"the Triumph Of The Lamb" Series

“The Triumph of the Lamb”

Revelation 1:7-18

A tourist was exploring the sites of Lake Como in Northern Italy when he came across a beautiful castle. He was feeling kind of brave so he opened the gate and went inside. He was happy to notice that everything he could see was just gorgeous. All of the flowers were fully in bloom—the shrubbery was green and the landscaping was perfect.

Over to one side he notices a gardener on his hands and knees clipping every blade of grass. He asked the gardener, “May I look closer at the gardens? He said sure, you’re welcome to come right in. I’m glad to have a guest.” He then asked, where is the owner today? The gardener replied no he’s away right now. He then asked well when was the last time you saw him? He said about 12 years ago. He said you mean to tell me the castle has been empty for 12 years? He said yes. The tourist then asked, well who tells you what to do? Well he as an agent in Milan. Oh, how often do you see him? Still clipping, trimming…. He said never seen him. He just sends instructions. The tourist said but you have everything here in perfect condition. It looks like you’re expecting him tomorrow. The gardener said—I expect him to come at any time; perhaps today. I have always said that all of us should live every day as though it is our last but plan as though we don’t actually know. Can’t stop expecting. Can’t stop planning.

Jesus told us 3 things regarding the 2nd coming. (1) He is coming again. (2) At the time He was asked He stated clearly that only the Father knew. Now that He has rejoined the Father, He knows. (3) He will come quickly. His return could be at any time. This is the way every child ought to be living. Not as if Jesus is returning far off in the future but as though he could be coming back this afternoon. I look forward to the 2nd coming of Jesus, don’t you? And as I think about it, I often wish I could have been there when:

• Lazarus walked out of the tomb

• Sitting in the boat when Peter walked on water

• When he healed the man who was blind

• As sad as it would be, I wish I could have witnessed the crucifixion—I think it would have made me a more powerful preacher.

We can never forget what happened at Calvary. Now Revelation 1:7 tells us that “every eye will see Him.” Saved or lost, you will see Jesus! Even those who crucified Him will see Him again. But we will not see Him as He was---we will see Him with the veil removed in all of His glory.

There are 3 theological words that describe Him.

1. Jesus is the Omniscient one. He is the beginning and end and carries all the knowledge of God.

2. Jesus is the Omnipresent one. As the beginning and end he is the bookends of all eternity. He brought everything into existence and will bring an end at the appropriate time.

3. Jesus is the Omnipotent one. If He was anything less we would sort of tip our hats to Him. If He was just another teacher we might listen to some of what he as to say but not all of it. If He was just another carpenter from Galilee we would not feel the same. We don’t tip our hats to Him. We bow our knees to Him. Because He is Omnipotent. We bow our knees and in fact when He comes, every knee will bow. Believers and unbelievers alike.

Now the writer here is the apostle John. Of all the 12 disciples he is the only one still alive. Judas left the group. According to church history the other 10 died a martyr’s death. All were willing to give their lives because of what they had witnessed in person. Now John because of His testimony has been sent to the island of Patmos as punishment. Patmos is about ten miles long and 6 miles wide. It’s barren and rocky and would be the equivalent of being sent to Alcatraz in our day but without a bed and 3 meals a day. But even in this terrible place, God has a plan. It is on this terrible island that God spoke to him and invited him to step into heaven briefly to receive this amazing revelation. Look with me at 6 things John saw in Jesus.

1. He saw the resurrected Christ but still saw His humanity. When John was given the Revelation of Jesus Christ, it had been 60 years since he had seen Jesus. But according to scripture Jesus is the God-man. The nail prints are a part of His resurrected body. They are the ones Thomas touched and then his faith was increased. I believe we will see those nail prints in Heaven but we will certainly see them in a new light. They will be a constant reminder of the great sacrifice the Lamb of God paid for our sin.