Welcome to Crosswinds

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Welcome to Crosswinds

• This Week
• Introduction To Revelations

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(No Transcript)
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(Revelation 11-8)

• Rev 11  This is a revelation from Jesus Christ,
  which God gave him concerning the events that
  will happen soon. An angel was sent to God's
  servant John so that John could share the
  revelation with God's other servants.
• Rev 12  John faithfully reported the word of God
  and the testimony of Jesus Christ-everything he
  saw.
• Rev 13  God blesses the one who reads this
  prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who
  listen to it and obey what it says. For the time
  is near when these things will happen.

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(Revelation 11-8)

• Rev 14  This letter is from John to the seven
  churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace
  from the one who is, who always was, and who is
  still to come from the sevenfold Spirit before
  his throne
• Rev 15  and from Jesus Christ, who is the
  faithful witness to these things, the first to
  rise from the dead, and the commander of all the
  rulers of the world. All praise to him who loves
  us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his
  blood for us.

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(Revelation 11-8)

• Rev 16  He has made us his Kingdom and his
  priests who serve before God his Father. Give to
  him everlasting glory! He rules forever and ever!
  Amen!
• Rev 17  Look! He comes with the clouds of
  heaven. And everyone will see him-even those who
  pierced him. And all the nations of the earth
  will weep because of him. Yes! Amen!
• Rev 18  "I am the Alpha and the Omega-the
  beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am
  the one who is, who always was, and who is still
  to come, the Almighty One."

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Introduction

• What is the book of Revelation about, anyway?
• This teaching identifies its main theme and
  surveys how John unfolds this theme. It also
  introduces the glorified Jesus in chapter one and
  challenges us with how we view Jesus.
• We begin a series on the last book of the
  BibleRevelation.
• Several people have asked me why I have decided
  to teach this series. (It has nothing to do with
  the anniversary of 9/11. The timing is completely
  coincidental, and I have no desire to prey upon
  people's sorrows or fears related to this
  tragedy.)

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• On a personal level, even though there is much in
  this book that I don't fully understand, I have
  been profoundly encouraged during recent
  struggles by some of the themes in this book. I
  hope you will be, too.

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Overview

• Read 11-4a, 9-11. Before we dive further into
  the first chapter this morning, let's briefly
  make some important general observations about
  this book as a whole . . .
• Its human author is John (11,4,9)almost
  certainly the John who was one of Jesus' 12
  disciples and inspired spokesmen. He also wrote
  the gospel of John and the three letters of John.

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Overview

• Its date is probably in the late 80's or early
  90's AD
• at the beginning to Emperor Domitian's
  persecution of the Christian movement.
• Since John was born at the beginning of the first
  century, he would be an old man and the last
  surviving apostle.
• He wrote it as an 18-month (Eusebius)
  prisoner-exile on Patmos, probably performing
  slave-labor in the salt mines.

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Overview

• Its original recipients were the seven churches
  of Asia Minor.
• John's later ministry was based in Ephesus, so he
  was familiar with each of these churches.
• But like all New Testament letters, this book is
  ultimately inspired by God and therefore relevant
  to all Christians, including us.

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Overview

• Its style is apocalyptic. (forecasting the
  ultimate destiny of the world ) The title of the
  book (11) is the apocalypse of Jesus Christ.
  Apocalypse means an uncovering of somethingin
  this case, an uncovering of Jesus in his glory
  and of the things accompanying his return.
• Apocalyptic style involves revelation about the
  end of the age through symbolic visions that are
  usually explained by angels.
• In this regard, Revelation is the New Testament
  counterpart to the Old Testament book of
  Danieland much of the symbolism in Revelation is
  rooted in and builds on the visions of Daniel.
• This means that understanding Revelation requires
  studying Daniel (especially Daniel 7).

