The Vision of the Coming King

Textual Idea – John saw a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ as the coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Transition with key word: Our text presents three components of John’s vision of the coming King.

1. The Place of the Vision: Worship – vs.9-10

2. The Person of the Vision: The Son of Man – Jesus – vs.12-17

3. The Possessions in the Vision: Keys to eternity & death, Pastors & Churches – vs. 18-20

Introduction – How do you describe what is actually indescribable? A few years ago, Cheryl and I had the opportunity while traveling to scoot up to the Grand Canyon for a quick day trip. I’ve heard people talk about how breathtakingly beautiful it is and how the mix of sun, colors and shadows is just awesome. Until I actually saw it, the words and descriptions and even pictures just don’t cut it. It is something you need to experience before you die. Standing out there on a precipice of the canyon, wind in my face, in awe and wonder of God who created it (yes God created the Grand Canyon via a worldwide flood, not billions of years!); it truly was breathtaking. A picture is worth a thousand words but experiencing it first hand is something I’ll never forget. It is hard to describe it so I brought a couple of pictures…

Transition – The Apostle John found himself trying to describe in writing under God’s command what he saw in the book of Revelation. In our study today, we’ll begin to unpack more of what John saw in his vision. Our text presents three components of John’s vision of the coming King.

Read Text 4-20

Background – Now at first glance, we would say the place of the vision is this little island called Patmos mentioned in vs. 9 in the text. The context of how John came to be on this little island is important to understand. Patmos was a small island in the Aegean Sea, located about 35 miles (56.3 kilometers) west of the city of Miletus off the coast of Asia Minor. Patmos is about ten miles long and six miles wide at its northern end, consisting of rocky volcanic hills. John said in vs. 9 he was on this island for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In other words, He’d been faithfully preaching the Gospel and proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Savior and the only true God to be worshipped. The Roman Empire had been fairly tolerant of Christianity for a period of time after Jesus ascended back to heaven. Christianity was considered a sect of Judaism so the Romans tolerated it, after all, the God the Jews claimed was not visible as the pantheon of Roman idols were. They viewed this unseen God as basically harmless and powerless.

There was localized persecution in Jerusalem instigated primarily by the Jews against Christians. The Book of Acts shows us this as the Jews arrest and threatened Peter and John (our author) for preaching Jesus in the temple in Acts 4. In Acts 7, the Jews stoned a deacon named Stephen to death for preaching Jesus. By Acts 12, King Herod killed James the brother of John and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he set out to kill the Apostle Peter also but God miraculously released him from prison. By the end of Acts, the Apostle Paul was in prison in Rome awaiting execution. (Dr. John MacArthur does an excellent job of providing the context):

Religiously, Christians were denounced as atheists because they rejected the Roman pantheon of gods and because they worshiped an invisible God, not an idol. Wild rumors, based on misunderstandings of Christian beliefs and practices, falsely accused them of cannibalism, incest, and other sexual perversions.

Socially, Christians, most of whom were from the lower classes of society (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26), were despised by the Roman aristocracy. The Christian teaching that all people are equal (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11) threatened to undermine the hierarchical structure of Roman society and topple the elite from their privileged status. It also heightened the Roman aristocracy’s fear of a slave rebellion. Christians did not openly oppose slavery, but the perception was that they undermined it by teaching that master and slave were equal in Christ (cf. Philem.). Finally, Christians declined to participate in the worldly amusements that were so much a part of pagan society, avoiding festivals, the theater, and other pagan events.

Economically, Christians were seen as a threat by the numerous priests, craftsmen, and merchants who profited from idol worship. The resulting hostility, first seen in the riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:23ff.), deepened as Christianity became more widespread.

Eventually, it was the hostility the Jews displayed against the Christians that led the Romans to recognize Christianity as a religion distinct from Judaism. That identified Christians as worshipers of an illegal religion (Judaism was a religio licita, or legal religion). Yet there was no official persecution by the Roman authorities until the time of Nero. Seeking to divert public suspicion that he had caused the great fire in Rome (July 19, a.d. 64), Nero blamed the Christians for it. As a result, many Christians were executed at Rome (including, according to tradition, both Peter and Paul), but there was yet no empire-wide persecution.

