Sermons on Revelation 1:19
The various sermons below interpret Revelation 1:19 as a structural outline for the entire Book of Revelation, dividing it into three distinct parts: the things John has seen, the things that are, and the things that will take place after these things. This division is commonly marked by the Greek phrase "meta tauta," which signifies the transition to future events starting in chapter four. The sermons agree on the prophetic nature of the book, with the first chapter serving as a vision of Christ's return and chapters two and three representing the letters to the seven churches. These letters are seen as both historical and prophetic, reflecting different epochs in church history. Despite these commonalities, one sermon critiques the Futurist view for artificially dividing the book and suggests that the entire text should be seen as a unified whole, challenging the notion of a long gap between the present and future events.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their theological themes and interpretations. One sermon emphasizes the prophetic continuity throughout the book, viewing the vision of Christ as a preview of His glorified return. Another sermon introduces the theme of the church age as a prophetic period, suggesting that the current age is characterized by apostasy and lukewarm faith. Meanwhile, a different sermon challenges the Futurist view's postponement of the kingdom to the future, arguing that the kingdom of God is already present, as evidenced by believers being part of the kingdom in Revelation 1:6 and 1:9. This sermon emphasizes the present reality of the kingdom, contrasting with the Futurist view that relegates it to a future time.
Revelation 1:19 Interpretation:
Understanding Revelation: Past, Present, and Prophetic Future (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) interprets Revelation 1:19 as an outline for the entire Book of Revelation. The sermon breaks down the verse into three parts: "the things which you have seen," "the things which are," and "the things that will take place after these things." The speaker emphasizes that the first chapter of Revelation is what John saw, specifically the vision of Christ, which serves as a prophetic preview of Christ's return. The sermon uses the Greek phrase "meta tauta" (after these things) to identify the transition points in the book, marking the beginning of the prophetic future from chapter four onward.
Living with Urgency: Embracing Revelation's Call (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) also interprets Revelation 1:19 as a structural outline for the Book of Revelation. The sermon highlights the division of the book into three parts, with chapters two and three representing the "things that are," which are the letters to the seven churches. The speaker uses the Greek phrase "meta tauta" to indicate the start of the future events in chapter four, reinforcing the idea that the book is a prophecy of the church's history and future.
Understanding Revelation: Interpretations and Insights for Believers (MLJTrust) interprets Revelation 1:19 by discussing the three main schools of interpretation: Preterist, Futurist, and Historicist. The sermon provides a detailed analysis of the Futurist view, which divides the book into three parts based on Revelation 1:19: the things John has seen (the vision of Christ), the things that are (the letters to the seven churches), and the things that shall be hereafter (future events). The sermon critiques this view by arguing that it artificially divides the book and suggests that the entire book, including the vision and the letters, should be seen as a unified whole. The sermon also challenges the Futurist interpretation of "hereafter" as implying a long gap, suggesting instead that it refers to events that were to begin shortly after John's time.
Revelation 1:19 Theological Themes:
Understanding Revelation: Past, Present, and Prophetic Future (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) presents the theme that the entire Book of Revelation, including chapter one, is prophetic. The sermon emphasizes that the vision of Christ in chapter one is a preview of His glorified return, highlighting the continuity of prophecy throughout the book.
Living with Urgency: Embracing Revelation's Call (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) introduces the theme of the church age as a prophetic period, with the letters to the seven churches representing different epochs in church history. The sermon suggests that the current age is the Laodicean age, characterized by apostasy and a lukewarm faith.
Understanding Revelation: Interpretations and Insights for Believers (MLJTrust) presents a theological theme that challenges the Futurist view's postponement of the kingdom to the future. The sermon argues that the kingdom of God is already present, as evidenced by Revelation 1:6 and 1:9, where believers are described as being part of the kingdom. This theme emphasizes the present reality of the kingdom, contrasting with the Futurist view that relegates it to a future time.
Revelation 1:19 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Understanding Revelation: Past, Present, and Prophetic Future (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) provides historical context by explaining the significance of the seven churches in Asia Minor and their representation of the whole church. The sermon also discusses the cultural and economic background of Laodicea, highlighting its wealth and self-sufficiency, which are reflected in the letter to the Laodicean church.
Living with Urgency: Embracing Revelation's Call (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) offers insights into the historical context of the Laodicean church, describing its prosperity and independence. The sermon explains how the city's reliance on its wealth and industries, such as the production of black wool and eye salve, is used metaphorically in the letter to the church.
Understanding Revelation: Interpretations and Insights for Believers (MLJTrust) provides historical context by discussing the origins of the Preterist and Futurist views, both of which were developed by Jesuit priests in the early 17th century. The sermon explains that these interpretations were responses to Protestant claims that identified the papacy with the Antichrist, aiming to divert attention away from the Roman Church.
Revelation 1:19 Cross-References in the Bible:
Understanding Revelation: Past, Present, and Prophetic Future (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) references the letters to the seven churches in chapters two and three of Revelation, explaining their role as the "things that are." The sermon also connects the vision of Christ in chapter one to other biblical instances where individuals encounter divine beings and respond with fear, such as the angelic visitations in the Gospels.
Living with Urgency: Embracing Revelation's Call (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) references the letters to the seven churches as a prophecy of the church's history. The sermon also connects the Laodicean church's condition to Paul's warnings about apostasy in 2 Thessalonians 2 and 1 Timothy 4, highlighting the signs of the end times.
Understanding Revelation: Interpretations and Insights for Believers (MLJTrust) references Daniel 7 and 9, as well as 2 Thessalonians 2, to critique the Futurist view. The sermon argues that the Futurist interpretation requires a reconstitution of the Roman Empire, which contradicts the analogy of scripture, as the beasts in Daniel represent empires that take time to develop and decline. The sermon also highlights the lack of explicit scriptural support for a gap between the 69th and 70th weeks in Daniel 9.
Revelation 1:19 Christian References outside the Bible:
Understanding Revelation: Perspectives on Christ's Return (MLJTrust) references Martin Luther's criticism of the Book of Revelation, noting that Luther described it as "worthless" due to his misunderstanding and the excesses of his time. The sermon uses this historical reference to caution against dismissing the book and to encourage a balanced approach to its interpretation.
Understanding Revelation: Interpretations and Insights for Believers (MLJTrust) references Martin Luther, noting that he initially dismissed the book of Revelation as worthless due to its complexity and the excesses of interpretation in his time. The sermon uses Luther's example to caution against dismissing the book and emphasizes the need for careful interpretation.
Revelation 1:19 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Understanding Revelation: Past, Present, and Prophetic Future (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) uses the analogy of a movie preview to describe John's vision of Christ in chapter one as a "preview of coming attractions," illustrating the prophetic nature of the vision as a glimpse of Christ's future return.
Living with Urgency: Embracing Revelation's Call (Stephen Armstrong's Bible studies) uses the analogy of a garage to explain the difference between the visible and invisible church, stating that sitting in a church does not make one a Christian, just as sitting in a garage does not make one a car.
Understanding Revelation: Interpretations and Insights for Believers (MLJTrust) does not provide any illustrations from secular sources specifically related to Revelation 1:19.