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• If Revelation is about events still future after
  2000 years, what are we to make of statements
  like the things which must shortly take place
  (11) and the time is near (13) and I am
  coming quickly (311 227, 20)?
• It has been nearly 2000 years since John wrote
  this book, and Jesus still hasn't returned.
• Was John mistakenly expecting Jesus to return in
  the late first century (liberal theology)?
• Are we mistaken in interpreting these visions to
  be about the end of the age (preterist view)?
• Or should we understand these phrases
  differently?

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• Jesus was well aware that there would be long
  delay between his first and second comings
• (see Matthew 25 parables, Matthew 2414 2820)
• But can nevertheless make above statements
  because from God's perspective of salvation
  history the time is comparatively short.
• The New Testament authors view this entire period
  of time as the end of the age in the sense that
  Jesus' coming has inaugurated the beginning of
  the Messianic Age
• (see 1 Cor. 1111 and Rom. 1311,12).

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VISIONS

• Its structure (excluding the introduction of
  11-8 and the conclusion of 226-21) is a series
  of four visions.
• Each vision begins with John saying that he was
  in the Spirit, along with a command by Jesus or
  an angel to see or write something.

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VISIONS

• VISION 1 The glorified Jesus (THIS WEEK) and his
  message to the 7 churches (NEXT WEEK) (110-322)
• VISION 2 God's judgments and redemptive activity
  at the end of this age (41-1621). T
• his is a long series of visions, with many
  interludes that introduce key personalities.
• This is also the most complicated and difficult
  part of the book.

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• VISION 3 God's judgment on mystery Babylon and
  the victorious return of Jesus to establish God's
  kingdom on earth (171-218)
• VISION 4 The Bride of Jesus and the New
  Jerusalem (219-225)

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• Its purpose is not to entertain us or titillate
  our curiosity, but to fortify Christians to be
  effective witnesses for Jesus in a hostile world
  by giving us a vision of Jesus' authority over
  human history.
• This is the blessing referred to in 13if you
  understand what Revelation teaches about this
  truth (hear) and respond to this truth
  (keep), you will be richly blessed in this
  sense. Revelation is not so much a puzzle book
  (answering specific who and when questions)
  as it is a picture book (revealing key themes
  related to this truth). What are some of these
  themes?

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• Contrary to early 20th century utopian
  expectations, evil will intensify as this age
  draws to an end (human warfare, demonic activity,
  antichrist), but Jesusnot evilwill have the
  last word.
• He is sovereign over evil, limiting its degree
  and duration, mysteriously using it to accomplish
  his ends, and guaranteeing its ultimate defeat.
  This has a stabilizing effect.

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• The end of the age will be a time of intense
  judgment on those who persist in their rebellion
  against him (e.g. seal, trumpet bowl
  judgments)but it will also be a time of intense
  evangelism
• (e.g., 144,000 international multitude in 7
• 2 witnesses in 11
• angelic evangelism in 146).
• This has a motivating effect.

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• Christians (throughout this age and especially at
  the end of the age) can expect not health and
  wealth and security, but persecution (including
  martyrdom).
• But Jesus will enable us to be overcomers
  (protected from God's judgment, discern and
  resist Satan's tactics, empowered to witness and
  die with courage faithful to Jesus), and he will
  fully compensate us when he establishes his
  kingdom
• (complete deliverance from all sin and sadness,
  perfect communion with God, reward for service).
  This enables us to be realistic optimists.

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• Above all else, Revelation is the revelation of
  Jesus Christ (11).
• Nothing will fortify us to be faithful witnesses
  for Jesus like a full-orbed understanding of who
  Jesus actually is.
• This is exactly what these visions provide by
  portraying Jesus as both the Savior who serves us
  and the King whom we serve.
• Jesus is the Lamb who served us by being slain in
  our place, and he is also the Lion of Judah whom
  we serve as God's anointed King (55-6).

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John's two descriptions of Jesus in chapter one
bring these two pictures together.

• In his verbal description in 15-7, Jesus is the
  Lamb who loves us, and has released us from our
  sins by his blood (FORGIVENESS), and has made us
  members of his kingdom (ETERNAL SECURITY) and
  given us the privilege of being priests (PERSONAL
  ACCESS).

