Good evening and welcome to
The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
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Very happy to
welcome each of you here.
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To those of you that are
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joining us by television
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or by radio or on the Internet
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we're very happy to welcome you
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tonight. This is a study
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of the book of
Revelation chapter by chapter.
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And therefore I would like to
encourage you to get your Bible.
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And if you're at
home, go get your Bible.
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Those of you that are
here in the auditorium
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I'll encourage you
to bring your Bible.
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And it'd be nice if you
brought along a highlighter
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and a notepad...
because we're going to study
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the book of
Revelation, take a look at it.
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So we hope that all of
you will do that as we study
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God's Word
together. This first session
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that we're doing is made
up of eight presentations.
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Those eight presentations are
going to be on the 7 churches
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of Asia Minor. That's
what they're going to be about,
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and we will be covering
the first three chapters
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of Revelation. That's what
we're going to be looking at
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as we go through
this first session.
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So be sure and bring your Bible.
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Our next presentation that
we'll be doing tomorrow night
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is entitled Seven
Churches of Revelation
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and we're going to
look at particularly
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the church of Ephesus.
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Of the seven churches, this
was probably the best one...
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but it lost its love.
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And we're going to take a look
at what the scripture tells us
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about the church of Ephesus.
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And so we hope you'll be
able to follow along as we
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take a look at that.
Since the book of Revelation
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is a revelation of Jesus Christ,
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what does it tell
us about Jesus Christ?
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That's what we're
going to be looking at
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and that is our subject tonight.
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It's entitled:
It's Who You Know.
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And that makes all the
difference in the world
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is who you know.
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And so we're going to start
right out talking about Jesus...
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what the book of Revelation
has to say about Jesus Christ.
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For those of you here watching,
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this is the altar of incense
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that was in the
sanctuary of old.
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It is the exact size
of the altar of incense
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that would have been in
the sanctuary they built,
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And it was overlaid with gold.
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This one's not...
it's overlaid with paint!
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But... but...
that's what it was.
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And we're going
to use it as a podium
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because we think it fits in to
the subject as we go through it
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and you will see
that as we study it.
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Each night as we go
into the presentation
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we're going to read
to you all the scripture
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that we're going to be
looking at that evening.
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We'll do that each night.
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And you can either
read it on the screen
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or you can follow in your Bible.
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We don't care which...
but that's what we will do
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each evening.
Any time I can have
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Joe Pearles come and sing
for me I'm always blessed.
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Joe has been
singing with us for about...
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oh, thirteen,
fourteen years now.
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He lives in Greenbrier,
Tennessee... which is
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on the outskirts of Nashville.
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And it's always a special
blessing to have Joe with us.
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Also, we're going
to have Chuck Allgaier,
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who is one of our team members,
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has worked with us
for ten, eleven years.
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He's the one that's going
to read the scripture to you
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each evening and go
through that with you.
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So we hope you'll follow
along as we read the scripture.
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And so I'm hoping that as
we study the book of Revelation
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that it will bless
you in a special way.
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So Chuck, come and
share the Word of God with us.
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If you have your Bibles, turn
them to the book of Revelation.
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Revelation chapter 1.
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We're going to read
verses 1 through 20.
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Revelation chapter
1 verses 1 through 20.
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The Revelation
of Jesus Christ...
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May God add His blessing to
the study of His Word tonight.
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I'm not on an ego trip...
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I'm nothing on my own.
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I make mistakes
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and often slip...
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just common flesh and bone.
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But I'll prove someday
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just why I say
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I'm of a special kind:
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when He was on the cross
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I was on His mind.
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A look of love was on His face,
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the thorns upon His head.
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The blood was on
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that spotted robe
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and stained it crimson red.
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Tho' His eyes were on
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the crowd that day
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He looked ahead in time.
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When He was on the cross
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I was on His mind.
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He knew me...
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yet He loved me.
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He whose glory makes
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the heavens shine.
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So unworthy
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of such mercy...
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Yet when He was on the cross
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I was on His mind.
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Yet when He was on the cross
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I was on His mind.
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Gracious Father, tonight as
we open the book of Revelation
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we pray, Lord, that it may be
a revealing to each one of us.
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We ask that our
hearts may be open,
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soft, tender. That
the voice of Your Spirit
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may speak to each one
of us and that we might see
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and understand
what You have written.
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That we might prepare
our lives to walk with You
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and be with You in your kingdom.
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For the marvelous
promises of Your Word
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we thank you in
Christ's name. Amen.
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The book of Revelation
was not written for the world.
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It was written for the
church... not for the world.
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And what is recorded
in the book of Revelation
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is probably the most important
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book of all the books
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in the Bible to the people
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that are living today.
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If you didn't have any
other book for this day,
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this age, you need
the book of Revelation
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because it tells about
the perils and the trials,
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tribulation that the people
of God are going to go through.
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It also talks about
your triumphs and your joys
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that you find in
your walk with the Lord.
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So that's the
reason we're looking at it.
00:14:18.25\00:14:20.48
So I'd like to
encourage you: take your Bible.
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Open it up to
Revelation the first chapter
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because that's where
we're going to begin with,
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that's what we're
going to take a look at now
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as we study the
book of Revelation
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and what it has to say.
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And we took a
look, and it says this:
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This is the
order that it comes in.
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It says that God took it
and gave it to Jesus Christ.
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And Jesus Christ
gave it to the angel.
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This is probably the same angel
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that you find in the
book of Daniel when God sent
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messages to them
concerning the last days...
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the angel Gabriel.
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And so he's probably the one
here that's taking this to John.
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And it says that
then John took it
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and gave it to the 7 churches.
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That's the order that it's given
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so when you're
reading it you understand.
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And it says that it is
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a revelation of Jesus Christ.
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That's what it is: a
revelation of Jesus Christ.
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How much of it is a
revelation of Jesus Christ?
00:15:40.88\00:15:44.74
The name Jesus...
or names for Jesus
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or pronouns referring to Him...
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there are... it's 140 times
in the first three chapters.
00:15:54.60\00:15:59.87
So indeed when it says it
is a revelation of Jesus Christ
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it is that... no
question about it.
