“A PICTURE OF JESUS” (Rev. 1)
1. I have said that the book of Revelation will give us a better understanding of Jesus Christ.
2. This better understanding of the Lord starts in Rev. 1.
I TONIGHT MY PLAN IS TO DO THREE THINGS: FIRST, I WISH TO GO THROUGH REVELATION WITH YOU AND PICK OUT THINGS WHICH DESCRIBE JESUS. ONCE SOME IDENTIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN NOTED, SOME TIME WILL BE SPENT EXPLAINING THEM. OUR MATERIAL WILL END WITH A QUICK POINT OF APPLICATION.
A. We first want to see how Jesus is identified.
B. I am going to start in Rev. 1:5. READ
C. In 5B Jesus is called the “ruler of the kings of the earth.”
D. This statement is important and we will return to it.
E. For now let’s see how else Jesus is identified.
F. 5B also says that Jesus “loves us” (present tense).
G. Before verse6 it is said that Jesus’ blood “looses us” from sin
H. In verse 6 it is said that Jesus “made us to be a kingdom.
I. I. Many deny that God’s kingdom exists, and that we are that kingdom.
J. God says that a kingdom exists, and that we are that kingdom.
K. This “kingdom” is the same as the church.
L. In this kingdom there are priests. (6b)
M. Priests are not a special class of people.
N. In the kingdom God has created, all Christians are priests.
O. In verse 7 John said that Jesus was going to come.
P. Jesus would come with the clouds. Every eye would see him
Q. “All the tribes of the earth would mourn over Him.”
R. There is evidence to believe that this does not describe the Lord’s final coming.
S. Let’s skip down to verses 12-14 – READ
(1) There are 7 candlesticks.
(2) These were not literal (v. 20) – READ
(3) The candlesticks symbolized congregations of Christ’s church.
(4) Jesus was in the midst of these congregations.
(5) John not only saw this, he saw how Jesus was dressed.
(6) Around the Lord’s breasts was a golden girdle.
(7) Jesus’ hair was white.
(8) John says that even Jesus’ head was white (v. 14)
(9) The Lord’s feet were like “burnished brass.”
(10) When Jesus spoke, sounded like many waters.
(11) In Jesus’ right hand, there were 7 stars (angels) v. 20
(12) A sword was coming out of the Lord’s mouth v. 16.
(13) 16b says that Jesus looked like the sun.
T. Jesus spoke and said that He would never die again. V. 18
II THIS IS HOW JESUS IS IDENTIFIED IN REV. 1. LET’S NOW TURN OUR ATTENTION TO EXPLAINING WHAT THESE THINGS MEAN.
A. We know that this chapter deals with Jesus. Backing up to vs. 5
B. John describes the one who “loosed” (past tense) us from our sins.
C. This is what Jesus did on the cross.
D. While on the earth, Jesus was a servant; obedient unto death.
E. Now Jesus has a new role. Vs. 5
F. He is the “ruler of the kings of the earth”.
G. Think about this in light of the book we are studying.
(1) The Roman Empire is opposing Christianity.
(2) Brethren desperately want and need help.
(3) John opens this book with, “Someone loves you”.
(4) This person is Jesus. He has loosed us from our sins.
(5) He continues to love us.
(6) Not only does Jesus love us, He has the power to help us.
H. It is possible for someone to love us but not have the power to help us.
I. John makes it clear that Jesus was going to help these Christians.
J. Why would the Lord help?
K. Look at verse 6A.
L. God’s people were and still are a kingdom.
M. When Rome attacked God’s people, they were attacking God’s kingdom.
N. Not only were opponents attacking God’s kingdom
O. They were attacking God’s priests. Vs. 6
P. Jesus shed His blood in the most horrible manner.
Q. Now the people Jesus died for were being attacked.
R. Would the Lord stand by and do nothing?
S. Could and would the heaven be silent as Rome ravaged the church? No
T. The word “kingdom” in vs. 6 may suggest a contrast.
U. There was the kingdom of Rome and the kingdom of God.
V. Caesar’s kingdom was opposing the kingdom of God.
W. Would God sit by and allow Caesar to rip apart the church?
X. John says in the first chapter, “Oh no. Absolutely not.”
Y. Look at verse 7 – READ
(1) When studying Matt. 24 I spoke about the word “coming.”
(2) This word does not always mean the end of time coming.
(3) For examples of this see Isa. 19:1f; Exek. 30:3; 32:7.
(4) John wrote of events which were to come to pass shortly. Vs 1-3
(5) The time was “at hand”. (1:3)
(6) I take the primary meaning v. 7 to be judgment on Rome.
Z. Jesus planned to come and judge the pagan kingdom of Rome.
A. If Jesus wanted to punish here, how successful would He be?
B. Let’s skip over to vs. 13f where Jesus is described.
C. READ VERSES 13-16.
III. AS I LOOKED AT VERSES 13-16 I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE WORTHWHILE TO UNDERLINE EVERYTHING THAT IS SAID ABOUT JESUS. I MADE A COPY OF THESE VERSES AND TOOK A RED PEN TO THE PAPER.
A. This really made some things stand out.
B What I did also indicated that these verses should be studied in reverse.
C. Let’s start with verse 16; John speaks of Jesus’ “countenance”
D. The word “countenance” describes the Lord’s face.
E. The word may possibly also include Jesus’ general appearance.
F. At least the Lord’s face was as the sun. vs. 16
G. The effect of the sun on our planet varies.
(1) The sun is sometimes limited by clouds.
(2) At other times the sun beats down without any limitations.
