John 3:3 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
We have been exploring Heaven and its major themes in these past several blogs. We have witnessed the Bible repeatedly telling us that Heaven is God centered, that its glory is Jesus Christ and that it is a real place or destination for the Christian who passes on out of this world.
Heaven's reality though is not just confined to only the future. As true as the above paragraph is, the foretaste of Heaven begins to be experienced by the Christian not at physical death, but at the moment of their salvation.
Some fifty conversations are recorded in the Gospel records betweeen Jesus and various individuals. Out of all of them, the one with Nicodemas in John 3 is the longest and perhaps the most important one. It is in the text above we find reference to the "New Birth" or "Being born again".
The New Birth means being born from above
When Jesus says to Nicodemas that in order to enter into the Kingdom of God (or to experience salvation, in our modern day terms), he needs to be born again. That phrase "born again" could be also translated from the Greek (the New Testament's original language) with the phrase "born from above".
The New Birth entails Heaven coming down into the human heart
As one begins to explore other scriptures concerning the New birth, it is immediately seen that salvation is described as a foretaste of Heaven's joy coming down into the human heart. Remember how we saw in our previous studies on Heaven that John saw what will be the Heavenly Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven to earth in Revelation 21? As we look at Galatians 4:26, we discover that when the child of God begins salvation, its source is from God's grace coming from above. Paul writes - "But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother."
The New Birth is received by faith alone
So when God in Heaven above is affecting a person by His grace to see the awfulness of their sin and the awesomeness of Christ, it truly is an event whereby Heaven is coming in contact with the human heart. No human being can work this by their own effort, nor can any amount of right living lead to the "birth-from-above-experience". The Bible makes it clear that:
1. Heaven coming down into the human heart is an act of God's grace (John 1:13; James 1:18)
2. The New Birth must include God's word, which alone can convert the heart (Psalm 19:6; 1 Peter 1:23)
3. The Holy Spirit is required to convict the person to truly believe on Jesus Christ (John 16:8-11)
4. The only sufficient way to receive the birth from above is by faith alone (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9)
The New Birth makes me a citizen of Heaven
The New Birth, being "born from above", makes me a citizen of Heaven. We read for instance in Philippians 3:20 - "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ". As a person is drawn by saving grace to the Savior, God births in them the desire to seek Christ. They come by faith, and are declared by God to indeed be a permanent citizen of Heaven. Hebrews 12:22 describes the Christian's salvation in this way - "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels."
Thus the Christian is somebody who though living in this world, has the reality of Heaven operating in their heart. Only by God's grace through faith can such a reality take place.
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Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Great Heavenly City
Revelation 21:1-2 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
If you have ever lived or driven near a large city, the one thing that catches the eye is the city skyline. For a period of time my family and I had lived near Tulsa, and I can recall driving into that city for the person I was working for at the time. Often I would be driving in the morning hours and witness the sun coming up, shining brightly upon the glass and steel of those skyscrapers. When that took place, it was as if this glass and steel buildings transformed into vertical columns of light.
I have seen quite a few cities in my relative short time - Huston, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Jacksonville Florida. All of those cities are different. However I guarantee you none of them compare to the city being described here by the Apostle John. Today I want us to consider what the Bible has to say about this Heavenly city.
1. It is being Built by Jesus. In John 14:1-3 Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them. Now what is amazing to me is that it only took the Lord six literal days to make Heaven and earth (Genesis 1). Yet He has been working, building this city for His saints for over 2,000 years. What a place that must be.
2. It bids us to hope in God. Throughout the Bible, we discover that God at various times gave His people glimpses of this city to come. Abraham for instance had glimpses of this city. Though He lived over 2,000 years before Jesus came, he nonetheless journeyed, looking for this city that God revealed to him. Hebrews 11:10 tells us - "10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." The greatness of the city bids us to understand that the one who designs it, builds it and communicates it is greater than the city itself.
