Today’s selected reading is found in the New Testament prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. More specifically today’s passage is found in the first chapter of this New Testament book. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:1-3).

 

            “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:3-6).

 

            “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindred of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 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” (Revelation 1:7-8).

 

            “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).

 

            “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many water. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Revelation 1:12-16).

 

 

            “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:17-20).

 

            When you come to the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ you will find the final book in the totality of Scripture. It is with the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ the sacred Scripture draws to a close. If there is one thing that makes this entirely and altogether remarkable when you think about it is when you consider how the final book of the Bible ends with a powerful revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Despite the fact that the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ contains a powerful glimpse of the judgments of the living God and the final days of human history there is at the very heart and center of it a picture and portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is absolutely impossible to read the words which are found in this book and not see the strong undercurrent undertone of the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not difficult to read this book and see that at the very heart and center of it is a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ manifested in the midst of heaven and on the earth. What’s more is that when you read the words found within this book you will encounter and come face to face with the manifestation of the words which the Lord Jesus taught His disciples and followers to pray. If you turn and direct your attention back to the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew you will find the Lord Jesus instructing His disciples and followers to pray before the living Father and ask that His kingdom would come and His will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of when reading the words found within this book for it calls and draws our attention to the wonderful manifestation of the will of the Father exercised in heaven being manifested within the earth.

 

            If you want to truly understand the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ I am absolutely convinced you must needs look back to the words which our Lord Jesus spoke unto his disciples on the mount called Olivet. It is here on the mount called Olivet the Lord Jesus spoke unto His disciples concerning the Last Days and the end of times. The reason and purpose for this to be carefully considered and understood is because at the very heart of this prophetic book is one single, simple and yet profound question—the question of what you did or didn’t do with and unto the Lord Jesus Christ. I am absolutely convinced that if you want to comprehend the words which are found in the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ you must needs acknowledge and understand that everything that is written and contained within it strikes at the very heart of what man did and did not do unto the Lord Jesus Christ—and not only what man did and didn’t do unto the Lord Jesus Christ but also what man did or didn’t do with the Lord Jesus. I firmly believe we must needs recognize and understand the words which are found in the tenth chapter of the epistle written unto the Hebrews as well as the words which are found in the third chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John for these passages also bring us face to face with the question of what we did with and what we did do unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Before you delve into the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ it is necessary to recognize the importance of these words for everything you find within this prophetic book centers upon the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

            It is with this in mind I now invite you to turn and direct your attention—first to the words which are found in the twenty-fifth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew. Immediately after considering these words I would also like to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the tenth chapter of the epistle written unto the Hebrews as well as the third chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew. Consider now if you will the following words which are found in these passages of Scripture contained within the New Testament:

 

            “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: And he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left” (Matthew 25:31-33).

 

            “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and yet gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and. Ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lo0rd, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the last of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:34-40).

 

            “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink? I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:41-46).

 

            We must needs recognize and pay attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for at the very center of it is the underlying question concerning what you did and did not do unto and for the Lord Jesus Christ. Pause for a moment and consider how one of the greatest questions that can and will ever be asked of us is what we have done and/or what we have not done unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture made it very clear in the epistle written unto the Hebrews that we ought to be mindful and careful concerning our treatment of those we interact with on a daily basis for we might not be aware that we were entertaining angels unaware. It is necessary for us to recognize this tremendous truth, however, I am absolutely convinced that in addition to this we must needs allow ourselves to enter into the place where we ask ourselves what we have done and what we have not done for the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s more is that not only must we ask ourselves what we have not or what we have done unto the Lord Jesus Christ but we must also ask ourselves what we are doing or aren’t doing unto and for the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture makes it very clear—yea, not even Scripture but the Lord Jesus Himself—that the one underlying difference between the sheep and the goats is what they did and did not do for and unto the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

            As I sit here thinking about and considering the words which are found in the twenty-fifth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew I can’t help but think about and be reminded of the words which our Lord Jesus spoke unto a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus who came unto Him by night secretly inquiring of Him. It is in the third chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we are brought face to face with the Lord Jesus declaring unto Nicodemus that unless a man be born again he cannot enter into or inherit the kingdom of heaven. Moreover the Lord Jesus also declared unto this Pharisee that unless a man be born of water and of the Spirit they cannot see the kingdom of heaven. These words would be followed by some of the most incredible and tremendous language spoken by the Lord Jesus concerning salvation and the divine will of the Father. It is in the third chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we are brought face to face with the awesome and wonderful truth surrounding the divine will of the Father in sending His only begotten Son unto the earth in the form of living flesh for the purpose of suffering and death. It is in the third chapter of this New Testament gospel we find the Lord Jesus making one of the most beautiful declarations concerning the Father ever recorded in the Scripture for He beautifully declares how God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider the words which are found in the third chapter of this gospel narrative written by the apostle John as well as the words which the prophet Isaiah wrote and spoke which are recorded in the fifty-third chapter of the prophetic book bearing his name:

 

            “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so. Loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought of God” (John 3:9-21).

