We did note the interesting connection between Revelation chapter 1 and Mt Sinai; that on both occasions:
The trumpet sounded In the midst of a kingdom of priests Announcing a revelation From the presence of God
There was one great prohibition in Exodus chapter 19 + 20 that of drawing close to God, that of seeing the God who spoke!
“And he said, I beseech thee, show me -- thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious -- to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy -- on whom I will show mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see -- my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23 And I will take away -- mine hand, and thou shalt see -- my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33:18-23
But here we ‘see that voice’
Consistent with the priestly / high priestly / great high priestly appearance of Jesus!!
“no man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten who is in the bosom of the father He has declared Him…”
Here then is something hid from Sinai (v12); a glimpse of the glory of God!
It is finally here in Revelation chapter 1 that we are able to catch a glimpse of God, a glimpse of Glory, a glimpse of Christ!
Appearance – Priest Activity – Prophet Attributes – King
His identity is as that at Sinai: ‘behold your God’
“9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” Daniel 7:9
Appearance – that of the Priest:
In the midst of the 7 lampstands
With the girdle (v13) – the use of the girdle associated with the office of priest (Exodus 28) and prophet (eg Elijah and John the Baptist).
Golden girdle, cf Isaiah 11:5 – ‘righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins and faithfulness the girdle of His reins’
‘Gold’ is linked in the OT with righteousness, and holiness (Mal 3:2; Ex 28:36)
The garment ‘down to the foot’ (v13) – same word is used of the High Priest in Exodus 28:4 (LXX)
As we progress through His ministry to the 7 churches and in the remainder of the book, the priestly ministry of Christ emerges in its completeness:
He is the one who “liveth and was dead” (1:18; 2:8) – the qualification par excellence for our High Priest (Heb 2:14ff; Rev 2:8) He is able to meet our needs (Rev 2:7) Marked by an intercessory ministry (3:5,10) We see the care and protection of His own in chps 7 and 14. He Succours, Sympathises and Saves as He does in the Hebrew epistle
“eyes as a flame of fire” (v14)
The perception of Jesus – He knows, He knows all
Cf the man of Daniel 10:5ff
To see
“out of His mouth a sharp two edged sword” (v16)
Discernment – To discern
“feet like fine brass” (v15)
Judgment – to judge
Brass is:
Known for its strength and resilience, used for the structure of the tabernacle – the sockets of brass for the boards of the altar Used for armour and protection
The material of choice and often found in connection with sacrifice and offering:
Resistant to fire and flame Used for the altar and the instruments attached to the altar Used for laver for washing It is the vehicle, the container of Divine judgment
Here is a 2nd great distinction with Sinai, a distinction between the old and New testaments.
Old – static – law
New – dynamic – Spirit
The scriptures speak of the deadness which flows from the law (Rom 7:6; 8:3); or the powerlessness of the law to make alive.
The OT – static – at Sinai the law is given
Here Christ is encountered and the reality of the Divine standard encountered dynamically in a living relationship and experience of Christ.
@ Sinai Moses encountered the law
@ Sinai the nation encountered the law
Here in Revelation we encounter the law giver
This is not a set of dry, dead rules for you to keep, this is a relationship for you to experience.
You become sensitive to the Divine standard, feel the pain, the distance, the sorrow in your heart because of that vital relationship with Christ cf. Romans 8:2-4
“2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:2-4
The Divine standard is worked out in the Christian life by the Spirit of God!
Practically here is one of the ways by which this happens; the reality of relationship, of a daily encounter with Jesus Christ!
The reality of a relationship maintained / disturbed / disrupted.
The description here in Rev 1:14-15 is reminiscent of the man of Daniel 10:5-6.
An encounter with Christ will result in a 3 fold experience:
Perception (v14) – eyes as a flame of fire – knowledge and understanding
1 Kings 15:5; 16:25 2 Chron 16:9 “for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth” 2 Chron 29:6
He knows
He knows all
Discernment
He is not passive in His knowledge He is not agreeable with all I do and say Everything is not ‘ok’ What He knows He discerns Cf Heb 4:12
From His mouth comes the 2 edged sword:
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Cf Rev 19:15
Cf Isaiah 49:2
The 2 edged sword ‘distomos’ is used in Rev 1:16; 2:12 and Heb 4:12 and in the LXX in Ps 149:6; Prov 5:4; Isa 49:2
Judgement
“fine brass in a furnace”
His feet – His means of moving
As He walks and moves His feet are like burning brass; fine brass or copper (Rev 1:15; 2:18) same word as Dan 10:6; Ezek 1:4,7; 1:27
It is used to describe the man in the Sapphire throne (Ezek 1:27)
Brass in the OT:
Structural – noted for its strength and resilience; used in the sockets of the tabernacle (Ex 26; 27; 36; 38) and for the hooks and the tacks (Ex 26) Strength – Lev 26:19; Judges 16:21; 2 Kings 25:7; Job 40:18; Isa 48:4 Sacrifice – those parts of the tabernacle pertaining to the sacrifice and to the work of expiation – the satisfaction of the flames of judgment on the sacrifice of the altar of burnt offering; the items pertaining to it – fire resistant – the pans and shovels and grate (Ex 27; 28; 39) Satisfaction – to check on the purity of the priest, the laver was made of brass (Ex 30)
John now shares with us what he saw (v12) – the voice I saw!
That sounds immediately strange and so it is!
You don’t see a voice, but there is a significance attached to this, as we will see.
