The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Part 2)
The Revelation of Jesus Christ In The Book of Revelation • Sermon • Submitted
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Today’s message will be divided into three parts: 1) The appearance of Jesus, 2) The ministry of Jesus, 3) Why Jesus choose John.
The Physical Appearance Of Jesus
The Physical Appearance Of Jesus
The Gospels don’t tell us what Jesus looked like; the Book of Revelation does!
Jesus’ Physical/Spiritual Appearance:
Jesus’ Physical/Spiritual Appearance:
(v13) “like a son of man”
(v13) “like a son of man”
All through the Gospels Jesus referred to Himself as the “son of man”; however, the phrase “like a son of man” is used in reference to Jesus in the Book of Revelation. Why the change in wording?
In the Gospels the humanity of Jesus is fully revealed; in Revelation the divinity of Jesus is fully revealed.
In the Book of Revelation Jesus resembled the way He was seen in the Gospels, but in a glorified state!
That which was hidden from all but a few was hidden no longer!
Jesus, the glorified God-man revealed Himself in His fullness!
(Daniel 7:13-14, ESV) “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Physical description:
Physical description:
(14) White hair like wool or snow; (14) Eyes like a flame of fire; (15) Feet like refined, burnished bronze; (15) Voice like the roar of many waters; (16) Mouth with a sharp two-edged sword; (16) Face like the sun shining in full strength
Jesus’ Clothing
Jesus’ Clothing
Clothed with a long robe and golden sash around his chest
Clothed with a long robe and golden sash around his chest
Jesus’ Actions
Jesus’ Actions
Jesus refers to these two things as a “mystery” in Revelation 1:20
Jesus refers to these two things as a “mystery” in Revelation 1:20
Holding seven stars (church angels) in His right hand.
Standing in the midst of the lampstands (i.e. churches)
While the symbolic nature of the stars and lampstands was revealed the fullness of the mystery was probably not.
The Greek word for mystery is μυστήριον and is used in the NT in reference to that which cannot be received nor understood outside of divine assistance (i.e. divine revelation).
There is so much more for the LORD to show us by divine revelation!
The Glorious Appearance Of Jesus Isn’t Unique; God Has Endowed Others In His Creation With His Glorious Appearance
The Glorious Appearance Of Jesus Isn’t Unique; God Has Endowed Others In His Creation With His Glorious Appearance
Jesus is like His Father, “the Ancient of Days”
Jesus is like His Father, “the Ancient of Days”
(Daniel 7:9, ESV) “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.
The glorified appearance of God is shared with others in heaven.
The glorified appearance of God is shared with others in heaven.
(Daniel 10:5–6, 13, ESV) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. ... 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,
Daniel repeatedly refers to this “warrior” as “one in the likeness of the children of man” (10:16, 18)
If this is Jesus then He is the one who fought and was hinder by the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” and assisted by Michael the archangel.
This seems unlikely; thus this reveals that God has endowed others in His creation with His glorious appearance.
The LORD is going to endow His children with His glorified appearance, as was Adam!
The LORD is going to endow His children with His glorified appearance, as was Adam!
(Psalm 8:5) Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
Crowned = This Hebrew word not only speaks of a headdress but to encircle
Glory (kabod) / Honor (i.e. splendor)
(1 John 3:2, ESV) Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
John’s Response To Jesus & Jesus’ Response To John
John’s Response To Jesus & Jesus’ Response To John
(Revelation 1:17) When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, ...
(Revelation 1:17) When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, ...
John’s response was one of gripping fear, total submission, and awesome wonder!
Jesus’ response to John reveals much concerning the goodness of Jesus!
Jesus’ response to John reveals much concerning the goodness of Jesus!
An arrogant god would relish the fear invoked on others from his presence. But not Jesus!
To the proud and rebellious Jesus is often harsh, but to those who love Him He is personable and compassionate.
To the proud and rebellious Jesus is often harsh, but to those who love Him He is personable and compassionate.
Compare this incident with James 4:6, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Jesus touched John and ministered His peace and words of faith, encouragement, and instruction.
The Ministry Of Jesus
The Ministry Of Jesus
The Ministry Of Jesus Is More Fully Understood By Looking At The Titles Attributed To Jesus
The Ministry Of Jesus Is More Fully Understood By Looking At The Titles Attributed To Jesus
Jesus is the ultimate pioneer!
