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Greetings From The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit |
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Throughout history many predictions have been made concerning the future. Listen to a few predictions that others have given through the years:
When we come to the book of Revelation we find a book with many predictions. We read in 1:3, "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." At the close of the book we read, "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand" (22:10). As we saw in our first study, the Book of Revelation is primarily a revelation of Jesus Christ. Yet, it is also a book about the future -- a book of prophecy. The word "prophecy" simply speaks of a prediction. The book gives us predictions about what will happen in the future. As for the predictions of the Book of Revelation, they will all come true!
In verses 4-6 John introduces himself as the messenger of the book. We will learn more about John in our next study. We also see that he identifies the recipient’s of the book. The book is written for seven churches. In verse 11 we see these seven Churches identified: "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." When we come to chapters 2-3 we will learn more about these seven Churches. These seven Churches are not all the Churches that existed at the time the book was written. The number 7 is the number of completion. These were letters that were not just for these seven Churches, but for the whole church. They are letters written for all churches then and now.
After introducing himself and the recipients of his letter, John then offers us a two-fold benediction (Grace and peace). Finally, John declares from whom he received the book; he says, “I bring you greetings from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” John’s description of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit give us one of the most wonderful openings to a book that one will ever read.
Let’s notice what he has to say about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. First, he speaks of:
1. THE MAJESTY OF THE FATHER
He first speaks of the Father as "from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come" (vs. 4). In John’s description of the Father we see that reads the past, rides the present, and rules the future. In these words we see:
A) The Eternal Presence of God
John defines God as being present in the past, present in the present, and present in the future. He is the eternal God "which is, and which was, and which is to come." John is declaring that there has never been a moment when God did not exist and was not present! We read in Genesis 21L33 that Abraham "called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God." The Psalmist declared in Psalm 90:2, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." On another occasion the Psalmist stated, "Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting" (Psalm 93:2). God dwells in all the tenses of time. He is the eternal God.
These words also speak of:
B) The Eternal Program of God
John’s description not only speaks of His eternal existence, but as well, describes how God is in charge and in control of the past, present, and even the future. His throne is referred to indicating that He is sovereign and in charge. He was God in the past. He is God in the present. He will be God in the future. He has not only been present, but He has always been the God Who is in charge. His hand has been on the throttle and upon the wheel. History is simply His-story.
The events of Revelation reveal how God is in charge. He directs the events of time and forces them to flow in a direction that will result in the fulfillment of His purposes on earth and throughout eternity. Current events make the Book of Revelation more relevant that any time in history. We see the stage being set for the unfolding of the events described in the book. What is the probability of the events in a book written nearly 2,000 years ago actually happening? Very little, unless the author of the Book is in control of time and history and channeling those events in a certain direction. He was in the control of the past, He is in control of the present, and He is even in control of the future.
Napoleon Bonaparte, when intoxicated with success and at the height of his power, is reported to have said, "I make circumstances." But, let Moscow, Elba, Waterloo, and St. Helena, testify to his inability of being in charge or making circumstances. HOWEVER, GOD DOES MAKE CIRCUMSTANCES!
Secondly, John speaks of:
2. THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John speaks of the Holy Spirit and refers to Him as "the seven Spirits which are before His throne." John is not speaking of 7 different spirits but referring to the Holy Spirit in a seven-fold work. The number seven is the number of completion and perfection. The Holy Spirit presented as "seven Spirits" refer to the completeness and perfection of His work.
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Holy Spirit in His seven-fold work: "And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord" (Isa. 11:2). The Holy Spirit is referred to as the "Spirit of the Lord," the Spirit of "wisdom," "understanding," "counsel," "might," "knowledge," and the "fear of the Lord." Isaiah presented Him as "seven Spirits" or in His complete work as the Holy Spirit.
John speaks of the Holy Spirit as being “before His throne.” He is not on the throne, but in the place of a servant, a description of the role and work of the Holy Spirit. He is seen as the executor of God's purposes in the past, and in the present, and the work He will do in the future. As the “seven spirits” or seven-fold Spirit we see the:
A) Perfection of His Work
Again, I remind you that the number 7 is the number of completeness and perfection. His work is a complete and perfect fulfillment of God’s Word and will.
