Revelation Chapter 1

After studying Revelations, and God’s whole word, I believe that you can’t separate the kingdom, and Gods Church. I believe that they are the same. The sixth characteristic is that the kingdom is made up of God’s children. I am part of this kingdom. By believing the kingdom has not yet come, people are missing out on the fact that if they have had a born again experience with God, that they are part of this kingdom. The more that I learn about the kingdom, the more I appreciate being part of it! Colossians 1:13 says, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son.” Once we have been saved, or delivered, we are placed into his kingdom.

Finally, the last characteristic is that the kingdom is obtainable to who ever believes upon his name! Christ tells us in Luke 12:31 to, “seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Christ would not tell us to seek, if there was nothing to find would he? No, but he said in Matthew 7:7, “Seek and ye shall find!” The kingdom is obtainable. So easy to become part of, that when I was a 7 year old boy, the Spirit began to deal with my heart and let me know that I needed to become part of Christ, and him of me. I didn’t understand much about the kingdom, if anything at all, but I know that November 2 1988 I became part of God’s pure, holy, undefiled Church, and 18 years later, I’m still in it, and enjoying the benefits.

Verse 10-13:

I believe that this verse holds the key to understanding the book of Revelation. John says that he was, “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day”. It is very important that when we read the bible, that we read it for its spiritual content. I have said many times that the Bible is just a book. We reverence it by not stacking things on top of it or throwing it around in our vehicle. It only becomes God’s Word when we open it and God begins to speak to us through his spirit, by his word.

John began in the 11th verse to have a conversation with Jesus. He was told to write down the things that he was about to see, and send it to the Seven Churches in Asia. Some think that because of this that Revelation was written for only these churches. I believe as he began to show John things, that it was for the whole Church age, not just these seven. I believe that these seven churches represent the whole church age, from the establishing of the Church, until Christ returns for us.

Lets look at the vision of the seven golden candlesticks. Notice that the candlesticks were not in front of John, but behind him. Verse 12 says twice that John had to turn. After he had turned and looked behind him, he saw the candlesticks. I believe that’s for a reason.

First off we need to know what the candlestick was for. The bible says that the candlestick was to be made out one piece of gold. In order to shape it, it had to be beaten. Gold is one of the most malleable substances. In other words, it can be beaten and molded, without breaking. After it was made, it was to be placed in the inner portion of the tabernacle. It was to have a perpetual flame. The light from the candlestick was to shine on the table, and illuminate the shewbread. The bread represents several things. Jesus said that he is the bread, so it is him. There were two rows of 6. Put 6 and 6 together and you have the 66, or the word of God. There were 12 pieces, representing the 12 tribes, or the Church So the light was to illuminate Christ, the Church, and his word.