Living 3:16 – With Passion for Jesus - Revelation 1 and 3 - March 30, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – Living 3:16 – With Passion for Jesus – March 30, 2008

This is the final lesson in this series of study.

Our scripture is Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-18; 3:14-17, 18-22.

The Book of Revelation is the revelation of GOD and JESUS to the Apostle John while he was exiled on the Island of Patmos and to all believers.

Revelation 1:1-3 establishes the purpose of the revelation:
1 The revelation of[1] Or Revelation of, or A revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave Him to show His • slaves what must quickly[2] Or soon take place.[3] Dn 2:28–29,45 He sent it and signified it[4] Made it known through symbols through His angel to His slave John, 2 who testified to God’s word and to the testimony[5] Or witness about Jesus Christ,[6] Rv 1:9; 12:17; 19:10; 20:4 in all he saw.[7] Lit as many as he saw 3 Blessed[8] Rv 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14 is the one who reads and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep[9] Or follow, or obey what is written in it, because the time is near!

The second coming of CHRIST has been near since HE left earth. Another thought is that the time to record this last book of the Bible through HIS trusted servant John is also about to come to a close.

Let’s read Revelation 1:9-11:
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God’s word and the testimony about Jesus.[23] Lit the witness of Jesus [24] Rv 1:2; 6:9; 12:17; 19:10; 20:4 10 I was in the Spirit[25] Lit I became in the Spirit or in spirit [26] John was brought by God’s Spirit into a realm of spiritual vision. [27] Rv 4:2; 17:3; 21:10 on the Lord’s day,[28] Sunday and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll[29] Or book what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

The Apostle John had been exiled to the Island of Patmos by the Roman Emperor Domitian (doh MISH uhn) for being an outspoken Christian leader. This marked a period in history of emperor worship. Domitian ruled between 81-96 A.D. Domitian took seriously the idea that he was a god worthy of being worshiped and cracked down on the Christians.

The Island of Patmos is an island about ten (10) miles long and five (5) miles wide and located about sixty (60) miles from Ephesus.

The Apostle John is writing to all Christians then and now. He does not elevate himself above fellow Christians. He considers himself a fellow laborer in ministry.
John, the author of the Book of John and 1, 2 and 3 John, now records the revelation GOD gave to him on the Island of Patmos. He was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. This could mean it was on Sunday or it could mean a day in the future since GOD is revealing future events.

John heard a loud voice. I don’t know if you have ever heard the voice of GOD or an angel but I did many years ago and it was 360 degrees in my head as I have never heard a human speak to me. The message was clear and distinctive. When GOD speaks HE intends for the person to whom HE is speaking will hear HIM. It is a moment you will never forget.

John is instructed to write what is revealed and send it to the seven (7) churches listed. This is a wake-up call to some of these churches and is a wake-up call to Christians and the living church today.

Let’s read Revelation 1:12-13, 17-18:
12 I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was One like the • Son of Man,[30] Or like a son of man [31] Dn 7:13 dressed in a long robe, and with a gold sash wrapped around His chest.
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me, and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last, 18 and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and • Hades.

John hears a voice and turns to who was speaking to him. He first saw seven (7) separate gold lampstands. Standing among the lampstands was ONE like the Son of Man. The term Son of Man is a term JESUS used to refer to Himself when HE was with the disciples. It is a term that represented HIM as both human and divine.

JESUS is wearing a long robe with a gold sash around HIS chest. This identifies JESUS as the High Priest. John immediately falls to the feet of CHRIST. This is a typical response for those who encounter GOD, CHRIST or a heavenly being. JESUS quickly tells John not to be afraid. Calming the person GOD or CHRIST desires to give a message to is important because a frightened person is less likely to focus on the message. JESUS further confirms this by telling John that HE is the JESUS that died and is alive for all eternity. HE is the First and the Last. There will be no other. It is not necessary because all has been fulfilled in HIM. JESUS holds the keys to death and Hades because HE conquered sin and death. I wonder if this statement brought memories to John.

