Divided
Version - Letters
of Truth - Redemption--All
In All - Spirit
of the Word - Covenant
Eschatology - Introductory
Note - New Stuff
REVELATION -- A Positive Book
by Ray Prinzing
CONTENTS
Preface
1. Revelation - A Positive Book (Revelation
1:1-6)
2. Coming With Clouds (Revelation 1:7)
3. Companions IN The Processing (Revelation
1:9-20)
4. Christ Revealed In Overcomes (Revelation
2:1-3:22)
5. Come Up For More Revelation (Revelation
4:1-11)
6. The Scroll Of Redemption (Revelation
5:1-14)
7. The Horses Are Riding--Within (Revelation
6:1-8)
8. The Other Seals Are Opened (Revelation
6:9 - 8:1)
9. Let The Trumpets Blow (Revelation
8:1 - 9:21)
10. Personal Participation, Eat The Book
(Rev. 10:1-10)
11. Measure The Temple (Revelation 11:19)
12. A Manchild Company Brought Forth (Revelation
12:1-17)
13. The Mark--Of God, Or The Beast (Revelation
13:1-18)
14. With The Lamb (Revelation 14:1-20)
15. Seven Angels With Seven Plagues (Rev.
15:1 - 16:21)
16. Mystery--Babylon The Great (Revelation
17:1-18)
17. Come Out Of Her, My People (Revelation
18:1-24)
18. Let The Hallelujahs Ring (Revelation
19:1-21)
19. The Bottomless Pit (Revelation 20:14)
20. Partakers Of The Foremost Resurrection
(Rev. 20:4-6)
21. After The Second Death Process (Revelation
20:6-15)
22. All Things New (Revelation 21:1-21)
23. The Lamb, And The Lambkin (Revelation
21:22-27)
24. The Curse Is Ended Forever (Revelation
22:1-19)
25. Even So, Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation
22:20-21)
How I Iong for you to grow more centain in your knowledge
and more sure in your grasp of God Himself. May your spiritual experience
become richer as you see more and more fully God's great secret, Christ
Himself! For it is in Him, and in Him alone, that men will find all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
(Colossians 2:2-3, Phillips Translation).
"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and
all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken
it." (Isaiah 40:5)
"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge
of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Hab. 2:14)
Preface
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened..." (Ephesians
1:17-18). This is the on-going prayer of our heart, both for ourselves,
and for all who read this book. It is written with the hope that
it will serve as a confirmation to that which God sovereignly reveals to
you. May you ever BEHOLD HIM!
That which we have shared is but a glimpse into truths
which thrill the heart as we turn from the negative approach that is normally
taken in the study of the book of Revelation. Having read books that
have tried to set forth chronologically a fulfillment in natural events,
and found that such did not minister life within, we now share from a different
perspective. We argue not with other men, we simply share of the
spirit and character of that which has been quickened to our understanding.
It is not a running commentary upon every verse, nor a definitive study
of the Book as a whole--rather, we offer only those insights which He has
given us from those passages which He has quickened. Surely, "In
the ages to come He will shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7). There
is a progressive walk in coming to KNOW HIM more, indeed, "The path of
the just is as the shining (morning) light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day." (Proverbs 4:18). Bless His name!
NOT TO BE SOLD
This book through this website can be
printed. It is given free, as a ministry of love. The truths contained
therein cannot be valued in terms of material goods, but they are shared
with others because they have become life and light to us. Now it is our
sincere desire that they might also serve for inspiration and confirmation
to those who read them. May they be received in the same spirit of love
in which they are shared. If there be any thoughts expressed that seem
to be the result of only natural thinking, we trust that a little breath
of kindness shall blow the chaff away, that the kernel of truth might remain
to bless. BACK
Chapter 1 - "Revelation--A
Positive Book" (Revelation 1:1-6)
"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: Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the Testimony of Jesus
Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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 1:1-3).
Blessed is he that reads, hears, and
keeps the message of this Book. There is a special blessing reserved for
those who do so, yet so often people have shunned the Book, either because
it was veiled to their understanding (though it is declared to be a revelation),
or else they thought it was too negative--- filled with images of beasts,
woes, and the various judgments of God. But as the holy Spirit causes
His light to shine upon the truth, again and again we find it to be a positive
message of hope and victory.
Furthermore, note the phrase, "For the
time is at hand..." He does not relegate this to a far-off future
series of events, but it becomes experientially worked out in each of us
as He draws us to Himself, conforming us to His image. As Jesus stated,
"The hour cometh, and now is..." (John 4:23). For those whom
He is drawing to Himself as the firstfruits of His new creation order,
it is not only coming, but already begun. The in working process
has started, and must continue until it is fully consummated, to His glory.
So, for the multitudes it is coming, for the firstfruits it is on now,
as they "taste the good Word of God, and the powers of the world (age)
to come.'' (Hebrews 6:5).
It has
been said, there are five ways to interpret the Book:
1) Historically, it all happened a long time ago.
2) Present, in our now, but mostly negative, as
people try to fit the events of their day into its pages, wondering if
these certain happenings fulfill the judgment and doom they have
been told is to come, to signify times end, though they hope they
can escape from it all.
3) Futuristically, it will all happen out there some
time.
4) Idealistically, poetically, using mental images from
which to form your ideals and values, etc.
5) All of the above, practicing parts of each.
Perhaps that is how many view it today. Some of it is viewed historically,
some of it is viewed
prophetically, and betimes men look to see if it
verifies the time table that "the end is upon us.'' While occasionally
passages are used to draw images and pictures that men apply to their
day, as they interpret various points and fit them together.
Now we would present a different approach,
as the holy Spirit quickens various passages, and gives us a POSITIVE
VIEW, with our Lord Jesus Christ as the Center of our focus, for this
is declared to be, "A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST." This phrase
tells it all. The book was written for one purpose, to be the revelation
of a Person, not of historical events, nor of future doom and negativism.
Every woe, every vial, every thunder, etc. has but one purpose, TO BRING
FORTH THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. All that is written of
beasts, images, marks, Babylon, etc. are simply issues that are exposed
because of the Light. Every revelation of Him will expose the darkness,
not to bring terror, but to swallow it up into the Light. "For God sent
not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world though
Him might be saved." (John 3:17). SALVATION IN FULL is the
ultimate victory to be brought forth. "Behold, I make all things
new." (Revelation 21:5). Amen!
Furthermore, God "sent and signified
it," that is, He revealed the message through signs and symbols.
They are not literal, HE IS THE REALITY! The signs and symbols are
but a means to an end, not an end in themselves--they point to Him,
revealing more of His nature, His character, His purpose, that He might
be glorified, for the fulfillment is found in HIM. This is a book
of positive spiritual realities communicated by the means of these picturesque
scenes and events. You will not read of their fulfillment in the Daily
News, because they are not speaking of world events. This is the unveiling
of a Person who has not yet been seen in all His power and majesty.
But as He is revealed TO US, and IN US, you will see these
things fulfilled in a people who are becoming ONE IN HIM--thus it
is a revelation of Him, albeit also being in a people who share and manifest
His glory.
Significant that twice in the first chapter
(1:8,1:11), and twice in the ending chapters, (21:6, 22:13) emphasis is
given, "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."
It is this fact which makes this such a positive Book. From the Center
to the Circumference, from the Beginning to the Ending, it is GOD ALL
THE WAY. The more He becomes the Alpha and Omega of all things in our
own life, the more our eyes are single unto Him to see Him in all the happenings
that unfold in our pathway, the more we rejoice in the positive outworking
of the will of God in us. However negative an event in our life might first
appear, because HE IS THE OMEGA we know that all is secure--His
will is being done "on earth, as it is in heaven."
Hear again the words of the prophet, "Who
hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning?
I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am He. Fear thou not;
for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen
thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand
of My righteousness."
(Isaiah 41:4,10).
Because He is so totally and sovereignly
in control, being the Beginning, and the Ending, and all the way in between,
then it rightly follows--"FEAR NOT!" Regardless of what happens,
He will work it into your good, and for His praise. The only question that
remains, is--"Is He the Alpha and Omega of our life?" When we have
this confidence in Him, the results have to be positive.
Job made the confession, "The LORD
gave, and the
LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of
the LORD." (Job 1:21). And the very next statement tells us,
"In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." It was the
truth! This was no error! THE LORD DID IT ALL --being fully
responsible for the giving, and the taking away. Job did not blame
some intermediate agency of Satan, who had, as God's servant, brought about
the destruction, for he saw that the Hand of God was in control,
and Satan could do no more than God allowed him to do--used him to do.
To
see GOD in it all--Job did not sin, i.e. miss the mark with
his confession. Actually, he spoke a vital truth, right on target,
when he saw it as the sovereign handiwork of the LORD.
We note that the word "LORD" used
here is in capital letters, signifying that it is the Hebrew tetragram
YHWH,
and is given in Exodus 3:13 as "I AM THAT I AM." Rotherham,
in his God-given revelation, reads: "And God said unto Moses, I will become
whatsoever I please." Since Divine resources are infinite, God will
please to become to His people only what is wisest and best. THIS
NAME is at once a revelation, a memorial, a pledge or PROMISE.
In all the compound redemptive names which are given in the Word--Jehovah-Rapha,
Jehovah-Shalom, etc. He is saying, by His very name, "I am pleased to become
your healer," or, "I am pleased to become your peace," etc. However,
Rotherham points out, more exactly it could be rendered, "I will become
whatsoever I please to become." Thus the verb runs forward into a reduplication
of itself. THIS IS A PROMISE--for He is BECOMING IN A PEOPLE,
a reduplication of Himself. And He is the Alpha and Omega of the
entire process, "in bringing many sons unto glory." (Hebrews 2:10). Every
one conformed to His image, being a partaker of His divine nature--so that
while you retain your individuality personality, yet it is all so IN
UNION WITH HIM that you become an expression of Him, manifesting His
life.
So, while it is "A revelation of Jesus
Christ," it expands into the revelation of the "himself creatures"
of which He is the Head. For, "Of His own will begat He us with the
word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures."
(James 1:18). His creatures-- literally, "certain kind of creatures
of Himself." It is truly a reduplication of Himself in a people.
"This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth My praise."
(Isaiah 43:21).
"And Enoch also, the seventy from Adam,
prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand
of His saints." (Jude 14). The Greek text more literally reads, "Lo,
comes the Lord in holy myriads of Himself." Every one that becomes
a new creature in Christ Jesus thus becomes a further manifestation of
Him--expanding the revelation of Jesus Christ. And all of this by
the sovereign handiwork of His love and grace. Our destiny is to
find our identity within the circumference of His identity--to express
His nature, character, etc. ever revealing more of Him.
