Rev CH 1-3
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I. INTRO
A. Last Week
a. Who Wrote It: God, via Jn
b. What John wrote:
1. letter, prophecy
c. Why Jn wrote it
1. share the nature & plans concerningJesus!
i. That is, John is sharing who Jesus is & who we r in Christ, which informs what we r 2 do w/who Jesus is!
ii. John also shares God’s plan through Jesus
-A new heaven/new earth
* An eternal kingdom w/the Godhead Leading & filled w/
~right rel. w/God & ea. other
~Joy
~Peace
~& Justice
2. to b Read & understood; why
i. Equip the readers
ii. bless those who read & do what it says
d. B4 we move on I’d like 2 say a couple things:
1. Shane J. Wood, Ph.D. New Testament faculty at Ozark Christian College rightly says:
i. Prophecy does not predict the future it Prosecutes rebellious people & Persuades return
-prediction is only 17% o prophecy
-Mostly it tells who God is & who the people truly are
ii. That’s what we find in the 1st 3 CH’s.
iii. We find 7 Ch in Asia, most o which r doing some things right, but also missing the mark…or need encouragement to continue hitting the mark
iv. Then, through symbols & God’s perspective Jesus (via Jn) shares what the mark is & how the church can hit it
2. Rev. is not a chronological series of events
i. In several diff places John describes the end of the world…does the world end many times? - I don’t think so
ii. & in the middle o this we see a symbolic description o Jesus’ birth
- Was Jesus born after the destruction o the world? - no
iii. wester thought is linear & chronological (plato, etc): if “A” & “B” then “C”
-this IS NOT how the Hebrews thought (ex Josh & Isr crossing Jordan)
-So maybe John wasn’t saying: “this will happen, then this, then this, then this”
-Maybe Jn was doing something else… maybe John was encouraging, correction, & offering hope 4 the purpose of equipping the saints (including us) 2 endure
B. Where We’re Going
a. Ch 1-3: Prophecy: who Jesus is & Prophecy (Prosecution & Persuasion)
C. Your Observations:
a. What stuck out to you about ch 1-3?
II. Video
A. What stuck out to you?
A. Who Jesus is:
III. Who Jesus is:
A.
a.
B. Digging I
(describe scene)
-
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
A. 1 like a son o man: clear ref. to Dan
13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Dan 7:13
20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
a. Jesus is in the midst o the lampstands
b. Now, is Jesus really having Jn right to 7 angels? (remember in )
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
1. The image o angel could b
i. actual angels (really strange way for Jesus 2 speak 2 ea. guardian angel
ii. the pastor o the churches
-angel lit. means messanger
-not so sure this interpretation is correct since ea. time the word translated in Rev refers 2 heavenly beings)
iii. or the spiritual nature o ea. church.
2. so lampstands & angels probably speak 2 the nature o the church:
i. lampstands: light in the darkness
ii. angels: that a church (community o God w/Jesus at it’s center) has a spiritual nature like angelic beings
3. even though most of these churches are rebellious in 1 way /another, Jesus hasn’t abandoned His churches! - Jesus is faithful, even when we’re not
a. he wears long robe & gold sash, which describes his distinction
1. If he’s in the midst o his churches, why wouldn’t Jesus tell these churches his msg himself?
i. why bring John in2 the conversation; isn’t that gossip?
2. The churches are probably not hearing Jesus speak due to the various sins / pressures they are under
i. But, driven by His love for His churches, Jesus reaches out 2 John to share his prosecutions against them in an attempt to persuade them back into right relationship with Him.
-Often what we see in the OT
b. he wears long robe & gold sash, which describes his distinction
b. his white hair shows Jesus’ great & unmatched wisdom
c. & his flame like eyes expresses the penetrating insight.
1. Jesus sees in2 their circumstances & character, past what the facades in2 what really is
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
Mounce, Robert H.. The Book of Revelation (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (p. 59). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.
2. This ability coupled w/His great wisdom allows him to make just decisions
d. feet as burnished bronze displays his stability & strength
1. we can rely on Jesus!!
e. His voice & his words like a 2-edged sword should be seen together
1. it’s authoritative & powerful in sound & impact like rushing water
2. the prophetic words he speaks cuts deep
Jesus is
Rev 2:1
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
Jesus is also called the 1st & last (alpha & omega) showing his God-ness & showing that we are clearly talking about Jesus who died on a cross as a sacrifice 4 our sins & rose again as the 1st fruits of all who’ll be resurrected!!
He’s our hope!
ch 2:8
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
f. Jesus is also called the 1st & last (alpha & omega)
1. shows his God-ness & that we are clearly talking about Jesus who died on a cross as a sacrifice 4 our sins & rose again as the 1st fruits of all who’ll be resurrected!!
i. He’s our hope!
B. Where is Jesus found?
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
Rev 1:12-13
19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.
20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
a. Jesus is in the midst o the churches
1. If he’s in the midst o his churches, why wouldn’t Jesus tell these churches his msg himself?
i. why bring John in2 the conversation; isn’t that gossip?
2. The churches are probably not hearing Jesus speak due to the various sins / pressures they are under
i. But, driven by His love for His churches, Jesus reaches out 2 John to share his prosecutions against them in an attempt to persuade them back into right relationship with Him.
