten stuff, see. It just isn't. 18:50 It's something that we have to read and understand. 18:53 This is not the type of program 18:55 where we're here to entertain you. 18:57 We're not here... we're here to educate you. 19:02 That's the purpose of it, and that's what we want 19:04 to happen here tonight as we go through God's Word 19:07 that you read it. And as you read it 19:10 we will begin to understand. It also says: 19:19 Not just read it... but "blessed is that person who hears. " 19:24 What does that mean? 19:26 Well it means you listen! 19:28 You listen to what it has to say. 19:31 It's by listening to what it says, folks, 19:34 is how you gain knowledge. 19:36 That's how you grow. 19:38 That's how you gain knowledge 19:39 is by listening to what it has to say. 19:42 And as you understand it, 19:44 it begins to make a great, great difference. 19:47 I want you to listen... what Paul said 19:51 about this experience. 19:53 This is what he says: 20:05 He said: "give up everything. " 20:08 "I count it all loss 20:10 for the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord. " 20:25 I'll assure you if you will take the time 20:30 and you'll listen to what it says and you'll study it, 20:33 when the Bible refers to it as a "pearl of great price" 20:37 I'll guarantee you it is. 20:40 Nothing will give you the comfort and the peace 20:43 that the Word of God gives you. 20:45 It will help you. So as we're studying this 20:50 listen... listen to what it says 20:53 so that your knowledge will be increased. 20:56 And then it goes on and says: 21:04 It doesn't do me any good if I read it, 21:09 I listen, and it goes through one ear and out the other. 21:15 That doesn't do me any good. 21:17 I've got to be willing to keep what I've learned. 21:21 That's where it begins to make a difference in your life. 21:25 You see, if Jesus Christ comes into your life 21:30 and it doesn't change your lifestyle, 21:35 then it hasn't done anything for you. 21:38 It has to change your lifestyle, make a difference. 21:42 And that's why it says "read it, listen to what it says, 21:46 but keep what it says. " 21:49 Keep means to... acceptance. I accept what it says. 21:54 It means obedience. That I am willing to be obedient 21:59 to walk as the Lord leads me and guides me in His Word. 22:13 You see, it's says it's worthy of all what? 22:17 Acceptance. In other words, accept it. 22:22 As you understand the Word of God, reach out in faith 22:26 and walk in the light of what it has to say. 22:29 This is what needs to happen. 22:38 Makes it clear. I read the Word of God... 22:41 He said: "If you love Me, what you learn, keep it. 22:44 Keep My commandments. " 22:56 That's a promise that's given. 22:59 Starts out and says: "Keep those things you read. " 23:02 And He said: "I'm coming quickly 23:04 and I'm going to bless those people that keep 23:07 the words of this prophecy of this book. " 23:10 You and I, particularly today in the time that we are living 23:14 today, need to be hiding it in our hearts. 23:18 We need to be listening to the Word of God 23:21 and keeping it... letting it apply to our lives. 23:25 So there's a great, great blessing. 23:28 If you want to know Jesus, 23:31 then read, listen, and keep 23:36 those things that are written in the book. 23:39 You find as you read through the scriptures 23:41 many places Jesus says: "Depart from Me. " 23:46 Do you remember what else it says? 23:48 "Depart from Me, I know you not. " 23:53 What I'm trying to say is... 23:56 why doesn't God know them? 24:00 You know, here these virgins, five virgins 24:02 came knocking on the door said: "let us in. " 24:04 He said: "I don't know you. " 24:05 What didn't He know about them? 24:09 He didn't know who they were 24:11 because they were not like Him in character. 24:14 And so, it's when I read and listen and keep those things 24:19 that the Holy Spirit works 24:21 in my life and changes it 24:23 and makes it different. 24:24 OK: 24:30 This is who we want to know: Jesus Christ. 