Encounter Jesus (Rev. 1) I.

UNVEILING THE MAJESTY OF JESUS A.

The book of Revelation is called the revelation of Jesus because, first, it reveals the majesty of His heart and His leadership plan to transition history to the age to come. Rev. 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him [Jesus] to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. He sent and signified it by His angel to…John…

II.

B.

Second, it is a book about events that take place in His end-time plan to purify the Church, bring in the harvest, replace all the evil governments, and drive Satan off the planet.

C.

God’s purpose in this book is first to reveal the Man behind the plan. Many only see the plan and miss the Man.

D.

In Revelation 1-3, John reports a visionary experience which highlights 30 specific descriptions of Jesus’ personality and ministry. This is the most complete picture of Jesus in the Bible. It describes who He is (how He thinks and feels) and what He does in His end-time plan. If we read Revelation with the right perspective, it inspires us to adore Jesus and trust His leadership. In Revelation 1-3, we see what Jesus wants emphasized most about Himself to prepare the Church for the greatest release of His glory across the nations. Many of the truths that Jesus emphasized about Himself in these chapters are currently being neglected by the Church.

E.

In Revelation 1-3, Jesus highlights 30 specific descriptions of His majesty, ministry, and personality. We can identify them from Jesus’ titles, names, appearance, actions, and clothing. Each of these is intentional and together they communicate a clear message about Jesus. For example, the garments that He wore speak of Him as a high priest. His eyes like fire reveal His passion, intensity, and full knowledge of every situation. There are 24 descriptions in Revelation 1 plus 18 in Revelation 2-3, totaling 42. Since 12 are used in both Revelation 1 and Revelation 2-3, there are 30 distinct descriptions. There are 12 descriptions in Revelation 1 that are not mentioned in Revelation 2-3 and 6 in Revelation 2-3 not mentioned in Revelation 1.

F.

Jesus gave us these insights about Himself to form the way we serve, pray, and prophesy (with a right spirit of boldness, yet with tenderness). They exhilarate us with love, stir our faith, empower us with courage, and energize us in righteousness. This is the Jesus we must encounter.

JESUS SHOWS HIS GLORY AND BEAUTY TO JOHN AND DANIEL AS THE SON OF MAN A.

The two primary passages defining Jesus as the Son of Man are Daniel 7 and Revelation 1. This title is from Daniel’s prophecy of the Messiah who would rule all the nations (Dan. 7:14). Daniel saw the Son of Man enthroned on earth after He destroyed the Antichrist (Dan. 7:11-12).

Dan. 7:7-14, 27 The Ancient of Days [the Father]…His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame…11I watched till the beast [Antichrist] was slain…given to the burning flame…13I was watching…One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days [the Father] and they brought Him near before Him. 14Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations…should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion…27Then the kingdom …shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. B.

Jesus revealed His majesty as the Son of Man who is Prophet, Priest, and King (Rev. 1). Rev. 1:10-17 I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,”…12Having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.

C.

Jesus can manifest or veil His glory according to the situation. On several occasions, believers did not recognize Jesus in His resurrected body because He veiled His glory (Mary Magdalene, the disciples in Galilee, those on the road to Emmaus; Lk. 24:13-31; Jn. 20:11-15; 21:1-14). Other times He released His glory; Mt of Transfiguration and at His capture (John 18:1-6). John 18:1–6 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

D.

Jesus’ use of this title in reference to His return fulfills prophecy (Dan. 7). He motivates His people to overcome by promising that they will rule in partnership with Him on earth (Rev. 3:21). Mt. 24:30 They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power… Mt. 25:31 When the Son of Man comes…He will sit on the throne of His glory. Rev. 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne…

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E.

In Revelation 1, John refers to Jesus as the ruler of the earth (v. 5) with His people (v. 6), and to His return that will be seen by everyone (v. 7), before describing Him as the Son of Man (v.13). Rev. 1:5-13 Jesus Christ…the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who…6has made us kings and priests to His God…7Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him… 12And having turned I saw…13One like the Son of Man…

F.

