The Faithful Witness

 

 

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:  --  Rev 1:1 (KJV)

 

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  --  Rev 1:2 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 1:3 (KJV)

 

How many know that the time is at hand?

 

 

 

 

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;  --  Rev 1:4 (KJV)

 

 

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,  --  Rev 1:5 (KJV)

 

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  --  Rev 1:6 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 1:7 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 1:8 (KJV)

 

 

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.  --  Rev 1:9 (KJV)

 

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,  --  Rev 1:10 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 1:11 (KJV)

 

 

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;  --  Rev 1:12 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 1:13 (KJV)

 

His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;  --  Rev 1:14 (KJV)

 

And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  --  Rev 1:15 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 1:16 (KJV)

 

 

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:  --  Rev 1:17 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 1:18 (KJV)

 

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;  --  Rev 1:19 (KJV)

 

 

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.  --  Rev 1:20 (KJV)

 

The Faithful Witness

 

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,  --  Rev 1:5 (KJV)

 

Jesus came into the world to bear witness

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.  --  John 18:37 (KJV)

 

Isaiah says Jesus was given as a witness to the people

 

Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.  --  Isa 55:4 (KJV)

 

 

How many know that Two or Three

Witnesses are Required ?

 

 

This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.  --  2 Cor 13:1 (KJV)

 

 

 

The three witnesses in heaven

 

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  --  1 John 5:7 (KJV)

 

 

The three witnesses on earth

 

And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.  --  1 John 5:8 (KJV)

 

 

 

The water is the Word of God

 

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  --  Eph 5:26 (KJV)

 

 

God holds us responsible for knowing his Word?

 

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?  --  Luke 12:42 (KJV)

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  --  Luke 12:43 (KJV)

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.  --  Luke 12:44 (KJV)

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;  --  Luke 12:45 (KJV)

The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.  --  Luke 12:46 (KJV)

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.  --  Luke 12:47 (KJV)

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.  --  Luke 12:48 (KJV)

I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?  --  Luke 12:49 (KJV)

 

It is time for the people to be awakened

 

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  --  Heb 10:26 (KJV)

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  --  Heb 10:27 (KJV)

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  --  Heb 10:28 (KJV)

 

 

There is that mention of 3 witnesses.  Kind of adds a different emphasis to this warning doesn't it?

 

 

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?  --  Heb 10:29 (KJV)

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.  --  Heb 10:30 (KJV)

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  --  Heb 10:31 (KJV)

 

My Friends This is not a time for taking chances,

 

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  --  Mat 25:1 (KJV)

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  --  Mat 25:2 (KJV)

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  --  Mat 25:3 (KJV)

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  --  Mat 25:4 (KJV)

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  --  Mat 25:5 (KJV)

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  --  Mat 25:6 (KJV)

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  --  Mat 25:7 (KJV)

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  --  Mat 25:8 (KJV)

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  --  Mat 25:9 (KJV)

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  --  Mat 25:10 (KJV)

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  --  Mat 25:11 (KJV)

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  --  Mat 25:12 (KJV)

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.  --  Mat 25:13 (KJV)

 

 

 

We have been warned to watch for his coming

 

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  --  Mat 24:37 (KJV)

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  --  Mat 24:38 (KJV)

And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  --  Mat 24:39 (KJV)

Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  --  Mat 24:40 (KJV)

Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  --  Mat 24:41 (KJV)

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  --  Mat 24:42 (KJV)

 

 

There seems to be many different ideas about what the gospel message is

 

 

what kind of gospel did Paul preach ?

 

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.  --  Acts 26:18 (KJV)

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  --  Acts 26:19 (KJV)

But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.  --  Acts 26:20 (KJV)

 

 

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:  --  Acts 17:30 (KJV)

 

what kind of gospel did Peter preach ?

 

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  --  Acts 8:22 (KJV)

 

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;  --  Acts 3:19 (KJV)

 

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  --  Acts 2:38 (KJV)

 

 

what kind of gospel did John the Baptist preach ?

 

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  --  Mat 3:2 (KJV)

 

 

what kind of gospel did Jesus Christ preach ?

 

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  --  Mat 4:17 (KJV)

 

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  --  Luke 13:5 (KJV)

 

 

what kind of gospel did all of the disciples preach ?

 

And they went out, and preached that men should repent.  --  Mark 6:12 (KJV)

 

 

In every age there has been an angel to guarantee

that the church had this message preached to them !

 

 

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;  --  Rev 2:1 (KJV)

 

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;  --  Rev 2:8 (KJV)

 

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;  --  Rev 2:12 (KJV)

 

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;  --  Rev 2:18 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 3:1 (KJV)

 

 

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;  --  Rev 3:7 (KJV)

 

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;  --  Rev 3:14 (KJV)

 

 

Did you ever notice that throughout the church ages and dispensations the church was being warned to repent  ?

 

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.  --  Rev 2:5 (KJV)

 

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  --  Rev 2:16 (KJV)

 

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  --  Rev 2:21 (KJV)

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.  --  Rev 2:22 (KJV)

 

 

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  --  Rev 3:3 (KJV)

 

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  --  Rev 3:19 (KJV)

 

This entire book of Revelation seems to be meant to convince people to repent

 

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:  --  Rev 9:20 (KJV)

Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.  --  Rev 9:21 (KJV)

 

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.  --  Rev 16:9 (KJV)

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,  --  Rev 16:10 (KJV)

And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.  --  Rev 16:11 (KJV)

 

 

Seven Times Christ warns the church

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;

Rev 2:7 (KJV)

Rev 2:17 (KJV)

Rev 2:29 (KJV)

Rev 3:6 (KJV)

Rev 3:13 (KJV)

Rev 3:22 (KJV)

 

Some say that the Gospel is simply a message of love.  How many know that God loves us ?

 

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,  --  Rev 1:5 (KJV)

 

 

John 3:16

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.  --  John 3:16 (KJV)

 

 

 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  --  John 15:13 (KJV)

 

 

 

 

But God's Love is not enough.

We need to be washed from our sins

 

 

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,  --  Rev 1:5 (KJV)

 

 

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  --  Rev 7:14 (KJV)

 

 

There is NO SALVATION in any other !!!

 

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.  --  Rev 12:11 (KJV)

 

No matter who you are.  No matter what you were taught.

No matter what you believe.  The BIBLE is clear on this my friend.

 

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  --  Acts 4:12 (KJV)

 

 

There are exceeding precious promises in the scriptures.

 

We have a tremendous future in store.  

 

Don't be a fool and throw it all away.

 

 

We shall Reign as kings with Christ

 

 

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  --  Rev 1:6 (KJV)

 

 

 

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:  --  Rev 2:26 (KJV)

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.  --  Rev 2:27 (KJV)

 

 

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  --  Rev 3:21 (KJV)

 

 

We represent a new Royal and Holy Priesthood

 

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  --  1 Pet 2:9 (KJV)

 

 

Lastly,

Do you understand what is that high calling of God?

Do you realize what it is all about?

 

My freinds, We were created to have dominion !!!

 

 

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?  --  Psa 8:4 (KJV)

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels  ('elohiym), and hast crowned him with glory and honour.  --  Psa 8:5 (KJV)

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:  --  Psa 8:6 (KJV)