Revelation 1:1 (NKJV)
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
I Corinthians 12:4-11 (ESV)
Acts 1:9 (NKJV)
The Beginning, Part 4
Revelation 1, An Introduction
When I did my initial planning for The Beginning (which will eventually be published in book format), I had planned to only do three parts. At some point I realized the discussion needed a “bookend” to make the beginning complete.
That sends us to the book of Revelation.
I must confess I’ve always been a bit overwhelmed by the Revelation of John. I did study Revelation in Seminary, but even that seemed like a blur. Many times in Seminary I found myself wishing the coursework wasn’t given in ‘light speed’ timing...but welcome to graduate school. There have been times when I think I would like to continue my studies (what can I say, I am a driven learner), but the cost is prohibitive and until it’s free OR I win the lottery, I’ll not return to school any time soon. Note, the chances of me winning the lottery are zilch because God hasn’t led me to buy a lottery ticket so I can fund my education.
But as they say, back to the drawing board.
Our look at Heaven and Earth from the perspective of creation is going to be centered around Revelation 21-22, but for now, an introduction of John’s vision is in order.
Revelation is the final book in the New Testament. “The ancient Greek word translated Revelation is apokalupsis (apocalypse). The word simply means “a revealing, an unveiling.” The opposite word, apocrypha means something hidden. God did not intend to hide what was to come...instead He chose to reveal it.
Why is that important?
As we look at the revelation we know the Spirit of God was given to earth at Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4, “When the Day of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one 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.”
At Pentecost, believers were given access to the Spirit of God. I believe that means full access. We know from the Old Testament prophets it wasn’t the first time God had revealed Himself to humans, however with the coming of the age of the Spirit the fire from heaven was available to all believers. The fire is still available today in various forms and kinds of spiritual gifts.
We read in I Corinthians 12:4-11, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”
In this age, the Spirit empowers every believer according to their gifts. One gift is NOT more important or crucial than another gift. Every gift has equal value. All gifts are needed.
The body of believers on earth make up a unit and we all support each other.
The book of Revelation was written around 96 A.D. by John, the youngest disciple. When he received the revelation of Jesus Christ while he was a prisoner on the island of Patmos (which was like the modern day Alcatraz). It is a book of “predictive prophecy” (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/revelation-1/).
We know from Acts 1:9 that Jesus “was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
The Holy Spirit descended on believers after Jesus ascended to heaven.
When John wrote the book of Revelation, the visions he saw and wrote about were given to him by the Spirit.
As we study about the creation of the New Heaven and the New Earth it will provide us with a more complete picture. So, we begin Part 4 of ‘The Beginning.’
Today’s Spiritual Practice is:
Name your gift and either ask God to show you how to receive what you need to use your gift or if you’ve done that, think of a time when you used your gift. Thank God for your gift.
In God, Deborah
acrazyjourney.com
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