3. Its a big city. When you go down the verse here in Revelation 21, you discover some facts about the New Heavenly Jerusalem. First, it's height is the same as it's width and length - 1400 miles or so in each direction. The city would be large enough to cover nearly all of North America and its height would reach out into the vacuum of space. Most Bible scholars picture the city having several levels. Its streets are pure gold, and its gates are one solid pearl. Its features points us back to the scriptures, and its glory comes from the one who is building it - Jesus Christ.
4. Only Believers in Jesus Christ will occupy the city. Revelation 21:27 notes - "and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life." Notice the identity of the Heavenly city's occupants - "whose names are written in the lambs book of life". The book of life contains the names of those whom, convicted and called by the Grace of God, believe and are saved. Jesus reminds us in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth and the life, and no one can come to the Father accept by Him.
Dear reader, may these scriptures move you and I to crave after the Builder of this city - Jesus Christ. May we pine after Him who is building this city for those who, drawn by grace and faith believing treasure Him above all things.
If you have ever lived or driven near a large city, the one thing that catches the eye is the city skyline. For a period of time my family and I had lived near Tulsa, and I can recall driving into that city for the person I was working for at the time. Often I would be driving in the morning hours and witness the sun coming up, shining brightly upon the glass and steel of those skyscrapers. When that took place, it was as if this glass and steel buildings transformed into vertical columns of light.
I have seen quite a few cities in my relative short time - Huston, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Jacksonville Florida. All of those cities are different. However I guarantee you none of them compare to the city being described here by the Apostle John. Today I want us to consider what the Bible has to say about this Heavenly city.
1. It is being Built by Jesus. In John 14:1-3 Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them. Now what is amazing to me is that it only took the Lord six literal days to make Heaven and earth (Genesis 1). Yet He has been working, building this city for His saints for over 2,000 years. What a place that must be.
2. It bids us to hope in God. Throughout the Bible, we discover that God at various times gave His people glimpses of this city to come. Abraham for instance had glimpses of this city. Though He lived over 2,000 years before Jesus came, he nonetheless journeyed, looking for this city that God revealed to him. Hebrews 11:10 tells us - "10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." The greatness of the city bids us to understand that the one who designs it, builds it and communicates it is greater than the city itself.
3. Its a big city. When you go down the verse here in Revelation 21, you discover some facts about the New Heavenly Jerusalem. First, it's height is the same as it's width and length - 1400 miles or so in each direction. The city would be large enough to cover nearly all of North America and its height would reach out into the vacuum of space. Most Bible scholars picture the city having several levels. Its streets are pure gold, and its gates are one solid pearl. Its features points us back to the scriptures, and its glory comes from the one who is building it - Jesus Christ.
4. Only Believers in Jesus Christ will occupy the city. Revelation 21:27 notes - "and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life." Notice the identity of the Heavenly city's occupants - "whose names are written in the lambs book of life". The book of life contains the names of those whom, convicted and called by the Grace of God, believe and are saved. Jesus reminds us in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth and the life, and no one can come to the Father accept by Him.
Dear reader, may these scriptures move you and I to crave after the Builder of this city - Jesus Christ. May we pine after Him who is building this city for those who, drawn by grace and faith believing treasure Him above all things.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
What Christians do in Heaven
Revelation 4:10-11 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
As we saw in yesterday's blog, the twenty four elders, gathered at the throne of God, represent believers of all ages, as well as being quite literally 24 literal saints of God - 12 apostles and the twelve heads of the tribes of Israel from the Old Testament. With this understanding we can begin to understand a little bit as to what Christians can expect to do when they are in the presence of God in Heaven. Along with other passages in the New Testament, we can get a pretty good picture of what Christians can expect concerning their future destination.
