Jesus Expected

But one of the things that always concerns me is that I hear people say the book of Revelation—and sometimes all prophecy—really doesn’t matter! But NOTHING could be farther from the truth.

Prophecy—especially John’s book of Revelation—is extremely important.

Very quickly this morning I want to show you how Jesus is expected to come again!

Jesus & His People Between His 2 Comings

The first section of John’s book reveals how we are to live until Jesus comes again!

If you have your Bibles turn with me to the last book of your Bible—the book of Revelation. We’re going to begin with verse 9 of chapter 1.

Revelation 1:9 NIV

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

First, John tells us that he is our companion in Suffering.

He’s our companion in Jesus’ kingdom.

He’s our companion in patient endurance.

Revelation 1:10 NIV

On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

On the Lord’s Day,

John has a vision (in the Spirit).

He heard a loud voice that was like a trumpet.

Revelation 1:11 NIV

which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

The voice tell John to write what he sees.

And then he is to send it to the seven churches:

—Ephesus

—Smyrna

—Pergamum

—Thyatira

—Sardis

—Philadelphia

—Laodicea

John wants to know who is talking to him! Look at verse 12.

Revelation 1:12–13 NIV

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.

John turns and sees a figure among seven golden lampstands.

The figure was “someone like the son of man. . .” this comes from Daniel 7:13.

Daniel 7:13 NIV

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

And it identifies that Jesus is talking to him.

Revelation 1:14 NIV

The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

Now, we are given a description of the resurrected Jesus.

Hair was white like wool.

As white as snow.

His eyes were blazing like fire.

Revelation 1:15 NIV

His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.

His feet like bronze glowing in a furnace.

His voice like the sound of rushing water.

Revelation 1:16 NIV

In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

He has seven stars in his right hand.

Out of his mouth was a sharp double-edge sword.

His face was shining like the sun!

This is a scary sight, and John responds appropriately.

Revelation 1:17 NIV

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

John sees this person and falls at his feet—as though he was dead!

Jesus places his right hand on John and tells him not to be afraid.

Because He is the First and the Last! A reference to His eternality.

Revelation 1:18 NIV

I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

He is the Living one—He was dead but now He is alive for ever and ever.

More importantly, Jesus now holds the keys of death—He alone has authority over death.

And He alone has authority over Hades—the place of the dead!

Revelation 1:19 NIV

“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.

John is to write what he sees which is both now and later.

As John begins we see the resurrected Jesus, Mighty and Strong!

Jesus & the Events Surrounding His Return

Beginning in chapter 4 we begin to see a picture of Jesus during the events of His return.

So turn with me to Revelation 4:1.

Revelation 4:1 NIV

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

John has a vision of Heaven.

And the same voice in chapter 1, speaks to him here, and invites John to come up to where He—Jesus is!

And Jesus will show John what must take place after this! —This phrase shows two things. First it shows that God’s plan for the future. And Secondly it shows that God’s plan will be fulfilled.

Now if you read and study chapters 4-16, you will get a feeling for all of the events and judgments that will take place during Jesus’ ultimate return! Honestly, it is well worth the study—but I’ll spare you the details today.

Jesus & the Destruction of Two Cities

When you come to chapters 17 and 18 are a bit of a side note as John is invited to be a witness of punishment.

Destruction of Religious Babylon

Revelation 17:1–2 NIV

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”

Throughout the prophets, the religious system of Babylon was a satanic force that led people away from Yahweh.

Babylon is represented by the great prostitute.

She sits by the waters, which represents the millions that were led astray by her teachings.

We’re even told that the kings of the earth committed adultery with her.

And the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wines of her adulteries.

John sees this religious system destroyed.

The Destruction of Political Babylon

Revelation 18:1–2 NIV

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.

Here in America, we consider Wall Street to be the center of our economic system and power.

Throughout the Biblical text the center of worldly political power was considered to be the political system of Babylon.

Here in chapter 18 we see the political collapse of the great city.

She has become a dwelling place of demons.

A haunt (or prison) for every impure spirit.

A prison of every unclear bird.

A prison of ever unclean and detestable animal.

Jesus as Conquering King

When we come to chapter 19 we see

Jesus the Heavenly Warrior!

Revelation 19:11–16 NIV

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.

So What?

Our world is not getting better and better! It is getting worse and worse!

But in the very last book of the Bible we see Jesus coming again. Not as a Baby in the manger, but as the King of ALL kings, and the Lord of ALL lords!