03 It’s All About Jesus

Slides for this study

Revelation 1:4-5
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

John’s opening remark to the seven churches:

  • Grace be unto you.
  • This is similar to the closing remark of John at the end of Revelation.
  • What do we need grace for? For salvation. To be saved.
  • Once again, repeating the theme of Revelation.

John addresses the seven churches that are in Asia. He gives a salutation of grace and peace from the three that are in heaven, the Godhead.

  • From him which is, and which was, and which is to come.
  • From the seven Spirits which are before his throne.
  • And from Jesus Christ.

The which is, and which was and which is to come must be referring to the Father in this case because Jesus is mentioned in the very next verse.

  • So there is the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ.
  • All three are giving salutation to the seven churches.
  • You don’t often see the Godhead introducing themselves to everyone. So this must be important.
  • All three of the Godhead are very much involved in the work of salvation and giving us grace and peace.
  • Here’s an interesting thought about grace and peace. Somehow true peace comes from receiving the grace of God.
    • True peace comes from a life that is holy and undefiled and free from sin.

However, Jesus is given the most emphasis. He is given three names:

  • The faithful witness.
  • The first begotten of the dead.
  • The prince of the kings of the earth.

What is the significance of these titles?

The Faithful Witness

  • We see the faithful witness title mentioned in the 7th church, the Laodicean church.
  • However, where else do we see it?
  • Isaiah 55:4
    Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
  • This is referring to Christ’s ministry on earth. And of course even today Jesus is a faithful witness.
  • But we can safely depend on His testimony concerning the Father.

The first begotten of the dead

  • When did Jesus become the first begotten of the dead?
  • Acts 13:33
    God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

    • Jesus was spoken these words – Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
    • When was this? When He was raised up – resurrected from the dead.
  • Hebrews 1:5-6
    5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

    • Jesus became the firstgotten at the resurrection morning.
  • He was not the first to be resurrected. There was Moses.
  • But if Jesus was not raised from the dead to become the firstbegotten, Moses would have to go back down to die again. Moses’ resurrection was based on the promise by faith that Jesus would triumph over the grave.
  • This implies that Jesus is not the only one. He is the first. But there would be many that would come after Him.
  • Even now He is in heaven determining our salvation.

The prince of the kings of the earth

  • This refers to the fact that Jesus rules the earth.
  • That did not take place until Jesus was resurrected and went back up to heaven and then would return one day as King!
  • Revelation 14:14
    And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
  • Jesus is returning one day as King.

Here we see three phases of Christ’s ministry:

  • Faithful witness – before the cross, prophet. PAST.
  • First begotten of the dead – the resurrection, priest. PRESENT.
  • Prince of the kings of the earth – second coming, king. FUTURE.

Then we come to the last part of verse 5:

  • To Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own
  • The amazing and eternal love of Christ. In the midst of introducing the Revelation, John stops to remind us of the love that Jesus has for each of us. Though He is in heaven and surrounded by millions of sinless adoring beings, there is no distraction from His love for humankind.
  • That great love was displayed on the cross. For God so loved, that He gave. And not only the Father. But Jesus gave as well.
    • John 15:13
      Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
  • For what purpose?
    • To wash us from our sins. To set us free from sin.
    • One of the themes of Revelation.
  • You cannot talk about Jesus and not talk about His one mission – to set us free from sin, to wash us thoroughly, to make us righteous in Him.

 

Revelation 1:6
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

God has always wanted us to be kings and priests. Right from the very beginning.

  • Exodus 19:6
    And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation…
  • For what purpose? Ancient Israel was meant to take the knowledge of the true God to all the nations of the earth. They failed.
  • But God’s desire has not changed for the church today.
  • 1 Peter 2:9
    But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
  • Believers, as spiritual priests, are to intercede in prayer for all humankind. God wants us to shine as lights to this dark world.
  • Matthew 28:19
    Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

And then to Christ is attributed this doxology of praise:

  • To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Ending with an AMEN!
  • We are reminded that Christ has all the glory and all the dominion on this earth.
  • If we will go forth with faith as kings and priests, Christ’s dominion and glory will go forward with us. We will know no failure because He has conquered already.
  • Remember, it’s all about Christ!

 

Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

The second coming of Christ is a very important subject in the book of Revelation and one of the main theme’s we have seen in the beginning and at the end:

  • Christ said – I am coming quickly. Time is short!
  • We see it at the end of the 7 churches, the 7 seals and the 7 trumpets. We also see it in the three angel’s messages and right after the 7 last plagues.
  • This is one assurance that Revelation gives – that Jesus is surely coming, no matter what may take place on the earth, even if the mark of the beast may make us forget that.

