GLORY REVEALED
Revelation 1:1-8
The Book of Revelation was received during a very difficult time for Christ’s Church. The local assemblies endured persecution from people outside of the church, and they encountered spiritual attacks, heretical teaching, and spiritual apathy within the church. Christ’s church needed to be comforted, encouraged, rebuked, taught, and strengthened. The Book of Revelation provided them with all of these things and so much more.
Two thousand years later, Christ’s Church is still facing these same issues; as a result, we need comfort, encouragement, strength, correction and instruction. Thankfully, God has given us a book that is filled with hope and encouragement; it is also a book of caution, exhortation, and instruction. Revelation gives us the assurance that Christ will return and at the same time it tells us how to live and operate as His Church until He does.
The bulk of Revelation describes the coming judgment of God on this world. It also has much to say about the persecution that Christ’s followers will experience in the last days. Not only does it reveal the reality of persecution, it also encourages us to endure and to remain faithful in the midst of dark days.
Revelation is a word that means “Unveiling”. This is a book that came directly from Christ, and it is all about Christ. From Revelation 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, the glory of Jesus Christ is the subject. As we study this passage I would like to preach on the subject “Glory Revealed”. Throughout our selected text we will see:
I. THE PROMISE CONCERNING THE REVELATION
II. THE PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED THE REVELATION
iii. THE PURPOSE OF THE REVELATION
- Let’s begin with:
THE PROMISE CONCERNING THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
v3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Many people are intimidated by the Book of Revelation and as a result they avoid it. But the fact is that God gave us this book for a reason, it is clear that He intended it to be read in His churches and by His people. Not only does God expect us to read this book, He expects us to obey the truth that is contained within; furthermore, He promises to bless those who read and obey this book. The word “blessed” means to be spiritually “happy”. There are blessings to be received by reading any of the 66 books of the Bible, but Revelation is the only one that comes with a promise to those who read it and obey what is written therein.
It is also important to note that the message that is contained within this book is a time sensitive message, for Jesus declares that “the time is near”. This means that the coming of Christ is imminent; it is the next event on God’s redemptive timeline. We do not know when Jesus will return, but it is vital that we believe that He will return to earth someday.
- There is a promise concerning the book of Revelation, now I would like to consider who this promise is for. Look back to verses 1-2 as we examine:
THE PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
This book was not written to the pagans, and its promises are not given to unbelievers; this book is a message from Christ to His people. The Revelation was given from Jesus to John, John was to write this information down and send it to the Angels (or messengers) of seven specific churches that were located in Asia Minor. These messengers were to deliver this information to the members of those churches. Finally, this information has been received by Christians throughout the ages, including you and me.
- The first to receive this message was:
A. THE APOSTLE JOHN
v1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
Jesus chose to send this message to the church, through His servant John. John is a familiar character whose influence is seen throughout church history. In A.D 27, Jesus called John and his brother James to be His Disciples. These two men whom He referred to as the “Sons of Thunder” became part of His inner circle. John faithfully followed Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, unto His death, after His resurrection, to His ascension and beyond.
Shortly after Pentecost, John was arrested and beaten for preaching Christ in Jerusalem. John remained faithful in spite of great persecution and became a leader in the early church. Around A.D 67, the Apostles Peter & Paul were executed, and John began to serve in Ephesus. In A.D 70, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans and the church was scattered as a result. It is believed that somewhere around A.D 90 John wrote his Gospel account and his three epistles. In A.D 93 John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos and in A.D 95 he received the Revelation of Jesus Christ. John was eventually released from exile by Emperor Nerva and afterwards he returned to his leadership role in Ephesus.
During that period of exile, Jesus gave John this revelation and instructed him to write to the “angels” of the seven churches. This leads us to the next group of people who received this letter. Let’s consider:
B. THE ANGELS
In chapters 2 & 3 John addressed seven letters to seven “angels”. In this context, the word “angel” literally means “messenger”. This is a reference to the seven Elders who led the seven churches in Asia Minor. These elders were to take the message that they had received and share it with the members of the local churches.
- Let’s move further and examine:
C. THE ASSEMBLIES
These 7 churches are identified as Ephesus, Smyrna, Thyatira, Pergamum, Sardis, Philadelphia, & Laodicea. These churches were located in the Roman province of Asia, which today is southwestern Turkey. We will learn much more about these individual churches over the next few weeks. Though these letters were specifically addressed to these churches, the message contained within them has benefitted Christians throughout the ages.
- Now that we have seen the promise and the people, let’s consider:
III. THE PURPOSE OF THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
Revelation is a book of preparation and celebration. It is a book that is from Christ, and it is about Christ. It reveals His work of redemption, and it pictures Him as the righteous judge and the soon coming King. There is coming a time when Jesus will return and judge the earth. It is important for the people on earth to hear and heed the warning that is given in the Revelation. Those who do not belong to Jesus need to surrender to Him while there is time; those who do belong to Him are told how to live in times of persecution and how they should serve Him until His return.
- Notice that:
A. REVELATION IS A BOOK OF PREPARATION
v1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John
In the first 3 chapters of this book Christians are informed about the imminent return of Christ; they are rebuked for their apathy, arrogance, and disobedience; and they are given instructions as to how they should respond to the rebuke that they have received. If the people who received these letters would respond accordingly, they could go from being churches that were in danger of judgment to being churches that would bring honor and glory to God.
Revelation is a beautiful book that contains much hope, at the same time it is an apocalyptic book that is filled with death, destruction, and condemnation. It covers subjects such as the Great Tribulation and the horrific events that will follow the Trumpet & Vial Judgments. This book is filled with stories of persecution, misery & death. It tells of the coming Great White throne judgment, the Battle of Armageddon, and the ultimate destruction of the world as we know it. These things are true, they are imminent, and God’s people need to be prepared for the future. Revelation tells us what will happen in the future and how to live in the present.
- Not only is Revelation a book of preparation, it is a book of celebration. Notice:
B. REVELATION IS A BOOK OF CELEBRATION
Though Revelation contains many horrific realties, it is also a book that reveals many wonderful attributes of our sovereign Lord. The majesty of our Savior is revealed throughout this book. He is referred to as:
“Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness, the First Begotten of the dead,” and the “Prince of the Kings of the Earth”. 1:1-5
He is “the Alpha and Omega, the First & Last, and the Son of Man”. 1:8-13
He is “the one that lives and was dead”. 1:13, 18
He is “the one who holds the seven stars” and “walks in the midst of the golden lampstands”. 2:1
He is “the one who has the sharp sword with two edges”. 2:12
He is “the Son of God”. 2:18
He is “the one who searches the minds and hearts”. 2:23
He is “the one who has the seven Spirits of God”. 3:1
He is “holy and true”, He “has the key of David, and He is “the one who opens and no man shuts and shuts and no man opens”. 3:7
He is “the Amen, the faithful and true witness” and “the beginning of the creation of God.” 3:14
His is “Lord”. 4:11
He is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 5:6-9
He is “King of kings” and “Lord of lords”. 17:14
He is “faithful & true” and the “Word of God”. 19:11-16
He is “the Christ”. 20:4
He is “the Lord God of the Holy Prophets”. 22:6
and “He is the bright and morning star”. 22:13-16
All of these things show us who Christ and that He is worthy of our worship and praise. This is one of the main purposes of this Book. It shows us that we should praise Jesus for who He is, for what He has done and for what He is going to do.
- Let’s look at the fact that:
WE SHOULD PRAISE JESUS FOR WHO HE IS
v4b Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
The message of the Revelation begins with “grace and peace”. If you look closely you will see that this grace and peace comes from the entire Trinity. The message comes from “Him who is and who was and who is to come”. God is the ever existing One and the One who is always the same.
This message is also from the seven Spirits who are before His throne. This refers to God the Holy Spirit in His fullness, seven being the number of perfection and completeness. This message is also from “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth”. Jesus is the first One to rise from the dead to die no more. Furthermore, He holds the place of honor and pre-eminence among all who are raised from the dead to enjoy eternal life. Jesus is also the ruler over all earthly kings.
We should be overwhelmed by the fact that this amazing God cares enough to give us a message that will prepare us for the future. As we study this book we should be motivated to praise Jesus for who He is! We should praise Jesus for who He is, likewise:
WE SHOULD PRAISE JESUS FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE
v5b To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
In these verses, John reminds us of the amazing work of Jesus Christ. He declares that He is the Savior who “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood”. This points us to the sacrificial death of Jesus at Calvary. We can never be reminded enough of the cost of our redemption!
Jesus paid it all and the price was paid with His precious blood. There is nothing within us that makes us worthy of the cleansing work of Christ’s blood. The only way this is possible is because (as John says) “He loved us.” Not only did He love us enough to wash us, He went on to “make us kings and priests to His God and Father”.
“As holy priests, we offer spiritual sacrifices to God: our persons, our possessions, our praise, and our service. As royal priests, we tell forth the excellences of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (William McDonald; Believers Bible Commentary)
Because of Jesus’ amazing love, redeeming sacrifice and marvelous grace, He is worthy of all the honor and glory, and He deserves all our worship and praise! We should praise Him for who He is, we should praise Him for all He has done and:
WE SHOULD PRAISE JESUS FOR WHAT HE WILL DO
v7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Our majestic Savior will return to earth someday. His arrival will not be a secret matter; after all of the death and destruction of the Great Tribulation, Jesus will appear in the clouds riding on a white horse. John says that when He comes “every eye will see Him”. Even those who took part in His crucifixion will recognize Him. When He comes, “All of the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.” The people of the earth will mourn because Jesus will not return as a humble carpenter from Nazareth, this time He is coming as the risen conqueror and the judge of the universe! When He arrives He will judge His enemies and set up His Kingdom.
As Christians, we will not mourn when He returns, we will rejoice! On that day we will be on the side of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Further evidence of our assurance is given in verse 8; there Jesus speaks and He says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Here Jesus introduces Himself as the Alpha & Omega. (These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet) this points to the fact that Jesus is the “Beginning and the End”. He had no beginning, and He will have no end; He is, was, and is to come; Jesus is the eternal One!
Many reasons are given in these few verses why we should worship Jesus for who He is, for what He has done and for what He will do. I don’t know about you but I am looking forward to seeing His glory revealed as we study these scriptures. Even greater is the reality that one day will see Him face to face, and we are assured that we will be with Him throughout eternity. We will not just read about Him and see Him with eyes of faith; for on that day we will be with Him and we will see His “Glory Revealed”.
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