The Gathering
Wednesday
September 21, 2011
“A Book of
Comfort”
Revelation
1
Theme
Verse: Revelation
1:19
Author:
John
Background: John, who also
wrote John the gospel, 1,2,3 John, was exiled on the isle of Patmos for fear of
the spread of Christianity by the Romans (Domitian).
This book was intended to encourage Christians
through the centuries, especially the Christians in the 1-3 centuries who faced
the fiercest of persecution for their faith (death, homeless, etc). In the
midst of these fierce persecutions, God had John write a letter to encourage all who read and give a better
understanding of His plans.
See Revelation
1:3
What
about the author: The
same John that wrote the gospel, and 1,2,3, John. He is 90 years old. He
considered himself a fellow partaker, in the tribulation because of the word of
the God and testimony of Jesus.
He was exiled as
part of a grandeur scheme to discourage Christianity. What are some things that
have happened to discourage Christianity?
The best thing
about John was that he felt no bitterness towards his persecutors; rather love
for his Lord and a passion to serve Him.
Do we embody
that same love and passion that drives us?
“History
has proven that persecution (whether physical torture or mental torture) has
makes Christians stronger in their love for the Lord and their faith!”
Book
itself:
An Epistle (1:1-3)
--to
a particular group of Christians
--addressing
a specific need at the time
How does the epistle different from
John’s other epistles?
--1) It is a book of prophecy (function of prophecy 1
Corinthians 14:3)
“edification,
encouragement, and comfort of men”
--2)
It is an apocalyptic literature
“apocalypsis” is a Greek
word meaning “revelation”
It means disclosure or unveiling of Jesus Christ and
future events.
Prophetic book written “to show the
things which will shortly come to pass.”
Written by God and carry the authority
of the triune God.
As a theme verse (1:19), John is told to
write “what has been, what is, and what is to come”.
1:7-8
John describes Jesus as the faithful
witness that has set us free from our sins and mad us a kingdom. He announced
Jesus’ coming to judge the world, and recognized Jesus as the Alpha and Omega,
the eternal and almighty Lord.
1:9-11
Visions of John
--1)
Jesus standing in the midst of the candlesticks
Jesus
is ever present “in the midst” of the church
--2)
Seven golden candlesticks
--Seven
Churches
--The
churches are sources of light
--3)
Seven stars in Jesus’ hand
--Angels
or messengers or pastors (Daniel 12:3)
--4)
Jesus in a robe
--Clothing
typical of a judge or king
--Hair
pure white as the Ancient of days
--Sword
coming from his mouth
(Hebrews 4:12)
**The
number seven, being the number completeness, highly suggest that the message to
the seven churches is applicable to the total church throughout the world.
**Jesus
stands among His churches to give His people light to shine in a dark,
sin-cursed earth.
Conclusion:
He holds the
keys of hell and death and determines the destinies of nations and individuals
(Psalms 9:16; Acts 17:31).
How
about you?
Do
you need encouragement to stand for Christ?
Have
you not understood His wonderful plan?
Do
you need to be comforted?
