In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of the number seven as a symbol of completeness. He describes how John saw Jesus Christ among the seven congregations, with a face shining brighter than the sun and eyes like blazing flames of fire. John's encounter with Jesus caused him to fall down in fear. The preacher emphasizes the importance of remembering our calling and promises to God, as many believers struggle to make spiritual progress due to forgetting what God has spoken to them.

Shall we begin? Let's pray. We thank you Lord for this opportunity that you've granted us that we may gather together at your feet. That we will take after Mary and not after Martha. That we would sit at your feet listening to what you have to say. Be with us now Lord, be in our midst. By your grace. We'll begin by reading our text. Revelation 1 and verse 19. Write therefore what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. I like the English translation which says, the one who hears it and takes it to his heart. This book is the revelation which John saw. John was already old. Most of the disciples of our Lord Jesus had already passed away from this world. All of the disciples were martyrs. They were killed for the gospel. But church history tells us that John was the only one who wasn't killed for his faith. And this was approximately 90 years or 95 years after the birth of Christ that this took place, that he wrote this book. John was persecuted for the gospel's sake. But he persevered. Persecuted by the Roman government, by the Roman Empire which ruled the whole known world of that time. But John didn't stop preaching God's word. He didn't stop testifying. And then John, because of his testimony, because of his stand, was sent into exile to the isle of Patmos. One of the emperors of France, Napoleon, was sent to St Helena, also in exile. He was sent into exile all on his own until he died there. Now John was also sent into exile to the isle of Patmos, not because of being a criminal, not because of political reasons, but because of the word of God and because of his testimony about Jesus Christ. Don't think that you'll automatically receive a reward just because you suffer. Maybe you suffer because of being a criminal, you're a thief. Or because of being lazy. No, you'll only receive a reward if you suffer for the witness of Jesus Christ. There are many who say, well, we suffer, we are like Lazarus, and therefore we'll just automatically go to heaven. No, that's no guarantee that because you suffer you'll go to heaven just because the dogs come and lick your wounds. You'll only go to heaven because of Jesus Christ. There are many who will suffer in this world as well as in the world to come. John suffered because of his witness of Jesus Christ, because of the word of God, and that is why they hated him. They told him, they forbid him to preach and to testify, they threatened him, and yet he just persisted and persevered. And it's not only him, there were many at that time and also after that who were persecuted for their faith. And that's why he wrote in the same chapter in verse 9, I John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus. So you are blessed if you are persecuted, if you suffer for the sake of the gospel. You are blessed, great is your reward in heaven if you suffer for the sake of the gospel. And so John, as an old man, was sent into exile to the island of Patmos. It wasn't a very pleasant atmosphere and climate there, it was a rocky island, it was terribly hot. And he was parted from the brethren, parted from the churches, they wept and those that were parted from him, they wept. And his enemies thought by doing this, they are now wiping out the gospel from the face of the earth. Instead, it didn't happen, even though the enemy intended that which was evil, God intended that which was good. Always understand and grasp that even though Satan wants to bring about that which is evil in your life, God will use it for the good. While he was there in exile on the island and they thought, well that's the end of his matter. Jesus himself came to visit him and showed him this amazing revelation of things to come. And as Jesus revealed himself to him, he said to him, John, write down everything that you have seen. Everything that is. What is now and also that which will take place later. That which will take place after this, later. All that which you have seen and in the verses prior to this, we read about that which John saw. John said he saw somebody with a loud voice, the voice like a trumpet behind him. A voice that spoke to him. And he turned around to see who this person was who addressed him. And then he saw seven golden lampstands. And amongst these lampstands was somebody and it seemed to him like the Lord Jesus Christ. Like a son of man. Amongst these seven golden lampstands. These seven golden lampstands are symbolical of the church of Jesus Christ, of his congregations. These were the seven congregations amongst which John ministered. In western Asia, Ephesus, Sardis, all those different congregations. Now seven, the number seven is symbolical of that which is complete. In other words, these seven congregations represented the