Let’s step into a deeper understanding of Revelation’s prophetic messages, where the lion roars from on high, and the Son of Man oversees His creation with majestic authority. David Hawking invites you to explore the compelling vision of the glorified Jesus, pointing out the intricate tapestry of prophecy, from the sound of many waters to the trembling voice of God that changes the world. Learn how these descriptions are not just symbols but powerful truths impacting the present and future of faith.
I was at the San Diego Zoo many years ago, and I don’t know, I’ve studied lions for years. I’ve got National Geographic magazine about lions, and kind of fascinated. You know, it was a symbol of the tribe of Judah, and kind of interested in lions. But I was down at the San Diego Zoo looking at them, and you know, they really look kind of lazy. They just sit around all day and kind of just stare. Right? They don’t do much, really. And I kind of was watching that, you know, and I happened to be turning to look somewhere else. And one of the attendants of somebody was trying to feed them and stuck one of them, you know, with a pole. I mean, I don’t know if you’ve ever stood in front of a lion roaring or not. But I mean, I about went home to be with the Lord. And then you read in Jeremiah 25, 30, the Lord shall roar from on high.
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Thank you.
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Welcome to Hope for Today with Bible teacher David Hawking as we step into one of the most unsettling, awe-inspiring moments in all of Scripture, Revelation chapter 1, verses 16 through 20. The risen Christ stands in glory, eyes like fire, a face that shines like the sun, and a voice that roars like a thousand waters. This isn’t gentle, meek, and mild Jesus. This is the king, the judge, the alpha and omega. And when John sees him, he hits the ground. Well, today, David walks us through the final section of this breathtaking vision. And if you’re really listening, you won’t walk away unchanged. Open your Bible to Revelation chapter 1, verses 16 through 20, and we’ll get into God’s Word in just a moment. First, though, I want to tell you about Your Quest for God. This is a free downloadable book written by Hope for Today ministry friend Richard A. Bennett. And free means free. You don’t have to sign up for anything. And what a terrific book this is. 139 pages. of straightforward biblical answers to life’s most important questions. And we have it available in multiple languages. And whatever language you choose, again, it’s completely free. Your Quest for God. Download it on the homepage of DavidHawking.org. DavidHawking.org. Let’s get to today’s lesson.
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We’re going to start again at verse 12. We’re looking at the glory of Jesus Christ, and we got down in the middle of verse 15 last time, and we’ll pick it up there, but let’s just read again. Revelation chapter 1, beginning at verse 12, down to the end of the chapter. And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me, and being turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands, or candlesticks, One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot and girded about the breasts with a golden girdle. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like a flame of fire. And his feet like fine bronze, as if they burned in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and his countenance was as the sun shining or shineth in its strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. And all God’s people said, Amen, and have the keys of Hades and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands which thou sawest are the seven churches. This revelation of Jesus Christ is totally different from what we see in the Gospels. And we are listing 12 characteristics of him. And if you’ve been taking notes, we’ve noticed, first of all, his centrality. He’s in the middle of the lampstands. Israel was to be a light to the world, and that seven-pronged candlestick or lampstand in the tabernacle or temple was a constant reminder to them that they were to be a light, especially to the Gentiles of the world, a light reflecting the beauty and light of the Messiah. And in the New Testament, it applies to the church and its light and its influence. And Jesus said, ye are the light of the world. He also said, I am the light of the world. And he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. He not only is our light, not only wants us to be light. But the Bible teaches that he’s in the middle of all the lights represented by all the churches. For chapter 2, verse 1 told us that he’s walking in the middle of all those candlesticks. He’s observing. He’s also active, not passive. He is walking. He’s observing. He is scrutinizing everything that is going on and giving his evaluation. the centrality of Christ. He’s with us always. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Secondly, we looked at his humanity. The text says in verse 13, it was one like the Son of Man, a Messianic term from Daniel chapter 7, verse 13. The term is used 84 times in the Gospels we mentioned, of which 21 of them, interestingly, refer to the second coming. The Son of Man is coming with the clouds and great glory. The third thing that we noticed was his royalty. His garment is down to his feet and across his chest is a golden girdle. We mentioned it could very possibly be reflecting the clothing of the high priest. And Hebrews 3.1 calls Jesus the high priest of our profession or confession. He is the one who ever lives to make intercession for us. Fourth, we looked at his purity. