The Patmos Vision
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Revelation 1:9-20
As we have introduced the book of the Revelation, we have learned that:
Jesus is the REVEALER
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass...
John is the RECORDER
and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Seven Churches of Asia Minor are the RECIPIENTS
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
At the conclusion of chapter one, we get a glimpse of the Patmos vision.
The Apostle John had been banished to by the Roman Government during the reign of Domitian.
Patmos is an island in the Mediterranean Sea near Miletus.
(Rome was to the west, and Jerusalem to the east.)
First we see …
I. The Scribe
I. The Scribe
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
John introduces himself and his situation:
A. Description
A. Description
1. Brother
Our brother in Christ
He is family and can be trusted
2. Companion
The assumption was that we too will go through the same things he has:
a. Tribulation
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
The first century Christians who he was writing to certainly was going through tribulation.
b. Kingdom
John’s focus wasn’t just on the trials, but the reward.
Then he talks about his:
B. Location
B. Location
Patmos
A desolate rocky place where the banished were forced to labor.
Why was John there?
for the Word of God
He preached the gospel
for the Testimony of Christ
Like Paul He preached Christ and Him crucified.
Next we see...
II. The Situation
II. The Situation
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
What was John experiencing here?
There is some disagreement here, but this is what I believe is being said here:
A. In the Spirit
A. In the Spirit
Some believe that this just means the Spirit showed him these things.
Some believe he was physically transported there.
He was fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit showed him this vision
I believe he was physically on Patmos, but Spiritually shown these scenes.
B. On the Lord’s Day
B. On the Lord’s Day
He, in the Spirit…or by the work of the Holy Spirit to the Lord’s Day.
On the Lord's Day (en - in, on , at, by)
The word speaks to the place of the happening.
For this reason, I do not believe this is speaking of the first day of the week.
But I am not dogmatic about this view.
Some believe that this is Sunday, and they may be right.
This is the only time this term is used in Scripture in this form.
The other possibility is that he was transported in the spirit to the Day of the Lord.
TIMELINE
It really doesn’t matter which way you view this verse, the final result is the same.
I lean more toward the idea that he was transported by the Holy Spirit to the Lord’s Day, but that is just me.
When John sees things, “that were” he is looking back on the church age.
But he hears a voice behind him, a voice that is powerful like a trumpet.
Now we are introduced to...
III. The Speaker
III. The Speaker
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
A. His Description
A. His Description
We looked at this last week a little bit.
Some versions do not have this part in it.
But this same description is given multiple times in Revelation.
This voice says He is...
1. Alpha & Omega
first and last letter of the alphabet
Amazon logo
It is generally recognized to mean A to Z and everything in between
He is our All!
He continues and says that he is the...
2. First & Last
When time began he was
When time ends he will be.
Once he introduces Himself he gives...
B. His Declaration
B. His Declaration
1. Write
Write what you see in a book
not literally a book with a binding, but a Scroll
And...
2. Send
Send it to the seven churches in Asia.
This is not Asia as we know it, but Asia Minor
These seven churches that he is writing to, are all located in what is now modern day Turkey.
This is area where John had spent the majority of his previous years, so He was very familiar with these churches, and even their pastors.
Then John says that he turned and He saw the Speaker and He gives...
C. His Details
C. His Details
First he describes seeing Seven Candlesticks
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
These are not candlesticks like we think, but rather lamp stands.
The church is a lamp stand, Jesus is the Light!
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
He then describes one Standing in the midst of the candlesticks and gives quite a description.
First he calls him one like unto the Son of man
Often used to describe someone as being human.
Jesus is 100% God and 100% human.
Christ was clothed to His feet.
A long garment or robe that reaches his feet.
(reminiscent of priestly garment)
The priests garments are described as going down to their ankles.
Christ had a golden breastplate or a Golden girdle around His chest.
Belt or band or sash about the chest.
Reminder of the Old Testament Priest and the ephod they wore — Jesus is “the High Priest of the church.”
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Christ's head and hair were white like wool — symbols of righteousness.
I am becoming more Christ-like as I age!
It is interesting to see the description in Daniel 7 of the Lord:
9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Much of the imagery in Daniel is also seen in Revelation - Daniel calls Him the Ancient of Days - an obvious reference to God.
The White symbolizes old age - the Ancient of Days
The white also suggests his holiness, and righteousness
Christ's eyes were a flame of fire...
Suggests His eyes were searching or judging.
It is showing that He can see through our deceptions - He is omniscient - He knows everything ...you cannot deceive Him!
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Christ's feet were like fine brass.
Seems to suggest that they were glowing, or at least like metal that had been highly refined.
This word is only used in Revelation, and it seems to be a compound Greek Word for the word for metals such as brass and bronze, and the Greek term for frankincense…maybe referring to the whiteness of frankincense.
Frankincense is a whitish yellowish gum-like material that almost seems to glow.
Perhaps this is how John is describing his feet that seemed to glow.
The bronze altar in the temple was used for making sacrifices for sin.