Three decades later, Emperor Domitian instigated an official persecution of Christians. The persecuted, beleaguered, discouraged believers in Asia Minor to whom John addressed the book of Revelation desperately needed encouragement. It had been years since Jesus ascended. Jerusalem had been destroyed and Israel ravaged. The church was losing its first love, compromising, tolerating sin, becoming powerless, and distasteful to the Lord Himself (this is described in Revelation 2 and 3). The other apostles were dead, and John had been exiled. The whole picture looked very bleak. That is why the first vision John received from the inspiring Holy Spirit is of Christ’s present ministry in the church.

Vs. 4 - To the 7 churches in Asia (vs. 11) (Show maps)

• Note grace - “Unmerited favor!” & Peace - in a book full of war and calamity; God wants us to experience His grace & be at peace with Him! This is an important reminder from the Holy Spirit via the pen of the Apostle John Grace & Peace shine brightly through a dark world stained with sin! Rev. ends with the host of Heaven resting in the grace & peace of Almighty God secured for all time by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!

Vs. 5 - To Him who loved us - How do we know know He loved us? John tells us: & washed us from our sins in His own blood! (Rom. 5:8) “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so!”

Vs. 6 - Made us kings & priests to God the Father! By virtue of our faith in Jesus Christ & His provision for sin, John says we’ve gone from the poor house to the palace, from calloused commoners, to caring priests serving our great & glorious & everlasting God!

Vs. 7 - He’s coming back!

1. The Place of the Vision: Worship – vs.9-10

Explanation – In vs. 9, John tells of both the geographical location (Patmos) of the vision, but the main thought of the place of the vision is found in vs. 10. John said that he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” What was John doing in the midst of a bleak future, abandoned, left to the elements, wild animals and certain death, separated from the encouragement of other believers and disciples of Jesus Christ? (Show John on the beach)

On the Lord’s Day, Sunday, John was privately worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ! That is the place of the vision, during John’s personal communion and worship with his Lord and Master, in John’s dark hour; vs. 10 tells us John heard a loud voice like a trumpet (a trumpet is loud but it’s also an unmistakeable sound) - John knew this voice! I also find it interesting John put himself in a position to encounter Jesus Christ and hear from Him in worship!

Why do you go to church? Do you go to just check it off your religious “to do” list? Do you go b/c you think it will make Jesus love you more? Do you go b/c it’s good business to be seen in church? The fellowship, the food - free donuts are nice but that’s not why we come to church! Do you come expecting to meet with Jesus? That’s why we come to encounter our Risen Savior Jesus Christ & Hear directly from Him! Well, John encounters & hear’s from the Risen Lord - the Alpha & the Omega (first and last).

Jesus taps old John on the shoulder & appeared to His beloved disciple for one last assignment. To write a letter to the churches of encouragement as God revealed the future. That brings us to:

2. The Person of the Vision: The Son of Man – Jesus – vs.12-17

Explanation – Jesus had already told John He is coming again as recorded in vs. 7 and we talked last week of the necessity of the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, the first time was in shame, the next appearance of Jesus Christ will be dramatically different. Notice what John records of the appearance of Jesus. (Show John turning) He turns to look at this voice speaking to him and John identifies Him as “one like the Son of Man” – The Prophet Ezekiel used this term for the Messiah about 100 times. It was this designation that was Jesus favorite designation of Himself as recorded throughout the Gospels. John’s Gospel uses this designation of Jesus 12 times. John spent 3 years of intimate close fellowship with Jesus, he recognized Jesus instantly; but his appearance this time is different!

Notice John’s description of his appearance, what he sensed in seeing and hearing:

Vs. 13 – Clothed in a garment down to his feet, girded with a golden band around his chest – the robe of the high priest! Heb. 2:17-18 “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

Vs. 14a – His head & hair white like wool, as white as snow – This is a reference to Daniel 7:9-14 where Daniel describes the “Ancient of Days” (the Heavenly Father). This parallel description of Jesus affirms His deity so Jesus has the same attributes of holiness, wisdom and knowledge as His Father. The description of Christ being white as wool and snow is a picture of the Holiness of God and as the High Priest He sets the standard of perfection for His Church.

Paul reminded the Ephesians that “Christ … loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:25–27). Make no mistake God expects & demands holiness in His church!

Vs. 14b – Continuing his description of the glorified Christ, John noted that His eyes were like a flame of fire (cf. 2:18; 19:12). His searching, revealing, infallible gaze penetrates to the very depths of His church, revealing to Him with piercing clarity the reality of everything there is to know. Jesus declared in Matt. 10:26: “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”

In the words of the author of Hebrews, “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we must give an account.” (Heb. 4:13).

