Revelation 1:4-8
The author is clearly identified as the disciple John.
“To the seven churches in the province of Asia”
These churches were in Roman provinces of Asia Minor today’s West Turkey.
They are not symbols but actual churches existing during the time of John.
Dr. Richison says that these seven churches were probably established by Paul during his three years of ministry there.
“Grace and Peace to you” was a typical salutation found in New Testament mostly used by Apostle Paul in his letters.
We observee three sources of 'Grace and Peace.'
From God the Father, from God the Holy Spirit, and from God the Son
Dr. Richison says that Grace always precedes peace and unless we receive grace we can never have peace.
SOURCE ONE
“From HIM who is, and who was, and who is to come,” is God the Father.
Describing the eternal nature of God the Father because HE exists all times.
SOURCE TWO
“And from the seven spirits before HIS throne,”
Based on Isaiah 11:2 this is also a symbolic reference to the seven folds ministries of the Holy Spirit
Dr. Richison says, “God’s sovereignty operates in sight of the fullness of the Spirit.”
SOURCE THREE
Verse 5 “And from Jesus Christ”
The third Person of Trinity for the source of Grace and Peace.
Apostle John cites three credentials of Lord Jesus Christ.
“The faithful witness” A trustworthy witness, a truthful witness, incapable of falsehood
“The firstborn from the dead” One scholar said, this refers to HIS Position and Prominence.
HE is the only one who was raised from the dead is still living today.
“The ruler of the kings of the earth.”
John is saying that Lord Jesus rules over every authority on earth past present and future.
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by HIS blood,
6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve HIS God and Father—to HIM be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”
We believers in the Lord Jesus give glory equally to the Father and to Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus has a unique position and place in human history that no man can ever have.
He loved us so much that He died for us.
He washed us in HIS precious blood and made us righteous before Heavenly Father.
Bible says that there is no redemption without the shedding of blood.
No religion, good works, pilgrimage and upright living can take away our sin.
Only through the blood of Lord Jesus we have redemption and forgiveness of sin.
He made us to be a kingdom people designated to serve God the Father.
He made us also to be priests to serve The Almighty God.
7 “Look, HE is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see HIM, even those who pierced HIM”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of HIM.” So shall it be! Amen.
John says Lord Jesus is coming with clouds and everyone will see Him coming.
“The present tense with future meaning”
We have to understand that Lord Jesus will be coming twice in future.
One time for the church what we understand is RAPTURE. A secret coming
The second time HE will come with the church and touch the planet earth.
The second coming will be seen by all who are alive at that time.
“All peoples on earth “will mourn because of HIM.”
Suddenly Jews and Gentiles will be impacted severely with the knowledge how they have rejected Lord Jesus in their life time.
“The instantaneous realization that Jesus Christ is exactly whom the Bible declares HIM to be, the Son of God, the Messiah, and God eternal, will bring mourning”.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Dr. Richison says this is God’s autograph.
Both God and Lord Jesus Christ use this signature declaring that they are same.
“Almighty is a key name for God in Revelations.”
CONCLUSION
Grace always precedes peace – If we receive grace we have peace
They come from three sources God, Holy Spirit, and Lord Jesus
Lord Jesus loved us so much that He washed us in His blood and made us whole again
He also made us to be His kingdom people serving Him as Priests.
He is coming first for the Church and later comes with the Church.
His second coming is seen by the whole world.
Both God and Lord Jesus Christ use this signature declaring that they are same.
Everyone is reminded that the Lord Jesus is coming soon.
The question is how are we preparing for HIS coming?
The author is clearly identified as the disciple John.
“To the seven churches in the province of Asia”
These churches were in Roman provinces of Asia Minor today’s West Turkey.
They are not symbols but actual churches existing during the time of John.
Dr. Richison says that these seven churches were probably established by Paul during his three years of ministry there.
“Grace and Peace to you” was a typical salutation found in New Testament mostly used by Apostle Paul in his letters.
We observee three sources of 'Grace and Peace.'
From God the Father, from God the Holy Spirit, and from God the Son
Dr. Richison says that Grace always precedes peace and unless we receive grace we can never have peace.
SOURCE ONE
“From HIM who is, and who was, and who is to come,” is God the Father.
Describing the eternal nature of God the Father because HE exists all times.
SOURCE TWO
“And from the seven spirits before HIS throne,”
Based on Isaiah 11:2 this is also a symbolic reference to the seven folds ministries of the Holy Spirit
Dr. Richison says, “God’s sovereignty operates in sight of the fullness of the Spirit.”
SOURCE THREE
Verse 5 “And from Jesus Christ”
The third Person of Trinity for the source of Grace and Peace.
Apostle John cites three credentials of Lord Jesus Christ.
“The faithful witness” A trustworthy witness, a truthful witness, incapable of falsehood
“The firstborn from the dead” One scholar said, this refers to HIS Position and Prominence.
HE is the only one who was raised from the dead is still living today.
“The ruler of the kings of the earth.”
John is saying that Lord Jesus rules over every authority on earth past present and future.
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by HIS blood,
6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve HIS God and Father—to HIM be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”
We believers in the Lord Jesus give glory equally to the Father and to Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus has a unique position and place in human history that no man can ever have.
He loved us so much that He died for us.
He washed us in HIS precious blood and made us righteous before Heavenly Father.
Bible says that there is no redemption without the shedding of blood.
No religion, good works, pilgrimage and upright living can take away our sin.
Only through the blood of Lord Jesus we have redemption and forgiveness of sin.
He made us to be a kingdom people designated to serve God the Father.
He made us also to be priests to serve The Almighty God.
7 “Look, HE is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see HIM, even those who pierced HIM”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of HIM.” So shall it be! Amen.
John says Lord Jesus is coming with clouds and everyone will see Him coming.
“The present tense with future meaning”
We have to understand that Lord Jesus will be coming twice in future.
One time for the church what we understand is RAPTURE. A secret coming
The second time HE will come with the church and touch the planet earth.
The second coming will be seen by all who are alive at that time.
“All peoples on earth “will mourn because of HIM.”
Suddenly Jews and Gentiles will be impacted severely with the knowledge how they have rejected Lord Jesus in their life time.
“The instantaneous realization that Jesus Christ is exactly whom the Bible declares HIM to be, the Son of God, the Messiah, and God eternal, will bring mourning”.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Dr. Richison says this is God’s autograph.
Both God and Lord Jesus Christ use this signature declaring that they are same.
“Almighty is a key name for God in Revelations.”
CONCLUSION
Grace always precedes peace – If we receive grace we have peace
They come from three sources God, Holy Spirit, and Lord Jesus
Lord Jesus loved us so much that He washed us in His blood and made us whole again
He also made us to be His kingdom people serving Him as Priests.
He is coming first for the Church and later comes with the Church.
His second coming is seen by the whole world.
Both God and Lord Jesus Christ use this signature declaring that they are same.
Everyone is reminded that the Lord Jesus is coming soon.
The question is how are we preparing for HIS coming?
RSS Feed
