Cox Revelation Pure and Simple

1. Auflage 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9884487-0-4
Verlag: Kenneth Cox
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 257 Seiten

This book on Revelation was not written for the theologian or Bible scholar. It was written for the man on the street -the man who's been told that Revelation is so full of symbolism that it cannot be understood. It was also written for those who have been told the events of Revelation have already passed and do not apply to us; that they will all take place in the future, long after we're gone; or that we will not be on earth when they take place-and a dozen other excuses for not understanding the truths that Jesus said we could and should. It was written for the person who has a desire to know what Christ told John concerning the days we live in and for the person who wants to see the unfolding of prophecy, as one event after another takes place-each prophecy expanding and enlarging the next. As you walk through Revelation, chapter by chapter in this easy reading format, your eyes will be opened to the roles played by different nations of the world. Expect a blessing as you read, listen, and keep the things written in this book. You can depend on it, for He promised it!

Autoren/Hrsg.

Cox, Kenneth

Leseproben

REVELATION 1
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified [it] by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 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. 4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him [be] glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8 “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.” 9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and 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. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands [One] like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair [were] white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet [were] like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance [was] like the sun shining in its strength. 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. 18 “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. 19 “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. CHAPTER 1
Kings and Priests Inside this Chapter Revelation 1:1-2 The Revelation of Jesus Christ Revelation 1:3 How to Find Jesus in Revelation Revelation 1:4-6 John’s Greeting to the Seven Churches Revelation 1:7-8 The Alpha and the Omega Revelation 1:9-11 The Lord Tells John to Write Revelation 1:12-16 Jesus, Our High Priest and King Revelation 1:17-20 The Mystery Revealed Revelation 1:1-2 — The Revelation of Jesus Christ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Banishment of John Imperial Rome has decided to stamp out Christianity and heavy persecution has fallen on the early church. All of John’s fellow apostles have been put to death and he has been banished to the Island of Patmos. From a human point of view, this is a critical time for the struggling early church. At a time when John’s leadership, influence, and encouragement is desperately needed, he has been taken from them. It appears as if the believers are going to be eliminated and the enemies of the church will be victorious. However, He who can see the end from the beginning was permitting man to place John where He could give him revelations of the future that would bring hope, guidance, and encouragement to the struggling early church. In exiling John, the Roman leaders hoped to silence his voice, but instead, the messages he received brought assurance and strength to each church member. The prophecies revealed would guide the church to the end of time. Throughout Revelation such phases as, “shortly take place” and “the time is near” (Revelation 1:3), are used to emphasize the shortness of time to those living in the days of these prophecies. Revelation is the message given by God the Father to His Son, Jesus Christ, who had an angel show His servant, John, so that those who are living in the last days will understand what is taking place. Revelation 1:3 — How to Find Jesus in Revelation. 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. Read, Hear, and Keep How do we find Jesus in the book of Revelation? A threefold blessing is pronounced on those who read, hear, and keep what they learn in the book of Revelation. To “read” means to search, to look into the Word of God. The word “revelation” means revealing, and if we do not read, we cannot receive this blessing. Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” John 5:39. To “hear” means to listen. It means knowledge—to prayerfully open our minds and let the Holy Spirit give us understanding. If we shut our ears to the voice of the Holy Spirit then the blessing will not be ours. Paul states it this way, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” Philippians 3:8. To “keep” means acceptance and obedience. It means walking in the light of what we have learned. If we refuse to keep what we learn, we cannot claim this blessing either. Why is there such ignorance about the book of Revelation and even a reluctance to read it? It is an all-out effort on the part of the enemy of souls to keep men from recognizing his deceptions and the last events of the final conflict! Because of this attack, Christ, the Revelator, gives a blessing to all who will read, hear, and keep the words revealed in Revelation. Revelation 1:4-6 — John’s Greeting to the Seven Churches John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Jesus Christ and His Blessings The reason the book is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ is because of what happens when we come to know Him. An internal transformation takes place and the assurance of His grace fills our hearts. We know our sins are forgiven, and our hope of eternal life is sure because of what Christ has done for us. Peace settles into our soul, and we know He has won victory over the enemy! “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” Revelation 1:5. In these verses, the gospel is simple and to the point: “To Him who loved us.” How wonderful that He loves us before we are washed! In other words, He accepts us just as we are—dirty and defiled. Christ does not say, “Clean yourself up, and then you can come to Me.” Instead He says, “Come just as you are.” He does not love us...