Unveiling Christ: The Revelation of Future Glory
Summary
The sermon centers on the Book of Revelation, emphasizing its importance as a divine revelation of Jesus Christ and God's plan for the future. The pastor underscores the significance of recognizing the power and glory of Jesus Christ and eagerly anticipating His return. The concept of imminence in relation to the return of Jesus Christ is also explored, highlighting that God is not bound by time and His return could happen at any moment. The pastor further discusses the sphere of God's rule and how people enter it through faith in Christ's work on the cross and resurrection.
The pastor emphasizes the blessings that come from understanding and heeding the words of the Book of Revelation. He highlights the seven blessings mentioned in the book, which include blessings for those who read the prophecy, those who die in the Lord, those who stay awake and keep their clothes, those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb, those who have part in the first resurrection, those who keep the words of the prophecy, and those who wash their robes.
The sermon also underscores the urgency and importance of the Book of Revelation, drawing parallels between Genesis and Revelation, and highlighting how Revelation represents the consummation of Heaven and Earth, the end of sin and the curse, and the defeat of Satan. The pastor warns against adding or taking away from the words of this book, as it would result in severe consequences.
The pastor discusses the background and context of the Book of Revelation, explaining that it was written to seven churches in Asia Minor. He also discusses the presence of angels throughout the book and the role they play in the future. The pastor concludes by focusing on the faithfulness of Jesus as a witness to his death and resurrection, and the concept of mourning over the Messiah.
The sermon concludes with the pastor highlighting the validation of the future's history as revealed in the Bible. He explains that this validation is backed by the Trinity and the three attributes of God: His omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotent power. The pastor encourages the congregation to cherish and understand this revelation, emphasizing that it is a commandment from God.
Key Takeaways
- The Book of Revelation is a divine revelation of Jesus Christ and God's plan for the future. It is a prophetic revelation of future events, particularly focusing on the return of Christ in glory. The book is a rapid trip through future history, culminating in the Thousand-Year Kingdom of Christ and the new Heaven and Earth ([12:45]).
- The concept of imminence in relation to the return of Jesus Christ is emphasized. Although it has been 2,000 years since the New Testament was written, God is not bound by time and His return could happen at any moment. This highlights the importance of being prepared for the unexpected hour of Christ's coming ([22:30]).
- The Book of Revelation brings blessings to those who understand and heed its words. These blessings bring a lack of fear for the future and encourage and bless Christians who are suffering, persecuted, struggling, patient, and hopeful ([34:15]).
- The Book of Revelation represents the consummation of Heaven and Earth, the end of sin and the curse, and the defeat of Satan. It holds the promise of the Savior, making it a crucial and powerful part of the divine library ([45:50]).
- The faithfulness of Jesus as a witness to his death and resurrection is highlighted. Jesus is described as the firstborn of the dead, signifying his preeminence and supremacy among all who have ever died and will rise again. He is exalted above all other positions, given a throne, and every knee will bow before him ([58:20]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading
1. Revelation 1:1-8: "The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 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. John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
2. Daniel 12:9: "He replied, 'Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.'"
3. Deuteronomy 29:29: "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."
Observation Questions
1. What are the blessings mentioned in Revelation 1:1-8 for those who read and heed the words of the prophecy?
2. What does Daniel 12:9 reveal about the timing of the revelation of God's words?
3. In Deuteronomy 29:29, what distinction is made between the secret things and the things revealed?
Interpretation Questions
1. How does the description of Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:1-8 relate to His power, glory, and imminent return?
2. What might the sealing of the words until the time of the end in Daniel 12:9 suggest about the nature of God's plan and its revelation?
3. How does the concept of things revealed belonging to us and our children forever in Deuteronomy 29:29 relate to the importance of understanding and heeding the words of the Book of Revelation?
Application Questions
1. How can you prepare yourself for the unexpected hour of Christ's return as suggested in Revelation 1:1-8?
2. What steps can you take to better understand and heed the words of the Book of Revelation, and how might this bring blessings into your life?
3. Considering the concept of things revealed belonging to us and our children forever, how can you pass on the understanding of God's word to the next generation in your family or community?
4. How can you apply the understanding of Jesus Christ as the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth in your daily life?
5. In light of the imminent return of Christ, how can you live out your faith in a way that anticipates His return and the consummation of Heaven and Earth?