00:16:05.70\00:16:08.26
Now folks, it's
making it very clear that God
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has placed a special
blessing on the people that read
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the book of Revelation,
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hear it, and keep those
things that are written in it.
00:16:31.41\00:16:34.74
So it's very, very important
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that you and I
do not take the book
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and set it on a shelf
somewhere and not read it.
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Even, folks... even if you
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have a hard time understanding
the book of Revelation,
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I will assure you that
if you will just keep at it
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it will open up and
you will understand.
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So the scripture says:
00:16:56.55\00:16:57.78
What does read mean
00:17:01.37\00:17:03.64
when it says:
"blessed is he who reads? "
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Well that word read
actually means search.
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Look into it...
see what it has to say.
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It doesn't mean that you and
I just give it a casual reading.
00:17:14.83\00:17:18.20
It means that we need
to look at it; read it;
00:17:18.33\00:17:21.08
try to
understand what it's saying.
00:17:21.38\00:17:24.45
That's what Jesus said.
00:17:32.15\00:17:33.46
He said: "the words in this
book... what testifies of Me. "
00:17:33.76\00:17:38.96
So as you go through here and
we study the book of Revelation
00:17:39.26\00:17:42.83
this is going to
testify of Jesus Christ.
00:17:43.13\00:17:46.43
The word
revelation means to reveal.
00:17:46.94\00:17:51.29
Certainly doesn't
mean that it's closed.
00:17:51.81\00:17:54.14
It means that it is a revealing
of the truths of God's Word.
00:17:54.44\00:17:59.42
It's revealed to you
and to me as we study
00:17:59.62\00:18:03.25
and find out what
the Word of God says.
00:18:03.45\00:18:05.38
So we are told here:
00:18:05.49\00:18:07.26
So He's telling us, you
know, this book has been given
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for you to understand, folks.
00:18:21.50\00:18:23.76
It's not
something that's sealed.
00:18:24.06\00:18:26.39
It's something really
that is open that you and I
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can understand. It's true...
00:18:29.94\00:18:31.56
true there are
sections in it, chapters in it,
00:18:31.66\00:18:34.89
that are hard to understand.
00:18:35.09\00:18:36.67
We'll take a
look at some of those
00:18:36.97\00:18:38.59
that are hard to understand.
00:18:38.79\00:18:40.08
But you would expect it to be.
00:18:40.28\00:18:42.46
I mean, I have to
be honest with you,
00:18:43.44\00:18:45.41
this is not kindergarten
stuff, see. It just isn't.
00:18:45.61\00:18:49.90
It's something that we
have to read and understand.
00:18:50.20\00:18:52.86
This is not the type of program
00:18:53.06\00:18:54.94
where we're here
to entertain you.
00:18:55.14\00:18:57.39
We're not here...
we're here to educate you.
00:18:57.69\00:19:01.83
That's the purpose of
it, and that's what we want
00:19:02.13\00:19:03.99
to happen here tonight
as we go through God's Word
00:19:04.19\00:19:07.24
that you read it.
And as you read it
00:19:07.54\00:19:10.28
we will begin to
understand. It also says:
00:19:10.58\00:19:14.03
Not just read it... but "blessed
is that person who hears. "
00:19:19.57\00:19:24.15
What does that mean?
00:19:24.45\00:19:25.88
Well it means you listen!
00:19:26.28\00:19:28.23
You listen to
what it has to say.
00:19:28.73\00:19:31.02
It's by listening
to what it says, folks,
00:19:31.32\00:19:34.33
is how you gain knowledge.
00:19:34.54\00:19:36.33
That's how you grow.
00:19:36.63\00:19:38.20
That's how you gain knowledge
00:19:38.40\00:19:39.72
is by listening to
what it has to say.
00:19:39.82\00:19:42.45
And as you understand it,
00:19:42.65\00:19:44.75
it begins to make a
great, great difference.
00:19:44.95\00:19:47.37
I want you to
listen... what Paul said
00:19:47.57\00:19:50.82
about this experience.
00:19:51.12\00:19:52.87
This is what he says:
00:19:53.17\00:19:54.28
He said: "give up everything. "
00:20:05.55\00:20:08.45
"I count it all loss
00:20:08.75\00:20:10.65
for the knowledge of
Jesus Christ my Lord. "
00:20:10.85\00:20:14.71
I'll assure you if
you will take the time
00:20:25.44\00:20:29.84
and you'll listen to what
it says and you'll study it,
00:20:30.14\00:20:33.38
when the Bible refers to
it as a "pearl of great price"
00:20:33.68\00:20:37.44
I'll guarantee you it is.
00:20:37.74\00:20:39.85
Nothing will give you
the comfort and the peace
00:20:40.15\00:20:43.14
that the Word of God gives you.
00:20:43.44\00:20:45.07
It will help you. So
as we're studying this
00:20:45.37\00:20:49.70
listen... listen to what it says
00:20:50.00\00:20:52.83
so that your
knowledge will be increased.
00:20:53.13\00:20:56.15
And then it goes on and says:
00:20:56.35\00:20:57.94
It doesn't do me
any good if I read it,
00:21:04.92\00:21:09.11
I listen, and it goes through
one ear and out the other.
00:21:09.42\00:21:14.80
That doesn't do me any good.
00:21:15.30\00:21:17.33
I've got to be willing
to keep what I've learned.
00:21:17.53\00:21:21.52
That's where it begins to
make a difference in your life.
00:21:21.82\00:21:25.37
You see, if Jesus
Christ comes into your life
00:21:25.67\00:21:29.00
and it doesn't
change your lifestyle,
00:21:30.54\00:21:33.62
then it hasn't
done anything for you.
00:21:35.35\00:21:37.76
It has to change your
lifestyle, make a difference.
00:21:38.07\00:21:42.21
And that's why it says "read
it, listen to what it says,
00:21:42.51\00:21:46.41
but keep what it says. "
00:21:46.71\00:21:49.43
Keep means to... acceptance.
I accept what it says.
00:21:49.73\00:21:54.36
It means obedience. That
I am willing to be obedient
00:21:54.56\00:21:58.98
to walk as the Lord leads
me and guides me in His Word.
00:21:59.28\00:22:04.37
You see, it's says
it's worthy of all what?
