On Sept. 11th, the World trade center was attacked as well as the Pentagon. Thousands of people were killed and our country has been Plunged into a State of Emergency. There's no doubt that People across the World are wondering what will happen next in what seems to be an Unstable Moment in the History of the World.

For the Christian that knows Biblical Prophecy, there also has been what seems to be fore shadows of things to come:

1. Increased Religious Unity

2. Increased Political Unity

3. Concern for Economic Collapse

4. Without being dogmatic about the current events... it may seem that the stage is being set for the Prophecy in the Book of Revelation to begin to unfold. Of course the Rapture of the church must take place first (as we'll clearly see as we continue our study in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ). It is my understanding that not one seal , of the 7 sealed scroll of Revelation chapter 5, will be opened before the church has been raptured. As tragic as the loss of all those lives at the World Trade Center was on Sept. 11, 2001, it is still small compared to past World Wars. And I'm sure some Christians living during WW1 and WW2 thought the end times were close. To be certain, the end times are closer now then ever before. We Do not know when the Rapture of the church will take place, but we know it will take place before the Great Tribulation Period and before the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus Himself said, concerning His own Second Coming...

Mat 24:36, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."

Some 1900 years ago, the Disciples lived with Great Expectancy that the Lord could return at any time. We call this an Imminent Return (near, at hand).

Mt 24:42, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

Mt 24:44, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

1Thes. 5:2, For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

Just think of this, we are more than 1900 years closer to the Lord's return, and the first disciples lived as if His return was always at hand. This morning we will begin a Study in the NT book we call "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." In Rev. 1:3, John opens with these important words that set the stage for this timely Study, in the only NT book that is predominantly Prophetic in Nature.

3, Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Ponder that statement, "the time is near." Yes, over 1900 years nearer for us. We are nearer than the apostle John was and that truth should thrill every born again believer. That truth should also cause great concern in the heart of unbelievers. If there is one thing that I'm praying our study in the Revelation of Jesus Christ will do for all of us, it is that we will:

1. Learn to Live Expectantly

2. Long for the Return of Jesus

3. Love His appearing ... and Hunger for His Heavenly Presence and Earthly Kingdom.

Read Rev. 1:1-3

"1, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3, Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

Before we begin, we need to know a little about the Human author of this prophetic book. God in His Sovereign and Providential Plan chose the apostle John to have the privilege of writing this letter.

1. John was a son of Zebedee... a fisherman

Acts 4:13, Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

No formal Religious training, but John had the most important preparation for ministry, he had been with Jesus and it showed. People, it doesn't really matter that people in this world see that you've been to Bible College and Seminary, these places of learning help us, but it's more important that people in this world see "that you've been with Jesus." You're life has changed. You're character has become like Christ's character. You're love for the lost and for Christians is like that of our Lord Jesus. And finally, you're zeal for God's truth follows the pattern of Jesus. Oh that people would see that we've been with Jesus.

2. John was also the author of the Gospel according to John, and 3 Epistles: 1 John, 2 John and 3 John

3. John was a straight shooter in his writing style and God used that. He got to the point and said it Simply and Plainly. Just begin to read 1 John and you'll see John's straight forward writing style. Also, God used John to write the most quoted verse of all times, John 3:16.

4. Jesus predicted John would be the last apostle to die, Jn. 21:18-23

5. Tradition says that John wrote "The Revelation" in 95 AD, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Domitian. Titus had made a decree that everyone in the Empire should "worship him as Lord and God". As you could imagine, the last apostle would only bend the knee to the One true God and Lord. So John was sentenced to live out his life as a prisoner and slave on the mining island of Patmos.

Pause for a moment and consider how God used this man who was an ex-fisherman, a prisoner and slave under a Cruel Pagan Emperor. Oh how much John accomplished for the Lord with so MANY obstacles in his way. Yes, God worked through John, but John was faithful and yielded during very difficult times. John's faithfulness as a common man should speak to us. If we would just be faithful to Christ and His mission, message and ministry, then people would certainly see that, "we've been with Jesus."

