Living up to his name of “Sons of
Thunder” given to him and his brother James because of their boisterous and
thunderous preaching, John the Beloved was apprehended by the Proconsul of Asia
and dispatched to Rome to stand before Emperor Domitian. The Romans attempted to silence John by dropping
him into a large vat of boiling oil. Miraculously, he survived and found
himself on the Greek Island of Patmos, a prisoner of the Roman State.
John the Beloved began writing
about a vision he was given from God about 62 years after the ascension of
Christ around 95 A.D. I feel that God was proving to the Roman Empire and
especially to the Emperor Domitian that a person’s life is not over until God
says so. Nevertheless, miraculously survived the ordeal and alternately, sent
to the prison Island in the Sporades for prophesying the future. This prophesying
was deemed an act of divination, which was witnessed by Roman officials as defiance
and therefore constituted a crime by the Roman Empire State. However, the real
reason John was placed on the Island was that he was continually proclaiming
Yeshua as the Messiah. In this period of history there was in place a law
demanding Emperor Worship causing Domitian to be furious with John. John was
seen as one who led others away from this false worship of the Emperor and pointed
them to a usurper such as Christ. John writes:
“(1) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave
unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by
his angel unto his servant John: (2) Who bare record of the word of God, and of
the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” Revelation 1:1-2
KJV
John states that he was so impressed
upon by the angel sent from God to bare record of the Word of God and of the
testimony of our LORD and Saviour, [2]Yehoshua.
After spending a lot of time in this Book of Revelation, I have concluded that
this is the major theme of the book - our testimony of Yehoshua and what He has
done for us to be given freely to others, in short, the Gospel of Christ. The
Revelation continually stresses that it is imperative for every child of God to
be able to give to every man a reason of his beliefs. It is very simple for a
person who believes in something strong enough to give an account of that very thing
and maybe it will be a strong enough belief system that the individual would not
hesitate to give up their life for it. There have been many people throughout
history that have given their life over much less important ideals or
questionable loyalties. Where John finds himself at the time of this writing is
proof enough of John’s loyalty to the Kingdom of God. I feel in the coming
days, we also will be tested for our loyalty to Almighty God and His Son, the
Prince of Kings on Earth.
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear
the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3 KJV
Here John is simply stating
that happy is the person who is ‘in the know’ because if one heeds the warning
they will know what to do when the time arises. The true believer will not be
taken by surprise or caught off his guard. The things that are written are to
be expected and taken seriously for our own safety and our families well being.
When we see these events begin to unfold, we that are ready will know that
prophecy is being fulfilled right in front of our eyes. John writes, “Must
shortly come to pass” and “for the time is at hand”. I ask, just what is John
implying? From my experience of years reading and studying history, I have concluded
that John was given the vision of the apostasy of the church and the fall of the
[3]Western
Roman Empire 27 B.C. – 476 A.D. Much of
the vision was about to begin and is already history to us as we will see as we
go verse by verse in this exposition of the Scripture. As we will discover,
there is also a point in which the Scripture become futuristic for us here and
now. There is a dividing point when John writes about his future and then moves
to our future.
“(4) John to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and
which is to come; and from the seven [4]Spirits
which are before his throne…" Revelation 1:4
As we can read, this is an official calling from
Christ to John. Christ is explicitly making remarks of the full authority from
which this message transferred from the Throne Room to John’s prison home. Make
no mistake, this is an official document written by John from the Prince of the
Kings of the earth with all its weight and gravity of divine intervention. The
LORD [5]Yehoshua
is sending this message, especially intended for those pastors who are
born-again into the Kingdom of God. This document was sent to the pastors through
John to be a warning signal as events transpired involving the called out, the Church. This document was also for
our admonition to help encourage us to keep the faith given to us by God and
not to compromise our beliefs by the wiles of the devil. We are encouraged to
hold fast as the Day of Judgment is soon approaching. Our LORD [6]Yeshua
was deeply concerned with what He saw in John’s future and was trying to
prepare us to keep and receive our just rewards of joy, happiness, and fullness
of His spirit.
(5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the
earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
(6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be
glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5-6 KJV
[7]Christ, once again, desires
to remind all of us from where our blessing of salvation comes from and to
remind us of our destiny. This admonishment is repeated many times throughout
the Bible, through the writings of John and others like the Apostle Paul. This
is purposely for the reason that so many Christians lose sight, faith, and hope
of Christ’s intervention and return due to external pressure from the powers of
the world, the believer’s enemy. After all that John and the other Disciples
had been through and still going through, I feel that the LORD Yehoshua was
bolstering and encouraging John’s faith to let him be assured that what he was
going through would be worth it all when his life came to its end. This is why
John was exclusive in receiving this official document of eschatology from his
LORD, to let him know that his efforts for the Kingdom was well received and
appreciated for impeccable service to God. I am sure John recognized the fact
that it was not time for him to come home for God still had more things for
John to do. The LORD Yeshua saw fit to place him aside strategically and alone
for some quite time so that John would be able to concentrate on the task. This
writing task would require all of John’s strength, attention, and contemplation
to succeed.
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall
see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindred’s of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so,
Amen.” Revelation 1:7 KJV
John is comforted with the LORD Yeshua’s confirmation
that He will return as promised. We should recall that Disciple John was
present along with 500 plus eyewitnesses to the ascension of Christ. Christ
reminded John to contemplate on whom it was and why it was that He was placed
on that old rugged cross. The first point is the Jew’s rejection of the Messiah
and of whom they will recognize on His return. Secondly, the ultimate sacrifice
of all the sin of humanity for all generations. This action will ultimately appease
the Almighty Father and establish the Kingdom. From this standpoint, we as
born-again believers will be with Christ, post rapture – post Marriage Supper
of the Lamb, in the clouds returning to earth to setup and establish the
Kingdom of God.
