Revelations: Jesus' Love Letter Pt 2
Authority Over His Church: John sees Jesus standing in the middle of seven lampstands (1:13) representing the church (1:11, 20). Jesus instructs John to send this revelation to the 7 churches. With His authority as Head of the Church, Jesus gives instruction and correction along with messages of commendation for faithful service, and condemnation for areas of failure (chapters 2 and 3).
Authority Over His Pastors: In His right hand Jesus holds 7 stars representing the pastors of the 7 churches (1:16a, 20). His right hand is a symbol of His power and authority, and in this case, His authority over the pastors of the church. In fact, the messages in chapters 2 & 3 are addressed to the pastors of the 7 churches. |
SELF-PORTRAIT #4
As Messiah (Son of man), 1:13a
John, trying desperately to describe the indescribable, the glorified Jesus, said, “I saw one like a son of man” (1:13a). The use of this Messianic title reminds us of the description given by the prophet Daniel (7:13), and it is the title that Jesus used most often to describe Himself in the gospels. As Son of man, He is the promised Messiah who “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (1:5-6, 1 Peter 2:9).
As Messiah (Son of man), 1:13a
John, trying desperately to describe the indescribable, the glorified Jesus, said, “I saw one like a son of man” (1:13a). The use of this Messianic title reminds us of the description given by the prophet Daniel (7:13), and it is the title that Jesus used most often to describe Himself in the gospels. As Son of man, He is the promised Messiah who “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (1:5-6, 1 Peter 2:9).
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SELF-PORTRAIT #5
As King of Kings, Lord of Lords, 1:5, 19:16
Jesus is the “ruler of the kings of the earth” (1:5). In other words, He is the One who rules over all other kings. His Name, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS”, indicates his supreme rulership. No longer “gentle Jesus meek and mild,” when He establishes His 1000-year kingdom on this earth, He will rule with a “rod of iron” (19:15-16).
SELF-PORTRAIT #6
As Judge of all Humanity, 19:11b, 20:15
Jesus is the righteous judge of the whole earth. Revelation 19:11 declares that, “In righteousness He judges and wages war.”
Judge of the Earth: The 7 seals, the 7 trumpets, and the 7 bowls are all judgments poured out on the earth by Jesus during the 7-year tribulation period on all who rejected Him as their Savior. When Jesus returns to earth at His Second Coming, He destroys the armies and their rulers at the Battle of Armageddon, and throws the Beast and the False Prophet into the Lake of Fire (19:19-21).
As King of Kings, Lord of Lords, 1:5, 19:16
Jesus is the “ruler of the kings of the earth” (1:5). In other words, He is the One who rules over all other kings. His Name, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS”, indicates his supreme rulership. No longer “gentle Jesus meek and mild,” when He establishes His 1000-year kingdom on this earth, He will rule with a “rod of iron” (19:15-16).
SELF-PORTRAIT #6
As Judge of all Humanity, 19:11b, 20:15
Jesus is the righteous judge of the whole earth. Revelation 19:11 declares that, “In righteousness He judges and wages war.”
Judge of the Earth: The 7 seals, the 7 trumpets, and the 7 bowls are all judgments poured out on the earth by Jesus during the 7-year tribulation period on all who rejected Him as their Savior. When Jesus returns to earth at His Second Coming, He destroys the armies and their rulers at the Battle of Armageddon, and throws the Beast and the False Prophet into the Lake of Fire (19:19-21).
Judge of the Nations: During Christ’s 1000-year reign, Satan is bound in the Bottomless Pit (20:1-3). When Satan is loosed, he deceives the nations and gathers them together for the final fight against Christ. Jesus judges the nations, destroys them with fire from heaven, and throws Satan into the Lake of Fire (20:10).
Judge of the Unsaved: This righteous Judge will sit on the Great White Throne and judge all the unsaved whose names are not written in the book of life. They too will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (20:15).
SELF-PORTRAIT #7
As Prophet & Fulfiller of Prophecy, 1:1b
As Prophet, Jesus is “showing to his servants what must soon take place” (1:1). That means Jesus is in charge of what will take place in the future. It is His program and purposes that will come to pass.
Judge of the Unsaved: This righteous Judge will sit on the Great White Throne and judge all the unsaved whose names are not written in the book of life. They too will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (20:15).
SELF-PORTRAIT #7
As Prophet & Fulfiller of Prophecy, 1:1b
As Prophet, Jesus is “showing to his servants what must soon take place” (1:1). That means Jesus is in charge of what will take place in the future. It is His program and purposes that will come to pass.
Promise to Claim His Bride: Chapters 4 and 5 symbolizes the rapture (4:1) with the church in heaven. This is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in John 14:2-3. “I go and prepare a place for you, and I will come back and take you to be with me always.”
Promise to Judge Wickedness and to Restore Israel: This is fulfilled during the Tribulation. A total of 21 judgments fall on the earth and judge those who have rejected Jesus. Through these judgments, Israel accepts her true Messiah and is restored. Upon His return Jesus fights for Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.
Promise to Return and Rule: In chapters 19 and 20, Christ returns to earth as promised. The raptured saints, now with glorified bodies, return with Christ to reign with Him.
