“Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.’ And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones – like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled His throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded Him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightening and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne are seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.” (Revelation 4: v. 1-6, NLT)
Author: cackywalker@yahoo.com
Vision of the Son of Man
“I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance which Jesus call us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshipping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, ‘Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.’
When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were while like wool, as white as snow. And His eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice thundered like might ocean waves. He held seven stars in His right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from His mouth. And His face was like the sun in all its brilliance.
When I saw Him, I fell at HIs feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look- I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.’
Write down what you have seen – both the things that are happening now and the things that will happen. This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and the seven sold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.'” (Revelation 1:vv. 9-20, NLT)
John’s Greeting to the Seven Churches
“This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia.
Grace and peace to you from the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before His throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.
All glory to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood fo us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God His Father. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen.
Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven . And everyone will see Him – even those who pierced Him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for Him. Yes! Amen!
“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end,’ says the Lord God. ‘I am the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One.”” (Revelation 1: vv. 4-8, NLT)
Living Consistently for Christ
In Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, “Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World”, Chapter 8 is entitled, “Stay Consistent”, and it is based on the Book of First John.
With permission from Karyl Maiorana , she summarizes the principles of staying consistent.
Consistently Christlike – First John 2:6 – Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.
Consistently Caring – First John 2:23 – Believe on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another.
Consistently Confident – First John 2:14 – And so I say to you fathers who know the eternal God, and to you young men who are strong with God’s Word in your hearts, and have won your struggle against Satan. Keep doing the will of God.
Consistently Compliant – First John 2:17 -And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Consistently Consistent – First John 2:24 – So keep on believing what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will always be in a close fellowship with both God the Father and His Son, stay ready to keep from getting ready.
Follow all of the above for the eternal life He has promised us.
References:
Jeremiah, Dr. David (2009) Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World. W Publishing Group.
Revelation – Prologue
“This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to His servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:vv. 1-3, NLT)
Scripture about Blessings
“You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with your shield of love.”
(Psalm 5:12, NLT)
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33, NLT)
God blesses those who obey Him. (Leviticus 26:3-5, NLT)
We are blessed when we worship God. (Psalm24: 3-6, NLT)
Christians bless God through praise. (Psalm 1o1:1, NLT)
God will bless those who fear Him. (Psalm 1112: 1-3, NLT)
God blesses us when we seek to please Him. (Matthew 5: 3-12,NLT)
Christians should bless their enemies. (Luke 6:28, NLT)
Salvation is our greatest blessing. (Ephesians 1:3, NLT)
the Bible brings us blessing. (James 1:25, NLT)
Scripture on Assurance
God always holds onto His children. (Psalm 37:23-24, NLT)
God will never abandon His people. (Psalm 138:8, NLT)
God will not refuse any who come to Him. (John 6: 37-40, NLT)
No one can take us away from God . (John 10: 27-29, NLT)
Christians have peace with God. (Romans 51:1, NLT)
Salvation cannot be canceled. (Romans 5:1-5, NLT)
Our salvation was guaranteed before Creation. (Ephesians 1:4-5, NLT)
Assurance comes from faith. (Ephesians 3:12, NLT)
God will guard those entrusted to Him. (2 Timothy 1:12, NLT)
Scriptures on Adversity
“God does’t ignore when trouble comes.” (Psalm 9:12, NLT)
“God is a refuge in times of adversity.” (Psalm 46:1, NLT)
“God offers us rest from our burdens .”(Matthew 11:20,NLT)
“Give your worries to God; He cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT)
“Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you do to good, even if it means suffering, just a Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:20-21, NLT)
Verses on Accountability
“[Jesus said,] ‘And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.'” (Matthew 12:36, NLT)
“Yes, each of us will give a persona l account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble or fall.” (Romans 12: 23-23, NLT)
“God will judge our work.” (2 Chronicles 19: 5-10 NLT)
“Sin has consequences.” (Ezekiel 18:30, NLT)
“God will hold us accountable for our sin.” Ezekiel 18:30, NLT)
“God will reward Christians for their good deeds.” (1 Corinthians 3:8, NLT)
‘We should hold each other accountable.” (Luke 17: 3, NLT)
“We are accountable for what we believe .” (John 3:18, NLT)
“God will examine our actions.” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NLT)
Facts about Cain
(After Cain murdered Able) “But the Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your bother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground! Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed up your brother’s blood. No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now one you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.’
Cain replied to the Lord, ‘My punishment is too great for me to bear! You have banished me from the land and from Your presence; You have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!’
The Lord replied, ‘No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.’ Then the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who much try to kill him. So Cain left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Cain had sexual relations with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain founded a city, which he named Enoch, after his son. Enoch had a son named Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehjujael became the father of Methushael. Methusael became the father of Lamech.
Lamech married two women. The first named Adah, and the second was Zillah. Adah have birth to Jabal, who’s the first of those who raise livestock and live in tents. His brother’s name was Jubal, the first of all who play the harp and flute. Lamech’s other wife, Zillah, gave birth to a son named Tubal-cain. he became an expert in forging tools of bronze and iron.” (Genesis 4: vv. 10-22, NLT)