Iliff & Saltillo UM Churches
May2, 2004
“Glimpses into Revelation: a Book of Fear or a Book of Hope?”
Rev. 1:3, 9-20
INTRODUCTION: There is a lot of interest in the book of Revelation these days because there have been recent movies made and books written about certain events of the end times. There seems to be a lot of fear and confusion connected with this book because of the way it is written. The Apocalyptic style of writing was a literary style that first-century Christians understood whereas it is foreign to us. Apocalyptic writing which involves the unveiling of future events was used by Jewish authors at this time in history. Through bizarre images, vivid pictures of death, supernatural creatures and cryptic language, the writers expressed their hope for a day when judgment would take place against all evil powers and peace would be ushered in.
This book was written to Christians and was meant to encourage Christians in every age to maintain their faith in spite of opposition and to do so in confidence that they will share in Jesus’ ultimate victory. The overall theme of the book is: Christ Shall Overcome.
Revelation was written during a time of Roman oppression around A.D. 90-95. John was a victim of this oppression and was exiled to the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea where he wrote this book. He was writing to fellow Christians to strengthen and encourage them, not to scare them to death. Had you been living in this time, what assurance would you want? What would encourage your fellow Christians and your children and grandchildren? Throughout the book John reminds them that history belongs to God and that it is important to keep the faith.
The letter is both a warning to Christians who have grown apathetic and an encouragement to those who are faithfully enduring the struggles in the world. It reassures us that good will triumph over evil, gives us hope as we face difficult times, and gives guidance when we are wavering in our faith. Christ’s message to the church is a message of hope for all believers in every generation. Why do I say this? What can we get out of today’s scripture?
1. The Source of this Message: It is important for us to know the source of this message. It has been called the Revelation of John, but it goes much deeper than that. In this chapter we find that it is not something John dreamed up after eating spicy tacos one night--but it begins by saying--”The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show his servants what must soon take place.” In the first chapter we find that God the Father revealed this to Jesus who sent it in a vision by an angel to John the faithful servant. There is a PROGRESSION here from God to us. This book reveals or unveils future events but also tells of the past and the present. This was to be an open book so believers could know and be encouraged and also a warning for believers to get their lives straightened out while there was still time. It is this willingness of God to let us in on His plan for the future that gives us HOPE, not FEAR.
How do we know that this book has any authority behind it? Why do we go through this progression? Why do we start with God the Father--In John 12:49, Jesus said, “I did not speak of my own accord but the father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.” Who does this hope come from and why can you rely on it? It comes from the ONE who is reliable--and a great deal of information is given about Him in this first chapter.
The message comes from: Verse 4
A. (God the Father) who is
who was
who is to come
B. (Holy Spirit) from the 7 fold spirit- -or COMPLETE Holy Spirit
Isaiah 11:2
C. (The Son) from Jesus Christ
firstborn of the dead
ruler of the kingdom of the earth
the Alpha and Omega-- beginning and the end
Here you have evidence of the Trinity.
John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day when he had this vision. Some say he was worshipping the Lord on a Sunday. Some say it was more than this--it was a very intense and different supernatural spiritual experience. This is what he saw:
7 Golden Lampstands (The Jewish Christians would have related to this) and it would have given authority to John’s writings.
The Son of man--Jesus--standing in the middle of these. The Menorah--But here they were thought to be in a circle each having its own stand. Jesus was standing in the midst of the lampstands (which represented the churches) and was with them as they went through trials and persecution. That itself would have given them HOPE. They were not alone in their sufferings.
He was dressed in a robe--sign of royalty
Golden sash or belt--sign of a priest
Hair--like white wool--wisdom
Eyes--like blazing fire--penetrating
Feet--like glowing bronze--did not break apart like clay
Voice--like many waters--like Niagara Falls--could be heard
Right hand--the hand of action
7 stars--the churches
Mouth--a sharp double-edged sword--justice
Face--like the sun--shining in brilliance--the Glory of God John 17:5 “Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had before the world began.”
John is overwhelmed by the awesome brilliance of His Glory and fell at His feet as dead. John was not able to stand the full impact of the Glory of God in Christ.
Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living one. I was dead but I am alive forevermore.”
This is another indication of HOPE--This speaks of the resurrection on which the Christian faith is founded.
Then He says, “I hold the keys of death and Hades--this shows HIS AUTHORITY.
