Jesus Glorfified King
Revelation • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 14 viewsNotes
Transcript
Revelation 1:9-20
Revelation 1:9-20
The narrative of Richard the Lionheart’s return to "save" England from his brother, Prince John, stands as one of the most renowned tales of the Middle Ages. It is a story where history and the legend of Robin Hood intertwine. While the myth depicts Richard as an impeccable hero rescuing a suffering kingdom, historical reality reveals a compelling account of political intrigue, familial conflict, and rapid military action.
Here is an account of how the actual events transpired:
1. The Traitorous Brother
In 1192, King Richard was detained in a European prison following his kidnapping en route from the Crusades. With the king imprisoned, his younger brother, Prince John, seized the opportunity.
John collaborated with England’s principal adversary, King Philip II of France. Together, they disseminated propaganda, spreading rumors of Richard’s death. Subsequently, John attempted to usurp the English throne, seizing key royal castles such as Nottingham and Tickhill, while imposing heavy taxes to finance his rebellion.
2. Securing the Ransom
John’s gravest mistake was his underestimation of Eleanor of Aquitaine, his mother. Eleanor’s profound love for Richard and her disdain for John’s treachery spurred her to commandeer the governance of England, suppress John's initial political maneuvers, and raise the immense ransom of 150,000 marks to free Richard.
Upon hearing that the ransom had been paid and Richard was to be released, King Philip of France reportedly sent a distressed letter to Prince John, warning him:
"Look to yourself; the devil is loose."
3. The Return of the Lion
In March 1194, Richard reembarked on English soil, prompting an immediate response. The majority of John’s rebellious barons disarmed and surrendered upon learning of Richard’s return.
Nevertheless, some garrisons loyal to John fortified within Nottingham Castle, refusing to accept Richard’s presence. Richard personally advanced to Nottingham, demonstrating his authority by constructing a large gallows outside the castle walls and executing captured rebel scouts in full view. He then led a vigorous assault on the castle gates, resulting in Nottingham’s surrender within days.
4. The Merciful Resolution
With his rebellion suppressed, Prince John fled to France. Richard was subsequently crowned anew in Winchester, reaffirming his sovereignty over England.
A few months later, Richard ventured into France to reclaim his territories. Recognizing his defeat, John returned to his brother’s side, laid himself at Richard's feet, and implored for mercy.
Instead of executing John for treason, Richard displayed unexpected leniency, elevating him and dismissively dismissing him with the words:
"Do not be afraid, John. You are a child. You have had bad advisers."
At that time, John was 27 years old; however, Richard chose to regard him as a naïve youth rather than a dangerous traitor. Richard deprived him of most of his lands but allowed him to live.
The contrast between history and the Robin Hood myth reveals that, although the enduring legend suggests Richard’s return as an act of justice and protection for the poor, the reality was that Richard’s stay in England lasted less than two months. After securing his throne, he depleted the English treasury to fund a conflict in France, leading to English governance being entrusted to royal administrators, and ultimately, in the years following Richard’s death, to Prince John.
That is not who we worship. This insightful and highly instructive examination of the current work of the glorified Son of God unveils seven facets of the ongoing ministry of Lord Jesus Christ to His congregation: He empowers, intercedes, purifies, speaks with authority, exercises control, provides protection, and manifests His glory through His church.
John is experiencing a vision on the “Lord’s Day” (Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection). John describes what he saw: the Son of Man (Yahweh) adorned in His full Glory. He depicts Yahweh’s appearance in three distinct forms. The initial form of Jesus’ Glory is characterized by His voice, which sounded like a trumpet. The second form pertains to His appearance, and the final form relates to His true essence.
