REVELATION!!!
Today’s Reading: Revelation 1
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Greek Island of Patmos is located in the Aegean Sea. Its u-shaped geography creates a perfect harbour. This is where the Apostle John was exiled by the Roman government and where he received The Revelation. “I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Revelation 1:8, 17-19
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
…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. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”
The full title given to this book comes from the first five words in today’s reading. This is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” It is written in the Greek language, and Jesus is described by the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; He is “The ALPHA and the OMEGA!” Jesus is called by the Apostle John in the fourth book in the New Testament, “The WORD!” “In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD” (John 1:1)! Read John 1:1-18 along with Revelation chapter one for a full understanding of John’s sure knowledge as to the Person of Jesus. John wrote his Gospel to set the record straight, because false cults were seeking to diminish Jesus to the status of angels or a secondary god. Approximately 70 years before the writing of “Revelation”, John, along with his brother James, had been recruited by Jesus (Matthew 4:21-22 and Mark 1:19-20). Jesus had nicknamed these brothers, “Sons of Thunder”! (Mark 3:17). Just imagine their personalities and the boldness of John. No wonder that, as an old man of at least 90, he was considered a threat to the political and religious authorities, hence his exile to the Island of Patmos.
John had spent over three years in the company of Jesus. He knew Him very well as “The Son of Man.” He was a witness to the teaching, preaching, and healing-the-sick ministry of Jesus. He helped distribute the bread and fish to feed 5,000. He watched from the boat as Jesus walked on the water. He was the first of the Apostles at the empty tomb. He saw Jesus in His glorified, resurrected Body, again and again, over a 40-day period. He saw Jesus ascend into Heaven, and now John sees a glimpse of Jesus as the Eternal Son of God, One with the Father and the Holy Spirit. It was necessary for Jesus to say to John, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and BEHOLD I AM ALIVE FOREVERMORE. AMEN!!!” (1:17).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
O, Lord Jesus, like John, I feel as if I should fall at Your feet as dead. I pray that while I read through the Book of Revelation, You will reveal Yourself to me over this next month as I bow in Your presence, meditating on Your Person, preparing to share this blog with as many of Your loved ones who will read it. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
John and his brother James had earned their nickname, “Sons of Thunder,” I’m sure. No doubt there was serious rivalry in the fish catching and selling business between them and the other two brothers from a different family who became apostles, Peter and Andrew. I can almost hear these competing brothers bragging about their catches. True to form, John and James believed they were the best to occupy the places next to Jesus soon, when, as they believed, He would establish His earthly kingdom. What a disappointment for them when Jesus announced immediately after this request to Jesus that He was going to the Cross. These “thunder” brothers did not want to hear that! Perhaps when the women announced the empty tomb and that Jesus was resurrected, John thought there was still hope for those positions. John bragged that he had arrived first at the mouth of the tomb. He was still in competition with Peter and possibly he still hoped for an earthly kingdom then and there! It seems important to me to establish that these people, to whom Jesus gave leadership of the Church, were so very human. But then the power of the Holy Spirit came on them at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21)! From then on it was, as my daughter-in-love Ann has often said on the Full Circle telecast, “Keep your eyes on Jesus; it’s all about Him!!!” I’m so glad that Jesus calls very ordinary people, like me, into His service!
Yours because it’s all about Jesus!!!
David
P.S. There are two other brothers I know very well. One is my oldest son David Reynold, (World Embrace missionary in Uganda) who has visited the cities where all seven of the churches of Revelation were located, and whose photographs will, God willing, be featured over the seven days when we visit the Words of Jesus to each of those churches. My other son, Ronald Wesley (President of Heart to Heart Marriage & Family Ministries) has led Crossroads tour groups to the Island of Patmos where John was incarcerated. Today I’m featuring two of Ron’s photos. The first one seen above is a view of the harbour at Patmos, and the one below was taken by the cave where it is believed John saw the visions recorded in Revelation and where he wrote it all down. It’s amazing what God can do with brothers, James & John, Peter & Andrew in the first century, and Reynold & Ron in the 21st century. Zebedee, father of James and John, and David, father of Reynold and Ron are 2,000 years apart, but both of us (I think I can speak for Zebedee) are proud of our sons!!!
On the Island of Patmos, this mosaic is above the entrance to the “Monastery of Saint John the Theologian” (which is written in Greek letters). This monastery is built over the cave believed to be where John received his Revelation.
