1 A revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must happen soon. He made it known by signs, sending it through His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the witness of Jesus Christ, everything he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads this aloud, and blessed are those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
JOURNEY / REVELATION
TO THE
CONQUERORS
Who is really in charge?Revelation 1:1-8
The churches receiving this letter
- 01
John is on Patmos because of the word of God and the witness of Jesus. (1:9)
- 02
Christians in Smyrna face poverty, slander, and imprisonment. (2:9-10)
- 03
Antipas, a faithful witness in Pergamum, has already been killed. (2:13)
These churches are going to lose.
Make the case.
Revelation 1:1-3
Who is really in charge?
Revelation 1:4-6
4 John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from the One Who is and Who was and Who is coming, and from the seven spirits before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him Who loves us and freed us from our sins by His blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father — to Him be the glory and the might forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus already rules over their rulers.
- 01
The faithful witness.
- 02
The firstborn of the dead.
- 03
The ruler of the kings of the earth.
If Jesus is King, where does that put His people?
Exodus 19:1-3
1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:
Exodus 19:4
4 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.
Exodus 19:5-6
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."
Revelation 5:8
8 When He took the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.
Revelation 5:9-10
9 They sing a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, because You were slain, and You purchased people for God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 and You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.
Revelation 2:26-28
26 To him who conquers and who keeps My works to the end I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will shepherd them with an iron rod, as the clay pots are shattered — 28 as I also have received authority from My Father. And I will give him the morning star.
Revelation 3:21
21 To him who conquers I will give a place to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne.
His people share in His rule.
- 01
Jesus has made them a kingdom and priests.
- 02
Their prayers come before God.
- 03
He promises them authority over the nations and a place on His throne.
Which facts still stand? Which conclusions have to change?
Zechariah 12:10
10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on Me, on Him Whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over Him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
What happens to the man they pierced?
Daniel 7:9-10
9 "As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before Him; a thousand thousands served Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.
Daniel 7:11
11 "I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.
Daniel 7:12-13
12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.
Daniel 7:14
14 And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Revelation 1:7
7 Behold! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Yes. Amen.
The rejected King will be vindicated.
- 01
The Son of Man receives dominion over all peoples.
- 02
Those who pierced Him will face His authority.
- 03
The word γῆ can mean "earth" or "land."
- 04
Zechariah places the mourning among the families of the land.
Revelation 1:8
8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, the One Who is and Who was and Who is coming, the Almighty.
What is your verdict on these churches now?
What would you want our church to ask God for, in light of what we have read?
JESUS IS ALREADY RUNNING THE WORLD, EVEN WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE HIS ENEMIES ARE IN CHARGE.
Jesus rules over earthly kings.
His people share in His rule.
The Almighty guarantees His word.