TEXT:  Rev. 1:5-7

INTRODUCTION:

A.      NONE OF US HAVE EVER SEEN JESUS.

B.      DESCRIPTIONS OF HIM DEAL MORE WITH CHARACTER THAN APPEARANCE.

C.      THERE ARE TO APOCALYPTIC DESCRIPTIONS IN Rev. 1.

          1.       vs. 5-7 deals with his character, position, and divine mission.

          2.       vs. 10-16 describes Jesus as John sees him in his vision – symbolism important.

C.      WE WILL DEAL WITH THE FIRST DESCRIPTION IN THIS LESSON.

I.      THE FAITHFUL WITNESS.

A.      JESUS CAME AS THE SERVANT OF GOD.

          1.       Became obedient (Phil. 2:5-8;  Heb. 5:8-9)

          2.       The works and will of the Father are embodied in Him (John 14:9-10;  12:49).

B.      HE CAME TO BEAR WITNESS (John 18:37).

          1.       He declared what he had seen and heard (John 3:32).

          2.       “My witness is true” (John 8:14-18;  Acts 2:22-24;  John 5:45-47).

C.      TO REJECT JESUS IS TO REJECT GOD (John 12:48-50;  Luke 10:16).

II.     THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD.

A.      JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD (Acts 2:22-24;  32-33).

          1.       The first raised to not die again (Rom. 6:9;  Acts 13:33-34;  1 Cor. 15:20).

          2.       Our hope of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:21-23;  1 Pet. 1:3).

          3.       Victory over death (Heb. 2:14-15;  1 Cor. 15:54-57).

B.      AUTHORITY IN THE RESURRECTION (Col. 1:18).

          1.       Firstborn – Preeminence (Jer. 31:9;  Psa. 89:27).

          2.       Power in the resurrection (John 5:28-29;  1 Thess. 4:14).

          3.       Power from the resurrection (Rom. 1:4;  Eph. 1:20-23).

C.      PREEMINENCE IN ALL THINGS (Col. 1:18).

III.    THE RULER OF KINGS.

A.      WHAT HAPPENED WHEN JESUS WAS RAISED (Acts 2:32-36).

          1.       All authority (Matt. 28:18) in heaven and on earth.

          2.       All things in subjection (Eph. 1:20-23).

          3.       Over all kings and kingdoms (Psa. 89:27;  1 Tim. 6:15)

          4.       Exalted as a reward for humbling himself (Phil. 2:5-11).

B.      GOD AND THE NATIONS.

          1.       God plucks up and plants (Jer. 1:10;  27:5;  Isa. 60:12;  Acts 17:26).

          2.       God is absolute in his rule (Psa. 22:28).

          3.       The Book of Daniel (Dan. 2:21, 25-38;  4:17,  34-37).

          4.       Righteous is demanded (Prov. 14:34;  Amos 9:8).

C.      JESUS AND GOVERNMENT.

          1.       His declaration to Pilate (John 19:11).

          2.       Ordained of God (Rom 13:1-7).

          3.       Submission enjoined (1 Pet. 2:13;  Rom 13:1, 5).  Why? (1 Pet. 2:15-16).

          4.       Tribute (Mark 12:13-17;  Rom. 13:6-7).

          5.       Appreciation (Rom. 13:3-5;  1 Pet. 2:14).

          6.       Honor (1 Pet. 2:17;  2 Sam. 1:1-16).

D.      GOD’S RULE IN JESUS (Psa. 2:7-9;  Rev. 19:15-16).

Christians are the salt of the earth.

Is there enough salt to save us?

IV.   WHO LOVED US AND LOOSED US FROM OUR SINS.

A.      JESUS LOVED US, AND STILL DOES.

          1.       The proof of it (John 15:13;  Eph. 5:1-2;  1 John 3:16).

          2.       That love is beyond our comprehension (Eph. 3:17-19).

          3.       It constrains us (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

          4.       His death a product of love – not compulsion (Rom. 5:6-7, 10;  John 10:17-18).

B.      HE WASHED US FROM OUR SINS IN HIS BLOOD.

          1.       Washed in the blood – a figure (Heb. 9:13-14).

          2.       From all sin (1 John 1:6-7, 9,  1 Cor. 6:9-11;  Rev. 7:14).

          3.       When we are baptized we are washed (Acts 22:16;  Heb. 10:22;  Eph. 5:16).

C.      HE LOOSED US FROM OUR SINS IN HIS BLOOD. (preferred reading)

          1.       luo a primary verb; to "loosen" (literally or figuratively):  (Strong)

          2.       John 8:31-36.

D.      OTHER WORDS THAT DESCRIBE OUR DELIVERANCE FROM SIN.

          1.       Reconciled (Col. 1:20;  2 Cor. 5:18-21).

          2.       Redeemed (1 Pet. 1:18-20) lutroo:  1. to release on receipt of ransom:  2. to

                   redeem, liberate by payment of ransom (Thayer)

                   a.  Jesus is the ransom (Matt. 20:28).

                   b.  We are shut up under sin by God, the righteous judge (Gal. 3:22;  Rom. 3:9-10).

                   c.  To whom is the ransom paid?  The judge, the administrator of justice (Psa. 49:7).