 

            It is here in this passage of Scripture we are brought face to face with the divine will of the Father—and not only the divine will of the Father but also the divine love of the Father in sending His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself declared that God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. Earlier in this New Testament gospel you will find the apostle emphatically declaring that to as many as received the Lord Jesus it was unto those who were given the power to become the sons of God—even to those who believed on His name. We must needs consider the words which are found in the third chapter of this New Testament gospel for within it we find the love of the Father compelling Him to send His Son into the earth that whosoever would believe on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. In the opening chapter of this book we find the key, the invitation and entrance into this particular realm and reality in the form of receiving the Lord Jesus—and not only receiving the Lord Jesus but also believing on His name. It is having said this I now invite you to turn and direct your attention to the words which are written in the prophetic book written by the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah—specifically the fifty-third chapter. Consider if you will the following words which are found in this passage of Scripture concerning the suffering Servant—and not only concerning the suffering servant but also concerning the divine will and pleasure of the Father in sending this servant whom we know to be the Son into the world for the purpose of suffering and death for the sins of mankind:

 

            “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:1-12).

 

            It is within these passages of Scripture we clearly see God the Father loving the world so much that He would send His only begotten Son into it that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God the Father did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. In the fifty-third chapter of the prophetic book of Isaiah we find this ancient Hebrew prophet declaring that it pleased the Lord to bruise and crush the suffering Servant whom we know to be the eternal and only begotten Son. We know that in the garden of Eden the Lord Jesus cried out in prayer, in agony and travail before the Father and all the holy angels asking that if it were possible that this cup might pass from Him then let it pass. With these words being spoken, however, the Lord Jesus would also follow these words by emphatically declaring unto the Father that it was not His will by the will of the Father be done. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for not only did the Father love the world enough to send His only begotten Son into the midst of it that whosoever believers in Him ought not perish but have everlasting life but we also know and understand that it was the divine love of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God that allowed and propelled Him to offer His life, His flesh and His blood as a sacrifice and offering for the sins of humanity that those who believe might inherit eternal life. Consider if you will the following words which the apostle Paul wrote in the fifth chapter of the epistle written unto the saints which were at Rome:

 

            “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: But whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventgure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:1-11).

 

            It is absolutely necessary for us to pay attention to these words for if you want to understand the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ you must needs approach and seek to understand it in terms of what men did and didn’t do unto the Lord Jesus Christ—and not only what men did and didn’t do unto the Lord Jesus Christ but also what men did and didn’t do with the Lord Jesus Christ. If you want to truly understand the very heart and center of the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ you must needs acknowledge the tremendous truth that at the very heart of it is the testimony of Jesus—and not only the testimony of Jesus which is the spirit of prophecy but also the testimony of the Lord Jesus within our own hearts and lives. This is something we have great need of paying close attention to for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth regarding our own lives and that which we have and haven’t done unto and with the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh before we returned unto the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ I am convinced we must turn and direct our attention to the words which the author of the epistle written unto the Hebrews wrote in the tenth chapter—and not only the words which are found in the tenth chapter of this epistle but also the words which the apostle John wrote in the first of his three epistles written unto the saints of God:

 

            “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall life by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:26-39).

 

            Within the tenth chapter of the epistle written unto the Hebrews we find the author not only speaking of sinning willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth but he also goes on to speak of those who tread under foot the Son of God and have counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing. What’s more is the author of this epistle written unto the Hebrews would also go on to emphatically declare concerning these individuals that they have done despite unto the Spirit of grace and thus have transgressed greatly in the sight and presence of the living God. I am convinced we must needs recognize and understand this incredible truth for when we come to the first epistle written by the apostle John—the same author who was given the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ—we find him writing concerning the spirit of antichrist being present in the earth and how that spirit works in other antichrists. The apostle John wrote of antichrists who not only denied that the Lord Jesus Christ—the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father—came in the flesh but also deny both the Son and the Father. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for when you come to the opening book of the Bible you must believe that God is—and not only that God is but also that He created the heavens and the earth and existed from and before the beginning before there was time and space. When you come to the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ you must needs believe in and upon the Lord Jesus Christ. In coming to the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ you must not only believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ but you must also believe that He is the Son of the living God.

