Jesus-the One who Speaks to the Churches in Revelation

I was midway through my study on Jesus' message to the Revelation Churches when God prompted me to take a look at the Scriptures that defined the One who gave the words. Jesus. Prior to each letter, there is a short description about the One who speaks forth.

After all, my mind was set on learning about the people in the Churches; where they came from, what they were doing right or wrong. I had completely glossed over the One

who has the power over all things.

So today, I will take a look at Jesus. Albeit, a little late, but the Holy Spirit finally caught my attention. In the Book of Revelation, these letters end with these words; "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches"?

Holy Spirit, guide our hearts to listen.

"To the angel of the Church of Ephesus, (the Loveless Church) 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands.'" Revelation 2:1

We only have to go back to the first chapter in Revelation to dig a little deeper. For In chapter 1, verse 20 we read, "This is the meaning of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

Church, these letters are for us. Sent by His own heavenly messengers. I pray He gives us wisdom and understanding as to how to stand on His principles in todays' world.

Jesus is in your midst. He walks among us. He wanted the Church of Ephesus to know that. To remember He is with them. Scriptures remind us of this Truth, too.

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:6

Jesus holds all His angels, His church, in His RIGHT hand.

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand." Psalm 73:23

"So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right and and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

What is the significance of His right hand? The following Scriptures reveal more.

"Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy." Exodus 15:6

"The Lord's right hand is lifted high; the Lord's right hand has done mighty things."

Psalm 118:16

"Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him."Psalm 98:1

Psalm 18:35 You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me, your help has made me great.

To sum these verses up, the Lord's right hand is majestic. It shatters the enemy. It is lifted high. It accomplishes mighty things. It sustains me.

Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God. And He sits at this place of majesty and authority.

"The Lord says to my Lord; Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." Psalm 110:10

"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Acts 7:55

"Who (speaking of Jesus Christ) has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." I Peter 3:22

Let's look at the symbolism of the number seven. In Genesis, God created the heavens and the earth in 6 days and set aside the seventh day for rest and worship. In Exodus God commanded that His people rest on the seventh day. There is the Shemitah-the seventh year of rest every seven years. And the Jubilee Year-seven cycles of seven years. (Deuteronomy 25) The Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho for seven days-seven priests, seven times around the city. ( Joshua 6) We are to forgive seven times seventy. (Matthew 18:22 In the Book of Revelation alone, seven (or a version of) is mentioned more than fifty times. Seven seals. Seven angels. Seven trumpets. Seven bowls. Seven stars. Seven lamp stands. I'm sure you can find more sevens in the Bible.

Biblically it is said that seven is the perfect number, a sign of completeness. Revelation 1:4 opens with "Grace and peace from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness to thee things, the first to rise from the dead, and the commander of all the rulers of the world."

The sevenfold Spirit. The Spirit of the Lord. Wisdom. Understanding. Counsel. Power. Knowledge. Fear of the Lord.

This one verse (Revelation 2:1) about Jesus, the first one that I neglected in my study on the letters to the churches, holds so much meaning.

Jesus is everything that we need, every moment of every day. He addresses the Church of Ephesus by reminding them of this. He is the One who sends His angels to them, to remind them that He holds them in perfection and completeness. And in His right hand of power.

Dear Jesus, Your Word proclaims all these good things about You, yet we are prone to wander. Draw us back to that intimate place with You. The place where peace resides and strength abides. The place of power and might because You are the One who holds us.

Thank you for Your Holy Words that encourage us. Give us wisdom and understanding. In your mighty name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.