church of Jesus Christ universally. And so John saw Jesus Christ amongst his congregations. With his face shining brighter than the radiance of the sun. Just imagine a face shining like that as the sun shining in all its brilliance. And his eyes were like blazing flames of fire. Now we don't have time to explain all of it but when you're at home you can go and read about it. But as John saw the Lord Jesus in his appearance as he appeared amongst these congregations, he became fearful and he fell down like a dead person. John knew the Lord Jesus. He used to be together with him, close to him, resting his head on his breast. He would always refer to himself as the disciple, the one dearly loved by the Lord. He would always live for him and he preached the gospel. But when he saw him there as he appeared, he fell at his feet as though dead. Not that he didn't know Jesus, he knew him. I don't know what the reason was why he fell down as though dead before him. Whether he was shocked by the appearance of the Lord Jesus. Whether perhaps he realised, my, is our Lord like this when he's amongst these churches. These days there's a Dutch reformed minister who would very often phone me. Asked me whether I could be with him today in his church. And then I apologised and said it's not yet possible for me. For certain reasons. He said I so wished that you could come. He said is it really not possible for you to come and be there on the Sunday referring to today. I said well I'm very sorry. I don't want to promise but the Lord willing perhaps on another day I'd be able to come. I don't want to promise but the Lord willing perhaps on another day I'd be able to come. He said I cannot explain to you what's happened to me, what's come over me in my church, in my congregation. He said if you would see the state of the church, if you would see the state of the young people, the youth. The way in which they're living, the way in which they get dressed. It's as if the world has come like a flood and swamped the church. He said come and help me to fight this battle because Satan is entering at will and destroying the church of God. And the worst of this young people that it's you that is bringing the devil into the church. I said brother forgive me but the Lord willing I'd remember you and perhaps come at another time. So things are in a terrible state amongst the Christians in the church today. And Jesus said to John write down all that which you have seen and this is what he saw and it caused him to fall down as though dead. I don't know how you and I would have reacted if we would have seen Jesus like that. John write that which you have seen. And so John was faithful in that. He wrote it down. He kept it safe that it wouldn't go lost. That you and I could read it today. That we can hear it and take it to heart. All that what you have seen. This is a great matter this of seeing. But we'll return back to that just now. Write therefore what you have seen and what is now. That which he saw you find in verses 1 to 18. And also that which is now. What is now referred to those seven congregations. And we read about that in chapters 2 and 3. What existed was the church of Ephesus. The church in Ephesus which left its first love. It was a church that was on fire. But their love was no longer as fervent as it was at the beginning. But it was busy cooling down. One of the churches thought that they were wealthy. That they lacked nothing. And that everything was fine. And Jesus said don't you realize that you are poor, pitiful, and naked. And so Jesus said to John. John write first of all about that which you have seen. And then secondly about that which is now. The situation at present. And then also write about that which will take place later. And then as from chapter 4 we read about that which is to come. Where God took John into the heavens so to say. Into the heavens. And he showed him there about the things, the heavenly things. And he saw God who is the creator who rules over all the earth. Now I want to take this and apply it to us. If God would say to you write all that which you have seen. What is it that you have seen up till now? When John and Peter and them were forbidden to continue preaching and speaking about the name of the Lord Jesus. And speaking about the word of God and his testimony. And then they said to those elders. They said to them now you judge for yourself. Whom we should obey. God or you. And they said but for us we cannot stop speaking about that which we have seen and heard. Now I want you to listen very carefully. There is something that John had seen. And Jesus said to him write that down, record it. And John and Peter said there is something that we have seen. And we cannot stop speaking about that and testifying about it. Now I am going to stop speaking about John. I mentioned to you that which John saw. That which existed at the present time. And that which was going to be. And I really just touched the hem of the garment, the fringe of the matter. But now today I would like to speak to you personally. Not to the person next to you. Not to your neighbour. But to you. Is there something in your life up to now that Jesus has shown you? Is there something that