Welcome to Hank’s Place
In the Old Testament we kind of see Jesus. He is hidden in types, shadows, and prophecies of a wonderful coming king and kingdom.
In the New Testament we find Jesus revealed! First in the Gospels we see Jesus ‘and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,’ revealing the nature and character of God. Then in the book of Acts, sometimes called the 5th gospel, we find Jesus further revealed as He works through His Body of believers, the Church. Then in Revelation, sometimes called the 6th gospel, we see Jesus still further revealed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, crowned in glory, all powerful, all conquering over evil, putting an end to darkness forever and creating a new heavens and earth — for us!
That last book of the Bible is entitled ‘the Revelation (singular) of Jesus Christ.’ If we read it with the intent to know Jesus more intimately, then we are reading the book with the purpose for which it was first and foremost intended. Some read it with an idea of seeing events described that happened right after the book was written. Others read it with the idea of tying it to current events, as if it were a future historical record of things to come. On earth. Some take the events and images as literal, others do not. For me, and I hope you, I want to know Jesus better with each reading! After all, it IS the revelation of Jesus Christ!
Before John is brought up to heaven to see ‘coming things,’ we find Jesus addressing 7 churches. The names are names of real churches that existed at John’s time. Seven. The number of completion. Are they words only for those 7 geographical churches at that time? Some say so. Are they words to all churches for all generations, like perhaps your church or mine today? Some say so. Are they a prophetic application of 7 distinct phases of church history from John’s time to when Jesus returns? Some say so. Some say these words are a personal application to individual believers who have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to them. People like — you perhaps?
Each of these views have some basis in Scripture. Since you are here at Hank’s Place, let’s ask Hank what he does. Thanks for asking! Although it is not easy, I urge you to begin if you haven’t already, to give God your heart. With all the hurts we have experienced growing to adulthood, all of us have layers of protection against further hurt. God speaks to our hearts. How can we hear Him unless we open our hearts to Him?
Today, I urge you to do what Hank does: give Jesus your heart and read Revelation with the desire to know Him better. I am confident God will speak to you, that you will know Him better, and in doing so you’ll — COME ALIVE!
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