Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro:

Point #1: This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, to Show What Soon Must Take Place!

These verses are the prologue to the revelation, it gives us context.

While John is in exile on the Isle of Patmos, John receives a revelation from Jesus Christ himself!

This revelation was given to John to show what Jesus’ servants must soon take place...

Jesus made this revelation known by sending an angel to John...

The expression, Revelation of Jesus Christ (v.

1), presents a certain ambiguity.

The Greek allows that Jesus Christ could be either the subject being revealed or the one doing the revealing.

The former idea—that it is Christ himself who is being revealed, or unveiled—would agree well with the general contents of the book, especially of the present chapter, and of chapters 5, 14, and 19, in which John sees pictorial representations of Christ.

3. Blessed are those who read aloud the words of this prophecy (ME)

Blessed are those who hear the words of this prophesy and keep what is written in it (YOU),because the time is near.

This beatitude is the first of seven in the book.

Initially, the blessing is pronounced upon the reader—probably the person who would read the book publicly in the assembly.

Beyond that, the blessing is for those of the congregation who hear and obey.

CONTINUING IN REVELATION 1:4

Point #2: The Apostle John Identifies Himself as the Author and Identifies His Audience, the Seven Churches in Asia!

These 7 churches are located in what was Asia Minor.

Today we call the region Modern day Turkey.

We see the standard grace and peace greeting that are common in so many of the Pauline epistles...

Who provides the grace and peace?

From the one who is, who was, and who is to come!

It is the Father who is and who was and who is to come (v.

4).

Though it is possible to apply this language to Christ, he is mentioned separately in the following verse.

He who is seems to echo the words to Moses at the burning bush: “I am who I am” (Ex.

3:14).

The expression who is to come can simply mean “who shall be.”

From the seven spirits before his throne...

The seven Spirits who are before His throne (v.

4) is one of the more perplexing expressions in the Book of Revelation.

Commentators usually take it to mean “the sevenfold Spirit of God”—a reference to the Holy Spirit as described in Isaiah 11:2.

From Jesus Christ, the faithful witness!

Jesus is the first born from the dead...

Jesus is the Ruler of the kings of the earth!

What do we learn about Jesus?

Jesus loves us

Jesus set us free from our sins by his blood!

He made a kingdom for us...

We are a kingdom priests, who will serve God...

To God be glory and dominion forever and ever!

Amen (LET IT BE SO!)

Point #3: John Describes the Second Coming of Jesus!

Look, he is coming with the clouds,

and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him.

And all the tribes[j] of the earth will mourn over him.[l][m]

So it is to be.

Amen.

(This is a prediction of what is to come).

CONTINUING IN REVELATION 1:12

Point #4: John Sees Jesus and He Explains What it Was Like!

John seeks to identify the voice speaking...

When he turns...

He sees 7 golden lampstands...

Among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man (Jesus)

According to the various expositors, the golden band worn across the chest is an emblem of high rank in the ancient world, and the long, linen garment is probably priestly.

White hair is the emblem of age and honor—and possibly wisdom.

The flaming eyes convey the idea of piercing vision, and the feet like fine brass suggest the irresistibility of His judgment as He will later tread the “great winepress of the wrath of God” (Rev.

14:19).

The two-edged sword from His mouth can hardly refer to anything other than His word (Heb.

4:12; Eph.

6:17),

CONTINUING IN REVELATION 1:17

Point #5: John Has a Typical Biblical Response to Encountering God, Jesus Has a Typical Response to Those Encountered: Do Not Be Afraid!

John falls at Jesus’ feet like a dead man...

Jesus puts his right hand on him and says Don’t be afraid.

I am the First and the Last, and the Living One.

I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Jesus shares John’s purpose in all this...

19 Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this.

Jesus jumps right in...

20 The mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[r] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands[s] are the seven churches.