24:33 What blessings? This next text in the scripture here 24:36 in the first chapter here, and you may want to underline it, 24:40 says a couple things that are great, great blessings. 24:43 Verse 4: 24:58 Two words in that text... you ought to underline them. 25:02 Highlight them... two words: 25:04 grace and peace. 25:09 Now grace is given to me and to you. 25:13 We don't deserve it in any way. 25:17 There's no way that we deserve the grace of God. 25:20 The only reason that we have right 25:24 to the grace of God is because of our great need. 25:27 We desperately need the grace of God to come into our lives 25:31 and change us and to provide for us salvation. 25:37 It says that you and I have been redeemed 25:41 by His grace. What does that mean? 25:44 When it says you've been redeemed. 25:45 What have you been redeemed from? 25:52 What have you been redeemed from? Do you know? 25:56 Well you've been redeemed from death. 25:59 Don't care who you are... you're going to face it. 26:03 You're going to die if you don't do something. 26:06 And so God - in His mercy and His grace - 26:09 came down here and provided for you a way to live... 26:14 to have eternal life through His grace. 26:18 And then it says: 26:20 "peace from Him. " 26:22 Peace that Jesus Christ gives. 26:28 Marvelous, marvelous peace 26:31 in a world tonight that is so, so torn up. 26:37 I mean, in every aspect of life 26:41 it seems like everything has gone haywire. 26:46 We live in a world like I have never seen... 26:49 Not in my lifetime 26:52 have I seen the situations that we are in today. 26:55 But you know, He said: "My peace I give unto you. " 27:01 The world can be falling apart all around you 27:04 but I can have peace in my heart. 27:08 But I'm going to tell you a little secret... 27:11 and don't forget it: 27:15 peace is found in Jesus. 27:21 If you come to Jesus, if you look to Jesus, 27:25 He'll give you peace in your heart. 27:28 Charles Spurgeon, great preacher of the past, said: 27:31 "I looked at Jesus Christ 27:34 and the dove of peace flew into my heart. 27:38 I looked at the dove of peace, 27:41 and it flew away. " 27:45 Learn... peace is found in Christ. 27:49 That's what brings about peace. 27:52 He gives those great blessings to you and to me. 28:08 Marvelous text! In fact, one of my favorites. 28:12 Of all the scriptures in the Bible, 28:14 this is one of my favorites. 28:16 And it says here: "Who washed us from our sins 28:20 in His own blood. " 28:22 I am so, so thankful tonight 28:26 that that text is not turned around. 28:29 I'm glad it doesn't say 28:32 that He washed us from our sins... or it doesn't say 28:37 that He... how should I put it? 28:40 It says: "To Him who loved us. " 28:43 I'm glad it doesn't say that He washed us from our sins 28:48 and then loved us. 28:50 It says He loves us 28:54 and then washes us from our sins. 28:56 I'm glad God does not love us, you know, like we do 29:03 one another. 29:04 It says here: 29:14 He didn't say to you: "Go clean yourself up; 29:17 get yourself all fixed up. " 29:20 And I run onto people all the time that try to do that today. 29:23 They say: "Well, I'm just not quite ready; 29:25 I've got to take care of some things first. " 29:28 No! That's not the way it works, friend. 29:32 The way it works is you come to Christ just as you are. 29:35 God does not love you 29:39 or He does not love me like we love babies. 29:46 Because, everybody... anybody... 29:49 you take a baby who's been bathed and powdered and all, 29:52 anybody'll pick it up and love it. 29:55 But you let it get a snotty nose and a dirty diaper 29:57 and watch how many people go the other way! 29:59 See, God does not love us like that. 30:03 He love us as sinners... as we are. 30:06 This is the way He loves us. 30:08 And He washes us from our sins "in His own blood. " 30:35 Dear friend tonight, if you're burdened with sin, 30:39 you don't have to be. 30:41 The blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse you from that sin. 30:45 And by the way, dear friend, 30:47 it doesn't make any difference how dark it is, 30:50 God can cleanse you from that sin. 30:53 Promises He will. 30:55 That's hope that He gives us. 30:59 This text that all of us know says: 31:18 All of you understand the comparison between 31:23 scarlet and snow, 31:26 but what's the comparison between crimson and wool? 31:33 What is He using there when He does that? 31:37 Well as a boy I had a couple sheep. 