God of Wonders
Thesis: Does God – Jesus – The Holy Spirit still amaze and awe you? Do you understand Jesus is a God of Wonders? Does God make you scratch your head and ask, “How did He do that?” Does this awe you inspire you to live for Him?
In the book “Unleash the power of storytelling” by Rob Biesenbach
He notes this about a great story:
• It will win hearts – captivate, inspire and motivate people!
• It will change minds – convince people to come around to the authors or teller’s way of thinking.
• It will get results – great stories persuade people to act in a way that transforms them and others.
Introduction:
Spiritual thought from Psalm 77:14 “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” – the main idea in this Psalm is “ God’s power and presence remain active today, inviting us to trust Him in hardship, in trials, in the unknown and pray boldly, and even expect miracles in those ordinary moments of life.
Quote: “God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil everywhere.” E.M. Bounds
Power Point Picture: From Nasa!
Illustration – The Pulsar the Hand of God - A pulsar known as the “Hand of God” reveals strange filaments, patchy remnants, and puzzling signals, leaving scientists searching for answers. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Hong Kong/S. Zhang et al.; Radio: ATNF/CSIRO/ATCA; H-alpha: UK STFC/Royal Observatory Edinburgh; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk
• A stunning composite image in 2009 captures the hand-shaped nebula MSH 15-52 along with the remains of the supernova that formed it.
• Astronomers combined X-ray data from NASA’s Chandra Observatory with radio observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array, uncovering fresh details and hidden structures.
• At the center lies a pulsar, an ultra-dense neutron star spinning rapidly, which fuels the creation of the nebula.
• This extraordinary system began when a massive star used up its nuclear fuel, collapsed inward, and then exploded in a brilliant supernova. – Creating – what scientist are calling” A Cosmic Hand “of God” In Space” – It became called this in 2009, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory unveiled a striking image of a pulsar surrounded by a nebula shaped like a giant hand.
T.S. - We have been exploring the Creative hand of our Creator in Nature – in Biology and in Space – today I want to connect the Creator God of Genesis to Jesus – to inspire you to be more in awe of God and His love.
Scriptures:
John 1:1-18 (CEV) --- The Word of Life
1 In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.
2 From the very beginning the Word was with God.
3 And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created
4 received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone.
5 The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out.
6 God sent a man named John,
7 who came to tell about the light and to lead all people to have faith.
8 John wasn’t that light. He came only to tell about the light.
9 The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world.
10 The Word was in the world, but no one knew him, though God had made the world with his Word.
11 He came into his own world, but his own nation did not welcome him.
12 Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God.
13 They were not God’s children by nature or because of any human desires. God himself was the one who made them his children.
14 The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us.
15 John spoke about him and shouted, “This is the one I told you would come! He is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born.”
16 Because of all that the Son is, we have been given one blessing after another.
17 The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth.
18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.
The Gospel of John is the fourth book of the New Testament and is attributed to John the Apostle, "the disciple whom Jesus loved". It is uniquely characterized by its profound theological focus on the divinity of Jesus, whom it introduces as the eternal Logos (Word) who became flesh. But note – He was with God at Creation and is a part of Creation!
T.S. - Let connect the dots today to see Jesus for who He truly was – is and will be!
Gensis 1:2-27: -The Beginning – compare with John 1!
1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
4God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
5God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
6And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.”
7So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so.
8God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
9And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so.
10God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
11Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.
12The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
13And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
14And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,
15and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so.
16God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.
17God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,
18to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.
19And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
20And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.”
21So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
22God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”
23And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
24And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.
25God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Purpose and Central Message of the Gospel of John – He intentionally linked Jesus to Genesis and Creation – The “I Am” statement revealed – his connection to God of the Ot “I Am” exodus 3 – Then His miracles prove Jesus was God in the flesh! The Word of God personified! You see Jesus you see The Father God.
According to the text itself (John 20:31), the primary purpose of the Gospel is to inspire belief that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" so that readers may have eternal life through Him.