          3.       Justified by his blood (Rom. 5:9)

E.      HOW DOES ALL OF THIS WORK? (Rom. 3:21-26).

          1.       3 IMPORTANT FACTORS:

                   a.       The Justice of God( Deut. 32:4;  Neh. 9:33;  Psa. 89:14 ).

                   b.       The wages of sin( Rom. 6:23 ).

                   c.       All have sinned( Rom. 3:23 ).

          1.       God satisfies justice, the price is paid.

          2.       He justifies those whom He loves - His love is satisfied.

V.    MADE US TO BE A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS.

A.      THE CHURCH IS GOD’S KINGDOM.

          1.       Those loosed from their sins are made to be a kingdom (vs. 5-6)

          2.       God promised in the Old Testament an eternal kingdom (Dan. 2:44).

                   a.  During the fourth empire (Dan. 2:36-43).  Rome!

                   b.  John & Jesus came preaching in the Roman time (Matt. 3:1-2;  Mark 1:14-15).

          3.       The kingdom would come w/Power and that they would live to see it(Mark 9:1).

          4.       The time of the kingdom.

                   a.  The apostles’ question (Acts 1:6).  “At this time?”

                   b.  Answer (vs. 7-8).  Not for you to know … Power when the Holy Spirit comes.

                   c.  Some say the kingdom will be established at the 2^nd coming and the resurrection

                             of the just.  We can know exactly the time of its coming and its end!

                             – Acts 2:1-4.  The Holy Spirit comes.

                             – 1 Cor. 15:21-24.  What happens at the resurrection?  The end!

          5.       “Kings and priests” – KJV. Revelation 20:1-6.

                   a.       1000 years not necessarily literal.

                             i.        Book of symbols, ie. "harlot" "dragon" "abyss" "key" see 19:11-21.

                             ii.       Would Jesus fight from horseback, spit swords, or have a tattoo?

                             iii.      20:1-3.

                    b.       They reigned.  Who?  Martyrs( vs. 4 ) and the faithful.

                             i.        Sat upon thrones - apostles( Matt. 19:28 ).

                             ii.       During the regeneration( John 3:3-5 ).  New beginning ( Rom. 6:4 ).

                             iii.      How do they reign?

                                      - through their word( Matt. 16:19;  18:18;  Luke 10:16 ).

                                      - through example( 1 Cor. 6:1-2;  John 3:19-21 ).  A higher standard.

                   c.       This is the first resurrection ( vs. 5 ).

                             i.        What is this?  ( Eph. 2:1;  Rom. 6:4 ).

                             ii.       Death has NO power ( Heb. 2:14-15;  1 Cor. 15:55-57 ).

                                      - Neither the 2nd death( vs 6;  vs. 14 ).

                                       - Who is going to hell?( 2 Thess. 1:7-9;  Heb. 5:8-9 ).

                   d.       Royal priesthood ( Rev. 5:9-10 ).    "we shall reign" - KJV  "they reign" ASV

present active indicative, the tense that indicates present continuous action

"they reign" is the proper direct translation.

                   e.       Reign with him? ( Eph. 2:4-7;  Matt. 5:5 ).

B.      A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD( 1 Pet. 2:9;  Rev. 1:5-6 ).

          1.       Priests offer sacrifices (1 Pet. 2:5;  Heb. 5:1;  8:3)

          2.       What do we have to offer?

                   a.       What did Jesus offer? (Heb. 10:9-12;  Eph. 5:2).

                   b.       Praise as an expression of appreciation (Heb. 13:15)

                   c.       Our bodies as instruments of right (Rom. 6:12-13;  12:1).

                   d.       Daily cross-bearing (Luke 9:23;  2 Cor. 4:10).

                   e.       It is reasonable and fair! (Gal. 2:20).

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE DESCRIPTION OF JESUS HERE IS A MAGNIFICENT ONE.

          1.       He is worthy of glory (Rev. 5:9, 12, 13b).

          2.       He is worthy of dominion over all!

B.      WE LIVE IN THE HOPE OF HIS COMING (vs. 7)

          1.       Has to do with his coming in judgment against his enemies.

          2.       There is a 2^nd coming (Acts 1:10-11;  1 Thess. 4:13-18).

Are you ready?