31:42 Southdown sheep... that's what you're looking at. 31:45 And I raised them to show... 4H Club. 31:51 Show... and one day my agriculture teacher said: 31:56 "I'm coming out; we're going to block your sheep. " 31:59 I didn't know what he was talking about. 32:01 But he came out and he took a couple gunny sacks - 32:06 You know what I'm talking about? Gunny sacks? - 32:09 and he... he cut that gunny sack down one side 32:14 and one end 32:17 and then he cut off the corner 32:19 and took that and draped that 32:20 over that sheep's head... 32:22 over his head and his body. 32:24 And he told me, he said: 32:25 "Just let him wear that around for a while. " 32:28 Well, I couldn't figure out what was going on 32:30 because I'd go out to feed that sheep... 32:32 I'd pick up that gunny sack and it was filthy under there. 32:35 I mean dirty and dark and just looked horrible. 32:39 And I thought: Boy, this is certainly not getting it ready 32:42 for a show, that's for sure! 32:44 And I don't know how long he wore it. 32:47 Several weeks. 32:49 Anyhow, one day he came out and said: "Well, we're going to 32:52 go take care of your sheep. " 32:54 So we went out there and he took that off 32:57 and it was just filthy dirty. 32:59 And then he took his shears and began to cut about an inch 33:03 of the wool off. It was the purest white you'll ever see. 33:07 "Though your sins are as crimson, 33:10 they shall be as wool. " 33:13 That's what He's talking about. 33:14 God does that for you and for me. 33:18 "And He has made us... " Folks these are texts 33:23 you need to underline, highlight, 33:25 because they are extremely important. 33:37 In this text is the very, very essence 33:41 of Christianity. 33:42 I mean, it's all right here in that text. 33:46 You see, it's simply saying this: 33:56 God does not say to you 33:59 "Act like a child of God and maybe I'll make you one. " 34:06 He doesn't say that. 34:14 God says: "You are My child; 34:16 therefore, you should act like it. " 34:20 You see, this is the essence of Christianity. 34:22 This is where it differs from all other religions. 34:26 Makes it totally and completely because God 34:30 reaches out in His mercy and love 34:32 and does that for you and makes you His child. 34:36 Gives that to you. 34:38 I'll give you a classic example of this. 34:42 You remember after Joseph had sent his brothers back 34:46 to get their father to bring him down to Egypt, 34:50 and it says that they sent wagons down, and some 70 of them 34:55 left the land of Canaan to go over to Egypt. 34:57 Well, it says when they got on the outskirts 35:02 Joseph heard that they were coming 35:04 and so it says that he got in his chariot 35:07 and rode out to meet them. 35:11 After he had greeted them all he turned to his father 35:15 and said: "I'd like to introduce you to the Pharaoh. " 35:20 So he takes his father to meet the Pharaoh. 35:22 Now folks, you've got to understand something: 35:26 Jacob is a Bedouin. 35:32 He cares for sheep. 35:34 He lives in a tent. 35:37 He's kind of a grimy, greasy old character. 35:40 Not very clean... because you don't herd sheep 35:44 and live around sheep and stay very clean! 35:46 Those just don't go together. 35:48 So he's kind of a dirty, grimy old man. 35:51 See? Can't even see very well. 35:56 Pharaoh? Pharaoh is the greatest monarch on earth at this time. 36:02 There is no kingdom as great as the Pharaoh's at this time. 36:06 Tremendous power, authority, rule. 36:12 Pharaoh at this time is IT. 36:16 And so here Joseph takes his old, aged father 36:22 in before the Pharaoh. And it says: 36:35 How could this be? 36:37 And old Bedouin - greasy, grimy - blessing the Pharaoh? 36:41 Because Jacob understood that he was a prince... 