The Revelation Comes When Needed
As some urged these false doctrines, differences sprang up. The discussion of unimportant points occupied time that the believers should have spent in proclaiming the gospel. Instead, they left the masses of people unwarned. True devotion was rapidly dying out, and Satan seemed about to gain control. At this critical time John was sentenced to banishment. Nearly all his former associates had died as martyrs. To all outward appearances the day was not far off when the enemies of the church would win.
ULe 211.5
But the Lord’s unseen hand was moving in the darkness. John was placed where Christ could give him a wonderful revelation of Himself and divine truth for the churches. The exiled disciple received a message whose influence would strengthen the church till the end of time. Those who banished John became instruments in God’s hand to carry out Heaven’s purpose. The very effort to extinguish the light made the truth stand out boldly.
ULe 212.1
It was on the Sabbath that the Lord of glory appeared to the exiled apostle. John kept the Sabbath as sacredly on Patmos as he had in Judea. He claimed the precious promises given about that day. “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet. ...
ULe 212.2
“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man” (Revelation 1:10-13).
ULe 212.3
This beloved disciple had seen his Master in Gethsemane, His face marked with the blood drops of agony, His “visage ... marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men” (Isaiah 52:14). He had seen Him hanging on the cross, the object of mockery and abuse. Now John gazes on his Lord once more. But He is no longer a man of sorrows, humiliated by men. He is wearing a garment of heavenly brightness, “His eyes like a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14). Out of His mouth flashes a sharp two-edged sword, a symbol of the power of His word.
ULe 212.4
Then before John’s amazed vision, the glories of heaven opened. He was permitted to see the throne of God, and looking beyond the conflicts of earth, he saw the white-robed assembly of the redeemed. He heard the music of angels and the victory songs of those who had overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Scene after scene of thrilling interest unfolded before him, down to the close of time. In figures and symbols, he saw subjects of vast importance presented, so that the people of God in his age and in future ages could have guidance and comfort and an intelligent understanding of the dangers and conflicts ahead of them.
ULe 212.5
1980
ULe
Unlikely Leaders
[{"para_id":"1980.18","title":"Foreword","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0003_eng_m_foreword_1980_18.mp3#duration=169&size=1506089"},{"para_id":"1980.30","title":"God\u2019s Purpose for His Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0004_eng_m_god_s_purpose_for_his_church_1980_30.mp3#duration=322&size=2727242"},{"para_id":"1980.51","title":"The Training of the Twelve","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0005_eng_m_the_training_of_the_twelve_1980_51.mp3#duration=416&size=3481521"},{"para_id":"1980.75","title":"The Good News to Go Everywhere","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0008_eng_m_the_good_news_to_go_everywhere_1980_75.mp3#duration=534&size=4425929"},{"para_id":"1980.104","title":"Pentecost: The Apostles Begin Their Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0011_eng_m_pentecost_the_apostles_begin_their_work_1980_104.mp3#duration=696&size=5717397"},{"para_id":"1980.147","title":"The Gift of the Spirit Is for Us","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0016_eng_m_the_gift_of_the_spirit_is_for_us_1980_147.mp3#duration=579&size=4784651"},{"para_id":"1980.179","title":"Peter and John Forbidden to Do Christ\u2019s Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0019_eng_m_peter_and_john_forbidden_to_do_christ_s_work_1980_179.mp3#duration=729&size=5986473"},{"para_id":"1980.219","title":"A Dishonest Husband and Wife Punished","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0023_eng_m_a_dishonest_husband_and_wife_punished_1980_219.mp3#duration=389&size=3266244"},{"para_id":"1980.241","title":"Peter and John Freed From Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0025_eng_m_peter_and_john_freed_from_prison_1980_241.mp3#duration=561&size=4641808"},{"para_id":"1980.274","title":"Why the Seven Deacons Were Chosen","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0029_eng_m_why_the_seven_deacons_were_chosen_1980_274.mp3#duration=548&size=4537574"},{"para_id":"1980.306","title":"Stephen, the First Martyr for Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0033_eng_m_stephen_the_first_martyr_for_christ_1980_306.mp3#duration=341&size=2878217"},{"para_id":"1980.327","title":"The Gospel Reaches Samaria and