John is “in the Spirit” (v10) – there are many times in the scriptures when unusual things are seen and heard, and at times few hear and see:
Paul on the road to Damascus Paul in the third heaven John in Revelation Balaam’s ass!
That vision only comes because:
They listen when others only hear They perceive when others only see
John hears a “great voice as of a trumpet”
That small detail ties this event into a whole series of significant events in the OT scriptures.
The trumpet is so often in scripture an alarm:
To wake To watch To warn – Exodus 19; Neh 4; Jer 6; Ezek 33 To war – Judges 7; Josh 6; Jer 4; Jer 42; Ezek 7 To worship – Exodus 19; 20 To warning – Exodus 19; Neh 4; Jer 6; Ezek 33 To assemble
The first time we hear the trumpet sound is back in Exodus chapter 19 at Mount Sinai; where the new nation of Israel received her first and foundational revelation from God; the only one written by the hand of God:
Here in Exodus 20; Deut 9:10 In the days of Belshazzer (Dan 5) In John 8:6 with the woman caught in the act of adultery!
In Exodus chp 19 + 20; the trumpet announces a revelation from the presence of God in the midst of a Kingdom of priests (Ex 19:6).
Why would we hear such a trumpet here in Revelation chapter 1? For exactly the same reason!
Here in Revelation chp 1 we have not only the:
Son of man Son of Mary Son of Abraham Son of David Son of Joseph so called Son of the Blessed Son of the Highest
But we have also the eternal Son of God – the God of Sinai and so the trumpet sounds!
At Sinai there was at least one great distinction as the trumpet sounded in the midst of a Kingdom of priests – that Kingdom of priests was expressly prohibited from looking on; “lest they break through unto the Lord to gaze and many of them perish” (Ex 19:21).
Here we see ‘the voice I saw’
You will find also that the trumpet sounds at the end of the OT, in a series of final references in the minor prophets; announcing not:
Presence of God Revelation of God
But:
Day of the Lord
And the conclusion of all things is anticipated; Joel 2:1; Zeph 1:14ff; Zech 9:14ff
The trumpet is also presented by God to be sounded on the day of Jubilee in acknowledgement that the earth and the rules governing this earth are the Lords and not mans (Lev 25:23) and that both man and the land enter into a Sabbath of rest; perhaps that too may be relevant here as ultimately this book will conclude with an eternal rest.
The content of that voice:
“Alpha and omega the first and the last”
Cf verse 8:
“I AM alpha and omega the beginning and the ending”
The title “I AM” is of significance
V8 – beginning “arche”
V8 – ending “telos” – an end, termination, a completion
V11 – first – ‘protos’
V11 – last – ‘eschatos’
As the first and the last we glimpse the character / the nature of Christ; at the dawn of time and at the conclusion of time He was and shall be there, as such, as a consequence of such, as preceding all and succeeding all He gives rise to and concludes all.
He is the cause and conclusion of all!
The book of Revelation then whilst it is the Revelation from Christ grammatically (1:1) is also the Revelation concerning Christ thematically (1:8).
This book which deals with the conclusion of all things brought into being by Christ as the cause is dependent upon Him for its conclusion! All is directed from His throne!
Interestingly the bulk of Revelation is book ended by 2 great thrones:
The Sapphire throne of Revelation chp 4 + 5 The Great White throne of Revelation chp 19 + 20
That is:
The Throne that governs, instructs, ordains, determines The Throne that judges, concludes and completes all things
Between these 2 great thrones lies the bulk of the book of Revelation and the entirety of human history!
What is especially of interest to us is the identity of the one who sits upon that throne :
The Lamb Alpha and Omega (Rev 21:6)
That is it is Christ – He is the beginning and the end of all things.
When John turns to see the voice, first he sees the 7 lampstands! Where else would we expect to find Christ but in the midst of His people? Where would people find the voice of Christ today in this dark world??
The first glimpse of Christ in this book is very interesting (v13) – a garment down to the foot and a girdle about the chest.
The girdle is associated with the priestly office and the prophetic office (eg Elijah and John the Baptist)
The garment down to the feet is the same Greek word used for the priestly garment in the LXX .
Righteousness is the girdle of His loins (Isa 11:5)
His Appearance is that of the Priest
His Attributes are that of the King (1:13, 18; 3:7; 1:16; 19:15-16)
His Activities are that of the prophet in chapters 2 to 3
All together He is the God of heaven (Dan 7:9; Rev 1:14)
The difference one man can make in adversity and how he can make it! He is :
The right person (v9)
The right place (v9) – Patmos
The right preparation (v9)
Same kin
Same Kingdom
Same kind of conditions
In the right condition (v10)
Then John was a right help to the people of God!
It took him until he was about 90 to be:
That person
In that place
In that condition
God was not in any hurry with the life and ministry of the apostle John, even if I am in a hurry for God to do something with my life, my gifts and my talents!
‘I John’ - consider the significance of this simple, humble statement in verse 9 of chapter 1 of Revelation. This greatest of biblical, prophetic revelations was given to a humble fisherman: to John! This was the John who leaned on the breast of Jesus. From that past experience of John, that proximity to the person of Jesus Christ, extends that reality of Jesus to these Christians now. This is of course the pattern for all true Christian ministry; to draw others into the proximity and experience of Christ, as I too have enjoyed it!
