Posted: 9/17/04
LifeWay Family Bible Series for Sept. 26
God encourages us by allowing us to know him
Revelation 1:1-20
By Angela Hamm
First Baptist Church, Lewisville
We conclude this month's theme of Knowing God Better with a lesson of hope and encouragement. At one time or another, believers in Jesus Christ need hope and encouragement which comes from knowing God. Today, we will look at a passage from the book of Revelation which will reaffirm and remind us of Jesus who was, Jesus who is, and Jesus who is to come.
John the Apostle is the author of Revelation. John also wrote the Gospel of John and three epistles called 1, 2 and 3 John. John wrote Revelation sometime between A.D. 95-96, during the reign of Titus Flavius Domitian. Domitian was threatened and angered with John's public testimony of Jesus; therefore, John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos–a rocky, barren island on the Aegean Sea.
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While John was on Patmos, he received a vision, a revelation with instructions for him to write the seven churches in the Roman Province of Asia in Asia Minor. The message to these churches involved words of encouragement, instruction, hope and warning.
The foundation
John begins by reminding his readers of their foundation, God the Father. God is the source and foundation of all truth. John emphasizes this foundational truth by stating, “Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was and who is to come.” God does not change. He is the God of the present, the past and the future.
The foundation which John is forming is strengthened by the presence of God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is described as the seven spirits who are before God's throne.
John completes the foundation by giving a rich description of both the person and work of Jesus Christ. John confirms all Jesus has done and continues to do. “He is the faithful witness” refers to Jesus' earthly life; “he is the firstborn of the dead” points to Jesus' death and resurrection; “he is the ruler of the kings of the earth” refers to Jesus' future reign over all things; “he loves us” is a reminder of Jesus' love which is continuous and forever; “he has freed us from our sins” points to a completed act; and “he has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve God” affirms we are true children of God through Jesus. As priests, we have unlimited access to God through Jesus.
This section closes with a picture of Jesus as the Eternal One who will come again. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Jesus, like God the Father, is the Lord of the present, the Lord of the past and the Lord of the future.
The assurance
This section of Scripture reveals Jesus Christ as the Lord of glory. John sees a different Jesus than he saw when Jesus walked this earth ministering to the needs of others. Jesus' appearance is totally different from the one who was wounded, crushed and crucified.
John now sees a glorified Jesus. Jesus was dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white. His eyes were a blazing fire. Jesus' feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace. His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. Jesus held seven stars in his right hand. A sharp double- edged sword came out of his mouth. Jesus' face was shining like the sun in all its brilliance. John sees a vision of Jesus in all of his glorious majesty and power. This is a Savior who is holy, righteous, glorious and has authority.
The Lord Jesus reassured John by teaching him and speaking to him. The words “do not be afraid” are a wonderful encouragement for any believer of Jesus Christ. Believers do not need to fear life because Jesus is the Living One. Believers do not need to fear death because Jesus has conquered death by his resurrection. Believers do not need to fear eternity because Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades. Keys are a symbol of authority. Since Jesus holds the keys, he has authority over death and the place of the dead. Jesus is the eternal one. He is the beginning of all things, and the ending of all things. Everything is under his control.
A word of encouragement
Believers can be encouraged by knowing God. We are to be encouraged because the past, the present and the future are in God's hands. Nothing takes God by surprise–no situation, trial, heartache or death. God's word tells us he will work anything that happens to us for our good (Romans 8:28) because his primary work is for Christ to be fully developed in our lives (Galatians 4:19). We need to be encouraged by remembering God's purposes will prevail.
Discussion questions
With the understanding nothing takes God by surprise, what do you need to release to God?
This week, who in your life needs to hear the gospel so they will not fear eternity?
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