"The Glorious Lamb" CLASSNOTES FALL 2020 Dr. John Wecks Laurelwood Baptist Church Revelation Notes 2020 - Laurelwood 2 WE NEED THE VISION OF THE GLORIOUS, POWERFUL, MAJESTIC CHRIST Revelation 1:1-20. THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST COMES FROM A TRIUNE GOD WHO SENDS US A VISION OF THE GLORIOUS LAMB. 1 THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST PROMISES A SPECIAL BLESSING TO US, 1:1-3 A. This Revelation was communicated to show the future of our world, 1:1-2. 1. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" -- title produces special designations for this book. The Greek word for "revelation" (sg. not "revelations") is apokalupsis, from which "Apocalypse" is derived. Sometimes this book is called "The Apocalypse." 2. The book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. a. Author – 1. God thought it. 2. Christ showed it. b. Content - “things which must shortly (soon) take place” 1) Book of prophecy a) Not all the future, but the parts God wants us to know. b) Not all prophecy, but end of prophecy 2) Focuses on certain events; mainly the future 7 year period of Tribulation 3) We can relate the book’s chapters to our past, present, and future. c. Method - 1. Angel brought it 2. John wrote it. [Revelation to John of Jesus Christ] d. Witness- John was an eyewitness to these events B. We are promised a special blessing when we study and obey, 1:3. 1. We have 3 requirements for a special blessing in our studies. *Read *Hear (cf. 22:18-19) *Heed (cf. 22:7) “to pay attention to," “to obey” Happiness is found in paying attention to the content of this book. 2. The reason we study Revelation is because “The time is near.” We study Revelation not to decide when Jesus will come but to appreciate the glory and power of who He is! "The Glorious Lamb" a. “the time”= period of time - The Day of the Lord - time when God will again deal directly with the nation of Israel. (cf. Daniel 11:35, 40; 12:4, 9 “time”) Dr. John Wecks Revelation Notes 2020 - Laurelwood 3 b. The time is “near” = imminent. In the Bible, the Church age covers an indefinite time – a parenthesis. The Law of Transparency. Cf. Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child…” cf. 1 P 1:10-11. 2 THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST COMES FROM A TRIUNE GOD WHO SENDS A VISION OF THE POWER & GLORY OF JESUS, 1:4-20. A. We are introduced to the One who sends greetings to our church, 1:4-8 Our church is represented by the 7 churches of Asia, v.4a. John describes Him in 3 ways in this section: 1. He is the TRIUNE GOD who gives His grace & peace to our church, 1:4-5a. a. From – the Father, 4b b. From – the 7 spirits, 4c 2 views of the seven spirits: 1] Angels of high privilege 2] Holy Spirit in His fullness (based on Isaiah 11:1-2) (cf. Rev 4:5; 5:6) c. From – Jesus Christ 3 Titles: ❖ “Faithful Witness” - Revealer (the “Word”- John 1:1, 14, 18) st ❖ “Firstborn of the Dead” - Resurrected One (1 to receive immortal body) ❖ “Ruler” of kings - Ruler (character of Christ in Revelation) 2. He is the TRIUMPHANT SAVIOR who comes into our world twice, 1:5b-7. a. We are to give Him glory for His first coming, 1:5b-6. 1) He loves us. (present), though we continue to fail. 2) He loosed us. 3) He lifted us. b. We look forward to the promise of His second coming, 1:7. 1) This is not the Rapture (cf. 1 Cor. 15:50-58; 1 Thess. 4:13-18) Dr. John Wecks Revelation Notes 2020 - Laurelwood 4 2) This is the second coming to earth as found in Daniel 7:13 and Matthew 24:30 Revelation 1:7 Daniel 7:13 Matthew 24:30 BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH I kept looking in the night visions, And then the sign of the Son of Man THE CLOUDS, and every eye will And behold, with the clouds of will appear in the sky, and then all see Him, even those who pierced heaven One like a Son of Man was the tribes of the earth will mourn, and Him; and all the tribes of the earth coming, And He came up to the they will see the SON OF MAN will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Ancient of Days And was presented COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF Amen. before Him. THE SKY with power and great glory. 