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. Some think it pictures the eternal character of God. The quote comes from Daniel chapter 7, verse 9. But the little phrase, as white as snow, tells us the emphasis is more on his purity. He is the Holy One. the one who is separate from sinners, says Hebrews 7, and yet one who is a friend to sinners, who was tempted at all points like as we are, yet without sin, the absolutely pure, sinless Son of God. thing we looked at is his scrutiny. The Bible says his eyes were like a flame of fire. They aren’t a flame of fire. They are like a flame of fire. And we examined that a little bit, both in Daniel 10 and also throughout Revelation’s message to the churches, primarily to the church of Thyatira, a church that needed condemnation, that was really involved in sinful stuff and idolatrous practices. And it’s to that church that we read about the eyes of the Lord being like a flame of fire. All things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to deal, says the Bible. He scrutinizes us to the point that the psalmist said, Search me, O God, and try me, and know my thoughts, and see, he looks on all the sons of men, and see if there be any wicked way in me. The psalmist cries out for cleansing and for purity because he knows what God is like. Be ye holy, for I am holy. He is the Holy One. The sixth thing we looked at was his victory. It says his feet are like fine bronze, as if they burned in a furnace. Let’s turn again to Isaiah chapter 63. Isaiah chapter 63. And what we’re proposing here is that the feet burn like bronze as though they were burned in a furnace. It’s referring to the judgment of our Lord when the Lord takes vengeance on all His enemies and really wraps up the tribulation period with His own plagues. The Bible says, “…in them the wrath of God is completed or finished.” And the Bible describes the terrible judgment of what we call Armageddon. It describes it as the Lord stomping out as though it were a giant winepress, only it isn’t the juice of grapes, it’s blood. Literally from the destruction of all of those nations that will come against Jerusalem at the end of the tribulation period. So we believe it’s referring to his victory as his feet are pictured like bronze burned in a furnace. And one of the passages that deals with this trotting in the winepress by the feet of the Messiah is in Isaiah chapter 63. And we mentioned in passing, and I probably should have given a little more attention, that when the Lord comes again at the end of the tribulation, he’ll come for his church before the tribulation, but at the end when he comes in power and great glory, which is what the book of Revelation is describing, he will not come immediately to the Mount of Olives, as many people have said. Yes, Zechariah 14.4 says his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. But if you examine the events of Zechariah, that’s really the conclusion, not the beginning of the battle. According to the Bible, he is going to come right where all the armies are assembled, getting ready to attack Israel. And that is in Basra. Not B-A-S-R-A, the one in Iraq that we read about at the Persian Gulf War, but Basra in Jordan, B-O-Z-R-A-H. And it’s on those plateaus, which are just level land for miles stretching out then into the Arabian Desert, where it’s really the only location you could have a multinational force, all nations of the world, represented, ready to pounce on Israel and get rid of, quote, the Jewish problem. And the Lord at that time is going to fight for Israel and defend it. And he’s going to tread out in the winepress of his own wrath, the blood of all these nations who’ve come against Jerusalem. Then with bloodstained garments, he will do what many ancient monarchs did that conquered the land of Israel. He will ascend Mount Olives in a victory ascent. And when his feet stand on Mount Olives, you will know that he won. He won. And he will overlook the city of Jerusalem and declare victory for God’s prophetic program. So that’s what Isaiah 63 is all about. Let’s look at it again. It says, who is this that come from Edom? That’s Jordan. With dyed garments from Basra, which is out on those plains. to the east of Israel, this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength, I who speak in righteousness mighty to save, why art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him who treadeth in the wine-fat? Answer, I have trodden the winepress alone, and of the peoples there was none with me. For I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help, and I wondered that there was none to uphold. Therefore, mine own arm brought salvation unto me, and my fury it upheld me. And I will tread down the peoples in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I’ll bring their strength to the earth. This is the Messiah talking. And when he comes in glory and power at the end of the tribulation, according to Revelation 19, his clothes are dipped in blood. And there are several commentators who say, well, that is a reminder of the cross. No, it is not. The clothes dipped in blood is the quotation from Isaiah 63, where his garments are dipped in the blood. It is indicating his victory over all the nations of the world who have come against Israel. Now come back to Revelation chapter 1. The seventh characteristic of our glorified Lord is his majesty. And this particular point came to me very powerfully in looking at the Old Testament context behind this statement in verse 15. His