(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.”
Revelation 1: 7 – 8 KJV
In this
statement, Christ affirms that He and the Father are one in the same. Many
Scriptures confirm this statement throughout the Bible. This is a deliberate
attempt to put to rest the atheists question.
“And when he was come into the temple, the chief
priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these
things? And who gave thee this authority?” Matthew 21:23
“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30 KJV
The conclusion of the matter is Christ’s final and
ultimate authority by which this document of Divine intervention arrived to
John. This is the answer to the question asked many times in the past and is
still being questioned today by skeptics and atheists alike. In the end, when
all mankind stands before this final authority they all will be instant
believers but unfortunately for them it will be too late to act on this
knowledge. Belief in His name [8]Yehoshua,
or not will be irrelevant. The fact remains we all have been informed and for
some, a warning.
“For as the Father hath life in himself; so
hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he
is the Son of man.”
John 5:26-27 KJV
“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. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great
voice, as of a trumpet, 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.” Revelation 1:9-11
KJV
“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And
being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And 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. His head and his
hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were
as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a
furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 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.” Revelation 1:12 –
16 KJV
John’s vision of Christ is one of ultimate judicial
power. I have to pinch myself here and remember what is pictured here is not
the Bema Seat of Christ which is still in the future for all born-again
Christians. Christ was seen standing, not seated, as presiding over the
churches and commenting on the performance of each. However, with each critique
the church is issued a warning and a blessing also. Christ is admonishing why
their performance filled with apathy and coldness, or the opposite, on fire
with love and devotion to Christ. Whatever their hindrance, they are also
encouraged to do better and be blessed for their efforts.
“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: 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. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the
things which shall be hereafter; 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.” Revelation 1:17-20 KJV
Through much study, I have somewhat concluded Mystery
of the Seven Stars. I have discovered that other commentators claim the Seven
Stars are pastors of each church named. This raised a flag for me when upon
hearing this preached from the pulpits on occasion. If we consider verse four
and verse 17, we have to account for the seven Angels at the Throne mentioned
which are sent throughout the world to give messages to God’s own. I found this
through searching the Bible and considered the fact that the Bible is its own best
commentary. Here are some verses of Scripture to help us see some light on this
subject.
“For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they
should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.”
Malachi 2:7
Paul the Apostle said, “Ye know how through infirmity
of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation
which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” Galatians 4:13-14
Paul makes excuses for him not being an angel. He is a
messenger sent from God yes, but he is no angel and used his infirmities to
point this out.
“Then spake Haggai
the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am
with you, saith the LORD.” Haggai 1:13
“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth
shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt. And they that be wise shall
shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:2-3
So, we can see through the Scripture, and there is
more, that there is sufficient evidence that the Mystery of the Seven Stars is
none other than the angelic messengers of each church mentioned, overseeing the
seven churches. For the benefit of doubt, if the seven stars are representative
of the seven pastors, it would have to be in the future tense and this could be
the reason for other commentators mentioning that this is the case. Yes, the man
of God is God’s messenger, there is no doubt, but he is by no means an angel.
We, as born-again Christians are never destined to become angels or actual
stars for that matter; but assuredly, we will be like unto them both,
possessing a glorified body. One good reason for this assumption is that John is
still alive, still in the flesh and subject to error and failure; therefore,
the reason for the letters in the beginning. These dispatched letters seem to be none other
than report cards from Heaven to the pastors in charge of keeping them from
falling apart on earth and thwarting the Apostle Paul’s ministry. We build on
each other’s ministry. According to the supporting Scripture, the wise Saints
will become as shinning stars in their future and after their death, providing
they perform well on earth. As John receives the letters to the churches we
have to keep in mind that all these pastors are alive and have opportunity to
bring about change to correct their predominate errors. It is evident that
Christ deems that these letters are warranted because of the seriousness of the
state in which the church is found.
If this is the case, then I find it curious that the
first letter and all the letters came to the first pastor of the first church
mentioned. His name was John and he had 62 years after Christ’s ascension to
build on the ministry of Christ. As I stated before, it seems these letters are
nothing short of a report card of sorts pointing out the graph of performance.
As we can see, John and the pastors of the other churches are still alive and
have an opportunity to bring about change that would please the Overseer and
increase performance and possibility of better rewards. This should very well
be a warning to you and me as we still have opportunity. The letters alone tell
all of us what is expected of Christ and His Kingdom. What is missing here is
the story of each church and the conditions in which they found themselves, and
how they dealt with adversity and joy together at the same time. Each of the
pastors has their own story to tell just as you and I do. Whether the outcome
is on a positive note or a negative one, I do believe we will conclude that
there will be no excuse when we find ourselves in front of God at the Bema Seat
of Christ. This writing is just part of the reason to discover just what it was
that caused the problems and the outcome of the mentioned churches.
[1]
John’s Hebrew name is ‘Yohanan’, which interpreted means “Yahweh is gracious”.
[2]
“Yehoshua”, Christ’s Hebrew name.
[3] It is noted by scholars the time of John’s
writing herein is about 95 A.D.
[4] The
Seven Angelic messengers
[5] Christ’s Hebrew name “Yehoshua”, in English,
it is the same as Joshua of the Old Testament.
[6] “Yeshua”
is Christ name from the Jewish Talmud. It is a short version of Yehoshua. The
name ‘Jesus’ is Greek for “Iesous”. The name Jesus first appeared in translations of
the Bible in 1629. The spelling changed throughout the many translations, until
the final change was agreed upon in 1629.
[7]
Christ = Messiah = The Anointed one.
[8] Hebrew meaning of His name ‘Salvation sent of
Yahweh’ Christ states He comes in His Father’s name, thus Yehoshua is His real
name John 5: 43.
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