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| − | ==Chapter 1 A Letter From the LORD of the Candlesticks==
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4">1<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">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:"</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">The Greek word apokalupsis is translated as<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"revelation"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or disclosure of the truth of things previously unknown. Our growth<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(2Peter 3:18) also yields to us-- as a by-product-- knowledge of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"things which must shortly come to pass"</font><font size="4">. The Father reveals to the Son, who reveals to His<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"angel"</font><font size="4">, who reveals to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"His servant John"</font><font size="4">, who reveals to God's<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"servants"</font><font size="4">. This exactly coincides with our LORD's Promise to His disciples.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(John 16:13).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">2</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">A faithful witness-- as the Apostle John was-- is merely to recount accurately what he has been told.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the Earth"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Acts 1:8).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">3</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">A special Promise attends our reading, hearing, and keeping of the Revelation, i.e., acting in faith about what we heard.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"But whoso looketh into the Perfect Law of Liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(James 1:25). No man is a fool who acts as though the message of the Revelation concerns us here and now,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"for the time is at hand."</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">4</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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;"</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">The Revelation is in the form of a letter to the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Seven Churches which are in Asia"</font><font size="4">, i.e., the modern nation of Turkey, which is in Asia Minor. The Apostle John begins with a greeting from the Triune God-- the Father, the Spirit, and the Son. The Father is The Ancient Of Days (Daniel 7:9,13,22)--<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"from Him Which Is, and Which Was, and Which Is to Come."</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Seven Spirits"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>point to the perfection of the Holy Spirit.</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">5</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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,"</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">Greetings from the Son,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(1Timothy 6:13). Jesus has the distinction of being the first to rise from the dead.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins"<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4">(1Corinthians 15:17). And, if this<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Prince of the Kings of the Earth"</font><font size="4">, who<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood"</font><font size="4">, arose from the dead, then so also will we.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"But every man in his own order: Christ the Firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His Coming"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(15:23).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">6</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">A Kingdom Of Priests was the LORD's original intent for His people Israel, as well.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"And ye shall be unto me a Kingdom Of Priests, and An Holy Nation"</font><font size="4">(Exodus 19:6). Again, our God's desire for His Church is our assumption of the duties of a Kingdom Of Priests.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Ye also, as Lively Stones, are built up a Spiritual House, an Holy Priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(1Peter 2:5).</font><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><font size="4">And, of course,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"God"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the Son has<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"His Father"</font><font size="4">, God</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"which is</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[also]<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">in Heaven"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Matthew 23:9).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">7</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the Earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">Our LORD Jesus Christ is the One who<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"cometh with clouds"</font><font size="4">. No other event in the history of creation will focus more attention on One Person than the Second Coming of the LORD Jesus Christ.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"And then shall appear the Sign of the Son of Man in Heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the Earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Matthew 24:30). If anyone is able to wonder or question if the LORD Jesus has appeared the Second Time, then it definitely did<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>not</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>happen-- because at His Second Coming<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"<b>all</b>... shall see Him"<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4">(24:30).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">8</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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."</font></li>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">Without a doubt, the LORD Jesus Christ claims to be God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Philippians 2:6). The very idea of being<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>places Jesus-- the speaker of Revelation 1:8-- in the role of the Eternal (</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Which Is, and Which Was, and Which Is to Come"</font><font size="4">) and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Almighty"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and His Redeemer the LORD of Hosts; I am the First, and I am the Last; and beside Me there is no God"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Isaiah 44:6).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">9</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">The Apostle John, the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"disciple whom Jesus loved"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(John 21:20), suffered exile to the island of Patmos (which means, "my killing"), a rugged and bare island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of modern Turkey, probably around 95 AD in Domitian's persecution of the Christians.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Yea, and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>all</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(2Timothy 3:12). John was an elder or presbyter in the Church of Ephesus, before and after his stay on Patmos. John suffered</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"tribulation"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>like all of our brethren,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ"</font><font size="4">. He practiced what the early disciples preached.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common Salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>ye should earnestly contend for the faith</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>which was once delivered unto the Saints"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Jude 3).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">10</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I was in the Spirit on the LORD's day, and heard behind me a Great Voice, as of a Trumpet,"</font></li>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">The Apostle John's experience parallels that of being Raptured, i.e., hearing<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"a Great Voice, as of a Trumpet"</font><font size="4">. This reminds us of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Thessalonians.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"For the LORD Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(1Thessalonians 4:16). Some believe that this indicates a Sunday (</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"LORD's day"</font><font size="4">) Rapture; however, it could also mean that the Rapture will only occur for those who are walking<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"in the Spirit"</font><font size="4">, in readiness for the event-- or both.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"And to wait for His Son from Heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(1:10).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">11</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">These Seven Churches could be reached by traveling to each in succession, i.e., first Ephesus, then Smyrna, and continuing through the list until arriving at Laodicea. The serial nature of the list of Seven Churches gives rise to comparing them to a serial or chronological list of periods representing the totality of Church History, as well as a chronological list of Tribulation Week Progress. Our LORD is able to lay much truth in store for those who are willing to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"search out a matter"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Proverbs 25:2).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"But without a parable spake He not unto them: and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Mark 4:34).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">12</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And I turned to see the Voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;"</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">The Voice that spoke with John, belonged to the LORD Jesus. The<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"seven golden candlesticks"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>allude to the candlesticks of the Sanctuary for the nation of Israel. This seven branched candlestick, known as the menorah, may be seen represented on the Arch of Titus at Rome, taken as the spoils of war (70 AD).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Exodus 25:37). Though Israel ultimately failed to hold the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Law</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>[that]</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is Light"<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4">(Proverbs 6:23) up to the world, the Church has received a similar commission to bear the Light-- as<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"seven golden candlesticks"</font><font size="4">-- to the world. A candlestick is not the light; however, it does lift up the flame, which gives off the light. And, that Light is Jesus Christ, Who said,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"I am the Light of the World"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(John 8:12).