We are called to be a faithful witnesses in Christ who is The Faithful witness
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Reading of God’s Word
Reading of God’s Word
Revelation 1 (ESV)
1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
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.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 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.”
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 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. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Prayer-Enlighten us to your word. Bless us as we read, hear, and obey your word as we focus on your son Jesus Christ. Amen
Introduction
View of our Trinitarian God
We as a faithful witness In Christ
Introduction: The book of Revelation has been portrayed as hidden secret codes containing scary beasts, and red dragons, world calamity and fear. There were many times as a child returning to an empty home that I felt as though I had been “Left Behind.” My family had been raptured and I was left to go through the great Tribulation.
With all the end times sensational books and movies over the past 100 years, Christians today tend to ignore the book or a few still obsess about the secret codes related to the signs of the times.
The book of Revelation is often a difficult book to understand, but let us not be intimidated by its complexity. is best to keep it simple as we read through revelation not adding to the meaning of the text.
Apocalyptic style is a moving picture book of visions and images. It is not a puzzle. Visions are clothed in symbolism. Some part are clearly literal, but most are symbolic. As it true when reading parables, we do not need to explain or make an analogy for each detail that we read.
Vern Poythress - “ You can summarize its message in one sentence: God rules history and will bring it to its consummation in Christ. Read it with this main point in mind, and you will understand. You will not necessarily understand every detail—neither do I. But it is not necessary to understand every detail in order to profit spiritually.”
Trinity verse the counterfeit
Written to Christians in the last days. Span the whole time...The book is about the past, present and future. Written to be read and heard in the present age and designed to provide comfort for God’s people. The Last days in redemptive history began with Christ’s first coming and will end with his second coming.
The best way to view the book is to see multiple parallel pictures of the same reality.
There are 7 different parallel perspectives of the same event. The First perspective is Chapter 1-3 that focuses on the 7 churches in the Roman providence of Asia, Eastern Turkey.
Micheal Kruger uses the televised NFL gain as an analogy. There are 7 camera around the field. Each one focused on a different part of the play providing a different perspective.
Each perspective builds on the previous perspective initially focusing on the the conflict of the church in a hostile world and then transitioning to ultimate battle between God and Satan the dragon.
Three approaches- The whole book occurred with the fall of Jerusalem. The second is that the majority of the book after Chapter 3 will occur during at the end of time. We are going to take the third approach that Revelation has a historical context in the first century, and does point the future of Christ’s return, but the main text is relevant to every generation.
Expository Sermon
Today we are focusing on Revelation 1:1-9.
As we delve into this text, we will focus on the main point of the sermon that We are called to be a faithful witnesses in Christ who is The Faithful witness
Revelation 1:1–2 (ESV)
1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
Revelation 1:4 (ESV)
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
In vs 1, the first word in Greek is ἀποκάλυψις, English word apocalypse.
The Greek word means to reveal, not to conceal. Christ is revealing this message to His Church. It is meant to be understood by all those who are in Christ.
This writing did not originate from the apostle John, but from Jesus Christ given to him from God the Father and Holy Spirit through an angel for Christ’s servants (believers).
The historical context is that this letter comes to John the Apostle most likely around 95 AD. John is the last living Apostle as the other 11 Apostles plus Paul have all been martyred for there witnessing in Europe, Asia and Africa by stoning, crucifixion, and burning.
This is a letter written to historical churches in the Roman providence of Asia minor, in the current area of East Turkey, who are undergoing persecution from Emperor Domitian.
Beale-Wrtieeing is the perceived discrepancy n the Chsitan audence bewtween, on the one hand, blief tha the kindgomom aha been inaugurated, that god was sovereign over history and that Chrsit would soon return to conculd =e history an on the other hand, the reality that fores of evil continned to exist. to dominat cutre and even flourish, while oppressing believer to varying degrees How did the truths of the gowpel relate practialy ad apecifaly to the difficult cuturla, social, policalk ad dcomnic realities all of which were inextricably linked o vafous forms of greco-roman religion
In
Revelation 1:9 (ESV)
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.
John had been a faithful witness in Emphasis and also wrote the Gospel of John, and 1,2,3 John. He was arrested and exiled to this penal colony of the island of Patmos.
