Revelation 1 v9-20

The big idea: God is with us and in control.

v9- At the time, christians were facing awful persecution and suffered badly because of it, some even died! :( John was chased and exiled to a place called Patmos because he stuck with God and refused to stop preaching the good news.

Application: Although we may not face persecution in any way even similar to this, even with the amount of freedom we have compared tot hem, we can sometimes find it difficult or have the courage to share God's word with others. We can think that it's the wrong moment or "I will do, just not yet", but if we can't do it now, how will we be able to do it in the tough times!?!

This reminds us that it's never easy, but we must stick together- I get laughed at when I get asked what I do on a friday night or that I go to church by the two girls I work with. But I know that we all go through it.

v11- John is told by a voice to write a book about everything he sees and to send it to 7 churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Philadelphia and Loadicea.

v12-14- The 7 gold lampstands that John mentions represent the 7 churches, and Jesus, "the Son of Man" is standing in between them.

Application: No matter what our churches face, even what WPBC has faced over the past 2 years, Jesus stands over and between them to protect them.

John recognised Jesus as the Son of Man because he had lived with him for three years. He describes what Jesus looks like too....

White hair- represent his wisdom and divine nature

Bright eyes- represent the judgement of all evil

Gold sash- reveals him as the High Priest who gives forgiveness to those who believe in him.

Now, I don't know about you, but I always used to draw pictures of Jesus in sunday school as if he was standing on a cloud watching down on the world. But think, do you really imagine him with white hair? or bright eyes?

v16- The sword coming out of Jesus' mouth represents the power and force of his message.

v17-18-We all have our sins, but Jesus "Holds the keys of death and the grave." Believers don't have to fear death or the grave because Christ holds the keys to both! All we have to do is turn to him in faith.

Remember, the Christian life is often tough. But however rough it gets, God is in complete control. It's easy to forget that Jesus Christ is the one who has ultimate authority in this world. 

:)