We also see the:
B) Plentitude of His Work
The number seven declares the diverse work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has the work of execution which involves the will of God. He carries out to fulfillment the will of the Father. He also has the work of glorification. This work involves the Son of God. In all that He does, His aim and objective is the glory of the Lord Jesus. He also has the work of edification which involves the people of God. He is ever at work for the spiritual growth and development of those who are believers.
As for His work in the people of God, David Hocking says He has 7 major ministries:
The diversity of His work is seen in His names and titles. He is called the:
Lastly, we see that John speaks of:
3. THE MERCY OF THE SON
Lastly, John
directs our attention to the Lord Jesus – the subject and object of
the Book. What a wonderful description of the Lord Jesus. We read in
verses 5-6, "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and
the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the
earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his
own blood, [6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his
Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
A) Glory of the Son
Someone has said that John presents the Lord Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King. As Prophet He is the "Faithful Witness." As Priest He is the "First-begotten from the dead." As King, He is the "Prince of the kings of the earth." In a trio of titles we see Him as A RELIABLE LORD. He is the "Faithful Witness." This title was conferred upon the Lord Jesus in Isaiah 55:4, “Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” In Revelation 3:14 we read that He is the “faithful and true witness.”
He came to this earth to bear witness to the truth. In John 18:37 He answered Pilate by saying, "for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." He was declaring that His word is reliable. As the Faithful Witness He is the reliable Lord.
We see Him as A RESURRECTED LORD. He is the "First-begotten from the dead." This title does not mean that He was not the first to be raised from the dead, but the greatest or highest to be raised from the dead. There were others that had been raised from the dead prior to His resurrection. As the "First-begotten from the dead" He was the highest in rank to be raised from the dead. The word is protokos which implies priority and sovereignty. He ranked in supremacy and preeminence. He rose again from the dead and was exalted to a position above all. He is the leader of all those who will rise from the dead. He is the preeminent One in position, power and purposes.
We also see Him as A RULING LORD. He is the "Prince of the kings of the earth." We read in Revelation 11:15, "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." The Bible repeatedly and diversely calls Him King. He is the "King of heaven" (Dan. 4:37); "King of the Jews" (Matt. 2:2); "King of Israel" (John 1:49); "King of the ages" (1 Tim. 1:17); "King of glory" (Psa. 24:7); "King of saints" (Rev. 15:3); "King of Kings" (Rev. 19:16) and the "Mighty Prince of the kings of the earth" (Dan. 8:25).
John Phillips writes: "The devil is to have his final fling! He will crown a monster conjured from the sea and the abyss. He will smooth the sand and build his clay castle of empire. He will head the shaky structure with a nasty little tyrant army with a few fancy fireworks and a bag of magic tricks with which to dupe the masses of mankind. This coming world dictator will throw out his puny chest, set up his image, wave his futile fists at heaven, and burst into win-bag blasphemies against the Lamb upon the throne. "I am God," he will shout. "Look! My prophet and I can make the image speak! Worship me or perish!" Then God will laugh! Peal after peal of frightful laughter will ring out from the throne of God. And the walls will all come tumbling down - the whole rickety affair, all stuck together like Nimrod's Babylon with slime from the pit. Down I will come! God's King is still on the throne. He is the prince of the kings of the earth."
John also speaks of the:
B) Grace of the Son
John not only speaks of Who He is but also what He has done for us. He has "loved" us. The statement is in the present tense meaning that He continually loves us. He loved us in the past, loves us in the present, and will love us throughout all of eternity.
He also has loosed us. The word "washed" means "to set free." By His grace He set us free from the bondage of sin and Satan. As Charles Wesley wrote:
He has also lifted us. He has made us "Kings and priests." Being a king speaks of our association with Him. Being a priest speaks of our access to him.
John sums up what Jesus has done for us by saying, “TO HIM BE GLORY AND DOMINION FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.” Having experienced the grace of the glorious sum, every believer joins in with John is saying, "To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." WHAT A GREETING! |
