Behind the Curtain

Trip to convention in Orlando.

In the main reception hall, a huge area draped off, nearly two stories high.

Couldn’t help myself. I needed to see what was behind the curtain. (Pics)

Human nature to want to know what’s really going on. In this case, just a mess of construction materials, dust and debris.

John’s Revelation is not so different. Nearly everyone has at least a little familiarity with the last book of the NT.

We’re intrigued by the fantastic beasts and images of angels, demons, dragons, plagues, horsemen.

And ever since its writing, people have tried to make the message fit themselves and their circumstances.

This isn’t necessarily wrong, but oftentimes backward.

Revelation is, in fact, a look behind the curtain. But it’s the opposite of what we use curtains for. We hide things behind drapes, curtains.

Revelation unveils. It’s what the word we translate as Revelation means. Apocalypse means “to expose, unveil, reveal.”

What couldn’t be known before must now be seen and understood.

This sermon series is simply titled “Seven.” We’ll explore the first three chapters of Revelation together. It’s a great follow up to Easter Sunday.

Jesus has risen from the dead in glory, transfigured and mighty. Soon, he’ll rise from creation to return to Father to rule over his kingdom.

The mission of expanding the kingdom has been given to His disciples. But He is no longer tangibly evident in the church.

What happens when the churches begin to face trials, even tribulation? Will they hang on? Will they stay faithful?

God gives John the Apostle a peek behind the curtain in a series of visions to strengthen and encourage them. They need to see that everything happening in the world around them falls into place and makes sense. The unstoppable, victorious King will defeat all of His enemies and restore Creation to its glory.

So stay strong! Stay faithful! Remain loyal to your King!

It follows that being loyal means we need to shore up our weaknesses. That’s why the book starts with letters to seven churches. (For today, we’ll just leave it at that. As we dig into the series, we’ll share more details on the seven churches.)

We begin to today with the first half of chapter one. In order to put the letters to the churches in proper perspective, you need to know who wrote to you and why.

The Blessing

Revelation 1:1–3 NLT

1 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

Revelation = apocalypse. NOT war, Blackhawk helicopters, etc.

The unveiling of God’s plan and activity that began with the resurrection and will continue until Jesus comes again.

Prophecy = Two parts, for-telling (prediction) and forth-telling (preaching about God and His actions).

Not just a look into predetermined future events.

We learn more about God’s character and promises.

We can then trust Him more and become more loyal to Him because we know Him more completely.

This is the heart of the blessing for knowing Revelation. We have God’s favor because we have seen and heard what has and will happen and trust that He is working on our behalf and will triumph.

Grace and Peace

Revelation 1:4–6 NLT

4 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Seven churches (map)

Not the only churches in Asia Minor. Probably on a circular route commonly traveled by messengers.

Intended to be illustrative for all churches, but addressing specific issues in the named churches.

Typical greeting of “grace and peace.”

From the Trinity.

The Father: Echoes of Exo. 3.14 Him who IS, ALWAYS WAS, STILL TO COME.

Sevenfold Spirit - 7 = perfection, completeness.

Jesus gets three descriptors:

Faithful witness

First to rise

Rule and King

Doxology to Christ for what He has done for us:

Loved us

Freed us

Made us a kingdom of priests.

When we “peek behind the curtain” we see that our everyday existence is full of meaning and value.

Behold!

Revelation 1:7–8 NLT

7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”

Jesus left with only a few witnesses.

Acts 1:9–11 NLT

9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

He will return in full view of all creation.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 NLT

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

This time, it’s completely ok to peek behind the curtain.

The Lord invites us and blesses us as we explore the unveiling of His plan.