Let’s read Matthew 16:15-19: JESUS asked HIS Disciples a very important question when JESUS was on earth.
15 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the • Messiah, the Son of the living God!” 17 And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah,[8] Or son of John you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter,[9] Peter (Gk Petros) = a specific stone or rock and on this rock[10] Rock (Gk petra) = a rocky crag or bedrock I will build My church, and the forces[11] Lit gates of • Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound[12] Or earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed[13] Or earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The lampstand in the Old Testament was one stand with seven (7) lamps.

The Old Testament reveals in Zechariah 4:1-2:
1 The angel who was speaking with me then returned and roused me as one awakened out of sleep. 2 He asked me, “What do you see?” I replied, “I see a solid gold lampstand there with a bowl on its top. It has seven lamps on it and seven channels for each of[1] Or seven lips to; each lip would hold a wick for the lamp. the lamps on its top.

In Revelation 1:12 there are seven (7) individual lampstands, each having one (1) light source.

What I am about to say is speculation on my part. So just meditate on it and only embrace it if the Holy Spirit leads you to so. The lampstand with the seven lamps with one source of oil represents the power of GOD before CHRIST. The seven (7) individual lampstands in Revelation, each with its own source of oil, represents the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT in each believer. CHRIST gave HIS life to redeem mankind from sin and death. This made it possible for the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell the body of each believer. This makes believers accountable individually and collectively. Collectively means in a body of believers as the living church.

The gold lampstand with the single reservoir of oil represented the power of GOD feeding the seven (7) lamps. Of course, this was before CHRIST came to earth as a human. GOD was the oil that produced the light in the world.

After CHRIST came to earth as a human, HE became the oil that is the source of the light for the individual lamps (believers). CHRIST stated in the New Testament that HE is the vine and believers are the branches. Branches can be dwelt with individually and pruned as needed.

When CHRIST came to earth as a human, HE was tempted in all ways as we are, yet HE remained sinless. HE willingly gave HIS life to conquer sin and death for every human who accepts HIM as SAVIOR. HE paid the price required by GOD to redeem mankind. GOD did not have to allow HIS ONLY SON to come to earth and CHRIST did not have to come to earth but their love for all mankind would not allow them to do anything else. CHRIST died as a human and was dependent upon GOD THE FATHER to resurrect HIM from the dead. If CHRIST had not passed the sinless test, HE would not have been resurrected. The fact HE was resurrected is proof that HE conquered both sin and death. All any human has to do is believe that CHRIST died for him or her and ask HIM to forgive him or her of his or her sins and to come into his or her lives to become a born-again Christian.

After CHRIST suffered, died and was resurrected humans no longer had to depend on going to the temple to offer sacrifices for their sins and have a priest go before GOD and ask for their forgiveness for sins. In general, in the Old Testament the priests went before GOD to ask for forgiveness for the sins of a group of people. Since CHRIST each person can go before GOD through CHRIST to ask for forgiveness. Believers have direct access to GOD and this is called the priesthood of believers.

Every individual is accountable to GOD for his or her sins. Since CHRIST, anyone seeking a personal relationship with CHRIST does not need to go through a priest. Every human has direct access to GOD through CHRIST for salvation.
We need to pay special attention to the next scripture.

Let’s read Revelation 3:14-17:
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: “The • Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator[12] Or Ruler, or Source, or Beginning [13] Col 1:18; Jn 1:1–5 of God’s creation says: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit[14] Or spit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy, and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,

To me this was puzzling. Why does CHRIST address the letter to an angel? Who is the angel? Here are some of the mental gymnastics I went through. All angels are under the authority of GOD and CHRIST. Therefore if an angel was in charge, HE would tell them directly to, “Straighten up.”

The word “Angel” means messenger. Generally the messenger in most churches is the pastor. Whoever is the leader giving the message and leading the body of believers is the “Angel.” If you are the messenger, pastor, Sunday school teacher, deacon, church leader and the list goes on, you are accountable to GOD. In fact every believer is accountable to GOD when those in leadership positions have deviated from Biblical truth. This is a tough situation to be in because you need to pray about approaching leadership and revealing the message the LORD has revealed to you and you need to be prepared to find another body of believers.

