Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Scripture

Outline

Revelation 1 - Introduction

Revelation 1:1-3 - Prologue & Benediction

Revelation 1:4-8 - Epistolary Introduction

Revelation 1:9-20 - A Vision of the Son of Man

Revelation 1:9-11 - Commission to Write

Revelation 1:12-16 - The Son of Man

Revelation 1:17-20 - The Authority of Christ

Purpose of Book

The purpose of Revelation is to challenge/encourage believers, who are expectantly awaiting the reign of Christ, to live faithfully for Him despite worldly circumstances, persecution, and the cosmic battle between God and Satan.

Main Point

Jesus, revealed as the Son of Man, holds authority over the heavenly and earthly realms.

He stands in the midst of His churches encouraging and exhorting them to persevere.

Revelation 1:9-11 - Commission to Write

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus,

John - the apostle

Brother

Identifies himself with them as a Christ-follower/family member, not an apostle

Partner

One who shares in with others/mutual participation

The tribulation

John shares in the suffers that the readers partake in

Specifically, troubles that arise because of their allegiance to Jesus

The kingdom

The patient endurance

John encourages his readers to endure regardless of persecution.

John himself is experiencing persecution so this is not a theoretical statement

That are in Jesus

Tribulation

Kingdom

Patient endurance

It seems weird/contradictory for all three of these to be placed together, but John realizes the already, but not yet reality

Endurance is needed as tribulation is a present reality for those who are made a kingdom

Was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Island of Patmos

Key Points

• Patmos is a volcanic island located off the western coast of Asia Minor.

• The island was a colony of Miletus with a defensive fortress at Castelli.

• The Romans exiled political prisoners to islands in the Aegean Sea.

• Artemis Patmia was its patron goddess whose temple once stood at the site of the monastery at Chora.

• The cave in which John traditionally received his visions continues to function as an Orthodox church.

• Patmos’ insularity surrounded by the sea influenced John’s apocalyptic visions.

On account of...

John’s exile was a result of him proclaiming the Gospel by Domitian per Eusebius

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,

In the Spirit

Spirit of prophecy that John uses four times in Revelation

Signifies that John received this revelation from God and it is authoritative because it was inspired by the Holy Spirit

John’s normal consciousness was altered and he experienced something far greater than Patmos

The Lord’s day

Sunday - the day Jesus rose from the dead

And I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying,

Trumpet

God is about to reveal Himself as He did on Sinai

“Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea”

Write - command

All occasions in the OT where Yahweh uses this language is meant for judgment

Judgment here against a rebellious world AND against those who compromise truth for the world

Send - command

Seven churches

Disputed as to why these seven churches were selected

Symbolic for all churches as well

Revelation 1:12-16 - The Son of Man

The vision in vv 12–20 follows the typical pattern of visions in the OT and Jewish apocalyptic literature: (1) the initial vision (vv 12–16) followed by (2) the seer’s response (v 17a) and then (3) an interpretation of the vision (vv 17b–20).

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me,

And on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,

This could symbolize God’s perfect presence according to some Jewish sources

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.

In the midst of the lampstands

A glorious vision of Christ!

Directly placed in front of the holy of holies

Jewish writings understood the lamps as Israel -> church

Jesus’ place is in the midst of the churches tending to their needs as a priest would to the lamps - Jesus’ heavenly priest ministry

He dwells with them - encouraging and exhorting - and has not abandoned them during the tribulation

Like a son of man

Divine

Jesus is the Messianic King

Clothed with a long robe

Represents robes worn by the priests

Golden sash around his chest

Christ, the son of man, is king and priest!

Without the work of Christ, Christians do not become a kingdom

The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow.

The Ancient of Days in Daniel 7 is the Father

John is not confused by any means!

White hair signifies wisdom and all knowledge

His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

Eyes were like a flame of fire

Penetrating discernment and nothing is hidden from Him

Like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace

No one is able to stand against/conquer the Son of Man who is morally pure

Voice was like the roar of many waters

Overwhelming power

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.

Right hand

Signifies favor and strength

The stars (angels) are under his authority

Seven stars