-Often what we see in the OT
b. Now, is Jesus really having Jn right to 7 angels? (remember in )
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
1. The image o angel could b
i. actual angels (really strange way for Jesus 2 speak 2 ea. guardian angel
ii. the pastor o the churches
-angel lit. means messanger
-not so sure this interpretation is correct since ea. time the word translated in Rev refers 2 heavenly beings)
iii. or the spiritual nature o ea. church.
2. Jesus is in the midst o the churches & holds them in his RIGHT hand (place o protection & favor)
3. so lampstands & angels probably speak 2 the nature o the church:
i. lampstands: light in the darkness
ii. angels: that a church (community o God w/Jesus at it’s center) has a spiritual nature like angelic beings
4. even though most of these churches are rebellious in 1 way /another, Jesus hasn’t abandoned His churches!
i. Jesus is faithful, even when we’re not
c. The point Jn is making by delivering this image he’d seen was 2 remind us of Jesus’ greatness & yes, God-ness
tC. The point Jn is making by delivering this image he’d seen was 2 remind us of Jesus’ greatness & yes, God-ness
IV. THE PROPHECY
A. Prophetic Structure: (ea. prophetic msg includes)
a. the church being talked to
b. description o Jesus (often repeating a point made in rev 1:12-16)
c. commendation (if there is 1 to observe)
d. rebuke (if there is 1 to observe)
e. Solution
1. this solution, if applied is described as conquering
2. Victory (described as conquering here) is Jesus’ Goal 4 ea. Church in it’s spiritual warfare.
i. It’s Still Jesus’ Goal!!!
ii. How do we conquer?
-Faithfulness 2 follow Jesus & his ways, Loving others, endurance against the preasure
f. Consequence
g. Reward
B. Take a look
a. morning star: Jesus (): promising his presence
b. hot/cold/lukewarm:
15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary g. To the Church of Laodicea (3:14–22)
derived from the water-supply of the city which appears to have been drawn from hot springs at some distance, so that it arrived at the city lukewarm. This forms a contrast with the hot springs at nearby Hierapolis and the cold, refreshing water at Colosse. ‘Hot water heals, cold water refreshes, but lukewarm water is useless for either purpose
Rev 3:15-16
Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary g. To the Church of Laodicea (3:14–22)
derived from the water-supply of the city which appears to have been drawn from hot springs at some distance, so that it arrived at the city lukewarm. This forms a contrast with the hot springs at nearby Hierapolis and the cold, refreshing water at Colosse. ‘Hot water heals, cold water refreshes, but lukewarm water is useless for either purpose
1. doesn’t mean be excited 4 Jesus / against Jesus
2. imagery derived from the water-supply of the city which appears to have been drawn from hot springs at some distance, so that it arrived at the city lukewarm.
i. Forms a contrast w/ the hot springs @nearby Hierapolis & the cold, refreshing water @Colosse.
-‘Hot water heals, cold water refreshes, but lukewarm water is useless for either purpose.
3. Lukewarm refers to Laodicea’s apathy toward other’s needs & sharing the Gospel
4. In contrast, Church should be a place of healing & or refreshing.
i. If we are too busy chasing
-$$, status, power, influence, reputation we become
*consumed by it
*selfish & c only what we have & blind 2 those around us who r in need...
*or we r distracted by fleshly desires/sins
ii. Jesus tells them & us what’s needed
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
-Gold refined by fire:
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
*the gold here is KOG…we need to give up our earthly desires; turning them over to Jesus in exchange for KOG
-White garments: right actions as God sees ‘em
8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Rev 19:
-salve: healing so we can see values & circumstances as God sees them
C. Bringing it hm:
a. the fact is, every church is under various pressures:
1. pressures from w/in to compromise on doctrines
2. pressures from w/in to put on the chains of religious rules/regs frm the old covenant
3. pressures from outside to change who we worship, what we accept as moral/not moral
4. pressure from the work to focus on what we do & not whom we serve
5. pressure of persecution for who we are
6. pressure to quit rather than endure
7. pressure to chase the wrong things ($$, status, power, influence, reputation)
i. not every church is under the same pressure / all the pressures @1x
-But every church IS under some kind of pressure/pressures
ii. As we look around the world @churches 2day, the same is true
-We r not under the same persecution in America as in Iran, China, N Korea
-likewise not all those churches are faced w/the pressure to compromise morally
*& accept as righteous what God has called sin (sex w/folks who aren’t spouse, homosexuality (as book o Romans clearly states), pursuing $$ & prestige as paramount (ea. o these things tends to bread apathy 2ward what God calls important)
b. & every church tends to get some things right, & fail at other things
c. what r we 2 do?
1. let’s begin w/repentance!
i. Jesus says repent to 4 - 7 churches
2. Get back to “the love you (we) had @1st” (remember 2:4)
Rev 1:
4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
3. produce the works that GOD calls good (not what we call good)
4. endure faithfully
5. Rely on Jesus
d. So, will the 7 churches (& maybe us too)
1. conquer through faithfulness?
2. will they/we inherit the new Kingdom God is going to build?
3. John will answer these questions & maybe more.