Who is Jesus? - Presented by Pastor Dean Read - Griffin SDA Church (10-24-26)

Jesus Christ stands at the center of Revelation. Historicist interpretation traces prophecy through history without gaps, rather than putting its fulfillment entirely in the past or the future. But prophecy leads beyond a timeline to the person it reveals: the glorified Jesus, alive forevermore, holding the keys of death.

John sees Christ among the seven lampstands, holding the seven stars in his hand. Jesus has not abandoned his church through centuries of false prophecy and persecution. He holds his faithful messengers even when friends and fellow church members pressure them to stop speaking the truth. In heaven’s throne room, the Lamb who was slain receives worship alongside the Father. His power, wisdom, and redeeming blood make him worthy of heaven’s praise.

Jesus’ words on earth carry that same divine authority. He offers living water, the Holy Spirit, to those who come to him. As the bread of life, he gives something perishing food cannot provide: everlasting life and the promise of resurrection. Yet these promises also expose unbelief. Many disciples walk away, and religious leaders take up stones when Jesus claims the divine name revealed to Moses.

John identifies Jesus as the eternal Word through whom all things were made. The Father calls the Son God, and the Scriptures testify to his glory before the world existed. His becoming human did not cancel his divinity. The eternal Son humbled himself, took the form of a servant, and became obedient even to death on the cross.

Emmanuel is God with humanity, not distant from its suffering. Having suffered temptation without sin, Jesus serves as a merciful and faithful high priest who can help the tempted. The crucified Lamb is also the coming King of kings. His identity calls for more than agreement: faith in him leads to baptism, obedience to his commandments, including the Sabbath, and renewed commitment rather than indifference.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Christ Holds His Faithful Messengers. Jesus holds the seven stars in his hand while his church faces false prophecy and persecution. Pressure to turn from the truth can come from friends and fellow believers, not only from open enemies. His care does not make faithfulness easy, but it means those who speak his word are not abandoned. [06:00]
• 2. Living Water Comes Through Christ. The living water Jesus promises is the Holy Spirit, received by those who believe in him. Spiritual thirst is not answered merely by religious activity, but by coming to the One who has authority to give new life. His invitation directs the thirsty toward himself, rather than toward another source of satisfaction. [15:50]
• 3. Christ’s Promises Still Require Belief. Jesus promises everlasting life and resurrection, yet many disciples turn back when his words challenge them. He knows their unbelief and still seeks to draw them close, even knowing that Judas will betray him. His desire to save does not erase human choice, making departure from him a tragedy rather than a failure of his willingness to receive. [20:05]
• 4. Divine Glory Takes Servant Form. Jesus’ humility begins with his equality with God, not with the absence of divine glory. He takes the form of a servant and submits to the death of the cross to save sinners. The mind of Christ therefore exposes the distance between grasping for reputation and willingly taking the low place for another’s good. [29:56]
• 5. The Tempted Have A Merciful Priest. Jesus became human so that he could serve as a merciful and faithful high priest. His suffering under temptation means his help comes from One who has truly entered human struggle, yet without sin. Believers can trust him not simply to understand their trouble, but to lift them out of sin. [34:44]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:39] - Prophecy Through History Without Gaps
• [04:20] - The Glorified Jesus Among the Churches
• [08:48] - Heaven Worships the Slain Lamb
• [13:03] - The Light and the Living Water
• [16:44] - The Bread of Life and Unbelief
• [21:35] - Jesus Claims the Divine Name
• [25:14] - The Eternal Word and Creator
• [29:56] - God Takes the Form of a Servant
• [31:30] - Emmanuel and the Incarnation
• [34:44] - A Merciful and Faithful High Priest
• [35:47] - The Returning King of Kings
• [37:22] - Baptism and Following Jesus
• [39:27] - Christ’s Supremacy and Peace Through the Cross
• [40:47] - The Call to Baptism and Renewed Commitment

Bible Reading

Revelation 1:12-20
“Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” [04:20]

John 7:37-39
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'' Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” [15:24]

Hebrews 2:17-18
“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” [34:44]

Observation questions

1. In Revelation 1:12–20, where is Jesus in relation to the lampstands, and what explanation is given for the lampstands and the stars in his hand? [05:39]
2. How does Jesus respond when John falls at his feet, and what does Jesus reveal about his relationship to death in Revelation 1:17–18? [08:06]
3. In John 7:37–39, what connection does John make between believing in Jesus, receiving the Spirit, and Jesus being glorified? [15:58]
4. According to Hebrews 2:17–18, what purposes did Jesus’ becoming human serve, and how does his suffering relate to the help he gives? [34:59]

Interpretation questions

1. How does Jesus’ presence among the lampstands help explain his care for a church facing false teaching and persecution? Why does being held by Christ not necessarily mean being spared opposition? [06:13]
2. In Revelation 1:17–18, why is Jesus’ victory over death a reason for John not to be afraid? What comfort does this offer believers facing loss or an uncertain future? [08:16]
3. What is the difference between someone staying busy with religious activities and someone coming to Jesus in faith for spiritual life? How does John 7:37–39 help clarify that difference? [16:14]
4. Why does Jesus’ experience of suffering and temptation matter to someone who feels ashamed of a recurring struggle? How does Hebrews 2:17–18 give that person reason to seek help rather than hide? [35:15]

Application questions

1. Have you felt pressure from friends or fellow believers to set aside something you understand Scripture to teach? What would it look like to remain faithful while treating those people with humility and love? [06:38]
2. Where are you feeling spiritually thirsty right now, and what do you usually turn to for relief? What might coming to Jesus for the Holy Spirit look like in that part of your life this week? [16:14]
3. When Jesus’ words challenge your preferences or plans, what tends to make you pull back? What could help you bring your questions to him rather than drift away? [20:12]
4. Jesus willingly took the place of a servant rather than protecting his reputation. In which relationship are you most tempted to insist on recognition or being right? What small act of service could reflect his humility there? [30:15]
5. Jesus understands temptation and is able to help those who struggle. Without sharing more than you feel comfortable sharing, where do you need his help today? What might seeking that help before temptation grows stronger look like? [35:23]
6. Following Jesus involves more than agreeing with his identity; it includes baptism and obedience to his commandments, including the Sabbath. What next step are you considering—exploring baptism, asking questions, or renewing an area of obedience—and how could this group support you without pressuring you? [40:47]