January 29, 2012

Smack Dab in the Middle
Revelation 1:9-20

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Despite powerful evidence to the contrary, Jesus is smack dab in the middle of our lives.

9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11 saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; 13 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash.

Jesus is with us in our worst afflictions (v. 9).

He’s with us both in sudden catastrophe and ongoing crisis.

tribulation—qliyiß—a pressing, pressing together, pressure

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18).

Patmos was an exile island, a place for criminals of all types.  John was sent there for preaching the word of God and giving faithful testimony of Jesus.  This was not an easy life for John, but he recognized Jesus’ abiding presence with him in this tribulation.  John also affirmed Jesus’ presence with all who follow Him.

What tribulation am I currently facing?  Do I believe Jesus is with me in this difficulty?

For further thoughts about God’s presence with us in our problems and our response to those problems see John 14:27; John 16:33; Romans 5:1-3; Romans 12:12; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.

Jesus is with us in our greatest moments (v. 9).

He’s with us in our loftiest worship (v. 10ff).

kingdom—basileiva—of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah

Even in his severe tribulation, John, empowered by the Holy Spirit, triumphantly worshipped God!

Do I view worship as a great triumph or a grinding chore?

For more thoughts on the kingdom of God see Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 5:3; 5:10; 6:33; 7:21; 10:7; 13:1-52; 18:3-4; 20:1-16; 22:1-14; 25:1-46.

Jesus is with us in our biggest struggles (v. 9).

He’s with us in our strongest fears (v. 17).

He’s with us in our deepest concerns (v. 19).

He’s with us in our smallest questions (v. 20).

perseverance—upomone—steadfastness, constancy, endurance; the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings   

John identified with fellow believers in pointing out their common bond in remaining faithful to Jesus.

Where am I struggling to stay faithful to Jesus?  Is there a fellow follower who is struggling?  How can we encourage each other to remain faithful?

For verses about faithful endurance check out Romans 5:1-11; Romans 8:25; Romans 15:4-5;

Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10; James 1:2-4.

More Thoughts on the Revelation

The placing of this vision of Christ right at the beginning of the book is significant. This book is an unveiling or revealing (see verse 1). The Christians were a pitiably small remnant, persecuted by mighty foes. To all outward appearance their situation was hopeless. But it is only as Christ is seen for what He really is that anything else can be seen in its true perspective. So for these persecuted ones it was important that first of all the glory and the majesty of the risen Lord be brought out.  In doing this John persistently makes use of words and concepts associated in the Old Testament with God.  He does not hesitate to employ divine attributes to describe the glorious Christ. And he does not do this and then forget it. The titles used of Christ in this vision are taken up and used elsewhere, notably in the addresses to the churches in chapters ii and iii (only that to the church of Laodicea is not drawn from this chapter).

~ Leon Morris, Revelation: Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, p. 52.

John was in exile on a prison island called Patmos.  Most likely, around A.D. 95, the Roman government began some scattered persecution of Christians. Nero had already done this in Rome in A.D. 64 and soon after, both Peter and Paul were killed.  John’s ministry had focused on Jesus and His Word.  Rome was beginning to exalt the emperor as a semi-divine being . . .

~ Edwin Blum, Shepherd’s Notes: Revelation, p. 10.

The appearance of the Lord, then, is dazzling, and would be terrible for his foes. Indeed, John, His servant, count not stand the sight, but fell at his feet as dead. The last two words show that this is not an Oriental prostration designed to show respect, but the physical effects of the tremendous vision.  John was comforted by the Christ Himself, who put his right hand on him. We have already been told that Christ held the stars in this hand (16) and we are told so again (20). We should not preoccupy ourselves with the question of how He could do both these things with the one hand.  John is talking in symbols and it is the symbolism that is important, not the possibility of our reconstructing the picture.  At one and the same time Christ has the whole church in His hand, and He takes action for the needs of the individual.  Both truths are important. 

~ Leon Morris, Revelation: Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, p. 54-55

Jesus told John not to be afraid (1:17).  As the Roman government stepped up its persecution of Christians, John must have wondered if the church could survive and stand against the fearful opposition.  But Jesus appeared in glory and splendor, touched John with his right hand as if commissioning him, and reassured him that he and his fellow believers had access to God’s strength to face these trials.  Believers and churches of any age who face difficult problems should remember that the power available to John and the early church is also available to them (see 1 John 4:4). Because Christ has such wonderful power, we need not fear death or judgment. 

~ Bruce B. Barton, et. al., Life Application Bible Commentary: Revelation, p. 14.

Jesus is with us.

A man of too many friends comes to ruin,

     But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. ~ Proverbs 18:24

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.  And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:16-20

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. ~ John 20:19-20

After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"  Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." ~ John 20:26-29

Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. ~ John 20:30-31

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ~ Romans 8:31

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ~ Romans 8:35

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:37-39

Simple Strategy

Purpose

We are here to help anyone become a completely devoted follower of Jesus.

Vision

We see God using us as a catalyst for revival in our nation.

Actions

Nourish—Grow and care for one another.

Acts 2:41-46; Romans 12; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11

·         Increase small group ministry—beginning new groups, leading groups, more folks participating in groups consistently.

·         Read the Bible every day.

·         Every member of Crosspoint reads Not a Fan.

Exalt—Worship God at all times.

Exodus 20:1-4; Deuteronomy 6:13; Psalm 2:11; Matthew 4:10; John 4:23-24

·         Sermon series on Revelation.

·         Continue to emphasize prayer—prayer groups, individual prayer, nights of prayer, fasting, etc.

Witness—Proclaim Jesus to all people.

Acts 1:8; Acts 4:20,31; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:20

·         Everyone we know in Reno/Sparks hears the gospel.

·         Prayerfully consider our involvement with an unreached people group.

·         Participate with NBC and SBA for city-wide outreach.

·         More folks participating in mission trips.

·         Increase the number of baptisms.

Serve—Do good stuff in our community.

Matthew 25:34-40; Mark 10:45; Romans 13:8; Romans 15:1-2; Ephesians 2:10

·         Clean and organize and remodel back room.

·         Enlist and train members who serve the Crosspoint children.

·         Serve a local school.

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