III.

We can only understand these truths about Jesus in Rev. 1-3 by seeing them in the context of eternity. We endure persecution and understand His judgments best from an eternal perspective.

HOW JESUS REVEALED HIMSELF IN REVELATION 1 A.

Alpha and Omega: Jesus is God. The Greek alphabet starts with alpha and ends with omega. The phrase “alpha and omega” indicates completeness, meaning the first and last letters and all the letters in between. Jesus is equal with the Father in deity and is the Lord of all.

B.

First and the Last: Jesus is man. He is the first man to be raised from the dead and will bring all things under His feet, even the last enemy—death (1 Cor. 15:2428; Col. 1:15, 18; Rev. 5:12). Jesus is first in authority and the first person with a resurrected body.

C.

Jesus’ eyes: His eyes like fire speak of His burning desire of love, His intensity, and His knowledge that penetrates all things as fire penetrates metal. They speak of His ability to see everything, to feel love for us, to impart love to us, and to destroy all that hinders love. God connects His fire to His jealous love (Deut. 4:24). He sees the full truth about us (1 Cor. 4:5). Rev. 1:14 His eyes like a flame of fire…

D.

Jesus’ voice: As a trumpet. He gathers His people, warns of judgment, and announces His return. Rev. 1:10, 15 A loud voice, as of a trumpet…15His voice as the sound of many waters…

E.

Jesus’ hair: Jesus’ head and hair are white as wool and snow, indicating the Father’s glory. God’s white garments and hair speak of His eternal existence, purity, and wisdom (Dan. 7:9). Rev. 1:14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow…

F.

Jesus’ garments: Jesus is seen as our high priest in being clothed in priestly robes with a golden breastplate, standing in the midst of seven lampstands (representing seven churches v. 20). Jesus, the glorious Son of Man, is also a sympathetic tender high priest who understands us (Heb. 4:15). Jesus as our High Priest made a way for us to live near to God (Heb. 10:19-22). His being in the midst of the candlesticks, or churches, (v. 20) assures us of His deep involvement.

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Rev. 1:13 In the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. Jesus’ right hand: Jesus holding the seven stars, or His leaders, speaks of His promise to anoint, direct, and protect them. He is tender towards us even when we feel inadequate.

G.

Rev. 1:16, 20 In His right hand seven stars…20The seven stars are the angels [messengers]… Jesus’ feet and sword: A king, He puts all things under His feet and uses His sword to remove all resistance to His rule (Rev. 19:15-16). His Word is compared to a sword (Eph. 6:17). The sword of His mouth includes the command from His mouth to destroy His enemies.

H.

Rev. 1:15-16 His feet were like fine brass…16Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword… Jesus’ countenance: Jesus’ glorious radiance exhilarates the saints and destroys His enemies.

I.

Rev. 1:16 His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. Note: List of 30 Descriptions of Jesus (Revelation 1-3)  JESUS IN REVELATION 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Jesus: savior from Satan and our sin and sickness Christ: the anointed of God Jesus is the faithful witness: He spoke the truth regardless of what it cost Him Jesus is the firstborn from the dead: He is preeminent over all Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth: all kings will submit to Him. To Him who loved us: He is motivated by love in all that He does Behold, He is coming with clouds: He intervenes dramatically and personally to deliver us Voice like a trumpet: witness who faithfully warns the people of coming judgment Alpha: Jesus is the beginning. Everything originates with Him. None before Him, always has been. Fully God with absolute completeness in wisdom and love Omega: Jesus is the end of all things. All things will be summed up in Him. The Almighty: a title for the true God, often with a focus on the power to complete promises of blessing and prosperity. God of the mountains, the all powerful, my destroyer. Walks in the midst of the 7 golden lampstands: He is deeply involved with us. He walks with us aware of our needs, frailty and pressures. Son of Man: the God-Man who rules all nations as the King of kings seen in Dan. 7:13-14 Garment down to His feet and golden girdle: sympathetic High Priest who made a way to God Head and hair white like wool: Jesus’ eternal preexistence with pure and perfect wisdom Eyes like a flame of fire: His knowledge penetrates all things as fire penetrates metal. He imparts holy love and removes all that hinders love in us. He imparts love and holiness. Feet like fine brass: He walks holy and removes all that hinders love Voice as the sound of many waters: powerful as in Gen. 1 and directs the armies of heaven •