High Christology: Unlike the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), John emphasizes Jesus’ preexistence and equality with God from its opening verse.
The "I Am" Statements: Jesus makes are seven distinct "I Am" declarations (e.g., "I am the bread of life," "I am the light of the world") that echo the divine name and nature of God revealed in the Old Testament and in Jesus. Jesus is the God of Wonders!
I. The 7 "I Am" Statements- Defining the Deity of Jesus (The God of Wonders) and who He is, was and will be!
1. "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35) - The Context of this revelation statement by Jesus: It was spoken after the feeding of the 5,000 (The miracle) fulfilling prophets from the OT (Deut) and the Talmud about the Coming of the True Messiah!
a. The Meaning of Jesus Statement: Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy spiritual hunger and sustain eternal life. He is the nutrient source for eternal life!
2. "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12) – The Context of this revelation statement by Jesus: Note it was declared during the Feast of Tabernacles, near the temple's great candelabra.
a. The Feast of Tabernacles, also known by its Hebrew name Sukkot (or the Festival of Booths), is a seven-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering the desert after their Exodus from Egypt. It is a time of extreme joy and thanksgiving for God's provision, protection and the fall of the harvest – One part of the festival is the symbolism of Water and Light: Historically, the festival included elaborate water-pouring and temple-lighting ceremonies in Jerusalem, symbolizing prayers for rain and the arrival of the Messiah. The families would live in 3 sided booths so they could gaze into the stars at night.
b. The Meaning of Jesus Statement: He provides the guidance and truth needed to navigate a world of spiritual darkness. John 1 highlighted this truth too!
3. "I am the door (or gate) of the sheep" (John 10:7, 9)- The Context of this Revelation statement was most likely pointed at the little stone corrals all around the hill sides of Jerusalem with only one entrance and exit. At night the Shepherds would sleep in the opening to protect and look over the sheep:
a. The meaning of Jesus Statement: Meaning: Jesus is the exclusive entrance to salvation and the protection of God's people. There is no one else in the world who can open the door to Heaven but Jesus!
i. Also see Revelation 5: 1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…
4. "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11, 14) – The historical context of this statement: It is the continuation of the sheepfold imagery of the shepherds and sheep all around Jerusalem.
a. Illustration: My experience in working with sheep in Grygla, Mn on a sheep farm – the upside-down sheep in the runway – me trying to get it to turn over on its feet – stuffing up the walkway to be sheared and the sheep piling on top of it and creating a mass tackle scenario! It was a pile on of sheep like you see in football! So I had to jump in to the walkway full of sheep piling on top of each other and get the one sheep turned back on his feet – I got it up the other sheep knocked me into the metal fencing and I caught my pant leg on a sharp part of the fencing from the walk way and it tore the whole side of my jeans wide open and cut my leg – I had rescued the sheep from trampling each other but in the process hurt myself helping these stupid - dumb sheep! The farmers laughed at me and said, “Pastor Mike that was a good illustration to use in a sermon on how dumb sheep are and we are compared to those sheep!” Just so you know I was offended at the thought that the Bible calls me a sheep now – I got it – I said to myself “I am not that dumb!” – but years have passed since that incident and the truth be told – well --- you fill in the blank! “
b. The meaning of Jesus statement: He knows his followers personally and is willing to lay down his life for their protection
5. "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25) – The Historical Context of this revelatory statement: Spoken to Martha just before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. She was upset that Jesus delayed in coming but Jesus wanted her and us to know he possessed resurrection power over that which is dead – He had the power to speak life into that which is dead! Are you hearing this truth of the God of Wonders – he speaks life with this word to that which is dead and it comes back to life! We talked about this last year from Ezekiel
a. The Meaning of Jesus Declaration: Death does not have the final word; eternal life is found only through relationship with him. Just like God in the OT He speaks life into that which is dead or void and makes it come to life!
6. "I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6) – Historical Context of this declaration by Jesus: He said this to the disciples in the Upper Room before his arrest.
a. The Meaning of Jesus declaration: He is the only path to God the Father and the embodiment of all divine truth – entrance to eternal life in heaven only found through Him.