voice is like the sound of many waters. Now where does this come from? Turn to Psalm chapter 29. Psalm chapter 29. Remember that with the mouth of the Lord, he can smite the nations. We’re talking majesty here. We’re talking great power. In Psalm 29, it is a psalm dedicated by David to God’s mighty power, in particular his voice. It says, give unto the Lord, O you mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Psalm 29, we’re at verse 2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is upon the what? The waters. The God of glory thundereth. The Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful. The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars. Yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf. Lebanon and Syria, and like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord divided the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness. The Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and strippeth bare the forest. And in his temple doth everyone speak of his glory. The Lord sitteth upon the flood. Yea, the Lord sitteth king forever. The Lord will give strength unto his people. The Lord will bless his people with what? Peace. Now, isn’t it interesting, all this drama and loud and voice and power, and then ending it with, the Lord will bless his people with peace. Well, there is wonderful peace that comes in knowing the majesty and greatness and power of God’s voice. We need to remember that God just said the word today. and we had a universe. God just said the word, and there was the human race. There are three things in the Bible that are the result of the creative breath of God. One is the material and physical universe. Two is the human race. And three, interestingly, is the written Word of God. For all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. It is God-breathed. Turn to Jeremiah chapter 25. Jeremiah chapter 25. And look at verse 30 and 31. the power of the voice of the Lord God. You know, you realize that the Word of God that you’re holding in your hands and looking at, the written Word of God, is the product of God speaking. The revelation of God refers to God speaking. Inspiration refers to the accuracy of the written record that records His revelation. And here we have a Bible that is the Word of God. It doesn’t just contain the Word of God. We don’t make it the Word of God by how we preach or teach or how we feel about it. It already is the Word of God, whether we recognize it or not. And this book has power. It will accomplish the things for which God intended it when he sends it forth. It will not return void. His Word can actually produce new life in you. The Bible says we are born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. Imagine that. All you need to do is understand that the Word of God has this power. You don’t make it powerful. It has this power. And the Holy Spirit of God uses this powerful book to change your life and mine. That’s how powerful God’s voice is. And now we have it in written form to read. In Jeremiah 25, verse 30, it says, Therefore prophesy against them all these words, and say unto them, The Lord speaks softly from on high. Is that what it says? Amen. No, it says the Lord shall roar like a lion and utter His voice from His holy habitation. He shall mightily roar upon His habitation. He shall give a shout like those who tread the grapes against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth, for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations. The majesty of God’s voice. Ezekiel chapter 43 says, Ezekiel chapter 43. Ezekiel 43.2 is the exact verse that is quoted in Revelation 1. Verse 15. Verse 15, the last phrase. It says, And his voice was like a noise of many waters, and the earth shined with his glory. I believe Ezekiel 43.2 is the quote that we find in Revelation 1, verse 15. Turn to Hebrews chapter 12. Hebrews chapter 12 in the New Testament. And look at verse 25 and 26. The powerful voice of the Lord declaring the majesty and glory of God himself. Hebrews chapter 12, verse 25 and 26. It says, “…see that you refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not, who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.” Look at this. “…whose voice then shook the earth. But now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” God is going to change everything with his powerful voice. How are we going to experience this amazing renovation of the planet and the universe as we now know it that is described in Revelation as well as 2 Peter chapter 3? And God’s answer is, all I’ll do is talk. I’ll just speak and all of a sudden the whole world will fall apart. The power of the voice. And you know what I love? I love to think of this passage because it’s my Lord Jesus Christ. The same one who said to those broken with sin, your sins be forgiven you. The same one who spoke with such compassion and care and love and gentleness and tenderness to people in need is the same one in Revelation whose voice is like the sound of many waters. Spectacular. The one who will shake the entire universe with just his spoken word.
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This is Hope for Today with Bible teacher and author David Hawking. And we’ll have more from David in just a moment or so to close out our study time. First, though, you’ve no doubt heard the name Babylon. Maybe you think of it as just an ancient city. But right now, Matt and I want to tell you about a resource from David by David that uncovers something much bigger about Babylon, a worldview that still shapes culture, including ours today.