Ethiopia","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0036_eng_m_the_gospel_reaches_samaria_and_ethiopia_1980_327.mp3#duration=565&size=4675137"},{"para_id":"1980.363","title":"From Saul to Paul: Persecutor to Disciple","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0040_eng_m_from_saul_to_paul_persecutor_to_disciple_1980_363.mp3#duration=740&size=6070013"},{"para_id":"1980.402","title":"How God Educated Paul","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0044_eng_m_how_god_educated_paul_1980_402.mp3#duration=487&size=4047796"},{"para_id":"1980.428","title":"The Gospel Goes to the Gentiles","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0047_eng_m_the_gospel_goes_to_the_gentiles_1980_428.mp3#duration=696&size=5723175"},{"para_id":"1980.473","title":"An Angel Delivers Peter From Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0051_eng_m_an_angel_delivers_peter_from_prison_1980_473.mp3#duration=727&size=5969196"},{"para_id":"1980.521","title":"Dramatic Success at Antioch","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0056_eng_m_dramatic_success_at_antioch_1980_521.mp3#duration=651&size=5357073"},{"para_id":"1980.558","title":"Heralds of the Gospel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0060_eng_m_heralds_of_the_gospel_1980_558.mp3#duration=585&size=4829908"},{"para_id":"1980.596","title":"The Apostles Are Both Persecuted and Adored","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0064_eng_m_the_apostles_are_both_persecuted_and_adored_1980_596.mp3#duration=629&size=5181786"},{"para_id":"1980.637","title":"Thorny Problems Settled by the Holy Spirit","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0068_eng_m_thorny_problems_settled_by_the_holy_spirit_1980_637.mp3#duration=770&size=6313105"},{"para_id":"1980.677","title":"Paul\u2019s Secret: Exalt the Cross","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0072_eng_m_paul_s_secret_exalt_the_cross_1980_677.mp3#duration=539&size=4461990"},{"para_id":"1980.706","title":"Angels Open a Philippian Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0075_eng_m_angels_open_a_philippian_prison_1980_706.mp3#duration=605&size=4987906"},{"para_id":"1980.745","title":"A Revival and a Riot at Thessalonica","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0080_eng_m_a_revival_and_a_riot_at_thessalonica_1980_745.mp3#duration=602&size=4969654"},{"para_id":"1980.790","title":"Paul Preaches in Berea and Athens","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0082_eng_m_paul_preaches_in_berea_and_athens_1980_790.mp3#duration=728&size=5977879"},{"para_id":"1980.832","title":"Preaching the Power of the Cross in Corinth","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0088_eng_m_preaching_the_power_of_the_cross_in_corinth_1980_832.mp3#duration=694&size=5701101"},{"para_id":"1980.874","title":"Two Important Letters to the Thessalonians","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0093_eng_m_two_important_letters_to_the_thessalonians_1980_874.mp3#duration=715&size=5870791"},{"para_id":"1980.918","title":"Church Politics at Corinth","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0097_eng_m_church_politics_at_corinth_1980_918.mp3#duration=721&size=5917603"},{"para_id":"1980.955","title":"Witchcraft Books Burned","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0101_eng_m_witchcraft_books_burned_1980_955.mp3#duration=629&size=5179502"},{"para_id":"1980.989","title":"The Silversmiths Riot at Ephesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0105_eng_m_the_silversmiths_riot_at_ephesus_1980_989.mp3#duration=452&size=3771256"},{"para_id":"1980.1016","title":"Paul Challenges Lawsuits and Sexual Looseness","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0108_eng_m_paul_challenges_lawsuits_and_sexual_looseness_1980_1016.mp3#duration=572&size=4726644"},{"para_id":"1980.1046","title":"Paul Strengthens the Church for All Time","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0112_eng_m_paul_strengthens_the_church_for_all_time_1980_1046.mp3#duration=797&size=6531372"},{"para_id":"1980.1091","title":"Corinth Accepts Paul\u2019s Counsel","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0116_eng_m_corinth_accepts_paul_s_counsel_1980_1091.mp3#duration=719&size=5904799"},{"para_id":"1980.1130","title":"The Joy of Liberal Giving","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0120_eng_m_the_joy_of_liberal_giving_1980_1130.mp3#duration=652&size=5371632"},{"para_id":"1980.1168","title":"Working Under Great Difficulties","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0124_eng_m_working_under_great_difficulties_1980_1168.mp3#duration=700&size=5753393"},{"para_id":"1980.1204","title":"The Joy of Working With Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0128_eng_m_the_joy_of_working_with_christ_1980_1204.mp3#duration=692&size=5691065"},{"para_id":"1980.1240","title":"God\u2019s Special Plan for