Praise and Glory to HIS Holy Name!

RCR Ministries Serving God Through Bible Studies
 
 

Revelation 1

 1The revelation of Jesus Christ (not John’s revelation but Jesus’), which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place (not a parable but a prediction of upcoming events). He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

 

"The time is near" Several scriptures negate the Preterist view and I believe the Idealistic Approach.

If anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.Matt 24:26, 27

At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matt 24:30,31

 

"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11

 

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1Thess 4:16, 17

 

 4John,
      To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

   Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits (the Holy Spirit who indwelled in the leaders of the 7 churches - intercessors) before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

   To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
 
7Look, he is coming with the clouds
(Mt 24:30 "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."), and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him ("And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn" Zec 12:10); and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

 8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," (the 1st & last letters of the Greek alphabet, God rules over human history – he is the beginning and the end) says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

 9I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10On the Lord's Day (the first day of the week, the day the Lord rose) I was in the Spirit (He was meditating and letting the Holy Spirit consume him), and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."

 12I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands (the 7 churches), 13and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,”(Daniel also had a vision of Christ's second coming also called him "son of man". "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him." Dan 7:13), dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest (represents royal priesthood). 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow (wisdom and dignity), and his eyes were like blazing fire (piercing gaze of omni-science [infinite knowledge or all knowing]). 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters (divine authority). 16In his right hand he held seven stars (guardian angels or the earthly leaders or ministers), and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword (the word of God, divine judgment). His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance (glory of deity).

 

 

 17When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades (Jesus has final authority).

 19"Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels(guardian angels or the earthly leaders or ministers) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Exodus 25:31-29 describes a Jewish Menorah that was used in the tabernacle. This lampstand held 7 lights. Additonally, the churches were the light to the path of salvation through faith in Christ. Matthew 15: 14-16 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.).

 

About Us

RCR Ministries was born out of a sincere desire to help all who seek God to find Him. It is our hope that by providing you with sound interpretation of the scriptures along with the historical background that you will gain a foundation of God's word that will lead you to a un-shakable personal relationship with him. A realtionship where by you will experience a steadfast confidence  in His love, compassion, and grace.  Learn More

Our Goal

It is our desire to study the word of God by keeping it in context with all the teachings of the Bible. We strive to not add to or take away from God's Holy Word. Instead, we will ask you to move through the old and new testaments that weave the rich fabric that is the Word of God. We stand on His Holy Word which is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The New International Version is used unless otherwise stated.

Before You Begin

Dear Heavenly Father,

Praise and glory to the one true Living God, the alpha and the omega. Holy, Holy, Holy is   your   name.   Thank   you Father, for your son Jesus Christ who redeemed us from our sins. And thank you for this day and everything you have brought to me. May my prayer rise to you as sweet incense from the alter. I ask that you guide me, Father, through your Word. Please open my heart and mind to recieve your word and please reveal your Holy Truth. Please dwell in me and help me to live each day of my life in keeping with your Word. In the Holy name of Jesus Christ, I pray and ask it. Amen.