The Revelation of the Pre-Eminence of Jesus Christ- Part 1
Revelation- A Message to the Churches • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 37:03
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Setting the stage:
9 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.
Fellow partaker in tribulation? Kingdom? and Patience/Perseverance?
The three are connected- tribulation / hardship now while on this earth, yet I can have hope and comfort and joy and I can be encouraged because I am living for the coming kingdom, and what I need is patient endurance or perseverance today.
Why is John on the island of Patmos? For the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ- there is suffering and persecution going on. These churches that John is writing to are going through the same thing, and one of the reasons John is writing is to provide encouragement.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
Lord’s Day?
Could mean Sunday, could mean eschatological “Day of the Lord”, could mean the day he received the revelation- a day belonging to the Lord.
John hears behind him a great voice, as of a trumpet-
The voice (Alpha and Omega) commanded him:
11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
This message is for local church believers, it is a message of encouragement for their daily lives.
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
What does John turn and see? The voice that spoke to him. And this is what he sees:
Seven golden lampstands- what are the lampstands? The seven churches (v. 20)
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
At this point commences a series of phrases describing the one whom John saw in this first vision. The titles of Jesus Christ found in the introductions to six of the seven messages in chapters 2 and 3 are drawn largely from this vision of 1:12–20 and its descriptive phrases. Only the message to Laodicea (3:14–22) is devoid of one of these. One of the titles is used in two messages (cf. 2:1 and 3:1) (Charles). It is apparent that the appearance of Christ in this vision is designed to emphasize the aspects of His nature that are most relevant to the needs and circumstances of the seven churches who are the primary recipients of this book.
SON OF MAN:
13 “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.
5 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.
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength.
9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Behold He is coming with the clouds! Who is coming? The Son of Man- the one that Daniel foretold- The one whom the Ancient of Days has given dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
The appropriateness of the Messianic title “Son of Man” to this context lies in a twofold usage of the words.
It is a title related to Jesus’ capacity as judge (cf. John 5:22, 27; Acts 17:31), a function that He proceeds to carry out in Revelation 2–3.
22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,
27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
It also was used by the early church as Christ’s title whenever the suffering of believers and Christ’s suffering and glory were in view, as they are in this book.
And what is he like? He is like Almighty God- and he will come in great power and glory to conquer the nations of the this earth, to judge the world, to bring righteousness and justice, to bring peace and blessing for the saints, to establish an everlasting kingdom of which we get to take part. The Son of Man- this is the one that John saw. Does that offer any encouragement to suffering Christians?
3 levels of meaning-
1st- The vision that John saw
2nd- connection of the one that he saw to the Son of Man in Daniel and the idea of one coming to establish a kingdom and bring justice and judgement.
3rd level- the meaning of the things he saw in the vision- robe, hair, eyes, feet- “Could be this” uncertain.
Upon hearing this voice of great authority, John turns to look for the source of the voice. And as John looked He saw in the midst of seven golden lampstands (the seven churches), one like the son of man. This is the description of what he saw.
1. Clothed with a long robe
1. Clothed with a long robe
Probably signifying His high rank or His high level of dignity
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.
5 And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
16 Then all the princes of the sea will step down from their thrones and remove their robes and strip off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling; they will sit on the ground and tremble every moment and be appalled at you.
2. With a golden sash around his chest
2. With a golden sash around his chest
Probably His ability to impose divine wrath.
First, most likely John would have thought of the messenger of Dan 10:5 when he saw the speaker’s apparel.
5 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.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
but eventually came to realize (as succeeding visions unfolded) that this aspect of the Son of Man’s appearance foreshadowed the judgment to be inflicted by the angels of the seven last plagues
6 and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests.
3. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow
3. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow
Probably signifying His preexistence along with God the Father.
9 “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.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
In the OT passage comparable words describe the Father, but John refers them to Christ. This is in line with his Christological practice of granting to the Second Person of the Trinity attributes and titles previously reserved for the Father (cf. 1:18; 2:8; 5:12; 22:13) (Swete).
The symbolism in this case pictures the eternal pre-existence of Christ. The idea that white hair suggests Christ’s unchangeableness in contrast to decay (Swete), sinlessness (Swete), or suffering is to be rejected. In the Daniel passage it is the “Ancient of Days” who is so described. Thus the focus is on Christ’s longevity here.
4. His eyes were like a flame of fire
4. His eyes were like a flame of fire
Probably signifying His penetrating intelligence that enables Him to preform righteous judgement.