Joel 2:11 The LORD gives voice before His army, for His camp is very great…

19 Holding the 7 stars in His right hand: Jesus promises to anoint, direct and protect His people 20 Sharp two-edged sword in His mouth: He has zeal to fight for us against all that opposes us 21 Countenance like the sun: He exhilarates His Church with His glory

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22 Jesus is the First and the Last: Jesus is fully man and is the first to be raised from the dead. 23 He who lives: He came back to life. He has power over death and gives eternal life. 24 Keys of the kingdom: authority over Death and the key of David to establish the Kingdom  6 DESCRIPTIONS OF JESUS IN REVELATION 2-3 (NOT IN REV. 1) 1 2 3 4 5 6

IV.

Son of God (Rev. 2:18): He has all power as the eternal omnipotent God Has the seven Spirits of God: He has authority to release the ministries of the Spirit to help us Jesus is Holy (Rev. 3:7): Jesus understands what it means to walk out costly commitments Jesus is True: He is reliable in His promises that seem too good to be true The Amen (Rev. 3:14): You will finish what You started in me as I live in agreement with You Beginning of the creation of God: the authority over all creation “begins” with Him

HOW TO APPLY THE DESCRIPTIONS OF JESUS A.

In the midst of pressure Jesus’ name makes our spirit strong and peaceful instead of dull and fearful unto compromise. Prov. 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Jn. 17:11 Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me… Ps. 91:14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

B.

We apply the truths of the descriptions of Jesus in Revelation to our lives in three ways: Declare what the scripture says. Seek to understand it more clearly. Live it.

Jesus promised to bless any who “live out” the prophecy set forth in the book of Revelation (Rev. 1:3; 22:7, 9). We resolve to “keep” each of the truths by responding in faith and obedience in our actions and attitudes. Rev. 22:7 Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

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C.

Declare: We make declarations of agreement to Jesus about who He is and what He does. We identify the core truths in each of the 30 descriptions (some overlap), then simply declare these truths back to Jesus with affection and gratitude. For example, pray: 1) “You are…” declarations: You are a faithful witness, the firstborn, the ruler of kings, etc. 2) “You have…” declarations: You have a sword, You have the keys of the kingdom, etc. 3) “Your….” declarations: Your face is like the sun, Your eyes are like fire, etc.

D.

More examples to pray: “You are the Son of Man. You are fully God and fully man. I love this about You. You became a man to win me. I trust Your leadership. I rejoice in Your preeminence over all things. You are the ruler over all kings. They will soon bow before You. I love Your greatness. Thank you that You have eyes of fire and You desire to fill me with Your love. Jesus, You are the faithful witness to the truth. You are the truth. I thank you that You always tell the truth. I love this about You. I trust what You say. You are reliable, I can count on You. You took a stand that cost Your reputation and life. Your are the firstborn. I rejoice in Your preeminence.”

E.

Seek: We pray for increased revelation of the truth implied in each description (Eph. 1:17). For example, “Reveal Yourself to me as the faithful witness, or reveal Yourself to me as the firstborn. Show me Your glory as the ruler of all kings. Teach me more about these.”

F.

Live the prophecy: We make simple declarations of our resolve to obey or believe these truths. For example: “I commit to be a faithful witness to the truth regardless of the cost. Help me to do this. I will submit to Your leadership as the ruler over the earth. Empower me to obey You.”

G.

More examples: Pray, “As the first born from the dead, I will take time to cultivate understanding of the resurrection. I will give You preeminence over all things in my life as the ruler over all the kings of the earth. I will seek to love you with all my heart as Your eyes of fire empower me. I will resist immorality as your feet like brass seek to remove it from the Church.

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