1. Definite Home WIth the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 states: Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
2. Delightful welcome in Heaven. Heaven as the Christian's destination is revealed by God to encourage Christians to live for the Lord while here in this world. Consider the promise of a delightful welcome in 2 Peter 1:10-11 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
3. Definite Joy over seeing Christ. The saints of God in Heaven will do what these saints are described doing in Revelation 4:9-10 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
4. Definite recognition of other believers. So what will it be like when we are in the presence of the Lord with other saints stretched across the ages? Scripture indicates we will recognize one another not only by sight, but intuitively. Peter for instance stated that when He saw Jesus on the Mount of transfiguration in Matthew 17:3-4, that he saw "Moses and Elijah". Now how did he know? He had no picture of them, and they had lived hundreds of years before he came on the scene. Clearly when believers are in the direct presence of the Lord, the Holy Spirit who unites them all together in Christ will enable them to recognize each other instantly.
As we saw in yesterday's blog, the twenty four elders, gathered at the throne of God, represent believers of all ages, as well as being quite literally 24 literal saints of God - 12 apostles and the twelve heads of the tribes of Israel from the Old Testament. With this understanding we can begin to understand a little bit as to what Christians can expect to do when they are in the presence of God in Heaven. Along with other passages in the New Testament, we can get a pretty good picture of what Christians can expect concerning their future destination.
1. Definite Home WIth the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 states: Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
2. Delightful welcome in Heaven. Heaven as the Christian's destination is revealed by God to encourage Christians to live for the Lord while here in this world. Consider the promise of a delightful welcome in 2 Peter 1:10-11 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
3. Definite Joy over seeing Christ. The saints of God in Heaven will do what these saints are described doing in Revelation 4:9-10 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
4. Definite recognition of other believers. So what will it be like when we are in the presence of the Lord with other saints stretched across the ages? Scripture indicates we will recognize one another not only by sight, but intuitively. Peter for instance stated that when He saw Jesus on the Mount of transfiguration in Matthew 17:3-4, that he saw "Moses and Elijah". Now how did he know? He had no picture of them, and they had lived hundreds of years before he came on the scene. Clearly when believers are in the direct presence of the Lord, the Holy Spirit who unites them all together in Christ will enable them to recognize each other instantly.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Saints of God around God's throne
Revelation 4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.
As we continue our tour of Heaven, we once again are observing the activity around the throne of God. One of the marks of God's way of revealing truth in scripture is through what is termed "progressive revelation". Simply put, God will reveal a truth or concept in general, and then bring that truth into sharper focus as one proceeds into the scriptures. In today's blog we want to understand this important truth of God's people and their place in the Heavenly reality described by the Apostle John here in Revelation.
How to begin identifying God's people around his Throne
The people in the above passage are given a title - the 24 elders. Much ink has been spilt over who or what they represent in this chapter. A combination of two views has helped me understand the place and role these 24 elders serve in the decidedly God-centered reality of Heaven. Today we will attempt to identify them, since they provide the basis for understanding the role and activities of God's saints in Heaven - both now and into eternity.
God's people will serve Him around the throne
Unlike the popular ideas we have today of people floating on clouds in Heaven, doing absolutely nothing, the Bible portrays Heaven as a place of activity and excitement. Identifying who the 24 elders are in Revelation 4 helps us to understand what believers can look forward to in Heaven.
As a Jewish writer, the Apostle John would had been very familiar with the writings of the Old Testament. 1 Chronicles 27 records the number of priests that served in the temple - the place of worship of the God of the Bible - during the reign of King David. In that chapter, we discover that 24 sets of one thousand priests took their turn, performing their duties in the temple. Many commentators through the history of the church have made the connection between that historical event and to what John is referring to here. Christians in 1 Peter 2 are described as a "royal priesthood" and a "kingdom of priests". So without a doubt, it would appear that these 24 elders provide a picture of the saints of God gathered around the throne.
The saints of God retain their individual, as well as corporate identies
But there is also a second view point which I believe also is valid enough in helping identify these 24 elders. Many have taught that twelve of them are in reference to the twelve sons of Jacob - who were the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament. The remaining twelve might very well be the twelve apostles of Christ in the New Testament. Scripture certainly confirms this idea. Jesus discusses about the time when many will come and share at a table of a feast along with Abraham in the coming Kingdom. Certainly the scripture throughout pictures the saints of God seated at a table with the Messiah in the coming age. Thus what we have are 24 literal men who also represent what the saints of all ages will be doing around the throne.
