Episode 41: Understanding the Second Coming: The Seven Churches- Part 1

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Preparing for Parousia: The Seven Churches- Part 1

Preparing for Parousia: The Seven Churches- Part 1

Angels who attended the Master’s ascension promised that the One

they loved more than any earthly friend would return someday never to

leave them again (see Acts 1:9-11).

Each one must have gazed up into the Savior’s fading eyes hoping He would come back in their lifetime. But the years passed, and one by one they all died as martyrs for their Lord . . . all

except one.

The apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his faith. The last

living of the 12, he must have spent many a contemplative hour wondering

what the future would hold for the people of Jesus in this world. Little did

John know that heaven had already chosen him as a medium through which

the remaining history of the church and the world would be revealed.

Jesus Our High Priest

It all happened one Sabbath day as John was engaged in meditation

and worship. Suddenly the aged apostle realized that he was not alone. He

heard a voice like a trumpet behind him. The identity of the supernatural

Person was unmistakable. “I am Alpha and Omega,” the Presence announced.

It was the Lord Jesus Christ. (You can read the amazing account

in Revelation 1:10-20.)

John was “overwhelmed.” So much so that he fell before the glorified Christ as a dead man.

He gives us a very detailed description of the One he saw.

Jesus appeared to John clothed in the familiar garments of a High Priest (compare Revelation 1:13 with Exodus 28:3-6). Not only was Jesus dressed like the High Priest of the Old Testament sanctuary service, but He also revealed Himself with imagery that depicted the sanctuary itself.

The sanctuary was divided into three basic parts: (1) the courtyard, (2) the

Holy Place, and (3) the Most Holy Place. In the courtyard was the altar of fine

brass on which the fires of sacrifice were kindled. In the Holy Place there was

the seven-branched candlestick, as well as the table of shewbread and the altar

of incense. And in the Most Holy Place was the chest-like ark containing the

Ten Commandment law, over which resided the visible presence of God in

the form of a brilliant light called the Shekinah Glory.

When John saw Jesus, He had “feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned

in a furnace” (Revelation 1:15). Place the feet of Jesus in

the courtyard of the sanctuary at the altar of brass. John says, “He had

in His right hand seven stars”. Place the right hand of Jesus in the Holy

Place at the seven-branched candlestick. Then he says, “His countenance was

as the sun shineth in his strength” (Revelation 1:16). Picture the radiant face

of Jesus in the Most Holy Place. By transposing the physical appearance of

Jesus, as John saw Him, over a layout of the sanctuary, we quickly see that

the images correspond perfectly.

Jesus wants us to become familiar with Him in the light of the

Old Testament sanctuary. The reason why is clear. The sanctuary was God’s

symbolic lesson book of the plan of salvation. From beginning to end, the

temple and its service were a representation of the coming Messiah and His

ministry for our salvation. As the altar of sacrific

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