ATN 2 - “Of Tribulation, the Kingdom…and Endurance”

Review: “All Things New”

The Book of Revelation is the conclusion of the epic story of God’s redemption of humanity
Humanity is fully reunited with our Creator and are present with Him as we were in the Garden
The “New Jerusalem” is not a place, but a metaphor for the Church, God’s people, in whom, and with whom, He dwells
The Kingdom of God is fully realized: all sickness, pain, sorrow and death – and all those who cause it – are removed from the universe
There is universal restoration – all things are made new
God Himself is the Beginning and the End, the who created the universe, and the one who recreates it
This book is an apokalypsis (a figurative narrative which reveals) and prophecy (the speaking of God’s will) and a letter (to real people for life-application)
It’s a manifesto for the Kingdom of God – a public declaration of God’s intentions; things which “are” and “are to come”
Through the writing of this letter and recording all he saw, John testified to this word as being from God AND that it came through Jesus
Revelation 19:10c – “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” At the heart of all prophetic revelation is Jesus’ testimony to what the Father says and does.
A blessing awaits those who minister this word to the flock - “read aloud” means in public worship gatherings
A blessing on those who “hear” and “keep” what is revealed here – think, the “Shema”

A Key Which Opens this Apokalypsis

V.9 John’s greeting unlocks this book to us:
- The tribulation: John 16:33
- The Kingdom: Revelation 1:6
- The patient endurance: Matthew 24:13
- Yet, it is all “in Jesus” – making it possible and hope-filled
John is in exile on the island of Patmos, a Roman mining colony (He will be later released under Emperor Nerva
V.10 – John was “in the Spirit” on the “Lord’s Day” and had a vision
The voices was “like a trumpet,” calling His attention
V.11 – “write what you see in a book and send it” to the seven churches in Asia (seven real churches, but figuratively, all churches)
V.12 – “seven lampstands” are the seven churches/the all churches: Matthew 5:14-16
V.13 – a picture of the Risen Christ, King of Kings, active in the midst of His churches
Vs. 14-15 – an image straight out of Daniel 10, one of the many call-outs from the Old Testament
V.16 – Powerful imagery
- "Seven stars” – the leaders of the churches, firmly in His grip
- “sharp two-edged sword” – Hebrews 4:12-13
- “face shining like the sun” – Matthew 17:2
V.17 – John falls under the power of the Spirit
V.18 – “keys of death and hades”- the victory is secure!
V.19 – things that are and are to come later: present and future application of the revelation
V.20 – Jesus explains the “sevens”

The Message to the First Church: Ephesus

2:1 – Jesus identifies Himself as present with them and engaged
V.2-3 – Commended for: works, toil, patient endurance, spiritual discernment, for persevering and not giving up
Vs.4-5 – Things over with which Christ is in “conflict” with them:
- They gave up/stopped/quit the love they had at first
- Repent and do the righteous deeds you did at first (they had lost their compassion)
- Not “feel the first feelings” but “do the first works”
V.6 – the “Nicolatians” – “conqueror of the people” follower of a deacon who embraced bad doctrine, which permitted occult practices and loose sexuality. Compared to Balaam in the Old Testament
V.7 – Shema the Spirit, and inherit eternal life in the presence of God

Why This Matters

Again, knowing the story of redemption helps us find our place in it
We know that Jesus is present and active in His churches, moving and protecting, and evaluating
We can see that tribulation comes from the spiritual war between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of darkness
Every person on Earth is involved in spiritual warfare, whether they know it or not, and whether they like it or not
Spiritual endurance is required to conquer spiritually. We must finish well to inherit eternity – we must stay faithful regardless of what may come
This can happen as we walk in Christ, who has conquered and can give us strength in the journey
We must not lose our compassion to the stress of life or because we let serving displace Jesus. Loving actions and care for others is key: "Loving and serving others is my second priority”
We must not fall into the trap of the Nicolatians and allow incorrect understanding of the faith to lead us into the occult and sins of the flesh
We can have hope and confidence in this life – and the next – because the Alpha and the Omega; He who is, Who was and Who is to come has defeated death and gives eternal life to all that accept His lordship!

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