As such, bronze is often a symbol of justice, or judgment.
Once on this earth, Satan bruised His heel at Calvary — but now His enemies will be made His footstool.
He will have the final judgment.
Then John describes Christ's voice was as many waters.
This makes me think of going to see Burney Falls, it is very loud.
You can hardly hear each other talk.
At the beginning His voice is described as like a trumpet.
There is no doubt of his leadership, his authority.
You can't argue with the voice of God.
4 The Lord on high is mightier Than the noise of many waters, Yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
It speaks to the nations that oppose God, but they he is mightier.
It must have been stranger for John, the disciple whom Jesus loved...
the one who laid upon his breast...
To see Jesus like this.
Now in Revelation 1, verse 16 says...
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars...
Christ's right hand possessed seven stars.
He had/held these stars, and they are in His hands…no one can take them from Him.
Stars...Not celestial bodies, but messengers of the churches.
We are going to jump down to the last verse of this chapter because it deals with this passage here...
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
He has absolute authority over His messengers.
The word used here is the word messenger, I believe that it is speaking about the pastors of these churches.
Many people are suspicious of God's messengers — but we are wise to watch God's hand on a messenger.
They are in God’s hands.
Does this mean that you can’t disagree with the pastor?
No…but it speaks to God’s authority over His messengers, and also His protection for His messengers.
16b...and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword:
Christ's mouth was as a two-edged sword.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Word of God defeats Satan
Matt. 4 The Temptation of Christ - God used The Bible.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
16c...and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Christ's countenance was as the Sea that Shineth.
Have you ever gone to a body of water when the sun is shining just right/or wrong…and it just about blinds you…this is what John is describing here.
Countenance refers to his facial appearance.
Bright as the noon day sun.
The brightness speaks to His glory as the Son of God.
I can’t help to think of when John caught a glimpse of God’s Glory at the mount of transfiguration.
Or of Paul’s experience on the Road to Damascus
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
He is the Son of Righteousness.
This is a powerful view of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a sight!
A sight like this will have quite an affect on a person.
It affected John so much that he fell at his feet as if he were dead.
Perhaps he passed out.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead...
John was terrified, but then look what happens.
Here we see a glimpse of John's friend…our friend…the one who is ...
IV. The Savior
IV. The Savior
17b And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not...
You can’t help but to see ...
A. His Compassion
A. His Compassion
He laid his right hand upon him, and said fear not...
He is King and judge, and He is mighty and He is great…but he is still our loving, compassionate Savior.
I was almost brought to tears when I read this awe inspiring description of Jesus, and then seeing these tender words, he laid his right hand upon me.
He says fear not.
Why should we not fear when this is what He looks like?
Because of...
B. His Credentials
B. His Credentials
17 ... I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Those that are His never need to fear Him or dread Him.
He is the first and the last
He is all and created all
He liveth - He was dead, but now he lives, and is alive for evermore.
No one has the power to kill Him ever again.
He laid his life down the first time He came, the second time He comes He will conquer every foe.
He has the keys to hell and death
Because he lies, I do not need to fear death or hell!
The Greek word here for hell is hades, some Bible versions prefer to transliterate it.
Either way the meaning is clear, it is the place of dead spirits of the lost.
Jesus is in charge of the keys of hell and of death.
we need not fear either!
And then we see ...
C. His Command
C. His Command
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
John is to write everything he has seen, the things which are and the things which shall be…this deals with the...
1. Past - at this point…I believe…he is looking back at the church age as he gives the message to the Seven churches.
2. Present - what he is seeing now before him
3. Future - what will happen in the future.
As we go, in future days, further into this revelation we will see the things that are shown to John.
Conclusion
Conclusion
With the day of the Lord in mind, what should our response be?
Just like John, our response to the glory of the Lord ought to be one of fear and awe.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
What a vision John had!
What can we take away from this study tonight?
How can we apply this passage to our lives?
One way we can apply it, is to see that the church of our day, will soon understand the tribulation and suffering that the church understood in John’s day.
Our culture is changing.
It is becoming increasingly hostile to God, His Word, and His Church.
We soon will read Revelation 1.9 and see John, who is your brother, and companion in tribulation…and we will understand even better.
Secondly, The message that John wrote…is a message that we can take to heart.
Jesus told John a message for these seven churches, and in writing these words down they are a message to us, as well.
We are only beginning this message from Christ, but we can at this point receive the same comfort that the church of the first century received from reading these verses.
Why?
Because Jesus is
the first and last,
He is He that liveth, was dead…but is now alive for evermore.
He holds in His hand the keys to hell and death!
Our God and Savior Jesus Christ is in Control!
Tribulation may come, and eventually it will come!
But God is in control.
Even if we are brought to death through persecution....they cannot win…because Jesus holds the keys to death!
He is the first fruit of the resurrection.
Because He lives, I will live too.
As we go through the study of Revelation, I do not want to spread fear…No Jesus began his message with the words…Fear Not!