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">13</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">The LORD Jesus is here described in the attire of a priest and judge, like Aaron's robe,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"for glory and for beauty"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Exodus 28:2). Fastening the garment higher on the body--<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"about the paps"</font><font size="4">, i.e., the chest-- than the waist, allowed for greater movement, as well as greater dignity and majesty.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Isaiah 11:5).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">14</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;"</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">Again, it is<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"not robbery"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Philippians 2:6) for the LORD Jesus to consider Himself the equal of the Father, because the Son of God is here described in the same fashion as the Father-- the Ancient of Days.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">9</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Ancient of Days</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His Throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire...<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#000000">13</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>...behold, One like the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Son of Man<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>came with the clouds of Heaven, and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>came</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>to the Ancient of Days</b>..."</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Daniel 7:9,13).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">15</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">The LORD Jesus' feet are likened to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"fine brass"</font><font size="4">, which symbolize divine judgment. The<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"brasen altar"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Exodus 38:30) and other articles associated with the sacrifice for sin (27:2-4) were made of brass. The power and majesty of the LORD Jesus' Voice in judgment is compared to the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"sound of many waters"</font><font size="4">.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Psalm 93:4).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">16</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">This reminds us of how Christ, the Good Shepherd (John 10:14), holds His flock eternally secure in His hand.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">27</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#000000">28</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And I give unto them Eternal Life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(John 10:27-28). Jesus, the Eternal Word, Who<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"was made flesh"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(John 1:14), here represents His Words like unto a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"sharp twoedged sword"</font><font size="4">-- an offensive weapon for slaying the enemy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Revelation 19:15).<br>
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| − | <br>
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| − | The brilliance of the LORD Jesus'<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"countenance"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>was seen also by the unconverted Saul on the Road to Damascus.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">13</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>At midday, O king, I saw in the way a Light from Heaven,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>above the brightness of the sun</b>, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#000000">14</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a Voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#000000">15</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And He said, I Am Jesus Whom thou persecutest"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Acts 26:13-15).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">17</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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:"</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">Notwithstanding the close relationship of the Apostle John to the LORD Jesus, it was more than meeting an old friend when he recognized the LORD Jesus. John</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"fell at His feet as dead"</font><font size="4">. Just as the prophet Isaiah was frozen with disdain for himself at the sight of the Holy God, i.e.,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Isaiah 6:5), John had to be comforted by the LORD to even be able to continue the interview.</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">18</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">Unmistakably, this is the very Jesus who was crucified on Calvary.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"I Am He that liveth, and was dead."</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If we can believe that He was dead and now is alive, we have His Word that He is now<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"alive for evermore"</font><font size="4">.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him"</font><font size="4">(Romans 6:9). So thorough is His mastery over death and hell that He possesses their key and control-- because He is the Almighty God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"He that is our God is the God of Salvation; and unto GOD the LORD belong the issues from death"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Psalm 68:20).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">19</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;"</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">John is given an outline for the Revelation, which he is to record.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"The things which thou hast seen"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>refers to chapter 1-- the Glorified Christ.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"The things which are"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>corresponds to chapters 2 and 3-- the History of the Church. And,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"the things which shall be hereafter"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>deal with chapters 4 through 22-- essentially Daniel's 70th Week (Daniel 9:24-27).</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">-----</p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"</font><font size="4" color="#000000">20</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>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."</font></li>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4">The Greek word aggelos is primarily translated as "angel", but sometimes it is translated as messenger. That the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"seven stars"</font><font size="4">, which are the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"angels of the Seven Churches"</font><font size="4">, could be their pastors, may be inferred from the reference of Daniel 12:3 to those who<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"turn many to righteousness"</font><font size="4">. These who<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"turn many to righteousness"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>are compared to the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"stars for ever and ever"</font><font size="4">.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Daniel 12:3). But, the idea that the</font><font size="4" color="#AA0000"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"seven stars"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>are angelic beings is just as agreeable, for we know that even small children are given angelic watchcare.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in Heaven"</font><font size="4"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Matthew 18:10). Again, the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the Seven Churches"</font><font size="4">. See the above remarks concerning Revelation 1:12.</font></p>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="1" color="#FFFFFF">.</font><font size="4"><br>
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| − | ---- <br>
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| − | <br>
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| − | </font><font size="4" color="#000000">Question: Why should you study this Book?<br>
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| − | <br>
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| − | Answer:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></font><font size="4" color="#AA0000">"That the God of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><br>
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| − | may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him</b>:<br>
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| − | <b>The eyes of your understanding being enlightened</b>;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
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| − | that ye may know</font></p>
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| − | <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
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| − | <center>
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">what is the hope of His calling, and</font></li>
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| − | </center>
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| − | <center>
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,</font></li>
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| − | </center>
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| − | <center>
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| − | <li><font size="4" color="#AA0000">And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe,</font></li>
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| − | </center>
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| − | </ul>
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| − | <p align="CENTER" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><font size="4" color="#AA0000">according to the working of His mighty power,<br>
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| − | Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the Heavenly Places,<br>
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| − | Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come."</font><font size="4" color="#000000"><br>
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| − | </font><font color="#000000">Ephesians 1:17-21</font><font size="4" color="#000000"><br>
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| − | [[Category:The Revelation]]
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