Lesson 6 January 12, 2003
Review:
B. Vision of the glorified Christ in the midst of the churches. 1:9-18
1. Setting for the vision. 1:9
4 things here that he shares with those believers. (ie. early church)
#1. Common suffering: tribulation;
- Jesus told us what to expect in dealing with the cosmos. John 15:18-19
#2. Kingdom: a part of the common hope of the church;
#3. There is a common character: perseverance u`pomonh,
#4. John exhibited a common loyalty.
- He was there "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." What he saw and heard from Jesus he bore witness.
* What does matter is that you maintain your focus, your occupation with Christ; that's what John did and the greatest blessing of his whole life was yet to come!
2. John's Commission 1:10-11
1:10 "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day."
- What this describes is the fact that God H/S was instrumental in providing John these visions.
"and I heard behind me a loud voice like [the sound] of a trumpet."
#1 Loud = to get his attention
#2 the message is loud and clear
1:11 Here the emphasis is on taking that prophetic visionary message and inscripturating it.
He's given a cmd to write!
These 7 churches break down into 3 basic categories.
1. Those without a reproof/rebuke (2) Smyrna, Philadelphia.
2. Those with a reproof and commendation; (4) Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis.
3. Those with reproof only; (1) Laodicea.
Sets the stage in 12-13a;
Vs:13b-16 the vision of Christ, the characteristics emphasized
Vs:17-18 the implications of Christ’s work on our behalf
1:12 And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands;
These lampstands represent the churches.
> The lampstands center on the main function of the Church, to bear the light of God's word. It is that word faithfully communicated that points to and maintains the consistent focus on Christ.
- Phil 2:14-16; how to be lights
- 1 Tim 3:15 notes the foundation
Next John sees [vs:13]; "and in the middle of the lamp stands one like a son of man,..."
> What John is doing here is describing here, the point that he is making is, that this one has "son of man" kind of character.
What John is seeing is the resurrected Lord in His resurrection body.