you have seen? Is there something in the past that Jesus has spoken to you and shown you? That would cause you to say like Peter and John. We cannot stop preaching and testifying about that which we have seen and heard. What is there that Jesus has already shown you? That which pertains to heaven. That which pertains to the Lord Jesus. Has the Lord Jesus ever spoken to you? Has the Lord Jesus ever revealed himself to you? Is there anything that Jesus has ever spoken to you in the past? Maybe while you were still a young child. Or maybe as you are at present a school child. Or maybe you are a husband or a wife. Man or woman. Or has he never spoken to you? Is there nothing that God has ever spoken to you or shown you in your life? Well if you say there is nothing. Then I say well now I understand why your life is as it is. It is dark and there is no light. There is no life in you. Your life. That is why your life is just like a wild beast. Or like the cattle. Or like a dog. Because if you would speak to them and say is there anything that God has shown you or spoken to you. Well there is nothing. But I trust. That with the majority of you. That there is something that God has spoken to you. And he has spoken to you perhaps through your child being ill. Or maybe through you suffering. Or maybe through an accident. Or whatever manner God used. And remember perhaps at that time you also made promises to God. And you promised him and you said oh God. If you would deliver me from this predicament. If you would save me out of this mess. Or this problem that I am experiencing. Whatever it might be. Then I will do this and this for you. You made promises to God. And today I say write down those promises. And you have got to pay your debt that you have towards God. If you write it down. You don't easily forget. You don't easily lose it. Because you can always go back to it. And remind yourself of that which God spoke to you. Have you never heard Jesus saying to you. Follow after me. Follow me. Maybe through a word that you heard in the service. But perhaps you have forgotten that. But you will remember it. On the day when you die. Or perhaps when you stand before Jesus. After you have died. He will remind you of that. We are blessed today. Because of John. Faithfully writing this down. For our sakes. And we can read about it today. About how it was at that time. And what he saw. How it was going to be. And we are blessed through that. There are some believers. Some Christians. Who just don't make any progress spiritually. Why? Why? It is because they have forgotten. What God spoke to them. They didn't record it. They didn't write it down. They have forgotten their promises. Where they said Lord I will serve you. They have forgotten their calling. I will serve you. And I will come to you. I will come to you. I will come to you. God will tell you. That he will come to you. You will go to him. And he will come to you. Maybe you have debts. And you remember those. Maybe it is going difficultly with maybe you're suffering in some way or another and you're remembering that but you don't remember your calling you don't remember that which you've promised God these other things are busy trampling underfoot that which God spoke to you and that's why I say let us remember that which we have seen that which the Lord has shown us that we would as it were recorded in our hearts and minds some the C4 course we go on some way we are good there's a run and tell it is a number home seven they say yeah tell a good look maybe you're suffering in some way maybe your work oppresses you in some way maybe you're ill in some manner forget that what will you say when you appear before Jesus in this appearance with his eyes of blazing fire and his face shining like the Sun what will you say to him perhaps you regretted it on that day will you say oh that which was worthless I wrote those things down I remember that but that which was of utmost importance I forgot no my law could just a cool me go away good swing on who come in and it's a man for who she's like Lanka no more we are cool I would tell you telling you now that which Jesus has spoken to you is it seed eaten by the birds is it being choked by the thorns is it being scorched by the sun or is it growing and is it very much fruit maybe one could even say eaten up by the rats no my little punch we compose a knock on cool uncle I would show him good fun a little good thing in phase a or have you written it down have you reminded yourself this is what God has spoken to me I've got to be obedient I've got to do it come below moon you moon to guess on 1966-67 a figure to cooling from DC cool cool cool woman I'm what I'm here yeah they all know so to give a tail and what is I'm not good formula and when Zanka got to Jesu who been busy liquor I remember a certain man who came to me around around about 66 67 and said to me that God had spoken to him God had called him to go to the city and to tell the people there about the logies but he said I've got no peace anymore because I didn't do it I wasn't obedient but it have we got the hope to enter heaven with our disobedience Saladin for one console yeah I'm from me so to a cool a gala give me time for