7 Letters Intro Sermon
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Exegete
Exegete
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.
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,
Definition of the word Revelation -
a) a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way.
b) the divine or supernatural disclosure to humans of something relating to human existence or the world.
a revelation is God revealing himself to mankind in some way, typically something that was previously unknown.
If something is truly a revelation of God, then it belongs in the bible.
This is why we are so picky on God speaking, and what constitutes God speaking, because if God truly is telling you something that is new information, then He is giving you a revelation and it technically needs to be in the Bible.
That should at least give us reason to pause at saying things like “God told me.”
Illumination is the correct word. When we read scripture, God illuminates through the work of the holy spirit to see things that were always there, but he is bringing to our attention.
So this book, Revelation, is a revelation of Jesus, according to verse 1. He is revealing something that he wants to us to know.
Its interesting that it says God gave it to him, to show to his servants.
This is why I believe that references to God in the Bible are talking about the Father, mostly, instead of the God head.
Questions i have:
When did God give him this revelation?
Has Jesus always had limited knowledge of future events or is this simply because he has emptied himself to being fully Man. Philipians 4 discusses
So once Jesus gets word of it, he sends an angel to communicate it to John.
It tells of what must shortly take place.
How long is shortly?
4 views of Revelation:
Idealist - aka spiritual view
uses allegorical approach to interpretation
allegorical was Started by Origen - 200s ad
allegorical was Embraced and made prominent by Augustine - 400s ad
States the book is not historical, but respresents ongoing struggle through the ages of God and evil.
Preterist - believes Matthew 24 and Revelation were fulfilled in 70 AD.
Full - its all happened and we now live on New Earth. No return of Christ (possibly heresy)
Partial - its mostly happened and remainder is to come with Christ’s return
Historicist - revelation is a symbolic look at the time from apostles’ life to end of the Age.
The view of many of the Reformers
Futurist - literal approach to Revelation that divides it into three sections as indicated in 1:19: “what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”
They hold that the early church fathers before Origen held this view in varying degrees.
started In the mid-1500’s a Catholic Jesuit, Francisco Ribera, trying to take the heat off the pope for reformers calling him the anti-christ.
Most common now is Dispensationalism
made prominent in 1830s by John Nelson Darby
Scofield Bible also made it popular
DTS and Moody embrace this view.
Swing points
Date of writing
Historicist hold to early writing in 60s ad
John doesnt mention the temple destruction in 70 ad.
John mentions a temple in 11:1-2
Matthew 24 says this generation will not pass without seeing these things.
Futurist hold to later writing in 90s ad
Iraneus wrote that it was written at end of Emperor Domitian’s reign (ended 96 ad)
Iraneus a disciple of Polycarp, a disciple of John
The letters to churches do not seem to be against issues that those churches held in 60s ad per Pauls writings.
Smyrna didnt exist in the 60s.
Resourses:
https://evidenceandanswers.org/article/four-views-revelation/
https://www.tmumc.org/stories/posts/the-four-views-of-revelation
https://fathersheartministry.net/another-look-at-the-vision-of-margaret-macdonald/
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1101&context=sor_fac_pubs
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1322&context=auss
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1051&context=pretrib_arch
2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
This is the John that was discipled by Christ. He always uses the long way around to describe something. He does so here. He has personal intimate knowledge of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. He has shared it with all he saw (probably in person but also through his gospel and letters).
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.
This is not like the word in 1 Peter where we say blessed is the Lord, meaning he is blessed because he is worthy of our praise.
This is what you think of when you hear blessed. Fortunate, been given something good
This form of blessed is the same greek word in Septuagint.
References:
1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
7 but man is born to trouble
as the sparks fly upward.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Blessed are the ones that Reads, Hears, and Does what is written in the prophecy.
So its very important that whoever this message is intended for, they do these things.
Question: Who is it intended for?