Promise to Restore All Things: The final two chapters reveal the restoration of all things to its perfect state. There is the eradication of sin and death, a new heaven and new earth, along with a New Jerusalem.
I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God (21:1).
Promise to Judge Wickedness and to Restore Israel: This is fulfilled during the Tribulation. A total of 21 judgments fall on the earth and judge those who have rejected Jesus. Through these judgments, Israel accepts her true Messiah and is restored. Upon His return Jesus fights for Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.
Promise to Return and Rule: In chapters 19 and 20, Christ returns to earth as promised. The raptured saints, now with glorified bodies, return with Christ to reign with Him.
Promise to Restore All Things: The final two chapters reveal the restoration of all things to its perfect state. There is the eradication of sin and death, a new heaven and new earth, along with a New Jerusalem.
I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God (21:1).
SUMMARY
Revelation is all about Christ. That is a key to understanding the book. When we realize that it is all about Christ – His plan, His program and His power to accomplish it, then it gives us hope for the future knowing that He is in control. Additionally it gives us confidence knowing that all He has promised He will fulfill.
Revelation is all about Christ. That is a key to understanding the book. When we realize that it is all about Christ – His plan, His program and His power to accomplish it, then it gives us hope for the future knowing that He is in control. Additionally it gives us confidence knowing that all He has promised He will fulfill.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Cecilia B. Dennery is an author of over 20 books, actress, playwright, poet, and a gifted communicator of God’s Word.
Dr. Dennery presents the Word in a unique way through her one-woman plays that brings the text to life. A Bible scholar, she earned an Ed.D., MBA, M.S. in Bible, and has been teaching the Bible for over 30 years. Check her website for her video profile at www.drdennery.com. Contact her to perform one of her plays for your event at drdennery1@gmail.com or call (302) 740-2295.
Follow me on: Instagram @drdennery, YouTube: Dr Dennery Presents, facebook.com/dr.cecilia.dennery and facebook.com/Doctrine101.DrDennery
Dr. Cecilia B. Dennery is an author of over 20 books, actress, playwright, poet, and a gifted communicator of God’s Word.
Dr. Dennery presents the Word in a unique way through her one-woman plays that brings the text to life. A Bible scholar, she earned an Ed.D., MBA, M.S. in Bible, and has been teaching the Bible for over 30 years. Check her website for her video profile at www.drdennery.com. Contact her to perform one of her plays for your event at drdennery1@gmail.com or call (302) 740-2295.
Follow me on: Instagram @drdennery, YouTube: Dr Dennery Presents, facebook.com/dr.cecilia.dennery and facebook.com/Doctrine101.DrDennery
Judge of the Nations: During Christ’s 1000-year reign, Satan is bound in the Bottomless Pit (20:1-3). When Satan is loosed, he deceives the nations and gathers them together for the final fight against Christ. Jesus judges the nations, destroys them with fire from heaven, and throws Satan into the Lake of Fire (20:10).
Judge of the Unsaved: This righteous Judge will sit on the Great White Throne and judge all the unsaved whose names are not written in the book of life. They too will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (20:15).
SELF-PORTRAIT #7
As Prophet & Fulfiller of Prophecy, 1:1b
As Prophet, Jesus is “showing to his servants what must soon take place” (1:1). That means Jesus is in charge of what will take place in the future. It is His program and purposes that will come to pass.
Promise to Claim His Bride: Chapters 4 and 5 symbolizes the rapture (4:1) with the church in heaven. This is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in John 14:2-3. “I go and prepare a place for you, and I will come back and take you to be with me always.”
Promise to Judge Wickedness and to Restore Israel: This is fulfilled during the Tribulation. A total of 21 judgments fall on the earth and judge those who have rejected Jesus. Through these judgments, Israel accepts her true Messiah and is restored. Upon His return Jesus fights for Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.
Promise to Return and Rule: In chapters 19 and 20, Christ returns to earth as promised. The raptured saints, now with glorified bodies, return with Christ to reign with Him.
Promise to Restore All Things: The final two chapters reveal the restoration of all things to its perfect state. There is the eradication of sin and death, a new heaven and new earth, along with a New Jerusalem.
I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God (21:1).
SUMMARY
Revelation is all about Christ. That is a key to understanding the book. When we realize that it is all about Christ – His plan, His program and His power to accomplish it, then it gives us hope for the future knowing that He is in control. Additionally it gives us confidence knowing that all He has promised He will fulfill.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Cecilia B. Dennery is an author of over 20 books, actress, playwright, poet, and a gifted communicator of God’s Word. Dr. Dennery presents the Word in a unique way through her one-woman plays that brings the text to life. A Bible scholar, she earned an Ed.D., MBA, M.S. in Bible, and has been teaching the Bible for over 30 years. Check her website for her video profile at www.drdennery.com. Contact her to perform one of her plays for your event at drdennery1@gmail.com or call (302) 740-2295. Follow me on: Instagram @drdennery, YouTube: Dr Dennery Presents, facebook.com/dr.cecilia.dennery and facebook.com/Doctrine101.DrDennery
REVELATION – JESUS’ LOVE LETTER – PART 1
Revelation Series by Dr. Cecilia B. Dennery
www.drdennery.com (302) 740-2295 drdennery1@gmail.com
Revelation! Just the word is enough to spark fear and trepidation in the heart of many. When asked, most people would say that the focus of Revelation is the end times… the Rapture, the Tribulation, the Mark of the Beast and all the terrible things that are going to happen in the future. But that is not accurate. In fact, that depiction is far from the truth. That is not the real focus of Revelation. Although it is true that those things are mentioned in the book, the truth of the matter is that, in reality, Revelation is a love letter! Yes, you heard correctly… a love letter! And of course, no one would be afraid to read a love letter. Not at all! As a matter of fact, I am sure that you would be excited to read a love letter, especially one from Jesus! Of course, Jesus knew that, and that is the reason why He gave this wonderful promise to all who read and heed this absolutely amazing letter.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it (Rev 1:3 NIV).