(3) What John describes is the sun when it is beating down on.
H. Maybe you have worked outside on a day when the sun is at its peak.
I. The full power of the sun bore down on your body.
J. This is the image of Jesus.
K. Jesus is likened to the sun when it is at its most powerful point.
L. The power of Jesus is unparalleled.
M. In describing this power John mentions a mouth and a sword. Vs. 16
(1) This sword has two edges; it is called “sharp”.
(2) Later in the book of Rev. we will see how this sword is used.
(3) In Rev. 19 this sword is used against nations.
(4) Read Rev. 19 to see how deadly this sword is.
(5) This sword is an instrument of death to God’s enemies.
(6) And it is a means of protection for God’s people.
(7) I should say that this word for “sword” is applied to church.
(8) Two times God said that Jesus Christ could use this sword in church.
N. Look at Rev. 2:12, 16 – READ
(1) Many assume that being a member of the church guarantees salvation.
(2) It doesn’t.
(3) If members of the church refuse to repent - God’s 2 edged sword.
(4) This instrument of death is not just for unbelievers.
(5) When John describes this sword, he uses the imperfect tense.
(6) This sword was going in and coming out of the Lord’s mouth.
(7) Think of a saw which runs continuously, always ready to cut.
(8) This picture suggests that…
(9) Jesus is always ready to oppose evil and protect the saved.
(10) He is ready for action 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
O. John has spoken of Jesus’ “countenance” and “mouth”.
P. Backing up to 16A, he turns to the “hand” of Jesus.
Q. In Jesus’ right hand were seven stars.
(1) I hope we realize that vs. 13-16 are symbolic.
(2) Jesus does not have a literal sword going in and coming out of His mouth.
(3) This is an image of judgment and the power to punish.
(4) Jesus is not the sun, He appears “as the sun”.
(5) These 7 stars are also not literal – look at vs. 20 – READ
R. The exact meaning of 16A is beyond me. I don’t know what it is.
(1) One problem comes from the word “angel”.
(2) This word simply means “messenger” human or heavenly.
(3) Either meaning is possible in vs. 16.
(4) Are these “angels” heavenly creatures? Some think so.
(5) Others maintain that these “angels” are servants – elder or preacher.
S. The one thing that seems clear to me is this:
(1) There angels are tied in with the church and they are in Jesus.
(2) This indicates that Jesus has control of the church.
(3) I am encouraged by this.
(4) I saw an article a few days ago which suggested that in the future
Churches may lose their tax exempt status.
(6) Other privileges may be revoked.
(7) Religious groups may be in for some hard times.
(8) If this does happen, Jesus tells us, “I am in control.”
(9) Nothing can be done to the church unless heaven permits it.
T. Backing up to the end of verse 15 we read about Jesus’ voice.
(1) This is described as being like the voice of many waters.
(2) In looking at this I found an interesting item.
(3) There are places which say Jesus spoke with a “loud” voice.
(4) When He was on the cross, He spoke with a “loud” voice.
(5) When He called for Lazarus to come forth (John 11) - loud voice.
(6) There is at least the hint that Jesus had a strong voice.
U. He certainly has a loud voice in heaven.
(1) Have you ever stood beside a raging river?
(2) Have you ever been beside a deafening waterfall?
(3) This is the picture described by the words “many waters”.
(4) As the roar of the water is overwhelming, so is the voice of Jesus.
(5) The Lord’s voice can roar at its enemies.
(6) Or it can be used to gently comfort God’s people.
(7) Moving back a little more.
V. 15A speaks of Jesus’ feet – like burnished brass.
(1) The exact metal John is describing is unknown.
(2) It is thought that John describes a mixture of metals which
could be like brass/bronze.
(3) We do not need to know what the metal is to see the point.
(4) Feet are for walking. These feet are fire hardened.
(5) They are very ready to walk over the enemies of God.
(6) These feet were set to crush the unrighteous opponents of God.
W. We know that Jesus could see the opponents, 14B.
X. Here John describes the Lord’s eyes. Like a flame of fire.
Y. These eyes could glow with love for the saved.
(1) Or they could flash with the fire of judgment.
(2) These eyes can penetrate into the hearts of all men.
(3) This image indicates the Lord’s omniscience.
Z. In the first part of verse 14, we find the word “hair”.
(1) The Lord is said to have hair and the color is white.
(2) This does not mean that Jesus is feeble.
(3) It may, however, suggest the idea of being old.
(4) God is “old” in the sense that He is eternal.
(5) The color “white” may indicate some other things too.
(6) Things like justice, holiness, purity, nobility may be implied.
(7) Righteous and sinless are indicated by this word.
(8) Even wisdom (the ability to judge correctly) may be implied.
A. We now move back to verse 13 – Jesus was “clothed”.
(1) The clothing went down to the Lord’s feet.
(2) The garment was tied at the breasts.
(3) This is not the clothing of a workman.
(4) This clothing is that of royalty, the regal, divinity.
(5) Rev. 1 gives us an impressive picture of Jesus.
CONCLUSION:
1. When someone asks, “Who is Jesus?” Rev. 1 is an excellent passage.
2. Jesus truly has “all power” on heaven and earth.
3. He is one person that we do not want to be on bad terms with.
4. Rev. 1 says that Christ has the power to save us or slay us.
5. Tonight we hope with all our heart that you want Jesus to save you.
6. To face Jesus in an unsaved state is an unthinkable course to take.
7. As we sing the invitation song, think of how Jesus is described.
8. You are going to meet Him some day. Do not be unprepared.