Psalm 8:1.

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and called me over to Revelation 1. He noticed I was longing to see Him, so He took me to my favorite portrait of Him:

Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit … and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write … .

Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Revelation 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Revelation 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 1:19 Write …

Ever browse through a photo album and reminisce? In our family photos, I always look for Becky. The Bible is the Father’s family album, and my favorite pictures are those word sketches of His Son, my Saviour, Jesus! And this is my most favorite!

But I noticed something today I’ve missed. My attention is riveted on Him, but His attention is on His churches.

I’ve often remarked on how strange it is to me that John would turn to see the voice that spoke with him, and the first thing he noticed was the seven golden candlesticks. There stood in his presence one so glorious in His Person and presentation, how is it possible, I asked, that John would even notice the furniture? The answer is that the Spirit directed His attention to the golden candlesticks, representing the churches. But something occurred to me today that is an obvious spin-off from that earlier observation.

Jesus is introduced in this vision commanding John to write His letters to the seven churches (Revelation 1:11). John turns to see the voice that spoke, and his attention is directed to the representation of the churches. Verses 19-20 seal it:

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Revelation 1:20a The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.

The command to write is specifically focused on the Lord’s churches. There is no period at the end of verse 19. That means verse 20a identifies the subject of this book that John is commanded to write: “the mystery of the seven stars … and the seven golden candlesticks.” Part b of verse 20 explains clearly that the subject of the Revelation is the churches.

Revelation 1:20b “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”

I’m not sure why this did not occur to me before, but it was pressed upon my spirit this morning that this photo shows John looking at Jesus while Jesus was looking at him. My eye looks for Him in this picture; His eye looks for me, and you!

He stands in the “midst” of His churches, and His sword is sent forth from His mouth! It’s the Sword of the Spirit, the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).

While we walked together long the still waters, He commanded me to “take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” from His mouth and deploy it in our warfare as we “wrestle … against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Use the Scripture! Speak His words. “Teaching them (all nations) to observe all things whatsoever [He] has commanded” (Matthew 28:19-20). He promised: “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

In the valley, the voice of many waters spoke in regal authority: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). ‘Jerry,’ I heard the Spirit say, ‘you must always take up the Cross before you take the sword, or else the sword will take you.” Yes, Sir!

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy followed us into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

https://rumble.com/v6yi3ns-shepherds-pasture.html

PDF: https://baptistlighthouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ITS-ABOUT-HIS-CHURCH.pdf