Jesus is saying here in this description, “I know wherein I speak. I know the answers. I know what I am talking about.” This is the Source of this Revelation.
STORY: The lion was proud of his mastery of the animal kingdom. One day he decided to make sure all the other animals knew he was king of the jungle. He was so confident that he bypassed the smaller animals and went straight to the bear. “Who is the king of the jungle?” the lion asked. “Why, you are of course,” the bear replied. The lion gave a mighty roar of approval.
Next he asked the tiger, “Who is the king of the jungle?” The tiger quickly responded, “Everyone knows that YOU are, Oh mighty lion.”
Next on the list was the elephant. “Who is the king of the jungle?” the lion asked. The elephant immediately grabbed the lion with his trunk, whirled him around in the air five or six times and slammed him into a tree. Then he pounded him on the ground several times and dunked him under the water of a nearby lake and finally dumped him out on the shore.
The lion--beaten, bruised, and battered--struggled to his feet. “Look,” he told the elephant, “Just because you don’t know the answer is no reason to get so upset.”
2. Blessings in this Book: How many have heard that there is a blessing on anyone who reads or hears the book of Revelation read?
You may have heard this before. The book of Revelation is the only one in which there is a blessing for the person who reads it and hears it read. Verse 3 says, “Blessed (happy or to be envied) 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.”
A blessing is pronounced--not a curse--because if we will listen and follow it we will live our lives in such a way TO AVOID THE JUDGMENT AND WRATH OF GOD.
Story: Will Rogers said we should live in such a way that we would not be ashamed to sell our family parrot...to the town gossip.
In addition to this verse there are 6 other blessings given in this book. How many knew that? I had never noticed that before. To have a blessing pronounced upon you certainly would give a person HOPE rather than FEAR.
The other blessings are found in:
Rev. 14:13 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
Rev. 16:15 “Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake (alert)
Rev. 19:9 “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.
Rev. 20:6 “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
Rev. 22:7 “Behold I am coming soon. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”
Rev. 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”
Who do these blessings go to? The book is written for believers who are committed to serving him -- not for unbelievers or the general public. At the time John lived it was directed to 7 specific churches in Asia Minor. Although there were many more churches in existence at the time, it is felt that these 7 REPRESENTED all churches then and now. The Number 7 in literature represented completeness--the TOTAL of all the church. They represented the common problems of the churches.
In addition to these blessings, John includes in his greeting--Grace and Peace to you from Him who is, who was, and who is to come.
Grace was a well-known Hebrew blessing and Peace was a Greek Blessing.
Grace was the FAVOR of God--the unmerited favor of God to us through Jesus.
Peace speaks of the harmony Christ restored between God and people. Christ was the bridge to bring people back to God.
You always see these two terms used together. Can’t have peace without the grace of God. If you had the favor of God and the peace of God, wouldn’t that give you HOPE even in difficult times?
3. We Still Have Time to Make Changes: By knowing what is contained in this book, we can make necessary changes in our life. At the end of his message to the 7 churches he always gave the plea, “He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit is saying to the churches.” He is saying, “You still have time to make changes, but do it now. “Root out any sin that blocks your relationship. We need to be certain of our commitment to the Lord if we are to escape the final judgment.
The book of Revelation reveals future events but there is not the gloomy pessimism we might expect. We can have hope when we know that God is in control of the unfolding of future events. Christ’s victory is assured and all who trust him will be saved.
Vs. 5 says, “to him who ever loves us and has once for all loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood. He alone has the power and the authority to set us free from sin’s control. Believers don’t have to fear. When we place our lives in Christ’s hands, He restores us now and resurrects us later. Verse 5 goes on to say, and “He formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father. It should give us hope to know that He has made every provision possible for us to be freed from our sins (Romans 5:9) and he has transplanted us into His kingdom and we have a job to do--he has made us priests.
The time John lived in was a time of great stress, but he encouraged the Christians to endure--to remain faithful in the fury of tribulation. His message was “Don’t give up--accept the pain and remain loyal to God’s kingdom.
When you think of the future, walk with confidence knowing that Christ the Victor walks with you. Make whatever changes you need to make in your commitment to Him. Do it today while there is still time.
Remember:
1. The Source of the Message
2. The blessings if we heed it
3. We still have time to make changes
Shall we pray:
