THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Part 12
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ
~ ~ ~
The church in Ephesus was commended for she
persevered and endured hardships for The Name of The LORD and did not grow
weary (see Rev.2:3).
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we
will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Gal 6:9 NIV
The right to the Tree of Life is promised to the
overcomers (Rev 2:7). This tree is arrayed on the sides of the River of Life,
in the Paradise of God bearing twelve manner of fruits every “month” with
leaves for the healing of the nations (22:2).
We will enter through the pearly gates into the
celestial City to access the Tree of Life.
In Genesis 2:9, The LORD GOD planted the Tree of
Life in the middle of the Garden of Eden.
But when man sinned and disobeyed GOD, HE said:
"The man has now become like one of US, knowing good and
evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree
of life and eat, and live forever."
Gen 3:22
So The LORD GOD banished him from the Garden of Eden
(v.23). After HE drove the man out, HE placed on the east side of the Garden of
Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to
the Tree of Life (24).
Him who died and came to life again (2:8) is the
Alpha and the Omega (the ‘A’ and the ‘Z’)—the First and the Last—"Who is,
and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty" (1:8).
He Who has the sharp double-edged Sword (Rev. 2:12)
is the One Who made the mouth of Isaiah a sharp sword when He commissioned him
(Isa 49:2).
He makes war with the Sword of His mouth (Rev.
2:15), and with this same “Sword”—“the Spirit of His mouth,” and with the
brightness of His Presence He will vanquish “the lawless one” (II Thess. 2:8).
A proper look at Revelation 2:17 and 3:12 reveals
that The Lord will give a white stone with a new name written in it, to His
saints who are victorious. Also, we discover that He will meritoriously write
on each one of us, the NAME of GOD ALMIGHTY and the Name of the City of GOD,
the New Jerusalem.
It doesn’t just end there, He also has promised:
I will also write on [you] My New NAME!
The church in Smyrna was encouraged to fear nothing
that they were to suffer. The Lord revealed that the devil was indeed about to
throw some of them into prison, that their faith may be tested and proved, yet they
had to dismiss their dread and fears! Even in their affliction, Jesus expected
them to be loyally faithful unto death, and His promise is: “the crown of Life.”
This “crown of Life” is promised to all who love
Jesus—His special children who serve Him faithfully.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he
has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to
those who love Him.
James 1:12 NIV
But “the Great Multitude in white robes” that will
be killed in “the Great Tribulation” will be given white robes, as revealed in
‘the Seal of Martyrs’—the Fifth Seal (Rev. 6:9-11;7:9-17)
As of ‘the bridal saints’ of Christ who will be
whisked from the earth at Rapture, The Lord promises that by this He will keep
them safe from “the hour of trial” which is coming on the whole world to try
those who dwell upon the earth.
Since you have kept My Command to endure patiently, I will also
keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to
test those who live on the earth.
Rev 3:10 NIV
The Living Bible puts it this way:
"Because you have patiently obeyed Me despite the
persecution, therefore I will protect you from the time of Great Tribulation
and temptation, which will come upon the world
to test everyone alive.
The Rapture will be a reward for the faithful and
obedient who have guarded and kept God’s Word and held fast the Testimony of
Jesus in their lifetime.
Surely, all who overcome this world—including all
those who are victorious over “the beast” will not be hurt at all by “the
second death.”