In fact, the promise is a three-fold blessing. First is the blessing for those who read the book out loud. Have you ever done that? Have you ever read it… aloud? There is a blessing if you do… so pick up the book… today, and start reading. Second, you will be blessed for listening if someone else reads the book. You can hear it read easily if you use the website, www.biblegateway.com. Enter the text, click the audio icon, and it will read the text for you. I recommend using the NIV version. And then third, a blessing is guaranteed for taking the book to heart. In other words, for obeying whatever is written in the book. That’s the purpose for Jesus’ love letter… to read it, to obey it and to be blessed by it.
WRITER OF THE LOVE LETTER
The very first verse of Revelation tells us who wrote this love letter. It is “the revelation FROM Jesus Christ.” Jesus is the true writer of this letter, and simply used His servant, the Apostle John, to pen His loving words so that you could be blessed. It’s fitting, that of all the apostles, Jesus chose John to write His love letter. You see, John is described as the Apostle that Jesus loved (John 13:23). Jesus entrusted John to take care of His mother (John 19:26), and He entrusted John to write the love letter to you, His bride (Rev 1:1b).
This love letter comes with “grace and peace to you from Him who IS, who WAS and who is TO COME” (Rev. 1:4b). That is just another way for Jesus to let you know that He is the eternal God who has the past (the One who was), the present (the One who is), and future (the One who is to come) in His hands.
And since Jesus controls the future, there is absolutely no need to be afraid. After all, He not only reveals to us what is going to happen in the future, He is also the One who is “large and in charge.” And so He declares Himself to be the “ruler of the kings of the earth” (Rev 1:5a).” As ruler of the rulers “He has on His robe and on His thigh this name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Rev 19:16).
PROOF IT'S A LOVE LETTER
But then He says these words to make it crystal clear that this is indeed a letter of love coming “from Him who loved us and has freed us from our sins by His blood” (Rev 1:5c). Revelation is a love letter because it comes from “The One who LOVES us.” He didn’t just SAY that He loves us, but He also PROVED His love for us by giving us the best possible gift… HIMSELF! He gave us freedom from the bondage of our sin by shedding His blood, and dying on the cross. That is the essence of love… true love… to give one’s life for another. Jesus gave His life for you! WHY? The answer is simple! It’s because He loves you. When He rose from the dead, He had all power in His hand. Then He went back to heaven with the promise to return for us, His beloved bride, one day. This is His promise to you...
Let not your heart be troubled… In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3, KJV).
Jesus is the bridegroom and you are His bride. Our bridegroom has gone to heaven to prepare a place (home) so that you can live with Him forever. He has left us, His bride with a promise to come back for us. The problem is that our bridegroom has been gone now for over 2000 years. That’s a long time. Although absence makes the heart grow fonder, prolonged absence can make the heart forget. So since Jesus is the ultimate lover, He left us a letter so that we would never forget how much He loves us. He left us a love letter, the book of Revelation, to let us know just how much He loves us.
In His love letter, He did something that is absolutely amazing. Since He knew that He would be gone for a very long time, He did something truly special for us. He tucked within the pages of the love letter a picture of Himself so that His bride can gaze on the face of her lover until He comes back to take her to heaven to be with Him forever… never to be separated again.
This picture is absolutely astounding! It is actually a self-portrait that Jesus paints of Himself. I can hardly wait to show you His picture that has been hiding in plain sight for all these years, tucked into the pages of His book. However, if you want to see the picture of the heavenly bridegroom that He left in His love letter, you will need to come back for part 2 of the series… Revelation – Jesus’ Love Letter!
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Cecilia B. Dennery is an author of over 20 books, actress, playwright, poet, and a gifted communicator of God’s Word. Dr. Dennery presents the Word in a unique way through her one-woman plays that brings the text to life. A Bible scholar, she earned an Ed.D., MBA, M.S. in Bible, and has been teaching the Bible for over 30 years. Check her website for her video profile at www.drdennery.com. Contact her to perform one of her plays for your event at drdennery1@gmail.com or call (302) 740-2295. Follow me on: Instagram @drdennery, YouTube: Dr Dennery Presents, facebook.com/dr.cecilia.dennery and facebook.com/Doctrine101.DrDennery