The episode takes an in-depth look at the book of Revelation, particularly focusing on the portrayal of Jesus Christ, His divine attributes, and His eternal significance. We navigate through the profound truths of His sovereignty and the mysteries of the seven stars and lampstands, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the scripture. This session also offers a reflective insight into the personal impact of recognizing Jesus’s divine nature and the inevitability of His judgment. A compelling exploration for anyone eager to deepen their biblical understanding.
I dare say there are a lot of us that have had a bad day. But I just want you to know you had the day that God wanted you to have. Doesn’t that bless you? Now you want to exchange yours for the person next to you. I understand. But God gave you the day he wanted you to have.
SPEAKER 1 :
Thank you.
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This is hope for today. And what you’re about to hear, it’s not soft, and it’s not designed to impress, say, a focus group. We’re back in Revelation chapter 1, and John is faced to the ground, confronted by the glory of the risen Lord, who shines like the sun and speaks with the force of a thousand waters. This isn’t a Jesus who takes poles. He’s not here to be seeker-sensitive. He is who He is, and He’s speaking. Open your Bible to Revelation chapter 1, verses 16 through 20, as we continue our study, The Glory of Jesus Christ. First, if you like prayer, maybe you need prayer right now. Or if you’re praying for us, we’re grateful. Hope for Today is a praying ministry. We pray for our listening family, and we depend on their prayers as well. We also depend on the generous support of listening friends who want to see God’s Word go out clearly, boldly, and without compromise. And if you’d like to give a gift, if you’d like to come alongside us in ministry, maybe send a prayer request or a praise report, you can do that online at davidhawking.org. or call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. Bible is 24253. And thank you for standing with us in ministry. And here’s David with today’s lesson.
SPEAKER 02 :
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. Let’s pray. You are the one Lord who ministers to our hearts when we can’t take another step. We thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your cleansing. Thank you for your patience and your loving kindness to us. And Lord, you know the burdens that are on hearts. You know the pain and the hurt and the disappointments and the struggles. And you are the God who can comfort us in our trial. You are the God who sustains us and invites us to cast all of our burdens on you. And God, I pray as we look at his glory once again, the glory of this resurrected Lord. God, I pray that you draw us by your Holy Spirit unto him. That every knee would bow and every tongue would confess that he is Lord to the glory of God the Father. And it’s in that name that is above every name, the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord that we pray. Amen. We’re looking at the glory of Jesus Christ, and we are listing 12 characteristics of him. And if you’ve been taking notes, go back to Revelation 1. The 11th characteristic is his deity. In verse 17, we have quite a response and a statement here. It says, When I saw him, John said, I fell at his feet as dead. He understood who he was in the light of who the Son of God is. And it says, he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto him, fear not, I am the first and the last. Talk about deity. Turn to Isaiah chapter 41. This is a direct quote concerning Jehovah. The Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament. And Jesus quotes it about himself and says, I am the first and the last. Isaiah chapter 41, look at verse 4. He who wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning. Who has done this? Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, that’s the word Jehovah in Hebrew, the firstborn. And with the last, I am He. Look at chapter 44, verse 6. Isaiah 44, 6. Thus says the Lord, that’s Jehovah, the King of Israel, and His Redeemer, the Redeemer is the Messiah, the Lord of hosts, but it’s the word Jehovah again, I am the first and I am the last, and beside me there is no what? No, God. So the statement, I am the first and I am the last, is deity. It is talking about God. Look at chapter 48, verse 12. Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel, my called. I am he. I am the first. I also am the last. This statement is used of the Lord himself. Look back at Revelation 1, verse 8. Remember, it said, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. Here, a clear statement to his deity. Look at chapter 2, verse 8. It says, Under the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things saith the first and the last, if that isn’t enough to identify him from chapter 1, who was dead and is alive. He is the Jehovah of the Old Testament. In chapter 21 of Revelation, when it starts to describe the eternal state and the glories of the new Jerusalem, it says in chapter 21, verse 6, He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. And I will give unto him that is thirst of the fountain of water of life freely. Over in chapter 22 and verse 13, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Here, if you compare all of those verses, all those three phrases go together and are said in the first person singular by the same exact person. Jesus says it. How do you know that? Chapter 22, verse 16. You might need what I’m saying one day when two guys with white shirts and long ties wearing riding bicycles come by your home. In verse 16, I, Jesus, have sent mine angel. Who is the I? First person singular talking in the book of Revelation. Clearly marked out to be Jesus. And these three phrases go together. I’m Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. A statement that can only belong to the eternal God. his deity. Back to Revelation 1 again. Will you notice John’s reaction to what he saw? When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And then notice the response of Jesus. He laid his right hand on me saying, fear not. Interesting to me that in Daniel’s account, the angel came and laid his hand on Daniel and told him not to be afraid. Isaiah chapter 6 was an awesome vision of the Lord