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.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
The biblical force of this simile is sometimes that of fierceness against adversaries (e.g., Dan. 10:6), a meaning common in classical writers. It can also convey the notion of penetrating vision and the associated idea of supernatural intelligence in regard to what is seen. This penetrating intelligence, which was associated with quick intelligence and, when appropriate, with righteous wrath, is now attributed to the risen and glorified Christ
5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!
21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”
5. His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace
5. His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace
His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace/like metal that has just come out of a forge glowing with heat. “His feet were like gleaming bronze as when it is aglow in a furnace”
Probably signifying His movement among the churches to enforce standards of moral purity.
Feet carry the idea of movement in the NT
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Gleaming metal alight with the fire of a furnace carries with in the idea of shinning purity.
27 And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.
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.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
In these OT instances the brightness pictures the appearance of the glory of God
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
The total impact of this feature of the description, then, is to bring attention to Christ’s movement among the churches to inculcate purity.
6. His voice was like the roar of many waters
6. His voice was like the roar of many waters
Probably signifying His identification with the Father in the power of His utterance.
In the OT this description suggests a powerful force unlike no other!
4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!
13 The nations roar like the roaring of many waters, but he will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind and whirling dust before the storm.
But this seems to be a direct parallel of Ezek 43.2
2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
In the Hebrew of Dan. 10:6, which the writer has followed through much of this description, the messenger’s voice is compared to the sound of a multitude, suggesting the idea of confused roar. He moves to Ezekiel at this point, however, so he can identify the speaker with God and the power of His utterance as He returns to dwell with His people
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
This is the same voice that at the beginning of the vision was described as “loud” and “as a trumpet” (1:10). It is not difficult to explain why John should mention the voice at two separate points of his description. As he writes, he is trying to recall details of an experience that is now wholly in the past. The trumpet similitude is appropriate for the voice’s introductory function, and the sound of many waters appropriately suggests the divine authority behind the commission to write the whole book (1:19), especially the seven messages (Revelation 2–3), which John is about to receive for transmission purposes
7. In his right hand he held seven stars
7. In his right hand he held seven stars
Probably signifying His authority over the seven messengers and the churches they represent.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
Two suggested meanings for this symbolic representation have arisen: (1) The main idea is that of Christ’s absolute authority and complete control over the seven stars (Charles). (2) As in John 10:28, holding in Christ’s right hand implies the notion of safekeeping (Beckwith). The latter notion of safekeeping finds support in its being an acknowledged Johannine sense of the figure (Beckwith) and in the customary association of the right hand’s being the position of favor and protection (Morris). This certainly fits this setting where John and these churches were objects of persecution.
But this same title is used in later on in 2-3
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
the nature of the problems in the two churches does not call so much for the idea of protection as for authority and control.
8. From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword
8. From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword
Probably signifying His power to overcome His enemies and pronounce judgement.
Uses again in 2:12, 16, 19:15.
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Word of God likened to a sword-
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
OR else predict that the returning Christ will destroy the man of lawlessness “with the breath of His mouth
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
The rhomphaia (found elsewhere in the NT only in Luke 2:35) was a large-bladed sword of Thracian origin. For the sword to be regarded, like the spoken word, as coming from the mouth is quite understandable, because the short Roman sword was shaped like a human tongue. For a sword to be “double-edged” meant greater sharpness. Ancient Greek poets also used distomos, meaning “double-mouthed” or “double-edged,” to describe swords (Swete).
The resultant focus of this part of the description is upon the judicial authority of Christ. It combines the force of a warrior defeating his enemies in battle and the pronouncement of his sentence of judgment upon them.
9. His face was like the sun shining in full strength
9. His face was like the sun shining in full strength
Probably signifying that His glory was like unto that of the glory of the Father.
2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
This feature forms the climax of his initial vision with its allusion to the overwhelming nature of the glory of the ascended Christ.
“This first vision of John, then, included an indication of Jesus’ Messianic office with its associated functions: judgment of the unrighteous and comfort of the suffering righteous, His high rank that fits Him as an agent of imposing divine wrath, His activity in imposing that wrath, His preexistence along with God the Father, His penetrating intelligence that enables Him to perform righteous judgment, His movement among the churches to enforce standards of moral purity, His identification with the Father in the power of His utterance, His authority over the seven messengers and the churches they represent, His power to overcome His enemies and pronounce judgment upon them, and His return to earth to implement judgment upon mankind.” (Thomas, Revelation 1-7, 105)
How does it make you feel to know that Jesus Christ- the Son of Man- the one who radiates power and glory- that this one is coming with the clouds?
How does it make you feel to know that Jesus Christ- the Son of Man- the one who radiates power and glory- that this one stands in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks? or that He holds the seven stars in his hands?