Revelation 1:9-20
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Intro
Look to the power of the risen christ to persevere!
Prayer
A -
C -
T -
S -
Message
Christ’s plan involves tribulation.
Christ’s plan involves tribulation.
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
Individual Tribulation
Corporate Tribulation
Christ’s person is awesome.
Christ’s person is awesome.
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
His Presence
His Position
His Possession
Christ’s provision is absolute.
Christ’s provision is absolute.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
He is Gentle
He is Guiding
He is Guarding
Close
Look to the power of the risen christ to persevere!
Clothes / office = Priest
Hair / wisdom = Profound
Eyes / fire = Penetrating
Feet / strength = Permanent
Voice = Powerful
Hand / = Protective
Mouth / Judgement = Perfect
Face / Appearance = Praiseworthy
Group Questions
Group Questions
Briefly explain the different interpretive methods used to understand the book of Revelation. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each?
How does the book of Revelation contradict the false teachings of the prosperity gospel?
In what way is suffering and persecution a corporate event? What does it mean to be partners with those who are being persecuted?
Why is it a privilege to suffer for Christ? How does this logic go against worldly interests?
Why is Jesus’ presence in the midst of the lampstands/churches comforting to us?
What parallels are there between Revelation 1 and Daniel 7? What do these suggest about who Christ is?
What is most striking to you about the portrait of Jesus as seen in verses 13–16? Why?
Why does Jesus emphasize His eternality when revealing Himself to John? What significance does this carry for the rest of Revelation?
Verses 17–18 show Jesus’ authority over death. How does this reinforce Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 15?
Do you agree that the message of Revelation is to “look to the power of the risen christ to persevere”? How else might you summarize the book’s message?