So You Want To Read The Book Of Revelation

And you should!

This is Part 5. The final part. It is done.
To read Part 1 Purpose and Approach go here.
To read Part 2 Outline and The end go here.
To read Part 3 Symbol vs Spiritual go here.
To read Part 4 Significance of Numbers go here.

Praise & Worship in Revelation
The book of Revelation is full of praise to God, from both heavenly and earthly sources. This book is a wonderful chorus book - such worship and praise! I’m basically going to simply list all the praise offered. Don’t just read it, join them!

I believe numbers are significant here as well - when heavenly beings offer praise, they offer three or sevenfold praise; while earthly beings offer fourfold praise. Not every outburst of praise is arranged this way, but when it is it is consistent, and when it occurs I will highlight it.

4:8-11
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

5:7-14 
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

7:9-12
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

11:15-19
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Ah, this song is not recorded.

15:1-4
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

15:7-8
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
This is interesting, no man was able to enter the temple. There is no worship until ch. 19

19:1-7
1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 
2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 
3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 
4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
22:3 …the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him
Chapters 21 & 22 tell us of the new heaven and new earth and the new Jerusalem. There is no praise recorded there because it is all worship and praise!!

Hallelujah! We can join in this rich praise and worship of God! We can praise Him because he sits on the throne! We can praise Him because we know the end from the beginning – He completes His plan of redemption!

It is done

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

So You Want To Read The Book Of Revelation

And you should!

This is Part 4 (of 5).
To read Part 1 Purpose and Approach go here.
To read Part 2 Outline and The end go here.
To read Part 3 Symbol vs Spiritual go here.

The significance of Numbers in Revelation

Numbers are significant, especially 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12

2 is the number of witness or testimony
3 is God’s number
4 is earth’s number
6 is man’s number
7 is the perfect number
10 is the number of completeness
12 is the covenant number

Seven
This is perhaps the most important number in the Book of Revelation. There are seven:

Blesséd  1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14
Churches 1-3
Seals 6:1-8:1
Trumpets 8:2-11:19
Signs 12-15
   12:1 woman clothed with the sun
   12:3 a great red dragon
   13:1 the beast
   13:11 another beast
   14:1 the Lamb on Mt Sion with 144,000
   14:14 one like unto the Son of man on a cloud
   15:1 seven angels with seven last plagues
   15-16 Vials or Bowls

The book consists of seven visions, each one (after the first one, of course) introduced by the phrase μετὰ ταῦτα εἶδον [meta tauta eidon] “after these things I saw”, except for the last one which is μετὰ ταῦτα ἤκουσα [meta tauta eekousa] “after these things I heard”. The seven visions are:

1-3 Christ and the Seven Churches
4-6 The Seven Seals
7:1-8 The Sealing of the Servants of God
7:9-15:4 The Seven Trumpets
15:5-17:18 The Seven Bowls of Wrath
18:1-24 Babylon is Fallen, is Fallen
19:1-22:21 The Consummation

There is another number that is presented three different ways:
11:2  the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
13:5 And there was given unto him [the beast] a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

As you can see these three numbers are forty and two months (42 months); one thousand two hundred and threescore days (1,260 days); a time, and times, and half a time. All three are the same length of time, three and a half years.

There are two basic questions concerning this period of time:

(1) Where does this three and a half years come from? 

The answer, The Book of Daniel, 7:25, 12:7

Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Daniel only mentions a time and times and the dividing of time. Revelation obviously picks up on this number, stresses it, and presents it different ways.

(2) Is there any significance to the different forms of this number?

I confess, I don't know. I am persuaded however that this is all linked to or connected with the prophecy of the 70 Weeks. The last thing we read about the 70 weeks is:

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

The 70th week is presented as broken - in the midst of the week, that is after 3 ½ years, leaving 3 ½ remaining. Is it just a coincidence that the last week is divided (3 ½ years), the horn of Daniel 7 wears out the saints of the most High for a time and times and the dividing of time (3 ½ ), and the time covered in the book of Revelation is 3 ½ years? I don't think so, but I will let you decide!

Next: Praise & Worship In Revelation

So You Want To Read The Book of Revelation

And you should!

This is Part 3 (of 5).
To read Part 1: Purpose and Approach go here.
To read Part 2: Outline and The end go here.

