We've been looking in the book of the Revelation in the first chapter. And it is with fear and trembling that we come to look at these scriptures. I trust that it's always that way with us as we come to the scriptures, but most especially if we're called upon to declare these things that are said here to those who would hear. Now, we certainly don't claim any great wisdom or insight into anything. We know nothing as we ought to know. And we are certainly thankful when the Lord's pleased to show us from his word. You know, anybody can read the Bible. I hope you do read the Bible. Everybody should read the Bible. But it's only as the Lord gives a man understanding that he can take the things that are taught in the scripture and see them, number one, and then by his grace to have them applied to his heart and mind that he might have a desire to walk in those things that the Lord has taught us. Now, you know, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of different viewpoints on a lot of the things that are found in this particular book. Now that's true really of all the scripture, but this book in particular seems to be a magnet for would-be prophets. And, You know, men who would seek to gain a following or sell books or whatever, they seem to be drawn to this book and they seem to think that the more wild in their imagination that they can present these things, that the better off it is. I think this is a very straightforward book in many ways. It doesn't stray from the title of it, The Revelation of Jesus Christ. That is what the book is, and we must never move from that. If we see something else in it, then we've missed what it is. It's not a book that's designed to, I used to as a kid, I say as a kid, as I got older and read the Bible to some extent and heard it preached and read, I would read a lot of these things and just let my imagination run wild as to what it was talking about. You know, as a kid, you think of things a lot different than you do when you get to be an adult. And a lot of people never move out of the kid stage when they look at this book. You know, they think of it as some kind of a mystery novel, you know, something magic or whatever. There's no magic in this book other than the magic of Jesus Christ. He is that one who does all things well. And he's that one who's revealed here in this book. So it is the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him. Now we talked about that last week. That's a marvelous thing if you pause and think about it. Because we do believe, as the scripture says, that Jesus Christ is God. And he's not part of God, he is not a minor God, he is not a lesser God, he's God. He said, I and my Father are one. And this was the thing that the Pharisees, one of the things that the Pharisees wanted to kill him for, because they said that he was blaspheming when he said that. There was no doubt in their mind what he meant when he said that. There shouldn't be any doubt in our mind when we read it. He said, I and my father are one. He said to Philip, when Philip asked him to see the father, he said, Lord, show us the father. He said, Philip, have I been so long time with you and you've not known me? He that has seen me has seen the father. That's a deep thing. I'm sure that took all of the disciples quite a back because they walked with him and they believed him. They believed all the things that he said, but they didn't really completely and fully understand him or what he was setting forth to do until he did it. Remember when they stood there on the day of his ascension, and he stood there on that mountain, and before he was taken up from them, they said, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom back to Israel? Because see, all this time he had taught them the truth, but they couldn't quite see it. And it wasn't given to them to see at that time. Later on, they could see it. And so, When they were received out of their sight then, they were taken aback because they couldn't, they'd been with him all this time, and now he was gone. And so, he told them, let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. Now, if he said, believe in God, believe in me. Is he telling him to believe in two different things? No, he's talking about the same one. So this is the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to him. This is that unfolding of truth. which is wrapped up in Jesus Christ. You can't find the truth of God anywhere else but in Jesus Christ. He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me. There's no other way that it can be done. The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass. And he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John. Now shortly come to pass, those things that would happen immediately. Those things that are taking place. Now, whenever we read this book, and I said this before, but I'm gonna say it again because it's very important that you understand this. This book is not chronological. That is, it doesn't start at a certain place and wind up at a certain place. Now, it does wind up at a certain place, but it's not in a chronological fashion. In other words, the things don't happen in order as it's set forth here before us. He goes on to say, who bear record of the Word of God, of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all the things that he saw. He bear record, John, this is speaking about, he bear record of the Word of God. He said, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. So there it is. He bear record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ. We read further over in the book of Revelation that it says that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. So that we understand that all of the prophecies that are in this Bible, from the beginning to the end, are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. There's not another prophecy that is not going to be fulfilled in him. In other words, there's nothing yet. He said when he spoke out his words on the cross, it is finished. He meant that. And God, who at sundry times, in divers manners, in times past, hath spoken unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. This