booty good to do a nice name John right now that's the money I said I'm a seven on his what you have seen remind yourself of that what does the Lord shown you and if there's nothing stay behind after the service and ask somebody to pray with you and say well I'm closed I'm shut up spiritually I'm dead spiritually and there are demons in my ears that I can't hear remember right down that which you have seen which is a circle me look this is the roundest around who may lay in on a low a stale a good day morning would have been good for us to close the service now and then to go through the rows starting on this side that each person would tell us what is it that they have seen yeah I'm reminding you that that which Lord Jesus has shown you he'll remind you about that again you remember that because he's going to come back and you get a point lokala loco oh cool now let me leave the first point what is now how we boogie below yahoo gucci Johnny much look at your life and see what its present condition is look at your present condition look at your daily life what you keep yourself busy with and write it down it would be good that after this service you go and write down what your present spiritual condition is look on is the first love there is it burning 13 daba yeah my bad guys come peace we cut any Sena born is standard suck born in pillow yak who could hit Johnny take your life and compare it to the condition of the seven churches and see where you fit in because that which you write down has to correspond with a Bible with God's Holy Word if it doesn't according to God's Word it's just rubbish what is your present condition that which is now and this present state you are in Oh Abba fundi see by the Korea the ministers of Korea but y'all boy I wasn't going to be get well I get he is about to call Nana I said brother can't you please come there to us in Korea and also start a question about a mission day I was in figure food is about to bid or go more yeah that's what I found is a no Charlie Harvey she Charlie's into who's went from sevens go by Bantu baggy T by our football as a can't you please come and teach them spiritual truths and also come and teach them just how to be able to plant something and to look after themselves materially because our people are perishing because of poverty was a way of comfort oh my bonobo to go to the coon a ring to see you said won't you please come to Cambodia if you would see the state of the people there your heart would break I said that which you are busy doing here it's exactly that which we need over there I said well I can't divide myself I said we don't have the manpower but you must be taught about it is about to miss ballet teller never fundisana and asked if we would send our people to you over here would you teach them I said that's fine you can do that if you'd like to do who's really gone from DC open Shiloh Kingo it is a young gain kubo nabasha be bonds you heard what I mentioned about the minister who found me and said that the world is coming in like a flood through the young people into the church your present spiritual state what you are like would you be able to write down that you are in the spirit John said that when he saw this revelation on the Lord's Day he was in the spirit ballet loco kona Mike MP when young yoga moja right what is now at present this very moment in your life your spiritual life we're gonna take a cool who shall I give you a listen to there's something that's stirred my heart and it's remaining with me in these days cotton a goose I've heard it long ago got a good pain don't sell a leg and I listen to but in these days I'm just reminded in you of it but he boner have I calculate a little but oh my way now call Christ all my souls are all moon to oh yeah go nyaka 365 days those who calculate to say that if you as a would win just one soul in one year and 365 days winning a cool look umpef moolah water who's who's a gang are we gone yeah I'm gay so get a good John Warrick who's a goober the same is that asking for too much for you just to win one soul right from January until December oh my Lord along with Christ and I'm so sorry I don't go nyaka if each Christian would only win one person in a year we so much I had to a good taste lead one person to Jesus Christ now go nyaka sayu who's also yet lunch and then the following year you do the same you just win one person again to Jesus no no Zuzila umphun de se a zoo there oh moon you 40 go nyaka and then you teach that person whom you have won to the Lord that he should also go and just win one person in a year and then in 33 years the age of our Lord Jesus Christ when he was on earth we would have every soul in this world every soul can you imagine that just one soul Oh Christians are asleep and if they don't awake they're in their sleep they'll end his people and his disciples go into all the world right to the end and make disciples teach them all that I have taught you but well if he couldn't teach you well then one can understand that you're a blind one and that you are in darkness and when you are bound hands and feet one day and cast out you just go to your rightful place in course you chase you yeah but y'all have a foodie if