00:22:13.73\00:22:16.81
Acceptance. In
other words, accept it.
00:22:17.81\00:22:22.52
As you understand the
Word of God, reach out in faith
00:22:22.82\00:22:26.30
and walk in the light
of what it has to say.
00:22:26.60\00:22:29.68
This is what needs to happen.
00:22:29.98\00:22:31.95
Makes it clear. I
read the Word of God...
00:22:38.14\00:22:41.20
He said: "If you love
Me, what you learn, keep it.
00:22:41.50\00:22:44.39
Keep My commandments. "
00:22:44.59\00:22:46.05
That's a promise that's given.
00:22:56.91\00:22:59.55
Starts out and says:
"Keep those things you read. "
00:22:59.85\00:23:01.98
And He said: "I'm coming quickly
00:23:02.28\00:23:04.04
and I'm going to
bless those people that keep
00:23:04.25\00:23:07.10
the words of this
prophecy of this book. "
00:23:07.30\00:23:10.16
You and I, particularly today
in the time that we are living
00:23:10.46\00:23:14.47
today, need to be
hiding it in our hearts.
00:23:14.67\00:23:18.30
We need to be
listening to the Word of God
00:23:18.53\00:23:21.23
and keeping it...
letting it apply to our lives.
00:23:21.53\00:23:24.83
So there's a
great, great blessing.
00:23:25.03\00:23:26.88
If you want to know Jesus,
00:23:28.06\00:23:30.79
then read, listen, and keep
00:23:31.09\00:23:36.55
those things that
are written in the book.
00:23:36.85\00:23:39.62
You find as you read
through the scriptures
00:23:39.92\00:23:41.52
many places Jesus
says: "Depart from Me. "
00:23:41.82\00:23:45.85
Do you remember
what else it says?
00:23:46.16\00:23:48.16
"Depart from Me,
I know you not. "
00:23:48.46\00:23:50.82
What I'm trying to say is...
00:23:53.07\00:23:56.21
why doesn't God know them?
00:23:56.51\00:23:58.75
You know, here these
virgins, five virgins
00:24:00.28\00:24:02.59
came knocking on the
door said: "let us in. "
00:24:02.79\00:24:04.16
He said: "I don't know you. "
00:24:04.26\00:24:05.28
What didn't He know about them?
00:24:05.58\00:24:08.01
He didn't know who they were
00:24:09.31\00:24:11.23
because they were not
like Him in character.
00:24:11.44\00:24:13.99
And so, it's when I read
and listen and keep those things
00:24:14.99\00:24:19.68
that the Holy Spirit works
00:24:19.88\00:24:21.10
in my life and changes it
00:24:21.30\00:24:22.86
and makes it different.
00:24:23.16\00:24:24.40
OK:
00:24:24.90\00:24:26.31
This is who we want
to know: Jesus Christ.
00:24:30.44\00:24:33.57
What blessings? This next
text in the scripture here
00:24:33.87\00:24:36.15
in the first chapter here, and
you may want to underline it,
00:24:36.36\00:24:40.46
says a couple things that
are great, great blessings.
00:24:40.69\00:24:43.59
Verse 4:
00:24:43.79\00:24:44.86
Two words in that text...
you ought to underline them.
00:24:58.52\00:25:02.15
Highlight them... two words:
00:25:02.45\00:25:04.63
grace and peace.
00:25:04.93\00:25:09.40
Now grace is
given to me and to you.
00:25:09.70\00:25:12.42
We don't deserve it in any way.
00:25:13.02\00:25:16.87
There's no way that we
deserve the grace of God.
00:25:17.01\00:25:19.79
The only reason
that we have right
00:25:20.09\00:25:23.85
to the grace of God is
because of our great need.
00:25:24.05\00:25:26.71
We desperately need the grace
of God to come into our lives
00:25:27.01\00:25:31.35
and change us and to
provide for us salvation.
00:25:31.56\00:25:35.85
It says that you
and I have been redeemed
00:25:37.33\00:25:40.70
by His grace.
What does that mean?
00:25:41.00\00:25:43.12
When it says
you've been redeemed.
00:25:44.32\00:25:45.73
What have you
been redeemed from?
00:25:45.93\00:25:47.52
What have you been
redeemed from? Do you know?
00:25:52.13\00:25:54.16
Well you've been
redeemed from death.
00:25:56.21\00:25:58.89
Don't care who you
are... you're going to face it.
00:25:59.19\00:26:02.92
You're going to die if
you don't do something.
00:26:03.23\00:26:06.53
And so God - in His
mercy and His grace -
00:26:06.73\00:26:09.37
came down here and provided
for you a way to live...
00:26:09.57\00:26:13.73
to have eternal
life through His grace.
00:26:14.04\00:26:18.00
And then it says:
00:26:18.30\00:26:19.59
"peace from Him. "
00:26:20.59\00:26:22.56
Peace that Jesus Christ gives.
00:26:22.76\00:26:27.77
Marvelous, marvelous peace
00:26:28.07\00:26:30.78
in a world tonight
that is so, so torn up.
00:26:31.38\00:26:37.36
I mean, in every aspect of life
00:26:37.67\00:26:41.65
it seems like
everything has gone haywire.
00:26:41.95\00:26:45.72
We live in a world
like I have never seen...
00:26:46.02\00:26:49.40
Not in my lifetime
00:26:49.70\00:26:51.97
have I seen the
situations that we are in today.
00:26:52.27\00:26:54.70
But you know, He said:
"My peace I give unto you. "
00:26:55.01\00:27:00.98
The world can be
falling apart all around you
00:27:01.28\00:27:04.46
but I can have
peace in my heart.
00:27:04.76\00:27:07.17
But I'm going to tell
you a little secret...
00:27:08.47\00:27:11.30
and don't forget it:
00:27:11.60\00:27:13.50
peace is found in Jesus.
00:27:15.80\00:27:21.20
If you come to
Jesus, if you look to Jesus,
00:27:21.50\00:27:25.32
He'll give you
peace in your heart.
00:27:25.63\00:27:27.78
Charles Spurgeon, great
preacher of the past, said:
00:27:28.08\00:27:31.21
"I looked at Jesus Christ
00:27:31.51\00:27:34.10
and the dove of
peace flew into my heart.
