INTRODUCTION:
You might be surprised to know that for every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first coming, there are 8 that look forward to His second! One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses talks about the Second Coming of Christ. The book of Revelation gives full attention to this great event. Today in the Word, April, 1989, p. 27.
We’re going to be studying the book of Revelation for the next 8 Sundays. Revelation is the last-written of the New Testament books. It was written by John, who was the last-living Apostle. I’ll let him tell you about it…
DRAMA: John the Revelator
In the next verse, Revelation 1:4, John continues his letter by describing God in all His fullness. 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, and from Jesus Christ… Revelation 1:4-5
Until Jesus came to earth, we did not have a full understanding of God. It was Jesus who explained that God is a unity of THREE IN ONE. The Apostle John refers to God the Father as the one who is and who was and who is to come. He describes the Holy Spirit as the seven spirits before His throne. Then he introduces the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I’ve preached from the book of Revelation two times before. There is so much to this book, that we’ll never exhaust it!
The first time I preached from Revelation, we focused on the Second Coming. Another time we focused on the Rewards given to the Overcomers. This time we’re going to focus on the appearances of Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation. In these verses, John gives Jesus 3 TITLES.
1. HIS TITLES
These 3 titles show the Divinity of Jesus Christ. Just like His Father Jesus is the One who is and who was and who is to come. The first title shows Jesus as the One WHO IS the Faithful Witness.
· Faithful Witness
Right now, Jesus sits on the Throne of Heaven as the Faithful Witness. The word for “witness” could be translated “martyr.” Jesus rules eternally as a faithful witness of the grace of God … a witness who gave his life as a martyr on the cross. Jesus is eternally associated with the cross on which he died.
The next TITLE shows Jesus as the One WHO WAS the firstborn from the dead.
· Firstborn from the Dead
Jesus was the first to experience the Resurrection, which God will give to everyone who believes in His Son. Jesus was the initial seed, planted for the purpose of reaping a great harvest. Like a seed is buried in the soil and dies in germination, Jesus was buried and rose again as the forerunner of a great harvest of souls. Just as He was the one who suffered death, He was the one who Conquered Death!
The 3rd TITLE John give to Jesus, shows Him as the Ruler WHO IS TO COME: The Ruler of the Kings of the Earth.
· Ruler of the Kings of the Earth
In Revelation Chapter 11 we read about the moment in time when Jesus will set up his earthly Kingdom. The 7th Angel blows his trumpet, and loud voices in heaven shout, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15 From that moment on Jesus takes charge of the rebellious world.
That day has not yet come. Right now, Jesus rules the Church on earth. (We’ll talk more about that in the next couple of weeks.) But make no mistake about it; at the assigned time Jesus will simply take charge. He will rule every nation on earth. When that Day comes, no King, no President, no Prime Minister, no Dictator … no political power of any kind will prevail against Him. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait!
Let’s look further in Chapter 1 as John describes the way Jesus looked when he appeared to John in Heaven.
2. HIS APPEARANCE
A Son of Man
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, and among the lamp stands was someone “like a son of man” … Revelation 1:12-13
The title “son of man” doesn’t sound like much to boast about. But it is the most incredible and unique appearance Deity could take. It’s wonderful enough that Jesus lowered himself to become a man for the 33 years that he walked on earth. But it is absolutely astounding to know that Jesus has chosen to permanently retain the look of a human being. In Heaven, of course, Jesus can take any form He chooses … and he chooses to look like us. God the Son will identify with us as a Son of Man for all eternity!
Have you ever wondered what Jesus looked like when he was on earth? There have been many artist renditions of Jesus, but only one description is given in scripture. It’s found in Isaiah 53:2: “He had no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.” Isaiah 53:2
I heard a story about an elderly British socialite named Lady Diana Cooper. Years ago, she was attending an official reception when a friendly woman came up and greeted her. The woman seemed to know her well, so Lady Diana spoke warmly with her while trying to remember who she could be. (Maybe you’ve had a similar experience where it’s obvious you should remember someone, but you don’t!) Finally, Lady Diana’s attention was caught by the lady’s magnificent diamond jewelry. She suddenly realized she was talking to Queen Elizabeth. Overcome with embarrassment, she curtsied and stammered, “Your Majesty, I’m sorry! I didn’t recognize you without your crown!”
