The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1:1-20
June 28, 2020
Abraham Hong

Sermon Script

My fellow pilgrim, promise to me that when you have your eternal rest in the kingdom of the new heavens and new earth, you will go find the Apostle John one day and have a meal with him and ask him what that Sunday, what that Lord’s Day, was like when he received the revelation of Jesus Christ. Ask him about the first chapter of the book of Revelation. And then watch him smile.

John’s story about Jesus here in Revelation 1 is so heartwarming. Think about his life with the Lord. John was a beloved disciple of Jesus. He heard Jesus’ words and saw Jesus’ deeds. He walked with him and he witnessed his glory. John sat next to the Lord during their last supper. John was there when his Lord wept over the death of Lazarus. John was there when his Savior died on the cross. On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, John ran to the tomb. And on that Sunday, on that Lord’s Day, as he was stuck on the island of Patmos, as he was most likely banished there, persecuted because of the word of God, as he was receiving tribulation and going through it all with patient endurance, on that heartwarming day, John was visited by the Lord of his life. John saw the revelation of Jesus Christ. And it was a very special and unforgettable moment for John. Because on that day, John received ultimate encouragement. John received the final and triumphant portion of the full gospel of Christ. John received Jesus.

And this encouragement, this portion of the gospel, this Jesus, is also for you to receive today. Imagine John’s smile when you meet him. And promise to me that you will smile with him… today.

First, dear Highland, may you smile with the smile of reverence and awe. When John turned and saw Jesus, he fell at Jesus’ feet as though dead. He was overcome with a profound sense of reverence and awe for Jesus. This was absolutely appropriate.

John saw that Jesus’ face was like the sun shining in full strength. And he saw that the hairs of Jesus’ head were white, like white wool, like snow. This is a picture of Jesus’ holiness and purity - a radiant holiness and a perfect purity that is contrary to sin. John saw that a sharp two-edged sword came from Jesus’ mouth. And he saw Jesus holding seven stars in his right hand as he was clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. This is a picture of Jesus’ royal authority and sovereign judgment - there is no one greater than him. John saw that Jesus’ eyes were like a flame of fire. This is a picture of Jesus’ knowledge and sight of all things - no one can hide from him. John saw that Jesus’ voice was like the roar of many waters and that his feet were like burnished bronze refined in a furnace. This is a picture of Jesus’ glorious majesty and almighty power. And last but perhaps most importantly, John saw that Jesus was like a son of man. This is a picture of Jesus’ divinity - Jesus is none other than the second person of the one triune God. Jesus revealed himself like this before John. And Jesus reveals himself like this before you.

Dear Highland, may you grow in reverence and awe of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because Jesus is Jesus. If you think about him and don’t want to fall at Jesus’ feet as though dead, then you have a low view of him. And that is extremely inappropriate. Don’t stay there. Move out of that now. So much of Christian growth and maturity happens when you really start to see Jesus as he really is. Jesus is your God. When you think about Jesus, let this picture of Jesus here in Revelation 1 begin to appear more and more in your new creation brain. And check yourself and train yourself with questions such as: “Who is Jesus to me? What is my attitude and approach before the resurrected and exalted King of kings? When I say, ‘Lord, Lord,’ do I really mean what I say?” Reverence and awe before Jesus. Highland, we are the kingdom of God. And our kingdom receives Jesus with reverence and awe. So as you smile with John today, may you smile with the smile of reverence and awe.

Second, dear saints, may you smile with the smile of thanksgiving and love. When John fell at Jesus’ feet as though dead, Jesus laid his right hand on John and said, “Fear not….” John deserved nothing but death before Jesus. But John received Jesus’ touch. And John received Jesus’ words of comfort and assurance. Jesus loved John. And by his blood, Jesus freed John from his sins. Jesus made John his kingdom. And Jesus made John into a priest of his kingdom. This was absolutely gracious.

When Jesus said to John that he is the first and the last, he is fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, who declared that the one who is the first and the last would be the true Savior and Deliverer of undeserving sinners. When Jesus said to John that he is the living one, he is differentiating himself from all the false idols who cannot save and who are undeserving of John’s recognition and John’s dependence. And when Jesus said to John that he died, that he is alive forevermore, and that he has the keys of death and hades, he is proclaiming that he died for John, that he resurrected for John, that he will be with John through the valley of the shadow of death, and that he will resurrect John and defeat death for John once and for all so that death may be swallowed up in victory. Jesus did all of this for John. And Jesus did all of this for you.