"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; and from Jesus Christ, who is the
Faithful Witness, and the Prince of the kings of the earth."
(Revelation 1:4-5).
PEACE and GRACE in abundance
coming from Him who is in control of all the past, present, and future.
"Which was, which is, and which is to come." "Lord, Thou hast
been our dwelling place in all generations." (Psalm 90:1). He is
God over all ages, and He is the bountiful Supplier of all the GRACE
and PEACE which is needed to make this a most POSITIVE experience
of victory.
GRACE has underwritten the entire purpose of the ages,
making the end secure. And PEACE, synonymous with COMPLETENESS,
assures us that there shall be nothing lacking when He has finished the
outworking of His purpose. Alpha and Omega, Author and Finisher--because
of His GRACE and PEACE He will bring forth in all creation
a revelation of Himself!
"And from the seven spirits which are
before the throne." Reference is made to "the seven spirits of
God" in three books. Besides being spoken of here in Revelation,
we read to them in Isaiah, the Old Testament Book of Redemption, which
speaks much of the Christ--the Redeemer which would come; and then of those
who will be redeemed, from the firstfruits right on down to the totality
of the nations. Also in Zechariah, the book that deals with Restoration,
prefigured in a Zerubbabel company; that remnant which brings forth the
"Headstone with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it," knowing full
well that it is "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the
Lord." Thus a work that is wrought "with those seven."
(Zechariah 4:3-7,10).
Redemption, restoration, and revelation--the
seven Spirits of God are always connected with these. The fulness of the
Spirit fully equipped to bring about the redemption, restoration which
God has purposed. No wonder a positive victory is assured,for when
the full orbed ministry of the seven Spirits of God are effective in our
lives, their message is
GRACE AND PEACE. Grace, because it
emphasizes the fact that it is the sovereign handiwork of God, and nothing
by the works of the flesh. All that unfolds throughout this Book
in the bringing forth of the revelation of Jesus Christ in the lives of
men, is the positive action of the grace of God. And the outworking
of His grace is to bring forth PEACE--in the COMPLETENESS of our redemption.
And the ultimate result of this revelation of Jesus Christ is that every
creature might experience His grace and peace.
There are also three very descriptive expressions
which help to reveal the nature of the seven Spirits of God. Revelation
4:5, and 56, "And out of the throne proceedeth lightnings and
thunderings and voices: and there were SEVEN LAMPS OF FIRE burning before
the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. -And I beheld, and,
lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and
in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been ,slain, having
SEVEN HORNS and SEVEN EYES, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth
into all the earth."
Seven lamps, seven eyes, seven horns, each
of these is highly symbolic, and all referring to the seven Spirits
of God. Complete illumination-- complete insight--complete power
to accomplish. "And the SPIRIT OF THE LORD shall rest upon Him, the
SPIRIT OF WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING, the SPIRIT OF COUNSEL and MIGHT, the
SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE and of THE FEAR OF THE LORD." (Isaiah 11:2).
All of this is to be seen in the revelation of our LORD, and ultimately
in the corporate body of which He is the Head.
Certainly "All things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do." (Heb. 4:13).
Certainly it is in Him "In Whom are hid
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:3).
Certainly "The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress,
and my Deliver; my God, my Strength, in Whom I will trust; my Buckler,
and
THE HORN OF MY SALVATION." (Psalm 18:2).
Every symbol, every adjective, every, phrase
of description, is but a further revelation of our Lord, our Redeemer.
And it is by our UNION WITH HIM, being filled
with His Spirit, that all of these will become operative in us, to the
glory of God. But ever more HE has the pre- eminence, and only as we abide
in Him will we have this enrichment, "For without Me ye can do nothing."
UNION WITH HIM is the
qualifying word. "He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." (1 Cor.
6:17). Joined--the Greek word is "kollao" meaning: to glue, and has
been used of that union between a man and a woman--joined together in marriage.
So also, there is a MERGING INTO ONENESS WITH HIM so that we become
one spirit. Then the seven Spirits of God can flow through us--to reveal
HIS LIFE in and through us.
"And from Jesus Christ, who is
the Faithful Witness,..." There is no witness as faithful and true
as His. He is the Living Word, the declaration of the heart of the
Father. He bore witness of such GRACE AND PEACE that to this day
man can scarcely believe what He said. "Never man spake like this Man."
(John 7:46). His was a witness of LIFE, a witness of the love
of the Father for His creation. And as this Book begins, we are reminded
that He is a Faithful and True Witness. He speaks a message of GRACE
AND PEACE, which can be traced all the way through the Book, till He
has made "all things new."
"And the First Begotten of the dead..."
Here is a credential unparalleled in all history. The message which He
is about to declare is backed up by an experience of RESURRECTION,
of conquering death and coming forth in the fulness of life. When
He says there will be GRACE AND PEACE, there is nought that can
disannul it. For in Him the last enemy death) has been conquered,
and now He reigns to bring forth that victory in us.
"And the Prince of the kings of the earth."
In deed He will be revealed as "Lord of lords, and King of kings."
(Revelation 17:14). But for now we would emphasize that He is THE PRINCE,
from the Greek "archon'' meaning first in rank and power.
Paul brings this all into perspective when he writes of "The mighty power
which He (God) wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and
set (positioned) at His own right hand in the heavenlies, FAR ABOVE
ALL principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every
name that is named, not only ion this world, but also in that which is
to come." (Ephesians 1:20-21).
From the position of this lofty height--first
in rank and power, comes the message to undergird all the revelation which
follows, and that word is "grace and peace." Furthermore,
this is demonstrated in the fact that He "loved us, and washed us from
our sins in His own blood." (Revelation 1:5). He loved us, and
washed us! Highly exalted, yet He reaches down to where we are and ministers
that unconditional love that receives us into Himself. And with His
own blood He washes--cleanses us from our sins.
Washed--the Greek word is "louo" and means:
to bathe the whole person. It is akin to the word 'luo" meaning:
to loose. This is a total cleansing--a loosing from all our
sins, that He might "present you faultless before the presence of His glory..."
(Jude 24). To this end He will "sanctify you wholly; (that) your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto he coming (appearing)
of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
"Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He
shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21).
Such love--such grace--such a cleansing
that we are WHOLLY
loosed from all sin--purged from the old sin-nature
which had a propensity for sin, and made partakers of His divine nature
which cannot sin. "How much more shall the blood of christ... purge your
conscience from dead works to ser e the living God." (Hebrews 9:14).
"Having made peace by the blood of His cross,
by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they
be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20).
Yes, we are LOVED and WASHED, redeemed,
reconciled to Himself, and however long the PROCESS to bring this
to completion in us, He will not only finish what He has begun, but
He will have fitted us to share whit Him positions of glory and honor.
For, He "Hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father."
Again, Revelation 5:10, "And hath made
us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."
Let it be clearly pointed out, He is King
of kings, Lord of lords, but He is not Worm of worms. However low
our estate in our humanity, man is not destined to remain there. We read,
"Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith
the Lord, and that Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 41:14). Yes,
He condescended to men of low estate, and "Forasmuch then as the children
are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of
the same..." (Hebrews 2:14). And while He walked out that realm of
humanity, He fulfilled that Word, "But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach
of men, and despised of the people." (Psalm 22:6). But while He shared
with us of or low estate, it was with a view that we should share with
Him of His high estate. "He that descended is the same also that ascended
up far above all things, that He might fill all things. (Ephesians 4:10).
And He prayed, "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given
Me, BE WITH ME WHERE I AM." (John 17:24). Forgotten as a dream of the
night, no more lowly as worms, but WITH HIM to reign as kings and
Priests. HIS REVELATION is not as a worm, but as PRINCE of
all the kings of the earth. And it rightly follows that His being REVEALED
IN A PEOPLE they would be "as He is," therefore--as kings and priests,
praise God!
A priest is a go-between, a reconciler;
not
a barricade, but a bridge. The word "pontiff" comes from the Latin
word "pontifex," "pontis" meaning: bridge; and "facere" meaning: to do.
Thus it combines to be pathfinder, a way maker, a bridge-builder.
What a tremendous calling, that He "Hath committed into us the word of
reconciliation. That we might be--ambassadors for Christ, as though God
did beseech by us: we pray in Christ"s stead, be ye reconciled to God."
(2 Corinthians 5:19-20).
Called to be participators in blessing all
men, for "In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Galatians 3:8). Bless--from
the Greek word "eulogeo" meaning: to speak well of. It is the word from
which we get our English word "eulogize," but a eulogy is a retrospective
word, speaking well of a life that has been lived. In Christ the
BLESSING
INITIATES THE PROCESS, to declare a good thing and then bring it to
pass. He can speak well of us--"And call those things which be not as though
they were," (Romans 4:17) and then bring to pass all that He has foretold.
Likewise, those who, IN HIM, become part of the corporate blesser
company, shall by His seven-fold Spirit be able to declare the will of
the Father, speaking the GOOD NEWS, and then see that Word come
to pass--fulfilled to the glory of God.
Take Gideon for an example. "And the angel
of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee,
thou mighty man of valor." (Judges 6:12). Gideon immediately challenges
both statements. "If the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen
us? And where be all His miracles...?" Furthermore, on what grounds
do You call me mighty? "Where withing shall I save Israel? Behold, my family
is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." But
the answer came back, "And the Lord said unto im, Surely I will be with
thee..." (Judges 6:16). GOD GAVE THE WORD, AND HE ALSO FULFILLED IT.
Truly, he was blessed! And by the enablement of God he did become a mighty
man of valor, and he saw the miracles of the Lord.
We long for such manifestations of the Christ,
and well He hath promised, "He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath
said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7: 38).
Flow, from the Greek word "rheo," literally, to flow, TO SPEAK.
From this word comes our English word "rhetoric," or, expressive speech.
Out of our spirit we will speak--quickening streams of divine life. Not
a self-proclamation, but the inner Christ, who is the Living Word, is able
to speak the word of life, and bring it to pass. It is in union with
Him that this "kingdom of priests" will herald forth the good news which
shall reconcile men to God. They shall "reign ln life by one, Jesus
Christ." (Romans 5:1). Right here on the earth, to demonstrate to all
mankind that HE IS LORD!