00:27:34.40\00:27:37.71
I looked at the dove of peace,
00:27:38.01\00:27:41.46
and it flew away. "
00:27:41.76\00:27:43.41
Learn... peace
is found in Christ.
00:27:45.13\00:27:49.37
That's what brings about peace.
00:27:49.67\00:27:52.09
He gives those great
blessings to you and to me.
00:27:52.30\00:27:55.83
Marvelous text! In
fact, one of my favorites.
00:28:08.31\00:28:12.15
Of all the
scriptures in the Bible,
00:28:12.45\00:28:14.26
this is one of my favorites.
00:28:14.46\00:28:16.33
And it says here: "Who
washed us from our sins
00:28:16.63\00:28:19.99
in His own blood. "
00:28:20.19\00:28:22.22
I am so, so thankful tonight
00:28:22.52\00:28:26.10
that that text is
not turned around.
00:28:26.40\00:28:29.33
I'm glad it doesn't say
00:28:29.83\00:28:32.88
that He washed us from
our sins... or it doesn't say
00:28:32.98\00:28:37.73
that He... how should I put it?
00:28:37.93\00:28:40.36
It says: "To Him who loved us. "
00:28:40.86\00:28:43.70
I'm glad it doesn't say
that He washed us from our sins
00:28:43.90\00:28:47.79
and then loved us.
00:28:48.00\00:28:50.10
It says He loves us
00:28:50.40\00:28:53.94
and then washes
us from our sins.
00:28:54.24\00:28:56.67
I'm glad God does not
love us, you know, like we do
00:28:56.97\00:29:02.90
one another.
00:29:03.20\00:29:04.69
It says here:
00:29:04.89\00:29:05.98
He didn't say to you:
"Go clean yourself up;
00:29:14.58\00:29:17.53
get yourself all fixed up. "
00:29:17.73\00:29:19.81
And I run onto people all the
time that try to do that today.
00:29:20.01\00:29:23.34
They say: "Well, I'm
just not quite ready;
00:29:23.54\00:29:25.55
I've got to take care
of some things first. "
00:29:25.75\00:29:28.25
No! That's not the
way it works, friend.
00:29:28.55\00:29:31.85
The way it works is you
come to Christ just as you are.
00:29:32.15\00:29:35.35
God does not love you
00:29:35.85\00:29:38.69
or He does not love
me like we love babies.
00:29:39.00\00:29:43.18
Because, everybody... anybody...
00:29:46.44\00:29:49.02
you take a baby who's been
bathed and powdered and all,
00:29:49.22\00:29:51.96
anybody'll pick
it up and love it.
00:29:52.16\00:29:53.80
But you let it get a
snotty nose and a dirty diaper
00:29:55.17\00:29:57.71
and watch how many
people go the other way!
00:29:57.91\00:29:59.48
See, God does not
love us like that.
00:29:59.78\00:30:02.90
He love us as
sinners... as we are.
00:30:03.10\00:30:06.61
This is the way He loves us.
00:30:06.92\00:30:08.59
And He washes us from
our sins "in His own blood. "
00:30:08.89\00:30:13.78
Dear friend tonight, if
you're burdened with sin,
00:30:35.38\00:30:38.75
you don't have to be.
00:30:39.05\00:30:40.95
The blood of Jesus Christ
will cleanse you from that sin.
00:30:41.25\00:30:45.13
And by the way, dear friend,
00:30:45.43\00:30:46.90
it doesn't make any
difference how dark it is,
00:30:47.10\00:30:49.77
God can cleanse
you from that sin.
00:30:50.07\00:30:53.35
Promises He will.
00:30:53.65\00:30:54.91
That's hope that He gives us.
00:30:55.22\00:30:57.30
This text that
all of us know says:
00:30:59.51\00:31:02.88
All of you understand
the comparison between
00:31:18.92\00:31:23.61
scarlet and snow,
00:31:23.81\00:31:25.71
but what's the comparison
between crimson and wool?
00:31:26.21\00:31:32.16
What is He using
there when He does that?
00:31:33.50\00:31:36.47
Well as a boy I
had a couple sheep.
00:31:37.42\00:31:42.20
Southdown sheep...
that's what you're looking at.
00:31:42.50\00:31:45.29
And I raised them
to show... 4H Club.
00:31:45.60\00:31:51.34
Show... and one day my
agriculture teacher said:
00:31:51.64\00:31:55.89
"I'm coming out; we're
going to block your sheep. "
00:31:56.09\00:31:58.83
I didn't know what
he was talking about.
00:31:59.13\00:32:01.43
But he came out and he
took a couple gunny sacks -
00:32:01.73\00:32:06.48
You know what I'm
talking about? Gunny sacks? -
00:32:06.68\00:32:08.72
and he... he cut that
gunny sack down one side
00:32:09.02\00:32:14.34
and one end
00:32:14.65\00:32:17.30
and then he cut off the corner
00:32:17.60\00:32:18.85
and took that and draped that
00:32:19.15\00:32:20.43
over that sheep's head...
00:32:20.63\00:32:21.82
over his head and his body.
00:32:22.12\00:32:24.31
And he told me, he said:
00:32:24.61\00:32:25.68
"Just let him wear
that around for a while. "
00:32:25.88\00:32:27.74
Well, I couldn't
figure out what was going on
00:32:28.04\00:32:30.39
because I'd go out
to feed that sheep...
00:32:30.59\00:32:32.29
I'd pick up that gunny sack
and it was filthy under there.
00:32:32.49\00:32:35.67
I mean dirty and dark
and just looked horrible.
00:32:35.97\00:32:39.03
And I thought: Boy, this is
certainly not getting it ready
00:32:39.23\00:32:42.17
for a show, that's for sure!
00:32:42.37\00:32:44.13
And I don't know
how long he wore it.
00:32:44.43\00:32:47.07
Several weeks.
00:32:47.37\00:32:48.37
Anyhow, one day he came out
and said: "Well, we're going to
00:32:49.35\00:32:52.06
go take care of your sheep. "
00:32:52.26\00:32:54.00
So we went out
there and he took that off
00:32:54.30\00:32:56.89
and it was just filthy dirty.
