Study Notes from Messages On The King and His Kingdom: Revelation 1:1-11
Part Two of All Things Made New - New Jerusalem, New Temple, New Covenant, New Israel, New Creation, etc
“OF” in Rev 1:1 - doing a lot of work: it can mean “from” and “about”; we see both in today’s text.
I. The King (QUICK Textual Notes on how Christ is revealed)
A. The Faithful Witness (martus - from law court to slain confessor)
B. The Firstborn of the Dead (turned the tomb into a womb of new creation; primogeniture - firstborn son entitled to the throne, the elder brother who redeems); the first to rise from the dead - Acts 26.
C. The Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (now, not just one day) -Matthew 28; Daniel 7
D. The Redeemer (Liberated - a new Exodus; Exodus 12-19), by his blood (note Rev 12:10)
E. The Son of Man Coming on the Clouds (Not just the second coming!)
Daniel 7 - Coming UP on the clouds (Ascension); Coming BACK with the clouds (Acts 1); Coming to his Church in Judgment (Rev 2-3): “I WILL COME TO YOU”). Risen, Ascended, Reigning, and Returning
Zechariah 12:10 - “even those who pierced him” - in his crucifixion-throne, those who pierced him saw him. In his ascension-throne, he receives the authority to rule the nations and receive them as his inheritance. In his return, those who pierced him include “every eye” - not just those who pierced him. The world has heard the gospel, and those who’ve believed in Christ will rejoice at his coming, while those who have not will mourn.
"I wake up sometimes way in the night and I know as certain as death that there aint nothin short of the second comin of Christ that can slow this train.” - Sheriff Bell, No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy
“HE HAS MADE US TO BE A KINGDOM and PRIESTS” - The outcome of redemption
Daniel 7 - the Son of Man receives the Kingdom and then shares it with his people, who reign with him.
A. The Kingdom is Present - Revelation 1:5b-8
God’s people in the world ARE God’s Kingdom in this age
His love is manifest in his redeeming, reigning labor. But this redeeming work means he’s doing something with us in the world until he comes.
Kingdom and Priests - a Kingdom now in the middle of the world, but our kingdom work is priestly work - worship, praying, witness, teaching.
B. The Kingdom is Pressing - Revelation 1:9
Trouble/Tribulation and Perseverance that are in Jesus.
“To the one who overcomes…” Can’t be called an overcomer unless there’s something to overcome.
This is the experience and setting of the seven churches - of the pilgrim church in every age.
God’s people are a suffering people in every age - and this will intensify with the end of the age (Rev 20, etc). Jesus’ victory was through his apparent defeat - his suffering and death. The cross precedes the crown, and the Lion that reigns is the Lamb that was slain!
“Persecuted by satanic powers from without and undermined by satanic deceivers from within, the faithful in every generation, though never forsaken, find that their fellowship in the hope of the kingdom is one of suffering and patient endurance.” - Meredith Kline
When I am asked, “Are we living at the end of the age?”, I think one appropriate response is to ask a question in return - “If we are, is your faith sturdy enough for the passage?” Look, all hell will be let loose, Satan himself no longer held in check for a brief season… who will stand in that day?
This is what it means to be part of the Jesus movement in this age - there will be tribulation, and this will require of us a resilient faith - authentic endurance and perseverance to make the journey, even if that means exile from home, or even death (Rev 12:10)
Quick excursus on Enduring Faith
Doctrinal Truth capital “T” Truth - the essential, non-negotiable, historic Christian Faith with its definitive propositions arising from redemptive history recorded in the inspired and infallible Scriptures is not an optional extra. Faith is rooted in “The” Faith
Cross-shaped Reality (this isn’t simply affirming certain “truths”, but embracing the truth that opposition, warfare, assault, slander, etc are par for the course - as disciples of Jesus, that’s what we face; baptism is a death, burial, and resurrection into the kingdom: we are exile people)
Personal, Repentant, Grateful Trust in Christ - THE faith must become YOUR Faith.
III. The Kingdom is a Privilege - Revelation 1:10-11
Priesthood - Access to Heaven - “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day…”
Christ is not only our Great High Priest, but he has also made you and me into Priests and given us access to the throne of heaven. Most of us don’t understand or engage in the immense privilege we’ve been given in Christ - to live in the Spirit, to live full of the Spirit, and enter God’s holy presence to see him, hear him, become more like him… to speak on his behalf, to turn every aspect of life into worship.
Jesus is our Great High Priest - offered himself for us, our substitute on the cross; intercedes for us, our advocate; he hurls back the accuser (the HIGHEST Judge declares us his and declares us holy); cleansing us, preparing us as his Bride for the Great Feast. “Come boldly…”
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16
Repentance and Faith in Christ as Savior and King are the front door to the Kingdom, but they are also our daily life.
I’m glad you’re in a church service today. But the greater question is this: Are you in the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ? Have you turned from sin to him in faith and received him as your king?
Israel waited a thousand years and more for her Messiah-King-Priest. Why would you delay another second? Today is the day of salvation. THE Faith must become YOUR Faith. The King is Coming. Are you prepared for his arrival?