God's working is not just an euphoric, ethereal,
mystic matter, but He purposes that man, coming into his destiny, in realization,
as the image of God, will enable the world to see God projecting Himself
through redeemed men and women, to the everlasting praise of His glory.
And what is first wrought in these "firstfruits" of the new creation species"
shall ultimately be wrought in every man, until He has truly "made
all things new."BACK
Chapter 2 - "Coming
With Clouds" (Revelation 1:7)
"Behold, He cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all the
kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Revelation
1:7).
It is "A revelation of Jesus Christ,"
to a people, in a people, with a people. The purpose of our seeing Him
is that we might be "changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
as by the spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18). And while "It doth
not yet appear what we shall be: we know that, when He shall appear; we
shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2). And the
reason He would "reveal His Son in me, (is) that I might preach Him among
the heathen..." (Galatians 1:16). To become the display vessels of His
grace, to become expressions of His love and mercy, to have Him REVEAL
HIS SON IN ME so that the world might see Him ever more clearly-- what
a tremendous high, holy, heavenly calling is this!
Preach Him-- The Greek word is "euaggelizo"
and while it means: to announce good news, it is made up of two parts,
"eu" (good) and "aggelos" (messenger). Of a truth, the message, and the
messenger become one. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of
him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth
good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion,
Thy God reigneth." (Isaiah 52:7). The message is GOOD, it is of PEACE,
it is of SALVATION, reaffirming that our God reigns. Such also is this
positive message of the book of Revelation. It is of grace and peace, it
is of the final triumph of Christ in a people, and ultimately in all the
universe.
Every coming of Christ is a further
revelation of Himself, and the outworking of redemption in His people.
Lo, He comes! He has come, He is here dwelling within us by His Spirit,
and He is yet to come in further revelations and manifestations of Himself.
"He cometh..." the Greek word
is "erchomai," meaning: to come from one place to another. He "Whom
the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things..."
(Acts 3:21), is coming forth in new dimensions of revelation, to be seen,
to be experienced. Out of the invisible, into the visible, to be known
more clearly, more fully, as He is revealed to man. "HE comes!”
Though it will also be in and with a people, the emphasis is upon HIS coming.
He is more than just an Omnipresent Spirit, He has an identity, a Being--
for He is "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for the ages."
(Hebrews 13:8). Saviour, Redeemer, The Anointed One, He comes in further
revelations of Himself.
"With clouds..." Immediately we have
before us a beautiful symbol of the saints in whom He dwells, and through
whom He shall be revealed, and with whom He is coming in glory. "Lo, the
Lord did come in His saintly myriads." (Jude 14, Young's Literal).
Daniel writes (7:13-14), "I saw in
the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came WITH THE CLOUDS
of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before
Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all
people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting
dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not
be destroyed."
Mark 13:26, “And then shall they see the
Son of man coming IN THE CLOUDS with great power and glory."
A definition of the spiritual nature
of the "clouds" is needful, lest we be entangled in tradition's confusion,
and spend our time looking for some "natural cloud" and fail to grasp the
import of the truth before us. Literally, a cloud is a visible mass of
moisture suspended in the air above the ground. Spiritually, it bespeaks
of a people who have been lifted out of the debris of earth's corruption,
to dwell with Him in the heavenlies-- partaking of His Spirit, living and
walking in the Spirit. “And hath raised us up together; and made us sit
together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6).
Underscoring the symbolism of people as
clouds, we read, Hebrews 12:1-2, "Wherefore seeing we are compassed about
with so great a CLOUD OF WITNESSES, let us lay aside every weight, and
the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the
race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher
of our faith."
Cloud of witnesses-- clearly defined as
all of those mentioned in the previous chapter, precious men and women
of faith who have been gathered unto Him in the realms beyond. Yet the
focus of attention is not on the clouds that surround Him, but upon HIM
who is both the Author and the Finisher of our faith, knowing that HE alone
is the Source of our life and victory. There is a vast host of witnesses
which already are WITH HIM, they are not yet visibly manifested, for the
hour of the redemption of the physical body has not yet come, but IN SPIRIT
they are with us. "Ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them
who shall be heirs of salvation." (Hebrews 1:14). We pray not to these
saints, we pray to Him who is our Saviour. Yet the fact that He is surrounded
with clouds, and can dispense their refreshing at any time, is a precious
truth to comfort and encourage us.
Consider the formation of the clouds, as
through the process of evaporation the water is lifted up from the earth
and gathered into a mass suspended in the heavens. The filth and corruption
which polluted the water is left behind, and it rises pure and clean to
be gathered in the heavenlies. We are in a process of being raised-- or
shall we say, spiritized, ascending from the realms of flesh, earthiness,
to rise in spirit and become one IN and WITH the Christ.
"He causeth the vapours to ascend from the
ends of the earth."
(Psalm 137:7).
"When He uttereth His voice, there is a
multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causeth the vapours to ascend
from the ends of the earth." (Jeremiah 10:13).
Obviously before He can "COME WITH
CLOUDS," He must first come TO each one-- be revealed to each heart,
and then He forms and gathers those droplets of moisture/spirit into clouds
unto Himself. This is the process which has been going on through the ages
as He draws to Himself that firstfruits of each generation, to become that
"innumerable company of messengers, the general assembly and church of
the Firstborn,... the spirits of just men made perfect." as spoken of in
Hebrews 12:22-23. Yes, "He causeth the vapours to ascend..." as He irresistibly
draws us to Himself, "one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring
you to Zion." (Jeremiah 3:14).
The Hebrew word translated here as "vapours"
is "nasi" and has been used 127 times in the Scripture. Three times given
as "vapours," once as "clouds," and 123 times as "princes, governor, ruler,
and chiefs." This immediately indicates to us that the vapours are people.
Thus we could correctly read the verse, "He causes His princes to ascend."
The earthly type bespeaks of a greater spiritual reality. Indeed, we have
already seen that we are to be "kings and priests," to rule and reign with
Him. Thus this symbol but further emphasizes that fact. He gathers unto
Himself a people, that He might be "King of kings, and Lord of lords."
Significant also, that the word "nasi" comes
from the root: to lift. It is not a self exaltation. God is the Uplifter.
We are not self-proclaimed princes, or rulers. "Whosoever shall exalt himself
shall be abased." (Matthew 23:12). "He that speaketh of himself seeketh
his own glory." (John 7:18). With deep in workings God would purge us of
all self-aggrandizement. For, "Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is
like clouds and wind without rain." (Proverbs 25:14). Or, as Jude writes,
verse 12, "Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds." Every
wind of doctrine blows them about, there is no water of life in them--
for self cannot produce spiritual reality. Negative clouds are they.
In no way does the minute drop of water
lift itself up from the muddy pool, it is a sovereign action from without.
There are no vapours ascending without warmth or heat-- God's FIRE. It
is the warmth of His love that draws us upward. It is the fiery trial that
looses us from the debris of the flesh, so that our spirit can arise to
higher heights. Purged, sterilized, fired, so that our growth progress
can be free of the malice, wickedness, idleness, unbelief, hypocrisy, etc.
It is in the furnace of affliction that our souls are turned heavenward
in the rising flames of His purging. All the mundane becomes as ashes when
His vapours begin their ascent.
The process is initiated by God Himself,
His will, His action. "He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters
in the heavens." It is the VOICE OF GOD WITHIN that kindles the flame of
change within us. Not the voice of church tradition, not the voice of the
doctrinaire. Rather, "The voice of the Lord is UPON THE WATERS..." (Psalm
29:3). And out of the mass of humanity He draws to Himself a people-- firstfruits
of the new creation. He speaks light into the darkened heavens of our understanding.
A still small voice in the quiet of our isolation. A song in the night,
the dark night of the soul. And “from the ends of the earth," begins to
arise a people that are to be joined unto Him. Then, indeed, it can be
said, "He cometh with clouds!" For, "When Christ, Who is our life,
shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory." (Colossians
3:4).
"And every eye shall see Him..."
"In Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in His own order." (1
Corinthians 15:22-23). HE "gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified
in due time." (1 Timothy 2:6). It is a revelation of Him-- He is Lord,
He is the Saviour of all men, and thus every man in his own appointed time
shall SEE HIM-- receive of His love and grace, and be saved. So great is
the outreach of His mercy, He says, "I am sought of them that asked not
for Me; I am found of them that sought Me not: I said, Behold Me, behold
Me, unto a nation that was not called by My name." (Isaiah 65:1).
“And He will destroy in this mountain
the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that
is spread over all nations." (Isaiah 25:7). Darkness, unbelief has been
upon all men. "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might
have mercy upon all." (Romans 11:32). Yet when He is REVEALED to them,
"it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for
Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we will be glad and rejoice
in His salvation." (Isaiah 25:9).
"And they also which pierced Him..."
So all-encompassing is His GRACE that He will reveal Himself even to those
who crucified Him-- including those who in their rebellion have "crucified
to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame." (Hebrews
6:6). Indeed, every one who claims an interest in the Saviour's sacrifice,
must confess a share in the guilt for which He suffered, for we all have
sinned and come short of the glory of God. Yet HIS LOVE COVERS ALL. "Father;
forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34).
"And all kindreds of the earth shall
wail because of Him." Wail-- literally, to beat the breast. It is an
expression of grief, but even more, it becomes an expression of REPENTANCE,
as we acknowledge our guilt, and then receive of His salvation. All the
tribes of the earth shall come to this place of submission before Him--
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
(Philippians 2:10-11).
"Even so, Amen." What more can be
said? He is "the Faithful Witness," and He declares GRACE AND PEACE--
manifested first in a remnant firstfruits, but ultimately in the whole
world-- every eye, every kindred, for "The God of the whole earth shall
He be called." (Isaiah 54:5). Totally positive, totally victorious, such
is the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen! BACK
Chapter 3 - "Companions
IN The Processing" (Revelation 1:9-20)
"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 in the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice...."
(Rev. 1:9-10).
The name John comes from the Hebrew "Jehovah is gracious." This emphasizes
again the fact that it is His GRACE which undergirds all of our processing,
while He brings forth a revelation of Jesus Christ within us. The
revelation was first given to John-- but it was to be shared with us, "to
shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass." These
are things which must come to pass in us, HIS PROCESSINGS IN US until He
shall be revealed through us, to His glory and praise. And while we might
feel ever so alone as we tread out our winepress, yet the grace which sustained
John, shall also sustain all those who are his "brother, and companion"
in this walk.