00:32:57.19\00:32:59.22
And then he took his shears
and began to cut about an inch
00:32:59.52\00:33:02.91
of the wool off. It was the
purest white you'll ever see.
00:33:03.11\00:33:06.95
"Though your
sins are as crimson,
00:33:07.35\00:33:10.58
they shall be as wool. "
00:33:10.88\00:33:13.26
That's what He's talking about.
00:33:13.56\00:33:14.85
God does that
for you and for me.
00:33:14.95\00:33:18.27
"And He has made us...
" Folks these are texts
00:33:18.57\00:33:22.88
you need to
underline, highlight,
00:33:23.08\00:33:25.33
because they are
extremely important.
00:33:25.53\00:33:28.32
In this text is
the very, very essence
00:33:37.37\00:33:41.05
of Christianity.
00:33:41.35\00:33:42.69
I mean, it's all
right here in that text.
00:33:42.99\00:33:46.44
You see, it's
simply saying this:
00:33:46.74\00:33:49.43
God does not say to you
00:33:56.40\00:33:59.28
"Act like a child of God
and maybe I'll make you one. "
00:33:59.58\00:34:05.14
He doesn't say that.
00:34:06.27\00:34:07.39
God says: "You are My child;
00:34:14.06\00:34:16.50
therefore, you
should act like it. "
00:34:16.70\00:34:18.37
You see, this is the
essence of Christianity.
00:34:20.30\00:34:22.43
This is where it differs
from all other religions.
00:34:22.63\00:34:26.50
Makes it totally and
completely because God
00:34:26.80\00:34:29.93
reaches out in
His mercy and love
00:34:30.13\00:34:32.26
and does that for you
and makes you His child.
00:34:32.46\00:34:35.75
Gives that to you.
00:34:36.05\00:34:38.05
I'll give you a
classic example of this.
00:34:38.35\00:34:41.17
You remember after Joseph
had sent his brothers back
00:34:42.62\00:34:46.68
to get their father to
bring him down to Egypt,
00:34:46.88\00:34:49.98
and it says that they sent
wagons down, and some 70 of them
00:34:50.28\00:34:54.92
left the land of
Canaan to go over to Egypt.
00:34:55.22\00:34:57.68
Well, it says when
they got on the outskirts
00:34:57.98\00:35:01.88
Joseph heard
that they were coming
00:35:02.08\00:35:03.73
and so it says that
he got in his chariot
00:35:04.03\00:35:07.16
and rode out to meet them.
00:35:07.36\00:35:08.97
After he had greeted them
all he turned to his father
00:35:11.68\00:35:15.57
and said: "I'd like to
introduce you to the Pharaoh. "
00:35:15.77\00:35:19.03
So he takes his
father to meet the Pharaoh.
00:35:20.23\00:35:22.55
Now folks, you've got
to understand something:
00:35:22.75\00:35:24.52
Jacob is a Bedouin.
00:35:26.63\00:35:32.37
He cares for sheep.
00:35:32.67\00:35:34.37
He lives in a tent.
00:35:34.67\00:35:36.77
He's kind of a
grimy, greasy old character.
00:35:37.07\00:35:40.63
Not very clean...
because you don't herd sheep
00:35:40.93\00:35:43.99
and live around
sheep and stay very clean!
00:35:44.19\00:35:46.62
Those just don't go together.
00:35:46.92\00:35:48.50
So he's kind of a
dirty, grimy old man.
00:35:48.70\00:35:51.43
See? Can't even see very well.
00:35:51.53\00:35:54.91
Pharaoh? Pharaoh is the greatest
monarch on earth at this time.
00:35:56.61\00:36:02.57
There is no kingdom as great
as the Pharaoh's at this time.
00:36:02.87\00:36:06.61
Tremendous
power, authority, rule.
00:36:06.91\00:36:12.41
Pharaoh at this time is IT.
00:36:12.71\00:36:15.01
And so here Joseph
takes his old, aged father
00:36:16.76\00:36:22.31
in before the
Pharaoh. And it says:
00:36:22.61\00:36:25.17
How could this be?
00:36:35.72\00:36:37.27
And old Bedouin - greasy,
grimy - blessing the Pharaoh?
00:36:37.57\00:36:40.89
Because Jacob understood
that he was a prince...
00:36:41.19\00:36:46.52
that he was a king under God...
00:36:46.82\00:36:51.08
therefore he
could bless anybody.
00:36:51.38\00:36:53.82
So you are kings and
priests unto your God.
00:36:54.12\00:36:58.66
Dear friend, act like it.
00:36:58.97\00:37:00.99
You've been
called; you're special.
00:37:01.29\00:37:03.63
God offers that
to us... each one.
00:37:03.93\00:37:06.75
Now after the Lord says:
"Listen, I'm going to give you
00:37:07.06\00:37:08.79
My grace. I'm going
to give you My peace.
00:37:08.99\00:37:11.88
I'm going to
make you My children.
00:37:12.18\00:37:14.84
I'm going to make you
kings and priests unto God. "
00:37:15.14\00:37:17.86
After He does all that for you
00:37:18.16\00:37:20.86
then He says:
"I'm coming back. "
00:37:21.16\00:37:23.11
"I'm coming back. " And
that's what verse 7 tells you.
00:37:23.42\00:37:26.65
Revelation the first
chapter verse 7 He says:
00:37:26.95\00:37:28.89
"Listen, I'm coming back!
00:37:29.09\00:37:30.83
I'm going to
gather My children. "
00:37:31.13\00:37:32.58
Boy, underline
that text and write it.
00:37:44.05\00:37:46.48
He's coming. It's not far away!
00:37:46.68\00:37:50.28
He's coming back. He
promises that to you and to me.
00:37:50.48\00:37:54.63
A great promise
that He's coming again.
00:37:54.93\00:37:57.09
Now let me ask you something:
00:38:08.39\00:38:10.03
has He been the beginning?
00:38:11.85\00:38:13.82
Huh?
00:38:14.62\00:38:16.46
Yes! I mean, say
what you want to...
