This is the third in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of Revelation. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of November 30, 2014. This message discusses the promised return of Christ, and His attributes. This post contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
AUDIO – Listen Now:
AUDIO DOWNLOAD:
SERMON OUTLINE:
SERMON NOTES:
Revelation 1:7-8
v.7:
As John writes this letter, the readers are implored to look (behold), because Jesus is coming.
John had just finished writing about the kingly authority that will be granted to believers, and Jesus’ headship over all other Kings. This affirmation of John stands in contrast to the oppression and suffering that the saints were currently enduring. So, as a measure of hope, God gave the promise of Christ’s return. This speaks to the physical return of Christ, not the rapture.
As Jesus ascended into Heaven, Angels informed the apostles that Jesus would return the same way He left.
Acts 1:9-11
Jesus had referenced the same event, and per Jesus, it occurs at the end of the tribulation.
Matthew 24:27-30
As Jesus returns, every eye will see Him. Nobody will be able to deny Him. No one will have to say Jesus is over here, or Jesus is over there. When He returns, you won’t be able to miss it.
Luke 17:22-24
In that day, all who see Him, and all who have denied Him, will have no choice but to acknowledge who He is.
Isaiah 45:22-23
Romans 14:11
Even those who pierced Him will look upon Him. The overriding reference here, is to the Jews who were responsible for His death.
Acts 2:22-23
Acts 3:14-15
Zechariah specifically identifies the “House of David” (Israel) as those who pierced Him.
Zechariah 12:10
Even though the ones who were originally responsible will be long dead when Christ returns, their surviving remnant will be there to see Him.
As Zechariah states, God will pour out a spirit of Grace on them. The mourning that will accompany Christ’s return, will be tears of repentance.
Romans 11:26-27
v.8:
This promised return, this promised grace, this promised redemption is an absolutely incredible claim. Such a promise requires more than just a prophet’s signature. As such, Christ Himself speaks, on His own Godly authority. Christ Himself affirms the promise, and does so on the basis of His Godhood.
Christ has many names, but here He uses four very powerful ones to describe Himself and His authority.
He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Within the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet, are contained the entirety of God’s Word. The New Testament was originally written in Greek, and by the time this was written, the Old Testament had been completely translated into Greek. So, those 24 letters completely comprised the entire Word of God. This title is used of Jesus Christ 4 times including this verse.
Revelation 1:11
Revelation 21:6
Revelation 22:13
So, this tells us the Christ is the Word, and it is this same Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.
John 1:1
John 1:14
He is also called the Beginning and the End. This title denotes that He is the source of all creation and history. All things began with Christ, and without Him, there would be no beginning.
John 1:3
Colossians 1:16
Next, He is “Who is, and who was, and who is to come.” This tells us that Christ is eternal.
He is – He is always present, always with us, because He lives in us.
Romans 8:9-10
It is Christ who IS.
He was – He always has been, He has always existed.
John 1:1
1 John 1:1-2
It WAS the pre-incarnate Christ who appeared many times in the Old Testament as The Angel of the Lord.
It WAS the pre-incarnate Christ who was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:24-25
It WAS the pre-incarnate Christ who appeared to Daniel.
Daniel 10:5-9
It WAS Christ who came in the flesh, and subjected Himself to death on the Cross.
It WAS Christ who rose again on the third day.
It is Christ who WAS.
Is to come – It is Christ who will return and rule.
He is to come and call His children home.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
He is to come in the clouds (v.7), execute judgment, and rule the nations.
Revelation 19:11-16
Almighty – This means that there is none more powerful.
This is also a title for God the Father, so it speaks directly to His Godhood.
Genesis 17:1
Jesus is able to accomplish all that He has promised, because He is almighty. No one can stop the plans or the will of the Almighty.
Each and every promise of grace and deliverance will be fulfilled. Each and every promise of judgment will be fulfilled. We can have complete confidence and trust in every promise, because He is the Almighty. And because He is the Almighty, we should do as He told Abraham and walk before Him and be blameless. We can only become blameless through the blood of Christ.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on December 2, 2014
0