But what is the significance of Christ coming with clouds?

  • Acts 1:9, 11
    9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
    11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
  • We are reminded that Jesus will come in the same manner that the disciples saw Him go – and that was with clouds.
  • But what are these clouds?
    • Psalms 104:3
      Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind.
  • What are the chariots of the Lord?
    • Psalms 68:17
      The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
  • Christ is coming with all His angels!
  • Matthew confirms that.
  • Matthew 25:31
    When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him…
  • It will be impossible to miss this event.

In fact, the whole world will not miss this event. The Bible says that every eye will see Him!

  • Some people say that it is every spiritual eye. But this cannot be just the righteous.
  • Because the text goes on to say that even all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Obviously there is a group that is not happy to see Jesus. Surely that is not those that are saved.
  • Matthew confirms this as well:
    • Matthew 24:29-30
      29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
  • It is definitely a global event seen by everyone. But note what the text does NOT say – it doesn’t say that everyone will see Him at the same time. However, Christ will be seen by everyone, by every eye. We will just let Him figure out how that will happen in the future.

There is something of interest in verse 7 here though. It says that even those that pierced Christ will see Him as well.

  • Who are those?
  • Those that crucified Him. Those that were responsible for putting Him on the cross.
  • Notice what Christ said to Caiaphas when He was standing before Him in the judgment hall.
  • Matthew 26:63-64
    63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
  • Christ wasn’t referring to that exact moment. But He was prophesying that one day Caiaphas would be resurrected to see Jesus coming with his own eyes. Of course he won’t be saved. He will be destroyed again by the brightness of His coming!
  • This is what we call a special resurrection.
  • What a turn of events.
    • At that time, the One that was condemned will now come as King of kings to judge the whole world.
    • And those that mocked at Him, pierced His side and crucified Him will now be judged.
  • Here we see the justice of God displayed. For a time humanity may appear to have succeeded in their defiance of God, but finally the warning will be fulfilled:
    • Romans 12:19
      …Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
  • The same feeling is what God’s people will feel when they go through the mark of the beast issue. They will be treated as Christ was treated. It will seem that only evil will triumph. But God says I will come and be exalted one day.
  • God sets this scene at the very beginning of the book of Revelation – of His judgment and justice and ultimate triumph.

 

Revelation 1:8
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Here are more names of Christ:

  • Alpha and Omega.
  • The beginning and the ending.
  • Which is, and which was, and which is to come.
  • The Almighty.

4 names of Christ. What is the significance?

Alpha and Omega:

  • Alpha and Omega is the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
  • Similar to the beginning and the ending.
  • This name Alpha and Omega is used 4 times in the book of Revelation and it is only found here – nowhere else in the New Testament.
    • And it is only found at the beginning of the book and the end of the book.
  • It’s a reminder for us at the beginning that God is in control.
  • And at the end it is a reminder that God will close up the work and not man.
  • Also, why the Greek alphabet? Why not Hebrew alphabet?
    • God is trying to reach the Greeks.
    • He was using the common language at that time.
  • The book of Revelation is for everyone. It is revealing Jesus. Christ is for everyone!

Beginning and ending:

  • Almost implying the beginning of creation, the start of time.
  • And the end will be the end of time for this world at the second coming.

Which is, and which was, and which is to come:

  • It is talking about the past, present and future.
  • God is in control of the past, the present and the future. And this is important because Revelation talks about the past, present and future.

The Almighty:

  • This word is used 9 times in Revelation and only once elsewhere in the NT.
  • It means all-ruling, absolute and universal sovereign, Omnipotent.
  • We are reminded that Christ is all-powerful. People will need to be reminded about this when they go through the tribulations in the book of Revelation.

So far what we have studied is all about Jesus. Apart from the first verse that we read in verse 4 introducing also the Father and the Holy Spirit, it has been all about Christ. It is the revelation of Jesus!

Now we are going to see a different scene.

 

Revelation 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Now it is talking about John, the beloved.

He says that he is our brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.

  • John foreshadows tribulation coming upon the world.
  • And especially for us – the mark of the beast issue that is yet to come. A time of trouble this world has never known or experienced before.
  • But he tells us that he understands what we will go through because he has experienced such persecution.
  • When man couldn’t kill him, they did the next best thing – put him on an island prison, exiled him.
  • Remember why do we need patience? Remember we studied that the trying of our faith works patience!
  • There will be great trials and tribulations for God’s faithful people at the end of time.