00:38:16.56\00:38:20.05
but when you go over to Israel
00:38:20.35\00:38:22.28
you can't deny that
He hasn't been there.
00:38:22.48\00:38:24.67
Too many things
that tells you He has.
00:38:25.17\00:38:27.74
He is the beginning.
00:38:28.04\00:38:29.41
If He's the beginning, do
you think He'll be the end?
00:38:29.61\00:38:31.51
Absolutely He'll be the end.
00:38:31.81\00:38:34.42
And He gives you the
promise He's coming back...
00:38:34.72\00:38:36.46
the same that He
gave to His disciples.
00:38:36.66\00:38:39.34
This same Jesus - the One that
we're talking about tonight -
00:39:05.97\00:39:10.65
The Revelation of Jesus Christ -
00:39:10.85\00:39:12.33
that Jesus is coming back.
00:39:12.54\00:39:14.93
He's coming back
for you and for me.
00:39:15.23\00:39:18.62
The island of Patmos...
00:39:33.20\00:39:35.26
only mentioned in
the book of Revelation.
00:39:35.56\00:39:38.06
The only place it's mentioned.
00:39:38.36\00:39:40.16
This is the island of Patmos.
00:39:40.46\00:39:41.98
The island of Patmos
is about ten miles long
00:39:42.29\00:39:46.31
about six miles wide.
00:39:46.61\00:39:48.85
It is a barren, rocky place.
00:39:49.15\00:39:53.67
In fact, there are no
trees on the island of Patmos.
00:39:53.97\00:39:58.85
This is a picture of the island.
00:39:59.16\00:40:00.68
And it's just a
barren, rocky place.
00:40:00.98\00:40:03.80
And they quarried marble here
00:40:04.10\00:40:07.36
in the marble mines.
00:40:07.66\00:40:08.90
And John, at some 90
years of age or close to it,
00:40:09.20\00:40:14.75
was banished to
the island of Patmos.
00:40:14.95\00:40:18.41
He was on the island of
Patmos for eighteen months.
00:40:19.54\00:40:24.44
Without doubt worked
in the quarries there
00:40:24.74\00:40:29.28
and probably suffered
greatly while he was there.
00:40:29.58\00:40:33.09
Under Domitian... he's
the one that sent him there.
00:40:33.39\00:40:36.69
And after he was
released from there
00:40:36.99\00:40:39.57
he went back to Ephesus
00:40:39.77\00:40:41.47
that we're going to be
talking about tomorrow night
00:40:41.67\00:40:43.50
and pastored the church there.
00:40:43.70\00:40:46.05
So he lived there and worked.
00:40:46.35\00:40:49.12
But this was the island
of Patmos where John was.
00:40:49.32\00:40:52.44
Uh, I'm just going to quickly
say a little bit about this.
00:41:02.33\00:41:07.38
It says he was in the
Spirit on the Lord's Day.
00:41:07.68\00:41:09.43
Sometimes there is disagreement
about what day that is.
00:41:09.74\00:41:12.68
But if you look at the
scripture it's quite clear
00:41:12.99\00:41:15.42
which day it was that John was
in the Spirit on the Lord's Day.
00:41:15.72\00:41:19.19
So it says Jesus is
Lord of the Sabbath.
00:41:25.86\00:41:28.04
John was a
disciple of?... Jesus.
00:41:28.34\00:41:33.77
OK? Quite obvious.
00:41:33.97\00:41:37.09
No question about it.
00:41:41.56\00:41:42.59
It's the Sabbath
of the Lord your God,
00:41:42.79\00:41:44.70
and he was in the
Spirit on the Lord's Day.
00:41:44.90\00:41:47.31
So what do you
think John was doing?
00:41:51.04\00:41:53.00
He certainly
was keeping it holy.
00:41:54.48\00:41:56.56
He was out there
communing with God
00:41:56.86\00:41:59.87
when he had the vision.
00:42:00.17\00:42:01.47
John loved Him
00:42:05.38\00:42:06.43
so he was
keeping His commandments.
00:42:06.73\00:42:08.56
These are the 7 churches that
he is sending this message to.
00:42:21.60\00:42:27.06
OK. Now we're
going to take a look
00:42:27.36\00:42:31.61
at Jesus Christ...
00:42:31.81\00:42:33.91
what it says.
00:42:34.21\00:42:35.90
Watch as it describes Him:
00:42:39.69\00:42:42.28
This is Jesus of Revelation.
00:43:46.16\00:43:52.07
This is Him.
00:43:52.37\00:43:53.85
John here is seeing Jesus
00:43:55.02\00:44:01.00
not like John saw
Him on earth, folks.
00:44:01.30\00:44:05.33
He's seeing Jesus now
after He's gone back to heaven.
00:44:05.53\00:44:10.14
This is probably pretty much
what Jesus is going to look like
00:44:10.44\00:44:16.37
when He comes back.
00:44:16.67\00:44:18.46
Now true enough, the
language here is very
00:44:18.76\00:44:22.20
figurative and you have to take
much of it into consideration.
00:44:22.40\00:44:26.02
But this is Jesus
00:44:26.33\00:44:28.31
walking among the
seven golden candlesticks.
00:44:28.61\00:44:32.85
Please notice it does not say
00:44:33.15\00:44:36.07
walking among seven candles.
00:44:36.37\00:44:39.65
It says candlesticks.
00:44:41.18\00:44:43.58
You see,
candlesticks don't have light.
00:44:43.88\00:44:48.75
Light has to be placed on them.
00:44:50.17\00:44:53.17
The candlesticks
represent churches.
00:44:53.47\00:44:57.77
Churches do not have light.
00:44:58.07\00:45:02.95
Jesus is the light.
00:45:06.12\00:45:07.61
Someone else
is... you are lights.
00:45:08.21\00:45:14.21
So unless you're there and
you're doing what you should,
00:45:15.30\00:45:19.16
the church has no light.
00:45:19.36\00:45:20.59
You are the light.
00:45:20.89\00:45:22.72
I want to ask you something.
00:45:23.02\00:45:24.96
Does Jesus light up your life?
00:45:26.33\00:45:28.31
He should!
00:45:28.81\00:45:30.36
Definitely should
light up your life...