of hosts by Isaiah. Ezekiel 1, we have a spectacular vision with similar reactions. Daniel 8, Daniel 10, but the Lord’s touch. Interesting, in Matthew 17, the transfiguration, when they were just blinded by it and afraid, and he said, don’t be afraid. The Bible says he reached out and touched them. Jesus said, let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. This spectacular vision of Christ could scare the living daylights out of any person. But then that gentle hand of Jesus touched him and said, don’t be afraid. You know, we have all kinds of fear in our life. And I dare say there are a lot of people here in the audience right now that need the touch of the Lord Jesus in your life. He reached out and touched him and said, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. I’ll never leave you. I’ll never forsake you. I’m here. Imagine seeing the power and glory and majesty of the resurrected Christ and falling at his feet as dead and then having him just touch you. I mean, to me, it’s like a… an incredible concept that here this great one, this glorious one, this one far beyond my wildest imaginations that is resurrected, glorified state, would once again stoop and touch the creature that he made and said, don’t be afraid. I see their love. I see their compassion. I see their care. I see their concern for you and for me. He touched us. One final thing is his eternity in verse 18. Verse 18, his eternity. I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. And, amen, I have the keys of Hades, means unseen, also translated hell. It refers to the abode of the wicked dead. And they will all one day be cast into the lake of fire. We’ll talk about that later. But it says he is the living one. I am he that liveth and was dead, and I’m alive forevermore. That statement, he’s the living one, I am he who lives, is used of only God in the Old Testament. It’s in Joshua and the Psalms and several passages. Turn to 1 Timothy chapter 3. 1 Timothy chapter 3. The eternal nature of the Son of God is being described as eternity. 1 Timothy chapter 3, verse 15. Paul said, But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the… what? Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. The living one is described as being God. In chapter 4, verse 10 of 1 Timothy, For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach because we trust in the, what? Living God. Notice this. Who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe. Wow. The living God. Turn to Hebrews and look at chapter 3, verse 12. Hebrews chapter 3, verse 12. Then turn to Hebrews chapter 10 and look at verse 31. Verse 31. It’s a warning in Hebrews 3 about having a heart of unbelief because you’re departing from the living God, who in Revelation 1.18 is described as Jesus. In Hebrews 10.31 it says, It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. This passage is talking about judgment. Verse 30, vengeance belongeth unto me. I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, the Lord will judge his people. The Bible says in John 5, the Father committed all judgment into the hands of the Son. He is the living one. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Folks, in one moment, you have him touching in gentleness and kindness to the believer saying, don’t be afraid. I am he who is the living one and was dead and will be alive forevermore. But on the other hand, you have the scriptures telling us that there is reason to be afraid. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. If you choose not to believe him, payday someday. Judgment day is coming. And you will face Jesus Christ as your judge. the one you can now believe in, becoming your Savior, your Lord, and having everlasting life, forgiveness of your sins, and you say no to him, one day you will stand in front of him, the one you now say you don’t need or want or don’t believe in. You will stand in front of him, and he will be your judge. It’s an awesome thought. When it says he’s alive forevermore, Revelation 1.18 says, In the Greek text, it’s under the ages of the ages. And the reason why I point that out to you is that is used of the Heavenly Father in the book of Revelation. But in Revelation 1.18, it applies to Jesus. You see, Jesus is God, and so is the Father God. Not two gods. There aren’t three gods. There’s only one God. And I read in Revelation 4.9, When those living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him that is seated on the throne, who liveth forever and ever under the ages of the ages. It’s honoring God the Father there. In chapter 10, verse 6. Chapter 10, verse 6. It says, “…He swore by Him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, and the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things which are in it, that there should be delay no longer.” Time should be no more. “…He swore by Him who is unto the ages of the ages.” a statement referring to the Father, but in Revelation 1.18 refers to the Son of God. In Isaiah 9.6 it says, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. The government shall be upon his shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting what? Father. the Prince of Peace. The Messiah is called the Father of the Ages, under the ages of the ages, the eternal God. As I look back over these wonderful characteristics, I see his centrality, his humanity, his royalty, his purity, his scrutiny, his victory, his majesty, his sovereignty, his authority, his beauty, his deity, and his eternity. But one final thing, the responsibility given to John is mentioned in Revelation 1, 19 to 20. What is it? Revelation 1, 19 to 20. This responsibility says, Write the things which thou hast seen, 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. Two things comprise his responsibility. One is to record what he had seen and would see. And it has been recorded there are about 70 times where he says he saw something. There’s at least 44 distinct visions in the book of Revelation. And John is to record what he has seen and would see. He is also to reveal the mystery of the seven stars and seven lampstands, which was simply stated. But I want you to look at verse 19 because that is the outline of the book of Revelation. And I’ll show you that I don’t make this up, that it is definitely the outline. You see the last phrase, it says, the things which shall be