Kentucky MBC
The Revelation of Jesus Christ!

      • Lamentations 3:22–24KJV1900

      • Psalm 71:23KJV1900

  • Holy Holy Holy

      • John 1:14KJV1900

  • Child Of The King
  • Holy Ground
  • As The Deer
  • Come Thou Fount
  • WOW! It is 2026. I am glad to see you here in church this morning.
    Last fall we looked at our purpose in life, as husband, wife, father, and mother. We also saw the toil of sin upon this purpose.
    This year I am excited to move from the 1st book of the Bible to the last book of the Bible.
    From the Revelation of God, mankind, and nation.
    To the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
    These 2 books are 2 of the most important in all of the Bible.
    The are the bookends of everything in between.
    They are the most hated by Satan and the most attacked today.
    Genesis is portrayed as a Myth and Revelation is portrayed as a Mystery that can’t be understood.
    Therefore, both are neglected to be read, studied, or taught.
    An understanding of the Old Testament is also very important, because of the 404 verses in Revelation, 278 refer to the Old Testament in some way. Of those 278 verses, there are over 800 allusions to Old Testament events. So, a working knowledge of the entire Bible is necessary to understand all that is taking place in this book.
    Revelation 1:1 KJV 1900
    1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
    Revelation! The revealing of something that was previously unseen or unknown.
    Interestingly, the Greek word used here is apokalypsis, from which we get the word apocalypse.
    Think of those two words—revelation and apocalypse.
    They each give off very different emotions.
    Revelation is a happy, exciting word that envisions opening a gift or discovering if the confetti is pink or blue at the gender reveal party.
    But apocalypse is very different. It feels like it should have its own “dom-dom-dommmm” sound effect every time that it is mentioned.
    Sadly, this is likely a product of popular books and Hollywood. Apocalyptic literature is its own genre and Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now is about as far from that celebratory gender reveal party as you can get.
    Revelation should not be a book of fear.
    Fear of the Apocalypse comes when an individual focuses on the wrong thing.
    The Revelation is not to be focused on the doom and gloom which many people do.
    Therefore, your focus is very important.
    The writer of Hebrews states,
    Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900
    2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
    In this study, we will be focusing on the revelation, not of fear or terror, but rather of revealing of a character that came into the world to bring peace, joy, and salvation.
    Revelation helps us to understand who is Jesus Christ and why is the world the way it is.
    The Bible teaches about this revelation using this same word, “apokalupsis”.
    1 Corinthians 1:7 KJV 1900
    7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
    2 Thessalonians 1:7 KJV 1900
    7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
    1 Peter 1:7 KJV 1900
    7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
    For you see, this revelation is focused on a main character.

    The Central Character! - Jesus Christ!

