Revelation 1:9-18 – “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11 saying, ” Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; 13 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. 14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” NASU
Two key verses in this reading are verses 10 & 17. They hold great truth to help unlock the others. Have you ever noticed how much people enjoy relating pleasant experiences? People tell stories about trips they have taken, using glowing words and phrases to describe their enjoyment, excitement, and pleasure! Phrases such as: “The time of my life!” “Couldn’t have been better!” or “Colossal or Awesome!”
Also, we hear speeches, songs, concerts, sermons, stories, and happenings and say: “That was the best ever.” We have food and meals, which to us are so delightfully delicious that we declare them to be Heavenly! We have experiences and say things like: “I could stay here or have stayed there forever.”
In examining this passage of Scripture a thought comes to mind that I would like to share with you. This is something that is more wonderful than any and all of which I have described in the above paragraphs. I truly hope that you have ears to hear regarding this. I fully believe that the church of today is engaged in the greatest warfare of human history. Today, we are faced with enemies in areas many never dreamed would become reality. We are encountering pressures to a degree and at a rate above measure!
The Church, (Body of Christ) of today and its message is, being maligned and threatened, not only from the outside but from within the ranks of Christianity. Lies, innuendos, half-truths, and haphazard living are creating a crisis in the church!
I believe that it is time to expose the devil! It is time to pull back the veil and expose him for what he really is! It is time to reveal God for who He really is also! It is time to lift up the Name of Jesus like never before! I believe that God’s greatest desire for us is that we come to a life-changing knowledge of Jesus and experience the New Birth purchased for us at the Cross! He has no greater desire for mankind than that we become united with Him in full salvation and complete deliverance. He wants us to become what He has already declared us to be, overcomers!
I believe that His desire is for us to fully manifest that we have been transformed and are metamorphosing into His Image! He wants us to live as conquerors, pull down strongholds, and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and demonstrate a militant spirit storming the very gates of hell.
The Book of Hebrews 11:6 declares that “…he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
- God Is – – – – – – – – REALITY.
- God Does – – – – – -RELIABILITY.
- We Are – – – – – – – -RESTORATION.
John, the revelator, learned as did Paul, Moses, Elijah, and a host of others that is imperative for our spiritual health, growth, and life that we have times when we get “Shut In With God.” That is what I’m leading up to and want to discuss in more detail. I want to show you what I’m speaking of and the rewards of developing that time and experience in your life on a regular basis.
It is only in that relationship that the transforming, healing, restoring, and empowering of the Holy Spirit can take place. We have to come aside into the Holy Spirit’s abode and become shut in with God so that He might have our complete attention! Then, He can reveal Himself to us! Then, incredible and glorious things transpire in our hearts, minds, and lives when we reach that place of being truly SHUT IN WITH GOD!
- All of us need Eternal and External Help, we cannot go it alone.
- Satan is Relentless in both his desire and attempt to destroy and stop us.
- God’s Greatest & Ultimate Purpose for us is that we are Transformed into His Image. He desires to Reproduce His life in and through us.
- God has made Provision for us through His Word, Spirit, Prayer, and Covenant.
That is why I feel comfortable proclaiming that today’s greatest need for the believer is TO BE SHUT IN WITH GOD!
So, we will stop at this point today and pick up tomorrow and delve a little deeper into this subject, passage, and thought. May God instill a new and renewed hunger in your hearts for “alone time” with Him. So, as you go through your day may you walk in the abundance of peace and enjoy the presence of the Lord in a special and dynamic way. Blessings upon you!
Shut in with God in a secret place
There in the spirit, beholding His face
Gaining new power to run in this race
Oh, I love to be shut in with God
Roy's Covenant Corner 