Sermon Tone Analysis

Most people when they think about the book of Revelation instantly think judgment.

It is all a book about God’s judgment being poured out on to sinful mankind.

And yes, it is true that Revelation contains a lot of information about the outpouring of God’s judgment on the world, that is not primarily what it is all about.

OK, what is the book of Revelation all about?

Well, a large part of the book focuses in, and centers on the person of Jesus Christ.

We discover a lot about the characteristics of Jesus from the book of Revelation.

In fact, the book is chalk full of references to Christ.

Full disclosure- One of my projects for a seminary class was to go through the book and list all of the references to Jesus.

And tonight I want to pull out of specific characteristic of Jesus that we find in the book of Revelation and use that truth to actually make some very practical application from the last two chapters in the book.

Tonight, I want us to think about the fact that Jesus is true.

He is truthful, there is nothing false about Him.

What exactly do we mean when we say that Jesus is truthful?

One of the best definitions is given to us in another passage of Scripture.

Jesus Himself said this,

At least 6 different times Jesus is called true in the book of Revelation.

The idea of truthfulness is used as book ends in Revelation.

John begins the letter putting into our minds that everything he is about to share with us comes from a source that is true, and he ends the book in much the same manner.

Notice here Jesus is called the faithful witness- In order for His witness to be faithful it is assumed that it also must be what?

True.

Here as John is specifically addressing seven local churches He includes a discussion of the character of Christ before each message to the church is given.

And several times He talks about Jesus as being the true one.

Patterson states, “His witness concerning the condition of man and the nature of salvation is true.

His witness concerning himself is true.

His testimony concerning the unfolding events of the future and his assessment of the seven churches is also fully reliable.”

Rev 21.1

Sin will be no more- thus all of the consequences of sin will be gone.

We will literally dwell with God- this has not been possible one earth since the Garden.

Wipe away all tears from our eyes.

There will be no more death

There will be no more sorrow

There will be no more crying

There will be no more pain

Why?

Because the former things are passed away.

Sin is completely and totally gone.

And all of the effects of sin are therefore also gone.

You want to know why you have to experience right now all these things?

Because of sin.

Why doesn’t God just do away with all of that?

He is- that is His plan- it just is future

Then listen to what God says.

Rev 1.5

Does this have any bearing any relevance for you right now?

Does this help you go home and live faithfully for Christ tomorrow when you go to work?

Yes, absolutely it does!

How so?

-5-7

We can faithfully endure because of the certainty of our inheritance.

Over and over again in Scripture you find that what makes it possible to faithfully follow Christ, to persevere through trials and afflictions, to patiently suffer for the sake of Christ, what makes all of that possible is the knowledge of what is waiting for us when we get to the end of the story.

When the full measure of our salvation is revealed in the last time.

And what will that look like?

Rev. 22

Then look at what we find again in the next verse.

Rev. 22.6

How do we know this will happen?

Because we serve a Savior who is faithful and true.

He is called the faithful witness, the true one, the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the holy and true one, the just and true one, and one day the heavens will open, and all the world will behold, one sitting on a white horse and He is called Faithful and True and He will bring every Word God has promised us to pass.

I can faithfully endure and persevere now in hardship because I serve a true Savior and I know what awaits me one day.