Revelation 1 verse 12, and before we read, let me tell you that this is indeed a glorious passage. There is nothing in the Gospels like what you’re going to read about Jesus Christ. You are now getting a glimpse of what Jesus is like after his resurrection from the dead. Can you believe it?
SPEAKER 1 :
Thank you.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, welcome everyone to the Friday broadcast of Hope for Today with Bible teacher David Hawking. As we continue in a powerful section in Revelation chapter 1, the Apostle John, who walked with Jesus, talked with him, laid his head on his shoulder, now sees him again, but this time not veiled in humility or humanity. This time he’s unveiled in glory. Today, David wraps up his look at the 12 characteristics that Scripture reveals in this encounter. And this is a moment to stop, listen to worship. Open your Bible to Revelation chapter 1, verses 12 through 15. Let’s continue our study, The Glory of Jesus Christ. Before we begin, here’s David with a quick word.
SPEAKER 03 :
Thanks for listening to Hope for Today. We depend upon our radio listeners in every broadcast area to take care of the cost of that radio broadcast. We don’t have a church or organization giving us money to keep on the air. A lot of people say, well, I don’t have that much. Listen, every little bit counts. The Bible says the Lord will never forget your labor of love that you’ve shown in ministering to the saints, and you’re certainly doing that through our radio broadcast, Hope for Today. If you’re in Canada, the number is 1-888-75-BIBLE. If you’re in the United States, 1-800-75-BIBLE. Call us or you can send us your gift. In Canada, Box 15011, RPO7OAKS.org. Abbotsford, British Columbia, B.C., V2S 8P1. If you’re in the U.S.A., it’s Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. God bless you. All right, let’s get into the Word. 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, one like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot and girded about the breast 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 were, they were 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 shineth in its strength. And when I saw him, I felt that his feet is 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. 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. We’re talking about his centrality, his humanity, his royalty. Number four, his purity. Verse 14, his purity. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. Go back to Isaiah chapter 1. Isaiah chapter 1. And look at verse 18. Isaiah 1 and verse 18. Come now, the prophet says, let us reason together, saith the Lord, quoting the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as what? White as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. We’re talking purity and holiness. As a matter of fact, our Lord Jesus is referred to in the Bible as the Holy One. The Bible says he is without sin. Hebrews 4, 16. Without sin.
SPEAKER 1 :
4, 15.
SPEAKER 03 :
Called the Holy One. Turn to Luke chapter 4. Luke chapter 4. The purity of the Son of God. The holiness of the Son of God. The Bible says, Be holy, for I am holy. We fall so far short of that. Were it not for his sacrifice, how in the world could we ever be holy? How could any man be clean before God without the Lord? Luke 4.34. This is an unclean demon. Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee, who thou art, the Holy One of God. Here’s a demon who knows who he is. You are him who is all pure, totally separate from sin. As Hebrews 7 says, look at Acts, please, chapter 2. When Peter was preaching his great sermon on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2 says, Look at verse 27. He quotes from Psalm 16 to prove that the passage does not apply to King David, but to a future son of David. In Acts 2.27, he said, “…because thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades, neither wilt thou allow thine Holy One to seek corruption.” And down in verse 29, he makes it very clear it can’t refer to David because his tomb is with us today. He’s buried and the sepulcher is here. His body decayed. Yet it says in that passage, you will not suffer your Holy One to see corruption. And Jesus’ body never did see corruption. He rose the third day before any corruption could set in. Look at chapter 3, verse 14. Acts 3, 14. He’s called the Holy One. Peter says, but you denied the Holy One and the just and desired a murderer to be granted unto you, pointing out the enormity of their sin to exchange for the blessed Son of God who is all pure, totally separate from sin. You brought a murderer to be granted unto you. How could you have done this? The holiness and purity of our Lord. Go back, please, to Revelation chapter 1. Number five, the fifth thing I draw to your attention about our Lord, not only his centrality, his humanity, his royalty, his purity, but look at his scrutiny. And I think that’s a good word for this. It says his eyes, verse 14, were like a flame of fire. What’s the