Luther’s view of Revelation

“My spirit cannot adapt itself to the book and a sufficient reason why I do not esteem it highly is that Christ is neither taught nor recognized in it” –1522

Some share Luther’s view Others use Rv. like a crystal ball

I. Revelation One

Source of Revelation (1:1)

Of Jesus Christ –

Chain of communication –

ByHim

AboutHim

Belongsto Him

GodGod JesusJesus AngelAngel JohnJohn SevenSevenchurcheschurches

Purpose of Revelation (1:1)

To show what must shortly (soon, ESV) take place

John intended his message for his own generation

Manner of Revelation (1:1)

SignifiedSignified: make known by signs

Jesus’ deathJesus’ deathJn.12:32-33

Peter’s deathPeter’s deathJn.21:18-19

Importance of Revelation (1:3)

ProphecyProphecy = authority of OT books

One whoreads (aloud)

(sg.)

Those whohear(pl.)

Those whokeep(pl.)

Address of Revelation (1:4):seven churches in Asia

Not the continent of Asia Not all of Asia Minor Small province, western Asia Minor More than seven churches in Asia

Minor (Troas; Colossae; Hierapolis…)

Means of grace and peace (1:4-5a)

1. Him who is…was…who is to come = God, the ever-present One. Ex.3:14

2. Seven spirits who are before His throne = Holy Spirit. Is.11:2

3. Jesus Christ...

Jesus is… (1:5a)

Faithful witnessFaithful witness: (1 T.6:13) Firstborn of deadFirstborn of dead: Ps.89:27; Col.1:18,

status; 1 Co.15:20 Ruler of kings of earthRuler of kings of earth

What Jesus does / did for us (1:5b-6)

LovesLoves usus. Comfort LoosedLoosed usus from sins from sins. Not only pardon

but deliverance MadeMade usus a kingdom, priests to God a kingdom, priests to God

Ex.19:6, universal priesthood

Summary

SourceSource of Revelation (1:1) PurposePurpose of Revelation (1:1) MannerManner of Revelation (1:1) ImportanceImportance of Revelation (1:3) AddressAddress of Revelation (1:4) MeansMeans of grace and peace (1:4-6)

What Jesus will do (1:7)

CloudsClouds (Dn.7:13-14) Double guarantee

Why so sure (8)? Alpha – OmegaAlpha – Omega Is, was, is to comeIs, was, is to come

The first vision (9-20)

PatmosPatmos: a rocky, mountainous island, 10 x 6 m.; about 30 m. west of A. Minor Place of political banishment (cf. v.9)

9, confined to small spot on earth . . . 10, Lord’s day

See 11

Write 11; 10:4

Send 11

The voice (1:12-13)

LampstandLampstandss (separate; independent) ClothingClothing: OT priests and kings

Symbols (16-20)

16, starsstars, swordsword, sun sun (Mt.17:2) 17, undone! (Mt.17:6-7) 18, power of life and death in His hand

(20)Seven lampstands

areareSeven churches

(20)Seven stars

areareAngels of churches

The key to understanding symbols

Normal literature says what it means, and means what it says

In Revelation, it means what it meansit means what it means If a symbol stood for itself, it

wouldn’t be a mystery

I. Revelation One

II. Lessons

1. Omnipotence is on our side1. Omnipotence is on our sideRuler of kings of earth, 1:5

Almighty, 1:8; 19:6“He was a devil. He was the worst of all things – a cold-blooded persecutor. With the exception of Caligula, he was the first Emperor to take his divinity seriously and to demand Caesar worship. The difference was that Caligula was an insane devil; Domitian was a sane devil, which is much more terrifying”

Domitian’s “Atheists”

How could the church survive? No other empire had withstood Rome

PharaohEx.1-14

GideonJg.6-9

Philistines1 Sm.4-6

Goliath1 Sm.17

HamanEsther 3-7

Antiochus IVDn.8, 11

A temptation: Mt.4:8-9

Satan promisedwhat he could

not give

Jesus won thecrown by bearing

His cross

Suffering saintswere tempted

to compromise

The way to thecrown is still byway of the cross

2. Our Redeemer is 2. Our Redeemer is worthy of praiseworthy of praise

His first coming was in humility (Ph.2) Revelation completes the picture

He gloriously reigns (Rv.2:27) He set us free from sin at the cost of

His blood

3. Jesus knows His people 3. Jesus knows His people (1:17)

JesusJesus –

He knows our tribulation (2:9-10, 13) John 21:21-23

He knows our works, holds us accountable (2:2, 13 . . . 3:15)

On heavenly throne

Walking among His churches