Vision Of The Son Of Man Series

WEEK 3

“Vision of the Son of Man”

Date: May 29, 2002

Place: Allendale Baptist

Text: Revelation 1: 9-20

Introduction

We continue our study of the book of Revelation this week in chapter 1 verses 9-20. Remember the word Revelation means a complete uncovering or unveiling. In the book of Revelation Jesus is clearly revealed.

Look at verse 9…

 I John- John tells us he is the writer not the author; the Holy Spirit is the author.

 He is the last living apostle probably about 95 years old at the time.

 Brother & companion in tribulation - this is similar to the words found in 1 John 3:13 “Do not be surprised my brothers, if the world hates you.”

This message is written to the 1st century church that was suffering persecution. The apostle John was a partner in their suffering.

 Tribulation here is not referring to the “great tribulation”; this is referring to persecution.

 For the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus- John tells his readers again he has been exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the Word of God, faithfully.

** Practicing Christians will experience tribulation & persecution…

2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, & all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

** It was not easy being a Christian then and it is not easy being a Christian now…

AD 96 pastor of the church at Smyrna, Polycarp, was burned at the stake for refusing to bow down to the Roman emperor, and would not stop preaching Jesus

All throughout church history men like Martin Luther, John Wycliff & John Bunyon (author of the Pilgrim’s Progress) gave their lives for the Word of God…

Verse 10

 I was in the Spirit – this was not a dream. John was supernaturally transported out of this material world to an experience beyond normal human senses.

 This phrase refers to being in fellowship with God

 Some have said by John making this statement he must have previously been out of the Spirit.

 We must understand we cannot hear from God or worship God outside the Spirit of God.

 On the Lord’s Day- by this time this had been Christian’s way to refer to the first day of the week, our Sunday, in honor of Jesus’ resurrection. John is actually saying “I was in the Spirit one Sunday morning and I heard a loud voice.

 Loud voice like a trumpet – The vision begins not with a sight but with a sound, compelling not to be ignored. John will use this many times in the book of Revelation.

Verse 11

 What the voice says… “I am” again, the first and the last… The unchangeable God

 What the voice says to do - write and send this message to the seven churches.

Verse 12

 Then I turned to see the voice- out of the great silence on this island John hears a voice like a trumpet. He hears the voice of the universe. He hears the voice that spoke everything into existence…

 Over 60 years had gone by since John had heard the voice of the Lord Jesus. I just picture John recognizes that voice and turns to see the one He so loves…

 Seven golden lamp stands –Now here is the first of those hard to understand things to come out of the book of Revelation…. Look at verse 20 “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, & the seven golden lamp stands; The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands which you saw are the seven churches.”

We see the Location of Jesus

 This is one of the most beautiful illustration in the book of Revelation; Jesus is in the midst of His churches

These candles are lit, representing the church is to be the Light to a dark world

Here we see a picture of the Son of Man…

The shape of Jesus

 like the Son of Man - This identifies Jesus as maintaining His humanity even in His exalted state. In the gospels we do not have an image or any examples of what Jesus looked like…

Helen Howarth Lemmel was a British – born daughter of a Methodist pastor who moved his family to the U.S when Helen was just a child. She became a famous singer & songwriter & taught voice lessons @ the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. In 1918 a friend gave her a pamphlet containing these words: “So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look into His face & you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness.”

Can you guess the name of the song she wrote… “Turn your eyes upon Jesus”