point of that? Turn back to Daniel chapter 10. His eyes are like a flame of fire. It doesn’t say a flame of fire is his eye. It says it is like fire. There’s a likeness and external appearance as his eyes are looking at you. It’s like a flame of fire penetrating, scrutinizing your life. He sees all. You can’t escape it. Daniel chapter 10. Daniel chapter 10. The Bible speaks in Hebrews 4.13 that we are naked and open under the eyes of him with whom we have to deal. The eyes of the Lord are always everywhere, going to and fro. The Bible says they look down on the sons of men. They see everything that is taking place. The scrutiny of the Son of God. You can’t escape. You can’t hide. He knows what you’re like. Daniel 10, verse 6. When Daniel saw this man clothed in linen, it says his body also was like the burl, and his face like the appearance of lightning, and his eyes were lamps of fire. I look at Daniel 6 verse 16. And behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said unto him who stood before me, O my Lord. Here he calls him, O my Lord. I look at Daniel chapter 10 verse 18. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me. the touch of the Lord, but the original appearance of his face like lightning, his eyes like lamps of fire, Daniel 10.6. Go back to Revelation and look at chapter 2. When he addressed the church at Thyatira in Revelation 2.18, he even mentions this characteristic in relationship to this church, which was a terrible church in terms of its morality and its condition before God. And in chapter 2, verse 18, he said, Interesting that these characteristics are applied to different churches for different reasons. They have a point. The scrutiny of the Lord. He sees it all. And we’re facing his judgment as a result. All things naked and open under the eyes of him with whom we have to deal. Look at verse 23. I will kill her children with death and all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the minds and the hearts. So the description back in verse 18, eyes like a flame of fire, we connect with the phrase in verse 23, he searches the minds and the hearts. Jeremiah 17, 9 says, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? The fact is none of us know our own hearts. So how foolish of us to think that we know somebody else’s heart. The Bible says, judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes, who then will reveal the counsels and thoughts and intents of the heart. You don’t know your heart, but God does. And in Jeremiah 17.10, the Lord says, I, the Lord, search the reins of the heart. The psalmist said, search me, O God, and know my thoughts. Try me and see if there be any wicked way in me. It’s a searching of God. You can’t escape him. And when you see the resurrected Christ, you’re reminded that he knows all things. Did you think you could hide from him who is the son of God, the one who died on the cross for your sins? He penetrates through all of our self-righteousness, all of our attempts to hide and be deceitful and to cover up. He knows it all. His eyes are like a flame of fire. You’ll stand in his presence and know that you have been searched. And praise God, it is his own precious blood that allows us to stand before him on that day of our resurrection as glorified with him in glory. We appear with him and purified and holy and without blame in his sight, the Bible says, because we’ve been washed clean. Not because of anything we’ve ever said or done. The eyes of the Lord search and they know. Interesting, look at chapter 19. The fact that God would bring this to our attention about the eyes of our Lord. Looking into the eyes of the Lord as a resurrected Christ is not presented to us as a comfort. It’s presented to us as a reminder that we’ve never gotten away with anything and that he knows us better than anyone else knows us and he searches all of the thoughts and intents of our hearts and no one can escape. He knows it all. And in Revelation 19, verse 12, when he’s coming again in power and great glory, look at how it describes him. Verse 11, I saw heaven open, behold a white horse. He that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were like a what? Flame of fire. There it is. As you see the Lord come, a flame of fire is coming out of his eyes. We have a different picture of Christ here than we’ve had throughout the Gospels. Back to Revelation 1. And his feet were like fine bronze as if they burned in a furnace. Fine bronze or brass as if they burned in a furnace. What are we talking about here? We’ve mentioned his centrality, his humanity, his royalty, his purity, his scrutiny. This is his victory. It is interesting to me what the feet of the Messiah picture, especially fine bronze burned in a furnace. Yes. Many writers will write and say it’s a sign of judgment. But let’s go and take a look at it. First of all, in Revelation 2.18, is it not interesting that that church at Thyatira that was so far away from God, the characteristics of our Lord that are mentioned, eyes