THE UNVEILING OF JESUS CHRIST

#239                                   THE UNVEILING OF JESUS CHRIST

Scripture Revelation 1:1-8, NIV                                                                                    Orig. 2/5/1989

``                                                                                                                              Rev. 10/17/1999

                                                                             Attached: 10/17/1999 for Alabama Baptist Church

Passage: Prologue 1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Greetings and Doxology 4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”[b]
    and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
    and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[c]
So shall it be! Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Purpose:   Continuing a Revelation study for adults in Church Training, here unveiling the Christ whom John has known.

Keywords:        Bible Study                  Parable             Christ the Lord            Revelation

Timeline/Series:           Revelation

Introduction

            We talked last week about our own comprehension of the importance of this book.  The little test was designed to fix a value quotient in your minds.  It was interesting that you assigned a much higher value than many believers would have done, and it was established that most of us have read through The Revelation on our own recently.

            You may not be aware, however, that the book itself encourages us.  Though many of its symbols seem strange to us, most are explained in the book or in some part of the Bible.

            Daniel, you recall, was told to “seal up” the words of his prophecy until the “time of the end”  (Daniel 12:4).  This was not the end of time, but the “time” of the end of the gentiles.  John, however, reverses that predilection.  He says that the words of this “prophecy” are not to be “sealed” for “the time is at hand” (Revelation 22:10).

            Herbert Lockyer1 (A36p359) makes an interesting point about the symbolism of this book.  He says that this symbolism in the early chapters is related to Christ and his church; in the middle chapters, to Israel; and in the concluding chapters, to the nations.

            The material is apocalyptic, meaning that veiled messages are being revealed.  It is prophetic, meaning that it deals with both the declaration of the unknown, and boldly proclaiming what is known.  And its symbolism suggests the parabolic.  And a parable, you remember, is a story with a  hidden meaning.

I.          The Outline of Chapter One May be Perceived as Follows: 

·         Seeing what John saw, a risen, glorious Lord.

o   Introduction   vv1-3

o   The Christ John knew   vv4-8  lo

o   The Christ John heard   vv9-11

o   The Christ John saw   vv12-18

o   Conclusion   vv19-20              

·         It is interesting that the chapter begins with a constitution and ends with a commission.

o   Constitution   v1—“The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to show to his servants.”

o   Commission  v19—“Write.”

·          We have reason to look at a brief overview of the book.

o   The things which thou hast seen 1:9-20

o   The things which are   [ch] 2,3

o   The things which shall come to pass   [ch] 4-22

II.         A Brief Look at Symbols Unveiled

            First, our Lord’s nature. Alpha and Omega, Lord, Word, Jesus, Christ, King, Master, Lamb, Lion, Bridegroom, Morning Star.

            Secondly, Jesus’ activities.  (1)He chastens the church.  (2)Restores the Jews.  (3)Judges the world.  (4)Judges Satan and his host.  (5)Judges the wicked.  (6)As King He reigns.

            Finally, His relations.  (1)To the Father.  (2)To the Holy Spirit.  (3)With angels, saints, sinners, heaven, earth, and hell.

III.       A  Further Look at the Constitution. “The Revelation . . . blessing the one reading, hearing, . . . and keeping these words for the time is at hand.”

            They are things shortly coming to pass.  Does John mean soon, quickly, in the near future, with speed?  He “must” John 4:4.  With “speed,” “suddenness” may be best.  The idea is “with little warning.”  Keep Peter’s scale (II Peter 3:8) in mind.

            The Revelation Beatitude of which there are 7.  “Blessed is he”—1:3, 16:15, 20:6, 22:7.  “Blessed are they”—19:9, 22:14.  “Blessed are the dead”—14:13.  We would do well to remember here that the blessing is for those who “read” and “hear,” that “keep these words.”

            Remember that the “time is at hand.”  Again, from 22:10.  Remember, this was first of all a message of hope for believers then.  Written during 90-95 in time of persecution.  Domitian died in 96 A.D., and persecutions would never be so bad again.

III.       The Christ John Knew,  Vv 4-8

            V4 “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: grace and peace unto you from the One who is, and was, and will be, and from the seven spirits before His throne; and from Jesus.”

            While John doesn’t talk about a “trinity,” he shows his perception of the godhead—the eternal One; the mediating One “seven spirits”; Jesus.

               His message to the seven churches is of grace and peace.  “Grace”—chári---unmerited favor.  “Peace”—eiríni—to rest in God.

               The seven spirits.  Remember that the number seven represents completeness.  Isaiah (11:2) describes such spirit: spirit of the Lord, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of Lord.

               He thus describes his Christ.  Faithful witness—martus.   First begotten of the dead.  Ruler of kings (archó̱n).   John’s doxology: unto him that loved/washed/loosed, whether washed or loosed through the blood.  We are kings, priests in him before God, to Jesus be glory/dominion forever.  Back to the kingship of Jesus, recall that the reason for persecution was the obligation to call Caesar “Lord.”  Only One, Jesus, could hold that title.

               Now a word of Jesus’ return.  Declared by Jesus” Matthew 10:23, 16:28, 24:27, 42.  Acts (1:11) so opens “This same Jesus.”  Paul (I Corinthians 3:4), I Peter 5:4, Jude 14, James 5:8, Hebrews 10:37.  John’s description of his coming.  Precision—“with clouds.”  Preparation—“every eye”: “joy”—they “pierced,” “judgment.”  Proclamation—“all will wail”: unbeliever—judgment; believer—reminded of cost, of things undone, of loved ones lost, of joy in fulfillment.

               As a reminder of whose revelation this is, then Christ speaks. “I am alpha and omega, the beginning and ending.”  First and last letters in Greek alphabet; a commonly used phrase for completeness; an acknowledgment of His eternality; a secondary reference to His coming; a reminder again of His place in the godhead.

            Refer to seven truths—Robinson (R30p152).  (1)Sovereignty of God. (2)Lordship of Jesus. (3)Centrality of a community of saints in mankind.  (4)Divine meaning of history, his-story.  (5) Crises: struggle between good and evil.  (6)Perennial: final judgment.  (7)Sure goal of history.

Conclusion

            We spoke briefly about the number seven as a reference to completeness.  Let’s look a little further.  Pythagoras (R30p150) the mathematician started a system of religion in which religious values were equated with numbers.  One (1) was for unity, wholeness, aloneness.  Two (2) meant companionship, courage, increased strength.  Three (3) was divine number (Judaism, eastern).  Four (4) cosmic number (N.E.W.S.) universe/world.  Seven (7) the number of completeness.  Add four/three.  Found 54 times in Revelation.  What would six be?  (less than perfection)=666.  Ten (10) human completeness (fingers/toes).  Twelve (12) organized religion (three times four) tribes, apostles.

For Alabama Baptist Church on 10/17/1999:  Revelation Letters

Superscription to the church—“To the angel of the church in Smyrna.”

            2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14

Description of the divine author—“These are the words of Him who is the first and the last.”

            2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14

Account of their spiritual conditions—“I know your afflictions and your poverty.”

            2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15

Message of praise or censure—“Do not be afraid.”

            2:2-4, 9-10, 13-14, 19-20; 3:1-2, 8, 15-16

Exhortation of some special need—“Do not be afraid.”

            2:4, 10, 16, 20-22; 3:3, 9, 16

Promise to the one overcoming—“Be faithful . . . and I will give you the crown of life.”

            2:7, 10, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 20

Attention commanded to the Spirit—“He who has an ear let  him  hear.”

            2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22

1Lockyer, H.  (1980).  Revelation: Drama of the Ages. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.