Text: Revelation 1:4-8

My purpose for this message: Challenge believers to be the priests we’re saved to be and share Christ.

Delivered: April 18, 2010

 

Shock and Awe

Pray.

What of those for whom seeing Jesus will be a shock?

His father was a Methodist preacher but Antony was not drawn to the faith.  While a student at Oxford, he regularly attended C.S. Lewis’ weekly “Socratic Club” meetings, but Antony was not drawn to Lewis’ faith.  He became the most famous British philosopher of his time, writing over 30 books and countless articles.  He was an atheist philosopher who badgered his students and readers, “Assume there is no god until evidence of one surfaces.”

Throughout his life Antony kept assuming…, until he was 81.  Having lived his life by Socrates’ mantra “Go where the argument leads you,” the complexity of DNA persuaded him there was now evidence for a god.  Not the God of the Bible, but at least an Intelligent Designer.  He could not imagine DNA developed on its own, or gradually—by degrees.  Scientific atheists were horrified to hear of his new belief, and that he was badgering British educators to teach intelligent design.

I would love to tell you that this man came to Christ.  But as far as we know, Antony Flew who died 10 days ago at 87, was still unconverted.  A shift from atheism to deism is not enough; even demons believe more than that (James 2:19).  Imagine the shock Dr. Flew experienced after breathing his final breath, and coming face to face with the blinding presence of a Holy God without any defense for his sin. 

The sinner who rejects Christ will be in shock when seeing him; each repentant sinner will look on Him in awe; in wonder; in worship.  Same respective reactions whether in the afterlife, or when Jesus comes back to earth.  This morning, if you’re a person of true faith, I want you to think about the others; what are the names of some of those you know who will be in shock?  READ Revelation 1:4-8.

 

1.     The Greeting.  4a

We put our names at the end of emails we write, but John put his name near the beginning; it was customary.  Remember, this is John, one of Jesus’ inner circle, the author of the gospel of John and 3 little letters near the end of the NT.

He’s writing to Christians in 7 churches located in the Asian province (today Turkey).  You’ll meet them next week, and become well acquainted in the weeks to follow.

2.     The Blessing.  4b-5a

In verses 4-5, John penned a blessing for his readers: “Grace and peace to you”.  Not from him, but from the Triune/trinitarian God.  The Father—God who is, was, is to come…  The “I am” Yahweh called Himself in Exodus 3:14-15: I don’t have a past which stretches back to a beginning; I don’t have a future which stretches ahead to an ending; I always exist—always have, always will. 

From the seven spirits!!???  4 times in Revelation John talks about the seven spirits of God (also 3:1; 4:5; 5:6).  Sometimes the Bible refers to angels as “spirits” and on the other 3 occasions John could have meant that.  But since that’s impossible here, it influences how we’re going to interpret those other instances.  There’s simply no way John would have sandwiched angels between the Father and Son as if they’re on par with them and co-authors of grace and peace.  This can only be a reference to the Holy Spirit so I suspect the NIV footnote that it could also be translated “sevenfold Spirit” is on the money.  We know that 7 is the number of completeness—many have called it God’s number.  Likely this is simply a way of symbolically describing the completeness and divinity of the Holy Spirit.

Father, Spirit, and now John grounds this blessing in the Son.  As a “faithful witness” Jesus fulfilled an earthly ministry which ended in death.  As the “firstborn from the dead” His death ended in life.  He will become “ruler of the kings of the earth”, one day establishing a reign which will subjugate the world’s presidents, prime ministers, kings and sheiks.   Despots and elected officials alike will not only surrender, but worship: every knee will bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

3.     Awe: The Doxology.  5b-6

It’s in the middle of verse 5 when John can no longer contain himself and breaks out in song (one of many in Revelation).  This is where he has wanted to go.  The material in this book was given by Jesus, is about Jesus, and glorifies Jesus, and so the song is a doxology, a hymn of glory (doxa) and praise to His Savior.  

a.     To Him who loves us…

I want you to think about all the different people reading this and what He’s saying to them.  In the seven churches who first read this letter were many different kinds of Christians: mature Christians as well as new Christians; Christians showing many signs of sanctification as well as those not showing much fruit; Christians with great marriages as well as those with bad ones; Christians who are exemplary stewards as well as those still trying to get their financial ducks in a row; Christians whose faith rarely quivers as well as those wrestling with great doubts.   

Same today.  Yet God does not hedge or qualify John’s claim for any true Christian: Jesus loves us.  Brother, sister, He set His affections on you not because of anything you have done—or haven’t, but according to His mercy (Titus 3:5).  Maybe your mom or your dad treated you differently when you didn’t measure up…, but Jesus doesn’t.  Maybe the only time your coach isn’t yelling at you is when you make the play perfectly…, but Jesus doesn’t do that.  He loves you with an everlasting love undiminished by how well or how poorly you succeed at the Christian life.  Does he discipline us?  Absolutely.  But you read about His discipline in Hebrews 12:6 and you’ll learn that discipline is for those He loves.  To Him who loves us…

b.     To Him who freed us from our sins by His blood…

Freed from our sins by His blood.  Blood is the only currency God accepts for our sin.  He will not take your good deeds as payment, my clean living, there is no kindness, no generosity which can cancel God’s condemnation.  Everyone who becomes a Christian—not in name only but the real thing—becomes one, thanks to the spilled blood of Jesus. 