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Revelation of Future Events
The Book of Revelation is a divine revelation of Jesus Christ and God's plan for the future. It is a prophetic revelation of future events, particularly focusing on the return of Christ in glory. The book is a rapid trip through future history, culminating in the Thousand-Year Kingdom of Christ and the new Heaven and Earth ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOmFA9kmvnQ&t=750s)).
Bible Passage: Revelation 1:19 - "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later."
Reflection: How does the prophetic nature of the Book of Revelation shape your understanding of God's plan for the future?
Day 2: Imminence of Christ's Return
The concept of imminence in relation to the return of Jesus Christ is emphasized. Although it has been 2,000 years since the New Testament was written, God is not bound by time and His return could happen at any moment. This highlights the importance of being prepared for the unexpected hour of Christ's coming ([22:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOmFA9kmvnQ&t=1335s)).
Bible Passage: 2 Peter 3:8 - "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."
Reflection: How does the concept of imminence impact your daily walk with Christ?
Day 3: Blessings from the Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation brings blessings to those who understand and heed its words. These blessings bring a lack of fear for the future and encourage and bless Christians who are suffering, persecuted, struggling, patient, and hopeful ([34:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOmFA9kmvnQ&t=2040s)).
Bible Passage: Revelation 1:3 - "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."
Reflection: How can you apply the blessings from the Book of Revelation to your current circumstances?
Day 4: Consummation of Heaven and Earth
The Book of Revelation represents the consummation of Heaven and Earth, the end of sin and the curse, and the defeat of Satan. It holds the promise of the Savior, making it a crucial and powerful part of the divine library ([45:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOmFA9kmvnQ&t=2735s)).
Bible Passage: Revelation 21:1 - "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."
Reflection: How does the promise of a new Heaven and Earth influence your perspective on current world events?
Day 5: Faithfulness of Jesus as a Witness
The faithfulness of Jesus as a witness to his death and resurrection is highlighted. Jesus is described as the firstborn of the dead, signifying his preeminence and supremacy among all who have ever died and will rise again. He is exalted above all other positions, given a throne, and every knee will bow before him ([58:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOmFA9kmvnQ&t=3485s)).
Bible Passage: Colossians 1:18 - "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."
Reflection: How does the supremacy of Jesus Christ influence your understanding of His role in your life?
Quotes
1. "John to Break Forth in exaltation and praise because of its glorious truths and say with him even so come Lord Jesus." [52:18]
2. "You're blessed if you understand this book, you're blessed in ways that are just amazing, amazing. You have no fear of the future." [25:05]
3. "He lays out all these magnificent characteristics of Christ...this is about him, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, the ruler of the kings of the Earth, the one who loves us, redeems us, made us a kingdom priest to our God and Father." [36:00]
4. "He loves us enough to make us into a kingdom, a community of saints forever under his loving rule and protection." ([41:56])
5. "Blessed is He who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy and heed the things which are written in it for the time is near." [08:09]
6. "God put this book in our hands to show the glory of Christ to us because Christ humbled himself God exalted him and gave him a name above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and one day the world will but in the meantime when you enter the Book of Revelation you will bow before his glory." [11:20]
7. "It is a revelation of the things which must soon take place, it is future prediction focusing on the return of Christ in glory and all the attendant events and elements and circumstances that accompany that. So we're on a journey into the future to see things shocking and troubling and thrilling and joyous and painful and woeful and disturbing and encouraging and devastating and blessed, but it is a book of hope." [12:12]
8. "More than that, the Book of Revelation exalts the glory of Jesus Christ more than any other book, and it's always been a concern to me and a sadness that the book which gives more glory to Christ than any other book in the Bible is misunderstood, misinterpreted, and even neglected. To many, the book of Revelation is a closed and sealed book, exactly what God did not want it to be." [03:03]
9. "The omniscience of God, the omnipresence of God, and the omnipotence of God guarantees that this will come to pass. Jesus Christ once left heaven for Earth in humiliation, he will do it again in exaltation." [49:46]
10. "To him who loves us and released us from our sins by his blood and he has made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. To him be the glory and the Dominion forever and ever amen. It's an exalted hymn of praise unto him who loves us, not loved us, who loves us present tense." [41:11]
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