Word 252: The Lion is The Lamb

Pastor: Rev. Dr. D. Dean Weaver
Passage: Revelation 5:1-14
Sermon Series: The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The Book of Revelation: Lesson Two

Presented by: Rev. Dr. D. Dean Weaver

I. The Purpose of the Seven Churches

a. The Geography

· The clockwise “auditorium” like arrangement of the 7 churches

· The Purposefulness of their placement…

b. The Pastoral Message

i. The original audience

Overcome….hang in there and don’t give up despite the hardships/persecution

ii. The Church in all “times”

· Start with Ephesus (first love, don’t compromise)….work around to Laodicea

· Message true for them and true for all churches…all times

c. The Covenant “Oracle”

In the context of Blessings (heaven/worship) and Cursings (earth, judgment) –nature of God’s covenant people….”obey or go your own way”

II. The Structure of Each “letter within the letter”

a. The Audience (first verse) –epistle format

“Angel” (messenger…pastor?)….church….write…

b. Attribution of the Oracle to Messiah using description for Chapter 1

Some attribute of Messiah carried over from chapter 1

c. Encouragement for what they have done well (Obedience)

Blessings….

d. Warning against what they are doing wrong (Disobedience)

Potential consequences or “cursings” for behavior that needs addressed

e. Oracle Pronouncement of the Spirit

· “He who has ears….what the Spirit says to the churches”

· The use of singular and the plural

f. The particular blessing for “overcomers”….

III. Church of Ephesus 2:1-7

a. Symbolism

7 Stars and Lampstands (from chapter 1)

b. Old Testament Reference

Tree of Life / Paradise of God (vs7)

c. Strength of Church

Hard work and perseverance/ standing for truth etc

d. Challenge to Church

Forsaken their first love

e. Big Idea

God does not want us to lose our love relationship with him…it is life (abundant and eternal)

IV. The Church of Smyrna 2:8-11 *handout of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna

a. Symbolism

Synagogue of Satan

b. Old Testament Reference

The Jewish people

c. Strength of Church

Rich in faith

d. Challenge to Church

Do not be afraid but be faithful in the face of testing and suffering

e. Big Idea

If you remain faithful even in suffering/persecution you will inherit eternal life and live forever

V. The Church of Pergamum 2:12-17 *where Satan has his throne = first temple to Imperial Cult was here!

a. Symbolism

· Double edged sword (vs 12) = Word of God (Blessings and Cursing)

· White Stone = pure and strong….likely referring to a token or “ticket” gaining entrance to the messianic banquet

b. Old Testament Reference

· Teaching of Balaam and Balak (Numbers 25:1-2; 31:16) –teachers who corrupt followers to permit compromise with the world -ie. Nicolaitans (nick-oh-lay-i-tans)

· Manna –source of life

c. Strength of Church

Did not renounce their faith when Antipas (the first martyr in Asia) was killed

d. Challenge to Church

Do not compromise with the world

e. Big Idea

If you do not compromise your faith with the world you will eat eternal food at the great messianic banquet as the victor….

Revelation Week 2 / Seven Churches Cont.

VI. The Church of Thyatira 2:18-28

a. Symbolism

Reference to Messiah (chapt 1) …”eyes like blazing fire” = seeing and judging…

Feet like “burnished bronze”….ref. Daniel 10:4-6 (also Daniel 2:31-35) –Strength vs. Weakness

“Morning Star” (cf. Numbers 24:17 / Rev 22:16) = Jesus himself (replace false with true)

b. Old Testament Reference

Jesebel (I Kings 16:30-33 – I Kings 18)….represents the a woman false prophet of the worst kind

c. Strength of Church

Love, faith, endurance and growing in ministry (doing more than at first)

d. Challenge to Church

Do not fall prey to false teaching about immorality

e. Big Idea

Those who do not fall into false teaching/immorality will be given authority over the nations will have the true (Morning Star) guidance (Jesus) not the false that misleads to death

*Insipient Gnosticism in verse 24 (Satan’s so called “deep secrets”) taught you have to enter into and experience evil to overcome it….