you've got no paper and pen here you can write it down when you're at home we've just finished a year how many souls have you led to Christ in 2002 now we barely we barely pan see in purple moon yes is a God when I'm trying to say schooling and it is in England is a school cool as in God is a school Zing I know yet no more 365 days what I'm not a good team we think I'm a good test because what do you do when you don't feel it would dead how many souls have you led to Jesus Christ you as a schoolchild how many of you led to Jesus whereas have these 365 days passed by and they've been too few for you to lead one soul to Jesus what can I say of you if it's like that that you did you spiritually barren maybe work at school as a teacher how many pupils have you led to Jesus last year write down their names and number them count them how many there are some bonus figure equally normal sevens a stall figure about about ten guy who Bob on Calabro bond of a intervene Taka Banga key oh by seal a good chance or not maybe you're a nurse maybe you work in a shop amongst all those those multitudes of people that you are in contact with daily that come to you how many have you led to Jesus come to a feeling it's a bang I'm not in a hurry I've got time now I want to know from you how many thoughts did you know lead to Christ in your last year you want to face Christ with empty hands so I'll eat a year old mood medley a hundred knee in seal carrot in a failure they are what does he just look it's to who is he just look at to stunt what's your spiritual condition if you didn't bring one soul to Christ I'm sorry that I've got to preach to you this week I said God may be I forbid you to come I said no service you go and do what you're supposed to do I don't want to preach corpses people that I sleep I speak to them and they don't hear what a disgrace I don't want to be like you they let me rather go to Korea getting a cat to go by naysayers a beauty when they say Benji as in Kulu man is in beauty woman I love a baby I might miss a look what happened to me so come back in Jaila sing and so cold when I dip in Dhaka oh God and if you don't want to hear when I say to your friend pack your bags and leave say goodbye I'm determined to rather be here with two co-workers that are on fire for God serving together with them then two thousand who are like dead dogs that one has to sleep alone I'll attain more just with those few fire for God and if you don't do that maybe the day will come when I will plead that you should go and even come and pack your bags for you I don't want anybody that's not on fire for God and who doesn't want to go the way that I go Banga go super Zuzy so good 2003 or 2002 or 2001 Banga we are sung on a band we are all cannibal insulin Bunga people have a bond those who could kill a novel whereby is a good chance you know it's now 2003 how many did you went to the Lord in 2002 and what about 2001 the previous five years or the previous ten years there are many people that you get into contact with they're your neighbors and other people up with how many of them have you knelt down that they surrendered their lives to Christ if I believe till a live and really think what should I say swing long oh my sunshine yes we all get down in dot on your moody oh boy the Bible says that this gospel needs to be preached to all nations to the ends of the earth and once it's been preached to every nation the Son of Man will return but he loves me don't go to Christ as who's oh yeah don't go knock minding it him gone wrong cool on yoga who's who's a banga now would that be too difficult no they say if only each Christian would win one soul to Jesus each year now friend in this posture how many have you led to Christ when you kind of a lean in forgotten in yard so yes it's good for us Sacramento best to be shifted fast must do that's toast to that's to meet a Nefaro her own seed I neglected his diner I might think what when the hope that I have a nice talk about yes it's a nice Sunday when you think I'm Chris Nance what are you busy with if you haven't even won one soul to the Lord are you maybe just sitting around with your wife is your job your career is that your God that you're worshiping it's a disgrace even to call yourself a Christian if you if that which is of prime importance isn't the most important in your life there is a second I came in a little hand on him now I'll see now I'll be now see me now see me I'll be now see you feel sort of that you are correct of India's of clear limit the Lord Jesus said go into all the world and go to all the nations not just your own nation how many blacks how many Indians have you already won to the Lord I think it's a disgrace if every Sunday you sit in church and you're not leading one soul to Jesus Christ if you can't then come assist the person who came and say when the soul for me but if you don't do it you must be as dead as it did as a church mouse many who complain and I can read to you of people that say I'm suffering I'm in darkness I'm troubled I don't have peace but there's nobody there's no Christian who helps me to get out of it and I will accuse the church because of it what are you busy with are you leading people to Satan