Symbol vs Spiritual
It is clear that Revelation is a book full of symbols or imagery; meaning you can’t interpret the book literally. This has led a great many commentators to conclude that the book gives us only spiritual truth. What do I mean and what is the difference?

Some see the imagery as representing  a real or literal event. Others see the imagery as representing a spiritual truth, divorced from and unrelated to any actual event. For example:

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Does this refer to the second coming of Christ or does it teach us some spiritual truth?

A.B. Simpson said of his early years, “I was trained in the Scottish school of theology, and was taught to consider Christ’s coming to mean His manifestation to the soul of the believer by the Spirit, His coming at death to the saint, and His coming spiritually by the spread of the gospel. I so believed for fifteen years, and during my early ministry so taught.”  This is the spiritual interpretation.

The same author continues, “Twelve years ago I received the Holy Spirit, and new light was thrown upon the Word. I saw how weak and insufficient for service I had been in the old way; and as I waited before the Lord, I found Him pressing this truth upon me, and I was forced to be willing to believe that the old axioms I had accepted were false, and that the personal reign of Christ was clearly taught in Scripture. The grounds for this conclusion were such as these: I found that it was clearly announced as a personal coming. The angels declared it at the very outset of the church. The Lord Himself said it. The Epistles taught it, and Revelation unfolded it, and, if it was not literally true, no Scripture was true. Then I saw that the idea of the growth of a spiritual millennium was unscriptural; the world was becoming worse and worse.” The symbolism refers to something literal.

The imagery of Jesus riding a white horse is referring to the literal, personal, bodily return of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 20:1-6
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,  
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.  
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Does this refer to a literal reign of Christ on the earth or does it teach us a spiritual truth?

A spiritual interpretation says something similar to Adam Clarke in his commentary:

“This no doubt refers to a time in which the influence of Satan will be greatly restrained, and the true Church of God enjoy great prosperity, which shall endure for a long time.
I saw thrones - Christianity established in the earth, the kings and governors being all Christians.
Reigned with Christ a thousand years - I am satisfied that this period should not be taken literally. It may signify that there shall be a long and undisturbed state of Christianity; and so universally shall the Gospel spirit prevail, that it will appear as if Christ reigned upon earth; which will in effect be the case, because his Spirit shall rule in the hearts of men; and in this time the martyrs are represented as living again; their testimony being revived, and the truth for which they died, and which was confirmed by their blood, being now everywhere prevalent."

Others on the other hand see this as telling us about something real and literal that will take place on the earth when Jesus returns. This is called the millennium.

I believe both the prophets and Jesus spoke of a time when the kingdom would be on the earth and Jesus would reign over the nations. Of course, the question is, Is the 1,000 years literal or symbolic? What it clearly is is very Jewish, “Rab. Elieser said, The days of the Messiah are a thousand years."

I definitely lean toward a literal thousand years. The imagery is used to depict real events.

The background for Revelation is in part the Book of Daniel. Daniel has a vision of a giant image made of four different metals. Then another vision of four beasts. This imagery speaks of literal kingdoms. The statue made of metal speak of how man views these kingdoms, while the beasts tell us how God views them. Which brings us to the next point: Much of the symbolism or imagery is from the Old Testament, and to understand it properly we need to be familiar with the Old Testament. For example:

Revelation 12:1-2  And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Who is this woman? The two main solutions are the Virgin Mary or the Church. But if one knows the Old Testament, that one knows better:

Genesis 37:9-10  And he [Joseph] dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

Ah, there it is, the same imagery of sun, moon, and stars - I and thy mother and thy brethren. The woman is Israel. Which then helps us understand the rest of the chapter:

Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14-16 the woman is protected
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The dragon, the devil, hates the woman (Israel) and persecutes and pursues her. When she is protected, he then makes war with the remnant of her seed (the rest of her seed), which is the church, Christians, followers of the Child she gave birth to. And this he does in chapter 13 by raising up the beast: And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. This symbolism of beast, heads, crowns is taken from Daniel’s visions. In order to understand this, you need to know Daniel.

There are images or symbols used throughout the Book of Revelation. Do they speak to us merely of spiritual truths unrelated to any real event, or do they tell us of real or literal events? I believe the symbolism is used to speak of real or literal events. And often the meaning of these symbols is to be gleaned from the Old Testament.

What if you don’t understand the meaning of the symbols? Or don’t know where in the Old Testament to look? That’s ok. Read Revelation anyway, understanding as much as you can, all the while asking God to open it up to you. Read the Old Testament. As you read and as God teaches you from it, He will point these things out to you. And of course, as you read and depend on the Holy Spirit for insight, He will often bring across your path a brother or sister who will add to your growing understanding of Revelation and of all the Word. God is good like that!


Next: Significance of Numbers

So You Want To Read The Book Of Revelation

And you should!

Last week I began this series of posts on So You Want To Read The Book of Revelation…and you should! You can read my introduction here. I do want to reiterate my purpose: “I would like to offer what I hope will be a few helpful tips for understanding this book. Let me hasten to add, I don't mean to come across as a "know it all", or an expert on everything Revelation, or even that I have mastered everything in the book. None of which is true. My hope is that I can offer something to help you as you read it.”

My last post took a look at the Purpose of Revelation and How to approach the book. Today we will consider the Outline of the Book and The End in Revelation.

Outline of Revelation
Why should we be concerned with the outline of the book? I am persuaded that two fundamental principles in understanding the Bible are: Knowing why the book was written (purpose), and Being able to follow the argument of the book - How the author accomplishes his purpose (outline).

The outline of the Book of Revelation is given by the Lord Jesus himself in 1:19, Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

In outline form that would look like this:

Write the things which thou hast seen, (chapter 1)
and the things which are, (chapters 2-3)
and the things which shall be hereafter (chapters 4-22)

Something else which will prove very helpful in understanding this book is knowing that the book is made up of seven visions, which I will explain when we get to the significance of numbers.

The End in Revelation
By the end I mean the second coming of Jesus, the kingdom, the judgment. This is our hope. The book even opens with this declaration, Behold, he comes with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all the tribes of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Amen, indeed!

Several times we are brought to the end and you expect the next verse to be the coming of Christ, but the narrative stops and backs up to supply more details. Let me illustrate:

6:12-17 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

This is the end. The next scene should be the judgment. Instead chapter 7 tells us of the sealing of the servants of God; then in 8:1 we read, And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour followed by the angels with seven trumpets. This is recapitulation - the narrative backs up and fills in details. This means the seven trumpets are part of the seventh seal.

11:15-18 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the one who is, and who was, and who is coming; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

The seventh trumpet once again brings us to the end, thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged. The kingdom has come, and he shall reign forever and ever. Amen! But there is another interruption - seven signs in chapters 12-15. Once again the narrative backs up and provides more details about the events of these last days. The last of these seven signs is the seven angels with the seven bowls of wrath, which are poured out in chapter 16.

16:17  And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

This is the same point the seventh seal and seventh trumpet had brought us to – the next expected event is the second coming. I mean, It is done. This is shouting ground! Yet once more the narrative backs up and provides us with more details - the destruction of Babylon in 17 and 18.

19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Ah, here is the expected end. This is what the book has been pointing to, building toward, and we have been hoping and praying for! Yes, Jesus is coming; personally; in power and glory; to set up his kingdom on the earth! Maranatha!

Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Next: Symbol vs Spiritual

So You Want To Read The Book Of Revelation

And you should!

Our Life Group just finished a study on The Seven Churches in Revelation 2 & 3. I assured both the Pastor and the Life Group several times that this was not a back door into a study of the whole book. So, when we finished chapter 3 and the church of the Laodiceans, we were done. But, as you prepare for chapters 2 and 3, you naturally interact with the rest of the book. I encouraged the brothers and sisters in our Life Group to read the rest of the book. I encourage everyone reading this to read it. And to that end I wanted to make a few (5) posts on So You Want To Read The Book Of Revelation...and you should! I have taught this book several times and would love to offer a brief commentary, but in lieu of that I would like to offer what I hope will be a few helpful tips for understanding this book. Let me hasten to add, I don't mean to come across as a "know it all", or an expert on everything Revelation, or even that I have mastered everything in the book. None of which is true. But I have read it several times, taught it a few times, and read and heard a lot concerning it. My hope is that I can offer something to help you as you read it.

I have encountered quite a number of believers who are kinda scared of the book, pastors even who are afraid to teach it. I admit it is difficult, full of symbols, and lots of judgment and wrath, but this book was not given to us to scare us, rather to encourage us as we live for Jesus.

Purpose of Revelation 
What is the purpose of the Book of Revelation? Why has God given it to us? I wrote about this a few years ago. I still think it is spot on! You can read it here.


How to approach the book
How should we approach this book? How are we to understand it? This is one reason why people are afraid of it – there are so many different and conflicting ways people approach it!

That being said, I believe there are two basic ways the book is understood. They are Preterism and Futurism. Do I hear you asking, What?!?

Simply put:

Preterism – this approach that says, “Everything or nearly everything in Revelation has already taken place.” This view sees the events described as being fulfilled in the days of the hearers (or shortly thereafter). The seals, the trumpets, the bowls of wrath, the beast, all refer to events during the lifetime of the hearers. “Preterists believe that most or all of Bible Prophecy (especially the big three events, the Second Coming, Resurrection, and Judgment) has already been fulfilled in Christ and the on-going expansion of His Eternal Kingdom.” (International Preterist Association)

Futurism – this approach says the events described in chapter 4 onward are (mostly) in the future. Many who hold this view also believe in a pre-tribulation rapture of the church (while this is perhaps the most popular and well known version of futurism, it is not the only version).

You will have to decide which approach you will take to Revelation. Personally, I believe the events described in much of Revelation are yet to happen. Futurism. But it is a classic futurism. This was very popular among the earliest fathers, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, down to Hippolytus (all before 325). And no one in the early church believed in a secret, pre-tribulation rapture of the church. As I said, you have to decide your approach. Personally, I believe this is future. The seals, trumpets, bowls, beast, second coming, and resurrection are yet to happen.

Now, back to the purpose of the book and why we should read it. As I wrote back in 2015,

“This book reveals to us that God is in control, that God has a plan, and that God will see to it that his plan is carried out. And there is the encouragement for us, God is on the throne, God is in control. And this is one of the main purposes of the book, to offer encouragement. No matter what is going on around us, God is on the throne.”



Next post: The Outline of the book and the End in Revelation

Fun Facts About Pentecost

Pentecost is a Greek word which means 50.

Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter.

In Hebrew it is Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks.

Shavuot is a celebration of first-fruits, that is, the first of the harvest.

Shavuot occurs 50 days after Passover.

During Shavuot two loaves of bread were baked and presented to the Lord. The priest would wave them before the Lord.

What is the main or chief significance of Shavuot? The promise of harvest. The two loaves speak of Israel and Gentiles being harvested. This speaks of the church, made up of Jew and Gentile. These feasts are God’s calendar: Passover – Messiah comes and redeems us from bondage; Shavuot - worldwide harvest.

It is interesting that this theme is never spoken of by the Apostles or Fathers.

When we think of Pentecost we think, And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Pentecost is the celebration of the Holy Spirit poured out and now available for all believers. Jesus called it the promise of the Father. Peter said this was prophesied by the prophet Joel, And it shall come to pass in the last days, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy…

Pentecost is not the birthday of the church. The disciples who were with Jesus during his earthly ministry were the church: …he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee (Hebrews 2:12); which Jesus did with them after the last supper (Matthew 26:30).

Pentecost was a one time event, but a repeatable experience. The Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost and in the Book of Acts we read of the Spirit falling on and being poured out on believers.

Another interesting fact – the Apostles never explain Pentecost.


Part 2 The Pentecost Experience

As I mentioned above, Pentecost was a one time event, but a repeatable experience. It is described several times in the Book of Acts as: baptized with the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, the gift of the Spirit, received the Spirit, the Spirit fell on them, the Spirit poured out. It would seem the normal Christian experience is repent and believe in Jesus, be baptized in water, and receive the gift of the Spirit.

This is an experience you can know whether or not you have had. “But you ask, ‘How shall I know that the Holy Spirit is come upon me?’ I cannot tell you how you will know, but you will know. There will be supernatural accompaniments of some kind, though it be no more than an overwhelming sense of the divine Presence. We cannot and we must not stipulate what particular form such outward expressions will take, but one thing is sure, that each one upon whom the Spirit of God falls will unfailingly know it.” (The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee)

This is an experience that others can know whether you have received or not. Peter and John went to Samaria and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Paul asked a group in Ephesus, Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? Or, if you prefer, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Both translations are possible and either way you translate it, this is a Yes or No question.

The Holy Spirit was often received through prayer and the laying on of hands.

The baptism with the Spirit is not about the Spirit indwelling. The disciples had the indwelling of the Spirit, yet Jesus told them to wait for the baptism with the Spirit. The baptism with the Spirit is the experience of being filled with the Spirit, the Spirit coming upon you with power – power to worship the Lord, walk with Jesus, and work for him.

At Pentecost the disciples all spoke with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Is speaking in tongues the one and only sign of this baptism with the Spirit? It would definitely be easier if that’s what we read in the New Testament. But, while it was quite frequent, nowhere do we read, “This is the one and only sign.” I again quote Watchman Nee, “There will be supernatural accompaniments of some kind, though it be no more than an overwhelming sense of the divine Presence. We cannot and me must not stipulate what particular form such outward expressions will take, but one thing is sure, that each one upon whom the Spirit of God falls will unfailingly know it.”

Pentecost is the birthright of every believer in Jesus: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Having believed in Jesus, have you received the Holy Spirit?

Wesley's hymn on the letter to Sardis

Last night we finished our Life Group study of The Seven Churches in Revelation 2 & 3. Some time during the study I discovered hymns (probably) written by Charles Wesley on each of the letters. I found them in Hymns and Sacred Poems by John Wesley, Charles Wesley (1742). (archive.org; a great site!)
I find this interesting, but wasn't sure anyone else would, so I never shared them with the group. As you can see, I had to basically translate this because even though this was written in English, it is rather difficult to read for someone unfamiliar with 1742 English. I love it! Like the hymn, too!

To the Angel of the Church in Sardius. Chapter 3. ver. 1, 2, &c.

1. O Thou, whose Eyes run to and fro,
Thro' Earth, and Every Creature see.
What is it which Thou dost not know ?
All Things are manifest to Thee.

2. Thou hast the Spirits, Seven and One,
Thou hast the Stars in Thy Right-Hand,
And all our Works to Thee are known ;
How shall we in Thy Judgment stand ?

3. Thou knowest we take in vain Thy Name,
While dead in Trespasses we live.
Thee for our Lord we falsely claim.
While to the World our Hearts we give.

4. A powerless Form, a lifeless Sound,
Our Works as Vanity are light,
Wanting, alas! they all are found,
And worse than Nothing in Thy Sight.

5. O that we now might turn again.
And cherish the Last Spark of Grace,
Strengthen the Things that yet remain,
And call to Mind the Ancient Days.

6. Surely we did Thy Faith receive.
We heard with Joy the Gospel Word.
O let us now, repent and live.
And watch to apprehend our Lord ;

7. Stir ourselves up, renounce our Ease.
Before Thy sudden Judgments come.
And watch, and pray, and never cease.
Till Thou repeal our threat’ning Doom.

8. A Few Thou still hast left, who stand
And deprecate th’ impending Blow,
Protectors of a Guilty Land,
And Guardian Angels here below.

9. They, by Thy Mercy reconcil’d;
For our unhappy Sardis plead,
Harmless, and pure, and undefil’d,
They ever in Thy Footsteps tread. ,

10. Before they see the Realms of Light,
Deserving here thro’ Thy Desert,
Worthy they walk with Thee in White,
In spotless Purity of Heart.

11. Partakers of the Life Divine.
Who in the Fight of Faith o'ercome.
They All shall in Thy Image shine,
Made ready for their Heavenly Home.

12. They here shall be redeem’d from Sin.
Shall there put on their Glorious Dress,
Fine Linen, pure, and white, and clean.
The Saints Inherent Righteousness.

13. Love, perfect Love expels all Doubt,
Love makes them to the End endure,
Their Names Thou never wilt blot out,
Their Life is hid, their heart is pure.

14. Their Names Thou wilt vouchsafe to own
Before Thy Father’s Majesty,
Pronounce them Good, and say, "Well done.
Enter, and ever reign with me ! "