It was that same disciple and apostle John who:
Travelled with Him
Talked with Him
Listened to Him
Watched Him
Rested on Him
Wrote the gospel all about Him
John summarises His experience of Jesus in 1 John 1:1-2:
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)" 1 John 1:1-2
The same John so close to Christ now draws close to Christians, that is his priestly ministry.
This is the same ministry of our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ who:
Bore our griefs and carried our sorrows
Who washed the disciples feet
Who being in the form of God thought not Deity to consist of grasping after (Phil 2)
John’s ministry was a priestly ministry
All Christian service is priestly service The service of Christ was priestly service (Phil 2, John 13) The pattern of spiritual service is priestly; Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Daniel
John’s service isn’t only about preaching to people but is about reaching people. John doesn’t just appear out of the blue and start preaching to everyone about Jesus! John has a history, from history experience, an ongoing experience of Jesus! That history began with the call of Jesus on his life (Matt 4:21) and the obedience of John to that call may have seemed to some a tiny step; let go of his fishing nets and stop mending nets and follow Jesus. That first small step and call of John to follow Jesus, and the subsequent series of tiny steps though have led us and John here to the greatest prophetic revelation of the Bible!
For perhaps the bulk of the gospel narrative an intelligent onlooker may well be forgiven for questioning wither or not all of this sacrifice of job, security, family and finance was really going anywhere? Perhaps especially when we see Christ crucified and the 2 on the road to Emmaus despondent and discouraged. Had John made a colossal error of judgment? Perhaps he even wondered this himself? Returning it would seem at one point to the fishing in John chapter 21?
The first book of the NT records where John came from – humble beginnings, unpromising and unqualified, uninspiring, but listen it is left for the last book of the Bible for us to learn as to where John went to! Not just Patmos but somewhere way more glorious than that:
From the sea of Galilee
To
The crystal sea (Rev 4)
This journey from earth to heaven, to the eternal Glory of God is not uniquely John’s journey, this too is our journey!
Is it not encouraging to see that the glory he gained was infinitely greater than the small steps of faithful obedience John took! This was a journey of many small steps of faithful obedience, to leave behind the mending of nets, to leave the fishing and boat and father and follow Jesus. Those many small steps of obedience and tiny steps of faithfulness brought John on a journey which concluded here with the statement: “I John” (1:9)
I wonder if there will be many looking back from the edge of the crystal sea and wondering; seriously did I ever consider any of these passing and fleeting sacrifices of time of any real value and significance, past and now long forgotten; compared to the perspective that is now mine in eternity; on the edge of the crystal sea?
“these light afflictions” – did I ever entertain the thought that such light afflictions, such tiny costs, such trivia might seriously be a hindrance or discouragement to me reaching this destination! Oh those light afflictions are so out of proportion to a far more eternal Weight of glory!
Did I ever get:
Discouraged
Distracted
Doubt the purpose
For such trivial gains?
Little did John anticipate where these individual steps of obedience would lead him to! A life filled with many small steps of obedience can lead somewhere glorious.
God uses / calls a man of experience in the Apostle John! From experience comes revelation and exposition. How much of a help can you be John? That question is in essence synonymous with another question: "How close are you to Jesus?"
John is serving Christ and the people of God in his suffering (verse 9). Serving as a "brother" and a "companion in tribulation" for the sake of the gospel. Serving opens the ear to the saving word of God, consider:
John 11 and the table set for Jesus with Lazarus
Cf the miracles of healing
Cf Naamans maid
John chapter 13 and the washing of the disciples feet
John chapters 8 + 9
Serving demonstrates the sincerity of the concern and care of the Christian in testimony:
We are not a cult
We care
We care because God cares
We serve because Christ serves
We deal with people as people who have a will to be won over
This is the ‘Kingdom’ (v9); not the earthly kingdom of Pilate; ‘art thou a King?’ A kingdom not of this world; entrance to this kingdom is by much tribulation. This is a kingdom foreign to this world, belonging to another world, to be part of this kingdom is to be foreign to the world.
A message preached as part of our series of Bible studies on the teaching of the prophetic book of Revelation
Revelation chapter 1 verses 4 to 5 - God Sovereign Eternal All Sufficient Triune:
We have seen so far in our series of bible studies in the book of Revelation:
Significance of the author – John
Source of the Revelation – Jesus Christ
Subject of the book – Jesus Christ
Structure of the Book
Significance of the author – John
For John the book of Revelation is the 5th and final of John’s New Testament books. This interestingly is comparable to Moses who is the human author of the first 5 of the Old Testament books of the Bible. The closest parallels between these two authors exists between Moses first book; that of Genesis and John's final book that of Revelation.
Consider the parallels in particular between Genesis and Revelation:
Genesis
Revelation
Creation
New Creation
Satan comes in as the serpent
Satan the serpent and dragon removed
Sin and the fall
Redemption and eternal salvation
Sin, sorrow and suffering begin
Sin, sorrow and suffering ended
Tree of life guarded
Tree off life freely available
Plagues of Egypt
Plagues on whole world
Mark of Cain
Mark of the beast
Sun and moon created to give light
Sun and moon no longer needed for light
Babel its origins
Babylon its fulfilment
Manna for the Israelites
Manna for Pergamos
Subject of the book of Revelation is Jesus Christ
Consider the following as suggested outlines of the book of Revelation:
Plan of Salvation (chp 1)
Presence of Christ amidst His people (chp 2 to 3)
Power over the world (chps 4 to 19)
Purpose for Universe (chps 20 to 21)
Pre-eminence in all things
Structure of the Book
Cf 1:19
Lord in the midst of His people
Lamb in the midst of the throne
Lion over the world
Lover of the Church
Light in eternity
Or we can divide the book of Revelation according to the locations in which the parts of the revelation were given:
In Patmos (1:9)
In Heaven (4:1,2)
By sand of the sea (13:1)
In wilderness (17:3)
Great and high mountain (21:10)
Consider the Setting in which this great book of Revelation was given to John. John was imprisoned on the prison fortress of Patmos. A penal colony and possibly also a quarry, to which prisoners were put for forced hard labour. John’s circumstances are greatly constrained, movements restricted, imprisoned and held on an island; possibly even set to work in a limestone quarry. These are not circumstances of his choosing by any manner of means! Yet this island of Patmos was also conveniently situated just across the water from the port of Ephesus and this close to the 7 churches of Asia, addressed in the opening chapters of the book of Revelation. Whilst it may well be true that of all the places we might choose to be Patmos would not be one of them! It is also true that our disappointments can be Gods appointments! If life gives you lemons! John could either live according to circumstances he would like to be in and proceed to hit his head against a brick wall or he could live according to the circumstances that he was actually in!
This is not just about making the best of a bad situation of course but rather making the most of a God given situation and opportunity! If we understand that God is in control, as we can certainly see here in Revelation then that injects purpose and infuses meaning into every part of human life and experience! If we understand that truth from anywhere in the scriptures that God is in control, it is surely from the book of Revelation!
The 7 churches are in a geographical loop and sequence; interconnected by the Roman roads and each a postal town in the old Roman administration. Ironically the the infrastructure of hostile Rome provided for free movement and facilitated the distribution of the Gospel! John grasps the opportunity that presents itself to him and ministers within the new sphere of service given to him by the sovereign hand of God!
John discerns the hand of God in his circumstances and goes through the door that has been opened to him rather than trying to navigate around about the door.
John is placed here in Patmos by GPS:
Global Positioning System?
God’s Providential Sovereignty!
So far as God is concerned John's imprisonment in Patmos is:
The Perfect Person in
The Perfect Place for
The Perfect Purpose
This may not follow our plan or the normal pattern of life either; let’s not get irritated nor frustrated by Gods sovereignty.
Note that John is thought to be around 90 years of age here! His greatest contribution to the scriptures and to the church and God’s people waited till he was 90 years of age!
Normally we may be used with the secular pattern for life, a progression through:
Childhood
Maturity
Education
Adulthood and service
Old age and retirement
Christian life and service doesn’t necessarily comply with that pattern! Moses was aged 80 before God started to use him properly. Esther was present in the palace for one single crises in the 4000 year history of the nation of Israel.
Are we willing to be so used?
Are we only willing to be who and what we wish to be, where and when we want to be?
Like Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5:12) “are not Abana and Pharpar rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel?” Are we only willing to do what we want to do or are we willing to be obedient and humble ourselves to do what God instructs us to do? Are we willing to confess with Christ; "not my will but thine be done"?
This ministry from John is no mere rhetoric or platitudes but is backed up by: God “which is, which was, which is to come.” This is the New Testament parallel to JeHoVaH. In the Old Testament Hebrew title for God, often translated as Jehovah or Yahweh or simply as The LORD, the consonants from the Hebrew word, are derived from the 3 parts of the Hebrew verb ‘to be’; signifying in one title:
He who will be
Who is
Who has been
We note that the order of tenses is different here between the Hebrew title and the New Testament order here in Revelation chapter 1!
This present order of tenses in Revelation chapter 1:
Is
Was
Shall be
Consider also the presentation of a similar pattern in the life of the Lord Jesus in verse 5:
“who is the faithful Witness” – In the present - He Is
“first begotten of the dead” – An event in the past for Christ - Was
“Prince of the kings of the earth” – Awaiting future fulfilment for its full revelation - Which is to come
Consider also the repetition of this theme in verse 8 and verse 18.
The pattern seems to be consistent.
As if we see God from the present extending back to the past and forward into the future; like an eternal light house casting His light into the whole of human history. It is not so much that God has a past and a present but rather it is that God is eternally present throughout history, providing a structure, order, plan and narrative to the whole of history. He is eternally present throughout history and over history; as Alpha and Omega (1:8) the originator and terminator of time and history; as the eternal “I AM” ever in the present! Recall the significance of “I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” quoted by the Lord to establish the reality of life after death to the Sadducees in Mark chp 12:
“And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.” (Mark 12:26-27)
For this to establish the continued existence of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob there is an inherent assumption in this statement; that God Himself does not change! This statement presumes that the relationship of God to time is different from our relationship to time. For me to state that I am the friend of….. does not provide for them the assurance of their perpetual existence! Yet this statement regarding Abraham, Isaac and Jacob does! For God; what is, will always be because God does not simply have a past / present and future tense but He is the eternal being present in and over past, present and future.
The continued existence beyond death of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is established because they are connected by the perpetual “I AM” to an unchanging God, an eternal being, not simply a person subject to and passing through time. They are "fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love."
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
The God whom Abraham met is exactly the same God we meet today! He has not changed, He cannot change!
The eternal character of God orders and ordains not only events today but in the past and present and future.
This gives a coherence, order, plan and structure to all of time.
This brings all of history to an ordered conclusion and destiny!