like a flame of fire and feet like fine bronze. He’s going to judge them. Look at chapter 14. Chapter 14 of Revelation, which pictures a great judgment coming from our Lord. Chapter 14. Verse 19 and 20. And the angel thrust in a sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden. It means to be trodden by feet. Trodden outside the city. Blood came out of the winepress, even under the horse bridles, by the space of 1,600 furlongs. We’re talking a very serious matter here. About 200 miles. with blood up to the horse’s bridles.” It’s almost like that great cleavage in the earth between the plains of Jordan and the plains of Israel, what we call the Jordanian Valley, has become one giant winepress. And the blood is flowing up to horse’s bridles. And what is this winepress? It says it’s a winepress, verse 19, “…of the wrath of God.” He’s treading it out. Look at chapter 19, verse 15. When the Lord comes in power and great glory at the end of the tribulation, we have the battle of Armageddon. But verse 15 says, Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations. He shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he treadeth with your feet. You tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. We’re talking about his ultimate victory over all the nations of the world. Now turn to Isaiah 63. Isaiah 63. And is this ever remarkable? When the Lord Jesus comes back at the time of the Battle of Armageddon, many people say his feet is going to stand on the Mount of Olives. That’s where he’s going to come, based on Zechariah 14. His feet will stand there, but not initially. When you go up on the Mount of Olives and stand on the top, it’s a victory ascent of somebody who’s already conquered. Where he’s going to come, he’s going to come to Basra. The Bible says so. You say, why? Because that’s where all the nations of the world will be gathered to go against Israel, the battle of Armageddon. And on the plains of Jordan, miles and miles of plains, if you’ve ever been there, I’ve been there several times, you realize that’s about the only place you could assemble all these nations of the world with their armies coming against Israel. That’s the way it would happen. And the Lord’s going to come there. Now watch this carefully, Isaiah 63. Listen carefully. Here’s what it says. Who is this that cometh from Edom? with dyed garments from Basra. Edom is Jordan, east side of the Jordan River. This that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength. Now the voice be, I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save. The question, 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 remnant. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed has come. He says, interesting. The next verses, I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord and the praises of the Lord. My friends, we are talking about the Messiah coming back to Basra, the winepress, the fierceness of the wrath of God, treading out, smiting the nations, defeating all those who come against Israel. Then with blood stains all over his garments, he rides the white horse to the top of Mount Olives, gets off his feet, stand on Mount Olives, and he claims victory. over Jerusalem, which is his city and belongs to him. It’s a great picture. And my friends, when it says in Revelation 19 that his clothes, his vesture was dipped in blood, it is not referring to the cross. It’s referring to his treading out the winepress of the wrath of God, the blood of all of the enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s what it’s talking about. When Jesus was in the synagogue in Nazareth, he picked up Isaiah 61 and read a passage and said, Today is this fulfilled in your ears. What he read was that today is the day of salvation. Now is the accepted time. What he did not read, and the day of vengeance has come. He didn’t read that part. So in the synagogue reading of that day, Jesus referred to the fact that he had come to save. He was the Savior to heal the brokenhearted, to comfort those who mourn, to turn the garment of heaviness into praise and blessing. that we would be plantings of the Lord, oaks of righteousness, that God would be glorified. But the next statement is, he is going to come with a day of vengeance. And that is what Revelation is all about. God is going to inflict on this world system and all nations who thought they were getting away with something. He is going to judge them and the blood is going to flow. And interesting in Revelation, the blood that the Savior tramples out as he destroys and slaughters the nations of the world that come against his people. It’s interesting, the Bible expresses it as divine retribution for the blood of all the saints and prophets and martyrs through all the ages who cried out and said, how long, O Lord, holy and true, until you avenge our blood? And the answer, it’s coming, the end of the tribulation, the day of vengeance. His victory is described by his feet as he will tread the winepress of the wrath of God.