"Brother..." The very word bespeaks of family relationship, and
that we share the same Father, even "The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
of Whom the WHOLE FAMILY in heaven and earth is named." (Ephesians 3:14-15).
Jesus Christ is "the firstborn among many brethen." (Romans 8:29). For
He is "bringing many sons unto glory.'' (Hebrews 2:10). While at all times
HE must have the preeminence, yet we praise God also for our brethren,
for truly, "A brother is born for the day of adversity." (Proverbs 17:17).
Adversity-- tightness, tribulation, distress, affliction. While some might
condemn you for getting into a tight place, a true brother will squeeze
right in there with you, sharing your burden, comfort and stand with you
till God has worked out His purpose.
"And companion..." literally, a co-sharer. Although it is wrought
in each of us individually, yet it is also a corporate working, as we all
share in the processings-- "Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished
in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath
called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered
a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." (1 Peter
5:9-10). And it is this "togetherness" which brings us confirmation as
we share one with another of His in workings. The personal application
may vary, but the principles being wrought in each of us are the same.
John goes on to list five "ins" that we share together-- five is the number
of grace, reaffirming that it is purely and sovereignly God's grace at
work in us. This is truly the death of the self-life and its ambitions,
nullifying every ego trip, and we say with Paul, "By the grace of God I
am what I am." (1 Corinthians 15:10).
"Companion IN tribulation..." Tribulation-- the Greek word is "thlipsis"
and means: pressures, straitness, affliction. Its primary meaning is TO
PRESS. So much of Paul's ministry involved "Confirming the souls of the
disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must
through much TRIBULATION (pressure) enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts
14:22). It is a God-appointed route, but the victory is sure, because
GRACE much more abounds.
Writing about marriage, Paul said, "Nevertheless such shall have trouble
(pressure, tribulation) in the flesh..." (1 Corinthians 7:28). In this
day when there is such an attack against the home and family, this is a
very present day statement. The pressure of personality clashes, pressure
of differences of ideals and goals. The necessity to lay down one's life
for the sake of another. Pressure of home finances. Pressure of raising
a family. All of these can be used by God in our processing, for they are
unique pressures that accomplish in us things that shall help shape and
mold us into His image. So while God has not called every one to marriage--
and for sure a single life has its own pressures, yet let us see the Lord
in all of our daily travails and learn to submit and rejoice as God uses
all of these tribulations for our good.
In John 16:33, Jesus states, "In the world ye shall have TRIBULATION:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." The word "world" comes
from the Greek "kosmos" meaning: the arrangement of this present world
system. Ah, how it presses against us. Economically people are pressed
and burdened with financial troubles that make it a day by day struggle.
The political system vexes people to no end with its inequities and injustices.
The educational system is overwhelming in its liberality which wears away
at the moral fiber of our youth. The medical system is filled with fraud,
greed, out-of-control rising costs, etc. While perhaps the religious system
is the most distressing of all, as we see its superficiality, personal
kingdom building, carnality, error of doctrine, etc. Yet it is in the midst
of all this TRIBULATION, PRESSURE, that God is maturing His first fruits,
to bring forth in them a revelation of Himself. And so we are to "be of
good cheer; He has overcome the world," and by His grace we shall also
be partakers of that victory.
In the parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus mentioned that some are
offended "when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word (the
Logos of God)." (Matthew 13:21). There is nothing that will bring pressure
upon us like His Word. You can quote Scripture, hang it as a plaque on
the wall, wear emblems of the cross around your neck-- but when the Spirit
begins to lead you past "the letter which killeth," and into the reality
of its meaning, it will produce pressure and persecution. Truth causes
division because it severs between light and darkness. But this only makes
the truth all the more precious, and we can rejoice in that He reveals
the mysteries of God, and gives us the privilege of suffering for it.
Then 2 Corinthians 7:5 reads, "For, when we were come into Macedonia, our
flesh had no rest, but we were troubled (in pressure, tribulation) on every
side; without were fightings, within were fears." Here is a dual onslaught--
fightings without, all the intense warfare against the truth, whether by
the bestial, carnal nature of men, or by negative spirit forces. And fears
within-- causing you to wish you could flee the whole thing. But God holds
one steady, and all the "fightings and fears" are pressures for our perfection,
even if presently they do not appear that way, for we cease to rely on
our own strength and resources, and learn to cast ourselves all the more
upon Him who is our life.
Paul further writes in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, "For we would not, brethren,
have you ignorant of our TROUBLE (pressure) which came to us in Asia, that
we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired
even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should
not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead." Pressures of
death against God's own, that is tribulation indeed, and only one who has
been through it really understands. Whether it takes the form of physical
accidents and disabilities in yourself or those around you, or be it in
the mind where one battles for sanity and normalcy, yet even this works
for our good as we keep our eyes single to Him who hath "the keys of
hell and of death."
"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind
of the affiliations (pressures, tribulation) of Christ on my flesh for
His body's sake, which is the church." (Colossians 1:24). Here is a CO-SHARING
OF TRIBULATION of a depth which almost defies comprehension. We are so
recognized as a vital part of HIS BODY that He can "fill up" in us that
suffering which becomes a part of the corporate suffering for all the called
out ones. TO SHARE "in the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable
to His death," (Philippians 3:10), that He may use it as a part of His
deliverance for others. He bore the thirty nine stripes, but we share corporately
in the fortieth. The mystery of this suffering is a part of the TRIBULATION
which works for positive ends.
Then John 16:21 describes another kind of pressure. A woman when she is
in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is
deliver ed of the child, she remembereth no more the ANGUISH (pressure,
tribulation), for joy that a man is born into the world." Here travail
is included in the pressure. It is closely aligned to the fulness of time,
for a mother does not bring forth until the time of deliverance is come.
Now we are co-sharing in the travail of spirit, crying out for that deliverance
which is so desperately needed. Also a travail of soul (mind) that presses
in until our thoughts reel under the groaning for release. And perhaps,
for some, it even becomes a pressure in body as their whole being awaits
the fulness of the hour of redemption. Such pressure cannot be self-induced,
but only comes because the inward growth has come to the hour of release--
to be birthed into new realms in Christ.
Yes-- "companions in tribulation..." Pressures in marriage and home.
Pressure from the world's system. Pressure because of the Word. Pressures
of fightings without, fears within. Pressures of death. Pressures of Christ's
sufferings. Pressures of travail. All of this is preparatory for our entrance
into the Kingdom. "Not only so, but we glory in TRIBULATIONS also: knowing
that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience
hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad
in our hearts by the holy Spirit which is given unto us." (Romans 5:3-5).
Thus we see that tribulation is a necessity in the economy of God to make
us overcomers-- and having experienced the "IN tribulation" we are ready
for the next "IN."
"IN the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ." This "IN" is dual,
containing the Kingdom and also Patience. There is much that could be said
about the Kingdom, but we'll limit comments to the nature of the kingdom,
for the nature of that kingdom is being worked into us. "For the kingdom
of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in
the holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17). Pressed into the kingdom-- knowing that
we have no righteousness but HIS, for all of our self-righteousness is
as filthy rags. We have no peace but HIS. And we have no joy but HIS.
Pressed out of our self-works, to know that "Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification,
and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30). For He hath purposed "that we might
be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21). We are
not only to have His righteousness IN US, but we are to BE IN IT-- surrounded
by it, upheld by it, in a realm of being right with God.
Pressed into the realm of peace or unity where we are one with God, yes,
and even pressed into being at peace with all things, having no quarrel
with anything that comes our way-- because truly, "He is our peace." (Ephesians
2:14).
Pressed into a state of joy which in truth is the realm where our attitude
is right, where we can "rejoice always," for His Joy, which is the fruit
of the Spirit, abides within us, and we are IN IT. Thus, righteousness
is a proper standing, peace is a proper relationship to God and all things,
and joy is a proper attitude in everything.
"And in the patience of Jesus Christ." This is significant, because
it is not talking about our patience, but His. The Greek word is "hupomone"
meaning: to remain under. Not to run away from any situation that God allows
in your life, but you stay there until He fulfills His plan therein. Be
reminded, not only do we enter the kingdom through much tribulation, but
also tribulation worketh patience– works the patience of Christ in us.
Luke 2:43 gives us insight into the patience of Jesus. Here the word is
translated as "tarried behind." "And when they had fulfilled the
days, as they returned, the child Jesus TARRIED BEHIND (was patient
or remained under) in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of
it." Here we have His PATIENCE OF TIMING. He knew He must be about His
Father's business, and He was patient in His discourse with the doctors
of the law, and did not dash off before it was finished. He was willing
to abide the Father's timing all through His life-- He could say, "My time
is not yet come..." (John 7:6), and patiently wait for all things to be
fulfilled, and the conditions made ready for the next step. God has a perfect
timing for everything-- "For the vision is yet for an appointed time...
though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come." (Habakkuk 2:3).
It takes a lot of tribulation to condition us to remain IN His patience,
particularly in regards to time.
"The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the PATIENT
WAITING for (of) Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It is much more that just
our patient waiting "for" Him, but of partaking of THE PATIENCE OF CHRIST.
Christ means: anointed or anointing. Thus this bespeaks of the PATIENCE
OF ANOINTING. Too many want to rush about to heal the sick, raise the
dead, force confessions of salvation, preach, perform miracles, etc. All
of which are good in their place-- but we need to abide IN the patience
of the anointing. Jesus said, "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what
He seeth the Father do." (John 5:19). He was not need-conscious, but the
will-of-the-Father-conscious. He could pass by the Pool of Bethesda and
though there were multitudes, He healed but one. He could leave the multitudes
and minister to just a few. Only the will of the Father counted-- and He
had patience to wait for it.
"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy
that was set before Him ENDURED the cross." (Hebrews 12:2). Patience under
the sufferings of the cross. For sure the shadow of the cross was upon
Him from the beginning. Though He agonized in the garden of Gethsemane,
yet His prayer remained, "Not My will, but Thine, be done." Truly, "He
took the cup, and gave thanks..." (Matthew 26:27), knowing full well all
that it contained. He did not try to come down off the cross, though certainly
He had the power to do so. He came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and give His life a ransom for many, thus HE ENDURED the cross. Yes, it
takes the patience of Christ to do so!
Then, "Consider Him that ENDURED such contradiction of sinners against
Himself." (Hebrews 12:3). Against HIMSELF-- Himself speaks of identity.
