The book of Revelation is always a big draw in church Sunday school classes and Bible studies, primarily because of the alluring prospect of being able to read Revelation in one hand the the newspaper in the other, assigning current events and political figures to the mysterious descriptions in John’s revelation.
One recurring theme in Revelation is the distinction between what is false and what is true. There are true and false disciples. There are true and false churches. There are true and false witnesses, true and false gospels, and true and false messiahs.
In Revelation, as it were, not much is really as it appears. Because so many things aren’t as they seem during the church’s time on earth, Jesus is sure to advise his people and the churches they comprise to make certain that they know the one sure thing: the Word. During this time between the times, as we wait Christ’s final victory, the church is his representative on earth, and must represent him faithfully. Revelation encourages the churches and God’s people to remain faithful in our representation.
The book itself opens with a blessing:
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
Revelation, the book, is identified as revelation, the word, which came from God himself, to Jesus Christ, to Christ’s angel, to John, to Christ’s servants, so that they would know “the things that must soon take place.” This provenance — its record of validity — is significant in its emphasis on the progression from the throne of God through Christ to God’s people for a particular purpose.
Revelation is also identified as a word of prophecy, describing those things which would occur after the transmission and receipt of the word itself.
And Revelation is a word of the Trinity, coming from “him who is and who was and who is to come” (God the Father), from the seven spirits before his throne (God the Spirit), and from Jesus Christ (God the Son).
As God’s people face tribulation, persecution, death, distress, hardship and sufferings of all kinds, it is crucial for them (for us) to remember the Trinitarian work that secures our salvation, and to remember the Trinitarian word that reveals what we need to know about those sufferings, about God’s sovereignty, and about Christ’s ultimate victory.
When faced with counterfeits, fakes, imposters and all the things that are almost-right, we must heed the Trinitarian word.
Sermon Audio: click here.
Theme: Because things aren’t always as they seem, we must heed the Trinitarian word.
Outline:
- We Must Heed the Word of Revelation
- We Must Heed the Word of Prophecy
- We Must Heed the Word of Trinity