Truth Matters Weekend 21: Revelation (The Seven Churches)

Welcome to the weekend edition of truth matters with Cheryl David. Today's broadcast Dr. Davis continues her teaching in the Revelation and the seven churches is a companion to the promises and prophecies of Daniel in a love letter to the church and thinkable.

It is also a warning to the wicked and God's final war against evil dear Dr. Davis, with today's lesson from the book of Revelation and Dr. Cheryl Davis, thank you for joining me again as we continue our study in the book of Revelation.

If you listen to the last episode I went through an overview of prophecies just in general ever some concepts of prophecy as really prophecy is sometimes difficult to understand but were trying to simplify it as easily as we can. We ask a couple questions as far as how do we know that Jesus is coming back and in acts one men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven. This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as she saw him go into heaven.

How do we know that Christ is coming the second time and why is he coming the second time he would like to reference those previous edifices may find them on www.projecttruthmatters.com.

Click on podcast and you can catch up to where we are today. Today will began with an overview of the book of Revelation and I have found 9M words to describe the book of Revelation 1st Revelation is a misunderstood book 6 attitudes really prevail concerning the book of Revelation number one. Some people are just uninformed them. If you look around today if you ask 10 people walking on the street was the most common book that you're reading right now in the Bible. It may not necessarily be the book of Revelation, or it may not be the Bible itself, some peanut, and in general there is not an interest in reading the Bible or particularly the book of Revelation. The second prevailing attitude is that some people are unbelieving and they struggle with unbelief. They are spiritually undiscerning we find that in the Bible in first Corinthians chapter 2 verse 14 but the natural man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned when the natural man tries to read and understand the Bible really there's no comprehension because you need the Holy Spirit and comprehension. The third attitude is that some are uninterested similar Christians and are in the church that they are some people that are uninterested in the word of God and we find that in many churches, not just my church or your church.

But many churches, some are unfriendly supposed Christians who believe the book cannot be taken at face value in its literal interpretation. There are two people that I know that think that the Bible is a historical book that is not relevant to today. One of them being one of my professors in college who said that the Bible really is a historical book and cannot address any of the problems of today. And there are some that think that the Bible is completely figurative and symbolic and cannot be taken literally. The next attitude is that some are untaught.

A lot of churches do not have a systematic approach to the Bible anymore. I've been listening to a podcast about Sunday school and in moving away from Sunday school moving to praise and worship the knowledge of the Bible in general is going down across her churches and some are understanding said the least prevailing attitude is that some are understanding and I would say that that is you because just by virtue of listening to this program you're interested in the word of God and are seeking more so the first animal word that describes the book of Revelation is misunderstood. The second M words to describe the book of Revelation is Revelation is a messianic book and what I mean by messianic is that Revelation is a book about the Messiah about Jesus Christ.

The four Gospels present Christ in his early life and ministry, death and resurrection, which is also known as the humiliation of Christ. Revelation reveals Christ and all his glory as King of Kings and Lord of lords. To summarize Revelation is a misunderstood book as well as a messianic book next Revelation is a mysterious book and think that's a very common description of the book of Revelation is very mysterious, mysterious, mainly because of the use of symbolism, more so than any book in the Bible. Three primary reasons for the heavy use of symbolism and Revelation is that symbolism is not weakened by time symbols live from century to century and never lose their meaning. Symbolism is a way to carry a message through time without losing its meaning, symbols and part value and arouse emotions and hold interest. For example, when the antichrist is described as a dictator versus being described as a beast and invokes very different emotions, and the third primary reason for the heavy use of symbolism and Revelation symbols functioned as a type of spiritual code. The book of Revelation was written while in Excel. Of those being persecuted by the Romans. Only Jewish or informed Bible readers could interpret the message.

Moving on a Revelation is a meaningful book.

Three reasons why it's meaningful. Number one the spirit of God open the book for us to read Jesus tells John not to seal up the words of the prophecy for the time is at hand. Contrasting that to you on Daniel 12 for when Daniel was told to shut up the book and keep it until the end times. John was told not to seal up the words of the prophecy for the time is at hand member to the spirit of God outline the books if you notice in chapter 1 of Revelation, which we will get into in time.

