Day 37 - The Seven Depictions Of Christ In Revelation

[Jerry]

Numbers In The Bible Series
37 - The Seven Depictions Of Christ In Revelation

Day 37 - The Seven Depictions of Christ in Revelation

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

I find the studies on the number seven to have been my biggest blessing thus far. I was looking at the seven churches in Revelation and reflected on how each referenced "saith he" and just who that "he" was. We all know that He is Christ. However, the characteristics used to depict Christ are awesome!

1. Jesus holds His messengers in His right hand and walks in the midst of the church. Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; The seven stars are the angels, the messengers. It is thought that these messengers are the pastors of the seven churches (the candlesticks). It is interesting that these angels are held in the palm of Christ's right hand! They are His. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:29) Also notice that the seven candlesticks (the seven churches - seven is perfection, completeness) are shown with Christ walking in the midst of them. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) Not only is the Pastor held in Christ's palm but Christ Himself walks amongst us through His Spirit. How can we go wrong?

2. Jesus is the first and last and is alive! Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; We do not serve the dead gods of the world. We serve a Risen Saviour! 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. (Revelation 1:18)

3. Jesus is sharper than any two edged sword! Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; Since Jesus is known as the Word: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) - He is fulfills the following verse: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) Jesus came in the flesh - He became the spoken Word of God to us in the flesh. When He returned to Heaven, He left us His spoken Word in written form through the power of His Holy Spirit. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

4. Jesus is the Son of God! Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; The only time the Son of God is found in the O.T. is in Daniel 3:25 when the Son of God walked in the midst of the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! The phrase Son of God appears in 45 verses in God's Word. I found it interesting that the number forty symbolizes "probation, testing, closing in victory or judgment" and the number five "grace, cross, atonement, life"! Isn't it appropriate that Jesus' ministry on earth (His hour of testing) closes with His reign in both victory and judgment? Isn't it also interesting that His grace given to us by His blood's atonement on the cross results in eternal life for us? Glory!! How can we say that God's Word is not complete? Every jot and every tittle will be made manifest one day. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18) This series is only scratching the surface - it would be like placing a pencil mark on Mount Everest! I'm certain that when we reach Heaven, we will see so much more!

5. Jesus has the seven Spirits of God. Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. The Holy Spirit resides within every born-again believer and every born-again believer makes up the church. The word "hath" reveals that Christ holds the church and possesses the church. What a blessing this is!

6. Jesus is holy, He is true and is the door. Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; Jesus is the only door. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (John 10:7) and I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) It's interesting that the phrase "I am the door" appears twice to depict the Second Person of the Trinity! I also found it interesting to see that the door reference is for the Church at Philadelphia - the church that will experience the rapture!

7. Jesus is the Amen. (Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Salvation is final, firm, established and complete in Jesus. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) Jesus is the only way to Heaven - He is the final way to Heaven - He is the beginning and the end - no other way! Plain and simple! Period! No Allah, no Buddha, no Mohammad! It is Jesus and Jesus only!

What a blessing to read these this morning! God is so good to us, my friend! We spend but a few minutes or hours in the Word yet we walk away with eternal blessings! Thank You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Hark He is Calling
Fanny Crosby

Though young in years, we are all taught,
The way that leads to Jesus;
The way that must by faith be sought,
If we would come to Jesus.

Refrain:
Hark! He is calling every day,
He says to each one, “I am the way.”
Let us arise, arise without delay,
And come at once to Jesus.

How happy they, who safely rest
Within the fold of Jesus;
Beneath His kind protection blest,
They walk and talk with Jesus.

There is a door that leads from sin,
That blessed door is Jesus;
And there we all must enter in,
To reach the fold of Jesus.

And, as His sheep have learned to know,
The loving voice of Jesus;
So we, like them, may gladly go,
And ever dwell with Jesus.

Devotional by Kate Plourde

[Jim_Alaska]

Brother Jerry, you have done a wonderful short study on this subject. It is very edifying with one exception in my eyes. You say this in number five: "The Holy Spirit resides within every born-again believer and every born-again believer makes up the church."

While the Holy Spirit does reside in every believer, you can only say  that "every born-again believer makes up the church" if you hold to a Universal Church position.

[Jerry]

Thank you for that observation. This particular study was actually put together by one of my webpartners, Kate. In light of the fact that this was written in 2007, I won't change anything here (unless readers here feel strong enough about this for me to contact her and perhaps change or clarify that part of the study). Hopefully anyone who reads this study will also read the comments.

I guess I never really caught that as I personally tend to think of local churches down here, and all true believers assembled together one day in Heaven (as the bride of Christ that He gathers together at the rapture) - so probably read it in that light.

[Jim_Alaska]

Thank you for that clarification Jerry. I am a real stickler when it comes to people defining "church". Especially when they try to define it as "the church" and include all believers as "the church".

Thanks again, may God richly bless you as you serve Him,

Jim