Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Revelation 1:8-20 ~ Jeff Ludington
Revelation 1:8-20 “the Jesus we worship”
Mention podcast to get caught up
· www.emergehb.org
Recap:
· Last week we focused on Rev. 1:4, “grace and peace
· We compared that to endless debates and anxiety about this letter
We will not:
· Be viewing this book as a linear timeline
· … or looking at this in an overly futuristic sense
· Our major influence in America is the “Left Behind” view
· Not what we are going to do
What we are doing:
· Looking at the book as a book of worship
· Believing that it is not a mystery
· And that it is meant to bring us “grace and peace”
Read: Revelation 1:8-20
PRAY
Vs. 8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
· This is one of those packages that are “fully loaded”
· Like buying a car that has all the bells and whistles “fully loaded”
“I AM”
· Anyone remember the “Ego Eime Statements” from John’s Gospel?
o Jesus uses this statement in the Gospel 8 times
o This is so powerful that the Pharisees call Him a blasphemer
o The reason is that it refers to God
· God refers to Himself this way in Exodus:
God speaks in Exodus:
Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.”
· I am = whenever you say it, “I AM”
· I am today, and will be forever
· The gods in Egypt are not real, but I AM!!!
Jesus in the Gospel of John: (just three examples)
John 8:58
“Before Abraham was born, I am!”
· I am from the beginning
John 15:5
“I am the vine”
· I give life to you today
John 11:25
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
· I am the future as well
We get a view of Jesus in Eternity past and future:
· No one else is eternal from beginning to end
“Alpha and Omega”
· The Greek Alphabet begins with Alpha
· The final letter is Omega
· Jesus is the beginning and the end
One interesting note here:
· The way it is written here in Greek is significant
· The Alpha is spelled out
· The Omega is not
Revelation 1:8 (Novum Testamentum Graece NA27)
“Egw/ ei)mi to\ a&lfa kai\ to\ w<” · Note the “ego eime” · Alpha spelled out · Omega – just the letter · He is the end, without end · Jesus is the end who isn’t finished yet! “Who was, Who is, Who is to come” · Jesus was · Jesus is · And, Jesus is to come · Again, Jesus speaks to His significant eternal nature · And, He speaks to a significant future difference “The Almighty” · Only someone who is so outside of nature o … so outside of time o … could be considered “almighty”! · IF you can say that you existed before the patriarch Abraham o And that you are coming back again o That you lived, died, and are still here o And prove it to me!!! · You are the Almighty, · And, you deserve all my praise!!! Jesus spends a great amount of language on His eternal divine nature, because He alone is eternal. Vs. 9 -11 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." · John is exiled on the Island of Patmos for the Gospel · What does he tell us? · I am your companion in suffering · But I am patiently enduring, waiting on my God “In the Spirit” · Many things are made out of this comment o But the simple answer is He was in worship o It refers to the “Lord’s Day” as if he were in church on a Sunday! o I think the simple answer is best o He was most likely spending time in prayer and worship · God speaks and gives him direction o What we all want o But are we in worship, prayer, and fasting? o Are we placing ourselves in a posture to hear from God??? Vs. 12-16 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. · Possibly one of the greatest passages on Jesus in the entire NT Clearly a symbolism picture of Jesus: “7 lampstands” · Our first symbol · But, all you have to do is look down to vs. 20 for the answer · “the seven lampstands are the seven churches” · These are representative of the churches o Nothing too difficult o Lot’s of grace and peace on Jesus’ part “one like the Son of Man” · Title of Jesus referring to His humanity and servanthood · However, “like” the Son of Man shows there is some difference · Remember, He is now Glorified, and in Heaven “A long robe with a golden sash around his chest” · The long robe represented the priestly garments · And the golden sash on a chest was a symbol of high rank Remember: · Hebrews: Jesus is our High Priest · Revelation tells us King of Kings, Lord of Lords · No one is above Jesus “Head/Hair are white” · Symbolic of age, wisdom, and purity “Eyes like