TEXT:  Rev. 1:17-20

INTRODUCTION:

A.  LAST TIME WE SAW A DESCRIPTION OF JESUS AMONG THE CANDLESTICKS.

B.  THIS TIME WE FINISH SEEING HIS DESCRIPTION AND 2 BASIC ASPECTS.

          1.  His relation to Deity.

          2.  His relation to death.

X.    JESUS – THE FIRST AND THE LAST.

A.  AWE!!  I FELL AT HIS FEET AS ONE DEAD.

          1.  Others react to Jehovah God (Isa. 6:5;  Ez. 1:28;  Dan. 8:17).

          2.  Jehovah God is awesome (1 Kings 8:27;  Jer. 32:17;  Rom. 11:33-36).

                                      “LET THERE BE LIGHT!” (Heb. 11:3).

          3.  Our service (Heb. 12:28-29).

                   a.  At the Watergate (Neh. 8:5-6).

                   b.  His name (Ex. 20:7).

B.  FEAR NOT.

          1.  We should fear God (Matt. 10:28;  Heb. 10:31;  1 Pet. 1:17).

          2.  We need not be afraid (1 John 4:17-18;  5:3).

          3.  Jesus is our friend (Phil. 4:4-7;  Heb. 4:15).

C.  THE FIRST AND THE LAST.

          1.  God reassures Judah (Isa. 41:4;  44:6;  48:12).

          2.  Jesus reassures the church (Rev. 1:17;  2:8;  22:13).

                   see also (Rev. 1:8;  22:13;  John 8:58).

          3.  Jesus possesses the characteristics of God (Col. 2:9).

                   a.  Prophecy (Isa. 9:6).

                   b.  God’s name (Ex. 3:14;  John 8:58).

                   c.  Jesus and creation (John 1:1-3).

                             -  “First born” (Col. 1:15, 18).

                             -  “First born” defined (Psa. 89:27;  Rev. 1:5;  John 5:28-29).

                             -  not always “born first” (Jer. 31:9;  Gen. 41:51-52;  48:19).

                             -  Context tells which (Col. 1:15-18).

          4.  Jesus and worship (Matt. 4:10;  Rev. 22:8-9;  Matt. 28:9, 16-17;  Heb. 1:6).

          5.  The fullness of Divinity (Col. 2:8).

                   a.  Vine, "theotes indicates the divine essence of Godhood, the personality of God."

                   b.  A&G, "Deity, divinity."

                   c.  Phil. 2:6.  "morphe means the essential attributes as shown in the form.  In his

                             preincarnate state, Christ possessed the attributes of God and so appeared to

                             those in Heaven who saw him." A. T. Robertson

                   c.       Heb. 1:2-3.

          6.  Not a “lesser god” or created angel (Heb. 1:4-8).

XI.   “I HAVE THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HADES.”

A.  “I WAS DEAD.”

          1.  Slain by the Jews at the hand of the Romans (Acts 2:22-23).

          2.  By God’s design, for our sins (Acts 2:23;  Rom. 5:8).

B.  “BEHOLD, I AM ALIVE FOR EVERMORE.”

          1.  Raised by the Power of God (Acts 2:24, 32, 36).

          2.  The hope for our resurrection – witnesses (1 Cor. 15:5-8;  1 John 1:3-4).

          3.  A living hope (1 Pet. 1:3;  2 Cor. 4:14).

C.  HE HAS THE POWER – KEYS (Heb. 2:14-15).

          1.  All shall be made alive (1 Cor. 15:20-22).

          2.  Come forth (John 5:28-29).

CONCLUSION:

A.  WHAT SHALL WE COME FORTH TO?

B.  HOW DO WE REGARD JESUS?