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s Bible teacher and author David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. David will close out our time in just a few moments, so please do stay with us. First, Matt Hawking is here, and together we’re going to share a powerful book by David, I think you’re going to like this. That history, Matt. And Babylon in the Prophetic Future is covered in 286 Bible references.
SPEAKER 01 :
Yeah, Revelation chapter 17 through 18 is one. It details the mystery and fall of Babylonianism.
SPEAKER 02 :
And the book of Revelation depicts a prostitute on a seven-headed beast with ten horns on its seventh head, symbolizing the Antichrist’s future rise. Apparently… He will emerge from a confederacy, dividing the world into 10 divisions, attacking Christian beliefs.
SPEAKER 01 :
And according to prophecy, Jim, the Babylonian religious system will culminate in a diabolical final seduction of all nations. Like the world has never seen.
SPEAKER 02 :
This month, we’re featuring a special price on your dad’s book, Babylon, Its History and Prophecies. Normally $15, just $10 this month.
SPEAKER 01 :
You know, this powerful study guide commentary covers scriptures on the history, prophecies, and warning signs for Babylonianism. Fortifying readers to stand strong in faith and hopeful for our future. Get Babylon, its history and prophecies. Normally $15, just $10 this month when you call 1-800-75-BIBLE. Well, before we close out, a quick reminder for those of you tracking with us through this Revelation series. If you want to dig deeper, stay engaged, and get more out of each of these messages,
SPEAKER 02 :
David’s complete message outlines and sermon notes are available right now. This is a complete set, a full set of message notes, sermon outlines for all 48 messages, and you can get the complete pack for just $10, either in print or as a download. And these aren’t just bullet points. They’re scripture-rich, structured notes to help you study, follow along, and even teach others the book of Revelation with confidence. And by the way, if earlier in the broadcast you felt that nudge to join with us, to co-labor with us, to support this ministry financially, thank you. Your gift, whether one time or monthly, will help us continue this ministry in the weeks and months ahead and help keep putting biblical truth in front of those who desperately need it. Lives are being changed. And as you contribute and as you pray for us, you’re a part of that. To order resources or send a donation, go to davidhawking.org or call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE in the U.S., 888-75-BIBLE in Canada, Bible by the numbers 24253. And yes, you can absolutely send a gift by letter if you prefer. 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. And thank you for believing in this work and standing with us to proclaim God’s Word, straight, strong, and unfiltered. Once again, here’s David.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, I hope you’re enjoying this study of the glory and the majesty of our blessed Lord Yeshua. If you ask me, one of the great needs in our churches today is to focus on the worship of our blessed Lord. Too much talk about ourselves doesn’t go anywhere. We need to keep talking to people about our blessed Lord. And I hope that you will find much joy in your heart as we look at that study. In verse 17, John said, “‘When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me and said, “‘Don’t be afraid. Fear not. I am the first and the last.'” That’s in the book of Isaiah, and we’re trying to bring that out to you, and several broadcasts. The glory of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ our Lord. That’s coming up in our next broadcast, and I hope that you’ll be with us. God bless you all as you study His Word.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, thank you, David. We can never worship too much or meditate too much on the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Friend, if you missed any part of today’s program or would like to catch up on a recent broadcast, just go to DavidHawking.org and we keep the most recent programs there posted for a limited time for your convenience. Like David said, we’re going to continue our journey through the book of Revelation in an ongoing look at the glory of Jesus Christ. And friend, this kind of study does something powerful. It doesn’t just add to your knowledge. It reframes your worldview, strengthens your faith. It anchors you in truth. when the world’s messages keep shifting. You’ll walk away with greater confidence in who Jesus is, deeper understanding of what’s coming, and a bolder stand for God’s Word. Amen? So whatever you do, make plans to join us and invite a friend to listen along with you next time on Hope for Today.