are you strengthening them in that in Zimba Linda in Zimba Maya out by the pants loco corner and be doing yak open the guy in pillion yak our way and say just write down what is now in your life your present state or are you alone on an island or maybe in jail totally isolated from everybody else I think it would be a good idea if you take pen and pencil and take stock of your life it's not good to teach you Tata a penny net paper basically we boogey's in pillow yak not only pointings would you burn doggy or super food is really local who choose who I food is a way just on this one point how many have you taught that which Jesus has taught you that you can say here is somebody whom I've made a disciple of Jesus Christ and now he in turn is making others being disciples of Jesus Christ how come I'm going to go yet on good knock a bunch I like a Christ Lee lean under and John and Sabine just imagine if you were just when one person to Jesus in one year how the Church of Jesus Christ would grow in Davai Akihabara John what is your matter like how is it progressing somebody find me these days what about them from these said uncle Ella don't leave this gospel that you are preaching no massive super even though we trouble you he said but don't forsake it don't leave it there is no other gospel but this gospel in the whole world and this person pleaded with me over the telephone and I said people outside ministers outside say if we want the true gospel we go to Jesus Christ they say we preach but we don't preach it as straight as it's done there I said this person said we preach the gospel and the free state we need this gospel that you preach even though we trouble you but don't stop with it I'm not proud because of that I don't boast because of that don't say how can I say something like that I preach Jesus Christ and I say stop with your nonsense turn to him and follow him stop with your hypocrisy calling yourself a Christian and the fruit isn't a double kiss a leon tatami gum a penny tatami paper again by the pants the interneal no more take pen and paper and write down what is now what you are now spiritually maybe you you needn't have a vision of Christ if you see yourself as you really are maybe you will faint and fall down like did and said is that what my life is like is that what I have achieved in the last years and that which will take place later we know that each one of us will have to appear before our Lord and give an account of our lives Jesus is coming back he'll ask you concerning those talents that he entrusted to you and you became drunk with those who drink maybe you you went to bars or you even prepared alcohol for people write down what it's going to be like in your life how you will be tied hands and feet and cast into utter darkness maybe you're very good and you were busy with criticizing God's and God's work the righteous judge will come like a thief in the night and we don't know what it's going to be like after that I don't know what we would read if we would read about that which you have seen that which is now in your life and that which will happen later whether people will be blessed through that will they say we were blessed by him or not I don't know church whether you hear that which is being said or not you as a Christian do you hear what will you do about it will this coming year just be a year as the last year has been there we are speak to the Lord now what do you say about that which the Lord has shown you but you've forgotten about it you haven't kept it you haven't been obedient what do you say about that which you are right now and remember contemplate and what it will be like when Jesus returns Lord I pray that that which each one has heard now that they would take it to a heart not that come in the one year and God by the other because we'll regret it when we come to the end you're by waste I'm gazing Shumaila law little Vangely LL Melo rooting Shumaila I'm gazing acquaintance local and cooling cool I'm sure if I believe luck remember that minister of the Church of England when Jesus appeared to him he fell over backwards and he died and the questions that Jesus asked of him and you also remember about the minister I've also told you about who came here in his old age and he wept he said that he'd wasted his life he said he never preached the message that he was supposed to preach during his ministry he said he wasted his whole life says my life was lost and he wept an old man crying weeping bitter tears seeing his whole life had been in vain one person who heard the Lord Jesus said blessed is the womb who bore you and the breasts which suckled you and then Jesus said no I say blessed rather is the one who hears these words and goes and puts them into practice that one is blessed because that which you hear can either take you to heaven or it can lock you up in hell that womb was blessed but much more he that hears and does and is obedient to God's Word I stand as I got your food let's pray once again Lord make us to be your true disciples that we'd also be able to make true disciples of others teaching them all that which you have commanded us work through Holy Spirit in our midst that there would be those who would respond