Summer time is a time I finally have some “extra” time.  Oh how sweet it is to sit outside in the morning with my coffee, Bible and notebook.   This summer I believe Holy Spirit has led me to read the book of Revelation.  YIKES!!  That is no mild, easy-going book, but I guess He knows me only too well.  I will need some real time to chew on this book once again.   Of course I am always encouraged to read the very first chapter, verse three.  Here we are told that those who read the book of Revelation, hear the words of prophecy and heed the things written in it will be blessed. 

I have to warn you that at first I was looking for a study guide, but then I had a VERY strong sense that the Lord wanted this to be a journey for He, Holy Spirit and I.  Under that direction I grabbed my Bible, notebook, pen and cup of coffee and took my place in a comfortable spot where I could also behold His beautiful creation.  What a blessing for sure!!

Today I want to submit for your consideration a few verses that I have, in a sense, been chewing on.  Again, in the first chapter we are presented with “He” who appears to be: Christ in the middle of the lampstands wearing armor.   I sense a need to get to know what my Jesus is wearing for such a time as Revelation.  Surely I need to be aware and ready to put on the same armor in these end times we are living in.

He is clothed in a robe reaching to His feet and is girded across His breast with a golden girdle (Rev. 1:13).  I believe that robe is a robe of righteousness and the girdle is really more like a huge belt.  It is a belt of truth covering all vital human organs. It almost sounds like one of those total body girdles.  Uncomfortable yes but at times definitely needed. 🙂   

Getting back on track…….from this belt, the sword and the shield can hang.  I found myself praying, “Lord my righteousness is as filthy rags and my belt of truth in no way covers me as your girdle covers you.  Jesus, thank you that by your blood I can share your robe of righteousness.  Jesus, thank you that I can share Your belt of Truth, which is the Word of God.  I am protected and can stay in readiness, dressed and equipped with Your sword and shield.  Thank you Lord.” 

Next His head and His hair are white like white wool or snow and His eyes are like a flame of fire (Rev. 1:14).  Daniel gives reference to the “Ancient of Days” having hair like pure wool (Dan.7:9).  It would seem that the whiteness of His hair points to the purity of the mind of Christ.  His eyes can pierce through the darkness for they are as fire.  “Lord release unto me the mind of Christ that I might function in this world but not as from this world.  I long to have the gift of discernment and have Christlike wisdom.  I long to be holy.  Lord, release unto me eyes to see so that my eyes can penetrate the darkness in this world, see the light and bring forth the light of Jesus into this place where you have planted me.”

The next verse tells us that His feet are like burnished bronze, glowing as from a furnace and His voice is like the sound of many waters (Rev. 1:15).  “Lord, may my feet be firmly planted on Your Truth.  May I be firmly planted, not shifting to the right or the left of Your Truth.  May my voice be like the sound of living water offering love, joy, truth and encouragement wherever I go, giving glory to no one but You my Lord.”

Lastly, He was holding seven stars and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword and His face was like the sun shining in strength (Rev. 1:16).  I am told the seven stars may be the seven angels in the Book of Revelation.  It would seem that the seven stars may not be part of His armor, but if it is I can only think the stars are shields of faith.  I was told once that there is a legend that David’s shield was in the shape of the Jewish star and that is where the “Star of David” came from.  Seven is also the number indicating completion.  (For example God created the world in seven days, seven days complete a week, etc.)  Honestly, I can only share my thoughts on this.  However, I believe you and I will need a full and complete faith in the days ahead.  We will need all seven levels of faith.  Yes, I do know………in these end times we will need shields of faith.  “Sweet Jesus, I thank you for releasing your 7 shields of faith.  I am afraid my own has some holes in it.  Thank you, Lord, for filling my mouth with the sharp two-edged sword of Your Word.  It can pierce through the toughest of battles.  Thank you, Lord, for releasing to me in these end times a face shining in strength from the throne of grace.  It is You, the rock upon which I stand, who is my strength and allows me to shine in the darkest of times and places. It is You who are my righteousness, my sword, my shield.   Blessed be the rock of my salvation.  I praise Your Holy, Holy name!!

Dear one, in hard times, when the darkness seems to surround us: remember the fullness of His TRUTH:

“Blessed be the LORD my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle-
My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge” (Ps. 144:1-2 NKJ)

Put on Christ and rest in Him!!

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate