Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
My study of Revelation chapter 1
Revelation Chapter 1 1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John;2who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, [even] of all things that he saw.3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.4John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits that are before his throne;5and from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;6and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.7Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen.8I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.9I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and kingdom and patience [which are] in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.10I was in the Spirit on the Lord`s day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet11saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.12And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks;13and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle.14And his head and his hair were white as white wool, [white] as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;15and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters.16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,18and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.19Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter;20the 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 are seven churches. Verse 1, God the Father gave His Son Jehoshua the Revelation of this book. Revelation means "revealing" and "disclosure". This reiterates what Jehoshua had said during His ministry on earth in that there are things only the Father knows. This shows the omniscience of God the Father. Paul and Jude both call the Father the only wise God which means that the source of all wisdom comes from the Father. Jehoshua is called the wisdom of God as He was the perfect revealer of the Father when He was on earth being filled with the Father's Spirit without measure. The Son of God has the fulness of the Father's Majesty (character) in Him bodily thereby being the exact representation (express image) of Jehovah God. It's important to note that the things about to be revealed in this book are said to shortly come to pass meaning that right after this book is penned the apocalypse is going to start to unfold. Many Churches today teach futurism which is a form of eschatology that packs much if not most of Revelation into the last 7 years of the current age. Jehoshua sent this revelation by way of His angel unto John to show unto His (Jehoshua's) servants i.e. the Church. This shows Jehoshua's superiority over the angels as He directs them and orders them. Verse 1 says that Jehoshua "signified" this revelatory message. This means that there are many symbols in this book and things that should be taken symbolically. The Church at this time was being persecuted so signifying this book in symbols could also have been a way of protecting the Church from accusations of treason against the Roman Empire. Verse 2, John bears witness of the word of God and the testimony of Jehoshua Messiah. We are told elsewhere in the book of Revelation that the testimony of Jehoshua Messiah is the spirit of prophecy (Rev 19:10). John is giving his seal that the things he saw in vision were given to him by the King Jehoshua Messiah. John is setting his seal that this Revelation from Jehoshua is true. Verse 3, unlike many Churches today, we are told by John the beloved that the reading of the book of Revelation is a blessing. Also, those who hear and obey the words of this prophecy are blessed. Most mainstream Churches deemphasize the importance of this book even coming against Church members who talk about eschatology. Let the words of scripture take precedence over the traditions of man. Part of the reason Churches don't like to preach from this book is that they don't want to scare and/or offend their congregations. They know that if they start preaching from this book seriously then they will likely lose some of their congregants. "The time is at hand" the last days have begun (Acts 2:17). Messiah may return at anytime. Unlike what most Churches teach, the last days began at the first advent of Jehoshua. This is the second time in 3 verses that we are being told that the things revealed in this book are about to take place shortly after the giving of the vision. This refutes the notion of futurism which teaches that most of the events of the book of Revelation will be packed into a future 7 year period. Verse 4, John sends greeting to seven Asian (Western Turkey) Churches. Unlike what some denominations teach, these are literal Churches that exist at the time that the book of Revelation was written. There is no biblical support for making these Churches as representing 7 Church ages or dispensations. John starts off his greeting to the Churches by saying "grace and peace" from God the Father, who John describes as the One "who is and who was and who is to come". This description of God the Father denotes His innate immortality and also. The phrase used for God the Father is equivalent in the Greek for the name of God, Jehovah, based on the verb "to be" in Exodus 3:14. John also sends greeting from the Seven Spirits which are before the throne of Jehovah God. This is a reference to the seven branch candlestick in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. The candlestick is representative of the Church and the Seven Spirits symbolize the perfection and completion of God's Spirit which are given to the Church. The Menorah i.e. candlestick was kept burning by the priests in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary. It was a 7 branch lampstand. At the top of each branch was a bowl which held pure olive oil which represented the Holy Spirit of Jehovah God. The candlestick represents the 7 churches which not only include the 7 Asiatic Churches written to by John but they are also representative of the whole new covenant Church of Jehoshua Messiah. 