July 31, 2022

Introduction to Revelation #

Revelation 1:4-20

Introduction

All of this is still introductory material, before he gets down to the message to the churches. There is so much packed in these verses, I simply will not cover it all. The depth of the material is simply too great. You MUST take time to read over it, and get insight on it.

Last week, we briefly noted:

1. The Anonymous is to be revealed

2. The Author

3. The Audience – Saved, Serving

4. The Aim

In this passage, the message becomes a little more directed to the church. WE will see that.

I. Message to the Church (4-7) #

A. About the Church – literal churches #

1. United Message: God (4), Spirit (4), Jesus (5) #

2. Grace only used Rev 1:4, Rev 22:21 – It is not a book of Grace, but Grace is clearly shown to the church #

3. Peace Only only other place peace in Revelation: #

Rev. 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

4. Love – Used in the indictment against the church in Rev 2:4, and God’s message to the church in 3:19 #

B. About the Christian (born again) (6) #

1. Great Change! - We sing the song #

• • Made us kings #

  • Made us priests – intercede for others #

2. Made us his glory #

C. About his Coming – Reference to rapture #

1Th. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

II. Message of Christ (8) #

A. Alpha & Omega #

1. Alpha & Omega #

2. First #

1Cor. 15:20 ¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

3. Adam (Omega) last #

1Cor. 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

B. Always (is, was, is to come) #

1. Which is – currently exists, present tense #

2. Which was – past tense #

3. Is to come – future tense #

C. Almighty #

1. We are finite creatures, created in the image of God, but not with the same capabilities. #

2. God is Almighty #

III. Message of the Companion, John (9-12) #

A. What John heard (9-11) #

1. God speaking #

2. Write it in a book #

3. Send it to the churches #

B. What John Saw (12-17) #

1. Seven Candle sticks (there were seven churches) #

2. “in the midst” candle stick was the church #

Matt. 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

3. Sharp two edged sword (Heb 4:12) #

4. Countenance as the Sun “Sun of Righteousness” Mal 4:2 #

C. What John was commanded (17-20) #

1. Assurance of Peace(17) “Fear not”, grace, peace, love #

2. Assurance of Jesus(18) Jesus is God “was dead” #

3. Assurance of command(19) Write it down! #

4. Assurance of Symbols (20) #