He knew who He was, and could say, "I know whence I came, and whither I
go..." (John 8:14). He knew He was the Son of God, and that "I and My Father
are one." (John 10:30). Yet "In His humiliation His judgment was taken
away: and who shall declare His generation?" (Acts 8:33). So He patiently
endured all the contradiction against Himself, and the world knew Him not--
nor did He fight for an identity among them. And if we are IN the patience
of Christ, can we not also be patient with our own identity in Him, and
not proclaim ourselves? At the appointed time, our Father will say, "My
sons in whom I am well pleased."
"Because thou hast kept the Word of MY PATIENCE, I also will keep thee
from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world..."
(Revelation 3:10). Word-- Logos, bespeaking of the whole will, mind, intent
and purpose of God behind the spoken Word. The WORD of His Patience. The
more the plan and purpose, will of God is made known unto you, the more
you will need HIS PATIENCE-- for His plan spans the ages. As the True Husbandman
He has long patience for the ultimate harvest, knowing that the forces
have been set in motion, and His Word will not return to Him void. He reveals
to us a small portion of His plan, and we think it must be done right now--
ah, we need to be IN the patience of Christ, and HE will KEEP US through
all the processings.
"IN the isle that is called Patmos." We are told that the Isle of
Patmos was a rocky, barren, desolate island. According to tradition the
Romans used it as a place of exile, and John was sent there, where he lived
at hard labor for eighteen months. But it was here that he also received
this tremendous "revelation." All of this holds special meaning for us--
for an island is a "cut off” place, and how many ways God works this into
us-- separations, aloneness, cut off of fellowship, but exactly where HE
ordained for us to be, while He furthers a work within us-- removing us
from all other images, that we might be conformed to His image.
It is also to be noted that the "Isle of Patmos" was a place of
forced, hard labour. While certainly there are times when we are able to
have a separated, quiet time to wait upon the Lord, often we find He subjects
us to the tyranny of "hard labour" wherein we are forced to concentrate
upon the job, the many tasks to be done, etc. and we wonder how we'll ever
find time to "read the Word" or wait before Him. Ah, such times of "the
hard labour syndrome" can serve as a prelude to His sovereign visitation,
and through it all He is working into us a surrender and submission to
His will-- even in the nitty-gritty of every day living. It was God who
subjected the creature to this bondage of vanity, but with hope, hope for
the ultimate redemption/release into the glorious liberty of the sons of
God. To some the thought of hard physical labour, and receiving spiritual
revelation at the same time, might be incompatible, but God is not limited
by any circumstance. We read that Moses was busy tending the sheep when
God appeared unto him "in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush,"
(Exodus 3:2). So also in the midst of all your grueling hard labor God
can both speak into your spirit revelations of His truth, and work into
you more of His will and purpose. Have no fear, being "IN the Isle of
Patmos," can be a precious blessing in disguise, and we need to keep
our eye single to Him, knowing He is WITH US.
We read that it was "For the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus
Christ." Methinks there is a dual application here. Perhaps, in part,
it was because of the Word he already possessed that they cast him out
of their presence. But it was also FOR the Word he was about to receive.
"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower (Hebrew, fenced
place), and will watch to see what He will say unto me (literally, IN ME)."
(Habakkuk 2:1). God has a further revelation to impart to His people, and
don't be surprised if He separates you unto Himself that He might speak
His Word INTO YOU. Bless His name!
"I was IN the Spirit on (in) the Lord's day..." We note that the
word "WAS" in the Greek text does not use the verb of being, but the word
"ginomai" meaning: TO BECOME, and it signifies entrance into a different
state or condition. Literally, it reads, "I became in the sphere of
the Spirit." It bespeaks of going from the more relative control of
the Spirit in his daily life, into His absolute control-- one in which
the control of the Spirit superseded any action of John's will in the matter.
Peter had a like experience when we read, "He fell into a trance..." (Acts
10:10). Beyond himself, he was taken over by the Spirit to receive a revelation
from God which would change the whole course of his ministry. Likewise,
John, coming under the absolute control of the Spirit, received a revelation
of Jesus Christ which was far beyond what He might have dreamed or known
heretofore.
We know the joy of walking day by day with Christ, assured that our steps
are ordered by the Lord, and there is a peace within. But there are also
those rare moments when it is all "beyond us" as a sovereign work of the
Spirit within-- you feel "out of control" and yet you know ever more clearly
that HE IS IN CONTROL. How we long to be more and more "IN THE SPIRIT"
where He has absolute control of our being and we are lifted into the higher
dimensions of His reality and life. In the processings of the Spirit, as
He brings forth the revelation of His Son IN US, be assured there will
be these times when His Spirit envelops us, overshadows us, and we know
in a much deeper way of our union, of being one Spirit in Him.
Furthermore, Paul writes, "He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit
"
(1 Corinthians 6:17). We are being
processed until there is a ONENESS OF SPIRIT-- and we live out of this
"spirit realm." "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, is so be that
the Spirit of God dwell in you." (Romans 8:9). His INDWELLING, His being
AT HOME IN US, bespeaks of a UNION, a oneness of Spirit, and we are to
be "IN" this realm-- living out of this sphere. Then we will not judge
by the seeing of the eye, or hearing of the ear, but we will have that
INNER KNOWING of His will and way. Oneness of spirit requires total submission
to His Lordship, "he that is joined to THE LORD..." then out of this union
comes a spirit-filled, spirit-led life.
"IN the Lord's day." While King James Version reads "on" the Greek
text reads IN. Some would say he was in spirit on the Lord's Day, or the
first day of the week. But there is no scripture saying that the first
day of the week is the Lord's Day. Actually, if any day of the week is
the Lord's Day, it is the seventh day, for the Lord set aside that day
as a day of rest and hallowed it. But in truth, EVERY DAY IS HIS DAY! Even
the Psalmist declared, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will
rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24).
But when it reads that John was "IN the Lord's day," it bespeaks
of a period of time often spoken of as "the Day of the Lord," and "in that
day..." etc. There are two aspects to the Day of the Lord, one of judgment
and one of glory. The judgments are essential for they bespeak of the correctional
chastening of God which are used to bring man into alignment with His will.
The LORD'S DAY bespeaks of the sovereignty of His will and control in manifestation.
Yes, He is Lord NOW-- ruling now, but there is also "the hiding of His
power," (Habakkuk 3:4). But "It shall be said IN THAT DAY, Lo, this is
our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord;
we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."
(Isaiah 25:9).
So, when John was "IN" this Day, he was in the timelessness of the Spirit,
without loss of time, transported into the Day of the Lord-- with a revelation
of His triumph and victory. O what a foretaste of glory divine! And being
in this STATE of victory, John "heard behind me a great voice, as of
a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last." Here
the revelation unfolds-- the "I AM" as both Author and Finisher. If ever
we come into the reality of HIS REVELATION IN US, and through us, it will
be because we see and know Him as both the Alpha and the Omega-- THE ALL
of our life. But specifically note where he heard the voice-- for it was
"BEHIND ME." Why this location? Because before we can truly see
God in all our future, in the positive unfolding of His plan and purpose,
we must also see Him in all of our past. How we need Christ to come between
us and our past, so that we can only see the past THROUGH HIM, and know
that He had control over all our yesterdays, as well as of our future.
Even as long ago it was said to Israel, "Thou shalt remember all the way
which THE LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to
humble thee, and to prove thee, and to know what was in thine heart." (Deuteronomy
8:2). THE LORD was leading! You must see all of your past through Him--
knowing that all the negatives shall be worked into good, all the sorrow
shall be turned into joy, and all shall be to His praise. The Alpha and
Omega has been there all the time, "working all things after the counsel
of His own will." (Ephesians 1:11). When you know that He is ALPHA, GOD
OF YOUR YESTERDAYS, then you can face whatever lies ahead in the deep processings
of God in your future, in the woes, vials, thunders, etc. And because you
know He is also THE OMEGA, you are assured that all is secure in His grace.
As the revelation of Jesus Christ unfolded, John, who had known Him when
they walked together on the shores of Galilee, now saw Him in a new way--
"His eyes were as a flame of fire... His voice as the sound of many
waters... out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword..." Everything
about Him was awesome, and truly magnificent, till words cannot convey
the reality of who He is. Every word and phrase describing Him is so full
of meaning-- detailing His work in us, His power to accomplish-- until,
John says, "when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead." This same
disciple that once "was leaning on Jesus' bosom," (John 13:23), in sweet
intimate fellowship, knowing Him as "the man Christ Jesus," now saw Him
in His divinity, as Alpha and Omega, Lord of all, and he fell down before
Him, to worship Him. And ever the Merciful One, immediately Jesus said
to him, "Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am He that liveth,
and was dead; and, behold" I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the
keys of hell and of death."
Here is a revelation of the All-Conquering One! "For to this end Christ
both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead
and living." (Romans 14:9). He alone now holds the "keys of hell and of
death." "Having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them
openly, triumphing over them in it (literally, in Himself)." (Colossians
2:15). IN HIM the victory is complete, and now "He must reign, till He
hath put all enemies under His feet." (1 Corinthians 15:25). The victory
that is IN HIM, now must become experiential IN US. Thus He reigns-- reigns
in us until all the enemies in us (self-will, pride, etc.) are subdued
under His feet. Then shall the revelation of Christ be seen IN US.
There is no need to search far and wide to find a "key" for our transformation,
as if by any self-effort we could effect a change in ourselves. HE HAS
THE KEYS of hell and of death, so that "if I make my bed in hell, behold,
Thou art there." (Psalm 139:8). Why is He there? Because He stands ready
with THE KEY to open the way out of every hellish situation, and bring
you into realms of His joy and peace. "Because I live, ye shall live also."
(John 14:19). He alone knows how best to apply the cross so as to bring
death to our self life, that His life might fill us to overflowing. All
that He first wrought IN HIMSELF, is now to be wrought in us, as "IN CHRIST
shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order."
O, to behold Him as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last-- yea,
and in total control of our present. To see Him between us and our past,
that He might "wipe away all tears from their eyes." To see Him between
us and our future, so that only His will, plan, purpose, might be fulfilled
in us, to His glory and praise. To know that IN HIM, "there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more
pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne
said, Behold, I make all things new." (Revelation 21:4-5). Such is the
victory that is on the horizon for all those who are now "companions in
the processing." Praise His wonderful name! BACK
Chapter 4 - "Christ
Revealed In Overcomers" (Revelation 2:1 - 3:22)
"He that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I
give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise
of God." (Revelation 2:7).