    Revelation 1:1 KJV 1900
    1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
    Everyone, look in your Bible, You may have a Bible in your hands with manmade titles or headings for the books and chapters. If you do, it most likely says “The Revelation of St. John the Divine …”.
    However. scratch that out, because this is not the revelation of St. John the apostle and author.
    This is a revelation of Jesus Christ.
    Please understand that the our current study bibles with all there helps and footnotes are not inspired. They are fallible just as man. However, the inspired portion of scripture very simply states.
    Revelation 1:1 KJV 1900
    1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
    This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, the main character of the other 65 books of the Bible.
    The is the same Jesus Christ that is the hero and subject of the entire Bible.
    This book is written in case you missed that fact.
    If you have read your Bible and are still confused about Jesus Christ. You don’t understand the Gospel and His incarnation where God became flesh in order to redeem us on the Cross of Calvary. He died, was buried, and rose again on the third day to be exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father.
    Hebrews 1:3 KJV 1900
    3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
    At the incarnation of Jesus Christ, He was veiled. Remember, Mary pondered those things, others missed Him, and others rejected Him.
    Paul even declared this when writing to young Timothy.
    1 Timothy 6:15–16 KJV 1900
    15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
    Luke 23:28–31 KJV 1900
    28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. 30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
    See, the first coming Jesus was veiled, to he that has eyes, let him see, that led to His Crucifixion.
    1 Corinthians 2:8 KJV 1900
    8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
    However, his second coming Jesus will be His Coronation where He will be unveiled in all His glory and power .
    Jesus’ first coming he stood judged by Pilate.
    Jesus’ second coming he will be the Judge.
    Jesus came the first time for shame and Sacrifice.
    Jesus will come the second time as Sovereign.
    Jesus’ first coming was for Redemption.
    Jesus’ second coming will be for Reigning.
    Just knowing one side of Jesus Christ is not enough.
    It is necessary for Salvation to know the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
    However, to have Hope and Love you must see He is Sovereign.
    Not just as a Redeemer but a Ruler.
    Jesus Christ is the Central Character of The Book of the Revelation.
    Prophecy is important and prophecy is exciting, but prophecy can never become more important than Jesus Christ.
    Loving prophecy is not more important than Loving Jesus Christ and you cannot understand prophecy without understanding Jesus Christ.
    Can you imagine watch Andy Griffin without knowing, recognizing, or seeing Andy Griffin?
    Don’t get caught up in looking for the 2nd coming of Christ and miss the Christ who is coming.
    As we begin, this study, don’t miss the main character, Jesus Christ.
    Revelation 1 = The Doctrine of Christ.
    Revelation 2-3 = The Position of Christ. “in the midst of the seven candlesticks” which represents the 7 churches, which represents all churches throughout history, present, and future.
    Revelation 5 = The Heavenly Portrait of Christ as “the lamb in the midst of the throne.
    Revelation 19 = The Royal Portrait of Christ as “King of kings and Lord of lords”.

    The Chain of Communication! “God to Jesus”

    Revelation 1:1 KJV 1900
    1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
    God gave it to Jesus and Jesus through His angels gives to John who gives it to Jesus’ servants.
    Can you think of anyone any better to reveal us Jesus Christ than His Father, God.
    Now, this is a letter just like the other letters we have studied written to the churches and individuals in the New Testament.
    A Letter from God through Jesus Christ. As much as I like to old southern gospel song of John the Revelator, we need to understand that Jesus is the Revelator and John is just the guy with the pen.
    Jesus Christ is Revealed and Jesus Christ is the Revealer. He is both. He dictates chapters 2-3 of this letter and He is the character of the rest of the chapters.
    He commands John in to write in
    Revelation 1:11 KJV 1900
    11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
    He also concludes with an affirmation of His message in
    Revelation 22:16 KJV 1900
    16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
    So, Jesus is the Main Character being Revealed and Jesus is the Message Contributor making Him the Revelator, then what is the main purpose.
    Notice:

    The Clear Concentration! “To Show”

    Revelation 1:1 KJV 1900
    1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
    Now, this is about as simple as it can get.
    The Clear Concentration is “to show what must happen shortly.”
    Let’s look at some terms.

    “shew” = reveal, to point out, to make known.

    This is a book of prophecy as we are told in verse 3.
    Understand, there are 2 types of prophecy.
    One meaning of the word is to “forth tell”. That is what I do every Sunday and am doing right now. I am taking the Word of God and I am “forth telling” that Word to you. This is the sense in which preaching is prophecy, I am forth telling.
    However, the other use of the word carries the idea of “fore telling”. That is, of revealing truths and events before they occur. I do not have this ability.
    Both of these types of prophecy occur in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
    Revelation 1-3 are “forth telling” chapters.
    Revelation 4-22 are “fore telling” chapters.
    The second word I want to discuss is

    “servant” = doulos, a bond slave.

    This word is not a forces slave but rather “one who gives himself up to another’s will.” Having more of the idea of servant than the slave we think. A slave that serves the master by choice, out of love.
    The master is Jesus Christ.
    If you are not saved and if you are not under the Lordship, willingly and completely, of Jesus Christ, then this book is not for you.
    Lost people will have a hard time understanding and grasping the truths of this letter.
    The Revelation of Jesus Christ has to be spiritually discerned because this book is given to the people of God so that they might be able to comprehend God’s master plan for the future. If you are not living and understanding what you are to be doing now, then how can you know what God’s wants for you in the future.

