part 4: a grace-filled greeting
Puzzled About Revelation, March 4 2021
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Introduction
Most people view Revelation as a scary and confusing book full of strange symbols and vivid imagery; however, its primary purpose was to give encouragement and instruction to battle-weary believers that their King is coming, and He is in control! John begins his letter with some incredibly grace-filled words for hurting, hungry hearts…
“John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
9 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.””
Exposition
1:4a John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
John the Apostle & Elder at Ephesus; author of the letter
The seven churches (see list in v.11) were part of the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey) and are the subject of chapters 2-3.
1:9 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.
“Brother” (Gk. adelphoi): The term used of a fellow believer, of equals in God’s family.
“Companion” (Gk. synkoinonos): Someone who shares a common bond or participates in a common experience.
Q: What was their/our common share or experience as “brothers and sisters” of Jesus Christ?
1. The suffering (Gk. thlipsis –lit. “tribulation”) that is ours in Jesus.
John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble (Gk. thlipsis – “tribulation”). But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Acts 14:22: “We must go through many hardships (Gk. thlipsis – “tribulation”) to enter the kingdom of God.”
1 Thess. 3:2-3: “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials [Gk. thlipsis – “tribulation”]. For you know quite well that we are destined [lit. “appointed”] for them.”
Phil. 1:29-30: “29 For it has been granted (Gk. charizomai – “to give grace”) to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer (Gk. pascho – “to suffer, endure”, like a Paschal/Passover sacrificial lamb) for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”
2. The kingdom (vs. 9) that is ours in Jesus. Jesus will reign over the new kingdom.
See Rev. 5:10, 11:15, Dan. 7:14,18,22,27; Acts 1:6, 3:21
3. The patient endurance (vs. 9) (Gk. hypomone – “to stay, remain or abide under”) that is ours in Jesus.
John’s suffering: Exiled on the island of Patmos (Aegean Sea, off coast of Turkey) “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
John’s softening: The blustery “son of thunder” had become a fellow bondservant of Jesus Christ (1:1). John’s trials made him tender-hearted and more like Jesus.
John’s strengthening: John learned endurance and perseverance through suffering.
1:10-11:10 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’s inspiration: These revelations were given to John in the context of suffering for and worship of Jesus. John was “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) when he received these visions. This means they are inspired or breathed-out by the Spirit of God, not the product of John’s imagination. See 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
John’s instruction: John was instructed to write what he had seen in a scroll and send it to the seven churches. This is why Revelation is so vivid, and a reminder that it is to be read, heard, and obeyed…it is to be a blessing for all the churches (1:3)!
1:4b-5a Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
GRACE and PEACE…just what hurting, hungry hearts need!
TRINITARIAN GREETING& GRACE:
1. The everlasting Father: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come.
2. The sevenfold Spirit: Grace and peace to you from…the sevenfold Spirit before his throne.
Isaiah 11:2: “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him - The Spirit of Wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord...”
3. The anointed Son: Grace and peace to you from…Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is presented as:
1. The faithful witness:
2. The firstborn from the dead:
3. The ruler of the kings of the earth:
1:5b-6 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Jesus Christ is worthy to receive glory and power forever and ever because:
1. He loves us.
2. He has freed us from our sins by His own blood.
3. He has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father.
1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
God’s Omniscience: “I am the Alpha and the Omega…He alone possesses all knowledge past, present, and future.
God’s Omnipresence: …who is, and who was, and who is to come…
God’s Omnipotence: …the Almighty.”
Conclusion
He is the beginning and the end, the Creator and Consummation of the ages, for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to Him be honour and glory and power, forever and ever. Amen!
Isaiah 9:6-7 “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousnessfrom that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Next Week - “Every Eye Will See Him!”
1:7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.
Perhaps the greatest act of grace the world will ever see will be the fountain of grace poured out on the remnant of the rebellious Jewish nation and the inhabitants of Jerusalem when their King returns…