Greetings from the Gracious Godhead, Part 2 (Rev. 1:5-6).
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C. Jason Walker
Rejoicing Through Revelation • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 1:01:39
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Introduction:
Introduction:
Imagine opening a letter, and in the enigmatic greeting, because of your personal knowledge of the writer, you just know who sent it to you, before they even tell you who they are.
Main Thought: Behold, He Cometh! Are you ready?
Sub-intro: Whet the appetite for the infallibility of our AV text, without giving away the point to be made later about the importance of every letter, each jot and tittle.
Body:
I. The Human Author: John (Rev. 1:4a).
I. The Human Author: John (Rev. 1:4a).
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Note - Reference previous messages to defend the human author as John the Beloved and Apostle of Christ.
II. The Honored Recipients (Rev. 1:4b).
II. The Honored Recipients (Rev. 1:4b).
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
A. To the Seven Churches:
A. To the Seven Churches:
Note - the number of completion
Note - the semi-circle locations in reference to Patmos
B. Which Are in Asia:
B. Which Are in Asia:
Note - the Hebrew word ash literally means ball of fire; as a reference to the sun which rises from the eastern horizon from Jerusalem.
III. The Heavenly Greeting (Rev. 1:4c-5a).
III. The Heavenly Greeting (Rev. 1:4c-5a).
A. Bestowed Blessings (Rev. 1:4c):
A. Bestowed Blessings (Rev. 1:4c):
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
1. Grace (Eph. 2:8-9).
1. Grace (Eph. 2:8-9).
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Note - you must have grace first before you can ever have peace.
2. Peace (Rom. 5:1ff).
2. Peace (Rom. 5:1ff).
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
The words of greeting “Grace and peace unto you” tell of the two great possessions of the church. Though the professing church may fail in her testimony, grace and peace, even in the dark days of apostasy, will never fail. [Arno C. Gaebelein, The Annotated Bible, Volume 9: James to Revelation (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), 211.]
B. From the Gracious Godhead (Rev. 1:4d):
B. From the Gracious Godhead (Rev. 1:4d):
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
1. From God the Father:
1. From God the Father:
a. The One Who Is (Ex. 6:3; 3:14).
a. The One Who Is (Ex. 6:3; 3:14).
And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
b. The One Who Was (John 1:1ff).
b. The One Who Was (John 1:1ff).
IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
c. The One Who Is Coming (Acts 1:11ff).
c. The One Who Is Coming (Acts 1:11ff).
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Note - the description fits Jesus, but the title is that of the Father's; hence John makes Jesus co-equal, co-eternal, and co-existent with the Father; because Jesus is very God of very God, and very man of very man.
2. From God the Spirit:
2. From God the Spirit:
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
a. The Complete Comforter (Is. 11:2-3).
a. The Complete Comforter (Is. 11:2-3).
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;
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD:
And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,
Neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
See Rev. 3:1; 4:5; 5:6. Ex. 25:31-39; Zech. 4:2ff.
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying,
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,
Saith the LORD of hosts.
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain:
And he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house;
His hands shall also finish it;
And thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
For who hath despised the day of small things?
For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven;
They are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
b. The Commissioned Convicter (John 14-16).
b. The Commissioned Convicter (John 14-16).
See John 16:7-11. John 1:33; 7:39; 14:26; 20:22; 1 Jn. 5:7. Rev. 2:7ff.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
3. From God the Son, Jesus Christ:
3. From God the Son, Jesus Christ:
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
a. The Faithful Witness
a. The Faithful Witness
See Heb. 12:2; Ps. 89:37; 1 Tim. 6:13.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
It shall be established for ever as the moon,
And as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
b. The First-begotten of the Dead
b. The First-begotten of the Dead
Note - Ps 89- God promised to make David’s seed the firstborn- priority of position (Primogeniture) Highest of the kings of the earth. He is not only the first to rise, He is most important (Col 1:18)
See Ps. 89:27; Heb. 1:6; Matt. 1:25; Rom. 1:4; 8:29; Acts 4:12; 1 Cor. 15:23; Col. 1:15-18.
Also I will make him my firstborn,
Higher than the kings of the earth.
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 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.
c. The Ruler of Earthly Kings
c. The Ruler of Earthly Kings
See Rev. 19:15-16.
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Compare Eph. 2:2 with Rev. 11:15; 17:14.
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
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.
IV. The Hallelujah Doxology (Rev. 1:5b-6).
IV. The Hallelujah Doxology (Rev. 1:5b-6).
A. The Prince of Peace's Past (Rev. 1:5b).
A. The Prince of Peace's Past (Rev. 1:5b).
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
1. His Love Covered Us.
1. His Love Covered Us.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
An African missionary, walking down a forest path where a day or two before fire had swept, leaving desolation in its train, found the charred remains of a nest. In the nest was the carcass of a mother hen, burned to a cinder. Idly he kicked the ashes with his foot and, to his astonishment, out from under the heap ran some baby chicks! Mother love had taught that hen to give her life for her brood. That was creature love. What can we say of Calvary love—of the love that many waters cannot quench, the love that will not let us go, the love that suffers long and is kind? It is love that endures! [John Phillips, Exploring Revelation: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Re 1:5b–6a.]