Dear saints, may you grow in thanksgiving and love for your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because Jesus saved you from sin and from death. And isn’t that the best blessing of all? Isn’t that more than enough for you? Isn’t that your first happiness and joy? So much of Christian growth and maturity happens when you really start to cherish Jesus’ salvation for you. Jesus saved you. When you think about your life right now, let the treasure of the blessings of Jesus’ salvation here of Revelation 1 begin to pile up in your new creation heart. And check yourself and train yourself with questions such as: “What did Jesus do for me? What is my attitude and approach before the blood that Jesus’ shed for me? When Jesus said, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,’ do I see his love for me?” Thanksgiving and love before Jesus. Highland, we are the kingdom of God. And our kingdom receives Jesus with thanksgiving and love. So as you smile with John today, may you smile with the smile of thanksgiving and love.

Third and finally, dear church, may you smile with the smile of hope and victory. When Jesus spoke to John on that Sunday, on that Lord’s Day, he told John that the time is near. He told John that he will soon return. He told John that he will win. This was absolutely encouraging.

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come. This means that Jesus transcends everything and everyone. This means that Jesus is eternal. This means that Jesus is in control. Jesus is also the ruler of kings on earth whose glory and dominion will be forever and ever. And every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. This means that Jesus defeats all who oppose his kingdom reign and his kingdom people. And Jesus is in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, which symbolize the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. This means that Jesus is with his church. Jesus wanted John to know this back then. And Jesus wants you to know this today.

Dear church, may you grow in hope and victory in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. It is easy to see the church as nothing but small potatoes. The church does not look like much. The church suffers and endures tribulation with patient endurance and persecution with meekness and lowliness. The ministry of preaching feels old-school and outdated. Our celebration is quietly highlighted with a piece of bread and a cup of juice. But know this. While this old and fading world disappoints and does not deliver, the church will never disappoint, the church will always deliver. Can you picture the seven golden lampstands being knocked down? Can you picture Jesus sheepishly putting the lampstands back up again? No. You can’t. And the reason why you can’t is because there’s no picture of it in the Bible. And the church being the seven golden lampstands is a profound reference to fact that the church, just like the Old Testament tabernacle and the temple that had such lampstands, is a replica, a copy of heaven. This means that the church is the only institution on this old and fading earth that is going to be a part of eternity, of the new heavens and the new earth. All other institutions will have an endgame. But there will be no endgame for the church. Because the church belongs to the new creation. Therefore, dear church, stay small potato humble but smile big potato big because you know who’s going to win it all at the end. You can smile through all the ridicule and all the wrongdoings. You can smile through all the persecutions and all the sufferings. You can smile before your enemies. You can smile through the valley of the shadow of death. So much of Christian growth and maturity happens when it begins to dawn on you that you cannot lose and that there is nothing for you to lose. Because you are a conqueror in Christ Jesus. And because Christ Jesus wins. Let the picture of his victory here in Revelation 1 help you crush your old creation hopelessness and replace it with a new creation hopefulness. And check yourself and train yourself with questions such as: “If I believe that we win, then why do I not evangelize more? Why is my zeal and earnestness the way that it is? What is my purpose in this short earthly life? What shall I do now - now that I know that victory is guaranteed? What reason do I have to be scared?” Hope and victory before Jesus. Highland, we are the kingdom of God. And our kingdom receives Jesus with hope and victory. So as you smile with John today, may you smile with the smile of hope and victory.

John’s story about Jesus here in Revelation 1 is so heartwarming. But John’s story, and your story, about Jesus in the new heavens and new earth is going to be so much better. Think about your future life with the Lord. You will see Jesus. He will look very much like what John described here in Revelation 1. But you will also be able to see Jesus as he is. You will see Jesus face to face. Imagine the smile on Jesus’ face when you meet him on that day. Imagine yours.

What a wonderful time it has been in the first three chapters of the book of Revelation. Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ. May you receive encouragement. May you receive this portion of the full gospel of Christ. May you receive Jesus.

Remember that he who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” And so we say: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Soli Deo Gloria