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REVELATION - Behold, I am Coming Soon
Studies in the Book of Revelation
BOOK 1 - BEHOLD, I AM COMING QUICKLY! (REVELATION 1:1 - 3:22)
PART 1.2 THE FIRST VISION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES ON EARTH: THE APPEARING OF THE SON OF MAN TO SANCTIFY HIS CHURCHES (REVELATION 1:9 - 3:22)
PART 1.2.3 HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES (REVELATION 3:22)

Introduction: Read the Book of Revelation Prayerfully


7. Jesus, the Lord at Work

In the seven church letters Jesus spoke in the first person “I” about 49 times. In some translations, this pronoun appears 45 times. The many verbs that were revealed in this first person form testify that Jesus spoke personally to each one of the seven churches. We encounter this great word, which is probably the most significant word in all the church letters:

five times in the letter to Ephesus (Revelation 2:2.4.5.6.7).
twice in the letter to Smyrna (Revelation 2:9.17).
four times in the letter to Pergamos (Revelation 2:13.14.16.17).
thirteen times in the letter to Thyatira (Revelation 2:19.20.21.22. 23.24.25.26.28).
six times in the letter to Sardis (Revelation 3:1.2.3.5).
nine times in the letter to Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8.9.10.11. 12).
ten times in the letter to Laodicea (Revelation 3:15.16.18.19.20. 21).

Whoever inquires about the content of these verbs spoken in the first person, will find in them a very special summary of the messages of Jesus Christ. He says:

I know your works, I know where you dwell, I know your tribulation: seven times.
I have against you: three times.
I am coming: six times.
I will give: seven times.
I love you: twice (Revelation 3:9, 19).

Jesus spoke in the first person in 24 other verbs, which appear only once. They testify both of His punishment as well as of His blessing. They want to work shock and repentance, as also hope, faith and trust.

The eight unsettling and threatening verbs

I am He who searches the minds and hearts (Revelation 2:23).
For I have not found your works perfect (Revelation 3:2).
I rebuke and chasten (Revelation 3:19).
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten (Revelation 3:19).
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed (Revelation 2:22).
I will kill her children with death (Revelation 2:23).
I hate (the syncretists) (Revelation 2:6).
I will vomit you out of My mouth (Revelation 3:16).

The sixteen encouraging verbs

I gave her time to repent (Revelation 2:21).
I will put on you no other burden (Revelation 2:24).
I counsel you to buy from Me gold (Revelation 3:18).
I also will keep you from the hour of trial (Revelation 3:10).
I have set before you an open door (Revelation 3:8).
I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, come and worship before your feet (Revelation 3:9).
I will make them come (Revelation 3:9).
To him I will give power over the nations (Revelation 2:26).
As I also have received from My Father (Revelation 2:27).
I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5).
I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels (Revelation 3:5).
I stand before the door (Revelation 3:20).
And I knock (Revelation 3:20).
I will come in to him (Revelation 3:20).
I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God (Revelation 3:12).
I will write on him the three names (Revelation 3:12).

Whoever reads these verbs in their relation with the texts, finds that Jesus is the One who speaks, punishes and promises. In the end it is not about the seven church leaders, but about Jesus alone. He is the First and the Last. He walks in the midst of the seven lampstands (churches), and holds the seven stars (church leaders) in His hand. No one can snatch them from His hand. He is preparing them for His coming.

Who is preparing Him the way to His churches and to His people? Are our lamps burning? Are they well polished? The Lord says to us: “Surely, I am coming quickly!” This is Jesus’ last word to His churches, which He again confirms in Chapter 22:20. Therefore, it goes for us all:

“He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we magnify You and worship You and Your Son because He declared to us, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working" (John 5: 17). We become comforted by this declaration because You are the One who saves, encourages, preserves, opens the doors for service, makes the fruits, knocks the doors of hearts, and comes in to whoever opens himself to You. We magnify You and thank You because You are the worker and we are the witnesses to Your clear works.

QUESTION:

  1. What did you learn from the 24 verbs of Jesus in His seven churches?

QUIZ 1

Dear Reader,
If you have carefully studied this first booklet on the Book of Revelation, you will have gained an everlasting treasure. At the same time, you will be able to answer the following questions easily:

  1. How did John prepare the Semitic members of the church first?
  2. How did John the Apostle prepare the Greek members of his churches?
  3. What is the aim of world history?
  4. How did God reveal himself at the beginning of the revelation that John received?
  5. Why did the Romans deport John to the empty island of Patmos?
  6. What are the names of the seven churches?
  7. What impressed you from the description of Jesus as the glorified Son of God?
  8. What is the astonishing secret in the life of Christ?
  9. What do the lampstands and the stars mean in the book of Revelation?
  10. What are the distinguishing characteristics of the pastor of the church in Ephesus?
  11. What are the shortcomings of the pastor of the church in Ephesus and what is he promised if he overcame himself in the power of the Holy Spirit?
  12. What was the situation of the pastor of the church in Smyrna?
  13. What is the Crown of Life?
  14. What is the characteristic of the pastor who dwells where Satan thrones?
  15. Why was Christ angry back then and even today?
  16. Why was Christ angry about the faithful pastor in the church of Thyatira?
  17. What are the promises that Christ granted to the pastor in Thyatira?
  18. What are the five commands with which the Lord tried to raise the spiritually dead pastor?
  19. What characterizes the simple believers in dead churches? And what is promised to their ministers if they would repent a true repentance?
  20. What are reasons for the success of the pastor of the church in Philadelphia?
  21. What is the meaning of the remarkable promises given to the church minister in Philadelphia?
  22. What method did Jesus use to win the rich, but spiritually poor, minister?
  23. What are the great promises of Jesus to the minister of the church of the Laodiceans?
  24. How many characteristics of Jesus can you find in His epistles at the hand of John?
  25. How many times did Jesus mention His servants' acts, toil, and patience? How many times did He scold them saying to them, "I have against you"?
  26. How many times did Jesus call the ministers to repent in His seven letters?
  27. Which one of the seven church ministers had one promise? Which one of them had two? Which one of them had three?
  28. How many times did Jesus write about his coming to educate and punish the seven churches? How many times did He promise to reach us personally to fulfill His many blessings in us?
  29. What did you learn from the 24 verbs of Jesus in His seven churches?

If you answer 75% of the above questions exactly and sufficiently, we will send you the next booklet of this series. Please write your full name and address clearly, and send your answers to the following address:

Waters of Life
P.O.Box 600 513
70305 Stuttgart
Germany

Internet: www.waters-of-life.net
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