Pastor's Pen
by Buzz Dahlen
I do not know if you have ever taken the time and mental energy to read the Book of Revelation, it is typically not an easy read.  I think it is important for us to read, but not try to read too much into it.  When you do, it can get very confusing.  Anyway, we are studying this book of the New Testament in our adult Sunday school classes.  We are just a few weeks into the study and already it seems that God is showing us so many things.  This study got me thinking about God being the King of Kings…
This week I would like to challenge you to think about how you view God.  We are given an eyewitness account of how God revealed Himself to John;  "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."  I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.  On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."  I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.  His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.  In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.  When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.  I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.  Revelation 1:8-18
God is the Alpha and the Omega, (the first and the last), He is, He was and He is to come, (not bound by time).  John writes that he turned around to see that voice that was speaking to him and he saw seven lampstands, they represent the seven churches. (Now that is not to say there are only seven churches.  The number seven is representative of a complete number) So John saw all of the church, together and Jesus was standing among the lampstands.  What that tells us is that Jesus identifies with His church, all believers, not just one denomination of believers.
John goes on to record that Jesus was dressed in a rob that reached down to His feet.  This means that He was fully covered.  John writes that He had a golden sash around His chest.  This is a sign of royalty.  His head and hair was white, which means that He was pure; and His eyes were like blazing fire, all consuming.  His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, which means that His feet were firm and solid.  His voice was like the sound of rushing waters, which means that He spoke with authority.  From there, we read that He has seven stars, (the stars represent the angels and seven is a complete number, so He had control of all the angels).  Out of His mouth came a double-edged sword.  That represents His judgment, and His faces shined like the Sun, which represents His righteousness.
This, I would venture to say, is not typically how we view our God.  We want to bring Him down to our level and think that He is here to serve us and make our lives better.  Well although God loves us and His grace has no end, it is us who are supposed to serve Him and we are supposed to bring Him glory.  God deserves our total worship and complete obedience.   I know that He has my attention…

Cottonwood, Idaho 83522

HANDMADE!

Home

Classified Ads
 

COTTONWOOD
CHRONICLE
503 King St.
P.O. Box 157
Cottonwood, ID 83522-0157
editor@cottonwoodchronicle.com
208-962-3851
Fax 208-962-7131
Template Design by: