Revelation 1:9-20 A Vision Of Jesus

I. Intro: So John begins I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day –

A) This is an Interesting Idea – Some commentators – believe that John was referring to Sunday – The Lord’s day – In the Spirit

B) Neat Idea – poses an interesting Question – What about Us ? Are we in the Spirit – ( That is why I come here – get in the Spirit )

C) It is amazing to me the power of TRANSFORMATION that this Parking Lot has –

1) Husband wife – major fight all morning – all the way here – Pull into the Parking Lot TRANSFORMATION

c) They smile & Wave at the Parking – Lot guy – PTL.

A) In the Spirit – on the Lord’s day – Every day is to be the Lord’s – Paul said – Gal. 5 – Walk in the Spirit not fulfill the Lust of the Flesh

1) In the Spirit = Yielding myself to the spirit / resulting in Fruit /

Or in the Flesh – Giving myself to passion / lust / selfishness

LORD HELP US TO BE MORE IN THE SPIRIT – ON THE LORD’S DAY

Now many other Commentators believe that John was referring to being In the Spirit on the day of the Lord – ( I agree)

A) The Grk text renders it this way "I was in the Spirit unto the Day of the Lord."

B) I prefer that translation myself. Now I believe that John was taken

in the spirit through a time machine, if you would .

1)John was transported in the Spirit from the natural World into the supernatural world. / SPIRITUAL WORLD

C)John was transported into God’s time Dimension – Timelessness

called ETERNITY

D)When we die we are all going to enter into the timelessness of eternity.

Where spend eternity one of two places – W/ the Lord – In Hell –suffer

A) In that Location – just goes on & on – Eternal Joy – Satisfaction Beyond Description w/ Jesus /

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

B) Those who don’t Know Christ - Or Eternal – Suffering Pain beyond comprehension – w/out Him !!!

1) Before We leave today – Give any one here an opportunity to give your Life to Christ – have that assurance of Life

So John was transported by the Spirit into the Spirit world – catches as vision of the Lord & His Plan for the Future

A) The day of the Lord is spoken of many times in the Bible - & refers to a time of Intense Judgement upon the World – Followed By Joy

Bb)It is also a time when God is dealing w/ the Nation of Israel – The Day

of the Lord – Begins w/ the Rapture – Concludes –end of the Mill.

1) One day is as 1,000 yrs / 1,000 yrs as one day .

A) On that Island – in that Prison v.10 tells us that John Heard a Voice

A) THE VOICE THAT JOHN HEARD

1^st – Like or as a TRUMPET -

Trumpets were used significantly in those times to wake people up & to sound the call to Battle !!! Call to wake up Pay attention:

B) Now John had not heard the Lord’s Voice in 60 yrs

1) But the voice that He heard here was different from the one He had listened to while following Jesus here on earth

b) There was a sense of Urgency in this Voice – that commanded John’s attention –

John did the right thing – He turned to see – He heard the voice – and He turned to see what He would see

For many – the events of the last few weeks – the Tragedy in Col. / the War in Yugo. The Tornado in Oklahoma City / Preschool in C.M. - the bombing of China’s Embassy in Belgrade have been like a trumpet

A wake up call – got their attention – something is happening – something is going on !!! World is getting CRAZY !!!!

1) Life is Short – ( I could get killed today am I ready to meet the Lord ?

2) Time is short – I have friends that don’t know the Lord – I’d better get busy about prayer – sharing –

And Many have responded like John to the Trumpet blast by turning to the Lord – making sure their hearts were right w/ Him

A) Many believers – sensed the Urgency – Pray – more fervently – open to opportunities – TURNED TO SEE – what do you have for me ?

B) Moses / Abe / Paul / Gideon / Peter / Shepherds at birth / Wise men/ Mark of the Wise man ….

C)But many others have not turned to see – but have foolishly ignored – that was there – I am here / that was then / this is now very foolish

1) Signs are pointing to reality – Only a matter of time

D) Listen the Lord is sounding the call – it is time to wake Up !!!!

2^nd thing to note about this voice : Jesus description of Himself - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,"

A) I Am is the Covenant. Name of God that He gave to Moses for His people

Tell them I AM THAT I AM has sent you .

B) It signifies the Lord as the Becoming one – whatever the need was that is what the Lord became for His people

1) Provision – Jehovah Jireh – the Lord our Provider / Healer – Jehovah Rafa – Our healer / Savior TISKENEU

A) Jesus identifies Himself as the I AM – for all times – Beg. & the End – first & the last – Everything in Between

II. THE VISION THAT JOHN SAW –

A) Every couple of yrs – one of the major Magazine. Like time or News week or LIFE will do a story on Jesus

B) One of the things that is often discussed is what did Jesus Look like ?

And they will show a variety of artist renditions …. Looked like

1) From – Anglo Saxon Jesus w/ Blond hair Blue eyes / to more realistic Jewish looking Jesus – w/ Dark hair & dark Skin

A) But it is interesting that none of the gospels ever – give us a description of what Jesus looked like while on earth

1) Isa. Reveals that He was very average looking – Nothing about His appearance that we should desire Him - ( “get the best looking one”)

But the Vision of Jesus that John receives here is unlike anything that He has seen Before – John has never seen Jesus like this Before

A) This isn’t Baby Jesus in the Manager – this is Righteous/ Warrior/ King Jesus coming to Judge the World V.12-16

B) Note several things : 1^st Where Jesus is : v.13 / In the midst of the Seven Lampstands

1) The lampstands we are told in v.20 are the 7 Churches

C)Very appropriate Description of a Church – Lampstands Job is to give off

Light – ( Lighthouse )

1) That is the role of the Church – Light in this dark world / But the Church is not a Building – made up of individual believers

That is the role of Individual Believers –

A) John 8 Jesus declared I am the light of the world –

B) Matt. 5:12 You are the light of the world – a city that is set upon a hill let your light so shine in such a way …………

1) You are a light whether you like it or not – what Kind of Light are you giving – out

A) Heard a story about a light house – window broke – until it could get fixed it was covered w/ a piece of tin

1) Problem – that night there was a storm & a boat that was caught in the Storm – No way out because it could see the Light

A) Is your life shinning Bright ? OR is it covered & TAINTED by Sin

1) Our Light is like the Moon the moon only reflects the light of the Sun – We reflect the Light of Christ

“In the same way, we have no glory of our own, only such as is reflected from the light of Christ that shines upon us. That is what we live for:

to bask in that radiance, to reflect it, to bring it to the world around us, not for our own sake but for the praise of his glory”.

Now I love this picture where Jesus is : He is in the Midst of the Churches

A) The Place that He loves – two or more gathered together in my name I am there in the Midst of them

B) In OUR Midst –JESUS is here/ Exciting – Every prayer prayed / all Worship given / every act of Kindness done – Jesus is here sees & Hears

1) Why? He loves you so much He can’t take His eyes off of You !!!!

So Be Blessed & Encouraged EXCITING

A) But it can Also Be a SOBERING - because He also sees every – need that gets ignored opportunity that is missed /

1) Hears every word of Gossip that is spoken/ All the Backbiting that is uttered

A) I Pray that more of the former than the Latter would be true of this fellowship – I think it is

1) No Perfect Church – I Pray – conforming us into His image

“To say that Jesus is in the Midst of the Churches is to recognize His central place of Authority & to Acknowledge His sovereign Presence”

B) SPEAKS OF HIS AUTHORITY – His desire to be at the center of the Life of the Church – center Core of your life Individually

So He is in the MIDST watching listening – Blessed by some grieved by others – let’s notice next how John describes Him

A) 1^st John sees Jesus wearing this Long flowing Robe – This Robe speaks

of His MAJESTY & GREATNESS

6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!"

A) Now as a Pastor I have conducted quite a few weddings & I have seen some good size Trains on a Wedding Dress

1) But Never one that filled the Sanctuary

A) John & Isa. See the Lord – in this Long flowing robe – Isa. Said His train filled the temple –

1) Where ever He went – His glory was Felt / Majesty was seen

In Bill Moyers's book A World of Ideas II, - He describes what it was to be like an observer at the launch of Apollo 17 in 1975. It was a night launch, and there were hundreds of cynical reporters all over the lawn, drinking beer, wisecracking, and waiting for this 35-story-high rocket.

"The countdown came, and then the launch. The first thing you see is this extraordinary orange light, which is just at the limit of what you can bear to look at. Everything is illuminated with this light. Then comes this thing slowly rising up in total silence, because it takes a few seconds for the sound to come across. You hear THIS LOUD ROAR !' It enters right into you.

"You can practically hear jaws dropping. The sense of wonder fills everyone in the whole place, as this thing goes up and up. The first stage ignites this beautiful blue flame. It becomes like a star, but you realize there are humans on it. And then there's total silence.

Then He Describes the Response

"People just get up quietly, helping each other up. They're kind. They open doors. They look at one another, speaking quietly and interestedly. These were suddenly moral people because the sense of wonder, the experience of wonder, had made them moral."

Moyer adds this Insight - When we have a sense of wonder toward God, we too have our lives changed for the better. ( John saw His MAJESTY )

Christianity in its purest form, is nothing more than seeing Jesus. Christian service, in its purest form is nothing more than imitating him who we see. To see His majesty & to imitate him, that is the sum of Christianity.

Something happens to the person who has witnessed His majesty . One glimpse of the king & you are consumed w/ a desire to see more of Him & to say more about Him. SO TRUE!!!!!!

2^ND The Golden sash across His Chest is a symbol of His Righteousness

1) Isa.11:5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. NIV

3^RD HAIR WHITE LIKE WOOL – SPEAKS OF PURITY /

Isa. 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

4^TH HIS EYES WERE A FLAME OF FIRE

A) Fire speaks of Judgement - eyes that are piercing and penetrating

Heb.4: 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

B) We are told in Ex.24: 17 The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.

C) Heb.12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

D) It is a very Ominous description of the Lord – RADICAL

But Listen if the You Know the Lord – The Lord who is a Consuming fire doesn’t want to Burn you up / Doesn’t Desire to toast you

A) He wants to Consume You so that Your Life will Burn Brightly for Him !

Fire can be a good or bad thing depending upon your Relationship to it

A) If your House is on fire & You are trapped inside – it is a terrifying thing !!!!

B) But if it is in the Fire Place it is very warm & Inviting !!!!

C) So too –if you are not right w/ the Lord – fooling around in sin & Rebellious – Eyes are piercing Convicting

D)But if you know the Lord –walking in Fellowship w/ Him – those eyes are comforting & assuring !!!! Warm & Inviting

1) But if You don’t know the Lord – those lives are terrifying – because one day stand before Him & be Judged

5^th FEET WERE LIKE FINE BRASS – refined in Furnace

A) Again the fine Brass in the Furnace speaks of judgement

REV.19:15 He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

B) But to the Jewish person familiar w/ the O.T. two pictures come to mind ONE of the Brass Altar – all the Sacrifices were done

1) Sin being Judged – Blood shed – sacrifice was Consumed – burnt to a crisp

A) But also a Reminder - Shad. Meschech / Abendgo- in the fire - …..

4^th one in the Furnace who Looks like the Son of God

B) See His feet of Fine Brass refined in the Fire- REMINDER of His Ability to go through the fire for us / w/ us !!!!

1) He seeks to carry us through the fire !!!!!

6thVoice like the sound of many waters / RUSHING WATERS

Speaks of His voice being a Consuming Voice

A) This isn’t the sound of a little stream – this is the sound of raging River this is a Niagara Falls Kind of sound

B) If you have ever been to Niagara falls – or some similar body of water – rushing – Consuming – All you hear

1) Talk – Hey what do you think of the FALLS ? It is great !!!!!

Psa.29: 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

Jer.25:30 'The LORD will roar from on high, And utter His voice from His holy habitation; He will roar mightily against His fold. He will give a shout, as those who tread the grapes, Against all the inhabitants of the earth.