Based just on blogs and letters to the newspaper editor, there is a mass of professing Christians who can’t possibly be…; Christians.  Instead of blood they promote mere belief in some god; instead of blood they promote a confidence in the goodness of man; instead of blood they promote “tolerance”.  When it comes to sin, God has zero tolerance.  Which is why He graciously put His Son between His wrath and us.  Only Jesus’ blood can save.  Only in it can my sins be atoned for, be purged.

c.     To Him who made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father…

We who have had our sins atoned for, are now under orders to the Father.  We’re a kingdom corporately, and individually, priests.  You’re a priest.  I don’t care what age you are or what gender you are.  If you’re His, you’re a priest and this is what a priest does: bring people to God, and bring God to people.

READ 1 Peter 2:9.  You’re a priest, I’m a priest, called to bring people to God and to bring God to people.  You say, “I can’t do that.”  Sure you can.  We can do anything God gives us to do…, and he’s given us this priesthood.  Our vision says…

Although we understand that God made a few Christians especially good at sharing the gospel, most of the grunt work rests with those of us with meager abilities but a genuine love for Christ, His work, and lost people. 

Most of the grunt work will be done by priests like me and you who have with modest or little abilities.  I confess that for 6-8 months God’s been asking me to go somewhere and be prepared to share the gospel.  I haven’t.  It’s come to the point of sin I believe; I don’t know how else to label it.  I don’t think I’m even qualified to preach this sermon.  (I commit to taking a first step in the next 2 weeks.) 

By His blood, Jesus saved us—not just to hand us our ticket to heaven, but to get us involved in linking Him with the Antony Flews of the world.  For a shocking day is coming.

4.      Shock.  1:7

READ 1:7.  There will be a historical moment in time which will be remembered by history books for a thousand years: Jesus will descend from heaven to the earth he left 2000 years ago.  Over 500 Bible verses say so. 

Some people think the second coming is unlikely.  …scoffers… will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?  Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning… (2 Peter 3:3-4)   To others it’s a joke, a fable.  Still, to others it’s alarming.  For example, the second coming is the one doctrine China does not permit its legal church to preach.  I’ve never understood why, but maybe they actually fear it? 

That’s what prompted Muslims to wall up the Eastern gate of Jerusalem when they controlled the city, knowing that’s where Jesus is supposed to enter when He comes back.  And as an extra deterrent, they turned the area outside the wall into a mass graveyard.  Rationale?   Since Jesus is a priest and priests cannot walk over dead bodies, the cemetery should deter Him!

Sorry, it won’t!  He is coming back.  Will anyone notice?  Yes!  Everyone.  It will not be a secret like some who are saying Jesus has already come back, we just don’t realize it.  …every eye will see Him… including …those who pierced Him.  In other words, it will not just be a revelation of Jesus to His followers, but to His foes as well.  The spiritual descendants of those who put Jesus on the cross will see Him too.  And when they do…, shock.

For them this will not be like sitting in the audience with pricey tickets eagerly anticipating the onstage arrival of a favorite artist.  More like being forced to appear at a hearing where you answer for your life of—subtle, or flagrant, disdain for the Son of God.  That’s why there’s mourning (v.7).  It is not a happy time for these people.  More like the rich man in hell, desperately wishing he had another chance. 

 

Concl:

What’s God think about those who will be in shock at Jesus’ appearing?  READ 2 Peter 3:9.  Time is short, but it lingers because God is concerned about the Antony Flews of the world.  The Bob Smiths of your neighborhood who aren’t interested.

God’s final word in this section is that he is the beginning and end (alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, omega, the last).  He’s the “I AM”, the almighty.  The message of these lines is that God is running the show.  He is sovereign.  Nobody checkmates Him.  God’s sovereignty is meant to comfort: God is in control.  It is not meant to relieve us of our priestly duties.  What about the shock that awaits people you care about?

A couple of months ago on TV, Fox newsman Brit Hume urged Tiger Woods to abandon his Buddhism and turn to Christ.  Wow, was that taken badly—not by Tiger that I know of.  But MSNBC’s David Shuster labeled it “embarrassing”.  Tom Shales at the Washington Post predicted Hume’s remark would rank as “one of the most ridiculous of the year”; called it “looniness”. 

Go Brit.  If we’re going serve God—and not just talk about it, we’d better start making peace with that kind of ridicule.  Sure, some of what God asks us to do or say will not spark that kind of opposition.  But some will. 

When we die—or when Jesus appears (whichever comes first), our response will one of awe.  Won’t it be great!  But what of those who will be shocked?  Will we serve Him by serving them?  By speaking the truth in love, no matter how it’s received?  By caring more about His glory than ours; about their good than our own?