Lesson 5
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Review:
7. 1:8 Declaration of who is, the object of the revelation,
Verse points to Christ in several ways:
"I am (very
emphatic; I myself keep on being) the Alpha (A a) and the Omega, (W w) says the
Lord God" also in
Emphasis: completeness of God in His essence and character; and the completeness of His control over history (for us the A to Z)
Coupled with the next phrase; who is and who was and who is to come," a focus on His eternality.
"the Almighty." o` pantokra,twr used 10x's in Scripture 9 of them in Rev.
- reference to His Omnipotence [OmPo], supremacy over all things;
8. Observations: 1:1-8
1. Jesus Christ is the central figure and focus as we open this book.
2. Vs:1 presents Him as the mediate source and object of the revelation, the disclosure.
3. Vs:2 He is the testimony about which John bore witness.
4. Vs:3 Special blessing is promised those who heed the disclosure in this book.
5. Vs:5 we see Him as the "faithful witness, the first-born, and ruler of the kings of the earth."
6. He is also revealed as the source of Grace and peace; the One who loves and freed us from our sins by His work on the cross, in bearing our sins. (also vs:5)
7. Vs:6 He is the source of our royal priesthood. We are a part of His kingdom.
8. Vs:7 He has promised to come with a great display of power and glory, and every eye will see Him. 2nd Advent.
9. Vs:8 He is OmPo, and has complete rulership over all things.
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; qli/yij
- 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
- 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
He's given a cmd to write!
These 7 churches break down into 3 basic categories.
1. Those
without a reproof/rebuke (2)
2. Those with
a reproof and commendation;
(4)
3. Those with
reproof only; (1)
3. Details of the Vision of the Risen Lord 1:12-16
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
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