Christ Above All

David Peterson / General

Revelation / Trial; Tribulation; Jesus; Strength / Revelation 1:9–20

Introduction

I. The Source of their Conflict (Rev. 1:9)

1. Explanation

a. John’s circumstances are their circumstances (and the ongoing circumstances of the church)

An identification of John and his circumstances (in which he represents the whole church)

Sproul, R. C., ed. (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (p. 2306). Reformation Trust.

b. The cause of these circumstances is a word and a testimony (a different understanding of life and human destiny)

The Gk. word for immorality is used elsewhere in Revelation to refer not as much to literal sexual immorality but to engaging in illicit intercourse with (i.e., worship of) gods who stand behind idols. Thyatira was an economic center with a particularly large number of trade societies or guilds, each of which required members to participate in idolatrous practices to retain membership. Practically, it would be difficult to engage in commerce in the city without being a part of such organizations, so the pressure on Christians living in the city to engage in such practices would have been substantial.

Sproul, R. C., ed. (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (p. 2309). Reformation Trust.

2. Application

a. Modern Ideologies

3. Illustration

II. The Source of their Comfort (Revelation 1:17)

1. Explanation

Christ appears in overwhelming glory (cf. 21:22–24). “Like a son of man” alludes to Dan. 7:13. The features of vv. 12–16 are reminiscent of Dan. 7:9, 10; 10:5, 6; and Ezek. 1:25–28, but include more distant similarities to many OT appearances of God. The vision shows Christ as priest, judge, and ruler—first of all over the churches (1:20–3:22), but also over the whole universe (2:27; 3:21). This threefold portrayal of Christ in vv. 12–16 is the basis for John’s fear (v. 17a) and Jesus’ response “fear not” (v. 17b), which is based on Christ’s death and resurrection (v. 17c, 18a), which launched Him into a position of being the sovereign over “Death and Hades” (v. 18b). Christ’s deity, authority, and conquest of death guarantee final victory (vv. 17, 18; 17:14; 19:11–16) and should be great encouragements to John. On the basis that John is “not to fear” because of Christ’s sovereign resurrected position, John is now ready to be commissioned to write the entire book (“write therefore”). Verse 20 parenthetically takes us back and gives us a clear interpretation of the “stars” and the “lampstands”: the stars are angels of the churches and the lampstands are the churches. This vision of God’s sovereignty exercised through Christ is a fundamental point of the message of Revelation (Introduction: Characteristics and Primary Themes). Christ’s warlike appearance (v. 16) anticipates His role in the final battle (19:11–21) and looks backward to God’s battles in the OT (Ex. 15:3; Deut. 32:41, 42; Is. 59:17, 18; Zech. 14:3). Christ presents the pattern in which the destiny of the whole universe is summed up (Eph. 1:10; Col. 1:16, 17). Because all things hold together in Christ (Col. 1:17), the Trinitarian imagery of vv. 12–20 and chs. 4; 5 forms a foundation for the whole of Revelation. Because the Trinity is deeply mysterious, the imagery of Revelation has inexhaustible profundity.

Sproul, R. C., ed. (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (pp. 2306–2307). Reformation Trust.

2. Application

In the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3 describe the strengths and weaknesses of the seven churches in Asia. Here is a list of the strengths and weaknesses associated with each church:

Ephesus:

Strengths: Hard work, perseverance, sound doctrine, hatred of evil deeds.

Weaknesses: Forsaking their first love, losing their passion for Christ.

Smyrna:

Strengths: Endurance in suffering, poverty, and persecution.

Weaknesses: No specific weaknesses mentioned.

Pergamum:

Strengths: Holding fast to the name of Jesus, not denying the faith even in the face of persecution.

Weaknesses: Tolerating false teachings, the teachings of Balaam, and the Nicolaitans.

Thyatira:

Strengths: Deeds of love, faith, service, perseverance, and growing in good works.

Weaknesses: Tolerance of a false prophetess, Jezebel, who led people into sexual immorality and idol worship.

Sardis:

Strengths: Some who have not soiled their garments, they have a few people who are faithful.

Weaknesses: Spiritually dead, reputation of being alive but lacking genuine faith and works.

Philadelphia:

Strengths: Keeping God’s word, endurance in trials, and holding fast to Christ’s name.

Weaknesses: No specific weaknesses mentioned.

Laodicea:

Strengths: No specific strengths mentioned.

Weaknesses: Lukewarmness, neither hot nor cold in their faith, self-sufficiency, and unawareness of their spiritual poverty.

It is important to note that while some churches had commendable strengths, they were not without their weaknesses and areas of improvement. The letters in Revelation serve as both encouragement and correction for the churches, highlighting their strengths while urging them to address their weaknesses.

(List generated by ChatGPT on June 10, 2023)

3. Illustration

III. The Source of Their Courage (Revelation 1:19)

1. Explanation

In the book of Revelation, there are seven letters written to the seven churches in Asia. Each letter contains specific promises or rewards for those who overcome or conquer. Here is a list of what is promised to the overcomer in each of the seven churches:

Ephesus:

“To the one who conquers, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)

Smyrna:

“The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)

Pergamum:

“To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)

Thyatira:

“The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.” (Revelation 2:26-27)

Sardis:

“The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5)

Philadelphia:

“The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” (Revelation 3:12)

Laodicea:

“The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:21)

These promises serve as encouragement and assurance of rewards for those who remain faithful and overcome the challenges and trials they may face in their respective churches.

(List generated by ChatGPT on June 10, 2023)

2. Application

3. Illustration

Conclusion