Jesus is the ultimate pioneer!
(1:17, ESV) “... I am the first and the last,” has the same meaning as, “I am the Alpha and the Omega” (1:8, ESV)
Start with Jesus and stay with Jesus! He will be with you every step of the way!
Jesus is the ultimate overcomer!
Jesus is the ultimate overcomer!
(1:18, ESV) “the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore,”
(Romans 8:37, ESV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Jesus is the ultimate victor!
Jesus is the ultimate victor!
He battles and won!
(1:18, ESV) “I have the keys of Death and Hades”
Because of Christ death has lost its sting, hell no longer has any claim on me.
No Matter How Bad The Church Has Gotten Throughout History ... Jesus Is In The Midst Of His Church!
No Matter How Bad The Church Has Gotten Throughout History ... Jesus Is In The Midst Of His Church!
When John turned around to see who was speaking to him he saw the seven golden lampstands (Church).
When John turned around to see who was speaking to him he saw the seven golden lampstands (Church).
Jesus is in the midst of His Church!
No matter how many problems there are in the Church, Jesus won’t be separated from His Body, the Church!
We can’t be seekers of Jesus and ignore His Church.
Jesus Rarely Ministers Alone
Jesus Rarely Ministers Alone
He Likes To Use Those Whom He Has Called And Prepared
The appearance of Jesus is announced by an angel who accompanied Jesus.
At first it seems that the “loud voice like a trumpet” (v10) that John heard behind him was Jesus.
However, Revelation 4:1 reveals that it was the angel mentioned in Revelation 1:1
(Revelation 1:1, ESV) ... He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
(Revelation 4:1, ESV) ... the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, ...
This was followed by Jesus revealing Himself to John and using John to minister the revelation to the Church.
Jesus wants to use you!
Why Did Jesus Choose To Reveal Himself To John?
Why Did Jesus Choose To Reveal Himself To John?
The Preface Of Revelation Indicates Three Reasons
Faith
Faith
John didn’t allow his circumstances and environment to hinder him from having a meeting with Jesus!
John didn’t allow his circumstances and environment to hinder him from having a meeting with Jesus!
(Revelation 1:10, ESV) I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
Jesus often comes to reveal Himself to you in your darkest hour; the key is to be open and have faith to receive what Jesus wants to give, not what you want to be given.
Jesus often comes to reveal Himself to you in your darkest hour; the key is to be open and have faith to receive what Jesus wants to give, not what you want to be given.
I'm sure John would have desired to be delivered from Patmos, but that's not what Jesus did.
Jesus went to John for higher Kingdom purposes; to encourage, bless, and instruct believers concerning the end.
That which we want is often focused on self and the present, while Jesus is focused on the big picture and eternity!
That which we want is often focused on self and the present, while Jesus is focused on the big picture and eternity!
Thank God John was willing to listen to what Jesus had to say instead of whimpering about his difficult situation!
Balance
Balance
Jesus treats all His disciples with balance.
Jesus treats all His disciples with balance.
The Apostle Paul deals with the spiritual principle of how God deals with us with balance throughout his letters.
(2 Corinthians 4:7–10, NIV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
John was suffering for the gospel; Jesus balanced that out with a powerful revelation of Himself.
(Rev 1:9, ESV) I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
John speaks of our relationship to one another. He called himself “brother” and “partner”.
“Brother” speaks of our family relationship to one another as children of God.
“Partner” speaks of our working relationship; not a silent partner, but a participating partner.
As Christians we are to called to suffer together, work together, and endure patiently together in Jesus.
As Christians we are to called to suffer together, work together, and endure patiently together in Jesus.
The Body of Christ is going to receive a greater revelation of Jesus because we are going to share in His suffering!
The Body of Christ is going to receive a greater revelation of Jesus because we are going to share in His suffering!
Ministry
Ministry
Jesus had ministry that He wanted John to fulfill.
Jesus had ministry that He wanted John to fulfill.
(Revelation 1:11, NIV) “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
Jesus doesn’t give a mission such as this to a novice; John had proven himself to be faithful!
Jesus doesn’t give a mission such as this to a novice; John had proven himself to be faithful!
(Revelation 1:9, ESV) I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
John had proven himself to be faithful to Jesus through his suffering, Kingdom responsibilities, and endurance.
John had proven himself to be faithful to Jesus through his suffering, Kingdom responsibilities, and endurance.