“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last’”
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
After John receives this full force of the person of […]
Archive for October, 1998
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death“
I am He who lives
Jesus reviews His life in His humanity. His humanity continues into eternity even as He speaks.
and was dead
Jesus died on the cross. John saw Him dead on […]
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death“
And I have the keys of Hades and of Death
The Bible no where teaches soul-sleep. Both believers and unbelievers are alive in Hades. The New Testament divides Hades into two sections, […]
“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this“
Write the things which you have seen,
Again, Jesus commands John to “write.” Jesus wants John to write something about the three tenses: past, present and future (the actual divisions of the book). This is […]
“The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches“
The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden […]
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:‘”
The book of Revelation partitions into three unequal sections (1:19). Chapter one is the “things which you have seen.” Now we come to the […]
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars…“
Jesus is in the business of appraising His church and Jesus always commends His church first, if He can. He commends […]
“…and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary“
Jesus continues His positive evaluation of the Ephesian church from verse two.
and you have persevered and have patience,
This translation uses two synonyms to describe one Greek word. Another asset of the Ephesian church is that they […]
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
Nevertheless I have this against you
Although Ephesus has many fine qualities as a church (2:2,3), yet they do have a fatal fault. There was something amiss in this church. Jesus now passes from commendation to condemnation. It is possible to both have distinction […]
“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent“
Jesus turns now from encouragement to exhortation.
Remember therefore from where you have fallen
The “therefore” refers to loss of love for the Lord Jesus (2:4). They […]