Sound The Trumpet : John's Glorious View of Jesus (part 2) Revelation Series

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“John's Glorious View of Jesus (part 2) Revelation Series”
by Art Sadlier
April 20th, 2020

Let me remind you, the theme of Revelation is "CHRIST IN HIS GLORY," that is in contrast with the gospels where we see "CHRIST IN HIS HUMILIATION."

In these verses John is allowed to see the Glorified, Exhalted Son of God as He is in heaven after His ascension into heaven.

This view of Christ's Glory is only equaled by another view in Rev. 19:11-16.

These two views of Christ in His Glory, one at the beginning of the book, and the other at the end of the book are like brackets around which everything in the book happens.

These two revelations of Christ in His Glory must have been a great encouragement to those churches that were suffering tremendous persecution by Domitian, the Roman Emporer.

This vision of Christ is a present reality, that is what Christ is doing right now. It depicts Christ in His present ministry to His church. A ministry that was going on THEN and NOW and UNTIL He takes the church home.

As we look at this revelation of our Lord it will open our eyes to see Christ as He is, the LORD of the church.

We see at least seven things Christ is doing in the midst of the church.

FIRST - HE IS EVER PRESENT WITH HIS CHURCH

"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks (churches)" vs.13. What a comfort to know that Christ is ever present, not only in the believer's life, but in the local church. When the church comes together, Christ is in its midst, That is one terrific reason not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Jesus said, "Lo I am with you always." He said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."

The church is unlike any group in the whole world. When you assemble with your fellow believers, catch a sense of the fact that Christ is there, and that He desires to bless, and that He takes great delight to be there!

Think about this one who is in the midst of the church, "one like the Son of Man" in spite of the glory of His appearance John still recognized Him to be a Man! The representative Man, the true Man, Man as God intended Man to be.

The term "Son of Man" was Christ's favorite term for Himself, He said it more than eighty times in the Gospels, he took delight in being one of us. "Made in the likeness of man" Phil. 2:7, made like unto His brethren" Heb. 2:17.

There is a man seated on the right hand of the throne of God in Heaven today. But, though He is a man, yet He is God the Son, He is divine as well as human. 1 Tim.3:16.

Christ is ever present with His church as a man, to feel our sorrows, pain, heartaches, joy and rejoicing. Heb.4:15. He is also ever-present with His church as the Almighty, Sovereign Lord of the universe. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to join the assembly of the saints to worship Christ and sing His praises, and to rejoice in His unseen presence.

SECOND - HE INTERCEDES FOR HIS CHURCH

"Clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle "vs.13.

We see the Lord of the church, in garments of the High Priest. Scripture says: "He ever liveth to make intercession for us," we have a Savior who is seated at the right hand of God making constant intercession for us.

Oh how the church needs such a High Priest! You have probably discovered that your church, your members,your deacons, your pastor are not perfect. You may have said, " Who wants to be a part of such a church?"

The answer is, our Lord is a part of your church, the head of your church! He doesn't leave it. He is constantly cleansing your church so that He can go on standing in the midst of it, so that He can go on loving it, so that He can go on delighting in it. He will discipline it, as we will later see, but you need to have the same spirit of Christ. You need to go on loving the church as Christ does. 1 John 4:7.

Read Heb. 4:14-16, what a Great, Wonderful High Priest we have. Perish the thought that we should have an unjust condemning spirit of the church, that is totally contrary to the Spirit of Christ.

The church is precious to Christ, He refers to them as His little children. Whatever you may do, Never, Never injure the church of Jesus Christ. If you do, and do not repent, you will pay an awful price. Mt.18:6

I have a burning question for you. We know that Christ loves the church with an infinite, passionate love. Could it be possible for someone who names the name of Christ to hold His church in light regard?

Next week we will consider five more things Christ is doing in the midst of His church. but perhaps He will come for us before next week?

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13