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Friday, March 21, 2014

Comparing the descriptions of Jesus Christ in Revelation 1 & 19-20


Revelation 1:5-6 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— 6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.

Introduction:
Yesterday we compared some of the names of Jesus that we find in Revelation 1 to what we see revealed in Revelation 19-20.  We noted that in both sections of Revelation, the following five names are found common to both:
1. "Faithful"
2. "True" or "Witness"
3. "King of Kings" or "Ruler of the Kings of the Earth"
4. "Jesus"
5. "Christ"

Yesterday, today's and tomorrow's post will cover a three part series on comparing the two great visions of Jesus Christ in both Revelation 1:4-16 and 19:11-20:6.  To guide us through a comparison of these two texts, we are considering three headings: Jesus' names, description and actions.  As we already noted, we covered in yesterday's post the names of Jesus Christ unfolded in these chapters. In today's post we will focus more of our attention on how John describes Jesus in Revelation 1 & 19-20.  As the reader notes the descriptions listed below, pray and ask the Spirit of God to show you the glory of Jesus Christ in each description.

1. "eyes as of a flame of fire" Revelation 19:12
"eyes were like a flame of fire" Revelation 1:14






2. Jesus has a head, with hair white like wool in Revelation 1:14
In Revelation 19:12 we see upon Jesus' head many diadems



3. In Revelation 1:13 we see Jesus dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet
In Revelation 19:13,16 we see a description of that robe as being "dipped in blood"



4. In Revelation 1:16 we see coming out of Jesus' mouth as sharp, double edged sword
In Revelation 19:15 we see the same sword proceeding out of His mouth



Now one other final note of interest pertaining to believers in both of these passages.  In Revelation 1:6 we read: "and He has made us to be a kingdom,priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."  In Revelation 20:4-5 we read the fulfillment of this promise in the earthly kingdom to come - "Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."  It seems to be clear that both church age saints taken in the rapture at the beginning of the tribulation, and those who by conviction of the Spirit of God believe on Christ in the tribulation, who are martyred, will be raised and seated with Christ on similar thrones.  

Point of Application
When I read these two visions in Revelation 1 and 19-20, I discover the truth stated in Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."  Tomorrow we will look at the actions of Jesus that we see revealed in both sets of passages.  To God be the glory!