7 being a number that represents the perfection and completion of God. Jehovah God sends His Seven Spirits i.e Holy Spirit to the 7 candlesticks i.e. His Church. Understanding who the person John describes as the One "who is and who was and who is to come" is in verse 4 will be important when we get to verse 8 because that verse has caused much confusion in Christendom. Verse 5, now John extends to the Churches greeting from Jehoshua Messiah who he calls the true and faithful witness. Jehoshua is the ultimate prophet, model of testimony to Jehovah God's glory. See John 1:18; 1 John 5:20 which describes the Son of God as the one who explains and declares the Father, the perfect revealer (witness) of God. John also makes reference to Jehoshua being the first begotten from the dead, speaking about the Son of God's resurrection. This title used of Jehoshua i.e. first begotten is important to keep in mind as we continue in the book of Revelation. Jehoshua is the first ever human to be raised from death to immortality. Also, this shows that Jehoshua was really dead during His time in the grave and not in heaven as a spirit conscious being while His body lie dead in the grave. The trinitarian teaching that Jehoshua was still alive as a spirit conscious being in heaven while his body was dead in the grave makes nonsense of the foundational gospel truth about His death and resurrection. Nowhere in scripture is Jehoshua described as being anything but dead during the three days in the grave. To say that He was still conscious as a spirit in heaven during this time is anti-gospel and thereby anti-Messiah. The heart of the gospel is that Jehoshua suffered, died and was buried and rose on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). If Jehoshua was really alive in any way (including as a spirit) during his time in the grave then that means He didn't die a true death and thereby isn't the first begotten from the dead. The whole gospel is then a facade if that is the case and it makes Jehoshua a liar as He Himself said that He was really dead and now is alive. Again, it can't be emphasized enough that any teaching other than Messiah being truly asleep in death, with no qaulifications, is anti-Messiah to the very core and is a perversion of the gospel. Also in verse 5 John calls Jehoshua the prince of the kings of the earth as the Son of God is the ruler over the kings, Supreme King over all emperors. Even during the time before Messiah returns to establish His Kingdom on earth He reigns in the midst of His enemies (Psalm 110:2). John begins a doxology to Messiah "Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood" Jehoshua is our High Priest and sacrifice (Heb. 9:13-14), who cleansed His people from the guilt of their sins (Ps. 51:1-9; 1 Cor 6:9). Here is verse 6 in the KJV: "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." John's doxology to Jehoshua continues as He affirms that the Kingdom of the Son of God was inaugurated shortly following Jehoshua's death on the cross. Some fail to grasp these clear statements regarding the Kingdom of Jehoshua, in that it began in the first century. The Kingdom began on the day of Pentecost which took place shortly after the ascension of Jehoshua into heaven. See Hebrews 1 for the ascension and exaltation of Jehoshua in which He was crowned as King of Israel which in the new covenant is the Church. John says that as a result of the Son of God's death on the cross in which He shed His blood that we as Christian's/Messianic's are now kings and priests unto Jehoshua's God and Father. John's statements about us as kings and priests in the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah are present tense statements. This could only be true if indeed the Kingdom had already begun on Pentecost and not some 2,000 years in the future. Here is how the ASV reads re: verse 6: "and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Jehoshua clearly has a God and it is the Father who is His real Father due to the virgin birth. This refutes any trinitarian, tri theist or Binitarian teaching that Jehoshua is the Almighty God. As kings and priests in the Kingdom of the Son of God we share in Jehoshua's anointing and privilege (5:10; 20:6), as promised to Israel and fulfilled in the new covenant (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9. "To Him be glory". The Son of God is worthy of our worship, for He is the Redeemer (Rev 5:9-13). 7Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen. The second advent of the Messiah will not be a secret and all eyes will see Him. There is no secret rapture (Matthew 24:30; 26:63). Those who pierced the Son of God by persecuting His Church (Acts 9:4-5) will weep and wail at His return. This is also a reference to Zechariah 12:10 which seems to indicate a possible repentance for some who are alive at the second advent as they mourn over their sin against Messiah. All the nations of the earth that rejected the rulership of Jehovah and His Son will mourn and wail and be dashed to pieces (Psalm 2). The Son of God's return will be as a conquering King unlike His first advent in which He came as a suffering servant. " 8I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Verse 8 of Revelation, this is one of the most discussed passages people use to prove the trinity doctrine and the deity of Jehoshua. They believe that this verse is a refernce to Jehoshua being the Lord God Almighty. They say because Jehoshua is called the "Alpha and Omega" in Revelation 22:13 that verse 8 must be about Him. However, we must take scripture in context as we need to