In this message, we would like to examine all of the attributes collectively and get a picture of the Lord which the present-day Church as a whole needs in these final hours of time.
May this picture cause you to "fall at His feet as dead" (Revelation 1:17) - if need be. May it cause you to tremble at His Presence, fear before Him like never before, get rid of any and all sin in your life, and live uprightly and holily before Him.
Read and study these attributes of Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to draw you closer to Him in worship and adoration.
1. He Holds The Seven Stars In His Right Hand
Revelation 2:1 says - "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand..." The seven "stars" in this verse are emblematic of ministers. The Lord Jesus holds His ministers - safe and secure - in His grip. He supports and sustains them so that they do not sink under their burdens. They are under His special care and most powerful protection. He directs all their motions. They are dear to Him and highly valued by Him. They are His possession.
2. He Walks In The Midst Of The Seven Golden Candlesticks
Revelation 2:1 says - "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He... Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." This description indicates the active and unwearied energy of the Lord in watching over His churches - guarding them from internal and external evils. It implies His constant and vigilant supervision over them as Protector, Searcher, and Disposer. With an omniscient eye, He discerns the state of things in every one of His churches - deciding on whether or not to continue or remove their ministry.
3. He is The First & The Last
Revelation 2:8 says - "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last..." As the "first," He is the cause of the origin. All things are from Him. By Him all things were made. He was before all things. Before Him there was no God. As the "last," He is the Judge and the end. All things are to Him. All things were made for Him. To Him all things return. After Him, there shall be no other god. He is eternal. He always lives. He lived through the past and will live through all that is to come. Hence, He can accomplish all His promises and execute all His purposes.
God always used this manner of addressing Himself - "the first and the last" - to comfort His people and to allay their fears. It is proof of His true and proper deity. It is expressive of His eternity, dignity, and excellency. He is from eternity and will endure unto eternity.
4. He Was Dead And Is Alive
Revelation 2:8 says - "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive." He is the Living Savior Who triumphed over death in all its forms. He is now alive forevermore. Because He lives, he can accomplish all His promises and fulfill all His purposes. He will never die again. To all those who put their trust in Him, He gives the assurance that they will come out of every circumstance victoriously.
5. He Has The Sharp Sword With Two Edges
Revelation 2:12 says - "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges." Jesus has the supreme right to critically judge every member of His church. His words are likened unto a two-edged sword because of their piercing effect. The "sword" is emblematic of the authority, terrible force, and penetrating power of the truth. As the Word of God, it discriminates between the precious and the vile...reproves, exposes, and smites sin and presumption...cuts at the central root of error...and is capable of destroying wrong thoughts, corrupt passions, and wicked resolves.
6. He Is The Son Of God
Revelation 2:18 says - "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God..." This is the first time that a name is used to describe the Lord Jesus. This name is His highest name expressive of His highest nature. As the "Son of God," He has the right to speak and the right to demand that what He says is heard and obeyed. He is truly, properly, and essentially God. He is of the same nature as the Father.
7. He Has Eyes Like A Flame Of Fire
Revelation 2:18 says - "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, Who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire..." The Lord's "eyes" - which are very searching - denote His omniscience, the all- penetrating nature of His Divine knowledge, and His thorough insight into all persons and things. They are able to penetrate the secret recesses of the heart as well as the horrid actions and wickedness of men done in dark. They are capable of seeing into, discovering, exposing, and bringing to light what is most dark and obscure. Nothing can be concealed from their view.
8. His Feet Are Like Fine Brass
Revelation 2:18 says - "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, Who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass." This description of the Son of God indicates His majesty and glory. His "feet are like fine brass" or glowing brass that is made fiery or red-hot in a furnace. They are emblematic of His stability and permanence as well as His indignation against sin and His enemies. He is able to subdue all enemies who dare to resist His power.
9. He Has The Seven Spirits Of God
Revelation 3:1 says - "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God..." One of the highest characteristics that could ever be given of the Lord Jesus is to say that He had the power to send forth the Holy Spirit with His various powers, graces, and operations into the world. Jesus is indeed the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit since He alone has all the fullness of the Spirit. He could give or withhold His Spirit at His own pleasure. To every church, minister, or believer is given a measure of the Spirit for them to profit withal. But unto Him is given the fullness.
10. He Is Holy
Revelation 3:7 says - "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is holy..." Jesus is separated from evil and perfectly hates it. He is the consecrated One - wholly set apart from all sin. He is the cause and author of holiness to His people. They are sanctified by Him. In Him, holiness essentially dwells and, from Him, it is derived.
11. He Is True
Revelation 3:7 says - "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is...true..." The word "true" here means that which is genuine or the perfect realization of an idea. It is contrasted with that which is subordinate or typically true. Jesus is not a type of the "true." He is the "real deal." He is truly God and truly man. He is the sum and substance of all truth. He is the fountain of it from whence it all proceeds. He cannot be lied to nor imposed upon.
12. He Has The Key Of David
Revelation 3:7 says - "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that...hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth." This description of the Christ denotes authority and control. It demonstrates His sovereignty and power. He has exclusive power in Heaven, earth, and Hades. He is absolute - being the supreme ruler of the Kingdom of God. He prescribes the terms - inviting and excluding whom He chooses...shutting out whom He wills and opening to whom He pleases.
13. He Is The Amen
Revelation 3:14 says - "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen..." This attribute was given to the Laodicean Church to impress upon their minds or give special force to what the Lord was about to say to them. He is the true and faithful One. What He promises or threatens is certain. He is steady and unchangeable. He can only look with approbation on His people when He finds the same qualities in them.
14. He Is The Faithful & True Witness
Revelation 3:14 says - "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the...faithful and true witness..." He is the "trusty" One. He is the true witness for God and the Truth. He cannot and will not ever approve of that which God does not approve. He bears swift witness against all ungodly men. His testimony is to be received and fully believed.
15. He is the Beginning Of The Creation Of God
Revelation 3:14 says - "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the...beginning of the creation of God." Jesus Christ is the head or governor of all creatures. He is the King of creation. As the "Word," He made all things "and without Him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). From His being, all creation sprung forth.
Fifteen attributes are presented here of the Lord Jesus. This is how He manifested Himself to the five churches in the book of Revelation.
No doubt, He is doing the same in our day and time.
This message is not meant to be a conclusive study on this subject. It is meant to be a springboard for further research into all that Jesus is to His church.
We challenge you to delve into the truths presented here. Meditate on them and allow them to open your eyes to see Jesus in all of His splendor and majesty.
One of the greatest problems of the present-day church is that she has gotten her focus off of the Lord Jesus and has placed it on the things of this world. The Holy Spirit wants to change that.
Remember the story in John 12:20-21 of the Greeks who came to worship at the feast? What did they do that was so remarkable? They came to Philip "and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus."
This is what the Church needs to cry out for in these final hours of time - "Holy Spirit, show us Jesus."
As you meditate on these attributes as depicted in the Book of Revelation, you will "see Jesus" and in "seeing" Him, your life will never be the same again.
You will be forever changed.
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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