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Matt? This month, we’re featuring a special price on my dad’s book, Babylon, its history and prophecies. It’s a study guide and commentary of scriptures addressing Babylonianism. Normally $15, but just $10 in June.
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Matt, the ancient city of Babylon holds a pivotal place in Bible prophecy. symbolizing human pride and the idolatrous world system opposed to God that Babylon was famous for.
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You know, Scripture declares that Babylon’s ultimate fate is one of sudden divine judgment. The prophet Isaiah foretold Babylon will be overthrown like Sodom and Gomorrah and never inhabited again, a prophecy echoed in Jeremiah.
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And in the New Testament, Revelation chapter 17 and 18 pick up on that theme. You know, John describes an end times Babylon the Great doomed to fall under God’s wrath.
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As an angel announces, Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen. And a heavenly voice calls God’s people to come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins.
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It’s an authoritative warning that reminds you and me and everyone listening that no matter how powerful the Babylonian world system appears, it is prevalent and powerful today, isn’t it?
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And the Lord’s going to ultimately judge it, urging God’s people to remain faithful and untainted amid a fallen world.
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Well, again, we’re featuring a special price on David’s book, Babylon, Its History and Prophecies. Now, normally $15, just $10 in June.
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Order at davidhocking.org, davidhocking.org, or call us in Canada at 1-888-75-BIBLE. In the U.S., call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE. And Bible by the Numbers is 242-53.
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And your resource purchase today or a donation right now are vital. Hope for today is a listener-sponsored ministry. Please pray for us. And prayerfully consider joining with us in future ministry, proclaiming the gospel and building up the body of Christ. We also want to strongly encourage you to request your copy of David’s Revelation series, Study Notes. This is a complete set of message outlines, all 48 studies, and it’s filled with scripture references, historical content, and clear biblical insight. again, for all 48 messages in this current Revelation Radio series. It’s a great tool if you want to study more effectively to teach others and follow along more closely as you listen on radio or online. The entire set for all 48 messages is just $10, and we have it available in print or download format. In fact, if you make the purchase online, you can download them. You’ll have them in minutes. To order, go to our website, davidhawking.org. davidhawking.org, or call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. And if you’d like to write us for any reason, you might want to share a prayer request, a praise report, make a donation, or maybe just say hi. We’d love to hear from you. Write to Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO, Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, BC, V2S, 8P1. All right, here’s David with the rest of today’s study.
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Are we ever excited around here? It’s been years since we put a study of the book of Revelation on the radio, and I hope you are excited as we are. And we’re still in chapter 1, believe it or not, and we’ve had a number of days of studying this wonderful book. Well, today’s study is again on the glory and majesty of our Lord. Well, how would you like to partner with us? That is hope for today, our mission of reaching the world through the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible. Well, it’s really easy to do. First, let’s start with prayer. Pray that the hearts of lost people who hear our broadcast in your hometown or your country or around the world, that they will be open and receptive to the gospel and respond to it. Secondly, pray that God would work mightily to meet the financial needs of sending out His gospel through radio and internet so that no one misses out on the gospel message. And thirdly, why not pray about what financial support you might be able to send our way, either on a one-time basis or, and it’s so helpful, month-to-month, God uses listeners like you to continue and further the mission and vision of Hope for Today. We want everyone to know who Jesus really is, not according to human opinion, but according to the inspired and infallible Word of God. We can do that through your support. And by the way, you can donate online at DavidHawking.org.
SPEAKER 02 :
And friend, like David said, your financial gifts, your investment in this listener-supported ministry makes all the difference when it comes to us being able to stay on the air and online, delivering the message of the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, one chapter, one verse at a time. You know, if you feel like God might be speaking to you right now about donating, this is a good time to reach out. Our number in the U.S., 875-BIBLE. If you’re in Canada, call 888-75-BIBLE. And of course, you can also give securely online at davidhawking.org. Next time on the program, David takes us even deeper into John’s shocking encounter with the risen Jesus. That’s next time right here on Hope for Today.
Let’s step into a deeper understanding of Revelation’s prophetic messages, where the lion roars from on high, and the Son of Man oversees His creation with majestic authority. David Hawking invites you to explore the compelling vision of the glorified Jesus, pointing out the intricate tapestry of prophecy, from the sound of many waters to the trembling voice of God that changes the world. Learn how these descriptions are not just symbols but powerful truths impacting the present and future of faith.
