John received an important message from Jesus Christ. It was a message to the churches. It was a message to the churches in Asia and it is still a message to the churches around the world today.

We can spend precious time arguing about this message or we can breathe it in and make it part of us today – become more aware of what is up ahead for believers today and in the future to come. It is becoming more real to us each day as we are surrounded by activities – good and bad – true and false – confusion in the clouds about us.

Revelation 1:4-8:

John’s Greeting to the Seven Churches:

This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—
even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” (NLT)

This was the unveiling of the future; a glimpse into the future through Jesus Christ, by an angel sent to John. And a reminder that Jesus Christ will be returning! In the clouds!

Is it not amazing that even earthbound; we have a cloud in the sky? We store things in that cloud! We are surrounded by clouds!

What about the sevenfold Spirit?

Isaiah 11:2:

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
(ESV)

This sevenfold references the ministries of the Holy Spirit: Of the Lord; of wisdom and understanding; of counsel and might; and of knowledge and fear of the Lord.

Jesus Christ was the shoot from the stump of Jesse. And he is reminding John about God Almighty, Jesus Christ, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Keep your eyes upon Jesus. Don’t focus upon the cray-cray that surrounds you. But remember, who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for us. Allow him to reveal a little more of the future up ahead.

These are exciting times! Stay tuned!

Heavenly Father, what blessings we have received from you. The gift of salvation, purchased by the blood of your Son, Christ Jesus. Father, we are surrounded by clouds in so many ways; help us to focus upon the real clouds; the real clouds that will reveal your Son. Help us to not find ways to argue about these revelations, but look to you for wisdom and knowledge. Thank you, Father, for all that you have done for us. I love you, Lord. I ask this in Christ Jesus’ name, Amen.