is the last time. These are the last days. This is the day of salvation. There's not coming another one. You know, those that think that there's going to be some reprieve in the future and that, you know, this is just kind of like an interlude and then men are going to, as they would say, have a chance to be saved. We know that nothing's by chance. People aren't saved by chance. And we don't believe people have a chance to be saved. We believe God saves men on purpose. As he calls them, his brother Al finished up his message there to us today. It says, many as the Lord our God shall call, the Lord's calling his people unto himself. And they don't necessarily know that he's calling them, but he is calling them. And when he's pleased to open their eyes to see, they'll hear that call and they'll believe. And so it is that we come and look at this book, recognizing that this is a testimony of Jesus Christ. This is that which the Lord has spoken. And of all things that he saw, John speaking of that he saw. Now he saw something that we've not seen. I haven't seen everything John saw. So I'm having to look at what John saw and rejoice in it and try as the Spirit of God might give us eyes to see to see what was it he saw. Now the Lord was pleased to give a few men a vision, if you want to call it that, or whatever, to see what John saw. Nobody saw what John saw in its totality. And what John saw, I don't think he completely had understanding of, especially at least at the time that he got it, but he was faithful to declare what he saw. Now you remember Paul said that he was called up into the third heaven. He said whether in this body or out of it, I don't know. He didn't know if he was alive or dead or if he was dreaming or whatever, but he said he knew that he was called up there and he said that he heard things that were unlawful from end to utter. In other words, this is such a wonderful thing that he saw the glory of God revealed in that vision that he had that he couldn't even tell you about it. He wasn't able to tell you about it. Isaiah said, in the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. And he said, oh, woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips. And when the Lord is pleased to give a man a vision of who he is, he'll cause him to fall down on his face and worship him. He can't help it. The scripture says that every eye shall see him, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess. A man won't be able not to worship him. when he's pleased to reveal himself. And so John is telling us of all the things that he saw. And he says, blessed is he that readeth. And a man's blessed when he reads this. And they that hear the words of this prophecy, not just read it, but hear it. You know, there's a difference between reading something and hearing it. A lot of people can, anybody can read it, with your eyes, but only those whom the Lord's pleased to give ears to hear can hear it. But he does give men ears to hear it, and we're exhorted to hear it. See, if we're the Lord's children, we hear, he said, my sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. So blessed is he which reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy. This is a prophecy. Now prophecy, that word, a lot of people think that it really applies only to something that's predicted for the future. And therefore we have men who claim that they're prophets and they can see things that you don't see. Well, there have been a few prophets. that the Lord has sent. And there is a gift of prophecy. But there's only one prophet that the Lord has had from the beginning. And all other prophets have gotten their message from that one prophet. And that is Jesus Christ. He is the prophet of God. And so when other religions would take unto themselves the notion that they have prophets among them, that they would speak for the Lord, they're telling you a lie. Because there's one prophet. I don't want you to listen to but one prophet. It's not me. But it's Christ. Because he's the word. of God. He's the truth. But there is a consideration of prophecy which is not having to do with that mystical idea of being able to see the future. You know, you got these guys running around, and they say, oh, I can tell somebody's in here that's got a sore toe, and somebody's got a bad back, and all these different things. And this morning, you know, you was praying this, and this, that, and the other. And people say, oh, you know, all of these things are things that occur among men. And there are no prophets that come from the Lord who are not exalting Jesus Christ alone. They're not trying to get you to follow them. They're not trying to get you to give them money. They're not trying to do any of these things. They're seeking that Christ alone, his word, his glory might be seen among men. And so if you would have or hear of someone who is speaking prophecy, he's speaking about Jesus Christ. Otherwise, he's not telling you prophecy, he's telling you something he made up. Because there he is, Jesus Christ is the spirit. His testimony is the spirit of prophecy. What a glorious thing. to know that we can discern between that which is evil and that which is good. Because that which is good is of Christ. If a man comes telling you anything other than Jesus Christ and him crucified, he's telling you something that's outside of what you need. Christ is all. And so it is that John comes with a prophecy which was given to him. And blessed are they that hear this and keep those things. Keep those things. That is, they hold on to them. If somebody says, Walt, keep the law, that's true. But if you mean by that, You must keep the law. And you mean by that, that that means you abide by every jot and tittle of the law, then you've already failed. You can't do that. You're not going to do that. But to keep the law means that you keep it before you. You revere it. It's not something you cast away. See, we don't cast away the law of God. We believe the law of God. We want to follow the law of God. It's our desire to walk in His precepts. And that's what it is to keep the law. And that's what he says here about keeping the things that are written