Mystery and Majesty

Revelation unveiled

John’s gospel – the glory of His incarnation John’s Apocalypse – the glory of His return

The most difficult NT book to interpret

Isle of Patmos (Aegean Sea -) Now: a resort island Then: a penal colony

It’s genre – apocalyptic Apocalypsis = to unveil Vs 1–3 The Character of the Book It’s genre – apocalyptic Apocalypsis = to unveil what is hidden)

It’s central theme – the Lamb

1. Christ the Lord among the churches (as judge) 2. The worthiness of the Lamb to execute God’s wrath 3. The wrath of the Lamb 4. The worship of the Lamb 5. The victory of the Lamb 6. The reign of the Lamb

It’s prophetic nature “…which God gave Him to must soon take place. He show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw”

It’s promised blessing

Comforted by looking to Christ 2. The comfort of the book (vs. 4-6) The call - to be faithful unto death Comforted by looking to Christ Faithful witness Firstborn – Psalm 89:37 Ruler – the One who presides over the destinies of the nations

Comforted by God’s Grace He loves us – (continuous) He has freed us from our sin – (a completed action in the past) He has made us a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6)

3. The climax of the book (vs. 7-8) “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” (v.7)

King Richard the Lionhearted

He is Lord “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Phil 2:9-11