The Preparation of the Prophet: Revelation is a prophetic book:

Rev. 1:3, Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Rev. 22:7, "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

Rev. 22:10, And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

Rev. 22:18, For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The majority of the Revelation deals with the 70th week of Daniel. You must have a basis understanding of Daniel's prophecy before you can understand the Revelation of Jesus Christ. With that said, let us turn to Daniel 2:31-45 and Daniel 9:20-27. (read and explain each passage pointing out the 5 kingdoms and which ones we'll see in the Revelation and also point out and explain the timing of the 70 weeks of Daniel in chapter 9).

Let's begin to unfold this wonderful prophecy:

Rev. 1:1, The Revelation of Jesus Christ,

revelation [apokalupsis] two Greek words (from/separate & veil or covering)it has the sense of "Removing the Veil", Revealing truth not previously known, hence the Revelation. Unfortunately, the word Apocalypse has become synonymous with Calamity and Destruction. Of course God's righteous judgment is often involved in prophecy, but the book of Revelation also contains hope and promise of restoration and salvation for the nation of Israel. It also contains many truths about how wonderful heaven will be and what beings will be there. So, let's understand that this book is not all about judgment. For the Christian this book is exciting, for the unbeliever (at this point) it will seem dreadful and horrible and that's just how the Lord would have the lost to see it, with hopes of provoking the lost to run to Christ for safety and salvation.

John's letter is "The revelation of Jesus Christ". Some take this to mean Truths From Jesus Christ (which is true). Others say the Revelation of Jesus Christ, refers to Revealing Jesus, His Character , His Plans, His Future Judgment & Kingdom (also true). However, the Revelation "from" Jesus Christ seems to fit the context. Jesus and His actions are very much a part of what is revealed, but the Revelation is not just focusing on Jesus, although He is certainly the main character.

1:1... "which God gave Him to show His servants"

What did God give to Jesus? Unknown truths to pass on to servants (doulos, Slaves). All Christians are the Lord's servants and we all need to know what truths God has given us. I've heard some Christians say, "I'm not interested in the book of Revelation" or "that book doesn't contain anything in it that I need for living their Christian life." Christians who say that have ignored God's opening statement in this extremely important book.

As we continue in this book, we'll find Channels of Revelation:God, to Christ,to an Angel, to John,to the churches in Asia.

What is being revealed?

1. things which must shortly take place.

We serve the eternal, timeless God. Jehovah is not limited by time. He created time. We watch the news of one day, but God has always watched eternity SIMULTANEOUSLY. So in the mind of God, the events of the Book of Revelation "must shortly come to pass".

2. Rev. 1:19, v. 20 reveals that John saw truths about 7 churches

v. 1... "And He (Jesus) sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John." John was saved to do Jesus' bidding and so are we.

v. 2, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

Our English word "martyr" comes from this Greek word for witness. To be a witness in the NT sense, implies faithfulness no matter what the Cost. I wonder how many Christians truly live up to that sense of the word? We like to call ourselves witnesses, but are we willing martyrs for Christ no matter what the cost.

Finally, in our passage this morning, John gives a great Promise to those involved in Reading or Hearing these Amazing words in the "Revelation of Jesus Christ".

3, Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

All three verbs are verbs of constant and continuous action:

1. Reads ... keeps on reading

2. Hears ... keeps on listening to

3. Keeps ... continues to Keep, live according to the truths in this Apocalypse

Notice again, "for the time is near."

Are you convinced of this truth? Does your lifestyle show it?

The reason you'll be blessed if you continue Reading, Hearing, and Living according to these truths is because your heart and actions will be preparing for the Lord's return. You'll be living a life that manifest the "nearness" of the Lord's return.

Turn to 2 Pet. 3:10-11

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,"

Let's end our message this morning thinking about Peter's question, "what manner of persons ought you to be?"

Be found Ready

Be found Serving

Be found Faithful

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Most recent update 2/27/02