What Have We Become? 1

What Have We Become?

“The Time Is Near”

Text: Revelation 1

Introduction

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: A Very Special Book (Revelation 1)

Since Calvary, the Resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, God has ushered in the “last days” (Heb. 1:1–2) and is fulfilling His hidden purposes in this world. “The time is at hand” (Rev. 1:3; 22:10).

Hebrews 1:1–2 “1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”

Revelation 22:10 “10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”

This book is no the “revelation of future events” but rather the revelation of Jesus Christ.

In the first three chapters, Jesus is described as the “Priest-King ministering to the churches.

The Holy Spirit gave us some specific literature through John:

Gospel of John — Believe, Life received, Salvation, The Prophet

Epistles — Be sure, Life revealed, Sanctification, The Priest

Revelation — Be ready, Life rewarded, Sovereignty, The King

(Warren Wiersbe)

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: A Very Special Book (Revelation 1)

John wrote Revelation about A.D. 95, during the reign of the Roman emperor Titus Flavius Domitian. The emperor had demanded that he be worshiped as “Lord and God,” and the refusal of the Christians to obey his edict led to severe persecution. Tradition says that it was Domitian who sent John to the Isle of Patmos, a Roman penal colony off the coast of Asia Minor. This being the location of John’s exile, perhaps it is not surprising that the word sea is found twenty-six times in his book.

(show map of Asia Minor)

1) The Impact Of The Reader

A. Those who would get this letter would be endure intense persecution.

John did not send this book of prophecy to the assemblies in order to satisfy their curiosity about the future. God’s people were going through intense persecution and they needed encouragement. As they heard this book, its message would give them strength and hope. But even more, its message would help them examine their own lives (and each local assembly) to determine those areas needing correction. They were not only to hear the Word, but they were also to keep it—that is, guard it as a treasure and practice what it said. The blessing would come, not just by hearing, but even more so by doing. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 567.

James 1:22–25 “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

B. Those who read this letter and understands is blessed

When someone finds the grand meaning to their life, they are on the pathway to experiencing a “blessed” life.

John gives us the answer to the question, “What is the true pathway to blessing and hope when I face dreadful danger?”

Our western world has brought a lot of surface meaning to the word “blessed.”

The principal intent of the word is explained in Proverbs 3:13 “13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.”

Also in Psalm 1:1–3 “1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Quote: The times may be dangerous and awesome, as in fact John signals to us by the phrase “the time is at hand,” but neither the circumstances nor a timetable about potential circumstances are themselves the pathway. Our worth, and the meaning of our life, come from God’s decision about us, and not the dangers we face or the times of our history. Earl F. Palmer and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation, vol. 35, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1982), 109.

The “blessed life” comes from believers living in light of a great future coming to us because of Jesus Christ. We live from the decision of our Father in Heaven.

Quote: All of the other facts of our lives and our history are important, but not final. They affect us, but they do not define us. This is the Bible’s definition of success. Earl F. Palmer and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation, vol. 35, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1982), 109.

What does the Bible word “blessed” express to us?

It is a good thing to walk on the path of God’s will.

2) The Dedication To Jesus

VERSES 4-8

A. John reminds them of who their salvation belongs too

It would be the Triune-God who saved them and would keep them.

Does this not encourage you when you face life?

No amount of suffering or trial and change your identity!

God the Father:

Revelation 1:8 “8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

All of history has been shaped to be part of His eternal plan.

The Father “works all things”

This even means persecution! PURPOSE IS FOUND.

Holy Spirit:

“seven Spirits” = ONE Holy Spirit

“seven” in Hebrew means literally “Sabbath, cease, rest.”

It isn’t used so much in the numerical sense, but in the sense of wholeness.

“wholeness” is truly the ministry of the Holy Spirit!

Isaiah 11:2 “2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;”

JESUS IS THE DEDICATED ONE

“Faithful witness” = Prophet

“First begotten from the dead” = Priest (highest of those raised from the dead.

“first born” = honor

Colossians 1:18 “18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Notice these descriptive VERBS:

“He loves us” (present tense, not passed) — John 13:34“34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

“washed us from our sins in His own blood” = FREED US!

“kings and priests” — In His love, God called Israel to be a kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:1–6), but the Jews failed God and their kingdom was taken from them (Matt. 21:43). Today, God’s people (the church) are His kings and priests (1 Peter 2:1–10), exercising spiritual authority and serving God in this world. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 568.

3) The Theme Of Jesus’ Return

The overriding theme of the Book of Revelation is the return of Jesus Christ to defeat all evil and to establish His reign. It is definitely a book of victory and His people are seen as “overcomers” Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 568.

Through eyes of unbelief, Jesus Christ and His church are defeated in this world; but through eyes of faith, He and His people are the true victors. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 568.

Quote: As Peter Marshall once said, “It is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail.”

“cometh with the clouds” = Jesus’ return to the earth.

This event will be see by the whole world!

This will be the climax of the Tribulation period

Notice verse 8

God is able to work out all His purposes in human history.

ALPHA & OMEGA = the beginning and ending to all things.

Conclusion

THE TIME IS AT HAND! It is time we make sure we have given our church to Jesus. It is time we figure out what a healthy church actually looks like and then follow God’s plan to get there.

BIG QUESTION…will you be a part of heading that direction or be a hinderance?