The Revelation Of Jesus Christ (Part 5)

1. The LORD gave us the Book of Revelation for three main reasons:

a. To give the Church a greater revelation of Jesus Christ.

b. To prepare the Church for the end times.

c. To emphasize to the Church that Jesus is coming soon!

I. Jesus Christ Revealed

A. Jesus The Alpha And The Omega

1. (Revelation 22:13, ESV) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Each of these three phrases are synonymous in meaning.

2. Lessons learned from these “titles”

Jesus is the one who puts God’s plan into action; He is the pioneer; the beginning.

Jesus finishes everything that He begins (He only begins that which is the Father’s plan); He is the end.

3. Prophesy to CIM in 1990: “Start with Jesus, stay with Jesus, and He will bring you to fulfillment.”

B. Jesus The Descendant Of David (Revelation 22:16, ESV) “... I am the root and the descendant of David,”

1. This was the fulfillment of a prophesy and promise

(Isaiah 11:1) “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.”

(2 Samuel 7:16, ESV) And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.

2. This “title” emphasizes the humanity of Jesus.

(Gal. 4:4, ESV) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

(John 1:14, ESV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, ...

3. Jesus became God’s supreme example of mankind (i.e. what God intended mankind to be like from the beginning.)

C. Jesus The Bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16, ESV) “... the bright morning star.”

1. The morning star refers to the rising of the sun in the morning.

Jesus taught in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world” but the title, “bright morning star” emphasizes His power of light to overcome intense darkness!

In reference to His 2nd coming Jesus refers to Himself as, “the bright morning star” thereby revealing He will come at a time of great darkness and overcome it!

2. What does this teach us?

Jesus is the light who will shine in our darkest hour and overcome all the powers of darkness that surround us!

And that His light will shine in and through us bringing deliverance to a world bound in darkness!

(Isaiah 60:1–2, ESV) Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

D. From The Titles And Descriptions Of Jesus In This Passage We Learn:

1. Jesus is our beginning and will finish what He has started in us!

2. Jesus is our example of what God wants us to be like.

3. Jesus is our light and will shine through us to a world full of darkness.

II. Jesus Wants You To Be Prepared (What qualities do we need to be victorious in the end times?)

A. Love

1. Love is the great motivator; love will motivate you to do what you would not normally do.

2. (Revelation 2:4–5, ESV) But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. ...

Notice how Jesus doesn’t connect love with our feelings but with our actions!

B. Faith

1. (Revelation 13:10, ESV) If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

πίστις: to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance—‘to believe in, to have confidence in, to have faith in, to trust, faith, trust.

2. Throughout the time Jesus was preparing His disciples He was preparing them to live by faith!

(Matthew 14:31, ESV) Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

C. Perseverance

1. (Revelation 1:9, ESV) I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Perseverance = patient endurance

2. (Romans 12:12, NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

D. However, Jesus Isn’t Just Preparing Us To Overcome In The End Times; He Is Preparing Us For Eternity!

The choices you make in this life will affect you in eternity.

1. Reward (Recompense)

(Revelation 22:12, ESV) “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

The recompense you receive will all depend on you.

Salvation isn’t a reward; it is a gift (b) Rewards will be given to those who are faithful, obedient, and finish well.

2. Duties (Not everyone will have the same responsibilities.)

3. Where you will live in eternity. (The New Jerusalem or the New Earth)

III. Jesus Is Coming Soon!

A. “I Am Coming Soon”

1. Jesus says, “I am coming soon" four times in the Book of Revelation. (Rev. 3:11; 22:7; 22:12; 22:20)

How soon is “soon”?

Jesus used the Greek word ταχύ which pertains to a very short period of time: ‘quickly, hurriedly, swift, speedy.’

The timing of Christ’s return is once again emphasized in Revelation 22:10, “the time is near.”

Compared to eternity 2000 years is a short period of time.

2. In Revelation 22:7 and Revelation 22:12 it is prefaced by the word "behold"

(Revelation 22:7, ESV) And behold, I am coming soon. ...

(Revelation 22:12, ESV) Behold, I am coming soon, ...

“Behold” / ἰδού

(1) ἰδού is used frequently throughout the synoptic Gospels, Acts, and Revelation as a marker of emphasis.

(2) It is used to emphasize the truth of what is being said: ‘behold; indeed; certainly.’

(3) Jesus is emphasizing that He IS coming soon!

3. Revelation 22:20 prefaces “I am coming soon” with nai (ναί, 3483), a strong affirmation translated, “surely; yes”

ναί is used as an affirmative affirmation: ‘yes, yes it is true; yes it is so; surely; indeed.’

4. Jesus is emphasizing the fact that He is coming soon!

Jesus is revealing to us that His coming has already been set and isn’t determined by man nor the enemy.

The LORD is in control!

5. Why was this such a welcome message to the early Church? Because they were suffering persecution!

B. Prepare Yourself

1. (Rev.22:7, ESV) “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

2. Assignment: Prayerfully read through the seven letters in Revelation 2-3 and see what changes you may need to make in order to be better prepared for Jesus’ second coming.