hereafter, Greek, what shall be after these things. Look over at chapter 4, verse 1. In chapter 4, verse 1, the opening words are, after this. I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven. The first voice I heard was, as it were, of a trumpet talking with me, which said, Come up here, I’ll show thee things which must be hereafter, or after these things. There’s your clue. It’s the exact same phrase that’s in Revelation 119, which means this. Whatever he had seen and whatever things are, they definitely precede chapter 4. So 4, 1 are the things that are after these things. What things? The things which are. Well, if the things he had just seen as the resurrected glorified Christ, then the things which are, are obviously chapter 2 and chapter 3, the seven churches of Revelation. They are the things which are, which existed in John’s day. So if I’m outlining the book, I have the presentation and picture of the glorified Christ in chapter 1, which he is to write, which he did. And then the things which are, are the seven churches. Everything future then is from chapter 4, verse 1, clear to the end of the book. It’s things which are after these things, the period of time of the churches. And that forms the outline of the book of Revelation. I think one of the glorious things in verse 20 is that it’s called a mystery. Not mysterious. It means that it was once hidden, but now is to be revealed. And I just draw this to your attention. The passage started out with the word apocalypse, revelation. And it ends in verse 20 with the word mysterion or mystery. In Greek, those are direct antonyms. A mystery is the exact opposite of revelation. Revelation is to unveil and fold. Mystery is to keep hidden. So here’s a mystery that he is going to unveil. And the mystery of the wonderful gospel of our Christ is unveiled for all to see in the book of Revelation. Not only the glory and majesty of Christ, his exaltation, but also the event when he will come in power and great glory. And I simply ask you, are you ready? Soon and very soon, He’s going to come.
SPEAKER 01 :
This ministry is about the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible. If you want to know how to go to heaven or be born again or to really get saved, you need to go to the Bible. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Wow! Have you put your trust in the only one who can save you from sin, death, and hell? He’s the one—not a church, not an organization, not a bunch of works that you might do to please God. No, it’s the work of God that we believe on His Son. He has paid for our sin with His own precious blood. That’s what the crucifixion was all about. And the grave couldn’t hold Him. The third day, He rose again. He’s alive. He ascended into heaven, and He’s coming back for those who have put their trust in Him. Why not open your heart to Him right now? Just say, Lord, I confess my sin to You, and I believe that our Lord Yeshua, Jesus, He died for my sin and paid for it completely. I can’t pay for it. He can, and He will forgive me if I open my heart to Him. So I do that right now. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. God bless you.
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Amen. Call us at 800-75-BIBLE in the U.S. or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. And before David returns, Matt’s joining me in studio now, and we’re going to tell you about a powerful book by David. I think you’re going to want to see this.
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In our Revelation series, we will encounter Babylon and Babylonianism. What is Babylon and Babylonianism? Well Babylon is mentioned 286 times in the Bible including its origin and early beginnings. The religion of Babylonianism has penetrated all nations according to the Bible.
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And the end goal is the diabolical seduction of the nations and the suppression of the heart and soul of Christian belief and practice.
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Well, this month, Jim, we’re featuring a special price on my dad’s book, Babylon, Its History and Prophecies. Normally $15, just $10 this month.
SPEAKER 03 :
Babylon, Its History and Prophecies is a study guide and a commentary on the scriptures addressing Babylonianism.
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Order at davidhawking.org or call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE. In Canada, at 1-888-75-BIBLE. And Bible by the Numbers is 242-53.
SPEAKER 03 :
DavidHawking.org or call us for the print version, 1-800-75-BIBLE in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. And if you’d like to send in a donation, a gift beyond the cost of any resource you might purchase, you can do that by mail if you like, right in the U.S. 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. Well, once again, here’s David.
SPEAKER 01 :
Thanks for listening to our broadcast. We are studying the glory and the majesty of our blessed Lord Yeshua, Yeshua HaMashiach. That means Jesus the Messiah. And what we’re looking at is a little summary that helps us to follow and to read correctly what is coming in Revelation chapter 2. So in our next time together, we’re going to hit chapter 2, and especially about the first message to the first church mentioned, and that’s a church at Ephesus. And it’s in chapter 2, verses 1 to 7. Don’t miss that study. There are many churches today that claim to be Bible-teaching and fundamental churches that believe the Bible, the whole Bible, nothing but the Bible? Well, it’s time to look at the message that our Lord gave to the church at Ephesus. It was a strong church, very orthodox, but there was something wrong. Don’t miss our next study, Revelation 2, verses 1 to 7. And thanks for listening to Hope for Today.
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Well, that’s David Hawking with a personal invitation to join us for our next study in Revelation. And friend, by the way, if you missed any part of today’s lesson or a recent broadcast, just go to our website, davidhawking.org, and we post our latest programs for a limited time so folks can catch up and maybe share the program with somebody else. Well, next time on the program, David opens the first of seven messages to the churches. You’ll hear it right here on Hope for Today.