00:45:30.66\00:45:32.55
should make a real
difference in your life.
00:45:32.86\00:45:35.12
Well, let's take a look at
what it has to say about Jesus.
00:45:35.42\00:45:38.37
You can underline
some of these things.
00:45:38.67\00:45:40.98
Said His hair was white.
00:45:41.28\00:45:42.75
Unfortunately, we live in an age
00:45:43.06\00:45:47.46
that white hair
represents declining strength,
00:45:47.76\00:45:52.90
loss of health.
00:45:55.68\00:45:56.96
We attribute all
that to white hair.
00:45:57.26\00:46:00.08
Uh, not with God...
00:46:00.38\00:46:03.58
white hair
doesn't represent that.
00:46:03.88\00:46:06.46
White hair to
God represents glory.
00:46:06.76\00:46:10.45
Represents antiquity.
00:46:10.75\00:46:12.93
It represents power.
00:46:13.23\00:46:15.14
All this is contained,
and so when He has white hair,
00:46:15.44\00:46:19.10
dear friend,
that's not because of age.
00:46:19.40\00:46:22.43
That's because of what
God attributes white hair to.
00:46:22.73\00:46:26.89
In fact it says
here in Proverbs 16:31:
00:46:27.19\00:46:30.57
God indeed is righteous, so His
white hair represents His glory.
00:46:41.81\00:46:47.73
That's what it
stands for... His power.
00:46:48.13\00:46:50.80
The Ancient of Days as you
hear Him described in Daniel:
00:46:51.10\00:46:55.81
says He had white hair.
00:46:56.11\00:46:58.03
That's part of it.
00:46:58.34\00:46:59.46
In the eyes of Jesus is love,
00:47:04.62\00:47:08.91
compassion, mercy, kindness.
00:47:10.21\00:47:16.18
All that's contained
in the eyes of Christ.
00:47:16.48\00:47:19.11
But also His
eyes have the ability
00:47:20.41\00:47:24.79
to penetrate, to
see, to understand
00:47:25.09\00:47:30.60
what's happening
and what's taking place.
00:47:30.90\00:47:32.52
The ability to read
your heart and mine.
00:47:32.83\00:47:36.24
In fact, the scripture says
concerning the eyes of Jesus:
00:47:36.74\00:47:40.06
You can't hide
anything from Christ.
00:47:54.96\00:47:57.10
Just impossible...
00:47:57.40\00:47:59.78
because He sees it all
00:48:00.08\00:48:01.53
but at the same
time He's merciful.
00:48:01.83\00:48:05.85
He's kind, wonderful.
00:48:06.15\00:48:08.71
The word here in scripture
where it speaks of the feet
00:48:11.66\00:48:15.93
of Jesus was as
bronze... or brass I should say.
00:48:16.24\00:48:20.86
It was as brass.
00:48:21.07\00:48:22.10
Actually the word
used there for brass
00:48:22.40\00:48:25.37
describe a certain kind of brass
that the Greeks and the Romans
00:48:25.67\00:48:29.59
used. It was a brass...
and brass was the most enduring
00:48:29.79\00:48:33.83
metal they had...
00:48:34.03\00:48:35.35
and this particular brass
was called Corinthian brass.
00:48:35.56\00:48:41.09
Corinthian brass
was made up of bronze,
00:48:41.39\00:48:45.66
I should say copper, excuse me -
00:48:45.86\00:48:47.65
made up of copper
and of gold and of silver
00:48:47.85\00:48:51.55
and it was considered
of more value than gold.
00:48:51.85\00:48:55.96
And so when he uses that
word for Christ's feet there,
00:48:56.27\00:48:59.14
that's the word that it uses
00:48:59.44\00:49:01.45
representing Corinthian brass.
00:49:01.76\00:49:04.32
Want to have beautiful feet?
00:49:15.97\00:49:18.15
Take good tidings to people.
00:49:18.45\00:49:21.80
That's what He
promises to you and to me.
00:49:22.10\00:49:24.58
"How beautiful are the feet of
those who bring good tidings. "
00:49:24.81\00:49:28.85
When you pick up the book of
Revelation, you start through
00:49:36.73\00:49:39.71
reading it, you'll
find that it speaks
00:49:39.81\00:49:43.77
of the voice of God being
like...? You know what it says?
00:49:44.07\00:49:49.59
Like thunder.
00:49:49.89\00:49:51.83
Uses that over
and over and over.
00:49:52.13\00:49:55.15
Two things: it
says it's like thunder;
00:49:55.45\00:49:57.54
it says it's like the
sound of many waters and all.
00:49:57.84\00:50:02.72
But at the same time,
00:50:03.02\00:50:05.18
His voice can be majestic.
00:50:05.48\00:50:09.98
But it can be
mellow, it can be sweet,
00:50:10.28\00:50:14.86
it can be kind.
00:50:15.16\00:50:16.96
God has the ability to speak
00:50:18.10\00:50:21.23
in a way that will
touch your heart and mine.
00:50:21.64\00:50:25.64
This is what He can do for us.
00:50:25.94\00:50:28.23
So the voice of God speaks;
00:50:43.76\00:50:47.33
great power is given.
00:50:47.63\00:50:49.91
Stars in the
scripture refers to messengers.
00:50:57.97\00:51:02.43
That's what it represents.
00:51:02.73\00:51:05.59
And don't forget it,
it uses many times stars
00:51:05.89\00:51:08.88
to represent not only
good messengers but bad ones.
00:51:09.18\00:51:13.19
It still refers
to them as stars.
00:51:13.50\00:51:16.89
But the seven stars
in His hand here, folks,
00:51:17.19\00:51:20.37
represents the ministers.
That's what it represents.
00:51:20.67\00:51:24.22
Ministers hold a
very, very sacred place
00:51:38.62\00:51:44.05
in the eyes of God.
00:51:44.35\00:51:46.79
But they also must realize
00:51:48.79\00:51:51.76
that they carry a very,
very heavy responsibility.
00:51:52.06\00:51:57.01
God looks after
them, cares for them.
00:51:58.22\00:52:01.65
They are the stars in
the hand of Jesus Christ.