We note in these 2 verses; verses 4 and 5 of Revelation chapter 1 there is reference to the doctrine often referred to as the ‘Trinity.’ Not a Biblical term admittedly but a soundly Biblical teaching, truth and pattern.
verse 4 : "from Him which is and was which was and which is to come" - God the Father
verse 4: "the seven Spirits" - God the Spirit
verse 5: "and from Jesus Christ" - God the Son
God is 1 essential being with a 3 fold personality.
Cf. Human nature :
Body
Soul
Spirit
Not 3 persons but 3 aspects of the 1 individual.
Not 1+1+1 but 1X1X1
The truth of the Trinity is taught throughout scripture and especially in the NT:
God the Son – John 1:1,14 God the Father – John 6:27 God the Holy Spirit – Acts 5:34
All 3 Persons of the Trinity involved with:
Incarnation of Jesus – Matt 1:18, 20, 23; Luke 1:35; 1 John 4:14
Miracles of Jesus
Performed by Jesus – John 2:11 In the name of His Father – John 10:25 By the power of the Holy Spirit – Matt12:28; Acts 10:38
Baptism of Jesus – Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 3:22
Resurrection of Jesus Christ
God – Psalm 16:5-10 Lord Jesus – John 10:17-18 Spirit of God – Rom 1:4 God the Father – Rom 6:4
Salvation of the Christian
Spirit of God – 2 Thess 2:13; John 3:6 – the one who performs / is the executor of the work of saving a soul. Lord Jesus – John 10:28 – whose work provides that salvation God the Father – 1 John 4:14 – with whom the plan of salvation originates
Indwelling if the believer
Spirit of God – John 14:17 Lord Jesus – John 14:18 God the Father – John 14:23
Baptism – Matt 28:19
Teaching of the Believer / Apostles – John 14:26
Our relationship with God – Ephesians 2:18
Prayer
In the name of Jesus – John 14:13,14; 16:23 To the Father – Luke 11:2; Matt 6:9 By the Spirit of God – Rom 8:26
Fruitfulness in the Christian life:
Father – John 15:1-2 Son – John 15:1,4-5 Spirit of God – Gal 5:22
Comfort and Consolation to the Christian
Father – 2 Co 1:3 Son – 2 Co 1:5; 1 John 2:1 Spirit – John 14:16-17
Eternal security of the Christian:
Jesus – John 10:28 Father – John 10:29-30 Spirit of God – Ephesians 1:13
Testimony in the heavens (1 John 5:7) Inspiration of Scripture
Is this doctrine of the Trinity a New Testament doctrine only?
Consider Deuteronomy 6:4 :
Elohyenu – is a plural title for God Echad – is the Hebrew word for a composite unity compare the use of the same word in Genesis 1:5; 2:24 Yahid – by way of contrast is the word for a singular unity – used in Genesis 22:2 : "your only Isaac"
A sermon preached from our bible teaching series on the book of Revelation
The closing book of the NT, bringing the entire Bible to a conclusion after more than 2000 years of inspiration!
We might expect a massive finale, and we get one!
This is the conclusion to:
The Bible
History
Israel
World
Satan
Evil
Death
Suffering
Sin
This is quite a conclusion
There is a lot in it
Revelation addresses:
The meaning and purpose of life
The destiny of humanity
The end of the world
The plan for the universe
The battle of good over ever
The ultimate and final victory
The mystery of suffering
The perplexity of seemingly unanswered prayer
Perhaps we may feel overwhelmed by this, discouraged from studying the book with so many symbols, demanding such a thorough knowledge of the rest of scripture and maybe even a good working knowledge of Church history.
Perhaps as CA Coates has observed this is the reason for the encouragement of 1:3; the Spirit of God well understanding that we may indeed by discouraged from grappling with the book!
Revelation 1:3 encourages us to personally engage with the book.
Not only engage with someone who has engaged with the book; which may indeed be very tempting.
There needs to be on our part, a fresh appreciation and application of the text of Revelation:
Read Hear Keep
All this given to the Apostle John.
The first book of the Bible – Genesis – written by Moses
The final book of the Bible – Revelation – written by John
Each are responsible for writing 5 books in the OT and the NT
Much of what Moses set the scene for in the first 5 books of the Bible will find its completion here in the final book by John.
The symmetry through the ages of inspiration is striking:
Genesis
Revelation
Creation
Old world passed away
Satan comes in
Satan removed
Sin and the fall
Redemption and eternal salvation
Tree of life guarded
Tree off life freely available
Plagues of Egypt
Plagues on whole world
Mark of Cain
Mark of the beast
Sin, sorrow and suffering begin
Sin, sorrow and suffering ended
Sun and moon created to give light
Sun and moon no longer needed for light
It would seem justified to open the pages of Revelation with a degree of trepidation and humility, it is after all the magnum opus of John, given to him in his 90s after a long and deep experience of Christ and the gospel!
It took a man of deep spirituality to write it, the author of the deeply spiritual 1 + 2 + 3 John!
The apostle who served his apprenticeship leaning on Jesus breast and who gave to us the epistles of love, life and light.
To John is given the task of writing the only completely prophetic book of the NT!
Many books of prophecy in the OT:
Major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Ezekiel 12 minor prophets A significant proportion of the Psalms
At least 16/39 OT books could be classified as prophetic books, yet only 1 completely prophetic book in the NT, although parts of other NT books would have a prophetic content; Matthew, 1 + 2 Thessalonians, 2 Peter, and 2 Timothy.
