E-pistle for November 9, 2012
Posted by: info <info@...>
E-pistle
The revelation of jesus Christ
(Revelation 1:1-20)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the revelation (God's disclosure of Himself to man)
1. The revelation centers on the life, mission, works, and teachings
of Jesus Christ, v. 1.
2. The revelation was given to Christ by Father God to show to His
faithful servants, v. 1.
3. The revelation shows things which must shortly (quickly) take place, v. 1.
4. Jesus sent this revelation to John by an angel, vv. 1-2.
5. John was instructed to write God's revelation (and interpretation) of the past
things which he saw, v. 19.
6. John was instructed to write God's revelation of the present things which
he was seeing, v. 19.
7. John was instructed to write God's revelation of the future things which would
take place, v. 19.
II. Meditation: on persons who are blessed by this revelation (v. 3)
1. Persons who read this book.
2. Persons who hear the words of this prophecy.
3. Persons who keep (obey) those things which are written in it.
4. Persons who live with expectancy . . . "for the time is near," v. 3.
III. Revelation: on the persons who are blessed by this revelation (v. 3)
1. He is the faithful witness . . . the One who fulfills prophetic Scripture, v. 5.
2. He is the firstborn from the dead, v. 5.
3. He is the One who loved us and washed away our sins in His blood, v. 5.
4. He is the One who makes us kings and priests to God, v. 6.
5. He is the One who shall return in the clouds, v. 7.
6. He is the Alpha and Omega (the "A" and the "Z"), the Beginning and the End,
the First and the Last, vv. 8, 11, 17.
7. He is the eternal One, who lives forevermore . . . past, present, and future
8. . . . and who, in spite of His crucifixion, arose from the tomb with the keys to
Hades and Death, v. 18.
IV. As a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" . . . and on every day, v. 10.
2. Listen for and hear the voice of God speaking to me personally, vv. 10-11.
3. Fall before the glorified Savior in awed worship and praise, v. 17.
4. Allow His gentle hand and His encouraging words to renew my strength so that
I may receive the revelation of His destiny for my life.
Gifts jesus promised to his churches
(Part One)
(Revelation 2:1-29)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on Jesus' gifts to four of His seven churches mentioned
1. Ephesus – Fruit to eat from the tree of life, v. 7.
2. Smyrna – Crown of life, v. 10.
3. Pergamos – 1) Hidden manna, v. 17
2) White stone, v. 17.
3) New name, v. 17
4. Thyatira - 1) Power over the nations, v. 26
2) Morning star, v. 28
II. Meditation: on these promised gifts
1. Fruit (tree of life) represents eternal life available through Christ.
2. Crown represents our rewards for faithful service to God.
3. Hidden manna represents Jesus, revealed as the holy bread from heaven,
John 6:49-51.
4. White stone represents the purity (white) and firm assurance (stone) we
have through faith in Christ.
5. New name represents our adoption into God's family, Romans 8:15;
Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5.
6. Power represents a Christian's authority and dominion over earthly and
demonic things.
7. Morning star represents Jesus Christ, Himself, shining in the darkness
of this world, Revelation 22:16.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual significance of these symbols
All of these symbols represent the life and work of the glorified Christ.
1. He is eternal life, and He gives eternal life, John 11:25.
2. He is the One who rewards His faithful servants (Matthew 25:21), and He is the
One before Whom we will cast our crowns, Revelation 4:10.
3. He is the One who sustains our lives and provides for all our needs, Philippians 4:19.
4. He gives us confidence, security, and peace as we trust in Him.
5. He gives us His "family name" . . . "Christian."
6. He gives His followers power over Satan and his cohorts.
7. He gives us His light, for guidance in a dark, sinful world.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Give worship, glory, honor, and praise to the Lord Jesus.
2. Acknowledge Him as the source of every good gift . . . of every spiritual blessing I enjoy.
3. Thank Him for eternal life, assurance, guidance, and provision.
4. Rejoice and participate in His victory over Satan.
"Intelligence is the effort to do the best you can at your particular job;
the quality that gives dignity to that job, whether it happens
to be scrubbing a floor or running a corporation."
--J.C. Penney
--
To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: epistle2equip-unsubscribe@welovegod.org