Sunday 4th October 2026 PM

Well, good evening everybody. It's good to be out this evening. I got it together and if you have your Bible, please do you keep an opened in Revelation chapter 1 just to confirm workouts, that I know when to stop in Revelation, I might be a bit nervous about going on going to cost 5:50 in in chapter one.

As we begin, our new series of Revelation chapter 1. I feel like I must apologize. Somewhat buy something off in a slightly move it now, but I am going somewhere with it. We recently had the funeral of David Stokes at breakfast in a few short weeks ago and shortly after the funeral it was my turn to preach on this Sunday evening and I appreciate it sounds to me that even at the age of 37 I possibly have been to many more funerals like the last five years that I have weddings or dedication services for newborn babies of friends. Did the simple explanation for that? Of course May well be because I practiced in where I am a member, we are an older congregation, but nonetheless, is are preparing that message. It was a super sobering. Reminder, to me, that deaf. Sadly is absolutely everywhere that we look, isn't it. We can't really avoid that we can do our best to avoid it, but it's everywhere. That we look for the good news is we will note frequently a game in this new series that we begin this evening. That was very much the case but wonderfully wearied of an eternal remedy for The Sting the death brings and time and time again throughout the Book of Revelation no more. So than in Revelation, chapter 12 death is all around us. The early Christian Believers faced, the horror of death frequently. And yet we read throughout the Bible from the New Testament. And of course, in Revelation of a wonderful remedy for the sting of death of Jesus's words on the cross and beneficial. And from now on God willing to study Christ letters are found in Revelation Chapter 2 and 3 to his precious churches in the Book of Revelation. But it's important The city of Industry. Begin a little Series in Revelation, the even after all of these years, we to, of course, all his church, we to this evening are precious to him. I'm back for the worse that we read this evening to watch that we will rebuild winning month by month. I was much for us as they were for his church is scattered across Asia Minor, which of course was modern-day turkey in the first century after his resurrection for that. It is for us here this evening to look before we get into chapter 2, which is the first I thought to the church but after sis I found it with you. It would be wise for us to do an overview of chapter one. So we can fully understand what is going on. Before we get into the first letter of this is a large chapter in. There is a lot of wonderful day in it and you know, me, I like to preach for about 25 minutes. So I hope we can cover most phases. This evening but it is intended to be at Summer of an overview for us and I'm sorry if I miss anything out. There were three step into Revelation chapter one. I have at least two introductions. I could have used to this sermon but I've chosen one that is relatable to take Kelly to me because it is a story of something that happened in the world. Tennessee plates in storage, that happened in 2018, and that you can probably actually you chew that when you during the week, if you want to see fully. Well I'm describing summer of 2018, just a few years. Under two years before covid, hit the Serbian tennis Superstar, Novak Djokovic Triumph at Wimbledon. Again at the time he had a three-year-old son, who Stephen and apparently at large sporting events around the world or at least Wimbledon children under the age of I found admitted in for failure failure. A reason is difficult for children to stay quiet and concentrate over the course of a long. Sporting event wasn't allowed into the stadium. For The Story Goes, that often Novak had won. The title is little three-year-old. Boy, was actually allowed in to the stadium to watch his father, lift, the trophy of his dad lifting the trophy in the midst of an adoring crowd and awesome, and ceremony. And apparently, I missed from an interview, a few years later, he actually called out Daddy Daddy. I know that actually hurt him in the store is young son for the first time in the stadium. Now, what is interesting is this and I'm going to little Stephen, however, it may seem Artifact, one of the greatest Sportsman, ever to Grace. The Earth is simply that I do not summon staying 2018, Novak's remained attached to him but that young boy I just the age of 3. No doubt, saw something new about his father. Didn't he something you hadn't seen before? He saw him in a different light in a different context, not just as Dad at home. But lifting the trophy in front of a blaze of photographers and captivating, the 16,000 people in the stadium. Watching the point I'm making is this. He saw his dad perhaps for the very first time in a different. And yet powerful way. Stay with me here because it's Reese s Revelation chapter 1 in a much broader sense. A much broader sense. The Apostle and disciple John, here is the one who is writing this. Cease the Lord Jesus Christ in a new even more. Majestic Way, and look what happens. In verse 1, what we read the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants. What must soon? Take place. He made it known by sending his Angel to his servant John bus, to who testifies to everything he saw that that is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. I want you to know that he likely knows Jesus better than any other human being on the planet. Yet he gains in this chapter a much more Grand Ryan in even greater vision of the share extent of the Majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider this