There is One "who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks,"
who waits to be revealed in a people-- a people who hear His message, surrender
to Him for its in working, and emerge through all the tribulation/processing
as overcomers. Certainly all the power for our overcoming flows from Christ,
thus all the victory which we gain is actually a further revelation of
Him-- of what HE can do and become in the life of the believer. "In all
these things we are more than conquerors (overcomers) through Him that
loved us." (Romans 8:37).
"Through Him..." All that we are, or ever shall be, is because of Him!
"For without Me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5). "But ye shall receive
power, after that the holy Spirit is come upon you." (Acts 1:8).
Power-- the Greek word is "dunamis." From this word comes our English word
"dynamite," which bespeaks of an explosive energy force to accomplish.
But we also have the word "dynamo," which bespeaks of a controlled energy
force that is constantly being generated to meet the need. "I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13). The
Greek word for "strengtheneth" literally means: to make powerful inwardly.
Thus, in a footnote to his translation, Williams gives, "Through Him who
puts a dynamo in me." He, in us, is that dynamo. "Christ in you, the
hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27).
In all things He has the pre-eminence! He is the Original Overcomer, "the
Captain of our salvation." (Hebrews 2:10). He is the Trail-blazer, the
Pioneer, the Firstborn of this new creation species. "Having spoiled principalities
and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."
(Colossians 2:15). IN IT-- the Greek text reads, "IN HIMSELF." This victory
was first wrought in Himself. "I overcame, and am set down with My Father
in His throne." (Revelation 3:21). Now "He must reign, till He hath
put all enemies under His feet." (1 Corinthians 15:2). And where does He
reign? In us. By His Spirit He comes to dwell within us, rule within us,
until everything within us is subjugated unto Him, and it can be said of
us, as it was of Him, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing
in me." (John 14:30). That is overcoming! It means we must FIRST BE
OVERCOME BY CHRIST, before we become overcomers with Christ. It is His
victory, the same victory which was wrought "IN HIMSELF," that is now wrought
IN US. Thus all of our overcoming becomes a further revelation of Jesus
Christ-- expanding the glory of His overcoming.
How triumphant is His declaration, "In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). All of
its negativity, all of its pressures, all of that which appeals to the
lust of the flesh and is transitory and vanity, He overcame it all! Now
He would share that victory with us.
It is also significant that He prayed, "I pray not that Thou shouldest
take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the
evil." (John 17:15). He did not pray for an escapism for us, because
HE PURPOSES TO HAVE OVERCOMERS. To be "taken out" would cause us to miss
the very purpose for being here, which is to be trained, developed, exercised,
learning to OVERCOME it, and not give way to an over-desire for the world,
but to find in Him the satisfaction for every inward desire. Truly, "He
also hath planted eternity in men's heart and mind (a divinely implanted
sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun,
but only God can satisfy)." (Ecclesiastes 3:11, Amplified). Only God
can satisfy the desire HE has placed deep into every man. Yet, for the
purpose of our processing, He also places the world before us, and then
gives us the grace to overcome it. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh
the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our
faith." (1 John 5:4). Praise God, because He "was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin," (Hebrews 4:15) He is now able to empower
us to likewise face all testings, and through Him to prevail, overcome,
and not sin, i.e. not miss the mark.
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21).
We already noted that He prayed "That Thou shouldest KEEP THEM FROM THE
EVIL." And now He reveals how we are to overcome evil-- with good. Interesting
to note that in the Scriptures, apart from God Himself, Who we know is
GOOD, there is only one realm which is spoken of as good.
It is GOOD to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name,
O most High." (Psalm 92:1 ).
Young's Literal translation for Psalm 106:1, "Give thanks to Jehovah, FOR
GOOD."
Praise, giving thanks, is the realm of GOOD! This is the positive realm,
and just the opposite from the negatives of complaining, grumbling, etc.
The situation may be bleak, dark, a severe trial, but as one begins to
praise and thank the Lord for all things, assured of the fact that since
He allowed it, He will use it, then work it into good, such praising God
works for overcoming.
"Giving thanks ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS unto God and the Father in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:20).
"IN EVERY THING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you." ( 1 Thess. 5:18).
Much overcoming is wrought just by learning to give thanks IN and FOR all
things, for in this very act we learn submission to the will of God, and
worship Him rather than rebelling against Him, and what He is doing in
our life.
There are two Greek words for "evil."
1) kakon, speaking of evil in the abstract sense.
2) poneros, referring to evil in the concrete sense.
That which is abstract is that which is generalized, while that which is
in the concrete sense is that which is specific, names the thing. In the
generalized term we all have had evil in our nature, for we "were by nature
the children of wrath, even as others." (Ephesians 2:3). The cure for this
is to be "born again" and receive the new Christ-nature. Then in an active
participation with Christ now dwelling within, there is an overcoming of
all the evil around us-- facing up to these things, and gaining a victory
over them.
"I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked." (1
John 2:13). What victory! Not only overcoming all the generalized evil,
rising above the circumstances and pressures of the times, but then also
overcome those evil things which we face specifically-- openly identified
as evil, things which can rightly be termed as "the wicked."
The concrete evils which we face differ according to our various circumstances
and are meted out to us for our development. Inwardly we may battle jealousy,
temper, envy, resentment, pride, etc. all of which are evil in a concrete
sense, and only Christ can enable us to overcome them, by yielding to the
in workings of His cross. And outwardly we face the expressions of
evil from other men-- cruelties, back-stabbing, cursing, etc. But while
they may "do us wrong," yet through Christ we can forgive and have victory
in spite of these negatives. "And the Word of God abideth in you, and ye
have overcome the wicked." ( 1 John 2:14).
How desperately we need the inflow of the Word of God, not in our heads
as a mental knowledge, but DWELLING IN US. Not just quoting it by rote,
but it becomes our life, enabling us to overcome the wickedness that may
surround us. And then, regardless of the spirit-forces of evil which may
challenge us, we can stand firm, knowing, "Ye are of God, little children,
and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that
is in the world."
(1 John 4:4).
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which
is in the midst of the paradise of God."
There are rewards-- blessings-- privileges-- promises-- which are linked
to a definite state of being, which cannot be fulfilled until that condition
has been attained. OVERCOMING is not always a popular word, because it
speaks of testings and trials, obstacles arranged for our coming OVER them.
Yet concurrent with overcoming is also an active participation in receiving
of His life. There is both an "in part" of present time, and a "fulness"
which shall be realized as His purpose is fulfilled in us. Thus "Happy
is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
- She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every
one that retaineth her." (Proverbs 3:13,18).
Wisdom has been defined as: the proper, good, and excellent use of knowledge.
It is that, and more, so another definition goes: "Knowing the proper and
right end of a thing, and also knowing the means to get to that end."
The WISE will eat of the tree of life, for they know that the end is secure
in Him who is both Alpha and Omega. They will not try to escape the way
of the cross, but accept it as part of the means to an end, and in their
overcoming they find Christ to be "The Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John
14:6). Ah, to KNOW HIM-- "This is age-abiding life, that they might know
Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." (John 17:3).
"And unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom." (Proverbs
8:13). This is an attitude, not just some thing we learn, but a disposition
of mind, a settled behavior that governs our action. "The fear of the Lord
is to hate evil." (Proverbs 8:13). To hate evil is to love righteousness.
No wonder this is a part of the tree of life promised to the overcomers.
Fearing God is not a superstitious fear which is born out of ignorance,
such as taught in the doctrines of a "boogie-man devil," that many believe
in. Nor is it a servile fear which holds one in terror of punishment. The
wise know that all of God's actions are wrought out of His NATURE OF LOVE,
purposed for our good, to bring us into His life. Thus, the real "fear
of the Lord," is an awe and respect-- reverence for God, which brings us
into a relationship and fellowship with Him. We are compelled to seek Him,
that He might fill us with Himself.
Furthermore, "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality
and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17). The first thing we note is its purity--
this is a condition. The wages of sin is death, but where there is no sin,
there is no death. No wonder this wisdom, which is pure, is a tree of life
which the overcomers need to lay hold of, and be filled with it.
Peaceable-- no warfare, no contention, not argumentive, for truth needs
no defense, it just IS. Follow through with all the seven-fold characteristics
of wisdom mentioned here, and you find they are all a further revelation
of the indwelling Christ-life. For, of a truth, wisdom is not only an attitude,
and a right condition, but also a person. "But of Him are ye in Christ
Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom..."
(1 Corinthians 1:30).
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life" (Proverbs 11:30).
"The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to
sin." (Proverbs 10:16). Fruit-- the result of one's life-force, can either
tend towards life, or towards death. Fruit is produced according to the
inherent quality and life within. When Christ is that indwelling life,
all that is brought forth will be an expansion and further revelation of
that indwelling life. "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which
are by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:11).
"When the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12). Desire
signifies that you feel a lack. When all of our desires are directed God-ward,
to be filled BY and WITH Him, surely this is a fulfillment of the tree
of life.
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life." Proverbs 15:4). Ah, when all that
flows forth from our tongue is wholesome, that is both evidence that we
are truly overcoming, and that He is in control of all that is within us,
with even our speech revealing Him, for "If any man offend not in word,
the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." (James
3:2). Amen!
Since the overcomer partakes of the tree of life, it rightly follows--
"He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation
2:11). The death process is a transition, as we die to one form of living,
and come alive to another. When Adam turned from God to follow his own
will, he died out to righteousness and life, and entered into the realm
of death. In the spiritual aspect, "To be carnally minded (i.e. minding
of the flesh) is death." (Romans 8:6). While deterioration into complete
corruption and decay is death in the physical, natural aspect.
The offence of the first Adam brought all men under the sentence of death
for sin. Hence presently our mortal bodies are in a state of dying, and
our minds need to be freed from minding the things of the flesh, to mind
the things of the Spirit. The act of disobedience of Adam brought forth
death.
Now, one great act of obedience by the last Adam also brings forth a death
for every man. The question arises, however, is this second death the same
kind as the first? Many people think that it is a repetition of the first,
and that the results are the same, while its action is more severe and
cruel and destructive, being by fire. But God's seconds are never duplicates
of the first, they are always better, higher, and used to counter-balance
all the action of the firsts. Thus, by our identification with Christ,
"being made conformable unto His death," (Philippians 3:10), we find that
it is a dying out to our own self-will, and coming forth in HIS LIFE. And
since the overcomers are participating NOW in the process of His cross,
any future action of the second death processings will not hurt them, will
not cause them to suffer loss.
