This Posting is a MUST READ by everyone!!!!! Revelation, the Love Letter of Christ to You Lesson 1 PROLOGUE AND COMMISSIONING Revelation 1:1-8 THE BOOK OF REVELATION, CHRIST’S LOVE LETTER 2 U Frankly speaking, the Bible Book of Revelation is a “LOVE-LETTER” from Jesus Christ all. O! Yes to you and to me. This love letter is to all human beings irrespective of their religion, race or national origin or by whatever identification they may have. It is the last word of God; He being the beginning and the end all must meet Him either as a Judge or as a Savior when he returns. Some of you may have received love letters or probably have sent many, or to some, maybe none--Well, guess what? Christ has one for you. Think for a moment, the contents of the letter, usually promised these things--future bliss, and eventually happily-ever-after--Now that EXACTLY is in Revelation for you and me. The best is, Christ not only promised but also GUARANTEES THEM. Just consider some of His promises: “. . . At the last trumpet . . . He will come and pick us up with his “Learjet” (His angels) and whisks us to our mansion on the street-of-gold boulevard--Isn’t that exciting? Revelation likewise is a summary of what has been, what is presently, and what is to come so it’s a book not to fear but to embrace. PROLOGUE Read Revelation 1:1-3 Revelation is a “love-letter” from the Lord Jesus Christ to give eternal perspective to people caught in the middle of difficult circumstances. This is a revelation of Jesus Christ who then delivered it to John through an angel. It was meant to be read aloud to an audience so never get too caught up in interpreting the words and forget the images he was trying to communicate. Revelation is not a “fortune-telling” work but John used these symbols, images and visions to convey his message--the “what must soon take place” (1:1)—“Blessed are those who read, and hear, and keep it - time is near or shortly taking place…” (1:3). John may have thought the time was near for the destruction of Rome—the end of evil—God’s return. Christians understand “time being near” to means a sense of urgency—the events may not occur soon but when they begin to happen they will come and pass quickly-- so to always be ready for Satan the deceiver, and be ready for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 1. What kind of a “love-letter” are you:--Mystery? Poetry? Sealed? or Open? _________________________________________________ 2. In your home, are you the king, queen, priest or servant? What is your typical role?_________________________________________________ 3. Revelation was written almost 2000 years ago…… What is meant by: “Must soon take place” (1:1) - or -“the time is near” (1:3)? __________________________________________________ ** “The time is near” means, this prophecy applies to anyone at anytime reading it, especially those who will respond to it. Events mentioned here are from God’s perspective and not human’s. Though some entrepreneurs and end-of-the-world-survivalists capitalized on Christ’s second coming delay as business ventures selling missile silos, underground bunkers, non-perishable food and the like--maybe someone should remind their customers: When the Lord comes, “we will be changed” and this world as we know it will cease and desist. COMMISSIONING--EXPERIENCE THE SCENE Read Revelation 1:4-8 One best reason for studying Revelation is the ability to admire John’s wondrous panorama of God revealed to him, one of the best representations of Christ. The Trinity is implied here: “To seven churches in Asia, Grace and peace to you from who is and who was and who is to come” (THE FATHER), “The seven spirits” (1:4) is another name for THE HOLY SPIRIT. Number 7, symbolizes completeness and perfection--“Flesh begets flesh and spirit begets spirit” (John 3:6), and JESUS CHRIST, “the faithful witness and the firstborn from the dead” (1:5). “Grace” was a typical first century Greek greeting while “peace” was the Hebrew greeting thus the author implied: this book is for everyone--Jews and Gentiles. Don’t analyze it! These images are powerful and majestic and should be viewed imaginatively. To him who loves us by His blood; made us kingdom and priests--Look he is coming--all eyes will see him, even those who pierced him-- the people of the earth will mourn--So shall it be! Amen.” “I am the Alpha and the Omega” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (1:5-8). 4. Who “pierced Him”? Explain: Alpha and Omega? __________________________________________________ ** Who pierced Jesus could refer to the Roman soldiers when His side was pierced on the cross--such horror we should never forget. Alpha and Omega is the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Lord is the beginning and the end. God the Father is eternal Lord and ruler of the past, present, and future (Is 41:4; 44:6). 5. How many titles were given to Jesus in verse 5? Why? “Faithful witness”-“Firstborn from the dead”-“Ruler of the kings of the earth”. . __________________________________________________ ** Jesus is portrayed as an all-powerful King, victorious in battle, glorious in peace. 6. What three facts about Jesus are especially important in your life? ___________________________________________________ ** “His blood; made us kings and priests . . . to serve His God and Father . . . to him be glory forever and ever”(1:6). As redeemed ones and believers, we constitute a kingdom of kings and priests unto God since Christ is both king and priest His own (Christians) partakes of his nature and offices that is, (his glory and dominion).
Posted on: Sat, 21 Sep 2013 00:30:39 +0000
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