2. His Blood Cleansed Us.
2. His Blood Cleansed Us.
Note - discuss the difference of the texts between versions: AV = "washed"; CT = "loosed"
Using two aorist participles, John described the past activity of the Prince. He “loved” (avgaph,santi) us and “washed” (lou,santi) us, the Apostle evoked. The Lord’s ultimate act of love was His finished work on the cross as Christ shed His blood (vide Jn. 15:13; 19:30; Rom. 5:8-9). With the messianic metaphor of washing His garments in blood (cf. Gen. 49:11, Isa. 63:1-3), the Apostle John predicted that the Great Tribulation saints will receive redemption, having washed white their robes “in the blood p 43 of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14;89 cf. also Rev. 12:11). When a repentant sinner trusts in the ultimate act of divine love (i.e., Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection), the sinner is immediately saved, having his sins washed by the Lamb “in his own blood” (evn tw/| ai[mati90 auvtou/)91 and made white (cf. Isa. 1:18; Rom. 3:24-25). The CT reflects changes in the Greek text concerning the tense of the first participle and the root of the second.92 These changes affect the full understanding of the verse, diminishing the redemptive work of Christ relative to His blood. Instead of the aorist participle avgaph,santi (“loved”), the CT has the present participle avgapw/nti (“loves”). Further, the CT changes the root of the second participle from the aorist lou,santi (“washed”) to the p 44 aorist lu,santi (“loosed”).93 The different readings come from the support of dubious MSS which have Gnostic-laced readings throughout, and which have resisted “the text received by all”—the Textus Receptus.94 For four hundred and forty-eight years (1534-1982), translators of all religious stripes have followed Tyndale’s rendering, “loved vs and wesshed vs.” This history of translations includes the Tyndale (1534), the Presbyterian Geneva (1560), the Anglican Bishops’ (1599), the KJV (1611), the Roman Catholic Douay-Rheims (1899), and the new evangelical NKJV (1982).
89 The alleged expression “loosed in blood” has no equivalent in the OT or NT, whereas “washed in blood” has several (cf. Gen. 49:11; Ezk. 16:9; Rev. 1:5; 7:14).
90 The noun ai-ma occurs 99x in the NT, of which 19x are in Revelation. The CT omits ai-ma in Col. 1:14. The blood of Christ was foreshadowed by the OT sacrifices (cf. Heb. 9:12-14), is “divine” blood (Acts 20:28—tou/ Qeou/…dia. tou/ ivdi,ou ai[matoj), is “precious” (I Pet. 1:19—timi,w|), and is in heaven (cf. Heb. 12:24). Cf. Strouse, En Epheso, pp. 53-54.
91 This prepositional phrase also occurs in Rom. 5:9.
92 It should be noticed that both changes reduce the Greek text and diminish the theology of the Greek text. VAgaph,santi is reduced to avgapw/nti, and lou,santi is reduced to lu,santi. Although it is true that sinners are loosed from their sins, the basis for this loosing is the shed blood of Christ, in Whose blood sinners are washed. It is this truth from which heretics recoil. For instance, the TEV changes the word “blood” to “death” in several key references such as Eph. 2:13, and says, “brought near by the sacrificial death of Christ.”
93 Only one of two possibilities occurred for these differences in Greek texts. Either a “pious” scribe attempted to upgrade the text with the lou,w (to wash) root, inserting the omicron, or a devilish scribe omitted omicron and employed the lu,w (to loose) root. Based on the warnings of John’s colophon (Rev. 22:18-19), “pious” scribes would not tamper with the text.
94 Kistemaker argues for the lu,santi reading, saying, “this reading has the support of the better manuscripts (P18 a A C 1611) and is reflected in the Old Testament (Isa. 40:2 LXX),” p. 85. However, the “better manuscripts” have a dubious origin, and reflect the effort to restore the Greek text which God apparently has not promised or attempted to preserve. Furthermore, employment of the penultimate and inferior LXX as an biblical authority is feckless.
[Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 42–44.]
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
B. The Prince of Peace's Promise (Rev. 1:6a).
B. The Prince of Peace's Promise (Rev. 1:6a).
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Note - the tense
His Hope Has Crowned Us.
1. Magistrates of His Heaven (1 Cor. 6:1ff).
1. Magistrates of His Heaven (1 Cor. 6:1ff).
Continuing with the aorist tense, John declared that Christ has “made” (evpoi,hsen) his audience “kings and priests unto God” (basilei/j kai. i`erei/j tw/| Qew/|). Blood-washed sinners have the expectancy to be kings and priests in their eschatological future, the Apostle averred. This truth of the prospect that saved sinners will be kings, harmonizes with Paul’s theology, stating, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will p 45 deny us” (II Tim. 2:12). Again, the architects of the CT tampered with the Scriptures, and rendered basilei/j (“kings”) as basilei,an (“kingdom”),95 presumably following the LXX of Ex. 19:6. This effort of tampering removes the promise of kingship to believers, contrary to Paul’s aforementioned passage, and contrary to the teaching of the VApoka,luyij (cf. Rev. 5:10). Believers shall reign as kings with Christ, and also minister as priests (cf. Isa. 61:6). Peter gave a foretaste of this priestly privilege, stating, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (I Pet. 2:5; vide Heb. 13:15). The privilege to reign with and minister as priests to the divine Christ and His Father evokes praise from John.
95 “Kingdom of priests” appears nowhere in the NT.
[Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 44–45.]
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
2. Ministers of His Holiness (1 Pet. 2:4-10).
2. Ministers of His Holiness (1 Pet. 2:4-10).
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
C. The Prince of Peace's Praises (Rev. 1:6b).
C. The Prince of Peace's Praises (Rev. 1:6b).
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1. Glory
1. Glory
Note - The Glory of Man Restored in the Second Adam (Rom. 3:23).
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
I am the LORD: that is my name:
And my glory will I not give to another,
Neither my praise to graven images.
For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it:
For how should my name be polluted?
And I will not give my glory unto another.
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
2. Dominion
2. Dominion
Note - The Dominion of Man Restored in the Second Adam (Gen. 1:26-27; 2 Sam. 7).
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God. And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Behold, He Cometh! Are you ready?