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• How amazingly wonderful is this Jesus who loves
  each one of us this much, and has served us by
  dying a humiliating death in order to lavish
  these incredible treasures upon us!
• But Jesus is also the Lion who is the ruler of
  the kings of the earth, to whom belongs the
  glory and the dominion forever and ever, and who
  is coming with the clouds . . . to judge all
  who oppose him.
• How awe-inspiring is this Jesus who will rule the
  entire world and to whom every human ruler
  (including HITLER, MAO, STALIN) will one day bow
  and admit that he alone is the rightful King!

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• His first vision in 112-18 also brings these two
  pictures together (read and explain the lamp
  stands and stars). Overall, this description
  emphasizes Jesus as King.
• He is one like a son of manthe same term used
  to describe King Messiah in Dan. 713 who is
  given dominion over the whole world. He rules
  over and controls the angels who preside over the
  seven churches, and his word will be absolutely
  authoritative in judgment of his enemies (116
  see 1915).
• He is so holy and majestic in appearance (GOLDEN
  BELT SNOW-WHITE HAIR FLAMING EYES GLOWING
  FEET WATERFALL VOICE) that John is completely
  overwhelmed and undone (117a).

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• Yet this description also portrays Jesus as
  Savior and Servant.
• Jesus is clothed with the robe like that of the
  High Priest, which emphasizes his sacrificial
  death for our sins.
• And this is why he told John not to be afraid in
  spite of his frailty and sinfulnessJesus uses
  his authority to deliver us from judgment
  (117-18).

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• Why is it so important for us to have this
  full-orbed picture of Jesus as both the Savior
  who serves us and the King whom we serve?

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• What happens if you only see Jesus is as King and
  Judge?
• It's easy to corrupt him into a distant or
  capricious or even abusive authority figure to be
  afraid of and keep your distance from.
• Some of you come from a family or church
  background in which this corrupted picture
  predominated.
• If so, you need to realize that this same Jesus
  who so powerful and holy also loves you deeply,
  and is far more interested in what he can do for
  you and give you than in what you can do for or
  give to him.
• He wants to have a love relationship with you
  that is full of security and goodness. GOSPEL
  (John 316?)

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• What happens if you only see Jesus is as Savior
  and Servant?
• It's easy to corrupt him into your domesticated
  pet who entertains you instead of a Lion who awes
  you, your emasculated servant who facilitates
  your agenda instead of a mighty Ruler who calls
  you to give your life to his agenda, your
  personal therapist who helps you manage your sin
  instead of an authoritative leader who calls you
  to healing through repentance.
• I think this is the more common error in our
  culture, which wants a spirituality that leaves
  us firmly in control of our lives
• (I.E.CONVERSATION AT LOCAL BAR) I'm not talking
  about morality or following anyoneI'm talking
  about a spirituality that helps me get what I
  want.).

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• I'm not surprised that non-Christians have this
  view of spirituality, but it is alarming that it
  has infected much of American evangelicalism.
• Watch Christian cable televisionWhich portrait
  predominates?
• When I tuned in last weekend, I watched an
  interview of a best-selling author on his new
  book, What Would Jesus Eat? The thesis is that if
  we eat what Jesus eats, we will become more
  spiritual.
• Then I watched a Mega-church service which began
  by the pastor leading the people in a weekly
  chant about being blessed in Christ (no mention
  of suffering or service), and then a new series
  entitled Prosperity Now).
• He said, I know you've been told that your
  riches are in heaven, but the Bible teaches that
  you can and should be financially prosperous in
  this lifeand I'm going to show you how to get
  it.

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• If your picture of Jesus is deficient in this
  sense, Revelation will be great for you because
  while not neglecting Jesus as the Savior who
  serves, it really emphasizes Jesus as the King
  whom we serve.
• There is a special kind of comfort and joy that
  comes from abandoning your life to the full-orbed
  Jesus that is waiting for each of us ... 

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