Ron and David what a beautiful postscript to treasure from your dad! I am looking forward to spending the next month in Revelations. Jesus, Holy Spirit, and God the Father, we are so blessed by the learning to be gleaned in this blog! IN Jesus name, Amen.
Amen, Anna!
Awestruck by the words of John 1 and in Revelation 1, and David’s message, this morning. We revere You, Lord, and are ever thankful for Your Words and the truth of Revelation–that is and was and is to come. To You be the honour and glory and praise! Amazing photos that add so much power to Revelation 1–thank you, Reynold. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord!
Praise the LORD, all people on earth, praise his glory and might.
1 Chronicles 16:28 GNB
Aaron Shust – Ever Be (Official Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZDyMJhd4Bo
Amen to the words of Beverlee and Anna. God is good.
Yes, Amen!
What an inspiring message from David today and interesting photos from Reynold and Ron. Thank you. Also from you Beverlee and Anna. God bless you. LIke you Carol and Beverlee I am looking forward to learning more from Revelation this time and meditating on John being exiled for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus, also on the description of Jesus! Will pray for Teri and Carol Beverlee. Please pray for those suffering in NB from floods. I am fortunate that I am not one of them as I am not close to the St. John River.
I was thinking about you, today, Ger, wondering if you were affected; praise God you are safe where you are. Praying for those close to the rising waters, that they be protected in Jesus’ Name.
yes Lord hear our prayers! may we forgive others as You Lord have forgiven us amen amen amen
Amen Sah!
To think that David is in the Presence of that same Jesus now, along with all the Godly from all the ages! Thank You, dear Lord God!
Revelations
will be challenging
for us.
By the way, Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham’s daughter) is a great Bible teacher. You can download her app on Google Play, or go to her website to listen to her wonderful messages. She is a beautiful combination of Billy & Ruth Bell Graham.
Yes, dear David, it IS ALL ABOUT JESUS ! 🙂
Revelations certainly is challenging I could never understand what all the figures/pictures are. I am a visual learner so maybe David or someone can
help me understand what they mean
Thank you for your concern Beverlee. God bless you. Fredericton and now St. John and surrounding areas are really affected.
Lianne
just got on the internet, yes, I hope you read Beverlee Kay’s thoughts on why I mentioned that you,Lianne are helping others more than you realize, by posting when you have the seizures and how you are dealing with them and we as readers learn from you and learn to pray for you also, by doing what you are doing, sharing openly, gives others the courage to speak up also…….they don’t feel alone, smile dear sweet Lianne, you are an angel, you are a Child of the Most High God,
keep posting dear sweet Lianne, I am praying for you also, I just met a gal who goes through some health issues also, and I prayed with her, again, I encouraged her to talk……
God bless you….
prayers of healing for Janet, the lifeguard’s mom, she has lung cancer, finding out how severe, again, praying the Lord will completely remove all the cancer and heal the lungs and that Janet will be able to live a happy, good life,loving her family, young and old
prayers for Rick and Betty Foster, very bad car accident, Betty has many broken bones in her legs, Rick is ok but is dealing with the guilt, pray the Lord heals Betty and encourages Rick to get counselling from Mental Health and perhaps that both husband & wife can seek counselling, there is a lot of forgiveness needing to happen…
Lord none of us know the reasons things happen, but if this couple and their marriage is important to You and it is, that may be a call from You Lord to strengthen the bonds of marriage,, TY Lord that they both are alive, again,
help them to deal with unforgiveness…..
Amen, Sah agreeing in prayer with you; for the Lord’s intervention on their behalf, for complete healing, emotionally as well as physically!!
David’s tribute to you, Reynold and Ron, his sons, is so precious!! How Blessed your are for having a loving earthly father as well as a heavenly Father.
Thank you for sharing this blog this morning, in particular, as well as daily! May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,continue to hold you close at this time and always, in His Mighty Name I pray, Amen!!
Just finished joining in the powerful “Day of Prayer” on TV, Daystar chann.
Their prayers included President Trump; all those in leadership; the justice system; the most recent school shooting; and mostly all ethnic group would be united; and all denomination, etc.
Recently 100huntley Street went into a week of prayer; as did 700Club Canada. Lord thank You, Your word says, You answer even before we call on You. (Jer. 33:3)