Glimpse of Glory

Ron Meacock

Description

This daily devotional book provides one central thought for each Bible passage as a "primer, an encouragement, and thought provoker for a Christian's busy day."
The Biblical book of Revelation is a rich treasure trove for those who explore it. Revelation is equally exciting for the novice as for the expert of many years. It is a pool for a paddling baby or a swimming elephant. There is enough here for everyone. “A Glimpse of Glory” seeks to bring the exciting Biblical text of Revelation alive today. It encourages and supports Christians and non-Christians alike. It sets out to shed light on this ancient Biblical manuscript’s meaning from almost 2,000 years ago.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Biblical
• Biblical Commentary
• Philosophie et théologie
• Glimpse
• Understanding
• Evangelism
• Commentary
• Glory
• Revelation

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 31 août 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781664274204
• Langue: English

Extrait

GLIMPSE OF GLORY
Understanding Revelation
 
 
 
 
RON MEACOCK
 
 
 

 
Copyright © 2022 Ron Meacock.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
All scripture quotations are taken from the World English Bible. Public domain.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6642-7418-1 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-7419-8 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-7420-4 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022914077
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 08/19/2022
DEDICATION
This commentary is dedicated to Ms. Church and Ms. Butt, who shared their Christian witness with me as a child and to George Hoffman of Tear Fund. One day, we shall all see not just a glimmer but the fulness of God’s glory!
 
 
 