C) It is a consuming Voice – all that is going to be heard –

1) Now we have to Train our selves to Listen to Hear – tune out the Distractions – then it will be very Clear

7^th Out of His Mouth came a sharp two edged sword / He is a Warrior –

A) Eph.6 Sword of the Spirit – Word of God

Heb. 4: 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

A) He uses the Word – the truth to cut men to the Quick – not beating around the Bush / Pierces to the very core of our Hearts

-- Mark Twain,- Most people are bothered by those Scripture passages which they cannot understand. But for me, the passages in Scripture which trouble me most are those which I do understand.

When Bible Translators were first in the Northern Philippines – translating the Bible for the Agta people – they ran into trouble w/ this particular verse H.4:12

Because the Word Powerful in their lang. Was madagat had a dual meaning – it can mean venomous – like the stinging bite of a poisonous snake or it can mean powerful . The Translator asked his assistant – how can we solve this problem – to give a clear meaning ? His response was insightful

He said it can mean both things depending upon how a person approaches it

If we disregard it, it's like the poisonous snake. But if we live by it, its potency is like medicine."

A) When down it lifts / Depressed it encourages / Weak makes strong

8^th His Countenance was Like the Sun Shinning in all It’s Strength

A) This speaks of His Glory & Brilliance

B) Paul recounting His Conversion to Agrippa

Acts 26: 13 "at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.

C)A light Brighter than the Sun at Midday !!!

1) Moses face shinning / Angels can’t Look

John Response v.17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.

A) That is always the Response of Seeing the Lord in His Majesty / Holiness/ Brilliance & Glory

B) Isa. Woe is me !!! Peter fell to the ground -Depart from me / Paul fell to the ground - Lord what do you want from me

C) Note this Seeing the Exalted Christ – Produces in our hearts a Sense of Awe & a Sense of Fear !!!!! Reverence

Notice Jesus Words - But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

A) Jesus says Fear not – Don’t be afraid –

NOTE: In telling John not to fear, Christ gave him three reasons for confidence.

A) #1 We don’t need to FEAR LIFE – because He is the Living one –The First & the Last – Author & the Finisher of our Faith

B) #2 We need not fear death – because He died & Conquered death - "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore

C) #3 We need not fear Eternity because He holds the Keys of Hades & Death – Only locks up those who don’t know Him !!

D) so Jesus touches John & says don’t be Afraid !!!

LISTEN : The Lord wants us to see Him – Not to freak us out / not to drive us away – But to Draw us Near

A) Guys we desperately need to have a vision of this Jesus –

B) Sometimes we only see Him as the Savior on the Cross or the Shepherd caring the Lamb – but We need to see Him also as Risen Lord

1) Alive in Power – Power He desires to make available to us – through His Spirit – You are a Resource of MIRACULOUS POWER

A) We need to see this Jesus & Realize this is who is Interceding for me – this is who is watching out for me –

1) This is who promised to never leave me !!!!

A group of seminary students would gather at a Gymnasium by their seminary to play B. Ball on Monday nights - The janitor, an old black man with white hair, would wait patiently until the seminarians had finished playing.

He would sit there reading his Bible. / One day one of these proud Pious seminary students asked him what he was reading

The man simply replied, "The Book of Revelation."

With a bit of surprise, The Seminary student responded "The Book of Revelation? Do you understand it?"

"Oh yes," the man answered "I understand it."

"You understand the Book of Revelation! What does it mean?"

Very quietly that old janitor answered, "It means that Jesus is gonna win."

D) We need to see This is Jesus who is going to Win – Who tells me that He loves me / is with me & wants to use my Life –

IV. Vocation John Received v.19 "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

A) Notice the Order – John heard / John Saw / then John fell / then He was touched Revived & then Commissioned to Ministry

B) Not fully used until – Broken / Moses

C) Evan Roberts Prayed Bend me Lord Bend me & When God Answered the

Great Welsh revival took Place

CONCLUSION

Jesus IS In Our Midst- Sees hears / knows our hearts

We need to have a Fresh attention to His voice / turn to see

fresh perspective of his person

A) See Him in His Power / Glory / Majesty – Be Amazed – Realize who it is who is w/ Me – Who it is I am Living for !!!

Jesus offers PEACE

A) Do You Know that peace ? Our peace is wrapped up in the PERSON of Jesus; who He is and what He has done.