3. He is the TIMELESS ONE, 1:8 a. “Alpha and Omega” – Sovereign over all history b. “Who is, who was, and who is to come” – the Eternal One. c. “The Almighty” – He has the right to judge. B. We are given A VISION OF THE GLORIFIED CHRIST, 1:9-20. 1. Jn writes about the circumstances of his vision of Jesus, 1:9-11 a. He had been banished to Patmos in time of persecution. Why? - For preaching the gospel. b. By the power of the Spirit he was put into a trance-like state, 10a. 1) “in the Spirit” = controlled by the Spirit God blocked out everything around John and revealed these things to John’s mind. 2) “Lord’s Day” was a special Day made for John 3) John heard a voice command him to write, 10b-11 The Recipients: “to the 7 churches”… [map above] Dr. John Wecks Revelation Notes 2020 - Laurelwood 5 2. John turned to see who was speaking, 1:12-16 a. Lampstands — like one in the temple; represents 7 churches b. "One like a Son of Man" — glorified Jesus Christ. Put yourself in John's sandals! Glimpse given to John on the Mt. of Transfiguration - Mt.17:2 Revelation 1:13-16 Daniel 7:9 Daniel 10:5-6 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like I kept looking Until 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the thrones were set up, And behold, there was a certain man feet, and girded across His chest with a golden the Ancient of Days took dressed in linen, whose waist was sash. 14 His head and His hair were white like His seat; His vesture was girded with a belt of pure gold of white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a like white snow And the Uphaz. 6 His body also was like flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished hair of His head like pure beryl, his face had the appearance bronze, when it has been made to glow in a wool. His throne was of lightning, his eyes were like furnace, and His voice was like the sound of ablaze with flames, Its flaming torches, his arms and feet many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven wheels were a burning like the gleam of polished bronze, stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two- fire. and the sound of his words like the edged sword; and His face was like the sun sound of a tumult. shining in its strength. What does Jesus look like now in heaven? John was given a special view, and we need to let John's vision be our view. We need a more accurate image. He is no longer a little baby in a feeding trough. Nor the Man John loved to spend time with. He is Majestic. Glorified. Eyes flaming. Feet glowing a bronze color. Voice thunderous sound like Niagra Falls. 3. What happens when someone sees Jesus as He appears now? 1:17-20. John could not remain standing. He fall down flat in humble submission. "When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man." John - the Beloved disciple! a. Jesus clearly identifies His power over death & hell, 1:17-18. He identifies Himself - Who is Jesus? Just a good man? A prophet? Worthy example? Mary's son? Jesus thundered: “I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One.” 1) As the eternally living One, He came to be dead. Eternal - what perspective! Source of Life. “and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore,” 2) Having conquered death, He is alive forevermore. Added humanity & human flesh to allow Himself to be the crucified Lamb. Victorious over death (in all forms). 3) He has authority over death and hell (keys). Dr. John Wecks Revelation Notes 2020 - Laurelwood 6 "and I have the keys of death and of Hades." b. Instructs John to write the Revelation to our church, 1:19 “Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.” Compare 4:1 “after these things” c. Interpretation, 1:20 (7 stars = “angels,” angelos → messengers) Views of the “angels” of the 7 churches: View #1 — Men who were leaders; pastors of each church But J. B. Smith says: The “Lord’s interpretation doesn’t need to be reinterpreted here.” View #2 — Angelic beings who are God’s appointed protectors for each local church. Why written to angels? 2-fold: 1] to alert the angel concerning the divine assessment of the condition of each church 2] to alert the church of individual angelic protection for each local assembly Implications Before we can have a significant impact for Jesus Christ in our world, we need to stand in the presence of the glorious, powerful, majestic Christ.