VII. The Church of Sardis 3:1-6

a. Symbolism

7 Spirits (HS) and 7 Stars (pastors)

b. Old Testament Reference

none

c. Strength of Church

There is a faithful remnant…but they are a minority…(vs 4)

d. Challenge to Church

They think they are alive (believing their own reputation) but are dead, asleep and very incomplete in their faith…they grew….got comfortable…and stopped

e. Big Idea

Wake up and start living your faith…complete the journey…or else Jesus will come like a thief

Thief cf. Rev16:15 / Mt 24:42-44; I Thess 5:2-6; 2Peter 3:10 )

*There does not seem to be any implication of persecution here….must have grown “comfortable in their faith with their surroundings” ….briefest but harsh letter…not much good to say….a contrast over and against the next church…Philadelphia

VIII. The Church of Philadelphia 3:7-13

a. Symbolism

“Keys of David”(cf. Isaiah 22:22 & Mt 16:19) =authority for admission to davidic kingdom

“Synagogue of Satan” = jewish opposition

b. Old Testament Reference

King David, Synagogue, Pillar in Temple, “New” Jerusalem

c. Strength of Church

Thought they have little strength, they have kept the faith and not denied his name

d. Challenge to Church

None…only church to not have a negative…only encouragement to hang in there

e. Big Idea

Hang in there and God will keep you through the trial….and your eternal life in the house of God is certain and true

*”Keeping you through the trial” or “Keep you from the trial” (vs 10)

Cf. Rev 13:5-10; Mt 24:4-28; Dan 12:1; Mk 13:19; 2 Thess 2:1-12

IX. The Church of Laodicea 3:14-22

a. Symbolism

Not much…if any…but great use of “irony”…a classic OT tool

b. Old Testament Reference

Isaiah 65:16 “God of Amen (truth)” ….refers to pillar in temple (see above)

c. Strength of Church

None…if any

d. Challenge to Church

They are “like warm”….likely referring to the poor water supply (ironic as they are a very rich city known for its banking establishments, textile industry and medical school)….hot water from the hot springs of Heirapolis were piped to Laodicea and were “luke warm” by the time they arrived there….

The most graphic of the judgments….saved for the final of the 7 churches….

e. Big Idea

Open the door that Jesus is giving you…to leave behind your worldly riches and exchange them for eternal riches….

“Stand at the door and knock” cf. Luke 12:36 & Joke (Rev.3:20 – Gen 3:10)

I. The Throne of Heaven – Chapter 4

a. The Door – a revelation of Heaven….

i. Play on the challenge in 3:19

1. Invitation to messianic banquet

ii. God’s initiation and invitation (Revelation is from God)

1. * Side Note of worth

a. Revelation and Inspiration – how the Holy Spirit spoke to the original authors of scripture and how He continues to speak today to and through all believers

i. Revealed transcendent truth

ii. Guidance into revealed truth

b. The Closed Canon of Scripture with ongoing guidance

iii. Window to Worship

iv. Above the Tapestry = Heaven/ Worship

b. ….specifically….The Revelation of Worship

i. The Context of Worship

1. “In the Spirit” (vs 2…cf, Rev 1:10)

ii. The Focus of Worship

1. The One on the Throne (9x)

a. Christocentric

i. His Character

ii. His Attributes

iii. His Person

iii. The Expression of Worship

1. Trinitarian (vs 8)

2. Corporate (4 creatures, 24 elders etc)

3. Humility and Awe –falling down and laying down (crowns) –vs 10

II. The Scroll and the Lamb - Chapter 5

a. The Worth-ship of Worship

i. Transition from Chapter 4

1. The Throne in 5:1,6,7,11,13 (5x in Chapt 5)

a. Ie. Christocentric

2. The Worthy of God in 4:11

a. 4x in Chapter 5 (2,4,9,12)

b. Particular Symbolic and Old Testament notes

i. 4 Creatures –angelic / character of God / 4 corners/directions of temple

ii. 24 Elders – 12 OT/ 12 NT -ie. All God’s covenant people

iii. Bowls of incense = prayers of the saints

iv. Use of a “Scroll” as a “prophetic oracle” (genre)

1. Ezekiel 2:1-3:9

v. The Sacrificial System

1. “Blood Purchase” –vs 11

c. The Introduction of the Lamb and Lion

i. OT Sacrificial System –Day of Atonement

ii. THE Lamb (described)

1. Symbolism

a. “7” =complete and perfect

b. Horns = power and strength (victory)

c. Eyes = seeing

d. Therefore the Lamb = All powerful and all seeing (knowing)

iii. Worship Growing in intensity (increasingly corporate)

1. Begins with 4 creatures and 24 elders (chapter 4 and 5:6)

2. Builds to include thousands upon thousands of angels (5:11)

3. Finally, includes the whole of creation (5:13)

a. Phil 2:9-11

d. The Introduction and Application of the book’s Big Idea

i. Relation of Revelation 5:10 & Revelation 11:15

1. The Relation to the “Cultural Mandate” in Genesis 2:15

a. Cultivate and keep = rule and subdue (reign)

b. Jesus and Servant Leadership (“as the gentiles do…not so with you…”)

2. Eschatological nature of this statement (already and not yet)

3. Missional nature of this statement (we are the mission /kingdom)

a. Implications of two Reformations

i. First Reformation = Word of God to people of God

ii. Second Reformation = Ministry of God to people of God