00:52:01.95\00:52:06.15
Said: "Out of His mouth
went a sharp, two-edged sword. "
00:52:08.94\00:52:13.43
The sword
represents the Word of God.
00:52:16.32\00:52:18.74
It says it is a
"two-edged sword. "
00:52:20.08\00:52:23.57
Nobody who has
ever been converted...
00:52:23.67\00:52:28.82
nobody who's ever been converted
00:52:30.50\00:52:32.14
hasn't felt the
cutting of a two-edged sword.
00:52:32.44\00:52:38.30
Fall at the foot of the cross
and see your sins and all...
00:52:38.80\00:52:43.83
how it could be. But fortunately
He doesn't leave us there,
00:52:44.13\00:52:47.02
because it says - Hosea 6:1-
00:52:47.33\00:52:50.54
That's what Christ does for us.
00:53:00.40\00:53:03.50
No greater
representation of God:
00:53:07.54\00:53:10.65
the brightness of the
sun, the glory of God.
00:53:10.95\00:53:14.06
This is the
glory that Christ has.
00:53:26.30\00:53:30.08
And it says it is
sometimes manifested so bright
00:53:30.38\00:53:33.86
that they could
not look upon it.
00:53:34.16\00:53:36.09
Told John: "Write all this...
00:53:42.72\00:53:44.96
put it down, record it. "
00:53:45.26\00:53:48.19
This is what you and I
are going to be looking at,
00:53:48.39\00:53:50.65
studying the next
few evenings together.
00:53:50.95\00:53:54.77
And it ends up the first chapter
of the book of Revelation
00:53:55.07\00:53:58.36
by saying:
00:53:58.56\00:53:59.64
And that's where we
go next in our study
00:54:13.60\00:54:16.21
is to the seven churches.
00:54:16.51\00:54:18.63
And we're going to look at
00:54:18.84\00:54:19.89
the first one: Ephesus.
00:54:20.09\00:54:21.74
What the scripture tells us
00:54:22.04\00:54:23.60
about that church.
00:54:23.80\00:54:25.46
And so be sure, if you weren't
00:54:25.76\00:54:28.37
watching... if you
were watching by television
00:54:28.57\00:54:30.32
or listening on the radio
00:54:30.52\00:54:31.83
and you weren't able
to get your Bible, be sure
00:54:32.03\00:54:34.84
and be here tomorrow
evening, 7 o'clock central time,
00:54:35.14\00:54:38.72
we're going to be taking a
look at this next chapter...
00:54:38.96\00:54:42.25
starting this next
chapter - chapter 2-
00:54:42.55\00:54:44.92
on the 7 churches, particularly
the church of Ephesus.
00:54:45.22\00:54:49.65
And we hope that it will bless
you in a very, very special way.
00:54:49.96\00:54:53.90
Thank you for being with us,
00:54:54.20\00:54:56.14
and we hope you will continue
00:54:56.25\00:54:57.47
as we study the
book of Revelation.
00:54:57.67\00:54:59.63
May God abundantly
bless you and lead you.
00:54:59.93\00:55:03.46
And may this
study bless your soul
00:55:03.76\00:55:06.93
and draw you
close to Jesus Christ.
00:55:07.23\00:55:10.30
Have a good
evening. God bless you.
00:55:10.60\00:55:13.38
Hello, folks.
00:55:16.29\00:55:17.31
One of my favorite
things to do in the springtime
00:55:17.62\00:55:20.15
is to take a walk and
look at all the new growth.
00:55:20.45\00:55:23.51
The earth seems so fresh,
00:55:23.81\00:55:25.72
and each tree bursts
forth with buds and flowers.
00:55:25.92\00:55:28.49
That reminds me of a parable
that Jesus told His followers
00:55:28.79\00:55:32.69
in Luke 21.
00:55:32.99\00:55:34.33
You see, He had just described
the events which will happen
00:55:34.63\00:55:38.18
immediately
before His second coming.
00:55:38.48\00:55:40.78
But in verse 29
Jesus turns their attention
00:55:54.87\00:55:58.41
to the fig tree.
00:55:58.61\00:55:59.73
And ever since then, budding
trees have served as a permanent
00:55:59.93\00:56:03.72
reminder that our
time here is very short
00:56:03.82\00:56:06.83
and the second
coming is very near.
00:56:07.03\00:56:09.65
Folks, many of these
signs are already upon us.
00:56:24.74\00:56:28.64
The earth groans from
the greed of those who have
00:56:28.94\00:56:31.53
exploited her
resources, ravaged her land
00:56:31.73\00:56:35.25
and destroyed plants and
animals and atmosphere alike
00:56:35.45\00:56:38.70
in a selfish pursuit of wealth.
00:56:38.90\00:56:41.02
Have you seen the signs?
00:56:41.32\00:56:43.01
Have you seen men's
hearts failing with fear?
00:56:43.31\00:56:45.70
If you haven't, then I'm
afraid you're not watching
00:56:46.00\00:56:49.02
very closely. However, the
Holy Spirit is hard at work
00:56:49.23\00:56:53.03
and so are many Christians
who long for an end to sin
00:56:53.33\00:56:56.89
and look forward to
their soon-coming Savior.
00:56:57.19\00:56:59.89
That's why we
continue to preach the gospel
00:57:00.19\00:57:03.16
to as many as we can
through any means that we can
00:57:03.36\00:57:07.08
as often as we can.
00:57:07.38\00:57:08.93
Our ministry team
is supported solely
00:57:09.23\00:57:11.76
by your contributions...
and we thank you for your
00:57:11.96\00:57:15.17
faithful prayers
and financial support.
00:57:15.38\00:57:18.53
May God richly bless you.
00:57:18.64\00:57:21.12
Please consider what you can do
for those who still don't know
00:57:21.42\00:57:24.61
about Jesus. As the
Holy Spirit impresses,
00:57:24.81\00:57:27.51
please send your
tax-deductible gifts to:
00:57:27.71\00:57:29.66
Thank you for helping us
spread the light of God's Word
00:57:41.95\00:57:44.23
through television and radio.
00:57:44.43\00:57:45.96
Your gifts help bring
the blessed hope of salvation
00:57:46.26\00:57:48.47
to millions around the world.
00:57:48.67\00:57:50.80