Leads us to Verse 4
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,
Directly: This letter is intended for christians in the 7 churches that are in Asia.
Indirectly: All believers to come (presup based on 2 Timothy 3:16)
This letter is meant to be an encouragement!!!
As such, he begins with Grace and peace to you.
Grace is God’s blessing, and peace is a state of calmness or wholeness in your heart.
The security of this grace and peace is the PERSON that is and was and is to come.
Does that make you feel grace and peace? YES IT SHOULD!!!
who is the 7 spirits?
Leon Morris says it should read 7-fold spirit as in the complete spirit AKA the Holy Spirit.
Others say similar, but either way, its either complete holy spirit or 7 functions of the one spirit that are mostly mentioned.
Theres not a ton of evidence for exactly what it is. They are mentioned later in the book.
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.
Now we see a reference to Jesus. It really seems this is a third person mentioned that is sending grace and peace.
The one that was, and is, and is to come
The 7 fold spirit
Jesus Christ
It is very possible this is a reference to the trinity.
Some things to consider in verse 5
He Did work Son. He did all the work necessary.
He loves us - sit on this.
He released us from our sin by his own blood.
he’s made his people (us) to be a kingdom of priest
Not just the preacher that is religious. We are all called to live out a Christian life
Everything is to GOD’s Glory!
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.
Ever heard that Jesus is coming back one day?
Heres where we get that.
More references:
26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
List proving that day is Jesus’ second coming:
The phrase, "the day", or, "that day" occurs frequently in the NT and almost always refers to Jesus' second coming and its associated judgement, resurrection, etc, as per the following:
Matt 7:22 - Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’Matt 26:29 - I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”Mark 13:32 - No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.Mark 14:25 - Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”Luke 10:12 - I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.Luke 17:31 - On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind.Phil 1:10 - so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ2 Tim 1:12 - For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.2 Tim 1:18 - May the Lord grant Onesiphorus His mercy on that day. You know very well how much he ministered to me in Ephesus.2 Tim 4:8 - From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.2 Thess 1:10 - on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.1 Cor 3:12, 13 - If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is definitely coming back and it is documented that it will happen.
Along with verse 7, This is also a promise that when Jesus comes back, he will make every wrong right.
(Psalm 10, Colossians 3:25)
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
The final stamp of completion for the sender of the message
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.
Show where Patmos was, possibly.
It seems Patmos was an island for prisoners with mines for them to work.
Heres a reference to John’s last days
https://www.puritanboard.com/threads/apostle-john-polycarp-and-patmos.79254/
John says he is there because of the word of God and testimony of Jesus. Seems he is there as punishment for his faith and stance for Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
The Lord’s day is now a common phrase for Sunday, but this was the only time it was used in scripture. There is conflict whether John is referring to Sunday, Easter, or Some manifestation of the end judgment in a vision or something.
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.”
He is given clear instructions by this voice
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.
There are some confusing things here.
Here’s what is clear:
Jesus is the man in white with fire eyes
like a son of man v13
he died but is alive v18
he holds the keys to death v18
Matthew 16, he gave keys
The Mystery
First: He sees 7 lampstands
Next: Jesus (white haired fire guy) is standing in middle of them
Next: In his right hand were 7 stars
Next: A two-edged sword comes out of his mouth (usually refers to the word of God Hebrews 4)
Verse 19 clears up some other things.
Seven stars are the 7 angels
Seven lampstands are the 7 churches in Asia
So angel is a messenger. We do not know if this is a heavenly being, a person, or symbolic for the device the message is being sent by
In ch 2, he will address each letter to the angel of each church.
There are pros and cons for each explanation of who the angels are. Its really not significant though.
Question: Why these 7 churches?
They represent periods of church history
They are each representives of something that needs to be addressed within the church at large.
Actual churches and actual issues, this whole thing would have been addressed and sent around, not just each small section to that church.
In the weeks to come, we will look at each of these letters to the 7 churches.