The omniscient Lord of the church will not fail to recognize and deal with sin in His church. No doubt the Lord’s fierce appearance shows his anger at what was happening to His church and His servants enduring persecution as well. If you attack my bride, you’ll get a whole lot of me in a hurry!

Vs. 15a – That Christ’s feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, continues the obvious sequence by making a clear reference to judgment on sinners in the church. Kings in ancient times sat on elevated thrones, so those being judged would always be beneath the king’s feet. The feet of a king thus came to symbolize his authority. The red-hot, glowing feet of the Lord Jesus Christ picture Him moving through His church to exercise His chastening authority, ready to deal out remedial pain, if need be, to sinning Christians. Heb.12:6 “For whom the Lord loves He chastens & scourges every son He receives.”

Vs. 15b – His voice - authoritative: “A loud voice like a trumpet” vs. 10, A trumpet is an unmistakable sounding instrument, you can pick it out of from the other instruments. “His voice like the sound of many waters” vs. 15; ever been near a waterfall – Niagara Falls! You hear the roar when you get out of your car! Yet his voice assures John not to be afraid in vs. 17! The Gospel of John records in 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice & I know them and they follow me.”

Vs. 16a – Out of His mouth is a sharp two edged sword – signifies His protection of His church both inside & outside. Those who sow lies, discord or otherwise attempt to harm the church from within will be dealt with by the Lord Jesus Christ personally. It’s interesting that John 1 describes Jesus as the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory. The sword is God’s very word.

Heb. 4:12-13 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

Vs. 16b – His countenance – Bright & shining like the Sun at its peak! (Show slide depicting Jesus’ appearance)

John’s response? Vs. 17 – “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead!” John collapsed at the sensory overload and sight of Jesus in His glory! It literally paralyzed him, yet he was awake and aware of what’s going on notice the detail – “He laid His right hand on me saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.” I’m the eternal God - 3 times in this text we’re told Jesus is the God who is, who was & is to come (4, 8, & 17). Alpha & Omega twice (8,11).

Highlight vs. 18 - “I am He who lives & was dead, & behold I’m alive forevermore!” John its me, your Savior. Don’t be afraid. Get up and write this stuff down. Commander and Chief gives you a direct order, it’s ‘Yes Sir!”. This brings us to:

3. The Possessions in the Vision: – vs. 18b-20

Explanation – Vs. 18 – Jesus affirms once again He is alive, that He was dead but is alive forevermore…and He Amen’s Himself! It’s as if to say “That’s good preachin’ there!” Then He tells John some important news: I have the Keys to (Hades) eternity & death. The term Hades many people think is synonymous with Hell. It actually refers to the unseen realm the realm of the dead. Since all humans die including those saved and those who are lost, Hades cannot be interpreted exclusively as Hell, though at times, the meaning is clearly that of Hell – Matt. 16:18 “…I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Hades is the realm of the dead – you might say Hades is the place and death is the condition. Its OT counterpart is called “Sheol.”

Many people think Satan is in charge of Hell, you are sadly mistaken! If you hold the keys, you’re in charge. Satan does not control Hell, the Lord Jesus Christ does! Satan will not be throwing any parties in Hell where the fire is not quenched and the worm dieth not.

Jesus also has the keys to death – It’s appointed for man to die once and after this the judgment (Heb. 9:27). All of us have an appointment with to meet Jesus someday when our eyes close in death. He has the authority over death and He decides who dies and when they die.

Not only does Jesus hold the keys to eternity/Hades & death, but there are other possessions seen in this vision of John:

Vs. 16 – Also John saw in Jesus’ right hand 7 stars. Vs. 20 explains these stars John saw are the GK “angelos”– angels/messengers to the churches; they are the pastor’s of those churches. John had served as the pastor of at least one of these Asian churches that we know of – He served in Ephesus after Paul started the church. Having His hand on the pastor indicates His control – folks, a really good prayer to pray that Jesus would keep His hand on your pastor!

The first thing John saw when he turned to look at the voice that spoke to him in vs. 12 is 7 golden lamp stands. 7 is God’s number of perfection and completeness – (He created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th day.) A lamp stand in John’s day would hold a lamp that would burn olive oil to light up a room. Most lamps were made out of pottery like the one I have here from the middle east. What John sees are 7 golden lamp stands gold is the most precious metal. Vs. 20 tells us these are churches. The Church of the Living Lord Jesus is precious! The church is symbolized as a lamp to be the light in a dark world. How can we forget Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matt.5:14 “You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.”