 

            When you come to the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ you come to a book where you not only see Jesus as the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God but you also see Him in the fulness of that which the apostles Peter, James and John witnessed and beheld on top of the mount when He was transfigured before them in their presence. It is in the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ we encounter and come face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah and as the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is in the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus we encounter and come face to face with One who conquered death, hell and the grave—and not only conquered death, hell and the grave but also has the keys and scars to prove it. There is a great need for us to recognize and understand the words which are found in the first epistle written by the apostle John for what we find within this epistle brings us face to face with the spirit of the antichrist—the spirit that seeks to animate and govern the world and coerce and deceive men into not only denying the Father and the Son but also enticing them to abstain and refrain from believing on them. The antichrist and the spirit of antichrist denies both the Father and the Son and denies that the Lord Jesus Christ came in the flesh and that He suffered and died as a sacrifice and offering for the sins of the world. The antichrist and the spirit of antichrist would argue and contend with the declarations and proclamations the apostle John made when he professed the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. OH it is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the first epistle written by the apostle John concerning the spirit of the antichrist which is in operation in the world and enticing men and women to deny both the Father and the Son:

 

            “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him” (1 John 1:22-29).

 

            “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (1 John 3:23-24).

            “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not Go; and every on ethat loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not. Knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwellth in us, and his love is perfect in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us” (1 John 4:1-16).

 

            “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandment. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in the earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:1-13).

 

            The words which we find here in the first epistle written by the apostle John unto the saints which were at Ephesus are absolutely necessary for they help us recognize the tremendous importance of what we do or don’t do with the eternal and only begotten Son. You cannot read the words found in this passage of Scripture and not encounter the wonderful truth surrounding believing on the Son—and not only believing on the Son but believing that the Son is indeed the Son of the living God and did indeed come in the flesh. There is something to be said about the words which are found in the first epistle written by the apostle John for within it we are brought face to face with the awesome and incredible truth surrounding that which we do with the eternal Son and whether or not we believe that he did in fact come in the flesh. What’s more is that we must needs understand within our hearts and souls whether or not we are those who believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God and that He came from and by the divine will of the Father. This was something which the Jews during Jesus’ generation could not see and even recognize for they not only sought to persecute Him because He chose to heal on the Sabbath but they sought to put Him to death because of the claim(s) he made that God was His Father thus making Himself equal with the living God. The Jews could not get past the words Jesus of Nazareth spoke concerning God as His Father for they knew Mary and Joseph and his brothers and sisters who were present among them. It was this knowledge that would prevent them from being able to truly understand the truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ and that He was indeed the Son of the living God come in the form of human flesh.

 

            When you come to the prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ you will be immediately be brought face to face with these words—“The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” What’s so incredibly significant about these words is that immediately after they were written by the apostle John he goes on to write how this revelation of Jesus Christ was given by God unto Him to show unto His servants the things which must needs shortly come to pass. Not only this but the apostle John would also go on to write how this revelation of Jesus Christ was sent and signified by his angel unto the servant John the apostle. It was this apostle who bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw which were revealed unto him. What we must needs realize and understand is that this revelation of Jesus Christ was indeed given unto Him by the eternal Father that His servants might know that which must needs come in the days ahead—that which the eternal Father had ordained and planned according to His own divine will and foreknowledge. In the opening verses of the first chapter we are met with the tremendous relationship between Jesus the Christ and God for you cannot escape the first verse without coming face to face with the unique relationship they shared with each other. This revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ was deliberately and intentionally given unto the Son that He might show unto His servants that which was to come in the days ahead—the Last Days and the end times. These words were signified by his angel unto his servant John who bore record of the word of God, who bore record of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things which he saw.

 

            Upon continuing to read the words which are found in the first and opening chapter of this prophetic book you will find the apostle John emphatically declaring unto his readers and audience that blessed are those who read, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which were written therein. More importantly there is something directly and intrinsically linked to this reading and hearing of the words of this prophecy and the keeping of the things which were written therein—namely the fact that the time is at hand. This is something we must needs recognize and pay close attention to for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ and the revelation that He was given for the purpose of making His servants ready for the things which were to come. We have great need to pay attention to this for it calls and draws us unto the place where we not only believe in the Lord Jesus Christ but also believe that the time is at hand. Perhaps one of the greatest truths we must needs understand when considering the words found in this passage is whether or not we truly do believe that the time is at hand. Do we as the saints of God and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ truly believe that the time is at hand—and not only that the time is at hand but also that the days are evil?

 

            If you continue reading the words written and recorded in this prophetic book you will find the apostle John speaking of himself writing unto the seven churches which were in Asia and including a customary greeting that was found in the epistles and writings of the apostles Paul and Peter and other New Testament authors. The apostle John would begin and open this epistle by pronouncing grace be unto the seven churches which were in Asia and peace from Him which is, and He which was, and He which was to come. Oh please don’t miss and lose sight of the words which the apostle John wrote here in this passage of Scripture for by emphatically declaring and professing the Lord Jesus Christ as being the One who is, the One who was, and the One who is to come the apostle was expressing the eternal and divine nature of the eternal and only begotten Son. To make the statement such as this the apostle John was speaking of and declaring the Lord Jesus Christ to being the same yesterday, today and forever—words which are written and found in the epistle written unto the Hebrews. This is in all reality one of the most profound and underlying truths surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ for we must needs recognize and understand that when we speak of Jesus we must acknowledge Him as eternal and divine—something which was expressed at the beginning of the epistle written unto the Hebrews. It was in the first and opening chapter written unto the Hebrews the author clearly set forth the Lord Jesus Christ as the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God—and not only as the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father but also as the One who was given a name and inheritance greater than any of the angels in heaven. It is in the first chapter of this epistle we encounter and come face to face with the eternal and divine nature of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