Interesting perhaps to reflect on why we might have that pattern / disparity?
The great burden of OT prophecy is to point us forward, not so much to events nor even a programme but to a person, that is Christ.
The bulk of the NT now looks back at the person; that is Christ.
The NT Gospels take the place mainly of the OT prophets, both from their own perspectives bringing us to Christ prospectively and then retrospectively.
What was prophetic for the OT authors is now historical for the NT.
The prophetic burden is not that God’s people become sign watchers, nor experts in geopolitics but rather that the Lord’s people look off unto Jesus!
It is surely a great challenge to read it and apply it!
Back to the book of Revelation at 50!
It has been an interesting 50 years
The intervening 35 years have shed considerable light on the revelation not so much from a biblical perspective but from human history and the areas of:
technology
infectious diseases
mechanized warfare
Global politics
eg Rev 1:7 “every eye shall see Him,” and the two prophets of Revelation 11
the general witness of the Nations to two dead in Jerusalem.
In the first half of the twentieth century Christians were unable to explain how this could happen. In the second half of the twentieth century in my younger days some saw the possibility of this by means of the television
Now at the beginning of the 21st century such a statement is completely compatible with current experience, there is no explanation needed.
The mark of the Beast is likewise enabled by modern technology implantable microchips are already in place.
Illust: Story told of Albert Einstein setting a university exam for his students. His assistant professor asked ‘but isn’t that the same exam you set for your final year students last year? Exactly the same exam? You can’t do that! To which Einstein famously replied ‘yes the questions are the same but the answers have changed.’
As we come to look afresh at Revelation, the questions, the text, the inspiration, the Spirit remains exactly the same but we come with a fresh perspective as to what some of these texts could potentially mean in the light of recent, very recent changes in the world in which we live.
Perhaps we can see just how close these events have become, how easily and quickly our society has been and can be changed: Mass surveillance of the population; contact apps for ‘disease monitoring’ Control of financial transactions via electronic means Threatened and real abandonment of physical monetary transactions eg Wuhan province Attractiveness of implanted microchip technology Removal of civil liberties eg right to assemble and control of movement and monitoring of social media information feeds for ‘misinformation.’ Imposition of a closely policed state State interference in privacy Compromise of data and confidentiality –
How easily and quickly he Kingdom of the beast could emerge with:
Monitoring Financial control Restriction of personal freedoms and liberties
Outlines?
Can’t go wrong with the one given:
1:19:
Thou hast seen (chp 1) Things which are (chp 2 to 4) Shall be hereafter (chps 5ff)
Or:
Grace (chp 2+3) Government (chps 4 to 19) Glory (chps 20 to 24)
Or thinking of Christ:
Lord in the midst of the lampstands
Lamb in the midst of the throne
Lion over the nations
Lover in the midst of the marriage supper
Light in the midst of heaven
Consider the differing perspectives we find here in Revelation:
In the Isle called Patmos (1:9)
In heaven before the throne (4:1ff)
Upon the sand of the sea (13:1)
Carried into the wilderness (17:3)
On a great and High mountain (21:10)
Perhaps my own 7 fold outline of the changing themes and scenes of Revelation:
Revelation of the Person and Character of Christ (chp 1)
Revival in the Church (ch 2 + 3)
Reigning and Ruling over the world (chp 4 – 19)
Response to the prayers of the saints
Retribution on the wicked
Removal of evil (chps 13 to 19)
Restoration of Righteousness
The righteousness of God is seen in the person of Christ impacts:
Personally On the Church chps 2 + 3 On the world chps 5 to 19 Into eternity chps 20 to 22
“the revelation of Jesus christ” (1:1)
The whole of the Bible is the 'Revelation of Jesus Christ'
In the sense that it is the revelation about Jesus Christ
'Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.'(Joh 5:39)
The scriptures are full of prophecies / patterns and parables of Christ
Luk 24:27 'And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.'
This revelation is a little different
This is not the Revelation 'concerning' Jesus Christ but rather the revelation from Jesus Christ.
This revelation is very special:
This is the revelation from the Revelation of scripture.
This is the revelation within a revelation, to reveal the truth behind appearance, reality behind perception!
Genitive of Origin?
Notice the flow here:
God gave the Revelation to Jesus
Jesus Christ "Him"
By His angel
"Unto His servants" / "unto His servant John"
To show unto His servants
God gave the revelation to Jesus
Jesus gave his revelation to us
This is the revelation from Jesus Christ as we follow the flow of the revelation through these verses.
It is hard to miss the significance however of the fact that the whole of the Word of God is a Revelation of Christ:
OT – pictures, prophecies, pointers and parallels NT – Person and work of Christ
And here crowning it all – the concluding Revelation of Jesus Christ!
Here we see that out of the:
Trial and Tragedy comes Triumph Disaster comes deliverance
All has as its destiny the glory of Christ.
As the alpha He is the origin
As the omega He is the destiny
With all things headed up in Christ in chapters 21 and 22:
The bride is the bride of the Lamb The apostles are the apostles of the Lamb The temple is The Lord God and the Lamb The Light is the Lamb The book is the Lambs book of Life The throne is the throne of God and of the Lamb The river of life flows from the throne of the Lamb
History is His Story!
This is about to come as something of a shock to a world which has universally rejected Christ :
“14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” Luke 19:14
“38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Luke 23:38
And still so:
‘By the world rejected and by the few enthroned.’
