Sermon Tone Analysis

Text:

I Hold the Keys to Death and Hell

Text:

Theme: The Son of Man is the Christ of Glory, and the focus of the Church over which he is Lord.

Theme:

Date: 10/08/2017 File Name: Revelation_03.wpd

ID Number:

Date: 10/08/2017 File Name: Revelation_03.wpd

ID Number:

By the close of the first century, Christianity had become a hated and despised religious sect in the Roman Empire.

Writing to Emperor Trajan early in the second century, Pliny, the Roman governor of Bithynia, scorned Christianity as a “depraved and extravagant superstition,” and complained that “the contagion of this superstition has spread not only in the cities, but in the villages and rural districts as well.”

The Roman historian Tacitus described Christians as “a class hated for their abominations,” while Suetonius dismissed them as “a set of men adhering to a novel and mischievous superstition.”

By the close of the first century, Christianity had become a hated and despised religious sect in the Roman Empire.

Writing to Emperor Trajan early in the second century, Pliny, the Roman governor of Bithynia, scorned Christianity as a “depraved and extravagant superstition,” and complained that “the contagion of this superstition has spread not only in the cities, but in the villages and rural districts as well.”

The Roman historian Tacitus described Christians as “a class hated for their abominations,” while Suetonius dismissed them as “a set of men adhering to a novel and mischievous superstition.”

Apart from the natural hostility of fallen men to the truth of the gospel, Christians were hated for any number of reasons.

Politically, the Romans viewed them as disloyal because they refused to acknowledge Caesar as the supreme authority.

Religiously, Christians were denounced as atheists because they rejected the Roman pantheon of gods, and because they worshiped an invisible God, not an idol.

Socially, Christians, most of whom were from the lower classes of society, were despised by the Roman aristocracy.

The Christian teaching that all people are equal threatened to undermine the hierarchical structure of Roman society and topple the elite from their privileged status.

Economically, Christians were seen as a threat by the numerous priests, craftsmen, and merchants who profited from idol worship.

It is in this setting that John records the visions Christ gives him.

The persecuted, beleaguered, discouraged believers in Asia Minor to whom John addressed the book of Revelation desperately needed encouragement.

It had been 70-something years since Jesus ascended into heaven.

The church was losing its first love, compromising, tolerating sin, becoming powerless, and distasteful to the Lord Himself.

This powerful vision of Christ’s ministry to them would provide great hope and comfort to the wondering and suffering churches to whom John wrote.

It should provide comfort to the wondering and suffering churches today.

Our text for this morning tells us that in these Last Days, the Church needs ...

To Witness

To Worship

• To Worship

To Wait

• To Wait

I. IN THESE LAST DAYS WE NEED TO WITNESS

I. IN THESE LAST DAYS WE NEED TO WITNESS

“I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

(, NIV84)

1. the author of the book begins simply, “I, John, your brother ... “

a. John — one of the Apostles, a disciple of Jesus — is writing to churches filled with followers of Jesus

a. John — one of the Apostles, a disciple of Jesus — is writing to churches filled with

followers of Jesus

b. it’s a reminder that we are a household of faith

c. for many, that household of faith becomes their family

1) it’s among a congregation of people called Christian where they receive love and acceptance — in some case more than they do from among blood kin

acceptance — in some case more than they do from among blood kin

2) that’s especially true in those places where conversion to Christ is seen as a betrayal of family, culture, and even the state

betrayal of family, culture, and even the state

2. John also reminds us that those of the household of faith are partners in Christ, and partners with follow believers

partners with follow believers

a. John writes, “I am your companion,” and then lists three things he is our partner in ...

in ...

1) the tribulation

2) the kingdom

3) patient endurance

A. WE ARE PARTNERS IN TRIBULATION WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

A. WE ARE PARTNERS IN TRIBULATION WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

1. believers will have tribulation in this world

a. suffering for Jesus is the normal lot of God’s people in this age

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.”

(, NIV84)

• “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

(, NIV84)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

(, NIV84)

b. behind the affairs of human history are mighty spiritual powers in conflict with each other

other

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

(, NIV84)

2. the Church stands between the two

B. WE ARE PARTNERS IN THE KINGDOM WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

B. WE ARE PARTNERS IN THE KINGDOM WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

1. the church is the people to whom the Kingdom has come, and who will inherit the Kingdom when it fully comes

Kingdom when it fully comes

a. until then, it is the object of Satanic hatred, and is destined to suffer tribulation

1) tribulation here includes all the evil that shall befall the church in the church age, but especially the great tribulation at the end of the age

but especially the great tribulation at the end of the age

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”

(, NIV84)

2) I’ve never figured out why so many American Christians think this doesn’t apply to us — that somehow we get to “opt-out” of tribulation and sorrows

to us — that somehow we get to “opt-out” of tribulation and sorrows

2. we are part of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken regardless how harsh the tribulation

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.””

(, NIV84)

a. this Kingdom is our better and lasting possession

“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.

33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.

34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”

(, NIV84)

C. WE ARE PARTNERS IN PATIENT ENDURANCE WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

C. WE ARE PARTNERS IN PATIENT ENDURANCE WITH OTHER BELIEVERS