understand why Jehoshua is called the first (Alpha) and the last (Omega) in Revelation 1:17-18. In reading Revelation 1:17-18, the context of Jehoshua being the first and the last is in reference to Him being dead and then being alive i.e. the first begotten (Alpha) from the dead. Jehoshua is the beginning and the ending of the plan of salvation. Colossians 1:18 fits in perfectly with Revelation 1:17-8 and how we are to understand why Jehoshua is called the first and the last and alpha and omega. Colossians 1:18 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Paul connects Jehoshua being the beginning (alpha) with Him being resurrected from the dead as Jehovah's firstborn immortal Son. Him being given preeminence in all things is how Jehoshua can rightly be called the omega. We have to remember that the Father is also called the Alpha and Omega in Revelation 21:5-6: 5And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true.6And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. This verse is clearly about the Father as He is identified as the one who sits on the throne. The context of the first several verses in Revelation 21 is about God the Father as the Lamb isn't mentioned until verse 9. So both the Father and Son are referred to as Alpha and Omega, clearly the Father is in view in Rev 21:6 and the Son in Rev 22:13. I already showed you in context how the title applies to Jehoshua in that it is referring to Him being the first begotten from the dead and being given preeminence as a result of that. The Father is called Alpha and Omega due to being the living and only true God (John 17:3; Mark 12:28-34, 1 John 5:20). Isaiah 44:6 (ASV) 6Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. Jehoshua said that His Father is the only true God and elsewhere scripture over and over again refer to the Father as the one God of the bible. Also, further proof that the Father is in view in verse 8 is by going back to verse 4 which identifies the Father as the one "who is and who was and who is to come", let's look at verses 4 and 5 of Revelation again: 4John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits that are before his throne;5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. John is sending greeting to the Churches from One who is identified as "him who is, and who was and who is to come". We know this is the Father as the Seven Spirits are mentioned after this statement described as being before His throne, meaning the throne of the One who is, and who was and who is to come. We know that the One who is, and who was and who is to come is the One who sits on the throne (Rev 4:8). So the Holy Spirit is not the One who is, and who was and who is to come. What about Jehoshua? Verse 5 of Revelation 1 eliminates that possibility as John moves from sending greetings to the Church in the name of the One who is, and who was and who is to come, then from the Seven Spirits which are before the throne of that One and now sends greetings from the true and faithful witness. The true and faithful witness is Jehoshua who is called the first begotten of the dead. There is a clear distinction made by John between the One who is, and who was and who is to come and the faithful witness in the course of this greeting to the Churches. They are described as two distinct beings. We can be certain that the Father is the One who is, and who was and who is to come as the Holy Spirit is described as being before His throne and Jehoshua is described separately a verse later as the first begotten of the dead. Notice the difference between the Father and Son that is key in understanding the Godhead. The Father is described as being inherently immortal i.e. "the One who is, and who was and who is to come" showing us that there never was a time when He wasn't. The Son of God is described as being dead at some point and then being begotten from the dead which we know as the resurrection. Remember God cannot die due to being inherently immortal (1 Timothy 6:16; Romans 1:22-23). The Father is described as the immortal eternal God and His Son is described as one who was dead and then begotten to immortality (Rev 1;18). Verse 9 of Revelation 1 "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." Here is another verse that proves irrefutably that we are already living in the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah. John is identifying with his Messianic brethren as being a partaker of tribulation and patience which are evidences that they are part of the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah. For John and the Messianic's, the Kingdom of Jehoshua is already a reality. The Kingdom is marked by suffering (tribulation) which produces patience in God's saints. What many fail to realize about the Kingdom of Jehoshua is that in it's medatorial phase (new covenant age) the saints suffer to be counted worthy of it. Jehoshua said that those who desire to be the greatest in the Kingdom need to be the servant of all (Matthew 20:25-29). Many today have a worldly concept of what it means to reign as a king in the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah. They think that if we are currently in the Kingdom of Messiah then how come we are not ruling over others. As Jehoshua stated, God's saints will not rule in such a way in this age. To the contrary we will seek to be the least and serve others. Jehoshua said the gentiles (heathen) rule their subjects by lording their authority over them. Isaiah 61 details what it means to be a king and priest in Jehovah's Kingdom. Being a king and priest in Jehovah's Kingdom means you serve others not lord your authority over them. There will come a time after the second advent that indeed the saints will rule with authority but that time is not now. John the beloved's reference to being in the Kingdom of Jehoshua is made in the present tense. The teaching of a 2,000 year delay in the start of the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah is foreign to the scriptures. Also noteworthy is that John alludes to the great tribulation and states that he and the other Messianic brethren are already experiencing it. The tribulation had already begun in John the apostle's time. This supports the idea that the great tribulation is not confined to a seven year period but rather covers the expanse of the new covenant Church age. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Either worshipping or praying in the power of the Holy Spirit or caught up in the Spirit in a vision. "The Lord's day". While many believe this is a reference to the first day of the week and some even say the seventh day Sabbath, this is likely a reference to the Prophetic "day of Jehovah" talked about in the old testament. This is the most likely interpretation being that the book of Revelation, in which this was penned, is a vision about the day of Jehovah's wrath and second advent of Jehoshua. The prophetic "day of Jehovah" in the old testament was a day of Jehovah's vengeance and wrath on mankind due to their wickedness. This is exactly the theme of the book of Revelation. Revelation 1:11 11Saying, 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. The speaker here is Jehoshua the Son of God and He refers to Himself as the Alpha and Omega which is the same designation that God the Father used of Himself in verse 8 of Revelation. This has led many to assume trinitarianism and identify Jehoshua as the Almighty God. However, this designation used of Jehoshua must be understood in the context of verse 17 and 18 meaning that He is the first begotten from the dead hence the designation "Alpha" beginning. Also, Jehoshua is the finisher of our faith and is the father of eternity (Isaiah 9:6), being given dominion and an everlasting Kingdom by the Father. Jehoshua is eternal (alive for evermore) verse 18. The designation "Omega" then is in reference to His eternal throne and dominion. A good explanation of the phrase Alpha and Omega in respect to Jehoshua is perfectly described in Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jehoshua is the author (Alpha) and finisher (Omega) of our faith. Revelation 3:14 is another good description of the phrase "Alpha and Omega" for Jehoshua "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;" Jehoshua identifies Himself as the beginning of God's creation which is a clear reference to His resurrection. Jehoshua is the beginning of the new creation being the first resurrected human being from the dead. Colossians 1 also sheds light on what it means for Jehoshua to the be the Alpha and the beginning of God's creation. 15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Without getting too detailed in the above passage, verse 18 connects Jehoshua's resurrection from the dead with Him being the beginning (Alpha). It's His resurrection from the dead that made Him head of the Church which is also another explanation of the term "Alpha". Jehoshua is the preeminent Son of God and the Chief rulers over the Church. Verse 15 calls Him the firstborn of every creature. This is not a reference to Jehoshua literally being the first person born in this universe but rather His status (rank) as God's only begotten Son. The best understanding of this passage is found in Psalm 89:27 which applied to David and also as a distant prophecy Jehoshua. Psalm 89:27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. Obviously the term "firstborn" is not a reference to literal birth as David wasn't literally Jehovah's firstborn genetic son. The term firstborn is a designation of rank and privilege (higher than the kings of the earth). It is an equivalent term to "only begotten". Obviously the verse says that Jehovah will make Jehoshua His firstborn which denotes that this is not referring to a literal birth either in the past (eternity) as it is used in the future tense at some point in the life of the Messiah. Since David is not God's literal firstborn son we must take the reference of "firstborn" in a non literal way for Jehoshua as well. The Messiah here is being made firstborn. Some may use this verse to speak of his birth in eternity or his virgin birth but that belies the context of the whole Psalm 89 passage. The key in understanding what verse 27 means is in going to the meaning of the word "made" in the Hebrew The word "made" comes from the Hebrew word "nathan" (Strongs 5414) and means "to ordain, to pour, render, requite, to distribute, bestow, appoint, assign, ascribe, apply". As you can see the definition of the word "made" does not speak of "birth" but rather means "ordaining" or "appointing" strongly implying that the Messiah being made the firstborn of Jehovah has to do with being anointed at some point in His life and has nothing to do with being literally birthed as Jehovah's firstborn child either in eternity or in this life as a human. The reference to being the firstborn is obviously in connection with David and later Jehoshua being anointed as Israel's King. For David this happened as an adult (1 Samuel chapter 16:13). For Jehoshua this happened at 30 years of age at His baptism. This is another way in which we can understand the term "Alpha" in reference to Jehoshua in Revelation 1:11. Also in verse 11, the Son of God commands John to write the vision He is about to see in a book for the edification and exhortation of the seven churches in Asia. Let's go back to the book of Revelation, let's look at verse 12: "And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;" Jehoshua is the voice that spake to John. We know that the seven candlesticks represent the Church. Seven is the number of perfection and the seven candlesticks represent the whole of