The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him (Jesus) to show to His bond-servants (believers who follow Jesus), the things which must soon take place;
Dear Friends,
As we look out at the world, it looks like it has gone stark mad! Just crazy! My husband and I have been receiving so many messages concerning the events taking place in the world right now. Many people are asking, “Is this the apocalypse?”
I have been studying the book of Revelation for a few years now. I am not a theologian, but a student of the Word. The word Revelation in Greek means Apocalypse…….apokálypsis – which means: uncovering (unveiling). The revelation or unveiling is principally used of the revelation of Jesus Christ (the Word), especially a particular (spiritual) manifestation of Christ (His will) previously unknown to that extent because is was “veiled or covered”.
The Apocalypse is the unveiling of something hidden, which gives light and knowledge to those who behold it. . . …..
The word “apocalypse” doesn’t mean “end times”, it means what has been hidden and covered has been revealed.
Eph 1:17 Paul said,
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation (602/apokálypsis) in the knowledge of Him” (NASB).
God wants you to understand His heart that can only come about by an apocalypse.
Eph 3:3 Paul said
“That by revelation (602/apokálypsis) there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief” (NASB).
The Apocalypse is “disclosure” and makes something plain that was previously concealed (out of view)……..apokálypsis (“revelation”) brings something invisible (or spiritual) to light.
Eph 5:13-17
“But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.’ Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will (2307/thélēma) of the Lord is” (NASB).
Here’s something to think about as we face the Corona Virus, quarantine, isolation, injustice, rioting, murder, anger and chaos right here in our country!
We don’t know what we don’t know . . . until we know . . . that we didn’t know! Only God’s light dispels the darkness of sin to remove our blindness which requires revelation – the personal knowledge of Christ to “wake us up” to unlearn what we thought we knew . . . and learn what we didn’t know (Eph 5:14).
Now that is an apocalypse! There are some things we need to UNLEARN!
Let’s reflect on that!
We only know what we know. Let that sink in! Think about it a minute. We don’t know . . . because we don’t know when our ignorance is at work. This underlines our constant need of God’s light of faith (4102/pístis). “to be convinced” is to have faith……
We need God’s light to even reveal (convince us) we are in darkness!
The Psalmist declares, “In Your light, we see light” (Ps 36:9). (Think about that.)
People constantly live with ignorance due to sin (not grasping they do not know). This is illustrated by a drunk – who only knows he’s drunk – when he becomes sober!
Sobriety “reveals” the clarity lost in a drunken stupor.
Reflection: It is the same sun that melts the wax and hardens the clay!” At Christ’s return, everything that was divinely approved in our lives (or not) will be revealed. What a revelation this will be (cf. Ro 2:5)! This is an apocalypse!!
When David faced his giant, Goliath he had an Apocalypse when he said in 1 Samuel 17:26,
And David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done to the man who killeth this Philistine and taketh away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
The veil was lifted off David’s eyes and unswerving faith was released when he had this apocalypse that this GIANT was NOTHING compared to GOD!!! He had a revelation! The others did not. They were in darkness, the truth was veiled, covered! But David stayed before the Lord, seeking HIM, worshiping HIM, and listening to HIM, therefore the truth about his enemy was revealed and he knew what to do! With revelation comes truth and with truth comes the answers you seek for.
Quotes worth re-quoting . . .
Anselm (ca. ad 1033-1109), “Man cannot seek God, unless God Himself teaches him; nor find Him, unless He reveals Himself. The believer does not seek to understand that he may believe, but he believes that he may understand, for unless he believed he would not understand.”
John Calvin, “God cannot be comprehended by us, except as far as he accommodates himself to our standard.”
Charles Spurgeon, “When you come to knowing God, the initiative lies on His side. If He does not show Himself, nothing you can do will enable you to find Him.”
George MacDonald (1824-1905), “God’s work from the beginning is revelation – casting aside of veil after veil, a showing unto men of truth after truth. On and on from fact divine He advances, until at length in His Son Jesus He unveils His very face.”