Voice Like a Trumpet:
Voice Like a Trumpet:
I take great pleasure in hearing the sound of trumpets, particularly in New Orleans, renowned for its exceptional music. Additionally, Louisiana is renowned for its cuisine, and the most esteemed families include the Leons and Masons. However, if I am engaged in prayer and hear a voice resembling a trumpet, it would be quite startling. As recorded in Exodus 19:16, a loud trumpet sound emanated from the mountain during the moment when the law was bestowed upon Moses. Throughout the Book of Revelation, references to a “loud voice” or “sound” underscore the gravity of the revelations to come. The Lord’s voice will be unmistakable when He speaks. On the day of His return, a sound akin to a trumpet will be heard, and His followers will recognize it. Those who have died will rise first, followed by those still alive who will ascend to Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
So it happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
This happens on the Lord’s Day. While some argue that this refers to the time of eschatological judgment called the Day of the Lord, it is best understood as a reference to Sunday. The Greek phrase translated the Lord’s day (tē kuriakē hēmera) is different from the one translated “the Day of the Lord” (tē hēmerea tou kuriou, or hēmerea kuriou; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:5 “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” ; 1 Thessalonians 5:2 “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” ; 2 Thess. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:10) and appears only here in the New Testament. Further, the vision John received had nothing to do with the eschatological Day of the Lord; it was a vision of Christ’s present ministry in the church. Finally, in the second century the phrase kuriakē hēmera was widely used to refer to Sunday (cf. R. J. Bauckham, “The Lord’s Day,” in D. A. Carson, ed., From Sabbath to Lord’s Day [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982], 221ff.). The phrase the Lord’s day became the customary way of referring to Sunday because Christ’s resurrection took place on a Sunday.
that you not be quickly shaken in your mind or be alarmed whether by a spirit or a word or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
Jesus’ Glory is not just his appearance but also His voice. He is the Creator of all things, the Ruler, and the Judge. His voice commands all His creation. His voice also calms those who are His. When we see our Risen Lord, it will be in His glorified form.
His Appearance:
His Appearance:
How many of us have heard the saying “First impression is lasting impression?” Or how about “Dress for success?” Well, those are true; either one can change over time. What will never change is our Lord (Hebrews 13:8). Everything John is seeing is gold. Gold is the most precious and valuable metal. There are seven golden lampstands; the Church is to be the light of the world. The Church is the most valuable entity on earth to God, so valuable that Jesus bought it with His Blood. Those seven characteristics of Jesus’ appearance, voice, and essence are completion. Seven is the number of completions.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
His appearance was adorned with a robe extending to His feet, complemented by a golden sash across His chest. His hair and head were white, resembling wool and snow. I have endured blizzards where the snow was so blinding that it surpassed the brightness of the sun. During the night, it has a hypnotic effect. In Colorado, one must be cautious of the snow reflecting sunlight, which can cause eye damage. The glory of Jesus is far greater and more magnificent than such phenomena. That is His True Essence.
His True Essence:
His True Essence:
Listen to His words directed at John. Initially, He instructs him, “Do not fear.” We should never fear if we belong to Him. 365 times throughout the Word of God it mentions “do not fear.” Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 43:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:7; or Psalm 27:1. All of these indicate that we should not fear. If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? Jesus is telling John, I am the Risen Lord. Do not fear, you are mine.
‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will make you mighty, surely I will help you; Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or be in dread of them, for Yahweh your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be in dread or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
But now, thus says Yahweh, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline.
Yahweh is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strong defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
He is the First and the Last. No other existed before Him, nor will anyone follow after His return from the millennial reign. He was dead, yet death could not contain Him. Though He was in the grave, it could not hold Him captive. He is alive forevermore. If He is alive, then those who are His are also alive. Amen. This is the reason we should not fear. Death, where is your sting? It does not affect us who are His. His true essence is the glory He has always possessed. He never ceased to be God, even while He was on earth. This is what Satan could not comprehend. Why do we fear? Our Lord is risen and alive. He has already triumphed over sin and death.
Who do you worship? Who do you serve? Whoever or whatever you serve is who you worship. Joshua 24:15!
“If it is evil in your sight to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