But what was John persecuted for?

  • For the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
  • John was exiled to Patmos because of his fidelity and microscopic faithfulness to God’s Word.
  • Note that the term “word of God” is closely connected with “the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Some manuscripts read “the word of God, the testimony of Jesus Christ,” indicating that the word of God and the testimony of Jesus are synonymous, they are the same.
  • Look at what John says about faithfulness to God’s word:
    • Acts 4:19-20
      19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
  • You see, if we have had a relationship, a deep abiding experience with Christ, then we will be faithful to God’s word no matter the cost.
  • John was ready to die for God’s word rather than break it.

 

Revelation 1:10
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

What is the Lord’s day? Let me provide scriptural evidence. 2 texts from the OT and 2 texts from the NT.

  • Exodus 20:10
    But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God…
  • Isaiah 58:13
    If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable…
  • Mark 2:28
    Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
  • Matthew 12:8
    For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
  • Scripture makes it clear that the Lord’s Day is no other than the Sabbath day.
    • Now is not the time to do a study on the Sabbath. If you do have questions or would like to study further, please come see me after.
  • The Sabbath is also at the heart of the book of Revelation. This subject will come up again.
  • And it has been suggested that just as John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day while receiving the Revelation, so we must also possess the truth concerning the Lord’s Day in order to rightly understand the book of Revelation.
  • In other words, if we do not recognize the significance of the true Sabbath, we will fail to discern certain issues associated with the great controversy between Christ and Satan in this remarkable book!

 

Revelation 1:11
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Whilst there are true and real locations of these places mentioned, numerous scholars in the past have recognized that they represent the true church throughout the Christian era.

  • You will see this more clearly when we start looking into the different characteristics of the seven churches.

 

Revelation 1:12-13
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Now we see 7 candlesticks and Jesus is standing the midst of the candlesticks.

  • We have looked at the Sanctuary theme in Revelation already and just a reminder that Christ is interceding for us.

What does the seven golden candlesticks represent?

  • Revelation 1:20
    The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
  • It is the seven churches.
  • We are seeing a picture of Jesus right in the very midst of the seven churches.
  • He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the Almighty.
  • And we are to be reminded that Christ is still in control no matter what may be taking place in the seven churches.
  • He is even still interceding for us as well.
  • What a comfort!

But we see Christ in a white garment and with a golden belt of some sort. This was the priest’s attire and also the attire of royalty.

What else do we see?

 

Revelation 1:14-16
14 — His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

There are actually 8 descriptions of Jesus given here from verses 13 to 16.

  • We won’t be going through all of them as we will look at them in the seven churches.
  • The way that Jesus is described here is important to the seven churches so we will cover its significance then.

However, what I want to note is that over and over again, Revelation chapter 1 is focusing on Jesus. It’s all about Jesus!

  • The names of Christ. The descriptions of Jesus.
  • Most of the verses have been centered on Christ.

 

Revelation 1:17-18
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

When John sees Christ, he falls down as if dead.

  • This is similar to the experience that Daniel had when he encountered Christ.
  • Daniel 10:8
    Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

Jesus introduces Himself with different descriptions again:

  • I am the first and the last.
  • I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.
  • I have the keys of hell and of death.

The First and the Last

  • Just like the beginning and the ending. The Alpha and Omega.
  • It starts with Him and it will end with Him as well.

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore

  • He is the source of eternal life.
  • Notice the tenses used:
    • He that liveth – present.
    • Was dead – past.
    • Am alive for evermore – future.
  • Christ is reassuring us again that we do not need to be afraid of death.

I have the keys of hell and of death

  • This is linked to the previous description. Jesus has authority over death and the grave (that is what the word hell means).
  • He is assuring us again that we don’t need to be afraid of death.
  • We don’t need to be afraid of dying for the truth.
  • We don’t need to be afraid of any persecution or trials that will come upon us.

The result?

  • We can have the courage that John did – to be ready to die for the truth.
  • He was in the isle of Patmos for the word of God, the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Revelation 1:19
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Once again we see past, present and future.

  • In Revelation we will study about the history, and also the present and the future.
  • But Christ assures us that He will be there. He has been in the past. He is with us in the present. And He will be with us in the future.

If we have Christ with us, we need not worry about anything at all!

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