"[17] And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: [18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. [19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; [20] The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." - Revelation 1:17-20
From Omega Frequency: Special Episode: Revelations Chapter One…Verse by Verse (1:07:47):
Before we get to the second part of this verse, let's read all the way to the end of this chapter, because Jesus is speaking one message to him.
"[18] I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. [19] Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; [20] The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." - Revelation 18:20
Jesus tell John to write the things that "thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;"
This is the outline of the book of Revelation. John will write about the vision he just saw in Chapter 1. he will write about the things that are when he writes about the churches in Chapters 2 and 3. He will write about the things which shall be hereafter if Chapters 4-22.
Now this message is for the seven angels of the seven churches.The word angel means messengers or pastors. He is not writing letter to spirit beings called angels. Good angels have no reason for a church falling into sin, which happens in some of the letters to the seven churches. Nor do they need to be comforted because Satan will persecute them.
These are the leaders we spoke about earlier in the study. These leaders would receive the letter from John and then that leader would share the message with pastors and teachers, who would then preach and teach it to those in the house churches.
Here is what Jesus was saying unto them. He is the one who was the beginning and the ending of God's plan. He was the one who was fully God and fully man who lived here on earth 2000 years ago. he was the one who died and the one who rose from the dead. He is the one who has the keys of hell and death. Those keys will either lock you in the prison of hell or they will open the doors of heaven to you. He says fear not because you do not have to fear death.
God so loved the work that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. If you are saved by Jesus' love and blood, you will never have to be afraid of death. The Bible tells us there is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out all fear because we know that God is love.
We read in 1 John 5:3-5, "[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. [4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. [5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"
So do you believe in Jesus? Do you love Him? Do you keep His commandments? His commandments are not grievous and they are not un-keepable. Here are his commandments from the very lips of the messiah, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. You shall love your neighbors as yourself."
Are you born of God? If so, this promise is for you. You will overcome this dark and dying world. This world where Satan dwells. But God also dwells here and He dwells here in the hearts of His people. You are the address of God. You are His skin tent. God has overcome Satan. He is under Jesus' feet, but you are safe in Jesus' right hand.
There will be times that you fear. Where will you get food if you can not buy or sell? Where will you hide when hell and persecution are released against you. Where there is war, famine natural disasters. When men's hearts will fail them for fear when they see what is coming upon the earth.
It will be so important to have faith then - a real true overcoming faith. A fearless faith that says no matter what happens in this world, Jesus has overcome this world. He lives in me. Now I will overcome the world. And because I walk in His love, I can hear His voice He will tell me what to do when all around me are confused.
Because the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In times of trouble He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because He is with me. His rod and His staff comfort me. Settle that in your hearts right now. Learn to trust Him right now. Let that trust fill you with love now. Learn to hear his voice now. Because Jesus says my sheep will hear my voice.
Please do not wait until the tribulation is upon you. When you can't buy or sell and hell and persecution are released against you. When there is war, there is famine, there are natural disasters, when men's hearts will fail them for fear when they see what is coming upon the earth, it will be too late. Learn from chapter one before we start to see what comes next.
In Christ Alone!
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