JESUS identifies Himself as the final message on this subject. HE is the final authority and there is not argument. JESUS identifies the problems in the church at Laodicea. They thought they were rich spiritually but they were poor.
JESUS used a very appropriate illustration. They were neither cold nor hot but lukewarm. Luke warm made HIM vomit. They immediately connected with the example.

Cities get their water from various sources. Some got their water from cold springs and others got their water from hot springs. This was the case for Laodicea. They got their water from a hot spring about six (6) miles away. But by the time the original hot water got to Laodicea it was lukewarm and it was nauseating to drink.

This verse about being lukewarm stayed on my mind until I committed my life to CHRIST years ago. I wanted CHRIST but I also wanted what the world had to offer. I was hanging onto CHRIST with one hand and onto the world with the other. I always felt compromised and I was. Many Christians find themselves in the same situation. But we cannot serve two (2) masters. I always felt that if I committed my life to CHRIST, HE would send me to Africa and Africa did not appeal to me. That notion was a stumbling block of Satan. I remember the moment I committed my life to CHRIST and the very first words in my head where, “Shaw you have blown it now, you will have to go to Africa.” I remember my response. “I do not care because I want to serve the LORD if it is Africa then I will go to Africa.” But the LORD to date has not called me to go to Africa.

Compared to eternity, this world has nothing to offer that remotely compares to serving the LORD. It is all about relationship. Looking in our own strength and through our human eyes, serving the LORD looks impossible and it is. That is why we need the relationship with HIM because HE prepares HIS children to serve HIM. Preparation takes time, through a process called sanctification.

It is a very sad thing when a believer thinks he or she is serving the LORD but is serving himself or herself or man. This is why it is vital that all believers have the right relationship with CHRIST and to seek the fullness of HIM in our lives. It is important that GOD, through our relationship with HIM, reveals the work HE has going on and invites us to join HIM in that work.

Let’s read Revelation 3:18-22:
18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, and white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed[15] Or be zealous and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. 21 The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Laodicea was a wealthy city located on or near one of the major trade routes. It was a city with a garment business, textiles, banking and a medical school. The medical school had formulated an eye salve to treat eye conditions and a treatment for ear infections. It is interesting they wanted to help others to see and hear better physically but they were blind and deaf to their spiritual condition.

But JESUS offers them hope through HIS grace. If they get their hearts in tune with HIM they will discover the gold that HE offers. Once they have a change of heart they will be dressed in white, which represents purity and HE will heal their eyes of spiritual blindness so they can see spiritually.

Having the right relationship with HIM is vital to having the gold refined in the fire. This gold is not earned but comes from grace and having a change of heart, repentance.

Do you recall our lesson? 1 Corinthians 3:10-15: This is the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthian Christians.
10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, as a skilled master builder I have laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it, 11 because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid—that is, Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day[4] The Day of Christ’s judgment of believers will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.[5] Lit yet so as through fire

Wood, hay and straw are the materials we choose to build with and when they are tested with fire they will be consumed. When we have the relationship, HE directs our activities, and then we build using gold, silver and costly stones. The beauty is that we never know that we are building with these precious materials. When they are tested with fire they will survive. That is our reward that I believe we in turn can lay at the feet of JESUS because without HIM we would have not earned the first thing.

JESUS makes it clear that HE loves HIS children and because HE loves them, HE disciplines them.

Verse 20 is one of the most used verses when presenting the gospel of salvation to a person. When you see the picture of this scene, the artist placed JESUS outside the door but the door does not have a door handle on the outside. The artist was asked, why? He said that every person must be the one to open the door and that can only be done from the inside. Salvation requires a decision from each person. Do I allow HIM to come into my life or do I keep HIM out? Salvation is so simple it seems to be very hard. I have heard of those seeking salvation simply saying, “LORD, I give up.” Salvation is always about the attitude of the heart not saying the right words.

Verse 20 does not apply only to salvation but any believer that has closed the door on JESUS. Believers become disappointed with GOD and JESUS and close the door. HE stands outside the door of all hearts and knocks. The knocking is not a light tap but a loud banging. HE does HIS best to get our attention.

If JESUS has been knocking on the door of your heart, open the door and let HIM come in. HE will come in and meet with you each day and teach you of Himself. Talk to HIM and tell HIM what is on your mind.