In Class we already discussed the Three Titles of Jesus as given here. And the three mighty Things He has done for us!

Our Text …

“5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

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But when discussing the fact of our being “washed” in the Blood of Jesus, I meant to share with you the probable Old Testament Reference for this vital Word Picture.

Here is Jacob’s dying “blessing” on his son Judah! (Jesus was born out of the tribe of Judah! This is the Royal Tribe that provided Kings for the Jewish Nation!)

Genesis 49:8-12 …

“8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: 12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.”

See the “washing” metaphor?

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Jesus’ Resurrection guarantees our future resurrection as well!

1 Corinthians 15:20 … But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

John 14:19 … Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

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In the New Testament there is not the slightest hint of a division between “regular” believers and a so-called “special class” of priests. Rather, all believers are priests!

1 Peter 2:5 … Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 … But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light …

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I sure enjoyed teaching this Text. And I sincerely invite you to watch the whole Class now …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Our Bible Text …

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is …

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The Beatitudes (the Promises that begin with a “blessing”) in Revelation form an inclusio! (I am saying that the Book of Revelation both begins and ends with a “Blessed” Statement.)

Here and Revelation 22:14 … Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

In fact, there are 7 such Beatitudes in the Book of Revelation! In our next class we might take a quick overview of all of them. They nearly form the “backbone” of Revelation!

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Paul in his Epistles often includes a Blessing of some kind from God, a sweet word of encouragement. But John makes a point of mentioning the Trinity in his opening Benediction! Father, Spirit and Son, in that unusual order. I suspect Jesus came last because John has so much to say about Him! Our whole upcoming class, in fact!

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Here is the Verse I mentioned with reference to the “seven Spirits” (John’s way of depicting the Holy Spirit of God here in his introduction) …

Isaiah 11:2 … And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD …

Count His Attributes!

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In Bible jargon … “hearing” means “heeding!”  To “keep” God’s Word … to take to heart!

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There may be “linkage” between John’s 7 Beatitudes in Revelation and Jesus’ Rewards to Overcomers in Revelation chapters 2 and 3! (I hope to explore any possible connections in my personal Bible Study, the Lord willing. I don’t know if we will have time to do so in class. It’s called “extra credit,” I think!)

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Daniel 2:28 … “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets … “ (And we have the distinct honor of learning from that God, from His Spirit, from His Book!)

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Back to John’s “blessed” Verses …

“Blessed” is quite compatible with the Books of Wisdom and Poetry …

Proverbs 3:13 … Happy (esher, asher = means blessed) is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 8:34 … Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

Psalm 1:1-2 … Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

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On the public reading of God’s Word in the ancient Churches …

Synagogue reading of Scripture, the Old Testament …

Jesus … Luke 4:16 … And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read (anaginos’ko).

Acts 13:15 … And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on …

Acts 15:21 … For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Leading up to …

The New Testament Practice, but adding the Gospels and Epistles and now Revelation …

As in 1 Thessalonians 5:27 … I charge (horki’zo = to force to take an oath) you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 

Also Colossians 4:16 … And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

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The noun “prophecy” is found 7 times in the Book of Revelation! (I did count!)

Here’s the complete list: Revelation 1:3; 11:6; Revelation 19:10; 22:7, Revelation 22:10, 18 and 19.

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Back to the Seven Spirits …

He is mentioned here in Revelation 1:4, then in Revelation 3:1 and 4:5 and yet again in Revelation 5:6!

The “exact Name” Holy Spirit is not used in the Book of Revelation! Nor in John’s Gospel or three Epistles!

Instead, other adjectives are ascribed to Him! Such as “Seven” … indicating the Sufficiency, the Fullness of the Holy Spirit, just stated differently!

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And as I generally say, it is best to watch the whole class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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I am late today posting these comments! Simply being exhausted from preaching twice in succession last night, I suppose. (Recording an Evening Meditation and preaching in the Revival Service.)

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Our Text …

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

I meant to mention this …

Today numerous individuals make their money “predicting” the future; ironically, they are called “futurists.” But only One knows the future in detail!

Isaiah 46:9-10 … I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure …

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The Revelation … “of Jesus Christ” … the Gospels present Jesus as their Central Character too, but in His First Coming. But Revelation presents Him … in His Second coming!

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The world has seen Him in His Shame … but will some day see Him in His Glory!

Revelation 1:7 … Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Daniel 7:13-14 … I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

The Book of Revelation is, in ways, an exposition of Philippians 2:9-11 …

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Look at the “balance” in the Book of Revelation …

The Lamb slain (5:6) … the Wrath of the Lamb (6:16)!

Grace … Judgment!

River of Life … Lake of Fire!

Innumerable angels … innumerable demons!

Blessings … Woes!

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I’ve learned that 3 more times in Revelation Jesus says, “I am coming quickly!” (After verse 1 here!)

Revelation 22:7 and 22:12 and again in 22:20!

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Now, if possible, watch the whole Class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Here is the list I used in class today …

JESUS’ GREAT “I AM” STATEMENTS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN!

WITH PREDICATES …

John 6:35 … And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (Repeated at John 6:41 and 48 and 51!)

John 8:12 … Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (Repeated at John 9:5!)

John 10:7 … Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (Repeated at John 10:9!)

John 10:11 … I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (Repeated at John 10:14!)

John 11:25 … Jesus said unto her (Martha), I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

John 14:6 … Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 15:1 … I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (Repeated at John 15:5!)

“I AM” WITHOUT PREDICATES …

John 8:24 … I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 8:28 … Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

John 8:58 … Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 18:4-6 … Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

In the Old Testament …

Exodus 3:14 … And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Psalm 22:6 … But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Psalm 109:4 … For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. (In Hebrew, “I AM PRAYER!”)

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I forgot to say very little in this current Lesson!

But do note this, please. It’s an Omission …

Jesus did NOT say, “I am the Water!”

Probably because He portrays the Holy Spirit to be the “Water” in Scripture. Let me show you what I mean.

John 7:37-39 … In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

The Holy Spirit is that River of Water flowing in our lives! And Jesus will not encroach upon the Spirit’s Domain, Ministry!

What a Saviour!

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If you care to see our last John Lesson …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Our Text, King James Version …

“20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

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Notice that the verb “to follow” is used twice with Peter, going back to verse 19. (What Peter is to do!)

Then see that the verb “abiding” is used twice describing John! (What John has been doing all along!)

Hence, I say that among the Disciples, Peter is NOT the more powerful one! NOT the one with more honor, either! In fact, God is no Respecter of persons, period! See Acts 10:34 for Bible proof.

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I thought this fact was worth reporting …

Jesus’ last Words in John … “Until I come!”

The very first Words in this Gospel, about Jesus … “In the Beginning!”

Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, that’s our dear Saviour!

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Jesus’ Words to Peter … “What is that to thee?”  In essence … Peter, mind your own business! Other Verses agree …

2 Corinthians 10:12 … For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Philippians 2:4 … Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5 … But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come …

1 Timothy 4:16 … Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

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If I have counted correctly, Jesus spoke to Peter seven times in this dialogue! One might call these “Jesus’ Seven Last Sayings to Peter!”

Three times about feeding God’s sheep, once about Peter’s some-day martyrdom, then the first command to follow, then the “Mind your own business” admonition, then the last “Follow Me” Invitation!

A seed thought for a Sermon or Sunday School lesson!

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There’s more, but it’s best to learn from the video!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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