Revelations 1:9-18

It's been a while since I read this book so I wanted to start a blog series on the book of Revelations. John wrote this book to encourage first-century Christians who were experiencing great suffering. In every age of the Church, Revelation has brought comfort and hope. Why? Because its symbols are timeless and may be understood by believers in any period of history; because its promises are eternal and may be trusted by all saints.

This book was born out of John's spiritual encounter while he was exiled on he island of Patmos. The Lord had commissioned John to write this book and send it to the seven churches that God had selected. Christ's garments are those of a Judge -King, One with honor and authority. The white hair symbolizes His eternity "the Ancient of days" (Dan 7:9) His eyes see all enabling him to judge righteously (Heb 4:12). His feet of brass also suggest judgment since the brazen altar was the place where the fire consumed the sin offering. He speaks with power and authority and must be heard. The sword from his mouth represents the living Word of God. He fights his enemies by using His Word (Rev 2:16). This visions of Christ had to be totally different from what John was use to. In this vision Jesus was not the gentle Jewish carpenter that John was familiar with He is the risen, glorified exalted Son of God!! The King that has authority to judge all men starting with his own people. What John does is not surprising he falls to the ground as if he was dead. A vision of the almighty Christ can only produce awe and fear (Dan 10:7-9). Johns response was what Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 5:16 "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. John no longer related to Jesus as he had done before.

The Lord reassured John by touching him and speaking to him. "Fear not!" Those two words our such an encouragement to any child of God. We need not fear life because He is "The Living One." We need not fear death because He has conquered death! We need not fear eternity because he hold the keys of Hades and of death. The One who holds the keys is the One who has authority!!! At the very beginning of this book Jesus presented Himself to His people in majestic glory. What we need today is a new awareness of Christ and His glory. Jesus help me to daily fall at your feet and be in awe of you the One and only Wise KING!!!

Who's ready to be hated? Anyone

John 15:18-24 f the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ²¹They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. ²²If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. ²³He who hates me hates my Father as well. ²⁴If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.

We should begin by clarifying what Jesus means by "the world," because the term is used in Scripture in at least three different ways. It can mean the created world ("the world was made by Him"-John 1:10), the world of humanity ("For God so loved the world"-3:16), or a society apart from God and opposed to God. "The world" involves all the people, plans, organizations, activities, philosophies, values etc. that belong to society without God. as Christians, we must be careful not to love the world or be conformed to the world. So the question I want to reflect on is Why does "the world" hate Christians the ones who believe in Jesus Christ and seek to follow Him? Jesus gave several reasons

1. We are identified with Christ. He is the Master we are the servants. Heres a thought if with all His greatness and perfection, Jesus does not escape persecution, what hope is there for us with our imperfections? The wold hates Him, and therefore the world must hate us. Be encouraged that Jesus is with us as we suffer.

2. We do not belong to this world. When we begin a relationship with Jesus we our in the world physically but not of the world spiritually. What this means is that we look at the things of earth from heavens point of view. You start to despise what is evil and desire what is good. You make a stand for what is good and right and flee from the conformity of this world.

3. World is spiritually ignorant and blind. If you had asked the religious leaders in Jerusalem if they knew the God they were seeking to defend, they would have said, "Of course we know Him! Israel has known the true God for centuries!" But Jesus said that they did not know the Father and, therefore they could not know the Son. The religious leaders knew a great deal about Jehovah God and could quote chapter and verse to defend their doctrines but they did not personally know God. Question do you know Him? Not do you know about Him. Do you have a relationship with Him?

4. The world will not be honest about its own sin. The people had no excuse for their sin. They had seen His works and heard His word but they would not admit the truth. All of the evidence had been presented, but they were not honest enough to receive it and act upon it. There are many people out there that know Jesus is the savior of the world but wont commit to be a disciple of Him. They choose to do what they want to do. there flesh wins against the Holy Spirit tugging at there heart. Pastor said this a couple of weeks ago, "salvation coast you nothing discipleship will coast you everything." Are you ready to be hated by the world?