Paul writes of those who "are hurt" when he says, "If any man's work shall
be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so
as by fire." (1 Corinthians 3:15). Thus we have a tremendous challenge
for overcoming now-- that we lose nothing of the rewards and blessings
which we ought to enjoy in Christ.
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and
will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which
no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Revelation 2:17). How
progressive are the unfolding blessings to the overcomer. Partaking of
that tree of life-- life which cannot be hurt by any future second death
process, but it remains full and abundant, because there is an eating,
a partaking of the HIDDEN MANNA. Hidden-- Greek, "krupto," meaning: to
conceal, hide, keep secret. There is a realm which He hath hidden "from
the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." (Matthew 11:25).
Paul wrote, "May your spiritual experience become richer as you see
more and more fully God 's great secret, Christ Himself! For it is
in Him, and in Him alone, that men will find all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2-3, Phillips).
Man is so prone to look for the visible, earthy realm. They said to Jesus,
"Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them
bread from heaven to eat." But Jesus replied, "Moses gave you not that
bread from heaven;" (literally, not the bread of heaven), which is quite
obvious, because "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are
dead." But "The bread of God IS HE which cometh down from heaven, and giveth
His life unto the world. - I AM the living bread which came down from heaven:
if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever." (John 6:51).
Truly, the hidden manna is CHRIST-- "the hidden, which God ordained before
the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew..."
( 1 Corinthians 2:7-8). Not to be received to satisfy the lusts of the
flesh, nor for personal gain, so He is HIDDEN-- yet revealed to those whom
He apprehends for overcoming, who become one in Him, to share of His life
and glory.
"And will give him a white stone." Biblical history gives some interesting
insight, five things of which we would make mention. Five is the number
of grace, and GRACE stands out all the way, enabling us to gain the victory,
and freely giving us all things.
1 ) The white stone bespeaks of acquittal. In their judicial process, coming
to a decision, if they handed the individual a black stone, it meant condemnation;
and sometimes the Greek word "theta" was engraved upon the stone, implying
death. But if handed a white stone, it meant that he was judged not guilty.
Thus to be handed a white stone, the overcomer has instant confirmation
that he is fully justified, acquitted of all sin. "Therefore being justified
by faith..." (Romans 5:1).
Justified--
NOT "just-as-if-I'd-never-sinned," as some teach, that holds the implication
that you did sin, but we'll say you didn't. The Greek word does not allow
such a doctrine, it literally means: NOT GUILTY, NEVER BEEN GUILTY. Yet
we know that "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans
3:23). How then can we be given a white stone? Because there is ONE LIFE
that never did sin, He knew no sin, and He comes to dwell within us to
BE OUR NEW LIFE. "No more I, but Christ liveth in me." Just as He is the
hidden manna, He also is the sinlessness of the white stone. All of this
is more of the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2) The white stone was given to the winner of a race, or contest. "Know
ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?
So run, that ye may obtain." ( 1 Corinthians 9:24). HE RAN! HE WON! And
now in union with Him the overcomer shares the victory. "Thanks be unto
God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14).
White stones are also said to have been given to the victors in the Olympic
games, with their names (or initials) engraved on them. "And in the
stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth
it." The name bespeaks of the nature, the character, and thus again
it is a revelation of Him in us.
3) The white stone was used in the casting of lots in election, with the
black stone for "nay" and the white stone for "yea." Jesus said, "Ye have
not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." (John 15:16). "According as He hath
chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before Him in love." (Ephesians 1:4). And if
He be for us, who can be against us?
4) The white stone was betimes handed to a guest, as a token of hospitality,
a right to all that is in the house. He said, "In My Father's house are
many mansions (rooms):... I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2).
We are well aware that this is figurative language, but when He hands us
that white stone, it is a word of WELCOME, your place is ready, you are
joyfully received into Him, to share all the blessings of Father's
house.
5) White stones were used in the allotting of an inheritance. We separated
these points to examine them, but they all blend together. "He that
overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall
be My son." (Revelation 21:7). What tremendous love is revealed to
us in the receiving of a white stone.
"He that overcometh, and keepeth My words unto the end, to him will
I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron;
as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received
of My Father. And I will give him the morning star." (Revelation 2:26-28).
How beautifully the revelation unfolds, step by step, as we come into this
intimate relationship with our Lord. So one in Him, so overcome BY Him,
that He can now share His power with us, literally, AUTHORITY to rule over
the nations. This privilege comes after we have learned to fully yield
ourselves to His authority. Thus we become a manifestation of His
will and purpose in action-- an extension of His life in the earth.
Rule-- the Greek word means "to shepherd." This is no action of a tyrannical
despot, but it is the tenderness of a shepherd, guiding in love, corrective
when necessary, yet always the welfare of those in his care are his first
concern. The subduing in all men shall be complete, even as it must be
in us, but the end result is the total restoration of every man in Christ.
"Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom;
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28).
Thus shall he truly become "All in all."
"And I will give him the morning star." The morning star means the
first, early, foremost one, given as the messenger to announce the new
day that is coming-- that the greater light of God shall soon spread over
the earth. "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory
of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14). Light-bearers!
What a glorious calling! Not a message of gloom and despair, but of the
victory of Christ, that He is "the True Light, which lighteth every man
that cometh into the world." (John 1:9).
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment."
(Revelation 3:5). No wonder they can bear a message of light, of
purity, of holiness, for they share out of a state of being. God has clothed
them! "He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered
me with the robe of righteousness." (Isaiah 61:10). "That we might be made
(become) the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21). Not an
imputed righteousness, but that internal possession of the Righteous One,
so that it becomes a STATE OF BEING-- even as it is written, "Be ye
holy; for I am holy." ( 1 Peter 1:16). Holiness is not something brought
about by our works, it is inherent in His nature of which we are made partakers.
One will DO holy things because they ARE holy. It bespeaks of wholeness,
of the completed process of the new birth, so that spirit, soul, and body
we shew forth the Christ-life.
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple in the temple
of My God, and he shall go no more out..." (Revelation 3:12). It bespeaks
of permanency, of a union with Him that abides. "Ye are the temple of
the Living God: as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (2 Corinthians
6:16). No more to be plagued with the restlessness of desire, for they
find in Him an eternal satisfaction, hence they "go no more out." Nor is
it an up and down, on again off again possession, but it is pillarized--
to stand firm and strong in Him, ready to give support to the glory of
His kingdom.
"And I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city
of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from
My God: and I will write upon him My new name." (Revelation 3:12).
Jesus Christ fully overcame. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him,
and given Him a name which is above every name." (Philippians 2:9). The
Greek text reads, "THE NAME." While the actual name is not revealed, it
indicates that a high title was conferred upon Him which bespoke of
His glorious rank and office, authority and power. Now He would share HIS
OWN CONQUEROR'S NAME with us. So glorious, we can only say, "Whatever God
means by this, may He fulfill it in us." To find our identity in His identity,
and to bear His name, how awesome!
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even
as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."
(Revelation 3:21). While it symbolizes the authority and position granted
to the overcomer, there is much more, for truly, "Righteousness and judgment
are the habitation (establishment) of His throne." (Psalm 97:2). Righteousness--
and then the process whereby all is brought into that state of rightness,
this is what establishes and upholds the integrity of the throne.
It is a shared throne-- the Father, the Son, and all who are "made perfect
in one," in Him. (John 17:23). So fully does the Father share the throne
with His Son, that we read, "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed
all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as
they honor the Father." (John 5:22-23). And then that the Son shares this
throne with His corporate brethren company, we read, "Let the high praises
of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute
vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their
kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon
them the judgment written: this honour have all His saints." (Psalm 149:6-9).
While "Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne:" it is equally
true that "mercy and truth shall go before Thy face." (Psalm 89:14). "Merciful,
as your Father also is merciful." (Luke 6:36). Ah, no one dare call themselves
genuine overcomers until they learn to be merciful as He is merciful, to
"overcome evil with good." But "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall
obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7). How desirable is this throne of mercy!
"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is
a right sceptre." (Psalm 45:6). "Of the increase of His government
and peace there shall be no end." (Isaiah 9:7). Thus, in the very fullest
sense of the word, in Him is ETERNAL LIFE.
To the overcomer is given "to eat of the tree of life." They shall suffer
no loss, shall not be hurt by this process of the second death, for in
Christ all loss has been turned to gain. They eat of that hidden manna--
that Living Bread which fully satisfies. And they are enriched with all
the blessings symbolized by the white stone. They are given authority and
privileged to shepherd the nations, that "In thee shall all nations be
blessed." Clothed with His righteousness, identified in His name-identity,
and blessed to share His throne. All of this reveals ever more what Christ
has become IN them, and THROUGH them. It all redounds to His praise. To
share His glory does not rob Him of glory, but only expands it yet the
more, and thus HE is exalted. "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit
hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1:46-47). BACK
Chapter 5 - "Come
Up For More Revelation" (Revelation 4:1-11)
"After this I looked, and, behold,
a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it
were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will
shew thee things which must be hereafter." (Revelation 4:1).
The verse begins, "after this..." and then proceeds with the further revelation
of Christ, but in order to have an "after this" you have to hold in consideration
the preceding chapters with their messages to the "overcomer." The foundational
truth found in the phrase "to him that overcometh," is the pre-requisite
for whatever is to follow in the joys and victories that come into the
life of the believer. It is a self-evident fact that in order to be an
overcomer there must needs be obstacles in our path for us to come over.
And it is one of the blessed truths which undergirds the faith of the called
out, that God sovereignly controls all the interplay of good and evil as
it touches our life. With this firmly implanted in our hearts, there can
be A GOING ON, an OPEN DOOR into the heavenly realms. There cannot be an
upward progression as long as we seek to escape from the things which God
purposes for our growth and development. However, "Then shall we know,
if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning."
(Hosea G:3). We shall know, but only in the measure that we FOLLOW ON TO
KNOW.
"His going forth is prepared as the morning (Hebrew, dawn)." The dawning
of the day is a progressive illumination, from the beginning of the first
rays, until in due time the sun shines brightly overhead, eliminating all
shadows. In our impatience we cry out for the bright light, to have an
experience like Paul's. “At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from
heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me." (Acts
26:13). Yet with this tremendous illumination, there also came a blindness
upon Saul, "and he was three days without sight." (Acts 9:9). A significant
fact, were it to be considered, for it would be on the fourth day that
light came-- which corresponds to the re-creation process in Genesis 1:14,
when God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven..."
