Called To Write
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
I read a story while studying for this message, about a group of men who met at a local high school every Saturday night to play basketball. While they played, the school janitor usually sat off in a corner reading his Bible, trying to prepare for the worship of God the next day. Normally, he read until they were done. Then he would lock up and go home. One night, one of the men asked, ‘What are you reading?’ The old man replied, ‘The book of Revelation.’ The younger man asked, with a bit of a snicker, ‘Do you understand it?’ The old man said, ‘I sure do. It says, “Jesus is gonna win.” ’
That is just about as good an explanation of the book of Revelation as it gets. When you read this book, always remember that the message of this book is just that—the Lord Jesus Christ is going to win!
That message is delightful and comforting to all of God’s people in all ages, but it was particularly so in the time of severe persecution in which the apostle John was inspired by God the Holy Spirit to write these twenty-two chapters, describing the sure triumph of Christ over all things.
JOHN'S CONDITION
JOHN'S CONDITION
Revelation 1:9-10 “9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day...”
He was their brother.
He was their brother.
I want you to notice that John was very humble right here…John didn’t say, “I am the aged apostle—I spent time with the Lord Jesus—I was chosen by Him to be a disciple.” He just says, I am your brother...
There’s no distinction between ministry and congregation, you know why? Because we are all in this together; we are a team!
He was their companion in tribulation.
He was their companion in tribulation.
John was exiled and he tells us why—it was for the Word of God! The apostles got in much trouble in the world because of their bold stance for the word and their bold declaration of the word! Peter, James, John, Paul, Silas, Barnabas, etc.… they were all arrested at one point because they declared the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. John was surrendered to the Lord Jesus and he sacrificed for his Lord! It cost him to follow Jesus—oh but what joy he found in heaven!
He was prisoner on the Island of Patmos.
He was prisoner on the Island of Patmos.
The island of Patmos was a like an Alcatraz Island in the Roman Empire. It was used as a prison island and functioned as a jail without bars. The island was rich in marble, and most of the prisoners were forced laborers in marble quarries. Patmos was a rocky, desolate island about 10 miles long and 6 miles wide.
He was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day."
He was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day."
John declares what He was doing and when He was doing it when He received the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
It was on the Lord’s Day—the early church worshiped the Lord Jesus on the first day of the week, Sunday, because that is the Day that He got up from the grave! We celebrate the resurrection and worship the Redeemer!
John tells the churches that he was in the Spirit. John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day—he was worshiping the Lord on the Lord’s Day. Every Christian should worship the Lord every day and especially on the Lord’s Day! The Roman’s had exiled John—they distanced him from his family, friends, and brothers in Christ, but they could not distance him from Christ.
JOHN'S COMMANDER
JOHN'S COMMANDER
In this passage John sees the glorified Son of God. He is the one calling John to write.
The Position of the Christ...
The Position of the Christ...
Revelation 1:12-13 “12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.”
He was in the midst as a child...
He was in the midst as a child...
Luke 2:46 “46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.”
He was in the midst on the cross...
He was in the midst on the cross...
John 19:18 “18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”
He was in the midst for the church...
He was in the midst for the church...
Matthew 18:20 “20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
He was in the midst as the comforter...
He was in the midst as the comforter...
John 20:19 “19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
And now, as I mentioned a moment ago…
He was in the midst of the candlestick...
He was in the midst of the candlestick...
Revelation 1:13 “13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.”
These candlesticks represent the seven churches of Asia Minor, which represented all the churches of God in this world throughout the ages of time (v. 20). The church of Christ may be compared to a candlestick because it holds forth the light of the gospel in a dark world. It does not produce light. It simply holds forth the light put into it by the Holy Spirit.
This is the privilege and responsibility of the local church. She must hold forth the light of the glorious gospel of Christ.
“One clothed like the son of man”—He is not a grotesque creature. The title “Son of Man” appears eighty times in the four Gospels and the book of Acts in reference to Christ as King of the coming millennial kingdom.
“Clothed with garments down to the feet”—This was the typical clothing of the High Priests as they ministered in the holy place in the Temple. Jesus is our High Priest.
