What We Desperately Need in Suffering
Revelation • Sermon • Submitted
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· 3 viewsBlurb: When times are tough, what do we as a culture think we need most? Where do we look for answers and help? When you personally go through suffering, what do you often think you need most? Where are you currently looking for help and answers? The Apostle John experienced suffering, and he wrote to churches who were suffering. Join us as we look at what we need most when we suffer.
Notes
Transcript
Read these words with me out loud from the book of Revelation 1:3
3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
so reading aloud...
hearing it...
and taking it to heart...
thta’s blessing...
let’s pray.
(pray that we would do that)
If I were take a poll of what you are facing right now...just based on stories I and other pastors have heard in ministry, here is what I might hear:
Pastor Rick, I am terrified of the future. School starting, activities, starting—how we will juggle it all.
Pastor Rick, I am overwhelmed by anxiety, or depression. I just can’t thrive; can’t get through it.
Rick, inflation—groceries and gas are killing our budget; I don’t know what to do.
Rick, I am extremely lonely. If I just had one friend.
Rick, as a parent, I am overwhelmed what to do about this situation with my child…whether young or grown up...
Rick, I feel like a failure and disappointment—I can’t shake the guilt and especially the shame
Rick, I am just so tired…so tired of it all...
addiction...
taking care of aging parents
what would you say? what is the thing that is consuming you…struggling with
What do we do in that kind of moment?
Let me read our passage. Please stand. this passage I think speaks that kinds of stuff.
9 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.
10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
so in tough times...
What do we do…what do we need to do to find answers and hope… 3 answers:
Eat the Tension Sandwich (of the Christian life (vs. 9)
9 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.
we learn about the Apostle John, one of Jesus’ original 12 apostles, the one Jesus loved is suffering.
He was banished to an island in the Aegean Sea (show?) a small, rocky, volcanic island. some speculate if he was alone or possibly serving in a labor camp; he is an old man at this point.
map 1
map 2
and the reason he is there—is b/c of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. so in other words, he has been banished to exile b/c of following Jesus Christ.
and the way he describes himself is what I am calling one big tension sandwich that we must eat regularly as Christians.
put the verse back up please. (vs. 9)
look at 3 least at 3 of these descriptions:
companion in the suffering
and kingdom
and patient endurance.
of those 3 descriptions—I like 1, but not 2.
I like the part about being a part of the kingdom of God—God’s rule and reign now—with King Jesus ruling and reigning over us and every square inch of the universe now. He is in charge. He has brought a kingdom; there is victory and hope; we have forgiveness of sins in his kingdom, we have an identity with Jesus in his kingdom; there is the Holy Spirit moving and operating in his kingdom; the lost being found; the dead being born again; miracles can happen in Jesus’ kingdom. bring on the kingdom!
but the other 2 are harder. sandwiched around the meat of the kingdom are the bread of suffering, and the bread of patient endurance.
so this suggests—b/c these are all together—that being a part of God’s kingdom now (just like John) entails suffering, and entails patient endurance.
these thoughts go together.
22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
this is exactly what John was experiencing. the same John who saw the mighty power of Jesus—cast out demons, raise the dead, heal the sick, see the lost converted, that same John was experiencing the reality of suffering for following Jesus, and patient endurance.
the same is true is for us today.
part of living in God’s kingdom now…is owning up to this tension sandwich. that yes—the kingdom has come in our lives, there is victory, but it has not come fully yet.
it has come and there is joy, but there is also tough tribulation until…Jesus comes back a 2nd time.
there is an already-ness to the kingdom; it’s here!
and not yet reality to it. it won’t fully develop until Jesus comes.
and if you only eat the part of the sandwich that focuses on the already…and not yet…that things should always be victorious in your life, then you are going to live in denial. you will not be prepared when life turns sour and bitter. you won’t have a rich theology of suffering. (Camp Blast incident)
and if you only focus on the not yet of the kingdom…then you will be the most pessimistic Christian ever…which is a horrible way to live.
but John reminds us we are in the kingdom—and we patiently endure in our sufferings. that is part of the challenge of the Christian life! reigning with Christ now involves patiently enduring—I hate that!
am I going to endure with Jesus no matter what kinds of suffering happen in my life? Is Jesus worth it? patiently enduring doesn’t sound very victorious—but part of being a Christian is patiently enduring to the end...
what part of the sandwich are you eating? are you living in the tension of this?
if bad things are happening in your life—have you forgotten that that is to be expected at times? and do you believe that Jesus can do something about it—in the kingdom? I should expect suffering yet expect victory both at the same time and endure...
the tension sandwich John says “I am your companion in this!”
Ask an Unexpected Question... (vs. 10-11)
10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
what is the unexpected question? glad you asked here it is based on the example of what God did in John’s life… “What does God want to do in my life through this?”
John probably thought his days of making a difference might be over. “My best days are behind me.” He had some good stories to tell about Jesus from following him around and seeing churches started and miracles in the book of Acts. “those were good times...”
but God was not done with him yet…God still him a mission in exile…in his latter days...
if you are older, “retired...”, don’t forget—there is only one Christian retirement plan—called “Heaven.” we never retire from the kingdom. (you should still save) don’t underestimate how God still has a plan for you. God used lots of old people who thought things were done---Moses, Abraham, John the Apostle. “What could God still do in my life, in me, and through me…if I am open?” (Swill Village—Village people)
Even if it is the crummiest of situations...
God gave John in exile, perhaps his biggest life mission yet--was given a task. to serve. a mission from the Lord himself. a purpose. an assignment, even amidst a really hard time. to write down the awe-inspiring vision for him , for the churches then, and for us today.
“What does God want to do in my life, in and through whatever I am going through?
(Pause)
You know--whenever hard times come our way, there is an immediate response and need to take a step back. to take a big time out out of life and serving. and I get that. that can be very appropriate. we need to at times.
but I get majorly concerned that when people go through hard times, and they withdraw from community. the temptation is to pull in; to isolate; to stop being a part of connection with church and others and especially God.
is it possible that even in your suffering today—whatever it is—that God can work in it…and through it?
you and I naturally view suffering as a big interruption. I want life to go back to “normal!!” but even amidst John’s suffering—God gave him a vision, a mission, to serve to the end of his days.
a vision that would have encouraged John himself in suffering, and now millions and billions of Christians who are suffering can read Revelation, be encouraged to keep going amidst hard times and persecution that Jesus wins!
Ask the unexpected question…have you asked you? Would you ask it now of God? sometimes we think we have to wait until our life is fully together, no problems to make a difference or serve…that is a lie. you will be waiting a long time
take a moment and ask that...
and most of all #3...
Behold Jesus (what we desperately need) (vs. 12-18)
the main part of this vision is the description of Jesus Christ.
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
someone like a son of man (that is language from the OT) it reminds us that this being, Jesus, is human, but He’s also God. He is quoting from the OT book of Daniel.
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
this is whom John sees. the one that Daniel prophesied about.
the one that the Jewish people wanted out of their Messiah, a strong son of Man—that’s who John sees!
in Jesus’ day they didn’t always see this vision of Jesus—because he was humble and ministered to prostitutes and died on a cross—but the Jesus that John saw is glorified...
(and he is among the lampstands—which is a symbol we learn for the churches. the lampstands were taken this imagery from the OT—where in the tabernacle and a temple was the lampstand that stayed lit, the priests kept it lit in the Holy Place showing that God is our light, and we are to be the light of the world. it kind of look like a tree with a center pole—and 3 branches on each side.)
he has a robe-showing us Jesus is a priest. the priests wore those kind of robes.. He is the priest who always lives to make intercession for us. who represented us on the cross, bearing our sin.
and he has a sash—a golden sash—showing Jesus’ kingly authority and power.
so he is our priest, enabling us to draw near to God
he is our king
verse 14 continues
14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
we think of white hair or gray hair as a bad thing.
but it is good!
it symbolizes here Jesus’ wisdom, his eternal wisdom.
Jesus’ eternal purity...
He always knows what to do, and always does it with the best motives.
his eyes—he has a penetrating gaze. He doesn’t just see John or us—he looks into us. He knows all.
I had a professor like that—when he looked at you—it’s like he was looking into your soul.
i had a friend like that a prayer warrior back at my last church that would say “how are you Rick...” and I want to start bawling...
these eyes know all---and invite us in. they don’t miss a thing
15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
Nancy Guthrie says this: Bronze is a combination of iron and copper. Iron is strong, but it rusts. Copper won’t rust, but it is pliable. When the two are combined into bronze, the best quality of each is preserved, the strength of the iron and the endurance of the copper. So to say that his feet were like burnished bronze that has been refined in a furnace is to say that the foundation of Jesus’s power has been tested by fire and will endure.
(Guthrie, N. (2022). Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation (pp. 52–53). Crossway.)
if we stand on Jesus—He is our firm foundation.
his voice sound like waterfalls; it’s authoritative (like Niagara Falls)
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
which we learn are the 7 angels or messengers to the churches; some even think these stars represent the church in heaven, and the lampstands are the church on earth; either way—he’s so powerful it can fit in his hand; he’s got us. he has what’s in heaven, and he’s got us.
and his mouth has a sharp-doubled-edged sword—a symbol of the words Jesus speaks. being 2 sided it cuts 2 ways. one for salvation for the believer and one for judgment. comfort and conviction. encouragement and challenge. He is the ultimate prophet. (not just priest or king)
and then his face shines like the sun—absolutely glorious—just like John WOULD HAVE saw when Jesus went up on the mount of transfiguration.
and it doesn’t stop there.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Jesus is the first and the last…everything starts and end with Jesus. Your life begins with him and it ends with him.
He is utterly eternal alive—he died and rose again…and he has the keys, the power over death and the realm of the dead (Hades itself) so you don’t have to fear death. only Jesus opens the doors of death and Hades—all death as horrible as it is (an enemy) is still under the sovereign power and authority of Almighty Jesus
all of our anxiety about the future finds it rest in Jesus.
I want you to think about this vision…of Jesus—the glorified Jesus. This is the meek and lowly vision of Jesus.
This is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! who reigns and conquers.
why did John need it?
why did His readers need it?
why does Revelation begin this way?
why do we need this now...
Here’s why...
I was reminded of this this week...
do you ever feel just overwhelmed by life...
I feel often the weightiness and burdens of being a pastor. I hear all sorts of issues, struggles, and problems all the time—about our church, organizational problems, pastoral problems, problems that people have… (and btw—it is an honor to walk with people) but I can feel overwhelmed, and feel pressure to solve them for this church or others.
let alone…my own issues and problems (I am not Jesus) I need him—in my own life, marriage, and family.
and throw in the world...
I feel that weightiness...
and you feel it too— juggling so many things and issues in your life...
i felt it last week when an 11 year old girl tragically passed away at Camp Blast—and I can’t imagine what that family is going through and those 1st responders and volunteers I can’t...
with Maytown Kentucky and the severe, catstrophic flooding in a poor area...
I can’t imagine what some of you are going through with relational challenges, financial challenges, cancer diagnoses, abuse, addiction...
you and I often feel like we just need a perfect plan to solve our issues, the perfect principles or instructions. “give me the exact thing to do Jesus...”
John and his readers felt it.
they needed help! they were facing persecution; death, extinction! it was a horrible world to live in.
what do you do?
What do I do and you do?
Here’s the answer:
this is what God seems to be saying through this passage:
I know you want concrete plan, steps, actions—but God says I have given you the God-man Jesus Christ. I have given you myself. Jesus says, “I am not just pointing to the way—I am the way. Look to me for help. I am not just pointing to truth…look to me for the truth. and I am not pointing that life is out there—In me you have life. so stay connected to me! Cling to me!
Look to the one who is our priest
who is our king
our prophet
who has all authority
and wisdom with the white hair
and penetrative eyes into my soul and all situations
whose feet are firm and secure and if my hope is in Jesus---it is firm and secure.
he has a commanding voice
he holds the stars—the angels, possibly the heavenly church in his hands; he has the word of God...
his face is beautiful.
he is the first and the last, the living one
he holds the keys of death and hades--
I can’t always give you the answer you want or need—but I know who can.
If you are struggling, overwhelmed, have you come to Jesus? have you cried out to him, really given it to Him, really place your trust in Him. You have this Jesus walking with and thru things with you—just like John did. this is what the suffering church needed, and this is what you need.
in some ways Jesus reminded John “Hey!” “It’s simple!” “Look to Jesus Christ!”
Revelation Chapter 7: The Christ of the Lampstands (Revelation 1:10–20)
In John’s affliction, the Lord provided for his greatest need, which was to see Jesus in his divine glory and saving power.
band come up
Conclusion: I fidn this encouraging: this tough and authoritative Jesus is also so personal.
13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
Jesus is among the lampstands—among the churches. He was with them and he is with us now...
verse 17
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
when John catches a glimpse of the glory of Jesus, it humbles him, he falls down…in worship
have you been humbled? Have you surrendered your business, your life, your kids who disagree with you, the biggest problems?
and look at what Jesus does—he touches John.
this almighty God—so tough, yet so tender and intimate.
this is a picture of the Gospel...
Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation Responding to the Touch of Jesus
This is, in fact, what Jesus always does when a person comes to the place of seeing his or her own desperate sinfulness in light of his perfect holiness and bows before him in humility and need. Jesus touches us and gives us new life. Until he does, we are spiritually dead, unable to reach out to him. And then, in grace and mercy, he makes the first move toward us.
~ He reaches out to touch spiritually dead little boys and girls and awakens them to his kindness and love.
~ He reaches out and touches spiritually dead young men and women, instilling in them passion to live for him.
~ He touches spiritually dead older men and women, who may have spent a lifetime in church without ever really coming alive to him, making them flush with joy over Jesus.
When Jesus touches us, he heals us and cleanses us and remakes us. When Jesus reached out to touch John, he said:
let’s give it to Jesus...
am I eating the tension sandwich? do i have the right expectations
am I asking the unexpected question? What does God want to do in and through me right now?
and am I beholding Jesus?