7. “I am the true vine" (John 15:1, 5) – Historical Context of this statement: His final "I Am" statement, likely given while walking to the Mount of Olives. Walking past the vineyards of Israel!
a. The Meaning of this statement: Followers must stay spiritually "connected" to him to grow and bear "fruit" (good works/character). Disconnect from the Vine of life and you will die!
i. Spiritual Significance: These statements are significant because they echo the name "I AM WHO I AM" that God used to identify Himself to Moses in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). By using this specific phrasing, Jesus was explicitly claiming equality with God, a claim so controversial that it led religious leaders to attempt to stone him. Beyond these seven metaphors, Jesus also made absolute "I am" claims without a metaphor, most notably in John 8:58: "Before Abraham was born, I am!"
T.S. – John paints a clear picture for us of who Jesus is and was – He is God in the flesh! When you look at Jesus you get a glimpse of the Creator of the Universe – Does this amaze you – inspire you – open your eyes to Jesus?
II. The miracles of Jesus also in John point to him being the God of Wonders!
a. Signs vs. Miracles: John records only seven miraculous "signs" specifically chosen to prove Jesus' divine identity, culminating in the raising of Lazarus from the dead and His own resurrection.
i. In the Gospel of John, the author carefully selects seven miracles, which he specifically calls "signs" (Greek: semeion), to reveal Jesus’ divine identity and to lead others to faith – He was proving Jesus was Divine and God in the flesh.
b. The 7 Miraculous Signs:
i. Changing Water into Wine at Cana (John 2:1–11)
1. Significance: Jesus' first public miracle; demonstrates His authority over nature and transformation. Some say even over natural processes!
ii. Healing the Royal Official’s Son (John 4:46–54)
1. Significance: Performed from a distance; shows Jesus as the Master of distance and the power of His spoken word.
iii. Healing the Paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1–15)
1. Significance: Healing a man disabled for 38 years on the Sabbath; demonstrates His authority over time and religious tradition.
iv. Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:5–14)
1. Significance: The only miracle (pre-resurrection) recorded in all four Gospels; identifies Him as the Bread of Life who sustains spiritual hunger.
v. Walking on Water (John 6:16–21)
1. Significance: Occurred during a storm; displays His mastery over the natural elements and His role as a guide through trials. His power over nature even storms!
vi. Healing the Man Born Blind (John 9:1–7)
1. Significance: Jesus uses mud to restore sight; illustrates He is the Light of the World who brings spiritual vision to those in darkness. If you recall from Gensis God created man from the dust of the earth and then breather life into it!
vii. Raising Lazarus from the Dead (John 11:1–45)
1. Significance: Jesus' final public sign before His arrest; proves He is the Resurrection and the Life with absolute power over death.
viii. The Eighth "Sign" ---While John highlights these seven, many scholars consider the Resurrection of Jesus (John 20) to be the ultimate eighth sign, representing the beginning of a "new creation". Some also include the Miraculous Catch of Fish in the epilogue (John 21) as a final confirmation of His identity.
III. The comparison between John 1 which we just looked at and , Gensis 1 and Revelation 1! Should help you see the God of Wonders!
a. Genesis: It’s important to know that Genesis answers many questions that plague mankind: It answers some of the following Questions:
i. The Being of God is introduced – Genesis 1
ii. His Spirit (Holy Spirit) – He was hovering over nothing, but He was ready to create something good. (vs 2)
iii. His Word (Jesus) - “God said” – He spoke the Creation of the Universe into existence with His Word! The power of Words!
iv. His Love (Father’s Love) – especially for His Creation – “It was good!” (vs. 31)
v. John 3:16 – solidifies His love!
1. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
a. The nine beginnings:
i. Genesis 1:1-2:3: The beginning of the earth as mankind’s habitation.
ii. Genesis 2:4-25: The beginning of the human race.
iii. Genesis 3:1-7: The beginning of human sin.
iv. Genesis 3:8-24: The beginning of redemptive revelation.
v. Genesis 4:1-15: The beginning of the human family.
vi. Genesis 4:16-9:29: The beginning of the godless civilization.
vii. Genesis 10:1-32: The beginning of nations.
viii. Genesis 11:1-9: The beginning of human languages.
ix. Genesis 11:10-50:26: The beginning of the Hebrew race (God’s covenant people).
vi. The recognition and acceptance of God as Creator is the precept that all teaching of the Bible should be based on! Your belief in Jesus should be rooted in this truth.
1. Webb states, “The God who we worship is not a metaphysical idea; a form of thought; a philosophical abstraction; but a living, personal, eternal being apart from and prior to all human thought. He is not a creation of the intellect, but the intellect’s Creator. We must begin with Him.” (Page 25).
a. God always was – His signature – It’s in our DNA – it’s in the creation around us – see Romans 1!
2. Creation Scientist have proven the benefit of starting with recognizing God’s hand.
a. Show Picture of The Cosmic Hand of God – Nasa 2009
b. Revelation 1:1-20: 1The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
i. Greetings and doxology : 4John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.7Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” One like a Son of Man : 9I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” 12I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20The mystery of the seven stars that of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
ii. I want to highlight some key verses from our three sections in Revelation chapter 1 and the main revelatory points for each one and how they apply to us today:
1. Revelation 1:1-3: The testimony of Jesus! Key verse is 3: “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
a. This is the first of the seven blessings of Revelation. This one promises a blessing from heaven for everyone who reads, hears, and lives according to the book's message. The key point in this verse is that "WE must take to heart" to heed, to watch over, to observe attentively, to implant within the message of this BOOK. Which is the "REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST" – The God of Wonders!
i. Why we need to take to heart the message is because the time is near, or imminent, or almost here. In other word’s it could happen at any moment!
ii. Illustration: Hank Williams Jr. sang "Come on get ready were going to rock tonight." "With some football." Then there is more to the song. The he asks the big question "ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?" then the helmets crash.”
1. The Book of Revelation is singing, "Come on get ready Jesus is getting ready to rock against Satan.” “So, are you ready for a showdown soon between Jesus and his all=stars and Satan and his losers.” Revelation reveals the clash of the two heads and then the great “Super Bowl victory party of Jesus and the all stars” !
iii. Point of Decision Question: Are you ready for Jesus to come back today?
iv. Blessed are those who do the following! The opening word - “Blessed”
1. The word “Blessed” in Revelation communicates to us the following –those who know Jesus will receive the following blessings and these will last forever.
2. Holman Bible Dictionary notes the following about our word “Blessed” or BLESSING - 516 times it used in the Bible - bless (132), blessed (285), blesses (10), blessing (70), and blessings (19).
3. These words carry a significant Biblical emphasis to those who believe.
4. In the New Testament, the word “bless” often translates makarios, meaning “blessed, fortunate, happy.”
5. The special characteristic of New Testament uses of “bless” and related words is a close relationship to the religious joy people experience from being certain of salvation and thus of membership in the kingdom of God
v. The point of this verse in context of the Book of Revelation is this: We are blessed, because we have been given the truth through Jesus – The God of Wonders – this revelatory truth will bring us eternal happiness – But only if we read the prophecy of this book – the message of Jesus who was, is and will be – and then believe in the one who is revealed in this prophetic writing.
vi. So, to be blessed we need to read this message – hear this message from The Spirit – then take to heart what is written in it Means internalize it in our heart. It’s a heart issue not a head issue.
1. Too many people want to try to understand the Bible with their head knowledge but they never allow it to internalize into their hearts, their inner spiritual being.
a. Salvation is heart connection with Jesus not a head connection with Jesus!