These churches John saw pictured with Jesus were 7 actual local churches listed for us in vs. 11. Interesting Jesus has the pastors in His hands, under control as undershepherds and He walks among His precious church as the Chief Shepherd!

So the possessions of the vision are:

Holds Keys to:

Eternity (Hades) Death

Pastors (Messenger) = 7 Stars

Churches = 7 Lamp stands

Applications:

1. When you’re in a hard spot, do you worship or do you whine? Job worshipped! John saw this marvelous vision from Jesus when he was in a place of worship. He was under immense persecution for his faith in Christ. He was separated from his church, he was by himself, and yet on the Lord’s Day, he went to church by himself! Even though Jesus warned His disciples of the coming of persecution, I’m sure they couldn’t picture not having church and the fellowship of other believers. I can’t picture the Roman authorities letting John have what copies of the OT Scriptures he had access to when they dumped him on that island. He could only reflect on what he’d memorized or what Jesus personally taught him – but he was able to engage in worship on his own. Worship should be a way of life no matter what’s going on in your life.

What if you were John – alone, without the Scripture would you worship Jesus or would you be whining? No doubt John’s worship that day was a continuation of his pattern of living to worship Jesus. I remind you that what you do here in worship is practice for how you’ll worship Christ later. Maybe you can’t worship as He’s not your Savior! Share ABC’s.

2. You need to understand who Jesus really is! John fell on his face as a dead man. Seeing Jesus in His glorified state, ready to judge sin and evil paralyzed John in fear – yet Jesus was gentle and reassuring to John His beloved disciple – “do not be afraid.” What sin is there for you to repent of oh child of God? You think He doesn’t see that sin you think is so private no one knows about? Think again! John saw those penetrating eyes of His Lord and you will too someday. Isaiah’s model is a good one for us from Isaiah 6:5 “Woe is me for I am undone! I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips, for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.”

Let truth about Jesus Christ penetrate your life, deepen your faith in Him, and strengthen your commitment to follow Him no matter what the cost!

3. Remember the possessions of this blessed vision. Our life is in His Hands!

a. Jesus holds the keys to Hades/Death. He knows exactly when your appointment time is to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. If you know Jesus as Savior, you need not fear that day you pass on. Ps. 116:15 says “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Wow! If you don’t know him and you’re afraid, that’s why He’s warning you now while you have time to repent.

b. He possesses His messengers – God has His hand on those pastors He calls to lead as under shepherds. Woe to the Pastor who is not faithful to the Lord in leading and caring for His bride! Remember if your pastor is not doing what God wants him to do, you can let the Lord sort him out with confidence.

c. He possesses the church – it’s His and its precious to Him. He wants us to be a light shining in a dark place faithfully till He comes. We must never equate busy-ness and activity as the same as our mandate of making disciples. BTW church membership is important. These lamps in John’s vision are actual local churches; they are an identifiable group of believers. People dismiss membership saying “I’m part of the universal church.”

The NT assumes church membership for a disciple of Jesus Christ because many of the commands we are given cannot be carried out if we’re not a part of a local body of believers. People don’t want to be a member because they don’t want the accountability. Guess what? You’re accountable to Jesus!

4. (Vs. 8 & 11) Is the Lord Jesus your reason for living; the Alpha & Omega of your life? If not, your priorities are wrong!

Close – The last 2 years have revealed unprecedented fear of death! Jesus said He holds the keys of Hades & Death. Christian missionaries in China leading up to WWII where in great danger from the Communists. E.H. Hamilton wrote a poem in those dark days missionaries like John & Betty Stam found great encouragement before they were martyred for their faith.

Afraid? Of What?

To feel the spirit’s glad release?

To pass from pain to perfect peace? The strife & strain of life to cease?

Afraid - of that?

Afraid? Of What?

Afraid to see the Savior’s face, to hear His welcome & to trace

The glory gleam from wounds of grace?

Afraid - of that?

Afraid? Of What?

A flash, a crash, a pierced heart; darkness, light, O Heaven’s art!

A wound of His a counterpart?

Afraid - of that?

Afraid? Of What?

To do by death what life could not - baptized with blood a stony spot

Till souls shall blossom from the spot?

Afraid - of that?

(Rob Morgan, pg. 187)

Our life is in His hands & no one is able to pluck us out of the nail scared hands of Jesus!