Luther’s view of Revelation “My spirit cannot adapt itself to the book and a sufficient reason why I do not esteem it highly is that Christ is neither taught nor recognized in it” –1522  Some share Luther’s view  Others use Rv. like a crystal ball I. Revelation One

Source of Revelation (1:1) Of Jesus Christ – Chain of communication – By Him About Him Belongs to Him GodJesusAngelJohn Sevenchurches

Purpose of Revelation (1:1) To show what must shortly (soon, ESV ) take place John intended his message for his own generation

Manner of Revelation (1:1) Signified Signified: make known by signs Jesus’ death Jn.12:32-33 Peter’s death Jn.21:18-19

Importance of Revelation (1:3) Prophecy Prophecy = authority of OT books One who reads (aloud) (sg.) Those who hear (pl.) Those who keep (pl.)

Address of Revelation (1:4): seven churches in Asia Not the continent of Asia Not all of Asia Minor Small province, western Asia Minor More than seven churches in Asia Minor (Troas; Colossae; Hierapolis…)

Means of grace and peace (1:4-5a) 1. Him who is…was…who is to come = God, the ever-present One. Ex.3:14 2. Seven spirits who are before His throne = Holy Spirit. Is.11:2 3. Jesus Christ...

Jesus is… (1:5a) Faithful witness Faithful witness : (1 T.6:13) Firstborn of dead Firstborn of dead : Ps.89:27; Col.1:18, status; 1 Co.15:20 Ruler of kings of earth Ruler of kings of earth

What Jesus does / did for us (1:5b-6) Loves us Loves us. Comfort Loosed us from sins Loosed us from sins. Not only pardon but deliverance Made us a kingdom, priests to God Made us a kingdom, priests to God  Ex.19:6, universal priesthood

Summary Source Source of Revelation (1:1) Purpose Purpose of Revelation (1:1) Manner Manner of Revelation (1:1) Importance Importance of Revelation (1:3) Address Address of Revelation (1:4) Means Means of grace and peace (1:4-6)

What Jesus will do (1:7) Clouds Clouds (Dn.7:13-14) Double guarantee  Why so sure (8)? Alpha – Omega Alpha – Omega Is, was, is to come Is, was, is to come

The first vision (9-20) Patmos Patmos: a rocky, mountainous island, 10 x 6 m.; about 30 m. west of A. Minor  Place of political banishment (cf. v.9) 9, confined to small spot on earth... 10, Lord’s day See 11 Write 11; 10:4 Send 11

The voice (1:12-13) Lampstands Lampstands (separate; independent) Clothing Clothing : OT priests and kings

Symbols (16-20) starsswordsun 16, stars, sword, sun (Mt.17:2) 17, undone! (Mt.17:6-7) 18, power of life and death in His hand (20) are Seven lampstands are Seven churches (20) are Seven stars are Angels of churches

The key to understanding symbols Normal literature says what it means, and means what it says it means what it means In Revelation, it means what it means  If a symbol stood for itself, it wouldn’t be a mystery

I. Revelation One II. Lessons

1. Omnipotence is on our side Ruler of kings of earth, 1:5 Almighty, 1:8; 19:6 “He was a devil. He was the worst of all things – a cold-blooded persecutor. With the exception of Caligula, he was the first Emperor to take his divinity seriously and to demand Caesar worship. The difference was that Caligula was an insane devil; Domitian was a sane devil, which is much more terrifying”

Domitian’s “Atheists” How could the church survive? No other empire had withstood Rome Pharaoh Ex.1-14 Gideon Jg.6-9 Philistines 1 Sm.4-6 Goliath 1 Sm.17 Haman Esther 3-7 Antiochus IV Dn.8, 11

A temptation: Mt.4:8-9 Satan promised what he could not give Jesus won the crown by bearing His cross Suffering saints were tempted to compromise The way to the crown is still by way of the cross

2. Our Redeemer is worthy of praise His first coming was in humility (Ph.2) Revelation completes the picture  He gloriously reigns (Rv.2:27) He set us free from sin at the cost of His blood

3. Jesus knows His people 3. Jesus knows His people (1:17) Jesus Jesus – He knows our tribulation (2:9-10, 13)  John 21:21-23 He knows our works, holds us accountable (2:2, :15) On heavenly throne Walking among His churches