“I am deeply impressed with the detailed information provided. Excellent references to Christian and secular history interest the reader to dig deeper for their knowledge and understanding. This book is well worth reading. His unique perspective provides an excellent basis for study, discussion, and internalization.”
– Pastor Lionel A. Pye
“Glimpse of Glory” is an insightful, in-depth exploration of the book of Revelation that seeks to shed light on its context and give readers a better understanding of its true meaning.”
– WestBow Editing Team
“Glimpse of Glory” offers much that will help locate the complex imagery of Revelation in the life and experience of the early church and its broader historical and narrative context, making its complexities more accessible without diminishing their power. Moreover, it will help the reader understand how this biblical text has shaped, challenged, and envisioned the life of one who is an evangelist at heart.
– The Ven. Peter B Rouch
CONTENTS
Revelation’s Prophet John
Revelation’s Symbolic Colors
Revelation’s Devotional Numbers
1Revelation Words of Jesus
2Ultimate Purpose of Jesus
3Reader Blessings
4The Eternal God
5Eternal Lord Jesus
6Son of Man
7Death and Hades’ Keys
8First Love Jesus
9Paradise Tree of Life
10Faithful Smyrna Church
11Roman Emperor Augustus
12The White Stone
13Your Woman Jezebel
14The Morning Star
15Degenerate Sardis City
16Philadelphia Brotherly Love
17Philadelphia Endures Patiently
18Laodicea’s Lukewarm Faith
19Rich Laodicea City
20Heaven’s Open Door
21Twenty-Four Elders
22Four Living Creatures
23Seven-Sealed Scroll
24Jesus Slain Lamb
25New Praise Song
26Creature Praise Songs
27Four Apocalypse Horsemen
28Black Horse Apocalypse
29White Robed Martyrs
30The Seal Mark
31Great Throne Multitude
32Temple Court Throne
33Heaven’s Glowing Coal
34The Censer Angel
35Great Star Blazing
36Abyss Locust Demons
37Destroyer Locust Demons
38Two Hundred Million Troops
39Cloud Robed Angel
40Sweet Little Scroll
41Two Witnesses Prophesy
42Life After Death
43Jerusalem City Earthquake
44Throne Room Elders
45Heavenly Birth of Jesus
46Michael’s Angels Fight
47Woman Gives Birth
48Roman Empire Beast
49Lamb’s Book of Life
50Second Earth Beast
51Father’s Name Written
52Angel’s Midair Flight
53Patient Endurance
54Earth Harvest Sickle
55Seven Last Plagues
56Seven Avenging Angels
57Seven Wrath Bowls
58Fourth Angel Curse
59Three Frog Spirits
60The Great Prostitute
61Roman Christian Persecution
62Seven Roman Emperors
63God’s Great Purpose
64Babylon’s Doom Song
65Self-Centered People
66Ancient Roman Luxury
67Roman Silver Dishes
68Roman Ship Captains
69Babylon’s Destruction
70Hallelujah Praise Shout
71Lamb’s Marriage Supper
72Jesus King of Kings
73Beast Nero Resurrected
74Devil Abyss
75Jesus Christ’s Martyrs
76Great White Throne
77Renewed Heaven and Earth
78Jesus Alpha and Omega
79Jerusalem City Cube
80Jerusalem City Temple
81The Tree of Life
82Promised Blessings
83Reject Magic Arts
84Come Spirit Bride
85Lord Jesus Come
Final Words
About the Author
An Evangelist’s Story
Gospel at the Forefront
Additional Resources
REVELATION’S PROPHET JOHN
Revelation’s prophet John is writing to us from c90-95 AD. An early part of John’s Gospel from c135 AD gives us this date. Papyrus Forty-Six describes Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7) and mentions that a man in Christ fourteen years ago went up to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2). This reference sounds very much like John of Patmos’ revelation. John wrote his Gospel after the other Gospels.
Revelation’s contents divide into ten segments.
• Introduction (Rev. 1:1—20).
• Seven Letters (Rev. 2:1—3:22).
• Heavenly Throne Room (Rev. 4:1—5:14).
• Seven Seals (Rev. 6:1—8:1).
• Seven Trumpets (Rev. 8:2—11:19).
• Seven Signs (Rev. 12:1—14:20).
• Seven Bowls (Rev. 15:1—19:5).
• Coming Again (Rev. 19:6—20:15).
• New Jerusalem (21:1—22:5)
• Conclusion (Rev. 22:6—21).
These writings were on papyrus, a material similar to brown paper as a writing surface. Workers produced it from the pith of a wetland grass-like plant, Cyperus papyrus . Tomb paintings on it are trendy today as tourist keepsakes from Egypt, and my wife and I have four of them on the walls of our home.
Many Biblical Scholars identify Revelation’s writer as John, the son of Zebedee, one of the disciples of Jesus. The early church leaders, Justin Martyr, 1 Irenaeus, 2 Melito of Sardis, 3 and Clement of Alexandria, 4 also believed the author to be John the Evangelist, a close friend of Jesus.
Scholars confirm John of Patmos was also the author of John’s Gospel and John’s Epistles. He called himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and spoke fondly of his Lord and Savior. Communicating to us through his scribe Prochorus from his cave on the Greek prison Isle of Patmos, he reveals divine truths to us today and our destiny tomorrow.
Students know John by many titles and sometimes refer to him as John the Evangelist, John the Divine, John the Elder, John the Presbyter, or the apostle John. In this study of Revelation, I will use “John of Patmos” in “Glimpse of Glory” to refer to John. He was a prophet and visionary and bound by an oath in Revelation to write down only what he saw, nothing more and nothing less. He was faithful in that task, even though he did not always understand what he was describing.
John of Patmos gives us a clue in Revelation about why we are born and our eternal destiny! We are shown the radiant Jesus in all his glory in the heavenly realms speaking to his church through graphic word pictures. We all need to seek the Lord’s glory in our lives. We are reminded of the Battle Hymn of the Republic by the American poet, author, and abolitionist Julia Ward Howe.
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.” 5
“In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that t ransfigures you and me.
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.”
This magnificent song was one of Winston Churchill’s favorites and was sung at his funeral in 1965. Manchester United and other soccer fans still sing it as an anthem during their matches.
Warren Carroll 6 writes that church leaders worldwide at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD confirmed that John, the disciple Jesus loved, was Revelation’s author. The Christian Emperor Constantine financed and arranged the council meeting and made a ceremonial entrance at its opening in early June 325 AD. Eusebius described Constantine as “proceeding through the assembly like some heavenly messenger, clothed in glittering raiment with rays of light, reflecting the glowing radiance of his purple robe, and adorned with the brilliant splendor of gold and precious stones.” 7
John of Patmos’ name means “ God has been gracious.” After being plunged into a vat of boiling oil and miraculously surviving, the authorities banished him to the Island of Patmos! To this day, icons bearing his image show a scar down one side of his head and face. He was the only one of the apostles of Jesus who lived a