Revelation Chapter 1 – The Revelation Of Jesus Christ – The Father’s Perfection Part 2 Of 6 Series

REVELATION CHAPTER 1 – THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST – THE FATHER’S PERFECTION PART 2 OF 6

The purpose in this examination is to open the window on only a small portion of this book because we only want to scratch the surface with this introduction. I want to open the window on the revelation glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, viewed by the Father, especially in this Chapter 1, not on the unfolding of the prophecies of the book, or even on the state and prophetic history of the 7 churches. Thus this book provides layer on layer, revelation on revelation, picture on picture about the Lord Jesus Christ. I have given up using the word “Apocalypse” for the name of this book. The word is not wrong, correct in fact, but Hollywood has ruined the meaning of the word, typical of the garbage from Hollywood.

Let us take up the account today at verse 6.

Revelation 1:6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father - to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

First of all for those with the AV you will have “kings and priests”. Christians are never called kings. There are two revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ found in this verse. Both are so powerful that John has to exclaim at the end of them – “to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen”. So, what is it that John has received that caused Him to do that?

*** The first is that the Lord has included and incorporated all His own children into a kingdom. They are members one of another in this heavenly kingdom. The entry is very clear in the Bible. It is through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, being born again into the heavenly kingdom. We are born into a natural kingdom and we must be born into a heavenly kingdom. Paul reveals to us the great teaching about the Church, the Assembly of the redeemed. The Lord spoke of the “one flock”. Paul mentions being built up into a spiritual house. We are all members of The Bride and the great Pearl, priceless (another study). We are the household of God. They are all the same thing, just beautiful aspects to show us how marvellous it all is.

This verse, by inference, is proclaiming Jesus Christ as King, and we are His subjects. He is the great Melchizadek, King and Priest, eternal, who offered His own sacrifice at Calvary. He was the rejected and despised King among His own people. He is the King of love for His Church. He will be the coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He comes as King of the Jews, and will be King over the whole earth (Zechariah 14).

*** John – and remember he is speaking to seven churches – says we are priests; we are priests to His God and Father. What does that mean? The primary aspect is that priests have access into the presence of God. The work and ministry of the Old Testament priesthood sheds light on this. Priests were to offer up sacrifices, intercede on behalf of others, and minister in the presence of God, and make communal decisions such as in legal and health matters. John does not use the term without it having an important significance to us. We are priests.

*** Take the first aspect – that of offering up sacrifice. Unlike the Old Testament priest, the New Testament priest no longer offers (animal) sacrifices for others but indeed, he does offer up sacrifice; he offers up himself. Let us look at these verses – {{Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship, Rom 12:2 and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.}}

*** The second aspect – intercession. There are many verses in support of this, especially in support of one another, but I will select only one passage. {{1Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men; for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.}}

*** The third aspect of ministering in God’s presence is what we should be doing all the time as we serve Him. We are the kingdom of priests and He is our King over that kingdom, the Head of the Church.