The book of Revelation is the unveiling of the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus and his message are fully revealed and introduced. Jump in with Dr. Paula for this "opening scene" that gives the reader focus, hope, encouragement, and splendor. Be sure to visit drpaulamcdonald.com, and click on the tab, "Exhale Bible Discovery Weekly Podcast Study Guides" to download your self-study guide and follow along.

Welcome to exhale Bible discovery. Each week we'll take a deep dive into the Bible going line by line and chapter by chapter to discover the truths that God has for us in His Word.

So the second name that's given to Christ in this first, it's called the firstborn from the dead. This speaks to Jesus's standing as a pre eminent among all beings, that he is the first in priority. The firstborn from the dead means much more than Jesus was the first person resurrected. It also means he is preeminent among all those who are or will be resurrected in the future. Jesus is the firstborn among many brethren, Romans 829. Jesus defied death, and provides those who accept Him into life with him. So we are no longer dead in our sins. And the third name, he's given in that verses ruler of the kings of earth, Jesus will ultimately rule the earth when he returns. This is a promise that we can count on. So the second part of verse five and into six continues with to him who loves us, and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and a priest to serve his God and Father, to Him be glory, and power forever and ever. There is a lot packed into that, that verse and into six. So let's break it down. So the love of Christ, His love is secure for believers. Romans five eight says, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Next, it says, We are freed from our sins, and by His love, we are forgiven of our sins, and the word freed implies that it is done. And when we receive Jesus, our sins are released. This love, though came at a price, the precious blood of Jesus through his blood, we are washed clean from the dirtiness and the filth of sin. Psalm 51, seven, Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. And remember, hyssop was used also at the cross. It was used in the Mosaic Law, back in the day for cleansing, and its connection to the cross becomes a powerful symbol of a new covenant. And you can go into Exodus 12, to really look at more information about hyssop and how it was used. The next part is, he made us to be a kingdom with Christ, we are part of His royalty in his new kingdom, we will reign along with him. And then he says we are to be priests. and a high priest has very specific duties. And so we are now the priests of Christ in this New Covenant. Each of us is consecrated as a priest. And this means the official ordaining of all, a person to be a pastor, priest or missionary, which is each and every one of us as believers, y'all we all have the right and the authority to read, to interpret and to apply the teachings of the Bible. So wanted to go and just look at some of the duties of a priest in the Old Testament. In Leviticus 10. It says to teach the people to serve as judges to resolve controversy, which means trying to work to maintain peace, to offer sacrifices, which means to give your time, your resources and talents to assess impurity, to cast out what is evil and not of God. To burn incense, which this signifies prayers that are being lifted to heaven as pleasing to God. We are to bless the people and we bless others when we bring them the good news of Christ. The priests were to keep the tabernacle and this is where God dwells within You. So you're supposed to keep it. Healing and anointing in the power of the Holy Spirit, y'all. We have amazing abilities in Him and through Him for healing and anointing. We have to believe it, and we have to claim it. They are also to take care of the altar, the lamps and the Showbread. Y'all This is such an indicative verse, which now points to us our body. We are the altar in the temple of God. And so we've got to care for it. The priests also prepared the holy things for each day's journey. Well, that can mean for us, we need to stay prayed up and ready.

And then the priests were to continue the sacred fire? And how do we do that today? By keeping Christ's message the main thing in your life? Finally, the priests were to blow the trumpets, y'all. That means we got to blow out our lungs and tell others about Him. We really are we are considered a priests in his kingdom. Did you know that? You should and when you fully embrace this, it's a game changer. It is a responsibility and an honor. Alright, moving into verse seven, which points to the coming of Christ, Look, he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced him and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be. And here we find the Old Testament foretelling of this verse, As we read, when Jesus returns, there will be no doubt about what is happening. Every I will see him, even those who pierced him. No matter if you believed in Christ or not. Everyone, even the naysayers will know exactly who it is when this time happens. And those who denied him, will no doubt be grieving terribly. As they recognize that in that instant, they were wrong, and their entire lives have been lived in vain. So the truth bomb, Jesus reveals Himself to us, his priests, we are his priests, and we are to a point to teach and to lead others to him and your call to action. As a priest for Christ, what roles are you fulfilling for the Kingdom? Okay, the second part is Jesus's message is revealed in this is Revelation 183 20. Verse eight is the response by god of the first seven verses, I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord, who is and was and who is to come the Almighty. Here again, we see three titles that God uses to proclaim who he is. He says, I am the deity of God. Exodus 314, God revealed Himself to Moses as I am,

