Title: Jesus Caring for and Leading the Church
Content Main text: Revelation 1:9-20
Title: Jesus Caring for and Leading the Church
Introduction
Today's text is
To the apostle John exiled on the island of Patmos
You made me be moved by the Holy Spirit on the Lord's day
You have recorded the glory and glory of the majesty and authority of Jesus Christ.
To record the glory of Jesus’ majesty and authority to the churches,
Did you let me testify?
“To give you comfort and hope”
At that time, the church was under the persecution and coercion of the Roman Empire.
There was no hope or hope for tomorrow.
to them
By showing them the glory of the majesty and authority of Jesus,
The situation we are in right now is very difficult.
lacking in many ways,
Sooner or later, the Triune God will turn everything into good.
Have comfort and hope, so that you can write it down.
God is
He is the God who changes the plans of the wicked in the world for good.
Those of the world exiled the apostle John to the Isle of Patmos.
He committed evil deeds that hindered the witness of the gospel,
God reversed the Apostle John
He transformed the revelation of Jesus Christ into the life of a writer.
Example) Joseph was also imprisoned for the evil deeds of Potiphar's wife.
God changed it for good and made him the prime minister in Egypt.
Daniel also received the evil deed of entering the lions' den by the actions of his wicked princes.
God changed it to good and made him more noble.
Even Jesus, the evil enemy demons, mobilized politicians and religious people,
He died on the cross, but God turned it into good
He paid for all our sins on the cross.
application) Therefore, dear saints,
If you are suffering because you testify of Jesus Christ
Although the suffering is invisible
You should be able to see that it is slowly changing for the good.
This is faith.
Why was the Apostle Paul exiled to such a harsh place?
Verse 9 says, “Because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
While preaching the gospel, they were caught and exiled by the evil people of the world.
God does not leave those who suffer while preaching the gospel alone.
Let's look at verse 10.
“On the day of the Lord, I was moved by the Holy Spirit to
Behind me I heard a loud voice like a trumpet.”
To the Apostle John, who is imprisoned alone on a barren and abandoned island
The Lord came down with a loud voice like a trumpet.
Jesus never leaves the needy alone.
You are always together.
Jesus is always with the church.
Let's look at verses 12-13.
“When he turned around and tried to recognize the voice that spoke to me,
I saw seven golden candlesticks, and among them was one like the Son of Man.
clothed with garb that draws to the feet, and a gold girdle girded around the chest.”
Candlesticks symbolize the church.
Verse 20 gives an interpretation.
“The seven lampstands are the seven churches”
Where should the candlestick be?
in the tabernacle and temple
In the tabernacle and temple where God dwells
So there was one like the Son of Man among the candlesticks.
That kind of man is Jesus.
That Jesus is with the church yesterday, today, and forever.
Therefore, the church becomes a church only when it is with Jesus.
Regarding Jesus, the Apostle John writes:
Let's look at verses 13-16.
1. Jesus Christ wore a long robe that was drawn to the feet (v. 13).
It was with the prophets (Zechariah 3:4) and the priests (Exodus 28:4;39:29; Leviticus 16:4) and
It was the clothing of kings and princes (1 Samuel 24:5,12).
This garment symbolizes Christ's prophetic, priestly, and royal ministry.
As a prophet, Jesus Christ proclaims the Word of God to us.
Jesus Christ as a priest
He gives us the right and qualification to enter the presence of God.
As King, Jesus Christ reigns over all things and all things in the universe,
He protects those who love him and follows him, provides for his needs,
All things work together for good.
2. The breast of Jesus Christ was covered with a gold belt (verse 13).
This is what Christ did to his people and his church.
It symbolizes embracing and protecting you in your heart.
All the saints have their names engraved on the girdle of the chest of Christ.
Always loved by him.
Look at Romans 8:38-39
“I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor present things,
Neither future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
3. Jesus Christ's head and hair were white as wool and snow
(verse 14).
This is the Ancient of Days,
It is Jesus who rules the universe.
According to Daniel 7:9,
“I saw that the throne was set, and the Ancient of Days was seated.
His robes were white as snow, and the hair of his head was like the hair of pure sheep, and his throne was
A flame, and its wheels a flaming fire.”
It also symbolizes that Jesus is pure and without sin.
During his public life, he was tempted and attacked by many Satan.
Jesus is no evil that falls short of the glory of God.
You didn't have any negative thoughts.
He was the sinless Son of God.
4. Jesus Christ had flaming eyes (v. 14).
It symbolizes the ability of penetrating clairvoyance.
He sees everywhere.
He sees even in dark places and behind closed doors.
His eyes search the deepest parts of the heart.
He knows everything.
no one can hide from him,
No one can hide anything from him.
In Daniel 10:6,
“His body is like topaz, His face is like lightning, His eyes are like torches,
His arms and feet were like shiny bronze, and the sound of his words was like the sound of a crowd.”
5. Jesus Christ is like shining tin refined in a furnace
You had feet. (verse 15)
This symbolizes the feet of power that passed through the sufferings of the cross.
These feet also overcome the suffering of the cross and
have all authority in heaven and on earth
They rejected God, ridiculed them, and persecuted the saints.
It is also the foot on which you will trample your enemies.
6. The voice of Jesus Christ is
It was like the sound of many waters pouring out at once (verse 15).
This symbolizes the authority of Jesus to proclaim the glorious message.
the voice of authority
We proclaim a glorious message of salvation, hope, joy, assurance, and comfort.
Also, his voice will speak to those who do not confess that Jesus is Lord.
It proclaims reproof, condemnation, and judgment.
7. Jesus Christ held the seven stars in his right hand (verse 16)
The seven stars symbolize the messengers, the ministers of the church.
The hand of Jesus holds them safely and holds them with power, strength, and comfort.
Therefore, if the ministers of the church preach only the words that Jesus wants,
Believe that Jesus is holding you and bear witness to the gospel boldly.
Also, if anyone harms the minister Jesus is holding on to,
He suffers harm.
8. Jesus Christ
He had a double-edged sword that came out before him (verse 16).
It symbolizes the Word of God and its penetrating power.
Let's look at Hebrews 4:12.
“The word of God is alive and powerful, and more powerful than any two-edged sword.
sharp, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow,
And you examine the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Words have power. It kills and also saves.
If the words are like this, how powerful are the two-edged words.
In its power the sword of the Word, the Spirit, pierces and divides soul and spirit and marrow
you change
9. Jesus Christ
He had a face like the powerfully shining sun.
This is in all majesty and glory and honor
It symbolizes the dazzling splendor of His presence.
“I was afraid”
Let's look at verse 17.
“When I saw him, he fell at his feet and became as dead.
And he laid his right hand on me and said, Fear not, I am the first and the last.”
“Do not be afraid”
That's right. The book of Revelation was written to instill fear in the saints.
not a word.
These words were written to give comfort, peace, and hope.
10. Jesus Christ is the first and the last (v. 17).
Christ is the beginning and the end.
If Jesus is a saint, no matter how poor or rich, weak or strong he is,
He is with you all the time from birth to death.
Application) When we are happy, when we are sad, when we suffer, when we are at peace
We are always with you.
11. Jesus Christ died and rose again (v. 18).
“I am alive. I have died before.”
Jesus came into the world, died, and rose again for our salvation.
12. Jesus Christ holds the keys of death and Hades (v. 18).
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
He conquered death.
So he can save us from judgment and hell.
He opens the gates of death and hell
He has the key to save us from that bondage.