Chapter 1 is a self outline is outlined by the spirit that number one things which you have seen was chapter 1 God's glory and chapter 2 are things which are two through three which is church on the earth and in chapters 4 through 22 Things Which Will Take Pl. after this, which is the government of the future. So the book of Revelation is self outlined the things which you have seen which John was told to ride in chapter 1, the things which are in chapters 2 to 3 and chapters 4 through 22 are the things which will take place after this. And the last reason that this is a meaningful book is that the spirit of God operates within the book the Holy Spirit gives the interpretation right within the text of the book, which is very different than other books on which is really great as it helps in her understanding of the book of Revelation, the book of Revelation is a miraculous book is miraculous in the way that it tells the future.

It is the only prophetic book in the New Testament and is a book about the future. The next and word is that Revelation is a motivational book and if you read Revelation verse three of chapter 1 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it for the time is near is the only book in the Bible that motivates his readers by promising a blessing for those who will read and obey it. There are seven distinct blessings recorded in the book of Revelation. The first one we have just read.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it for the time is near. Revelation 1413 then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me right. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes is the spirit that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them moving on to revelations chapter 16 verse 15 behold I am coming as a thief.

Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.

The next blessing is in Revelation 19 verse nine then he said to me right.

Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the land. He said to me, these are the true sayings of God. Turning to Revelation chapter 20 verse six Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power and they shall be priests of God and of Christ shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation chapter 22 verse seven behold I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book and verse 14 Blessed are those who do his commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city's I don't know about you but I look forward to every one of those blessings and claiming them as my own. Having studied the book of Revelation, and these blessings are for you as we journey through this book living on Revelation is a majestic book Revelation is the book of the throne. The book where we see Christ in all of his Majesty in the book of Revelation.

He's called King 25 times talk by his power and authority 33 times. John and Daniel had the same reaction to God's glory and we see his glory manifested and their reaction in revelations one verse 17 and when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying to me. Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last Daniel had the same reaction to the glory of God. In chapter 10 versus seven through nine and I Daniel alone sell the vision for the man who were with me did not see the vision the great terror fell upon them so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore, I was left alone must sell this great vision and no strength remained in the for my vigor was turned to frailty and may not retain the strength yet. I heard the sound of his words and while I heard the sound of his words. I was in a deep sleep on my face with my face to the ground, separated by thousands of years Daniel and John reacted the same to the glory of God's revelation is the maximal book Revelation is the terminus of everything that happens throughout the whole Bible is a book of completion and consummation. Often times we compare Genesis and Revelation and Genesis is the commencement of heaven and earth and Revelation is the consummation of heaven and earth in Genesis we see the entrance of sin and the curse in Revelation, we see the end of sin and the curse in Genesis we see the dawn of Satan and his activities Revelation, we see the doom of Satan and his activities in Genesis we see the tree of life is relinquished in Revelation, the tree of life is regained in Genesis. Death makes its entrance in a Revelation death makes its exit and in Genesis sorrow begins. But in Revelation sorrow is banished just to take a quick break and summarize all the M words Revelation is misunderstood is messianic is a mysterious book is a meaningful book. It is miraculous is motivational. It is majestic and it is maximal but lastly Revelation is a militant book and what you mean when you say militant. I'm so glad that you asked that the major message of the book of Revelation is the glorious victory of Jesus Christ over all his enemies. Those who identify with the Lord are called over commerce. There are eight promises and the book of Revelation that are given to over commerce. Let's review those in chapter 2 verse seven he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Verse 11 of chapter 2 he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

Verse 17 of chapter fees. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says that the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows him who received in the Roman world stones were often used in court proceedings with the Whitestone representing a verdict of innocence. Blackstone, one of guilt in the impending rapture of the church but was leaving first to meet Jesus in the year will receive the Whitestone with her new name and the meaning of the Whitestone will also be an invitation to the marriage supper of the way. Dr. Davis will continue. Revelation series over next broadcast.

Please join us for this compelling study of promises and prophecies, please visit truth matters with Dr. Cheryl Davis online project truth that are started on and on Facebook that truth matters would go through surely you could write to her at the truth project deal. Box 15 so St. Paul's, NC 28384 email us Cheryl Davis Project matters.com truth matters with Dr. Cheryl Davis is a ministry of the truth project