    “things which must shortly come to pass” = in quickness; swiftness.

    Unfortunately, many people want to make this a shortness of time. However, we know this written before 95AD and has been nearly 2,000 years since it was written and passed around to the seven churches. It doesn’t mean a short period of time but rather it will happen in rapid succession.
    Shortly is actually translated from 2 words, en a preposition which means “in” and “taxno” (tachos) which we get our english word, taxi. If you need to get somewhere quickly, then you flag down a taxi which is way faster than walking. Once the events written in this letter begin, they will “take off like a speeding taxi.” The events will happen swiftly in quick succession.
    “Signified” = to give a sign.
    We could read the word “Sign - I - Fied” because it literally means “to give a sign.
    God through Jesus Christ, through his angels, which simple means “messenger”; God’s heavenly messenger service, to let us know early that the language will be a symbolic language and word pictures. This is what scares people.
    Why would the Lord use signs and symbols? There are a few reasons: 1. These symbols are a spiritual code. The church in that day was under intense persecution. The language used would have been clear to the redeemed, but a riddle to the lost who might desire to use the message of the book to attack the saints. 2. Languages change, symbols do not. John was trying to write about events, images and people far into the distant future. He did not possess the vocabulary to adequately describe what he was seeing. He used the language of his day to describe events in our day and beyond. That is why the Lord sent this message in signs and symbols. As the language has changed the symbols have retained their power and they still speak today.
    Don’t let the symbolic language deter you from this letter. They are all carefully and completely explained for us.
    Remember, this is not a hidden book; it is a revelation, an unveiling of eternal truth.
    We will also encounter some important symbolic numbers: 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 666 and they are all explained in the book.
    We will read about trumpets, bowls and seals; they are all explained. Every symbol we will encounter is defined for us.
    So, we are not going to fear and get worked up about the unknown but rather we are going to focus on the Revealing of Jesus Christ, what God wants us to know.
    That should comfort you this morning which brings us to

    The Comforting Contract! “Blessed”

    Revelation 1:2–3 KJV 1900
    2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
    This is the only book of the Bible with a built in promise to those who read, hear, and heed the message.

    Read = privately and publically.

    In the days when this was written, copies were very rare. Usually there was only one copy per congregation and one person would stand and read so that all could hear the words. The one who reads the book is promised a blessing.

    Hear = Listening to what is being read.

    Not being distracted but focusing on the message of the letter.

    Keep = taking the message to heart.

    Those who hear it will believe it, and then live it and as we read it and hear it and live it, we can expect God to bless us.
    It is very hard to heed something that you don’t understand so we need to listen very carefully to the Holy Spirit and the words of this letter as we read it.
    Revelation 1:3 KJV 1900
    3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
    I want to challenge you this morning to invite, lost people, saved people, discouraged people, to church because for the next year, we will be revealing Jesus Christ every Sunday. My goal is the goal of God as He gives this letter, a letter of excitement as understanding and appreciating Jesus Christ for who He really is and what He is going to do.
    Are you saved?
    Do you know Jesus Christ?

      • Revelation 1:1KJV1900

      • Hebrews 12:2KJV1900

      • 1 Corinthians 1:7KJV1900

      • 2 Thessalonians 1:7KJV1900

      • 1 Peter 1:7KJV1900

      • Revelation 1:1KJV1900

      • Revelation 1:1KJV1900

      • Hebrews 1:3KJV1900

      • 1 Timothy 6:15–16KJV1900

      • Luke 23:28–31KJV1900

      • 1 Corinthians 2:8KJV1900

      • Revelation 1:1KJV1900

      • Revelation 1:11KJV1900

      • Revelation 22:16KJV1900

      • Revelation 1:1KJV1900

      • Revelation 1:2–3KJV1900

      • Revelation 1:3KJV1900

  • Softly And Tenderly

      • Psalm 71:23KJV1900

Kentucky MBC
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