“Girded about the breast with a golden girdle”—This refers to a symbol of strength and authority in the ancient world. The average man wore a short tunic and loose fitting clothes. Only authorities wore girdles. The High Priest also wore such a sash (Leviticus 16:4). Christ has authority for He is God. Who could have more authority than that?
“Head and hair white like wool, as white as snow”—This speaks of the ancientness and righteousness of God. Daniel called the Lord “the Ancient of Days.”
“Eyes like flames of fire”—In the Greek language this reads: “Eyes that shot fire.” It indicates He was angry at something. Chapters two and three reveal His anger with the sin and apostasy of the churches. The Lord is not pleased when we are not what we ought to be. Is the Lord Jesus Christ pleased with you?
“Feet like bronze”—Bronze speaks of judgment. The brazen altar of the tabernacle is where sin was judged. The Lord is not only the Judge of the Church, He is the Judge of the entire world. Those who mock Him will be judged by Him one day.
“Voice like the sound of many waters”—The sound of Niagara Falls is a deafening roar. The voice of the Lord will be a roar of judgment. Men will not listen to His voice today, but one day they will hear Him whether they like it or not.
“Had seven stars in His right hand”—These stars are angels or messengers.
“Out of the mouth proceedeth a sharp two-edged sword”—The Word of God is described as a two-edged sword. There is no defense against the Word of God. Excuses will mean nothing with the Lord.
“Countenance as the Sun”—The glory of Jesus is so great, so shining, that it is hard to even look upon Him.
JOHN'S COMMISSION
JOHN'S COMMISSION
Revelation 1:17 “17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:”
John was overwhelmed by this awesome vision, even though he was an apostle who knew Jesus on this earth. Even the three years John spent with Jesus on this earth did not really prepare him to see Jesus in His heavenly glory. At this moment, John knew what a miracle it was that Jesus could shield His glory and authority while He walked this earth.
Warren Wiersbe wrote, “At the very beginning of this book, Jesus presented Himself to His people in majestic glory. What the church needs today is a new awareness of Christ and His glory … There is a dangerous absence of awe and worship in our assemblies today. We are boasting about standing on our own feet, instead of breaking and falling at His feet.”
Spurgeon wrote, “Blessed position! Does the death alarm you? We are never so much alive as when we are dead at his feet.”
First, Jesus comforted John with a compassionate touch, then Jesus gave John a command: “Fear not.” John didn’t need to be afraid because He was in the presence of Jesus, and Jesus clearly identifies Himself to John with three titles.
i. Jesus is the First and the Last, the God of all eternity, Lord of eternity past and eternity future.
ii. Jesus is the one that liveth, and was dead, and is alive forevermore. He has the credentials of resurrection, and lives to never die again. The victory that Jesus won over sin and death was a permanent victory. He didn’t rise from the dead just to die again.
iii. Jesus is the one who has the keys of hell and of death. Some imagine that the devil is somehow the “lord of Hell.” Some imagine that the devil has authority or power to determine life or death. Clearly, they are wrong, for only Jesus holds the keys of hell and of death.
Listen to me right here…we can trust that Jesus never lets the devil borrow the keys.
What else was John commissioned? To write! (This is the key to the entire book by the way... It is an outline of Revelation.)
A. The Past—The Things Thou Hast Seen … Chapter 1
B. The Present—The Things Which Are … Chapters 2 & 3
C. The Future—The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter … Chapters 4–22
Conclusion
Conclusion
The chapter concludes with the Lord giving John the clear meaning of the candlesticks…they represent the church. These were seven churches and God had a clear message for each of His churches.
The Lord has a word still for His church—this word was not just for them back then, but it is for us right now! Much of the Book of Revelation deals with future events. God knows it all—He is the One true God and we can and should trust Him.
John Phillips wrote, “So then, the book begins with visions of God, particularly of God the Son. They show God in control of the course, the consummation, and the character of the age. They challenge us to witness, to worship, and to wait.”
Are you apart of the Lord’s church?
Do you belong to the family of God?
Have you called upon the Lord Jesus to save you?
Are you trusting the Lord to lead you?
Are you serving the Lord?
God calls for His people to do something for Him and His glory!
Do you fret over the future? Turn to God and trust in Him—He’s got everything in control! Let God’s word guide you! Let God’s Son save you! Let’s God Spirit use you!