a blazing fire” · Burn right through you · See your soul · Remember: o Jesus knows everything about you, and still loves you! “His feet were like bronze” · Bronze is symbolic throughout the bible of judgement · We forget that not only is Jesus Savior of the world · But, He is also the judge of the world “his voice was like the sound of rushing waters” · Rushing waters just makes me think of peace · The sound of our honeymoon condo in Hawaii · Jesus’ voice brings peace when He speaks to his church! “In his right hand he held seven stars” · Vs. 20 tells us that it is the 7 angels of the 7 churches “out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword” · This could only be the Word of God, likened to a double edged sword in the bible Hebrews 4:12 “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Ephesians 6:17 “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” “His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” · What is more brilliant and beautiful than the sun? · His face is more beautiful than the shining of the sun We clearly get a picture of a Jesus that John worshipped: · He calls us in to his worship · He invites us to worship the Jesus that he saw Vs. 17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. · When people get a glimpse of Jesus they fear their own death · Isaiah, “I am undone” “I am a man of unclean lips” o But Jesus touched Isaiah o Just like Jesus touches John Jesus reaches down to a prostrate John: · Jesus places His right hand on John as a blessing · OT blessings: right hand touches a bowed person and blesses What is the blessing here? Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” · The blessing is in who Jesus is!!! · Understanding who Jesus is, is a blessing!!! Share the Gospel!!! · Jesus gives life · “I lived and died, that you might have life” Vs. 19-20 19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. · Write what you have seen… Notice: · Each time there is a transference of grace from God o There is a job in response! · Isaiah: o Whom shall I send? o Here I am Lord, send me! Also, no mystery undefined: · 7 stars = angels of the 7 churches · 7 lampstands = 7 churches · No mystery o Just understanding · No endless debates or arguments o Just grace and peace So what is our response to God tonight? Revelation 1:17: “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” What is stopping you from falling down dead in front of Jesus? Main Point: · Seeing Jesus for who He is, will lead us into worship · Who is He to you? · What is His most impacting trait to you? Piling of stones: · OT way of remembering God · As a way of remembering Genesis 31:45-46 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. He said to his relatives, "Gather some stones." So they took stones and piled them in a heap. · Last time we piled stones it was to surrender something to Jesus · This time, we do it to recognize Who Jesus is! · Write on your stone a name or attribute of Jesus Alpha and the Omega "who is, and who was, and who is to come” The Almighty." The son of man I the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Mention podcast to get caught up
· www.emergehb.org
Recap:
· Last week we focused on Rev. 1:4, “grace and peace
· We compared that to endless debates and anxiety about this letter
We will not:
· Be viewing this book as a linear timeline
· … or looking at this in an overly futuristic sense
· Our major influence in America is the “Left Behind” view
· Not what we are going to do
What we are doing:
· Looking at the book as a book of worship
· Believing that it is not a mystery
· And that it is meant to bring us “grace and peace”
Read: Revelation 1:8-20
PRAY
Vs. 8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
· This is one of those packages that are “fully loaded”
· Like buying a car that has all the bells and whistles “fully loaded”
“I AM”
· Anyone remember the “Ego Eime Statements” from John’s Gospel?
o Jesus uses this statement in the Gospel 8 times
o This is so powerful that the Pharisees call Him a blasphemer
o The reason is that it refers to God
· God refers to Himself this way in Exodus:
God speaks in Exodus:
Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.”
· I am = whenever you say it, “I AM”
· I am today, and will be forever
· The gods in Egypt are not real, but I AM!!!
Jesus in the Gospel of John: (just three examples)
John 8:58
“Before Abraham was born, I am!”