Disciples wasn't, he hits of Jesus? He loved him under his teaching, his, what firsthand his divine power and miracles. He had already seen incredible glimpses of his Divine glory and power hadn't. A Revelation chapter 1 hair is the same. John seeing a vision of Christ in a whole new way. No longer just in his Earthly, humble abode but the king of Heaven is the ruler of Heaven. In other words in Revelation, chapter one here is Jesus in office. Heavenly glory is not just a carpenter's son from Bethlehem. He is here. Displayed for Ross in order of his Heavenly Glory. I just look for Jesus says, John to the seven churches in the province of Asia Grace and peace to you from him who he is. And he was and he needs to come from the seven spirits before his throne. I'm from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness the first one from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the Earth in Tyrone and best fight to him, he loves us and is Freda and has freed us from our sins and by his blood and it's made us to be a kingdom of a priest to serve his God and Father to him, be glory for ever and ever. And look for John c's for seven. Look, he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him even though she pissed him. I know where the peoples of the earth woman because of him. So shall it be? Drive safe. I am the Alpha. And the Omega says the Lord, God he raised and he was and here is to come the almighty just right off the bat and a chopped-up. Jesus reminds John and not just joined us here this evening of the Gospel invested, four and five, have the king of Heaven to join us. But holding in this Vision, has given us the time to send you a kingdom of priests to serve him by preaching his word to the people of Earth and we reach straight away that we are reading in verse full of seven churches, address forms the basis of a studies to come This forms the basis of a studies to come this evening, okay? Just a small glimpse of that. Haven't been verses for to write at a time of severe satanic opposition and persecution of God's people. And we get a glimpse of this evening, the life of John not just the general charge and invest 99. I join your brother and companion in the suffering and, and Kingdom and patient endurance that are always in. Jesus was on the island of Patmos to listen to this because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. So we redid that John was on the island of Patmos. Now that I see on the island of Patmos, what we see, it don't mean personally because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus in the beginning of us. And it talks about the suffering, and Kingdom the suffering. And the kingdom, and the patient endurance that he has in Christ, he is on the island of Patmos, not because his holiday. And some people perhaps here in went to go to Islands to holiday, that is not. What is happening in Revelation, chapter one, we read it, he is only on the topmost and I cry because of the testimony of Jesus. Now, there is some debate, as to exactly what happened, but I remember some years ago, I studied the preaching series on the seven letters and the preacher made the point that John like the other disciples was pretty severe. Physical danger for his face, that's what verse 9. I think the same and the preacher made the point that if I'm not mistaken, he was boiled alive. Seemed to be dad's, however, in the Providence of God, and no less of the problems of God, when it became apparent, he had miraculously survived. He was excommunicated to the island of Patmos. Some chapter one indeed, this entire book is being written by John and its vision is being sane. No doubt whilst he is in severe, physical and painful, mental Agony and what was true for John was also true for the church across the Roman Empire, to go to the people at this time, be a season. I've been near as we we see what God hating depraved and crew leaders. I will get into this next time if we just turn the page, 2 chapter 2 and verse 1. This is an example of the lust for power that we read of It says how free free best one. These are the words of him who holds the Seven Stars in his right hand and walks among the seven, golden lamp stands and he's a Jesus's words for the reason he mentions this is if I'm not mistaken. One of the coins of the currency in the day was of the emperor holding Seven Stars in his right hand, such was the power of the end. He was unquestionably the most powerful human being in the world that from an athlete respected. He was, he genuinely believed himself to be a gauze. But if you are running man, sits in a few lived under the Roman Empire, you lived under a man who genuinely for himself to be a guard and it's interesting how it seems likely that Jesus used as a bit of a jibe, it will nice towards the emperor Jeezy sing. I am the one who holds the Seven Stars in his right times. Anyway, place the state are they would force folk to Bow Down and Worship. The emperor will read in the future, in one of the letters of Christians who were being forced to partake in a worship that I would be worship services to the M4. They would have to bow down. I would have to burn incense, note to God, but to the emperor. I need this to say to God's people that was unacceptable and tragically. The fate of those who refused to Bow, the knee was truly shocking in some cases, they would be put to death. Even the coliseum in front of stadiums, of jeering crowds. Why? Because God's people pray claims that Jesus Christ is Lord. Caesar, but not narrow, and not the emperor is why we should feel the weight of Philippians chapter 2. Even more not contact. You know when pool right every knee will bow every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. He's speaking into that context is effectively saying, Jesus Christ is Lord and not the Roman Emperor will put simply in Revelation chapter 1. It was from an Earthly expected an awful time to be a Christian. It was an awful time for God's people. There's never been a worse time. She merely speaking since they lived in constant danger and as Fair as we've noted, The house one day in heaven was justified, they were being awfully persecuted for their faith and is into that context. It is no surprise. That Harry's Christ showing himself to his friends. John in glory is into that contacts. He refused. John refused to join his glory. Look at verses 12 to 16. Look up what? John sees. I turned around, see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned ice or seven, golden lamp stands animal a dance with someone. Listen to Someone like his son of man, you see here, already brushed her hair is John struggling, to describe the weight of what he sees. The Christ is in all of his glory and John is struggling to describe this offering free verse 413 dressed in a robe, reaching down his feet. I'm with the golden sash around his chest, press 14, his hat and his hair was white, like wool as white as snow. And his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in the furnace. And his voice was like, the sound of Rushing Waters by 16 in his right hand. He held the Seven Stars and you remember the emperor had that printed on the coins didn't have an image of him holding the Seven Stars but John is staying in Christ right hand. He has 7 Stars and I was in his mouth. 