36:46 that he was a king under God... 36:51 therefore he could bless anybody. 36:54 So you are kings and priests unto your God. 36:58 Dear friend, act like it. 37:01 You've been called; you're special. 37:03 God offers that to us... each one. 37:07 Now after the Lord says: "Listen, I'm going to give you 37:08 My grace. I'm going to give you My peace. 37:12 I'm going to make you My children. 37:15 I'm going to make you kings and priests unto God. " 37:18 After He does all that for you 37:21 then He says: "I'm coming back. " 37:23 "I'm coming back. " And that's what verse 7 tells you. 37:26 Revelation the first chapter verse 7 He says: 37:29 "Listen, I'm coming back! 37:31 I'm going to gather My children. " 37:44 Boy, underline that text and write it. 37:46 He's coming. It's not far away! 37:50 He's coming back. He promises that to you and to me. 37:54 A great promise that He's coming again. 38:08 Now let me ask you something: 38:11 has He been the beginning? 38:14 Huh? 38:16 Yes! I mean, say what you want to... 38:20 but when you go over to Israel 38:22 you can't deny that He hasn't been there. 38:25 Too many things that tells you He has. 38:28 He is the beginning. 38:29 If He's the beginning, do you think He'll be the end? 38:31 Absolutely He'll be the end. 38:34 And He gives you the promise He's coming back... 38:36 the same that He gave to His disciples. 39:05 This same Jesus - the One that we're talking about tonight - 39:10 The Revelation of Jesus Christ - 39:12 that Jesus is coming back. 39:15 He's coming back for you and for me. 39:33 The island of Patmos... 39:35 only mentioned in the book of Revelation. 39:38 The only place it's mentioned. 39:40 This is the island of Patmos. 39:42 The island of Patmos is about ten miles long 39:46 about six miles wide. 39:49 It is a barren, rocky place. 39:53 In fact, there are no trees on the island of Patmos. 39:59 This is a picture of the island. 40:00 And it's just a barren, rocky place. 40:04 And they quarried marble here 40:07 in the marble mines. 40:09 And John, at some 90 years of age or close to it, 40:14 was banished to the island of Patmos. 40:19 He was on the island of Patmos for eighteen months. 40:24 Without doubt worked in the quarries there 40:29 and probably suffered greatly while he was there. 40:33 Under Domitian... he's the one that sent him there. 40:36 And after he was released from there 40:39 he went back to Ephesus 40:41 that we're going to be talking about tomorrow night 40:43 and pastored the church there. 40:46 So he lived there and worked. 40:49 But this was the island of Patmos where John was. 41:02 Uh, I'm just going to quickly say a little bit about this. 41:07 It says he was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. 41:09 Sometimes there is disagreement about what day that is. 41:12 But if you look at the scripture it's quite clear 41:15 which day it was that John was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. 41:25 So it says Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. 41:28 John was a disciple of?... Jesus. 41:33 OK? Quite obvious. 41:41 No question about it. 41:42 It's the Sabbath of the Lord your God, 41:44 and he was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. 41:51 So what do you think John was doing? 41:54 He certainly was keeping it holy. 41:56 He was out there communing with God 42:00 when he had the vision. 42:05 John loved Him 42:06 so he was keeping His commandments. 42:21 These are the 7 churches that he is sending this message to. 42:27 OK. Now we're going to take a look 42:31 at Jesus Christ... 42:34 what it says. 42:39 Watch as it describes Him: 43:46 This is Jesus of Revelation. 43:52 This is Him. 43:55 John here is seeing Jesus 44:01 not like John saw Him on earth, folks. 44:05 He's seeing Jesus now after He's gone back to heaven. 44:10 This is probably pretty much what Jesus is going to look like 44:16 when He comes back. 44:18 Now true enough, the language here is very 44:22 figurative and you have to take much of it into consideration. 