a lot like the waves upon the shore. In verse 16, it says in his right hand, he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. The Seven Stars point to the leaders or the seven churches, the stars are securely in the hands of Jesus. And seven is the number of completion. And it reminds me of the song. He's got the whole world in His hands. While the sharp double edged sword represents different types of swords that were used. Back in those days, there was a large, powerful sword used to kill, and then a smaller one for more precise jobs. And we know words are known to have power. And most believe this is a metaphor, pointing to the fact that Christ's words mean business. He does not mince his words, his words are truth. And he means what he says. And then we see his face, like the sun shining in all its brilliance. And remember, when Moses came down from the mountain after having seen God, his face was so brilliant that he had to wear a veil. So imagine the reincarnated Christ when He returns in all of his brilliance. John 812 says, I am the light of the world. Verse 17, when I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. And then he placed his right hand on me and said, Do not be afraid. I am, the first and the last. So as we go through this description of Christ, I can imagine it had to be overwhelming, spectacular, and even a bit frightening. Being present with the reincarnated Christ, in His heavenly glory, will be something that will cause anyone to see him to be so stunned that they will fall prostate on the floor like John did. And then next, I just love, love, love this part of the verse. Jesus placed his right hand on John, and he reminded him to not be afraid, our compassionate and precious and powerful Lord and Savior saw John's trembling body laying on the floor. And he reached out to him to assure him that all was well. This mighty shining Body of Christ took the time to touch John, and to calm his fears. He reminds John that He is the first and the last key is the Christ. And in verse 18, he says, I am the living one, I was dead. And now look, I am alive forever and ever. And I hold the keys of death of Hades, of death and Hades. And here, he is reminding us that he is alive and well. He was resurrected, and from now on, he will live forever. Only in Christ, do we find life or death, heaven or hell, it's our choice. He alone holds the keys. And it is only through him that we find everlasting life. Verse 19, right there for what you have seen what is now and what will take place later. And this is another emphasis to John. As we saw in the beginning of this chapter, we are reminded to do something especially directly from Christ himself. So this is a major clue that this is important to do. And so this verse is really a mini outline of the entire book of Revelation. What have you seen is from chapter one, the reincarnated Christ, what is now chapters two through three, which is the state of the churches. And then what will take place later, the rest of the chapters from three through 20. Future Events, are actually four through 20. Verse 20, then says the mystery of the seven stars that you saw on my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands is this, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Jesus doesn't leave John in a state of confusion, as he tells them exactly what the message being revealed is truth bomb. Majestic, Jesus reveals to us his plans for his future return. And your call to action is, how are you planning for his return? And what are you doing to prepare for it?

So in summary, the stage is now set, Jesus in His glory has come to tell us the rest of the story, buckle up as we leave chapter one, and head into the most important revelation of your life. Next week, we'll head into Chapter Two as we read about the first four of the seven churches. So my summary sentence is this, Jesus reveals Himself and His message to mankind. And so your journaling questions How will you apply these truths? Number one, how has Jesus revealed Himself to you personally? Number two, what will you do today to read here and take to heart what you are learning? Number three, as you reflect on the seven fold aspects of the Holy Spirit, how does this impact your life? In four? What are your thoughts as a believer that you are a priest? Which priestly duties are you doing? And number five, describe your thoughts of how Jesus is described by John and number six, as Jesus reached out and touch John to comfort him? How have you been comforted by Jesus in your own life? Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you so much for this book of Revelation. Thank you for revealing it to us. Thank you for opening it to us. And thank you for the privilege of learning and the privilege of learning with these amazing Christian brothers and sisters and it's in Your Son's name we pray, amen. Be sure to visit my website Dr. Paula McDonald comm click on podcast and then exhale Bible discovery for self study guides and resources to support you with each episode.