· I am from the beginning
John 15:5
“I am the vine”
· I give life to you today
John 11:25
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
· I am the future as well
We get a view of Jesus in Eternity past and future:
· No one else is eternal from beginning to end
“Alpha and Omega”
· The Greek Alphabet begins with Alpha
· The final letter is Omega
· Jesus is the beginning and the end
One interesting note here:
· The way it is written here in Greek is significant
· The Alpha is spelled out
· The Omega is not
Revelation 1:8 (Novum Testamentum Graece NA27)
“Egw/ ei)mi to\ a&lfa kai\ to\ w<” · Note the “ego eime” · Alpha spelled out · Omega – just the letter · He is the end, without end · Jesus is the end who isn’t finished yet! “Who was, Who is, Who is to come” · Jesus was · Jesus is · And, Jesus is to come · Again, Jesus speaks to His significant eternal nature · And, He speaks to a significant future difference “The Almighty” · Only someone who is so outside of nature o … so outside of time o … could be considered “almighty”! · IF you can say that you existed before the patriarch Abraham o And that you are coming back again o That you lived, died, and are still here o And prove it to me!!! · You are the Almighty, · And, you deserve all my praise!!! Jesus spends a great amount of language on His eternal divine nature, because He alone is eternal. Vs. 9 -11 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." · John is exiled on the Island of Patmos for the Gospel · What does he tell us? · I am your companion in suffering · But I am patiently enduring, waiting on my God “In the Spirit” · Many things are made out of this comment o But the simple answer is He was in worship o It refers to the “Lord’s Day” as if he were in church on a Sunday! o I think the simple answer is best o He was most likely spending time in prayer and worship · God speaks and gives him direction o What we all want o But are we in worship, prayer, and fasting? o Are we placing ourselves in a posture to hear from God??? Vs. 12-16 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. · Possibly one of the greatest passages on Jesus in the entire NT Clearly a symbolism picture of Jesus: “7 lampstands” · Our first symbol · But, all you have to do is look down to vs. 20 for the answer · “the seven lampstands are the seven churches” · These are representative of the churches o Nothing too difficult o Lot’s of grace and peace on Jesus’ part “one like the Son of Man” · Title of Jesus referring to His humanity and servanthood · However, “like” the Son of Man shows there is some difference · Remember, He is now Glorified, and in Heaven “A long robe with a golden sash around his chest” · The long robe represented the priestly garments · And the golden sash on a chest was a symbol of high rank Remember: · Hebrews: Jesus is our High Priest · Revelation tells us King of Kings, Lord of Lords · No one is above Jesus “Head/Hair are white” · Symbolic of age, wisdom, and purity “Eyes like a blazing fire” · Burn right through you · See your soul · Remember: o Jesus knows everything about you, and still loves you! “His feet were like bronze” · Bronze is symbolic throughout the bible of judgement · We forget that not only is Jesus Savior of the world · But, He is also the judge of the world “his voice was like the sound of rushing waters” · Rushing waters just makes me think of peace · The sound of our honeymoon condo in Hawaii · Jesus’ voice brings peace when He speaks to his church! “In his right hand he held seven stars” · Vs. 20 tells us that it is the 7 angels of the 7 churches “out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword” · This could only be the Word of God, likened to a double edged sword in the bible Hebrews 4:12 “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Ephesians 6:17 “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” “His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” · What is more brilliant and beautiful than the sun? · His face is more beautiful than the shining of the sun We clearly get a picture of a Jesus that John worshipped: · He calls us in to his worship · He invites us to worship the Jesus that he saw Vs. 17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. · When people get a glimpse of Jesus they fear their own death · Isaiah, “I am undone” “I am a man of unclean lips” o But Jesus touched Isaiah o Just like Jesus touches John Jesus reaches down to a prostrate John: · Jesus places His right hand on John as a blessing · OT blessings: right hand touches a bowed person and blesses What is the blessing here? Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” · The blessing is in who Jesus is!!! · Understanding who Jesus is, is a blessing!!! Share the Gospel!!! · Jesus gives life · “I lived and died, that you might have life” Vs. 19-20 19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. · Write what you have seen… Notice: · Each time there is a transference of grace from God o There is a job in response! · Isaiah: o Whom shall I send? o Here I am Lord, send me! Also, no mystery undefined: · 7 stars = angels of the 7 churches · 7 lampstands = 7 churches · No mystery o Just understanding · No endless debates or arguments o Just grace and peace So what is our response to God tonight? Revelation 1:17: “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” What is stopping you from falling down dead in front of Jesus? Main Point: · Seeing Jesus for who He is, will lead us into worship · Who is He to you? · What is His most impacting trait to you? Piling of stones: · OT way of remembering God · As a way of remembering Genesis 31:45-46 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. He said to his relatives, "Gather some stones." So they took stones and piled them in a heap. · Last time we piled stones it was to surrender something to Jesus · This time, we do it to recognize Who Jesus is! · Write on your stone a name or attribute of Jesus Alpha and the Omega "who is, and who was, and who is to come” The Almighty." The son of man I the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! I hold the keys of death and Hades.