44:26 But this is Jesus 44:28 walking among the seven golden candlesticks. 44:33 Please notice it does not say 44:36 walking among seven candles. 44:41 It says candlesticks. 44:43 You see, candlesticks don't have light. 44:50 Light has to be placed on them. 44:53 The candlesticks represent churches. 44:58 Churches do not have light. 45:06 Jesus is the light. 45:08 Someone else is... you are lights. 45:15 So unless you're there and you're doing what you should, 45:19 the church has no light. 45:20 You are the light. 45:23 I want to ask you something. 45:26 Does Jesus light up your life? 45:28 He should! 45:30 Definitely should light up your life... 45:32 should make a real difference in your life. 45:35 Well, let's take a look at what it has to say about Jesus. 45:38 You can underline some of these things. 45:41 Said His hair was white. 45:43 Unfortunately, we live in an age 45:47 that white hair represents declining strength, 45:55 loss of health. 45:57 We attribute all that to white hair. 46:00 Uh, not with God... 46:03 white hair doesn't represent that. 46:06 White hair to God represents glory. 46:10 Represents antiquity. 46:13 It represents power. 46:15 All this is contained, and so when He has white hair, 46:19 dear friend, that's not because of age. 46:22 That's because of what God attributes white hair to. 46:27 In fact it says here in Proverbs 16:31: 46:41 God indeed is righteous, so His white hair represents His glory. 46:48 That's what it stands for... His power. 46:51 The Ancient of Days as you hear Him described in Daniel: 46:56 says He had white hair. 46:58 That's part of it. 47:04 In the eyes of Jesus is love, 47:10 compassion, mercy, kindness. 47:16 All that's contained in the eyes of Christ. 47:20 But also His eyes have the ability 47:25 to penetrate, to see, to understand 47:30 what's happening and what's taking place. 47:32 The ability to read your heart and mine. 47:36 In fact, the scripture says concerning the eyes of Jesus: 47:54 You can't hide anything from Christ. 47:57 Just impossible... 48:00 because He sees it all 48:01 but at the same time He's merciful. 48:06 He's kind, wonderful. 48:11 The word here in scripture where it speaks of the feet 48:16 of Jesus was as bronze... or brass I should say. 48:21 It was as brass. 48:22 Actually the word used there for brass 48:25 describe a certain kind of brass that the Greeks and the Romans 48:29 used. It was a brass... and brass was the most enduring 48:34 metal they had... 48:35 and this particular brass was called Corinthian brass. 48:41 Corinthian brass was made up of bronze, 48:45 I should say copper, excuse me - 48:47 made up of copper and of gold and of silver 48:51 and it was considered of more value than gold. 48:56 And so when he uses that word for Christ's feet there, 48:59 that's the word that it uses 49:01 representing Corinthian brass. 49:15 Want to have beautiful feet? 49:18 Take good tidings to people. 49:22 That's what He promises to you and to me. 49:24 "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good tidings. " 49:36 When you pick up the book of Revelation, you start through 49:39 reading it, you'll find that it speaks 49:44 of the voice of God being like...? You know what it says? 49:49 Like thunder. 49:52 Uses that over and over and over. 49:55 Two things: it says it's like thunder; 49:57 it says it's like the sound of many waters and all. 50:03 But at the same time, 50:05 His voice can be majestic. 50:10 But it can be mellow, it can be sweet, 50:15 it can be kind. 50:18 God has the ability to speak 50:21 in a way that will touch your heart and mine. 50:25 This is what He can do for us. 50:43 So the voice of God speaks; 50:47 great power is given. 50:57 Stars in the scripture refers to messengers. 51:02 That's what it represents. 51:05 And don't forget it, it uses many times stars 51:09 to represent not only good messengers but bad ones. 51:13 It still refers to them as stars. 51:17 But the seven stars in His hand here, folks, 51:20 represents the ministers. That's what it represents. 