Living With The End (Revelation 1:1-20)

 Sermon for Milledgeville & Whitestown UMC...

Living With The End (Revelation 1:1-20)

 

What do you call it when pigs fly? The aporkalypse

 A man on a tractor drove by yelling, "The end of the world is nigh!" I think it was Farmer Geddon.

 Mark Twain reportedly wrote, “When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky. They're always 20 years behind everything.”

 

John's vision of The Risen Lord Jesus
Revelation 1:12-16

Today we begin the study of the Book of Revelation, aka The Apocalypse of John. Revelation comes from Jesus Christ in a series of visions to John. John was worshipping in exile on Patmos when he received his visions.

 

In the first century the western half of Turkey was known as Asia Minor. Patmos is an island 37 miles west of the coast of Turkey in the Aegean Sea. Located in this region were seven churches. John names these Greek communities.

 

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea

 

Revelation is a message from Jesus through John to these seven churches. It is partly epistle, a letter distributed to these churches, partly prophetic due to John’s heavy reliance upon Old Testament prophets, and partly apocalyptic due to its writing style filled with wild visions and symbolic imagery.

 

We often think the word apocalypse means the end of the world. Apocalypse really means unveiling. The curtain is lifted so that we can see what is really going on, an age-old battle between good and evil. The churches are experiencing persecution from Jewish synagogues and from pagan society. These churches had former pagans as well as Jews in their membership. There is pressure in the churches to conform to Roman customs and Jewish standards.

Christians experienced marginalization, imprisonment and even death. It’s easy to lose sight of one’s Christian calling when one’s security is threatened. Revelation is Christ’s call to a renewed commitment to His mission. Revelation is meant to encourage faithfulness, not frighten. Jesus is lifting the curtain on the future so that the church might live with the end in mind. And the end is filled with bright hope.

 

Blessed is the one who reads the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Rev 1:3)

 

John was in the Spirit worshipping God on the Lord’s Day when he heard a loud voice like a trumpet blast. He turned around and was awestruck by what he saw. The risen Lord Jesus stood before him in a terrifying vision. Taken literally, it is bizarre and confusing; but each detail of how Jesus is presented has meaning.

 

First let’s acknowledge how John thinks of Jesus. Jesus is eternal, the one who was, is and is to come. He is the beginning of creation and the end of this sin-corrupted world. He started God’s story of salvation and brings it to a satisfying conclusion. Jesus is the faithful martyr who gave His life to free humanity and all of creation from sin and death. Jesus is the firstborn of the dead, the first to enjoy the freedom of new life in the new creation which dawned with His resurrection. Jesus is the ultimate authority in heaven and earth, as He reigns from heaven with God our Father. To Jesus Christ be glory and dominion forever and ever! Amen!

 

John saw the Lord Jesus standing in the midst of 7 golden lampstands, which represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. He held seven stars in his right hand, which are the seven angels, divine messengers commissioned to watch over and guide the seven churches.

 

I find it comforting to think that we have an angel assigned to our congregation. I wonder what message our angel might have for us? Would it be a message that confronts us or consoles us?

 

Jesus was described in classic messianic detail. Inspired by Daniel’s visions of the night, John described seeing Jesus as one like the Son of Man. That description is lifted right out of Daniel 7:13. Jesus wore a long robe with a golden sash. This symbolizes His royal status as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His hair was white like sheep’s wool, implying the ancient one filled with wisdom. White is also symbolic for purity. Daniel had a vision of God that is similar.

 

…the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
    the hair of his head was white like wool. (Daniel 7:9)

 

When John saw the risen Lord, Jesus’ eyes glowed like fire. Fire is often associated with the glory and holiness of God. Both Daniel and Ezekiel share vision of God with the fire of God’s glory and holiness. Jesus’ feet were brown like bronze. Bronze is associated with strength, and with holiness. In the Old Testament, bronze is often listed with other precious metals like gold and silver. Many holy items in the temple were made from bronze. Ezekiel had a vision of four living creatures who carried the throne of God. Their feet were bronze. When Jesus spoke, his voice was overpowering like a mighty rushing river.

 

Compare that vision to Daniel 10.

 

I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like beryl, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the roar of a multitude. (Dan 10:5-6)

 

All this imagery is communicating the immense, holy majesty and authority of Christ, the transcendence of the eternal, the mighty King and Conqueror.

