"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
Daily Devotion in Revelation 1
Daily Nugget:
The book of The Revelation is the most popular of the prophetic books of the Bible. While on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:9), Jesus (Revelation1:1) revealed futuristic things to John. In this unveiling of things to come, Jesus instructed the apostle to write the things he saw and heard in a book (Revelation 1:11) so that all could read what would happen (Revelation 1:3).
Hundreds of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus and His first coming have happened. Hundreds of other prophecies about other occurences also have come true. It is just a matter of time until all that is recorded in The Revelation is fulfilled.
John was to send what he recorded to seven churches of that time (Revelation 1:11). There were undoubtedly more than seven churches, so there were other reasons the revelator gave those churches copies of what Jesus showed the apostle.
As we read in the next two chapters, those churches had some in their membership that were doing right, but others were doing contrary to what The Lord required. The revelations given to them provided those that were doing wrong an opportunity to repent and do right.
These seven churches erred in not living as they should. They were examples of what many other churches of all ages have done. Although these first-century examples were a long time ago, sin has not changed, and churches today have similar problems. The rebukes of those churches can also be a wake-up call to any church with the same spiritual issues.
There is another reason for exposing the errors of these seven churches. I believe it to be the most important for our modern time. The Revelation shows those ministries' spiritual conditions and pictures churches' attitudes and behavior throughout history.
As Revelation is a prophetic book (Revelation 1:4), the seven churches pictured seven church ages. There are never two churches alike, but there were predominant spiritual behaviors among churches during certain times in history.
Some say that the:
- Church in Ephesus (Revelation 1:11) pictured early churches that had “lost their first love.”
- Church of Smyrna pictured the persecuted churches during the second and third centuries.
- Church at Pergamos pictured the heretical church age with rampant idolatry and other sins.
- Church at Thyatira pictured the Dark Age churches (before the 16th century).
- Church at Sardis pictured the Renaissance church.
- Church at Philadelphia pictured the great revival among churches at the end of the 19th century.
- Church at Laodicea pictures the lukewarm, apostate churches of this church age.
These things spoken of in this book are for us to learn. They were revealed so we would know what was to come. It is not the mysterious book that many feel it is. It does take knowledge of other parts of the Bible to understand it more clearly. However, God has preserved it for our edification. He promises a blessing (Revelation 1:3) to all that read it.
Today’s Thought:
“The church is a gift from God; some assembly is required.” — Author Unknown
Words to Understand:
Alpha: the first letter in the Greek alphabet. It is also used to denote the beginning of something. The usage in Revelation 1:8 refers to a person, as it is a capitalized proper noun.
Omega: the last letter in the Greek alphabet; also used to indicate the end of something. This usage (Revelation 1:8) is also referring to a person as it is a capitalized proper noun.
Revelation: revealing truth from God; making something clear to another that was not previously understood
Today’s Reading:
The Revelation 1
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.
3 ¶ 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.
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 Spirits which are before his throne;
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 for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
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.
9 ¶ I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 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.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 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.