Jehovah's Church throughout the new covenant Church age. Specifically concerning the context of the passage in Revelation, the Seven Churches represent real Churches that existed at the time that the book of Revelation was written. This verse also places Jehoshua in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary showing that His High Priest ministration is also in the first apartment of the sanctuary. This first apartment ministration is one where the Church is given the Holy Spirit by the Son of God. We are taken back to Zechariah 4 where the two olive trees poured it's oil into the seven branch candlestick. Zechariah 4:11-14 11Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?12And I answered the second time, and said unto him, What are these two olive-branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that empty the golden oil out of themselves?13And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord.14Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. In the context of Zechariah 3 and 4, the two olive trees are the office of King and Priest which in the new covenant is fulfilled by the Son of God bringing together for the first time both offices. We know from the book of Revelation that the candlestick of the holy place represents the Church. The Messiah Jehoshua is the two olive trees who pours His oil which is the Holy Spirit into the seven branch candlestick which is the Church. Verse 13 of Revelation " and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle." Jehoshua in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary pictured as the great High Priest of the Church as He is seen in the midst of the seven candlesticks. He is described as the Son of man (Daniel 7:13-14). Jehoshua is the mighty King to whom the Father has given all authority and an everlasting Kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14). Verses 14 and 15 of Revelation 1 14And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;15and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. This is a vision of the resurrected glorfied Messiah, His description closely matches the description of Jehovah God in Daniel 7:9. Hebrews chapter says that Jehoshua is the express image of the Father and the brightness of the Father's glory. Colosssians 2:9 says that the fulness of the Father's majesty dwells in the Son of God. Revelation 21:23 says that Jehoshua is the light of God the Father. The above description of Jehoshua pictures Him in all His heavenly glory. His voice is described as of many waters denoting that as the word of God He powerfully pierces the soul and destroys His enemies (sharp two edged sword). Jehoshua Messiah is the powerful Son of God. Jehoshua holds the seven stars in His hand. The seven stars are said to be the seven angels of the seven Churches. Many understand these angels to be the pastors of the seven Churches. It is comforting to know that as ministers Jehoshua spreads His covering of protection over us. John 10:27-30 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.29My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father`s hand.30I and the Father are one. As ministers in the Messiah's Kingdom we have assurance that no one can snatch us out of His hand or the Father's hand. Jehoshua and the Father are one in purpose, mind and will and are in covenant with each other. In the context of the above passage, the Father calls those who are elected for salvation in His Son. Those whom He predestinates, He calls, those whom He calls, He justifies, those whom He justifies He glorifies! Thereby it is because of all this that no one can bring an accusation against us nor snatch us out of the Father or the Son's hand. Verses 17 and 18 of Revelation 1 17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,18and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Overwhelmed by the supernatural glory of the Messiah, John falls at the Son of God's feet. This is reminiscent of Ezekiel 1:28 and Daniel 8:17-18). "Fear not" The King of Israel comes with gentleness and grace for His servants. "First and the last" a title used by Jehoshua of Himself in reference to being dead and then resurrected to eternal life "alive for evermore" i.e. the first "alpha". Jehoshua has the keys of death and hades meaning He has the authority over death and the power to resurrect His saints to eternal life. This power to give life was given to Him by the Father in John 5: 26For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself: This is in the context of resurrecting the dead. At the last trumpet, the Son of God's voice will call forth the dead saints to resurrection once and for all destroying death and it's sting. In this sense Jehoshua is the "last" i.e. the "omega" as He finishes the mystery of God which is the Church revealing the sons of God to creation. Jehoshua is the author and finisher of our faith and salvation. In Isaiah 9:6 He is called the Father of the future age meaning the ruler of eternity. At His second advent Jehoshua will unlock the grave and resurrect the dead saints. Revelation 1:19-20 19Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter;20the 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 are seven churches. Verse 19, this may outline the order of the vision, the things which thou sawest (Chapter 1) and the things which shall be (chapters 2-22). Verse 20, the seven stars are seven angels. Literally "messengers", human teachers (Malachi 2:7) in Churches, not heavenly beings. Messiah is Lord over preachers (in my right hand) Ephesians 4:11. "Candlesticks" the Churches are part of the Temple of Jehovah and the Son of God cares for them, as the priest tended the lampstands (Lev 24:1-4) with the oil of His Spirit (Zechariah 4:1-7).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
November 2021
Categories |