The first time the King of Kings and Lord of Lords came to earth, he came without his crown. His physical appearance was non-descript. He pretty much blended in with everyone else. But, let me tell you (or better yet, let John tell you!) when Jesus comes again, NO ONE will fail to take notice. Look at how John describes Him in Revelation 1:13-16
· Dressed in a robe with a golden sash
· Head and Hair white like wool or snow
· Holding 7 stars
· Sharp, double-edged sword coming from his mouth
· Face shining like the sun
· Eyes like blazing fire
· Feet like glowing bronze
· Voice like rushing waters
(Some of these images will be repeated in Ch. 2 so we’ll discuss them next week. Other images are found only in Ch. 1.)
· Dressed in a robe with a golden sash
The meaning of this might be lost on us. John is not talking about some fancy bathrobe! The long robe and golden sash were worn by the priests in the Old Testament times (Exodus 28:4). The Jewish reader had no problem understanding that the robe with a golden sash makes Jesus the fulfillment of the Old Testament Priesthood. He serves in Heaven as the High Priest. He has the authority to enter the Holy of Holies and intercede on our behalf.
· Head and Hair white like wool or snow
White hair is usually associated with maturity and age. The same kind of description was given of “the Ancient of Days” in Daniel 7:9 and 10:5. This description implies the function of ruler and judge given to the elder statesman. This reminds us that Jesus existed long before his appearance on earth 2,000 years ago. Jesus may have had a 33-year-old body during his years on earth, but his natural state goes back to eternity.
· Voice like rushing water
The voice of Jesus is given the same description as that of the voice of God. We find that same terminology in Ezekiel 1:24, and 43: 2, in Psalm 93:4 and in Ezra 6:17. Have you ever heard a big waterfall? I’ve never been to Niagara Falls, but I’ve been told the roar is deafening. This is not the still small voice heard by Elijah, but the full volume of Almighty God. Let’s just say, it’s going to be impressive, to say the least!
· Face shining like the sun
This was not the first time John saw Jesus’ face shining like the sun. Peter, James, and John were the 3 apostles who saw Jesus in His glory on the Mount Of Transfiguration. That blinding flash of glory was not something added to Jesus on the Mountain of Transfiguration. It is His natural state.
Have you ever accidentally looked at the sun too long? It’s BRIGHT! And yet, while he lived on earth, some sort of Cosmic Cover-up hid Jesus glory. Well, the next time He comes, there will be to cover-up. He will blaze like the sun.
If you understand that, you won’t be surprised at John’s reaction: When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Revelation 1:17 John was terrified at the sight of undisguised Deity. Look at the first words John quotes from the mouth of Jesus.
3. HIS WORDS
Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1:17-18
Jesus begins with the same words he said after his Resurrection: Do not be afraid. Then he goes on to tell John WHY he should not be afraid:
· Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
The TITLE the First and the Last is given to God in Isaiah 44:6, & 48:12. The title makes it clear that Jehovah alone is God, the absolute Lord of History and Creator of the Universe.
For Jesus to call himself the First and the Last makes it crystal clear that Jesus is declaring Himself to be a part of the Godhead. He was not merely a messenger sent by God. He is eternal. He is Lord of history. He is Creator of the Universe. He is God Incarnate.
· I am the Living One
Next Jesus Christ tells John he is the “Living One.” As if to explain that statement he goes on to say, “I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever!”
The All-Powerful God is the same God who willingly went to the cross and died to pay the price for our sins. What can we have to fear when we know that the Almighty God loves us with that kind of love?
And if that isn’t enough, Jesus explains…
· I hold the keys of death and Hades
I’ve heard of the mayor of a city giving the “keys to the city” symbolically to some visiting dignitary. It implies that during his visit the city is his to use and enjoy.
What may be symbolic when a mayor hands a large key to a visitor is actual and true when it comes to Jesus Christ. He holds the actual keys to more than a mere city. Jesus can lock and unlock the doors of Heaven and Hell. Now that is authority!
CONCLUSION:
What do you fear?
· Does your past haunt you, or does the future terrify you? Jesus is telling you: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
· Do you fear pain or sickness or death? Jesus says, do not be afraid. I am the Living One. He himself has endured the pains of death and conquered the grave for all time.
· Do you fear the powers of evil that surround us? Jesus says, Do not be afraid. I hold the keys of death and Hades.