2. The time is near! Warning – Alert!
2. Revelation 1:4-8: Every eye will one day see Him all those from the past -the present and the future!
a. Key verse is 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
b. Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things in life – as this book reveals– this vision of Him shows He is the One – this prophetic vision – unveiling of Jesus will open your eyes to see what He did in the Past for you – what He is currently doing for you today and what He is going to do in the future.
i. Have you seen it and embraced it?
c. Understanding who Jesus is, helps us stand. Alpha and Omega Rev. 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
i. This text in Rev. reveals to us Christ's absolute deity. Its a reminder of why Christ will win. The reason is because He is Omniscient. He is the one who starts something and finishes the task -"ALPHA AND OMEGA"- The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet tells us that Christ is the sum of all.
1. He is the living Word of God – He is the Spoken Word of God which sets people free!
2. The alphabet is an ingenious way to store information. Our literature is composed of a variety of arrangements of letters. Jesus is the final source of knowledge, understanding, wisdom and the writing of history. His decree is based on this fact " He knows ALL, EVERYTHING THAT WILL HAPPEN!"
ii. JESUS is in control and he cannot be deceived, disputed, or discredited no matter how hard Satan or others try.
1. FACT: Christianity began as a despised, illicit religious sect, Christianity endured 300 years of hostility to emerge as the dominant force in the Roman Empire." (Frend).
2. At the time of this revelation it looked like the church was losing but Jesus reminds them and us that he will win.
d. The 2nd reason why Jesus will win is because he is Omnipresent, "The beginning and the end" His omnipresence is stated in terms of time, "I am... which is, and which was, and which is coming the Almighty." In Revelation it is revealed that everywhere there is failure in the church, in the nation of Israel, in the nations of the world, and on but it reveals that Christ who is in all points of time as we know it will not FAIL. He travels through time assuring that victory is ours.
e. Jesus’ deity and character traits assure us that He is in control and we need to see this. We also need to see that Jesus was - is and is coming.
f. The 3 times frames of Revelation – some say it is an outline of the Book of Revelation!
i. Who was - from the past – Historical context of His life and death and what that means for each one of us today – revelation unveils scenes of the past with Jesus which will illuminate truth and encouragement to us today.
ii. Who is – he is alive today – he walks among the churches and people’s lives today – He sees and hears everything today – he is not dead but alive. Revelation reveals that Jesus is with us today – we just need to see Him with spiritual eyes and hear him with our spiritual ears. We also need to know we can feel His presence! Especially as we gather as the Body of Christ!
iii. Who is coming again – future – The plan of Jesus to fulfill from god is not completed yet – there is more to come – Revelation reveals what is to come!
1. The book of Revelation will move through the different time frames of Jesus unveiling spiritual lessons and visions that we need to take to our hearts.
3. Revelation 1:9-20: John sees Jesus – John hears Jesus Words – John is given a job to do – record the revelation of Jesus and send it to the church.
a. The Appearance of Jesus Christ.
i. The first dimension that John noticed, of Christ in His glory, is his robe. He noticed that it had a golden sash.
1. This reveals immediately to a reader of John's apocalypse that Christ is a Priest.
2. The Son of man is a priest. Just as a soldier's uniform creates a set of expectations in the person who sees him, so this priestly dress shapes the responses that develop throughout the unfolding details of the vision.
3. To them a priest was a bridge. The expectations have to do with getting out of what is insufficient or oppressive and getting into what is whole and free.
4. A priest presents God to us. He also presents us to God. He brings together the divine and the human.
ii. His head and hair like wool, as white as snow. (Rev. 1:14)
1. Signifies- Who the lamb is in Rev. 4,5
2. Signifies-Purity, holiness, blemish free
3. Signifies- Wisdom, heavenly wisdom\
iii. Eyes as flaming fire.
1. Signifies - eyes that see all
2. Signifies - eyes that penetrate to the deepest parts.
3. Signifies - a burning fire that burns away all that is unclean.
iv. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace.
1. Signifies- strength. Bronze is made by melting steel and copper together. It makes a foundation as strong as steel and unable to rust because copper does not. It is a picture of the strongest foundation possible to anyone in those days.
v. Voice was like a sound of rushing waters.
1. Signifies - authority- Example Niagara Falls
2. Signifies - an overwhelming voice, of power and might.
vi. He held the seven stars.
1. Signifies - the entire church known in that day and today.
2. Signifies - The universe. In that day they only believed in seven planets in the universe.
3. He holds both in his hands- He controls them.
vii. Out of His mouth came a sharp double edge sword.
1. Signifies His Word as powerful as a double-edged sword. (Most lethal weapon of the day)
2. His word cuts deep and with speed and accuracy. It’s not the sword of steel, but the sword of truth.
viii. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (V.s. 16)
1. Signifies- He is compared to the sun at its brightest point. A splendor. So bright you are overwhelmed and unable to look at His face. It is so bright John falls to the ground.
2. The heavenly light where there is no darkness, no veil, no mist, no cloud obscuring its brightness.
3. Notice Jesus looks different than how He is portrayed in the Gospels!
4. Key verse is 18: “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
a. This verse refers to his ability and power in the past – in the present and in the future!
b. This is powerful quote from Jesus to all those listening or reading this prophetic Book about Him!
i. Point one from the past: “I was dead, but I am alive forever!”
ii. Point two: “I hold the keys of death and Hell!”
iii. Point three from verse: When John saw Jesus standing there in His glory – He fell at his feet as though dead – He saw Him in His glorious, Shekinah state - Beaming with the light and brilliance of God.
iv. John had to fall he could not stand in His presence!
v. Have you seen Jesus like this?
iii. Application: What do we need to know from this message of revelation?
1. Answer: Jesus is not Dead – He is alive and walking among this world – He is going to come back soon and judge this world and everything in it.
2. Why do we need to know this truth – this revelation?
a. Answer: Because we don’t know exactly when He is coming so we need to ready right now – today – we need to take His revelation to heart – hear it – read it and do it! We need to Believe it!
3. What do they need to do considering this Revelation of Jesus?
a. Answer: Become His testimony to those around them! Tell His story and how His story impacted their story.
4. Why do they need to do this?
a. Answer: It will change how they look at Jesus! How they live for Jesus and How they view Jesus!
c. The Comparison of Gensis and Revelation:
i. The relationship between these two books is often described as Paradise Lost (Genesis) versus Paradise Restored (Revelation).
1. Genesis (The Beginning)
a. Creation of the 1st heaven and earth
b. Environment: A localized Garden (Eden)
c. The Sun- Creation of the sun and moon for light
2. Revelation (The End):
a. Creation of a new heaven and earth
b. A universal City (New Jerusalem)
c. No need for sun; God's glory is the light
3. Genesis:
a. Tree of Life: Access is denied after sin
b. Death & Sorrow: Entrance of sin, death, and tears
c. Satan: Introduction of the serpent and his first rebellion
d. Marriage: Marriage of the first Adam and Eve
4. Revelation:
a. Access is restored to the nations
b. Death is destroyed; no more tears or pain
c. The doom of the dragon; Satan is cast out
d. Marriage of Christ and His bride (the Church)
Conclusion:
o What do we need to know from this message?
? Answer: The story of the Bible is about God - The God of Wonders and His interactions with mankind – Yes the God of Wonders wants a personal relationship with you.
o Why do they need to know this message?
? Answer: We need to know who God is – He is “The Creator” of this world and mankind – God is all powerful and with His Word speaks things into existence – He is love and He loves mankind so much He sent His son to die for us so we could be saved.
o What do we need to do from this message?
? Answer: We need to get to know God through His Word and through experience!! Then we must tell others about how to find Him and meet him! The God of Wonders!
• Altar call: Song played God of Wonders!
o Key Lyrics (Chorus)
? God of wonders beyond our galaxy
? You are holy, holy
? The universe declares Your majesty
? You are holy, holy
? Lord of heaven and earth
? Lord of heaven and earth
o Key Lyrics (Verse)
? Lord of all creation
? Of water, earth and sky
? The heavens are Your tabernacle
? Glory to the Lord on high
o Key Lyrics (Bridge)
? Early in the morning
? I will celebrate the light
? And as I stumble through the darkness
? I will call Your name by night
?
? Key Lyrics (Outro)
? Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
