Topic: Jesus Second Coming. The Revelation of Jesus. Category: End Times> Kingdom>
Bible Scripture: Revelation 1:4-8, Isaiah 11:2.
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Today in these end times we live in the revelation of Jesus and stand in His victory. Our future hope is in His second coming and we testify, ‘Behold He is coming!’
In the book of Revelation of Jesus we see God’s relationship through the tribe of Israel and the church. We read about the 7 churches of the first century, which are also symbolic of the church as a whole throughout the ages. In opposition is an empire named Babylon. Babylon represent man’s empires without God. Considering that at the time of writing the Roman Empire was in power, the fall of Babylon depicted would have significant meaning to the first readers. Further more the two witnesses and martyrdom are frequently linked to the victory of Jesus. This would bring much hope to the persecuted church.
There are prophecies yet to be realised. Such as the future glory of all who received Jesus contrasted with the eternal destiny of all who have rejected Him. There is the impending judgement of all man’s empires including their rulers, their unjust systems and abuses of power, along with the eradication of evil including the beast, false prophet and satan. Climaxed with the ultimate realisation of the new heaven and earth.
So as we come to the text let us remember Jesus is triumphant.
The church is triumphant in the Revelation of Jesus. Despite persecution and martyrdom, Jesus victory is our victory.
grace and peace
Revelation 1:4-8 ‘John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loves us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings (a Kingdom) and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” ‘
John testifies that the grace and peace he blesses the churches with comes from God.
Grace is all the benefits that come from God. His divine goodness and favour that is intended to bless others. Peace is complete wholeness that is a result of oneness with God. John reveals who God is and the oneness of God. God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and God the Son. One God, three persons in one. Linking the oneness of God with the oneness of those who choose to be His people.
the spirit of God
The seven Spirits before the throne represent the Holy Spirit. John is reminding his readers the 7 aspects of the Holy Spirit listed in Isaiah 11:2. They are: the Lord, wisdom, understanding, council, might, knowledge and holy fear or reverence. John used this symbol to link the prophecy of the coming Saviour in Isaiah 11 to Jesus. Declaring He is the One.
Isaiah prophesied that the Spirit of God was to rest on the shoulders of the anointed One. This was evidenced in Jesus’ birth and baptism. Jesus being the seed of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit descending upon Him in the appearance of a dove at His baptism.
The Revelation of Jesus links the work of the Holy Spirit with Jesus. Testifying He is the anointed One, a truthful witness sent from the Father, who became flesh, died, rose from the grave and ascended on the clouds back to the Father.
Therefore grace and peace is an underserved gift from God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and God the Son. The complete fullness of Him.
the revelation of jesus – faithful witness
Revelation 1:5 ‘and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.’
John testifies that Jesus is a faithful witness.
Faithful means Jesus is both trustworthy, truthful and because of who He is He can be believed. John links Jesus’ sacrifice to that of His faithfulness. God the Son gave of Himself to humanity for humanity, even unto death.
God the Son is the faithful witness of God. When Jesus became a man He was the visible expression of the unseen God. The fullness of the godhead was revealed in Jesus. His compassion and justice in standing up for the outcaste, the oppressed and downtrodden. His deliverance and healing in setting the captives free. Jesus bears witness of the love, truth and power of God.
In the rest of the book of Revelation of Jesus there is much said about witnesses being martyred or killed for their testimony. John links Jesus’ witness and sacrifice to the role He has in the church and their witness of Him. When the writer John uses Jesus’ earthly name in the book of Revelation, it is linked with witness/martyr or testimony. Jesus is the blood sacrifice.
What does Jesus being the faithful witness mean for us today?
Revelation 1:6 ‘To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made (time past) us (Kingdom) kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.’
John is reminding the reader that Jesus being a faithful or truthful witness means we can trust in His love for us. He gave His life for us. He gave everything of Himself to us. We can trust in Him. Who He is and what He has done and promises to do. He will fullfill the promise of HIs second coming because He is faithful and true.
- Anyone with a broken heart can trust Jesus loves them.
- If sick in body or mind or spirit, a person can trust Jesus heals.
- A person trapped in anything not of God, can trust Jesus has washed them clean in His own blood. Surrender that thing, nail it to His cross and receive from Jesus.
Jesus the faithful and true witness. Jesus’ victory is ours to receive in time future.
the revelation of jesus – the first born from the dead
The second aspect of John’s testimony of Jesus is He is the firstborn from the dead.
Revelation 1:5 ‘and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.’
the old testament
The firstborn is linked to both Israel’s deliverance from slavery and the promise of a saviour from the line of David, a king of Israel. and Jesus the head of the church. Jesus is the first resurrected human glorified body.
Exodus 4:22 ‘Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn.’
In the Old Testament God’s plan was in revealing Himself to the world through the nation of Israel. Jesus is the fulfilment of every promise to the nation of Israel. Jesus when He became flesh and blood He came from the tribe of Judah, the tribe of king David, a tribe of the nation Israel.
Psalm 89:27-29 ‘Also I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. My mercy I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall stand firm with him. His seed also I will make to endure forever, And his throne as the days of heaven.’
Here God talking about His promise to king David. The promise that the king of all kings will come from his tribe. This king and His kingdom is forever.
the new testament
Colossians 1:18 ‘And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.’
Jesus is not a created being, He is eternal. Jesus is God, God the Son. The meaning of this scripture in Colossians is to reveal Jesus as God who became flesh and blood, gave His life, died on the cross and rose in body form. Jesus is the first to receive the inheritance of a resurrected body.
What does Jesus being the firstborn from the dead mean for us today?
All those who receive Jesus and His right to rule and reign have His inheritance. As Jesus is the faithful witness we have the certainty of our inheritance. At the time of Jesus second coming, whether physically dead or alive,those who had received Him, will obtain their resurrected glorified bodies. This is the first resurrection.
This is the confident expectation for all who believed and received Jesus salvation gift of Himself. His sacrifice and Lordship. Jesus’ resurrected body is a faithful and true witness. He defeated death.
Jesus the firstborn from the dead. Jesus’ victory is ours to receive in time future.
the revelation of jesus – ruler of the kings of the earth
Third aspect of John’s testimony of Jesus is He is the ruler of the kings of earth.
Revelation 1:5 ‘and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.’
Kings of the earth includes those who receive Him and those who reject Him and worship the beast. Jesus is the King of all kings.
Revelation 17:14 ‘These (the kings of the earth who reject Jesus with the beast) will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”’
The ultimate power is not the Roman Emperor, not the antichrist, nor the rulers of man’s empire without God.
The one who is the Lord of lords and ultimate ruler is Jesus.
jesus second coming
Revelation 19:11-16 ‘Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges (judges all those who have rejected Him, He judges the unjust world systems of man) and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.’
Behold He is coming!
Jesus will avenge the blood of the martyrs and judge those who rejected Him. Condemned because they chose to reject the King. As a result they cannot enter His kingdom.
What does Jesus being the ruler of the kings of the earth mean for us today?
Revelation 1:6 ‘To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made (time past) us (Kingdom) kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.’
His kingdom dwells within. As kings we have dominion over satan and our flesh. We are clean and free to minister as priests to God. Free from judgement. However our works will be judged, whether of our selfish desires or of the Holy Spirit. If of our self or flesh they will be burnt up. If of His Spirit they will bear much fruit.
Jesus the ruler over the kings of the earth. Jesus victory is ours to receive in time now and time future.
Sermon categories: son of man> love of God> hope and healing> know God> truth> power> end times> experience God> life> success in life> kingdom>
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