16 his face was like the sun is shining and it would have its Brilliance. It's as if he's grasping at the leash of human language trying to describe the almighty Brilliance of Christ in his Heavenly glory and the game Universe 16 his face was like the sun shining in all of its Brilliance that we are in October now on when it won't be too long until hopefully we get this beautiful sunny windy day but consider this for a moment. I went Tuesdays consider this for a moment we can even look directly even at the weakest. Went to sound. Can we just a quick Glimpse just for a second? Even in the winter song is enough for us to Winston Turner. Why isn't that I'm joining staying here? Try space was like the sun shining in Old of its Brilliance. How do we describe? How does he manage to describe them? Majesty of what he sees as well. Look at his response as we begin to conclude our leave of you this evening. Look up bus 17. What is his response? The answer is worship. Bus 17 when I saw him I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand. Them in said, do not be afraid. I am the first and the last look at the gentleness of Christ. John doesn't I want to do you can really begin to explain the glory of was just saying hi. And worship and look at the kindness of Christ. Invest seventy says, do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. Did you know this same John wrote in his Gospel of the humble? Good Shepherd of his people. Did John Rice have all those years before and he says to John do not be afraid and as we conclude now, as we seek to fully understand something of this chapter, I want you to note how throughout this chapter, and remember, the context, I want you to know how Christ reminds us. Not just them, but us as his people off his eternal glory and preeminence disappoint or Revelation, chapter 1. This Christ reminding his people of his eternal kingship and his eternal glory glory. A cruel, a he believes himself to be a God that current situation quite frankly from an Earthly perspective with nothing less than pitch Darkness at any moment. Imagine living like this. Any moment, a seemingly friendly neighbor could betray God's people, a Roman official could at any moment, simply knock at the door. And say, Pledge Your Allegiance to the emperor Mansion living under this pressure with a bow, down to the Emperor or where they stay loyal to Christ. Can you just imagine for a moment, the pressure God's people were under and they were and yet here is Christ, reminding them Okay, it's a tunnel, past the hurt and Glory. Look at this for again, I'm sorry. It's a bit chocolate to look at this for again, the Carrie says Grace and peace to you from him, who is? And she was, and who is to come? It's a reminder, isn't it? That he is gone? He always worse God, and he is always go. Look at those five again and he describes himself as the ruler of the kings of the earth. He's effectively saying I rule over them for himself. I rule over the Empire itself and it's a reminder to God's people isn't that the emperor is not paying? No ultimately. In today's world putan is not King, Burnham is not even Trump. The president of the United States is King. It is Christ. Isn't it look at my site again? I am the Alpha and the Omega who is said he was and who is to come the almighty. Look at the 17 Again, free response to John. He is worshipping him. He says, I am the first and the last ticket Bus 18, I am the living room. I was dead in the whole Diamond live forever and ever. The Cherry pit just a few verses, but you see what Jesus is doing here and you see shorty that, this is an encouragement for his people, then but also asked this evening, has been so good to get to know you will that's a year by year, but I don't know who this going on in your life may be the person next to you doesn't know who this going on in your life but difficulty remains real comfortable contacts in first-century. The Warriors are facing trouble or Injustice at the hand of a. And this is a reminder that the Lord Jesus Christ. Reigns overruled arrangements, are the Kings. He reigns over the government's. He reigns over us. He reigns over our lives. He reigns over our enemies and he reigns even over all of our troubles. That we experienced. And the point of This Book of Revelation, I think ensure is to remind his people that he is, King that he reigns forever. And one day, one day, those who were trusting in Him will share in his eternal glory told you before. But, when I was 16, I had a part-time job at Sainsbury's, and I have to be there at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning for 4 lb, 13, an hour and I hated it. And yet someone would tell me that one day someone in the future with write a check. For example, for 50 million. Let me tell you that I would have stopped those shows with a little bit more joy and a little bit more pipe. Knowing that one day things will be better with the Stars. People, we have something far better and show to come. This enables us to live in joyful expectation and even today, it's why Revelation? Concludes in Revelation chapter 21 is that wonderful glimpse of, the new heaven coming down from God. So now people living under the Umbra in first-century Rome, there is great and tremendous difficulty. We can face her today. Being it's such a minority in such an increasingly ungodly culture, but it isn't to that context the Christ lovingly of his to Joy. I need rights to his people and ultimately we are not any reminded but we have comforted as we're encouraged to think that one day because he lives, we will live with him forever and ever and ever. And it's Petersen Arne because I just seen over the course of the last year was so that this glorious man to Jones or in his vision and it is incredible to think this isn't it visited Calvary in weakness, the Christ that shows himself to John and Revelation. Chapter one is the same Christ that willingly and lovingly suffered and died on that, cross for the sins of his people and the message of chapter one is this He reigns forever and ever and ever? I'm one day sweep along to him. We will live with him forever and ever and ever. Thank you, Jesus.