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 –
ByHim
AboutHim
Belongsto Him
GodGod JesusJesus AngelAngel JohnJohn SevenSevenchurcheschurches
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)
SignifiedSignified: make known by signs
Jesus’ deathJesus’ deathJn.12:32-33
Peter’s deathPeter’s deathJn.21:18-19
Importance of Revelation (1:3)
ProphecyProphecy = authority of OT books
One whoreads (aloud)
(sg.)
Those whohear(pl.)
Those whokeep(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 witnessFaithful witness: (1 T.6:13) Firstborn of deadFirstborn of dead: Ps.89:27; Col.1:18,
status; 1 Co.15:20 Ruler of kings of earthRuler of kings of earth
What Jesus does / did for us (1:5b-6)
LovesLoves usus. Comfort LoosedLoosed usus from sins from sins. Not only pardon
but deliverance MadeMade usus a kingdom, priests to God a kingdom, priests to God
Ex.19:6, universal priesthood
Summary
SourceSource of Revelation (1:1) PurposePurpose of Revelation (1:1) MannerManner of Revelation (1:1) ImportanceImportance of Revelation (1:3) AddressAddress of Revelation (1:4) MeansMeans of grace and peace (1:4-6)
What Jesus will do (1:7)
CloudsClouds (Dn.7:13-14) Double guarantee
Why so sure (8)? Alpha – OmegaAlpha – Omega Is, was, is to comeIs, was, is to come
The first vision (9-20)
PatmosPatmos: 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)
LampstandLampstandss (separate; independent) ClothingClothing: OT priests and kings
Symbols (16-20)
16, starsstars, swordsword, sun sun (Mt.17:2) 17, undone! (Mt.17:6-7) 18, power of life and death in His hand
(20)Seven lampstands
areareSeven churches
(20)Seven stars
areareAngels of churches
The key to understanding symbols
Normal literature says what it means, and means what it says
In Revelation, it means what it meansit 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 side1. Omnipotence is on our sideRuler 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
PharaohEx.1-14
GideonJg.6-9
Philistines1 Sm.4-6
Goliath1 Sm.17
HamanEsther 3-7
Antiochus IVDn.8, 11
A temptation: Mt.4:8-9
Satan promisedwhat he could
not give
Jesus won thecrown by bearing
His cross
Suffering saintswere tempted
to compromise
The way to thecrown is still byway of the cross
2. Our Redeemer is 2. Our Redeemer is worthy of praiseworthy 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)
JesusJesus –
He knows our tribulation (2:9-10, 13) John 21:21-23
He knows our works, holds us accountable (2:2, 13 . . . 3:15)
On heavenly throne
Walking among His churches