51:38 Ministers hold a very, very sacred place 51:44 in the eyes of God. 51:48 But they also must realize 51:52 that they carry a very, very heavy responsibility. 51:58 God looks after them, cares for them. 52:01 They are the stars in the hand of Jesus Christ. 52:08 Said: "Out of His mouth went a sharp, two-edged sword. " 52:16 The sword represents the Word of God. 52:20 It says it is a "two-edged sword. " 52:23 Nobody who has ever been converted... 52:30 nobody who's ever been converted 52:32 hasn't felt the cutting of a two-edged sword. 52:38 Fall at the foot of the cross and see your sins and all... 52:44 how it could be. But fortunately He doesn't leave us there, 52:47 because it says - Hosea 6:1- 53:00 That's what Christ does for us. 53:07 No greater representation of God: 53:10 the brightness of the sun, the glory of God. 53:26 This is the glory that Christ has. 53:30 And it says it is sometimes manifested so bright 53:34 that they could not look upon it. 53:42 Told John: "Write all this... 53:45 put it down, record it. " 53:48 This is what you and I are going to be looking at, 53:50 studying the next few evenings together. 53:55 And it ends up the first chapter of the book of Revelation 53:58 by saying: 54:13 And that's where we go next in our study 54:16 is to the seven churches. 54:18 And we're going to look at 54:20 the first one: Ephesus. 54:22 What the scripture tells us 54:23 about that church. 54:25 And so be sure, if you weren't 54:28 watching... if you were watching by television 54:30 or listening on the radio 54:32 and you weren't able to get your Bible, be sure 54:35 and be here tomorrow evening, 7 o'clock central time, 54:38 we're going to be taking a look at this next chapter... 54:42 starting this next chapter - chapter 2- 54:45 on the 7 churches, particularly the church of Ephesus. 54:49 And we hope that it will bless you in a very, very special way. 54:54 Thank you for being with us, 54:56 and we hope you will continue 54:57 as we study the book of Revelation. 54:59 May God abundantly bless you and lead you. 55:03 And may this study bless your soul 55:07 and draw you close to Jesus Christ. 55:10 Have a good evening. God bless you. 55:16 Hello, folks. 55:17 One of my favorite things to do in the springtime 55:20 is to take a walk and look at all the new growth. 55:23 The earth seems so fresh, 55:25 and each tree bursts forth with buds and flowers. 55:28 That reminds me of a parable that Jesus told His followers 55:32 in Luke 21. 55:34 You see, He had just described the events which will happen 55:38 immediately before His second coming. 55:54 But in verse 29 Jesus turns their attention 55:58 to the fig tree. 55:59 And ever since then, budding trees have served as a permanent 56:03 reminder that our time here is very short 56:07 and the second coming is very near. 56:24 Folks, many of these signs are already upon us. 56:28 The earth groans from the greed of those who have 56:31 exploited her resources, ravaged her land 56:35 and destroyed plants and animals and atmosphere alike 56:38 in a selfish pursuit of wealth. 56:41 Have you seen the signs? 56:43 Have you seen men's hearts failing with fear? 56:46 If you haven't, then I'm afraid you're not watching 56:49 very closely. However, the Holy Spirit is hard at work 56:53 and so are many Christians who long for an end to sin 56:57 and look forward to their soon-coming Savior. 57:00 That's why we continue to preach the gospel 57:03 to as many as we can through any means that we can 57:07 as often as we can. 57:09 Our ministry team is supported solely 57:11 by your contributions... and we thank you for your 57:15 faithful prayers and financial support. 57:18 May God richly bless you. 57:21 Please consider what you can do for those who still don't know 57:24 about Jesus. As the Holy Spirit impresses, 57:27 please send your tax-deductible gifts to: 57:41 Thank you for helping us spread the light of God's Word 57:44 through television and radio. 57:46 Your gifts help bring the blessed hope of salvation 57:48 to millions around the world. |
Revised 2014-12-17