therein. Remember them. Put them before you. Keep them. Make them to be those things that are profitable to you. Keep those things which are written therein. And then he says for the time is at hand. The time is at hand. Now, what is time? Time only exists, really, in our mind because of who we are. We're creatures of time. Now, let me clarify what I mean by that. See, we're creatures of a span. We were born into time. But as far as God is concerned, He's eternal. Now, you know, you hear people talk about eternity past and eternity future. And we understand what somebody means by that, but in reality, there's no such thing as eternity past or eternity future, because eternity is eternity. That's what God said when he said to Moses, I am that I am. He says, I'm the existent one, I'm he. And all things exist in him. In him we live and move and have our being. In him is life. In him is light. See, we don't have anything of ourself, but the Lord has made us creatures of a span, of a time. We think, the only way we can think is in time. I mean, really and truly, can you really comprehend what it is for something to go on forever? You can think of something that goes on a long time. And that's why the scripture, when it speaks of that state in which the Lord will bring us, It speaks of it as the ages to come. There's no ages in the strictest sense of the word to come, because there's not going to be the consideration of time as we have it, as to having an end or having a beginning. And so it is that we read about the Lord. I mean, he gives us a glimpse into what eternity is when over here in Psalm 90, it says, Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction, and sayest, Return, ye children of men, for a thousand years in thy sight, or but as yesterday, when it is past, and as a watch in the night. A thousand years is nothing to the Lord. Why? Because he is outside of time. He's eternal. He's everlasting. Now, If you're not overwhelmed with that thought, then you've not been given a mind to comprehend the vastness of Almighty God. He's not bounded by time. And he is certainly not bounded by anything of man. Now you know, a few things bother me any worse than hearing somebody say, why don't you let the Lord do something for you? Now you can't let the Lord do anything. because the Lord is the one who lets you do something. You won't do anything if the Lord doesn't let you do it. You don't let God do anything because he is that one who controls all things according to the good pleasure of his will. And men have no power over God. You hear these people sometimes talking about praying like they can back God up into a corner somewhere. And then he has to bless them, dear brethren. You'll never back God into a corner because there's no corner big enough to hold him. He cannot be bounded by men. He's certainly not affected by the will of man. Scripture says, thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power. You see, God's the one that controls the wills of men. And he causes his sheep to hear his voice. He causes his sheep to say, I want to come. He causes his sheep to say, Lord, I want to believe. That's the thing, you see, he's drawing his people unto himself. He's working in them because it's his will and his purpose and his power. And he is not bounded in any way by time. So whenever we read for the time is at hand, That has to do with how we consider it. In other words, God is not sitting up here counting the years off till he does something, or waiting for something to happen. We live our lives as a tale that is told. Our times are in his hand. And so it is that The time is at hand has reference to the fact that all of these things that he's speaking of here are for time. Now, here it is. Now, as we get on into this book, we're gonna see, I believe, if the Lord gives us a mind and heart to know and understand what he's saying here, that This is a picture of that which Christ has done from the beginning. It's not things that Christ is going to do, but it's the things that Christ has done. Now, whenever it says the time is at hand, it doesn't mean now you're gonna, all these things are gonna take place. It means here it is. He's gonna show it to us. And by His grace, we hope to see those things. John, to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace be unto you, peace from Him which is, which was, and which is to come. And from the seven spirits which are before His throne. Now, that's kind of confusion. seven spirits which are before his throne. Now I believe he's going to give us some insight into that as we go through, but I believe that what John sees here when he speaks about the seven spirits which are before his throne is having to do with the perfection that is in God. Seven's a perfect number. And so when he speaks about this, he is speaking about the perfection of God. Now also, as we'll go on to see, that he is speaking here about those servants that he sent to the seven churches, which are before the throne of God. And from Jesus Christ, who's the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead, the prince of the kings of the earth. unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. And so he stops, as we would say amen at the end of a prayer, it just means so let it be. So it is, we affirm that it be so. And John, as he's been given this thing, it's like a proclamation and a declaration and a description of who God is. The glory there, the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, the prince of the kings of the earth. unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins. All of these things describe Jesus Christ. He is indeed the faithful witness. Remember we said it a moment ago, hope this passage of scripture becomes one that you think of All the time. God who at sundry times in divers manner spake in time past by the prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. He's the faithful witness. You wanna know the truth of God? Read what Christ said. That's the truth of God. And this book here is the truth of God because of that. The first begotten of the dead. Now, Lazarus was raised from the dead, was he not? But you know what? Lazarus died.