            The more you read the words which are found in this prophetic book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ the more you will find the apostle going on to speak of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God by speaking of the seven Spirits which are before the throne and of Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. The words which are found in this passage of Scripture are incredibly unique and powerful when you take the time to think about and consider them for within them the apostle John brings us face to face with the eternal God who is, who was and who is to come, as well as the seven Spirits which were before His throne and from Jesus Christ. When writing concerning Jesus the apostle John would refer to Him as the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for within them we are brought face to face with the truly wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus as not only having all authority over death being the firstborn of those whom the Father would raise from the dead but also as having authority over the kings of the earth. Scripture makes it very clear that Jesus is indeed the King of kings and Lord of lords—a picture which we see in the Old Testament concerning Solomon the son of David. If you want to truly understand the tremendous authority of the Lord Jesus Christ over all the kings of the earth I am absolutely convinced we need examine the words which are found in the second chapter of the Old Testament book of Psalms as well as the words which are found in the books of First Kings and Second Chronicles. With this being said I invite you to consider the following words found in each of these passages which help us to understand the ultimate authority that is found in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

            “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye parish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalm 2:1-12).

 

            “And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl. For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphash even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge” (1 Kings 4:21-28).

 

            “So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are in the vale, for abundance. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means” (1 Kings 10:23-29).

 

            As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the words which are found in the first and opening chapter of the prophetic book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. If you continue reading in this passage of Scripture starting from the ninth verse you will find the apostle John speaking of himself as brother and companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ who was in the isle which was called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. It would be there on the isle of Patmos the apostle John would be in the Spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind him a great voice as of a trumpet proclaiming and declaring “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last” and “What thou seest, write in a book and sent it unto the seven churches which were in Asia.” What we go on to read within this passage of Scripture is a powerful description of the resurrected, ascended and exalted Jesus Christ. The apostle John would indeed be one of three apostles who would witness and behold the transfigured Christ atop the mountain together with Peter and James and he would indeed one of upwards of five hundred who would witness and bare record of the Lord Jesus Christ having been resurrected from the dead and walking among them in the flesh. Now what we find is the apostle John being in the Spirit on the Lord’s day and seeing a truly astonishing and powerful vision and revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle John described how he turned to see the voice that spoke with him and being turned about he saw seven golden candlesticks. In the midst of the seven golden candlesticks there was One like unto the Son of man who was clothed with a garment down to the foot, one who was girt about the paps with a golden girdle. The head and hairs of this One were white like wool and white as snow and his eyes were as flames of fire. Moreover his feet were like unto fine brass as if they burned in a furnace and his voice as the sound of many waters.

 

There is a great need to recognize the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for in the final verses of the first chapter we find the apostle John hearing the Lord Jesus Christ instruct him to fear not for he was the first and the last. The One who spoke unto Him would go on to declare that He was the One who lived and was dead and behold was alive for evermore. This resurrected, ascended and exalted Jesus would go on to declare and profess that He had the keys of hell and of death thus signifying His eternal and divine authority over more than just the kings of the earth. The apostle John would see and behold the resurrected and ascended Lord Jesus Christ who was not only the first begotten of the dead but was also the prince of the Kings of the earth. That which we find in these verses is an incredibly powerful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ as the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father—and not only as the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father but also as the eternal and divine authority over death, over hell and the grave. You cannot read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and not encounter and come face to face with the ultimate authority and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over death, over hell, over the grave, and over every living thing that moved upon the face of the earth. The Revelation of Jesus Christ is one of authority, one of dominion, one of power, one of glory and one of might—a reality which He would express unto the disciples upon the mountain of ordination when he declared unto them how all authority in heaven and on earth was given unto Him. It was the apostle Paul who spoke of the Lord Jesus as having been given a name which is above all other names—a name at the which every knee in heaven and earth will bow and which every tongue in heaven and earth will confess that he is Lord. Oh the question we must needs ask ourselves when reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture is whether or not we are truly those who stand before the Lord Jesus Christ acknowledging that He is the eternal only begotten Son who came in the flesh for the purpose of suffering and death, that He was raised from the dead on the third day and that He ascended unto the right hand of the Father where he is seated until the time comes when He will exercise authority, judgment, dominion and might over everything and everyone that is upon the earth.