Therein lies the missing piece of the jigsaw of this world
If only he were not so universally rejected there would be no:
Gender confusion Broken marriages Murdered unborn Racial tensions Tribalism War, famine, and man made disasters Corruption Despair
This is indeed a book all about Jesus Christ; charting His life from:
Grave (1:5) to the Glory (Rev 22) Cross (1:5) to the Crown (Rev 19:12, 16)
Yet all of the Bible is about Jesus Christ!
In the OT:
Pictures Patterns Parables Prophecies
In the Gospels – biography – Person of Christ
In the epistles – doctrine
This is the ‘Revelation of Jesus Christ’ – the unveiling!
This is a unique glimpse behind the fabric of space and time, behind and beyond what we can see, to what we can’t see.
This book reveals that righteousness is not random.
Here is what lies behind the veil of reality, what is behind the scenes!
Not only do we see that righteousness is not random, but we also perceive that evil is not random:
Christ and the Church Satan and Babylon
As He is progressively unveiled; we perceive Christ and:
His Plan of Salvation (chp 1) His Presence in the midst of the Church (chp 1 to 3) His Power from the throne, in judgement (chp 4 to 19) His Purpose for the universe (chp 20 to 22) His Person supreme and glorified over all and in all
We peel away the layers of what we refer to as reality and behind the appearance of what we perceive to be transpiring we see that hand of Christ!
We gain a glimpse into the deep mysteries of this universe, beyond the dimensions of space and time.
The Bible is full of mysteries, 14 specific NT mysteries of which we find 3 in the book of Revelation itself:
The NT mysteries:
Mysteries of the Kingdom – Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; and Luke 8:10 Mystery of blindness on Israel (Roms 11:25) Mystery of the Gospel to all peoples (Rom 16:25ff) Mystery of the Cross (1 Co 1+2:7ff) Mystery of the Rapture (1Co 15:51) Mystery of His will, of all things in Christ (Eph 1:9) Mystery of Jew and Gentile in 1 body (Eph 3:3ff) Mystery of Christ and the Church (Eph 5:32) Mystery of Christ in you (Col 1:25ff) Mystery of Iniquity (2 Thess 2:7) Mystery of Godliness (1 Tim 3:16) Mystery of the 7 churches (Rev 1:20) Mystery of Gods judgement (Rev 10:7) Mystery of Babylon the Great (Rev 17:5-7)
What is a mystery?
Perhaps we have often heard the memorable phrase:
'Truth once concealed and now revealed'
With the thought of 'mystery' often attribute to previous concealment, ie that they once were a mystery.
Is it?
Certainly this highlights one important aspect of the NT mysteries – that they are NT mysteries and that if anything can be discerned of them in the OT can only really be discerned in retrospect!
But as definitions go its not the best:
It's not very precise, that definition would apply to any NT revelation or doctrine not clearly revealed in the OT for example; the incarnation, life and ministry of Christ, justification by faith etc. It is not very informative.
It tells us nothing about the subject or content of the mysteries, it’s a rather cryptic definition of mystery! Having heard the definition of the mysteries of scripture, if I were to then ask; 'what is a mystery?' we would really be none the wiser.
It's not entirely accurate – there are some mysteries which are not yet revealed (eg 2 Thess chp 2 and 3 mysteries in Revelation).
It demystifies mysteries! Mysteries seem to maintain the character of mysteries in the NT rather than surrendering that character now that they are 'revealed' eg 1 Tim 3:9. This definition almost dismisses / denies the mystery aspect of these truths.
What are the NT mysteries?
''μυστήριον'' : from 'mustes' – a person initiated into the sacred mysteries, from 'mueo' to initiate, learn a secret or esoteric knowledge.
Linked to the sacred mysteries.
At the heart of many of the ancient religions lay a secret, an answer, a hidden insight into the nature of reality, the meaning of life, the destiny of existence, the mysteries!
This is still seen in some today: Mormonism, Free Masonry etc.
There is a reason we come to a place of worship, to a gathering, a reason we read the Bible!
One of those reasons is our search for answers, for meaning, for purpose.
We seek answers to why we are here, where we are going, the meaning of life, the answers to the big questions of life.
There are answers in the Bible.
The Bible is exceedingly interesting!
The Word of God contains God's answers to the reason why, who, what and how!
God's answers to:
Why I am here What in the world is happening How I can find God Who God is
These are the NT mysteries!
These are Gods answers to the question why?
Gods hidden agenda.
They are justification for the conspiracy theorists paranoia that there is an agenda behind the scenes.
Gods hidden agenda, revealed not by time, not by a time delay switch but revealed to those that have ears to hear, those who have the Spirit of God!
'he that hath ears to hear let him hear' (Matt11:15; Luke8:8) and also Matt 13:11; Luke 8:10.
Not so much:
Concealed in the past and revealed in the present but Concealed to the unregenerate and revealed by the Spirit of God
The distinction between:
concealment and revelation mystery and understanding
lies not so much in time but in aptitude and ability.
The mystery is unlocked not by time but with a key; and that key is Christ.
Not so much a distinction between:
then now
But rather:
without the Spirit with the Spirit
It is not time that is the key but Christ who is the key (Matt 16:19; Rev 1:18; Rev 3:7)
God's agenda in human history has not been hidden.
God's desire is for a world saturated with the knowledge of God:
Habakkuk 2:14: 'filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord'
Isaiah 11:9: 'They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of -- the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.'
It is the insight into what is happening behind the scenes that is specific to Revelation.