the Jews","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0132_eng_m_god_s_special_plan_for_the_jews_1980_1240.mp3#duration=541&size=4477479"},{"para_id":"1980.1271","title":"Paul\u2019s Timeless Letter to the Galatians","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0136_eng_m_paul_s_timeless_letter_to_the_galatians_1980_1271.mp3#duration=308&size=2615020"},{"para_id":"1980.1289","title":"Paul\u2019s Farewell Journey to Jerusalem","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0139_eng_m_paul_s_farewell_journey_to_jerusalem_1980_1289.mp3#duration=580&size=4789012"},{"para_id":"1980.1327","title":"Paul Receives Bad Advice","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0143_eng_m_paul_receives_bad_advice_1980_1327.mp3#duration=1194&size=9706098"},{"para_id":"1980.1395","title":"Paul\u2019s Trial at Caesarea","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0152_eng_m_paul_s_trial_at_caesarea_1980_1395.mp3#duration=511&size=4235576"},{"para_id":"1980.1426","title":"Paul Appeals to Caesar","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0155_eng_m_paul_appeals_to_caesar_1980_1426.mp3#duration=275&size=2350329"},{"para_id":"1980.1442","title":"The King Who Refused the Cross","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0157_eng_m_the_king_who_refused_the_cross_1980_1442.mp3#duration=378&size=3174644"},{"para_id":"1980.1469","title":"Paul Experiences Shipwreck in a Storm","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0160_eng_m_paul_experiences_shipwreck_in_a_storm_1980_1469.mp3#duration=550&size=4551613"},{"para_id":"1980.1503","title":"Paul in Rome: Big-City Evangelist in Chains","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0164_eng_m_paul_in_rome_big_city_evangelist_in_chains_1980_1503.mp3#duration=835&size=6834757"},{"para_id":"1980.1552","title":"Paul Wins Converts in the Emperor\u2019s Palace","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0169_eng_m_paul_wins_converts_in_the_emperor_s_palace_1980_1552.mp3#duration=417&size=3488291"},{"para_id":"1980.1575","title":"The Letters Paul Wrote From Rome","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0172_eng_m_the_letters_paul_wrote_from_rome_1980_1575.mp3#duration=857&size=7008357"},{"para_id":"1980.1622","title":"Paul Is Free Once More","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0177_eng_m_paul_is_free_once_more_1980_1622.mp3#duration=201&size=1755053"},{"para_id":"1980.1635","title":"Paul\u2019s Final Arrest and Imprisonment","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0179_eng_m_paul_s_final_arrest_and_imprisonment_1980_1635.mp3#duration=148&size=1332519"},{"para_id":"1980.1643","title":"Paul Again Before Nero","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0180_eng_m_paul_again_before_nero_1980_1643.mp3#duration=352&size=2969795"},{"para_id":"1980.1661","title":"Paul Pours Out His Heart in His Last Letter","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0182_eng_m_paul_pours_out_his_heart_in_his_last_letter_1980_1661.mp3#duration=659&size=5425358"},{"para_id":"1980.1697","title":"Paul Dies for the One Who Died for Him","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0187_eng_m_paul_dies_for_the_one_who_died_for_him_1980_1697.mp3#duration=300&size=2547937"},{"para_id":"1980.1710","title":"The Apostle Peter, a Faithful Undershepherd","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0189_eng_m_the_apostle_peter_a_faithful_undershepherd_1980_1710.mp3#duration=828&size=6775774"},{"para_id":"1980.1757","title":"Peter Crucified at Rome","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0194_eng_m_peter_crucified_at_rome_1980_1757.mp3#duration=550&size=4549356"},{"para_id":"1980.1786","title":"John, the Beloved Disciple","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0198_eng_m_john_the_beloved_disciple_1980_1786.mp3#duration=407&size=3403269"},{"para_id":"1980.1810","title":"John, Faithful Witness for Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0201_eng_m_john_faithful_witness_for_christ_1980_1810.mp3#duration=680&size=5589295"},{"para_id":"1980.1846","title":"John\u2019s Secret of True Sanctification","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0205_eng_m_john_s_secret_of_true_sanctification_1980_1846.mp3#duration=666&size=5479067"},{"para_id":"1980.1880","title":"John Is Exiled to Lonely Patmos","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0208_eng_m_john_is_exiled_to_lonely_patmos_1980_1880.mp3#duration=557&size=4604902"},{"para_id":"1980.1908","title":"John Sees the Visions of the Revelation","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0212_eng_m_john_sees_the_visions_of_the_revelation_1980_1908.mp3#duration=842&size=6888782"},{"para_id":"1980.1951","title":"A Glorious Future Is Before Us","mp3":"\/mp3\/1980\/0217_eng_m_a_glorious_future_is_before_us_1980_1951.mp3#duration=551&size=4560490"}]