Mystery revealed

Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:19.20 ESV

Jesus commands John to write all that he sees, current things and things that are yet to take place. This verse helps us to get a grasp on the revelation. Things that are covered in the book are both current and future. Current to the first century church and future events that are not given a specific time of occurrence. But, they are to come. The time span is not definitive.

Jesus then goes on to explain the meaning of the seven stars and lampstands. In His explanation we see that Jesus is actually present in His churches. He is keenly aware of the activities and circumstances of every congregation.

As we will see when get into the letters to the seven churches in Asia, Jesus has great concern for the members of His body and their spiritual well-being. He knows the influences within and without the congregations  and how faithful every body is.

So today, as we study the revelation we can know that our Lord is very aware of our congregations and our strengths and weakness. As we look at the letters to the churches we can learn from them and apply the lesson to our congregations.

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman

He holds the keys

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Revelation 1:17,18 ESV

Jesus reassures John with an I am statement. Verse eighteen speaks to the eternal nature of Jesus. He is the beginning and the end, He is alive! Jesus says, l died but look at me I am alive for eternity.

Jesus then makes a statement concerning His power. He holds the keys to death and the grave. Death doesn’t have any power, Jesus does. He overcame the grave. This statement is central to the revelation message.

Many of the recipients of the revelation will suffer and die for the cause of Christ. To know that Jesus understands and has overcome death and the grave is a great encouragement for those that are or will endure persecution for their faith.

Think of the encouragement John himself took from Jesus statement. John is imprisoned on Patmos and at the mercy of the Roman government. His life is  in the hands of the ungodly. Just as Jesus overcame the sentence of death, so too will those that follow Him. Jesus death, burial and resurrection stand before the Christian as proof that those that die in Christ will live on in eternity.

So today, let’s take comfort in Jesus message, the Gospel (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus) and know that whatever we may face in this life it is only temporary. Continued faith in Jesus leads to eternal life.

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman