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Devotion: vision of Christ

Devotion: Vision of Christ

a picture of apostle John

Introduction

Revelation is the last book of the Bible. The Greek word for Revelation is apokalupsis which means to unveil. Revelation is a book that unveil the truth about Jesus Christ, who gave the apostle John a vision of future events that he must write down. God promised a blessing to everyone who read, hear, believe, and apply the teachings in this book. 

Apostle John, who was banished to the Greek island of Patmos, wrote this book from there to the 7 churches of Asia Minor, which is Turkey. 

Here, we get to see a vision of Christ through the eyes of John. 

Revelation 1:12-19

12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands. 13 And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, Daniel 7:13 clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. 16 He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. 19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter.

Commentary

John turned around and saw the seven golden lamp stands or menorahs, and the Post incarnate, Glorified, Risen Christ, the Son of Man. The seven golden menorahs represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. Jesus Christ stood among the seven churches. He was clothed in a robe from head to toes with a golden sash across His chest. His head and hair were as white as wool and snow. His eyes burned with fire. His feet shone like polished brass. Daniel saw an almost similar vision of Jesus Christ, Daniel 7:9. His voice was like the sound of a waterfall. The seven stars on His right represent the seven angels of the seven churches. The sharp double-edged sword from His mouth represent the Word of God. His face was brighter than the brightest sun.

John collapsed at the feet of the risen Christ, who is the first and the last, who died and rose again, and is alive for evermore. He have the keys to Death and Hades. The things that John have seen refer to the vision of Christ in Revelation chapter 1. The things that are refer to the letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 to 3. The things which will happen hereafter refer to future events from Revelation chapters 4 to 22. 

Daniel 7:9

I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word

Application

Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the author and perfecter of our faith. He is from eternity past to eternity future, the pre-existent, self-existent, and eternal God. He is before time, space, and matter. He is the I AM, Yahweh, Adonai, Elohim, Great High Priest, Melchizedek, and Messiah. Christ revealed a vision of Himself to apostle John in the island of Patmos and commissioned him to write the book of Revelation. Today, you can visit the island of Patmos as a tourist and explore the place. The Bible is about real geography, real places, real people, real history, and real events. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. Whoever believes in Him will be saved, John 5:24.

John 5:24, Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

Hebrews 12:2, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to unveil to us the book of Revelation. Help us to interpret, understand, and apply the truth of Your word. We pray for opened eyes, opened ears, opened hearts, opened minds, and opened spirits. We pray for the double-edged sword of the Spirit to convict  our hearts and train us in righteous living, in Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Dr ANDREW C S KOH

a pictire of apostle JOhn
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Devotion: a Vision of Christ

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

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Revelation 1 begins with the prologue in verses 1 to 8, followed by John’s vision of the Glorified Risen Christ in verses 9 to 20.

The Greek word for revelation is apokalupsis which means to unveil. This book unveils the truth about Jesus Christ. This revelation came from God, the Father, to Jesus Christ, the angels, the apostle John, and the seven churches in Asia Minor (Turkey). God unveiled a vision of future events to the apostle John. God promised a special blessing to everyone who reads, hears, believes, and applies the teachings in this book. 

John wrote this book while in exile, on the Greek island of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Asia Minor. While in the Spirit, John heard God’s voice telling him to write what he was about to see into a book. John sent this book to the seven churches of Asia Minor, viz. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

Passage

Revelation 1:12-20

We need to thank apostle John for giving us a glimpse into the appearance of the Glorified Risen Christ in these eight verses of scripture.

12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands. 13 And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, Daniel 7:13, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished brass as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. 16 He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. 19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies (read the whole of Revelation 1 on your own).

Revelation 1:12-20

Commentary

John turned around and saw a vision of seven golden lamp stands and the Glorified Risen Christ. The lamp stands were menorahs. ‘Son of Man’ is the messianic title of Jesus Christ. The seven golden menorahs, represent the seven churches of Asia Minor, Revelation 1:20. The Glorified Risen Christ walked in the midst of the seven churches. John described the vision of the Glorified Risen Christ as vividly as he could. He was dressed in a full-body garment and had a golden sash around His chest. His head and hair were as white as wool and snow,  His eyes were burning like fire. His feet were as polished as brass. His voice was like the sound of a waterfall. He carried seven stars on His right hand. The seven stars represent the seven angels of the seven churches. He had a sharp double-edged sword in His mouth. The double-edged sword was the word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17.. His face was as bright as the sun. John’s description of the Glorified Risen Christ is strikingly similar to that of Daniel 7:9.

John collapsed at the feet of the Glorified Risen Christ like a dead man. He laid His right hand on John and woke him up, saying He is the first and the last, who was dead, resurrected, and is alive forever. He has the keys to death and Hades. He commanded John to write the thing that was, the things that are, and the things that are to come. Here is an outline of the book of Revelation.

  1. Chapter 1, the thing that was, the vision of the Glorified, Risen Christ.

2. Chapters 2 to 3, the things that are, Christ’s seven letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor.

3. Chapters 4 to 22, the things that are to come, the tribulation, the war of Armageddon, Christ’s second coming, the millennial kingdom, the great white throne judgment, the new heaven and the new earth, and the world without end, etc.

I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire

Daniel 7:9

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

Hebrews 4:12

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17

Application

Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the author and finisher of you and my faith. He is from eternity past to eternity future. He is the pre-existent, self-existent, and eternal God. He is before time, space, and matter. He is I AM, Eigo Eimi, Yahveh, Adonai, Elohim, Great High Priest, Melchizedek, and Messiah. Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. He is fully God and fully man. 

Christ appeared to John on the island of Patmos and commissioned him to write the book of revelation. Today, you can visit the island of Patmos as a tourist. You can also visit the ruins of the seven churches of Revelation in Turkey. The Bible is about real people, real places, and real events. Whoever hears God’s voice and believes in Christ will be saved.

Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life

John 5:24

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for preserving this wonderful book of Revelation through 2000 years of world history, for our benefit. We pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to teach us the book of Revelation. Help us to interpret, understand, and apply the truth of Your word. We pray for open eyes, open ears, open hearts, open minds, open spirits, and open heaven. We pray for the double-edged Sword of the Spirit to convict, correct, teach, and train to live righteous lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Dr ANDREW C S KOH

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The 70 weeks of Daniel

Daybreak at Gale Crater by NASA Goddard Photo and Video is licensed under CC-BY 2.0

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

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Daniel 9:24-27

In the first year of King Darius’ reign, Daniel studied the prophecy of Jeremiah and came to the conclusion that the seventy years of exile were coming to an end. He prayed, interceded, and fasted in sackcloths and ashes, to seek the Lord’s will. 

While Daniel was still praying, angel Gabriel appeared to him in a vision, saying that the Lord had answered his prayer. In Daniel 9:24-27, angel Gabriel gave a profound end-time prophecy from the Lord.

In this article, I will walk you through the prophecy of the 70 weeks of Daniel. This interpretation is based on a pre-millennial, pre-tribulation rapture position. 

24 Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. V 25 Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench but in times of trouble. V 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. V 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple, he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him (Read the rest of Daniel 9 on your own).

Daniel 9: 24-27

Verse 24, seventy sevens

Seventy ‘sevens’ refer to seventy weeks of years i.e. 490 years. Your people refer to Daniel’s people i.e. the Jews. Your holy city refers to Daniel’s holy city i.e. Jerusalem. This prophecy is for the Jews and Jerusalem. The entire duration of the prophecy is 490 years. At the end of 490 years, there will be no more sin, transgression, and wickedness and there will be everlasting righteousness. The vision and prophecy will be sealed, and the Most Holy place of the temple will be anointed. 

Verses 25-26, Part 1

The prophecy has a starting point and an ending point. The starting point is from the time a decree was given to rebuild Jerusalem. The ending point will be the second coming of Christ as will be explained later.

The prophecy has two parts. Verses 25 to 26 spelled out Part 1. It started with the issuing of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem in 445 BC and ended with the first coming of Christ in 33 AD.

From the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the first coming of Christ will be 7 X 7 plus 62 X 7 years i.e. 49 + 434 i.e. 483 years. The decree to rebuild Jerusalem was given by King Artaxerxes Longimanus to Nehemiah in Nehemiah 2:8-9 in 445 BC. The first coming of Christ as Messiah was on Palm Sunday in 33 AD. Zechariah prophesied this around 500 BC, Zechariah 9:9. 

 445 BC to 33 AD is 478 Gregorian/ Roman/ solar years, based on 365 days per year. However, the Jewish lunar calendar is based on 360 days per year. 478 Gregorian/ Roman/ solar years is equivalent to 483 Jewish/ lunar years. 

Jerusalem was rebuilt in times of trouble amidst opposition from the Samaritans. On Good Friday, 33 AD, Christ was killed (cut off). In 70 AD, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans. Wars and more wars had continued unabated ever since. 

Hence, the first 483 years of Part 1 as spelled out in verses 25 to 26 were fulfilled by the first coming of Christ. 

Verse 27, Part 2

Part 2 is prophesied in verse 27.  The last 7 years of world history remain unfulfilled. The ‘He’ of verse 27 is the antichrist. The starting point of Part 2 will be the signing of a peace treaty between the Jews and the Arabs, brokered by the antichrist. In the middle of this 7-year, the antichrist will set up the abomination of desolation in the future third temple. Part 2 will ends with the second coming of Christ at the culmination of world history. 

Between Part 1 and Part 2 is an interlude called the church age, and we are now living in this interlude for the past 2000 years.

God stopped the prophetic timer at the 483rd year. of the prophecy. The clock will start ticking again after the rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. 

The antichrist will allow the Jews to rebuild the third temple and resume the temple sacrifice. In the middle of the 7 years, he will set up his image in the Most Holy Place and force the Jews to worship him. This image will be called the abomination of desolation, Mathew 24:15. The Jews’ refusal to worship the image will trigger off intense persecution by the antichrist in the last 3 1/2 years of world history. This is called the great tribulation. 

In 174 BC, Antiochus Epiphany IV erected a statue of Zeus in the Most Holy Place, splashed swine blood on the altar, and desecrated the second temple. The future antichrist will desecrate the third temple in the same way during the tribulation. Jesus Christ will come back from heaven on a white horse and defeat the antichrist in the battle of Armageddon., Revelation 9:11 and following. He will set up His millennial kingdom on earth and fulfill the seventy weeks prophecy of Daniel, Rev. 20:4 and following.

Please note that the rapture and the second coming of Christ are two separate events. 

“And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests”.

Nehemiah 2:8-9

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey

Zechariah 9:9

So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel, let the reader understand

Matthew 24:15

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness, he judges and makes war.

Revelation 9:11

I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4

Application

The Bible has given us sufficient information on how the world will end. The future is not looking optimistic. More troubles will break out as we move closer and closer to the end of world history. The covid 19 pandemic had already taken a toll on every one of us. The dust of the pandemic has not even settled and war broke out in Ukraine! We are truly in uncharted territories. If this war gets out of control and nuclear war breaks out, millions of lives will be wiped out in a matter of seconds! Whether you believe in a pre, mid, or post-tribulation rapture, one thing is for sure. Christ’s second coming is not too far away. Are you ready for His return? Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. Come to Christ. With a simple prayer, confess your sin, accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and surrender your life to Him. You will be saved and even if anything happened, you will have eternal life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word to us today. We know that Your second coming is not that far away. We know that You are in control of world events. We pray that the war in Ukraine will not get out of control but will come to an end soon. We pray that You will protect the people of Ukraine. We pray for the soldiers, the civilians, the refugees, and all others. May Your mercy and grace be upon all the people of Ukraine. Help us to surrender our lives to You because our future is in Your hand, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

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