He received this vision from Jesus Christ to encourage and strengthen the churches in Asia Minor who were facing persecution and suffering. During this time of suffering, the churches needed to be reminded that they are In Jesus Christ who has already had victory over sin and death.L
Like many of the other NT epistles, this letter is written to 7 real Churches who had problems and needed encouragement. The number 7 is found 54 times in Revelation and signifies Completeness. Creation. Seven is divine completion that began with creation of the world conclude with God resting on the 7th day. John to the seven churches that are in Asia:Number 7- completeness, fullness and perfection. Revelation 1:11 “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.””
vs 1. What soon must take place
Trinity
The one who is, was and is to come, vs 8 alpha and omega, almighty
Father- him who is, and who was and who is to come. Did create the world leave and then rejoining at the end. He is with us in the present. Did create the world with a providential plan and will bring about a consummation at the end. He is outside of time, but is active in our present time of difficulties.
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
Seven Sprits
The Spirit- (Seven Spirits- Heavenly perfect Holy spirit.Focus on Jesus
Jesus Christ is the great witness because He testified to the truth of God’s Word and His own identity. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He also said, “For this reason, I was born and for this, I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:37). Jesus Christ was not just a witness; He was the truth that He witnessed to.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be witnesses of His truth and grace. We are called to testify to the world about the salvation that is found only in Jesus Christ. We are called to live as witnesses of Christ’s love and mercy.
But being a witness is not easy. It requires courage, faithfulness, and perseverance. John was exiled on the island of Patmos because of his witness to Jesus Christ. The churches in Asia Minor were facing persecution and suffering because of their witness to Jesus Christ. We too may face opposition and suffering because of our witness to Jesus Christ.
But we have hope because of Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and death. He has conquered the powers of darkness, and He has promised to return one day to make all things new. Until that day, we are called to be faithful witnesses of His truth and grace.
This vision of Jesus Christ is a powerful picture of His majesty, power, and authority.
Jesus Christ- Faithful witness (μαρτυς- Martyr), Firstborn of the dead, King and priest
Jesus conquered death. Control of Satan’s realm
Priest and a King
II. Believers (the Church) are to be Witnesses to the world if they are in Union with Christ. Is Revelation relevant to the believer? Yes
A special blessing. Only book of the Bible that states a Blessing for reading.
Revelation 1:3 “ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”
First of 7 blessings.
Grace and Peace- Must have God’s grace of reconciliation with him before we can have peace. Throughout this book evil appears to be succeeding, but at the end those who are In Christ will prevail because of the finished work of Christ.2
Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
All Scripture (to include Revelation) is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Are we in the Last Days? Absolutely.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
In him we are a priest and king
Coming in the clouds
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.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
We are the gospel to others- See in us the Love of God.
Salvation of man. Reclamation of the heavens and the earth. Paradise lost in Genesis and paradise regained in Revelation.
Where is God? Is Christ coming back? Will evil triumph over good?Who is in control if we are suffering.
we have fears- Government, health, work, family,
God uses faithful witnesses to open hearts by the spirit. Best done in times of trouble.
Saves us so that we can identify with him.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
Portrays the paradoxical present rule of Christ as King and his ultimate triumph and the salvation of his people through tribulation.
the church is not the first to suffer. Christ is the faithful witness. they too will be faithful witnesses.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”
Christ is the ruler of Kings over the earth, if we are in him, he has made us a kingdom.
and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
Christ is priest- Mediator- To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood- priest and the sacrifice Because of he is a priest, if we are in Him, we are priests, made us kingdom, priests to his God and Father to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.
Son of Man
Voice of the Risen savor.
Mostly symbolism taken from the OT, Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and other OT prophets.
redemptive history. Bookends of the Bible.
Life between the two comings of Christ from a heavenly perspective
Delivered to distressed churches. May seem the church is despised and defeated. Jesus christ reigns and his purposes are patiently being worked out.
Faithfulness in the midst of suffering.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
In conclusion, let us remember that we are witnesses in Christ because Christ is the great witness. Let us be encouraged by the vision of Jesus Christ that John received and live in light of His victory over sin and death. Let us be faithful witnesses. We are called to be a faithful witnesses in Christ who is The Faithful witness