UNTO THE SEVEN CHURCHES,WRITE

Newsletter 223 December 12,2010

Revelation 1:12-20 (King James Version)

I realize I am seeking an excuse, but I had a bad fall yesterday leaving me with aches and pains and not thinking very clearly. Thanks to the managers and staff at Walmark and the 911 fleet and crew, we are up and going, if not very attractive. Phyllis has no marks at all, but let me just suggest, “Never try to drill a hole in a cement curb with your nose.” With the loss of blood and scrapes and cuts, I know who will come out the winner.

Our thoughts today introduce God‘s messages to the seven churches, each one has a message for the churches today which happen to have similar characteristics. My Bible has captions for each church indicating the leading reason for that church being addressed. I will refer to those, in a later study.

The text opens with John being addressed in a vision while he was in the prison colony on the Isle of Patmos.

GOD IS SPEAKING TO HIM

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (Exodus 25:37, Exodus 37:23, Zechariah 4:2, Revelation 1:20, Revelation 2:1)

Each of the seven churches is represented by a golden candlestick. Each church has received the same precious “golden” message from God through his Spirit. That message has been trusted to it that it may be shared to the world. The whole purpose of a candlestick is to hold aloft the light of the candle. We did not use candles, but I vividly remember that our country home was lighted by lamps, and that they were carried from room to room to light the way. If the path led outdoors, a lantern was used, but they provided light just as the small lamps did in Jesus day. God had provided for lamps in the Tabernacle, and in the Temple, and now the same is true of the church. It is through the church that his light is spread to the world. Since the church is made up of individual Christians, this is also a major work of Christians. “Ye are the light of the world,” “but, on a candlestick; and that it giveth light all that are in the house,” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify, Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, Matthew 5:15, and Matthew 5:16)

THE RISEN LORD IS THE HEART OF EVERY CHURCH

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (Revelation 2:1, Ezekiel 1:20, Daniel 7:13, Daniel 10:16, Revelation 14:14, Daniel 10:5, Revelation 15:6)

I have a video take in which the artist has graphically presented this scene. Christ has passed along the message to us, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20)

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; (Daniel 7:9, Daniel 10:6, Revelation 2:18, Revelation 19:17)

This is a glimpse of what our risen Lord is like.

15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. (Ezekiel 1:7, Daniel 10:6, Revelation 2:18, Ezekiel 1:24, Ezekiel 43:2, Revelation 14:2, Revelation 19:6)

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:29, Revelation 2:1, Revelation 3:1, Isaiah 49:2, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:16, Revelation 19:15, Matthew 17:2, Revelation 10:1, Judges 5:31)

His instructions are still valid today. We are not here to tell beautiful stories and tales of past days. We are here to pass along the truth of the resurrected Christ, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (Daniel 8:17, Daniel 10:9, Daniel 10:15, Daniel 8:18, Daniel 10:10, Daniel 10:12, Matthew 14:27, Matthew 17:7, Isaiah 41:4, Isaiah 44:6, Revelation 3:8, Revelation 22:13)

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Luke 24:5, Revelation 4:9, Romans 6:9, Revelation 2:8, Revelation 10:6, Revelation 15:7, Job 38:17, Matthew 11:23, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 19:1, Revelation 20:1)

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; (Revelation 1:11, Hebrews 1:12-16, Revelation 4:1)

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 11:25, Revelation 1:16, Revelation 2:1, Revelation 3:1, Exodus 25:37, Exodus 37:23, Zechariah 4:2, Revelation 1:12, Revelation 2:1, Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:11, Matthew 5:14)
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RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010

DECEMBER

12th. Sunday – Ezra 10, Revelation 9:12-21, Psalm 141
13th. Monday – Nehemiah 1, 2, Revelation 10, Psalm 142
14th. Tuesday – Nehemiah 3, 4, Revelation 11, Proverbs 30:11-23
15h. Wednesday-- Nehemiah 5, 6, Revelation 12, Psalm 143
16th. Thursday - Nehemiah 7, Revelation 13, Psalm 144:1-8
17th. Friday – Nehemiah 8, 9, Revelation 14:1-8, Psalm 144:9-15
18th. Saturday-- Nehemiah 10, 11, Revelation 14:9-20, Proverbs 30:24-33

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in tne midst of the paradise of God.”

Revelation 2:7
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Heckuva Engineer...
An engineer was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess."

He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.

The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week."

The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.

The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want."

Again the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.

Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess, that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"

The engineer said, "Look I'm an engineer.

I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that's cool."