making the scriptures plain

Rev.1.10b ... and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Rev.1.11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Rev.1.12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Rev.1.:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev.1.14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Rev.1.15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Rev.1.16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Rev.1.17 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:
Rev.1.18 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.
Rev.1.19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Rev.1.20 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.

Victorious Intro Scene - One Like the Son of Man Appears to John on Patmos

This is one on the most significant events in the life of the human race here on planet earth. John the apostle is meditating. It is Sabbath. He may have been watching the sea pounding on the rocks of the Isle of Patmos. Or he may have been in his prisoner accommodations, we are not told. The sound of the waters is both loud and peaceful. From behind him a great voice, louder even than the sound of the crashing water, loud as a trumpet.

He saw a most amazing spectacular scene.

The voice introduces itself and commands John, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last." John is commanded to write what he sees in a book and send it to the seven churches. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

John turned to see voice that spoke to him and he saw a most amazing spectacular scene. The old man twists himself round as far as he can to see the voice. John does not immediately see the person. He sees seven golden candlesticks. A gold menorah with seven branches then he sees Jesus.

And his voice was like Mosi-oa-Tunya

In the centre of the candlsticks is Jesus. He is dressed in a robe, a long robe down to his feet, with a golden girdle wrapped around him. His hair is a blizzard of white. His eyes are as a flame of fire, his feet like burnished brass. And his voice was like Mosi-oa-Tunya, 'the smoke that thunders', the mighty water falls of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In His right hand Jesus is holding seven stars

In His right hand Jesus is holding seven stars, As He speaks, His voice like the sound of many waters, His mouth, a two edged sword, His face shining brighter than the sun. John sees all this in a flash and faints.

Write down the things

Amazingly, though apparently dead, John can still see, hear and feel. Jesus lays His right hand on him and tells John not to be afraid. Jesus is the first and the last. " I am alive John, I died, but I came to life and my life now is forever. I have the keys of death in my hand.

These keys can open and lock Death's door. They can open and lock Hell's gate. "John is told again to write down the things he has seen. John will see things which are and he will see things which shall be. John saw Jesus holding seven stars in His right hand walking among seven golden lampstands.

The seven candlesticks are seven churches

All these things are mysterious. The seven stars explains Jesus are angels, the seven candlesticks are seven churches. This study sets out to understand these things. Jesus Christ, the risen Lord and Saviour of the world, the Son og God, appeared to his servant John, on the Sabbath day with messages to the children of God represented by seven churches.

The tools, the Scriptures themselves

The future of God's church on earth is outlined to John in eight visions. In an intricately woven story the secrets of God are shared with John for our interpretation and understanding. The tools, the Scriptures themselves and with the passage of time, history itelf will testifiy.

This first vision John is about to recieve is on earth. The study of the sanctuary becomes a prerequisite. We will need to draw on the writings of the Bible writers of the past to confirm our condition today. A revelation from Jesus, with the Bible as an anchor so that we do not stray and rely on our wild imagination. Stay with us and read on, comparing scripture with scripture and the thoughts of those who will study by these principles.

Joseph Walter Brown, December 2009