Simon started a new series on Revelation, preaching from
chapter one.
Turn Up the Volume of
the Word of God
At the REAL conference, Simon heard one of the speakers say
“Turn up the volume of the Word of God in your life.” We hear so many voices (e.g. social media,
TV, friends, family) that we can struggle to hear God’s voice. Dial up the volume of God’s voice by giving
more attention to reading the Word of God.
Overview of
Revelation
The book of Revelation is a revelation from Jesus, and of
Jesus. It was written to the church that
was being persecuted. It is a book of
strange imagery, but the overall message is that “Jesus wins”!
It was written by John (one of Jesus’ twelve disciples) in
A.D. 96. John was in exile on the prison
island of Patmos.
Receiving Blessing
from God’s Word
Verse 3 promises a blessing to those to read the Bible out
loud, and a blessing to those who take it to heart (i.e. apply it).
The most powerful way to see change in your life is to read
God’s word daily and apply it. Don’t
worry about what you don’t understand, but apply what you do understand.
(The church stood and read the whole of Revelation chapter 1)
Revelation of Jesus,
the Lion and the Lamb
The other disciples had by this time been martyred, so of
all the people alive in the world at this point, John was the one person who
already had the most revelation of Jesus.
Yet he still needed more revelation of Jesus. The same is true of us; no matter how much we
already know of Jesus, we need more revelation of Him.
John had known Jesus primarily as the lamb of God, who in
humility and suffering willingly died to take away the sins of the world. But now the church was being persecuted and murdered (Caesar
Nero used to coat Christians in tar and burn them to light his garden parties,
and Caesar Domitian was the first emperor to officially title himself as ‘God
the Lord’ and expect worship from all). John
and the church needed revelation of Jesus the Lion, who has all authority and
power and is ultimately victorious.
Imagery in Revelation
One
These represent the seven churches (v21). The number seven in the Bible reflects
completeness (e.g. 7 days of creation), and so in this imagery represents the
whole church.
Jesus is pictured walking amongst the churches. He places great value on the church, His
bride, not just on the individual.
Church should not just be one thing amongst others that competes for our
time. Meeting together as the church each
week should be our priority.
2.
Jesus has robes down to his feet and a golden
sash (v14)
Robes and sashes are associated with authority, honour,
victory, kings and queens and priests.
Jesus is showing himself as the king of kings and the great high priest.
All earthy authorities, and every human being will one day
bow down before Jesus and acknowledge Him as Lord (Is 45 v 23, Rom 14 v 11).
3.
Jesus has hair as white as wool or snow (v14)
The Bible says that ‘Grey hair is a crown of glory; it is
gained by living a godly life’ (Prov 16 v 31 NLT). With age comes wisdom, insight and knowledge.
Jesus has all wisdom, insight and knowledge, and gives it to
all who ask (Jam 1 v 5).
4.
Jesus has eyes like fire (v14)
Fire speaks of God’s purifying, penetrating sight. ‘Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s
sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we
must give account’ (Heb 4 v 13).
Jesus’s eyes see everything that happens in our life. He sees injustice, and the day will come when
He will bring people to account. We
cannot hide anything from God, although we sometimes act as if we can.
5.
Jesus has feet of burnished bronze (v14)
Burnished bronze is bronze glowing in a furnace. Imagine stamping around with feet of flaming
metal – everything you trample is turned to ash.
Malachi prophesies: ‘” Surely the day is coming; it will
burn like a furnace. All the arrogant
and every evildoer will be stubble, and
that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a
root or a branch will be left to them. But
for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in
its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Then you will
trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the
day when I act.”’ (Mal 4 v 1-4).
The day is coming when Jesus with judge all unrighteousness.
6.
Jesus has a voice like the sound of rushing
waters (v15)
Standing at the foot of Niagara Falls, the noise is
overwhelming. You cannot hear anything
else. This is how the voice of Jesus
will be over all the earth.
7.
Jesus holds seven stars in his right hand (v16)
These represent the messengers to or leaders of the church.
8.
Out of Jesus’ mouth is a double-edged sword
(v16)
The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 4 v 12). The word of God has such power.
9.
Jesus’ face shines like the sun in all its
brilliance (v16)
John had seen the face of Jesus since like this once before,
with Peter and James. ‘There he was transfigured before them. His face shone
like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light’ (Mat 17 v 2).
This is Jesus revealing His true nature; His glory, majesty
and wonder.
We all need a bigger revelation of who Jesus is, that we
also would reflect His glory to those around us.
Questions
Ice breaker: After John saw Jesus, he fell at his feet as
though dead. Have you ever been shocked
or speechless about something positive that you have experienced in life?
1. Simon mentioned ‘turning up the volume of the
Word of God’ in our lives (see above), and reading the Bible aloud and applying
it to our lives. How loud do you feel the
volume of the Word of God is in your ears?
2. How can you turn up that volume?
3. Simon said that just before John’s revelation,
he was the one person alive at that time with the most revelation of Jesus, yet
he still needed more. How do you think
you would change if you had more revelation of Jesus?
4. Review the 9 pieces of imagery about Jesus
above. Which one speaks to you most and
why?
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