Fear Not
Revelation- A Message to the Churches • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 29:14
0 ratings
· 90 viewsFiles
Notes
Transcript
Read Revelation 1:12-20
What happens to John next?
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,
Fell at his feet as dead:
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength.
9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
Every time a person gets near to deity this is the response- they fall to the ground- examples?
What are the first words that come out of Jesus’ mouth after John falls down? Fear Not! Why?
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
The touch of the hand was designed to bring comfort and assurance. By recalling the transfiguration experience, John should have remembered this as the same one on whose breast he had lain at the Last Supper some sixty-five years earlier
How does the description of Jesus that we just studied connect with the very first words to come out of Jesus’ mouth?
This is to strengthen the idea of “Fear Not”
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,
18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
First and the Last
First and the Last
Title of God Himself-
I AM
14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
12 “Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last.
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
This is a divine title applied by the Lord to Himself frequently in the gospels, a notable example of which is John 8:58: “Before Abraham came to be, I am (egō eimi).” The title undoubtedly struck this familiar note in the ear of the prophet in his awe-stricken state and provided immediate encouragement. He was once again in the presence of the God-man with whom he had spent those precious years some six decades earlier.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
To John’s mind these words must have told him he was in the midst of an encounter with the God of Israel.
The Living One
The Living One
This is a common title for God in both the OT and the NT
10 And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
In essence, it says He has life in His essential nature. This contrasts Him to the dead or inanimate gods of heathenism. Christ has this same essential nature (cf. John 5:26)
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore
I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore
This one is eternal God, Who has life in Himself- He is fully God! But, he is also fully man- He is the God/Man, the one whom John knew and followed. The one who sacrificed himself on the cross and died for our sins, but he is also the one who rose again from the dead and who is not alive forevermore! This is a focus on the fullness of the life that Christ possess and that He offers to those who believe.
I have the keys of hell/Hades and of death
I have the keys of hell/Hades and of death
Revelation 1–7: An Exegetical Commentary Exegesis and Exposition
Because He is the eternal one (1:17b) and has life in Himself (1:18a), He has power to give life (cf. John 5:26–28) and either consign to death permanently or to release therefrom (Beckwith). He possesses the “keys of death and Hades” (τὰς κλεῖς τοῦ θανάτου καὶ τοῦ ᾅδου [tas kleis tou thanatou kai tou hądou]) (1:18b).
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
What does it mean that Christ has the keys of the ream of the dead and of death itself?
He is in charge of death and Hades- He has complete control over them- Keys either lock or unlock things- Christ controls the prison house of the dead.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Conclusion:
19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.
Therefore! write the things you have seen, and are, and which shall be revealed- therefore, fear not- I am coming- therefore- this is encouragement!
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.
And who is the encouragement for? It is for us- the local church!
Does Jesus have your attention? Are you really ready now to hear the specific message he has for each church?