King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Introduction To Revelation
Date: Friday December 23, 2011
Chapters: Revelation 1-2
All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version, words in red are quoted by Jesus.

Hello My Friend,

The Book of Revelation is the twenty-seventh and final book of the New Testament, the sixty-sixth and final book of the Bible and contains twenty-two chapters. The author of the book is the Apostle John and it was written to seven churches in Asia and to all believers in general, John wrote the book around 96AD. The purpose of the book was to give encouragement and assurance to persecuted and troubled Christians. It is also a clear warning to unbelievers of the coming judgment of God to sin and unbelief. What we are to learn from the book is that God never goes back on His promises, He has great promises awaiting all who believe in and receive His Son. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” - Revelation 21:4.

One Sunday morning as John was praying Jesus showed up, and in a vision as clear as the day, Jesus asks him to write this letter to the seven churches in Asia. Asia referred to Asia Minor (also known as Anatolia), is a peninsula which extends from the continent of Asia west toward Europe. There were many other churches, but these seven were the foundations of which the churches we have today were laid. It was this western part of Asia Minor that was the Roman province and known as the largest population of Gentile Christians, today we know it as the country of Turkey.

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 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.” -Revelation 1:9-11

If anyone has the assumption that God does not see and know everything, think again, the Book of Revelation is proof that God is watching every person who makes up the Church of Christ. These churches began as vibrant, healthy churches, having been started by Peter or Paul, now there is some rebuke in order, this time not from any Apostle, but from Jesus Himself. First, He starts with the church of Ephesus. “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” - Revelation 2:1-5.

Ephesus was the influential capital city of Asia Minor, the Apostle Paul spent a lot of time there, as well as Peter and Timothy. The Ephesians were doing well at serving God, they studied the Bible, taught the right doctrine and they did things so well that they could call out a false prophet in an instant, but somehow they lost the zeal they had for Jesus, even as they were serving Him, hence having left their first love. They are cautioned to repent, to turn back to their first love, Jesus. We too can get so busy doing the work of the Lord that we too lose our love for Jesus, meaning the enthusiasm, liveliness, and desire to serve Him as we did when we first got saved and were eager to serve. When we get to that point we need to take a step back, remind ourselves that we are serving a great and living God, and that He comes first, above all we can ever do for God is to love Him. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” - Deuteronomy 6:5.

Second, Jesus addresses the church of Smyrna, Smyrna was located north of Ephesus in a powerful trading position on the Aegean Sea known for its harbors, commerce, and marketplaces. They were known as the persecuted church that suffered poverty and martyrdom. “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” - Revelation 2:8-10.

Jesus comforts them and assures them that they will be blessed and rewarded for their faithfulness. Jesus has the same message for every Christian who sticks it out and stand by Him through their tribulation. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” - James 1:12.

Third, Jesus addresses the church in Pergamos, Pergamos is located on the plains and foothills along the Caicus River in Western Turkey. It was considered a major city in Asia Minor since the 3rd century BC, and became a Greek and Roman hub for temple worship. They were known as the worldly church that mixed doctrines of Christ and Balaam (Numbers 22), now Jesus is warning them to repent before it is too late.

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;..But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication...Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” - Revelation 2:12,14, 16.

This is a warning to all churches who worship statues, such as the virgin Mary, and allow immorality within the Church. There is nothing more powerful than the Word of God, it will cut right through the heart. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Hebrews 4:12.

Forth, Jesus addresses the church of Thyatira, Thyatira is located in western Asia Minor about 42 miles inland from the Aegean Sea. The ancient city was known for its textiles and dyeing trade, and is now known as the Turkish city of Akhisar. They were known as the false church who allowed a seductive prophetess to come in and bring idol worship and immorality into the Church. “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not...And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”-Revelation 2:18-21,23.

There are several churches that have been started by women, all of these churches face the same death. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” - Revelation 20:10. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” - John 5:24. While we as Christians can not be certain which trials are before us, one thing we can be certain of is that we will not face the lake of fire, but bypass it all the way to the Kingdom of Christ. Praise God!

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, while we cannot know what hour Your Son will come to judge the world, we can be prepared as we receive Him gladly and allow Him to be our Savior. All throughout Scripture we are warned of what is to come to all who never put their faith and trust in Jesus, but there is much that we cannot foresee nor do we understand. Some of this understanding will fall into place as we have opportunity to look back and see how You were at work though Your hand was not visible at the time. We desire to trust in You with all our heart and not lean upon our own limited understanding. As we trust You fully, with all our heart, mind, and soul we will obey You faithfully as Your blessings and favor fall upon us eternally. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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