C. S. Lewis, “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it.
This is so powerful!!!!! Don’t stop reading! Please read to the end. I am something very important to show you!
“When you come to knowing God, the initiative lies on His side!!!! If He does not show Himself, nothing you can do will enable you to find Him. And, in fact, He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others – not because He has favorites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition. Just as sunlight, though it has no favorites, cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as in a clean one.” C.S. Lewis
Are you seeking God today? Are you asking for “revelation” or “apocalypse”? Is God quiet? Is He speaking to your heart? Do you need answers? Is God not manifesting Himself to you? Are you fearful of the things taking place in the world today? Maybe it’s time that you to search your own heart! That’s what David did!
Ask yourself these questions:
- 1. Is my heart really in the right place?
- 2. If God did ask something of me that I didn’t want to do (like he did Jonah), would I still do it? Am I willing for God to change my heart? Am I willing to admit to God that I could be a racist? Am I willing to get rid of anger and offense? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make peace?
- 3. Are my choices and desires God’s choices and desires for my life?
- 4. Am I critical of people and judgmental?
- 5. Am I more concerned with the things of this earth than I am with my own soul?
Remember, you only know what you know and you don’t know that you don’t know it until you admit that you don’t know! Then God can move upon a heart that is willing to receive revelation from HIM and not from a source that can be obtained by mere human knowledge.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus revealed Himself to John to show him things that were to take place and what he was suppose to do. Did you know that Jesus wants to reveal Himself to you? Here’s the key, John’s heart was in the right place, his heart could receive instructions from the Lord because his life was completely surrendered to “not just Jesus” but to do God’s will, no matter what, and to do it with a sincere heart!
I want to ask you a question.
Where is YOUR heart? Jesus wants to reveal Himself to you right now. Will you pray this same prayer with me as David did in Psalm 51:10-19?
Lord, Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, (a broken will) A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
So, here’s the bottom line. God wants your heart and your will! When you give Him your heart you are assured to have abundant, everlasting life for eternity in the new Jerusalem and new Earth! When you give HIM your will, you are assured to have abundant life, here on earth, full of revelation, full of His presence and His heart will be revealed to you that you can understand the times we are in and you will know what to do!
When you give HIM your “will” there is a deeper breaking that occurs. When you give Him your heart there is a breaking from sin and a sinful life style. But when HE breaks your will, it is then He can trust you with the revelation He gives you! When your will is broken, then His will can be done in your life, here on earth, as it is in heaven! Selah!
I HAVE NEW T-SHIRTS IN! ORDER YOURS TODAY! HELP ME SEND A TEENAGER TO THE SELAH RETREAT FOR ABUSED AND ABANDONED TEENAGERS!
PLEASE PRAY ABOUT DONATING ON A MONTHY BASIS SO I CAN HELP OTHERS WHO ARE IN NEED.
IT IS JESUS’S COMMAND TO TAKE CARE OF THE WIDOWS AND THE ORPHANS! THIS IS MY HEART’S DESIRE!
WITH YOUR SUPPORT I CAN:
- Send teenagers and victims to the selah retreat which is a retreat for inner healing
- Give away my books and t-shirts to help bring recognition to childhood abuse
- I can send teenagers to counseling and provide counseling for them
Did you know that most victims NEVER receive help or counseling after they have been abused? Did you know the main reason why they turn to drugs, alcohol and sex is because they are looking for something to numb the pain? Did you know that the body of Christ has the answers? The answer is LOVE…REAL LOVE found in Christ Jesus! Your prayers and support will help me spread the LOVE of God and bring Healing to a messed up generation! I covet your prayers and ask that you remember me and my family for two of my sons tested positive to Covid-19 and we are all in isolation now. My husband, my other son, and I are negative, but still have to be quarantined until June 20. I am so ready to get back to living among the living!!!
Due to the crisis that we have experienced, today more than ever before JSM needs your support and prayers. First, by praying for our team to reach the abandoned and abused kids and secondly by your donations and purchase of the T- shirts.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT FOR JSM . This is not about me, it’s about something way bigger than me. God’s will!
