Our Victorious and Risen Lord

Intro.

First we need to situate ourselves in this book. Revelation is an apocalyptic book. Apocalyptic literature is used by God to encourage and assure saints who are in the midst of persecution and trials. It’s simple message is this: God wins in Christ! Though the battle is fierce and the persecution and struggles rage-even to the point of death-we need not fear. We have this little phrase we use; God is on His throne. It’s a phrase we use in the midst of an evil circumstance, to remind us that God has always been reigning and ruling and will even turn evil for the good. For God has won and will win this cosmic battle. Even death has no power over the one who perseveres, though it still must be passed through. While it is a book that assures us, it also calls us to holy living, it calls us to persevere. In other words, this book brings no comfort to the profane, or to the idle. But to the Christian, who is fighting the battle of holiness, there is great comfort and great assurance to be had.

Symbol- “The ability of symbols to communicate things that cannot adequately be expressed by other means”

Craig R. Koester, Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel: Meaning, Mystery, Community, Second Edition. (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003),

We all know what it’s like to see something so beautiful, so majestic, so haunting, that you say I just can’t describe it, or in attempting to describe it, you have to qualify it with, you just had to be there. That’t what we have here except turned up several notches. John receives this vision of otherworldly spiritual realities and the best he can do to describe it is give us these symbols. This is especially true concerning the glorified and risen Christ. We can’t handle that vision now. We won’t be able to handle it until we have glorified bodies and eyes and intellects.

Revelation 17:14 “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

Now we are on the first chapter of Revelation which serves as the introduction to the letter.

What is the first thing the Lord gives us in this introduction to the rest of the Letter?

We

Here is our message for this morning. That our exalted Lord Jesus is glorious in his; person and offices, in his speaking to and dwelling amongst his church, and as Victor over death and hades.

We’ll consider each of these as we work through our text.

I. First, Jesus is glorious in His speaking to, and dwelling with his church.

a. Jesus speaks to His church. His voice is heard in the gathering.

b. Jesus dwells in the midst of the church.

i. New temple - God dwells in his temple in Christ and by his Spirit.

II. Jesus is glorious in His person.

a. Divine perfections are essential to Jesus

b. A note about visions. Jesus is to be high and lifted up in our minds. We worship in Spirit and in truth. Whatever our conceptions we need to keep these things in mind. He is far more glorious than what the letter gives us. The Spirit of the text here is beyond our reach as fallen sinful redeemed creatures. It is here to induce worship, adoration, trust, assurance, and willing obedience and faithfulness.

III. Jesus is glorious in his threefold office.

a. He is the greater prophet. We are to listen to Him. He speaks with power and authority. He pronounces blessings and curses. He speaks the Words of God to us, and to our enemies.

b. Jesus is our great high priest. He has offered himself, passed into the heavens, and now ever lives to make intersession for us. In him, we are made priests in the house of God. He tends to us as a priest. He trims and fuels the candlesticks

c. He is our victorious King. He protects us as the one dwelling in our midst and also holding us in his right hand. He protects us from our enemies, even death and hell the two greatest enemies hav no power over us because of Christ!

Here are two amazing truths for us to really grab hold of. First, our resurrected exalted Lord Jesus Christ speaks to His church, He speaks to His saints. Second, He dwells in their midst. Jesus is in the midst of the lampstands v.12,13. Verse 20 tells us that the lampstands are the churches. This shouldn’t surprise us Matt 28 tells us he’s with us. Eph 2 tells us He speaks to us. Heb 1-4 tell us that He speaks and even leads us in worship. But I think we lose sight of it. We don’t come here believing that He is walking amongst us, judging our thoughts and intentions, quickening and comforting, strengthening and equipping, bring gladness and joy to us.

Verse 10

“Loud Voice” power, authority, universal.

Verse. 13

In Spite of the opposition and persecution facing the church, God will see to it that His church is maintained all the way to glory. “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

Do you remember when we discussed in John 1 how the Spirit is given by Christ in an ongoing way. This is the reality pictured for us here and the reality we experience today. Our powerful and authoritative, and risen Lord Jesus gives fresh supplies of His Spirit to His church in order to sustain it. To sustain and beautify His bride!

Verse 14

Verse 16

Verse 17

This is not the Christ John knew! John leaned on Jesus breast, now he is falling down at His feet as though dead. Jesus will now explain to John how he arrived at this state, what was the pathway to this exalted state? How have you become the greater prophet, our great high priest and eternal King?

“Fear not” fear not to John, and fear not to the persecuted church. I am first and last.

He is the cause of all things and that which all things tend toward. That is, all things came into being through Him, and they exist for Him, for His own glory! Col 1:17.

Verse 18

“Behold” give diligent attention. I am alive forevermore. And I have the power and authority over death and hades.

If death is already overcome, then by what can Jesus be overcome? Nothing! Give diligent attention. I have overcome the greatest enemy of mankind. I have defeated and have dominion over, I have power and authority over the realm of the dead and death itself. What I keep bound stays bound, What I set free, none can resist! “If the Son of Man set you free, you will be free indeed!”

“Two Edged Sword” His Word is never going forth without effectiveness. It cuts whatever is opposed to His word. This includes us!

It causes us to consider what kind of hearers we are. Are we softened by Word when it cuts to the quick of our sinful hearts.

Do you see how exceedingly glorious Jesus is? The One who is the cause of all things is directing them the

Application

First, if you are not in Christ this morning, flee to Him. What torments await those who reject the Son. He is coming and He is coming with judgement. Don’t be found naked in your own righteousness. Be found in Him. Clothed in Jesus righteous robes. Forgiven. Made new.

How glorious is our Lord in His victory over death and hades? Do you see His glory? Death is the great enemy of humanity. It holds us in fear and captivity. But no longer for the Christian. We look to Jesus and our fears are quelled. We are more than conquerers in Christ.

Which brings to the confidence, the assurance, the hope that this reality gives us.

What motive for holiness. Holy living in fear is not Biblical holiness.

What motive for service.

The Bible Panorama: Enjoying the Whole Bible with a Chapter-by-Chapter Guide Chapter One

AWESOME APPEARANCE Jesus Christ appears to him as the ‘Son of Man’. His dazzling glory, unrivalled holiness, perfect purity, absolute authority, eternal character, resurrection from the dead, and control over death shine out of the wonderful description given of Him. God gives John a sense of the wonder of his Saviour before he starts his special assignment from God. This is a lesson for us all.