Introduction

Revelation is God’s picture book; induces impressions, rather than deducing facts.
The call here is to forget about the question: what next? and ask: what now?
This is about the end of the beginning.
God’s revelation says: ‘serve the Lord, and watch this space!’
Jesus’ death and resurrection make Heaven possible for believers in Him.

1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ [1:1-8]

# “God showed the orderly way that things must happen.”
It is a blueprint, not a timetable.
God reveals his mind on the purposes of History.
v2 John witnessed to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, “in all the things he saw” in this vision.
John saw Jesus on the Cross. In 90-95 AD he saw Jesus on the throne of heaven.
v3 records the first of seven blessings in the book.
“Blessed are those who read / hear / keep the words of this prophecy”.
Revelation is authorised by the Apostle John.
v4 God the Father… “who is… and was… and is to come” anchors the prophecy.
The Holy Spirit activates it by making believers’ prayers acceptable to the Father.
v5 Jesus the Son… “the faithful witness” is the achiever of the prophecy; described here as who is… and was… and is to come. [John 14:8-9] # He is “the firstborn from the dead”. Because he rose, believers live also.
“He is the ruler of the kings of the earth”.
“Unto him be the glory and dominion for ever and ever”.
Jesus is at the centre of our worship because
v5b “He loved us…. and loosed us from our sins by his blood.”
He achieved our salvation “once and for all”.
There can be no further offering for sin.
v6a “He made us a kingdom of priests unto his God and Father…”
We can pray effectively for others… we can proclaim the hope of the Gospel.
# Mankind produces ideas about the future: ‘look what we have achieved.’
If you do not follow the Saviour, you cannot be with the Lord forever.
Here is ‘the blueprint’ for what will definitely happen. v1

[i] “Jesus Christ… the faithful witness comes in the clouds” v5
Daniel [7:13] in an apocalyptic dream had a glimpse of Christ’s glory.
Matthew 24 Jesus announced the end of temple worship and sacrifice.
Sun, moon and stars fade. “The sign of the Son of Man appears” [Matt 24:30] Jesus’ Ascension [Acts 1:9] “a cloud hid him from their sight…”
An angel [Acts 1:11] said, “This Jesus will come back in the same way.” [ii] “Every eye will see him” [v7] No announcements on social media, mobile phone or AI.
“They who pierced him” will see him clearly. “All will see Jesus…” [iii] “All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him.”
Seeing him without knowing him by faith is the ultimate disaster.
v8 “I am… the alpha and the omega”: the beginning and the end.
Seven times he says: “I am the Almighty…”

2. The Vision to John [1:9-20]

John [v10] “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day”… was open to God’s leading.
John explains he is a brother — sharer in troubles and the patience God gives.
# John says “I heard a Voice like a trumpet”
v12 John “turned to see the voice, but… saw seven golden lamp stands…”
v13 “In the midst of the lamp stands: I saw one like a son of man”.
He was someone like no other he had ever seen.
v14 The man… “had snowy white hair… eyes like flaming fire…”
v17 “When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man…”
v15 The voice continued to demand attention.
Later [14:2] John speaks of the sweetness of “a choir with harps singing a new song before the King’s Throne…”
Deeper [19:6] “a mighty clap of thunder” and the call: “Hallelujah, for the Lord God, the Almighty reigns”.
# I Saw a Vision for All People [v12] A vision of the end of time, a vision of the Son of Man [v13] Matthew 26:64 Jesus spoke as King. “You will see the Son of Man… sitting on the right hand of power… coming in the clouds.”
Cf Stephen the first Christian martyr [Acts 7:55] # On the Isle of Patmos John saw the everlasting risen Lord.
John saw the Son of Man
[a] dressed as King. [v13] [b] crowned in holiness. [v14] [c] enduring forever. [v15] [d] administering Justice
The Churches are upheld by his right hand. [v4] They are lamp stands providing light around the Throne. [v20] People who oppose the Gospel face the “two-edged sword of his mouth” [v16] 19:15 With it “he will smite the nations… ruling with a rod of iron…”
Those who embrace the Gospel see God’s face shining like the sun at the highest point of the day.
# Notice the Lord’s tenderness toward his servant John. [v17; Matthew 8 & 17] John was commanded to do two things.
[i] “Do not be afraid” v18.
[1 John 4:18] the Apostle says: “There is no fear in love…. Perfect love drives out fear…”
v17 The Risen Lord is the first and the last…. v18 “I am the Living One…”
[ii] Write what you have seen. v19-20
Israel had a physical temple. Followers of Jesus are the temple of God.
Many churches have lost their way… rejecting Jesus as Lord.
Challenging Biblical authority… remaining quiet about what God demands… not distinguishing right from wrong… substituting entertainment for worship.
Revelation 2 and 3 provide God’s mission statement for HIS church.

[Rev Tom Halls]