What Have We Become? 2

The Quiet Worshiper

Text: Revelation 1:9-18

Introduction

We live in a culture today where everyone wants the stage to be an elite voice. What has hurt many of a preacher or minister is being given the stage way too quick. Sometimes, the lights and stage become more of a poison to themselves than themselves being a blessing to others.

SELF ILLUSTRATION: Being honest…I believe I probably stepped into the role of a pastor too quickly!

John identifies himself as a brother to the Christians who are to receive this letter. He wants them to know that because of his witness to Jesus Christ he is imprisoned on the island of Patmos. 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), 115.

This small, 8 x 4-mile island is one of the Dodecanese islands off the coast of Turkey. 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), 115.

Scholars of the first-century period have found evidences that the Roman government maintained rock quarries on Patmos to which prisoners and banished troublemakers were sent to live out their lives. 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), 115.

1 Timothy 2:2 “2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

1 Thessalonians 4:11 “11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;”

Matthew 6:6 “6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

1) God’s Special Presence

A. John was found worshiping His Lord

John wasn’t trying to be noticed. He set his heart on noticing the grace of Jesus.

John was living a “quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

John tells his readers he was “in the Spirit” (v. 10). This phrase would not be an uncommon way of expressing worship to an early Christian reader. 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), 115.

John 4:24 “24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

However, the expression “the Lord’s Day” is new, and does not appear at any other place in the New Testament. 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), 115.

B. John got to see Jesus and so much more

While John was “worshipping.”

Who was this LOUD VOICE?

He was the beginning and end, first and last.

This voice would be similar yet obscure.

Jesus would no longer sound like the meek servant leader.

Jesus would sound like an authoritative king.

Notice the description of Jesus:

His garments — Garments of a judge and king / honor and authority.

White hair — Jesus’ eternality — Daniel 7:9 “9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.”

His eyes — Jesus sees all / judge righteously

His feet — suggesting judgement — the brazen altar was the place where the fire consumed the sin offering. The Lord had come to judge the churches, and He would also judge the evil world system. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 569.

“sound of manny waters”

Illustration: Has anyone every seen a waterfall? POWER & QUANTITY is seen.

The sound of all of God’s revelation & the authority/power of His voice.

Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

He ends all battles with His Voice

Revelation 19:19–21 “19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”

(v17) “fell at His feet dead…” (we will come back to the comfort of Christ in our last point)

No longer is John laying his head on the chest of Jesus!

Do you remember what Peter did right after he realized who Jesus was? — Luke 5:8 “8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

John had never seen Jesus this way!

This was a frightening (not devastating) sight.

You will notice that Jesus’ uniqueness and wonder extended beyond John vocabulary.

We should not speak with a familiarity that promotes a lack of reverence for Him.

2) God’s Special Message

A. Be ready to record things that are needful

a. Seven golden lampstands

(v20) These were the seven churches in Asia Minor

This Voice came from the midst of all seven lamp stands

This gives us the understanding that Jesus is the One who connects all N.T. churches together.

Jesus is in their midst! SOURCE OF LIFE!

Jesus NEVER ABANDONS HIS CHURCH!

Jesus is going to preceed His final judgement on them by giving them direction on how to become healthy again. (change)

b. The “stars” in Jesus’ right hand

The “angels” = messengers

It is my person thought that these were probably the elders of these churches.

Wherever He has placed His messengers, that is where He wants them to shine for Him.

Daniel 12:3 “3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

c. Why were “these things” so needful for them (and even us today)?

(v9) “tribulation”… “kingdom”… “Patience”

These churches were currently in danger.

Notice the placement of these words.

These people (and us today) were placed within a real world within the turbulent line of history.

God wanted them to reach beyond surviving.

There is “Hope” to set you life to “thrive” as a church until He returns!

John was to record them as a collection of writings.

John was then to distribute these writings to 7 particular churches:

Ephesus — loveless

Smyrna — Persecuted

Pergamos — Compromising

Thyatira — Corrupt

Sardis — Dead

Philadelphia — Faithful

Laodicea — Lukewarm

3) God’s Special Comfort

Let’s tie this back into our first point when John realized who was speaking to him.

Just as Jesus wonder and uniqueness extended beyond John vocabulary, SO DID THE KINDNESS AND SENSITIVITY OF JESUS.

Jesus found His friend at this prison rock quarry.

Jesus laid His hand on John to comfort Him.

When Jesus says, “Fear not,” how does that make you feel?

Don’t fear life

Don’t fear circumstance

Don’t fear His leadership

Don’t fear death

Don’t fear eternity…

Jesus declares His realness to John (v18)

I am He who lives!

I am He who was dead!

I am He who will never again be dead!

Conclusion

Did you notice the full circle we just made? John started with Jesus and ends with Jesus!