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The Risen The Risen ChristChrist

The Risen The Risen ChristChrist

•Concerning things that were to happen soon

‣Preparation for persecution

•From Him who is, who was and who is to come

•From Jesus, the faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, ruler over all earthly kings

•Concerning things that were to happen soon

‣Preparation for persecution

•From Him who is, who was and who is to come

•From Jesus, the faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, ruler over all earthly kings

•Faithful Witness: Martyr; Revelation 5

•Firstborn from the dead: He’s been there!

•Ruler over all earthly kings: Jesus Christ is the true dominant power, not Caesar

•Faithful Witness: Martyr; Revelation 5

•Firstborn from the dead: He’s been there!

•Ruler over all earthly kings: Jesus Christ is the true dominant power, not Caesar

• He shares with them in suffering, in the kingdom, and in patient endurance

• He has been a faithful witness

• He shares with them in suffering, in the kingdom, and in patient endurance

• He has been a faithful witness

John’s Right to Speak

The Number 7

•Represents completeness, perfection

•Represents completeness, perfection

The Number 7

•Many “7s” in Revelation:

•churches (1:4,11)

•spirits (1:4)

•lampstands (1:12)

•stars (1:16)

•Many “7s” in Revelation:

•churches (1:4,11)

•spirits (1:4)

•lampstands (1:12)

•stars (1:16)

The Number 7

•Many “7s” in Revelation:

•seals (5:1)

•horns and eyes (5:6)

•trumpets (8:2)

•thunders (10:3)

•signs (12:1,3; 13:13-14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20)

•Many “7s” in Revelation:

•seals (5:1)

•horns and eyes (5:6)

•trumpets (8:2)

•thunders (10:3)

•signs (12:1,3; 13:13-14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20)

The Number 7

•Many “7s” in Revelation:

•crowns (12:3)

•plagues (15:6)

•bowls (15:7)

•hills (17:9)

•kings (17:10)

•Many “7s” in Revelation:

•crowns (12:3)

•plagues (15:6)

•bowls (15:7)

•hills (17:9)

•kings (17:10)

The Number 7

•Many “7s” in Revelation:

•“Christ” 7 times

•“Jesus” 14 times

•“Lord” 21 times

•Seven beatitudes (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14)

•Many “7s” in Revelation:

•“Christ” 7 times

•“Jesus” 14 times

•“Lord” 21 times

•Seven beatitudes (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14)

In the book of Revelation, don’t take a number literally unless there is a good reason

to do so

In the book of Revelation, don’t take a number literally unless there is a good reason

to do so

• The description is steeped in Old Testament imagery

• Each of the seven letters will refer to this image (or other imagery from this chapter)

• The description is steeped in Old Testament imagery

• Each of the seven letters will refer to this image (or other imagery from this chapter)

The Risen Christ

• First and the Last

• Living One

• One who Died and Now Lives

• Holds keys to Death and Hades

• First and the Last

• Living One

• One who Died and Now Lives

• Holds keys to Death and Hades

The Risen Christ

• The risen Christ is in the middle of the lampstands

• He holds the stars in His right hand

• The risen Christ is in the middle of the lampstands

• He holds the stars in His right hand

The Risen Christ

Faithfulness is more Faithfulness is more important than important than happinesshappiness

When the church When the church faces trials and faces trials and suffering, Christ is suffering, Christ is therethere

Faithfulness is more Faithfulness is more important than important than happinesshappiness

When the church When the church faces trials and faces trials and suffering, Christ is suffering, Christ is therethere