History is not chaotic Evil is not sporadic Righteousness is not random
Revelation gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of this universe, into dimensions not apparent.
It is interesting that science is perhaps catching up here!
String theory – multiple dimensions beyond this world – possibly 11 M-Theory – membrane / mystery / magic theory! Problem of the low value of gravity – cf. magnetic forces An attempt to identify the graviton via the SERN collider A hope to understand why the force of gravity is so low and the possibility of leakage into another dimension?
Much is speculative of course but one thing is clear, that mainstream science and physicists are seriously entertaining the idea that there is more to this universe than appears on the surface, there are more dimensions to this universe than we have before appreciated!
This is the “revelation of Jesus Christ”
Not only is it all about Jesus Christ – which of course the rest of the Bible is too:
Prophetically in OT
Pictorially in the OT
Parable in the OT
Person in the Gospels
Doctrinally in the epistles
Here we see Christ hidden, cryptically, in secret and now unveiled:
His Plan of Salvation (chp 1)
His Presence in the Church (chps 1 to 3)
His Power from the Throne (chps 4 to 19)
His Purpose for the World (chp 19 to 20)
His Pre-eminence Eternally (chp 20 and 21)
Babylon, Satan, the Beast and false prophet are very much to the fore up until chapter 19; wickedness, death, destruction and chaos ensues, until reality is unveiled in chapter 20 and behind the scenes of the chaos of the apparent in the reality of one working all things according to the counsel of His own will; working all things for His Glory. Christ pulls the trigger on these judgements, from the very first seal which is opened till the final destiny is reached. He has been behind the whole of human history from the very beginning until the end.
His Person sovereign supreme
Righteousness is not Random
Evil is not chaotic
There is order, and organisation.
Consider the coordinated and pan European attack on the Jews in WW2 and consider the ‘spontaneous’ almost world wide rise in woke culture, identity politics and the promotion of homosexuality and transgenderism. None of this is coincidental nor disco-ordinated.
If the DESTINY of this world is headed to Christ so too is the
DIRECTION of this world headed to Christ and by implication, the path too – the DETAILS as to how we arrive at that DESTINY.
“That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:10-12)
Not only is the ultimate DESTINY of all things ultimately leading to the revelation of Christ (Rev 22), but the route there, the DETIALS of that journey likewise reveal Christ – His Grace in the church, His Government, power and judgment over the world and His Glory eternally.
For there to be a definite destination there must be a definite direction.
To reach this destination the direction of all of human history is ordered and ordained!
The reason Abraham was called from Ur of the Chaldees The reason Israel sheltered in Egypt The reason behind the Exodus The reason Ruth accompanied Naomi out of Moab The reason for Daniels captivity in Babylon The reason for the census in the days of Herod The reason Elizabeth bore John
Was that all might be brought to Christ!
Here is a fitting conclusion to the whole of the Word of God.
“to show unto us his servants”
The object of the revelation is for His servants.
If you serve the Lord, or if you desire to serve the Lord, you can claim a right to this revelation.
Why is this relevant to those who serve the Lord?
Because these revelations: 'must shortly come to pass'
These Revelations:
put service to the Lord into context condition the outlook of the believer
This conditions the mind of the servant, the focus of the servant
The mindset of the servant, to leave all and follow, to not take the eye off the goal, to not get distracted.
Why? for curiosity?
Why bother?
What is the purpose?
Is it sufficient that it is:
The Word of God It is about Jesus? It is in the Bible?
Is that enough?
Yet so much of the Bible has a clear purpose:
The Gospels: 'these things are written that you might believe and that believing you might have life through His name.'
Romans: 'the Gospel of Christ, it is the power of God unto salvation' – presenting and defending the gospel.
Epistles:
sanctification truth – 1 Corinthians Church truth: 1 Corinthians, pastoral epistles Work of Christ: Hebrews
But what would I think of Revelation?
What does it do?
What is it for?
Revelation is the 'apocalypse' of John
That Greek word has come into the English language.
The apocalypse, the unveiling.
The unveiling of what?
The clue is in the name
It is the unveiling of what we see.
It is the unveiling to what lies behind what I see!
What lies behind the veil of reality!
Revelation is the true nature of absolute reality.
This is God's plan and purpose and agenda, not ours!
When the veil of appearance is dropped we see the nature of realty beneath it.
That reality is very different from the one we have come to know.
No rather to show the sovereignty of God in all things!
To give a future eternal perspective on life.
This makes sense of life!
“if in this life only we have hope only in Jesus we are of all men the most miserable”
‘laying up for ourselves treasures on earth’ is hardly an option!
Do you see what happens to earth?
Taking the easy way out? compromise with the world? collusion with the enemy?
These are doomed to failure
reassurance despite the difficulties and confusion there is a plan new life
it is imperative to live in the present for the future.
'shortly come to pass' (v1)
Imminent?
But was this not 2000 years ago?
Shortly come to pass – possibly from the Divine perspective.
The blessing is to (1:3)
Read Hear Keep
Surely blessing in all of the Word of God, but particular blessing here, why?
Sense of perspective in life, seeing that all these things shall be dissolved. Thus a sense of priorities A sense of Divine purpose; seeing the underlying and hidden purpose of God in all things. How can I know my purpose in life if I don't know God's purpose for me? For the purpose of my life to be meaningful it must align with Divine purpose.
The content of the book ought to influence our life practically
A sermon preached from our bible teaching series on the book of Revelation