 

Out of Jesus’ mouth is a sharp double-edged sword, which represents the piercing truth of the word of God which shall defeat God’s foes. His face shone like the sun with blinding radiance. Again, this imagery symbolizes glory, majesty and absolute power.

 

John is terrified by this vision of Jesus. He falls to the ground. Jesus comforts John and identifies Himself.

 

I am the First and the Last and the Living One. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. (Rev 1:17b-18)

 

The one who loved us and died for us to set us free from sin, holds the keys to unlock the realm of the dead and set the dead free! Even Death itself is under the authority of Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus immediately goes into the message that John is to deliver to the seven churches. He warns that he will take away their lampstand. In other words, Christ will end their congregations if they don’t change.

 

Some interpreters think of the seven churches as symbolic of all churches. We might see ourselves in the brief descriptions of each church.

 

Ephesus was the site of a grand temple to Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Praise: good deeds, hard work, and perseverance, resist falsehood (Nicolaitans)

Problem: Forsaken first love: Serving others in Christ.

Path: Repent and do good works as before

Promise: Eat from the Tree of Life

 

Smyrna is another port city 40 miles north of Ephesus. The great Greek poet Homer was said to compose his works in a cave on the banks of the Meles River which flowed by Smyrna. Smyrna is one of two churches for which Christ has no criticism, only praise.

Praise: Rich in the Lord’s eyes

Problem: Poverty, afflicted by synagogue, imprisonment

Path: Be faithful even to death

Promise: Life as victor’s crown.

 

Pergamum is famous for making parchment paper, and had a famous temple to Asclepius, god of medicine and healing.

Praise: Remain true to Jesus

Problem: some eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality

Path: Repent, turn away from falsehood (Nicolaitans)

Promise: Hidden Manna, White Stone/New Name

 

Thyatira was known for making purple dye and cloth and was situated on the Lycus river. You may remember Lydia, a dealer in purple dye, was from Thyatira. A businesswoman of means, she housed Paul and his ministry team during their stay in Philippi.

Praise: Increasing good deeds, love, faith, and perseverance

Problem: Toleration of false teacher, sexual immorality and idolatry

Path: Repent, hold on to what you have gained in Christ, do God’s will to the very end

Promise: authority over the nations, gift the morning star (royal status with Christ)

Sardis was the capital city of the Lydian empire. They were known for artistic pottery and jewelry. Their wealth negatively affected the Christian community there.

Praise: good repute, a few are worthy and walk with Christ

Problem: Spiritually dead, despite good reputation

Path: Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die

Promise: dressed in white, name in Book of life, acknowledged before God

 

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, suffered from frequent earthquakes. It was known for raisins and other fruit. The city would eventually house a temple to Caesar.

Praise: deeds, kept God’s word, not denied Christ, open door,

Problem: persecuted by synagogue

Path: endure patiently, hold on to what you have gained in Christ

Promise: Pillar in God’s temple written with God, Jerusalem, New Name of Christ (Symbolize belonging/supporting)

 

Laodicea (Lah Deek’ eye yah) was on an important trade route situated just 10 km north of Colossae on the Lycus River. Laodicea was known for black wool. The wealth of the city was displayed in arts and beautiful monuments and a medical school.

Praise: none

Problem: lukewarm, self-confident in wealth, unable to see they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Path: buy from me gold, white clothes, salve for eyes, be earnest and repent, open the door to Christ

Promise: the right to sit with me on my throne (govern with)

 

I encourage you to read Revelation 2-3. Which church is most like ours? How might Jesus praise or confront us? What does repentance look like for our congregation?

 

The state of the world appears to be falling in line with events described in Revelation. Israel is fighting against enemies in all directions. Russia, China and Iran are allied and relations with America and Europe are strained. Some believe the end is near.

 

Many people in history have predicted the end. They were wrong. The message to the church is not to determine the date of the end. The message is: be faithful, get to work, persevere.

Repent from lukewarm Christianity. Recommit to the mission of Jesus.

 

In Revelation we will read about plagues, war, and horrific tragedies. These frightening visions communicate God’s battle with evil. Revelation promises God’s triumph. Live with the end in mind.

 

Jesus said you will hear of wars, earthquakes and other tragedies. “Look up, for your redemptions is near.” These are but birth pangs of the coming new creation.

 

As the world falls apart,

God calls for repentance. Come to Jesus.

 

He is knocking at the door.