So there is a light that blinds, until we are prepared for its shining.
But as we receive Him, in each degree that He comes to us, and we are established
in that present truth revealed, He will lead us " from strength to strength,
(until we) in Zion appear before God." (Psalm 84:7).
It has been well stated that "truth in undisciplined vessels is tragedy,"
for man is prone to use it for his own selfish ends, and in the process
often uses truth to wound others. But the more we accept HIS DISCIPLINES,
and the in working of the cross, in the process of overcoming, then self
will no longer mis-use the truth, nor seek to consume it upon its own lusts.
Thus, "The path of the uncompromisingly just and righteous is like the
light of dawn, that shines more and more - brighter and clearer - until
it reaches its full strength and glory in the perfect (to be prepared )
day." (Proverbs 4:18, Amplified).
"I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven." To the overcomer
free access is given to ascend into higher realms of divine revelation.
A new awareness was about to burst upon his consciousness, but John was
ready, and the voice urged him upward. It was the same voice which he had
heard before, "a great voice, as of a trumpet," focusing attention
upon "the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last," (Revelation
1:10-11), but now, with this truth firmly established in the heart of the
overcomer, the call can be given, "COME UP HITHER."
In all of the "Come up hither (higher)," there is a constant transition,
which directs our attention beyond former things, that we might enter into
new things. Furthermore, salvation is to be "to the uttermost," (Hebrews
7:25), therefore God will not be satisfied with anything less in us, nor
will He allow us to be satisfied with anything less. We are not called
to recite and re-live the past over and over again, nor just maintain a
status quo. Therefore He saith, "Remember ye not the former things, neither
consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it
spring forth; shall ye not know it." (Isaiah 43:18-19).
Remember not-- the Hebrew word is "zakar" and means: to imprint, make a
memorial. It is more than just a recalling to mind, but has the thought
of re-living it, to participate in it again. The more you recite the past
the more you are in danger of building it into a structure against the
future-- it becomes an obstruction. There are many precious things which
we once enjoyed-- we were blessed by them, yet suddenly they begin to fade
away. Others may yet be blessed by them, be thrilled by them, but for you
personally He removes the life from it, that He might urge you to "Come
up higher." If we hear that call, and then turn back to former things,
we fulfill again that word-- "If therefore the light in thee be darkness,
how great that darkness." (Matthew 6:23). Therefore, by the grace
of God, let us hasten to be obedient to the heavenly vision, and follow
on step by step-- for there is much glory that awaits us!
John heard the voice, "And immediately I was in the Spirit..." Beyond
the natural use of his faculties, his mind was under the control of the
Spirit, and visionary emblems, suited to give him instruction, were employed
to give him a further revelation of God. It strongly resembles the vision
given to Isaiah, when he "saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high
and lifted up, and His train filled the temple." (Isaiah 6:1). Likewise,
Ezekiel declared, "The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God."
(Ezekiel 1:1). Now we pray that God would "Open Thou mine eyes, that I
may behold wondrous things..." (Psalm 119:18). Obviously the qualifying
pre-requisite is to be "in the Spirit" for it must be His revealing
to us, not some conjuring up of an image of our own. It is to be a ''revelation
of Jesus Christ," to us, in us, and then through us!
''And, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone...."
(Revelation 4:2-3). Here is glory indescribable. The precious stones--
jasper, which according to some scholars, was clear, bright, transparent
as the light, though variously colored; and the sardine, as brilliant as
the flame, a fiery tinge; and thus, emblematically reveal that God
is Light without a shade of darkness, "The Father of lights, with whom
is no variableness, neither shadow of turning," (James 1:17); and a Flame
purer than the radiant sun, for "Our God s a consuming fire." (Hebrews
2:29).
"And there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto
an emerald." (Rev. 4:3). The emerald is of a green hue, symbolizing
life. While the rainbow has long been the symbol of the everlasting covenant
which God has given to man. "This is the token of the covenant which I
make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for
perpetual generations: I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for
a token of a covenant between Me and the earth." (Genesis 9:12-13). Progressively
through the ages, God has revealed that His covenant with man is a "covenant
of My peace," (Isaiah 54:10), a covenant of life, yes, and ultimate reconciliation
for all of His creation.
"And out of the throne proceeded lightings and thunderings and voices..."
Resounding calls from the throne, to reverberate through our inner being--
"o earth, earth, earth, hear the Word of the Lord." (Jeremiah 22:29). God
has always had a message for His people, though man has not always been
prepared to listen and receive that Word. Long ago God thus spoke to Israel,
and "there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount,
and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud..." (Exodus 19:16). Yet man,
in his carnality, has been afraid of the voice of God, and often turns
away-- preferring to have another hear from God for him. "And they said
unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak
with us, lest we die." (Exodus 20:19). And so for a long time God did speak
to the people through His prophets, priests, and chosen ones-- yet they
listened not to the voice of God through these messengers.
But the challenge to us remains, "He that hath an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit saith unto the called-out." For God continues to speak
to those who will listen to that Voice within. "My sheep hear My voice."
(John 10:27).
Indeed, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past
unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us
by His Son..." (Hebrews 1:1-2). Not only does the Son have a message for
us, HE IS THE MESSAGE-- and the more the "revelation of Jesus Christ,"
comes to us, the more we will become ONE WITH THE MESSAGE, that He might
speak through us that word of life which will bless all nations. O to hear
that living Word from the throne, quickened to us by "the seven lamps
of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."
(see Chapter 1, paragraph "And from the seven spirits which are before
the throne.")
Let us be reminded, all the signs, symbols, figures, etc. serve but one
purpose, to either directly, or indirectly bring forth "A revelation
of Jesus Christ." One view, one precious stone, one figure cannot fully
express Him. It has been well stated that in Eden the river of water of
life flowed in one full stream, but when it left the garden, and went forth
into the world, it was parted into several channels. "And a river went
out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became
into four heads." (Genesis 2:10). Could we comprehend Him as He is, we
would not need many streams, but finite creatures that we are, in love
He ministers to us that "which is in part," until "that which is perfect
is come." (1 Corinthians 13:10). His perfections are many, and every new
glimpse of Him leaves us in awe, to bow low in worship.
John continues his narration: "And in the midst of the throne, and round
about the throne, four beasts full of eyes before and behind." (Revelation
4:6).
Ezekiel had seen them-- "Four living creatures. And this was their appearance;
they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces. - Full of
eyes round about." (Ezekiel 1:5-6, 10:12).
We are more interested in the TRUTH REVEALED, than in just the symbol,
so we pray that He open our eyes to see in the Cherubim, the living creatures,
a further revelation of Him. It is also significant that the word
"cherubim" literally means: "those grasped, held fast." This fits with
the statement by Andrew Jukes that, "The Cherubim are always the Divine
in creature form, the vessel in or by which the Lord reveals His glory.
If He shows Himself in angels, then so far angels may be Cherubim.
If He shows Himself in 'living creatures full of eyes,' who say, 'Thou
hast redeemed us,' then the redeemed are Cherubim."
Personally, without pretending to fully explain "the living creatures,"
we are persuaded that they are "grasped" to reveal the Lord's glory, and
in due time find their fulfillment in His mystic body, the Church of the
redeemed firstborn. For truly, as the type is fulfilled in reality, the
one foreshadows the other.
Paul stated, "I follow after; if that I may apprehend that for which also
I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12). He knew he was
apprehended-- laid hold of-- GRASPED BY GOD. Whatever else he was called
for, this much he knew, "It pleased God, who separated me from my mother's
womb, and called me by His grace, TO REVEAL HIS SON IN ME." (Galatians
1:15-16). This, above all else, was why God GRASPED him. He was
to become an expression of the revelation of Christ. It is from this point
of consideration that we view the cherubim-- they are used to reveal more
of His glory, thus we behold more of Him.
"And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf,
and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like
a flying eagle." (Revelation 4:7).
These figures were first seen in the camps of Israel in the wilderness.
Jewish tradition tells us that these four figures were on the respective
standards-- on the east side the standard of Judah, the lion; on the south
side the standard of Reuben, the man; on the west side the standard of
Ephraim, the ox; and on the north side the standard of Dan, the eagle.
Numbers, chapter 2, gives a limited insight into this camp arrangement.
Thus even then Israel was reckoned to be an elect vessel in which the Lord
would be seen-- a figure of that which in due time would be seen in the
true Israel, the Israel of God. And in every age these figures have been
seen in the camp of His saints, revealing not so much of what they were
in themselves, but of what HE WAS and IS in and through them.
"Like a lion..." Indeed, we know Him to be "The Lion of the tribe
of Judah." (Revelation 5:5). Furthermore, "Judah is my lawgiver:" (Psalm
108:8). This symbol speaks of KINGDOM AUTHORITY. He said, "If I with the
finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon
you." (Luke 11:20). Wherever the King went, He demonstrated the manner
of the Kingdom, the principles of the Kingdom, the power of the Kingdom.
Surely every further "Revelation of Jesus Christ," also reveals
more of His Kingdom Authority, that He is Lord of all. As He is revealed
IN US, more of His Kingdom shall be seen, for truly, the new creation is
His kingdom comes.
"Like a calf (ox)..." This symbol has long stood for the patient
servant, as the ox was used in service for men. Nowhere is the role of
the servant more gloriously demonstrated, than as revealed in our Lord.
"He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:7). In holy humility
He revealed the blessedness of subjection to our true and heavenly Lord,
our Master who truly serves all. He said, "For whether is greater; he that
sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? But
I am among you as he that serveth." (Luke 22:27).
Not only did He teach and feed the multitudes, heal the sick, and freely
minister to the needy, He even "Laid aside His garments; and took a towel,
and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin, and began
to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith
He was girded." (John 13:4-5). In word and deed He exemplified the spirit
of servitude. "As the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minster, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:27-28).
"The third had a face as a man." His position was most unique, for
He was to be the Mediator of a new covenant, the GO-BETWEEN. Well He could
represent the Divine. "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery
to be equal with God." (Philippians 2:6). "I and My Father are one." But
it was equally essential that He be fully conversant with, intimately acquainted
with the needs of mankind. Total identification with our humanity. And
so "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He
also Himself likewise took part of the same;... In all things it behoved
Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and
faithful high priest in things pertaining to God." (Hebrews 2:14, 17).
Volumes could be written concerning His identification with our humanity.
"Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be
rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9). Thus even the living creature with a face as
a man is but a further revelation of Him, in His love, His grace, His mercy
toward us.