Having identified who the 24 elders most likely are, we will aim in tomorrow's blog to look a little more closely at what God's people can expect to be doing as they enjoy the glory of their God and King both before them and shining through them.
As we continue our tour of Heaven, we once again are observing the activity around the throne of God. One of the marks of God's way of revealing truth in scripture is through what is termed "progressive revelation". Simply put, God will reveal a truth or concept in general, and then bring that truth into sharper focus as one proceeds into the scriptures. In today's blog we want to understand this important truth of God's people and their place in the Heavenly reality described by the Apostle John here in Revelation.
How to begin identifying God's people around his Throne
The people in the above passage are given a title - the 24 elders. Much ink has been spilt over who or what they represent in this chapter. A combination of two views has helped me understand the place and role these 24 elders serve in the decidedly God-centered reality of Heaven. Today we will attempt to identify them, since they provide the basis for understanding the role and activities of God's saints in Heaven - both now and into eternity.
God's people will serve Him around the throne
Unlike the popular ideas we have today of people floating on clouds in Heaven, doing absolutely nothing, the Bible portrays Heaven as a place of activity and excitement. Identifying who the 24 elders are in Revelation 4 helps us to understand what believers can look forward to in Heaven.
As a Jewish writer, the Apostle John would had been very familiar with the writings of the Old Testament. 1 Chronicles 27 records the number of priests that served in the temple - the place of worship of the God of the Bible - during the reign of King David. In that chapter, we discover that 24 sets of one thousand priests took their turn, performing their duties in the temple. Many commentators through the history of the church have made the connection between that historical event and to what John is referring to here. Christians in 1 Peter 2 are described as a "royal priesthood" and a "kingdom of priests". So without a doubt, it would appear that these 24 elders provide a picture of the saints of God gathered around the throne.
The saints of God retain their individual, as well as corporate identies
But there is also a second view point which I believe also is valid enough in helping identify these 24 elders. Many have taught that twelve of them are in reference to the twelve sons of Jacob - who were the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament. The remaining twelve might very well be the twelve apostles of Christ in the New Testament. Scripture certainly confirms this idea. Jesus discusses about the time when many will come and share at a table of a feast along with Abraham in the coming Kingdom. Certainly the scripture throughout pictures the saints of God seated at a table with the Messiah in the coming age. Thus what we have are 24 literal men who also represent what the saints of all ages will be doing around the throne.
Having identified who the 24 elders most likely are, we will aim in tomorrow's blog to look a little more closely at what God's people can expect to be doing as they enjoy the glory of their God and King both before them and shining through them.
Monday, October 3, 2011
The Heavenly Throneroom
Revelation 4:3 1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.
As we continue our tour of Heaven in Revelation, we are brought to the throneroom where the God of Glory Himself is revealed. As John is taken by the Spirit of God into this incredible place, the four underlined phrases in the text tells us four things about God's Eternal presence in Heaven. As we have already said in previous blogs, Heaven is undoubtedly God-centered. This vision of John, stretching for two chapters, confirms just how God-centered of a place that Heaven is and will be. Please note the four Eternal truths of God's character revealed in these first four verses:
1. Unendingly Holy. The very first thing that John experiences in reference to the Heavenly throneroom is the sound of a trumpet. The sound of a trumpet in the Bible is associated with God's revelation of Himself on top of Mount Sinai in Exodus 19, when He revealed the Law of God to Moses and Israel. At the end of Hebrews 12 we read of that scene - that the mountain quaked, and shaked at the sound of the loud trumpet-call of God's voice. The sights and sound was so terrifying that the Israelites, gathered around the base of Mount Sinai, begged Moses to speak to them, rather than God. No doubt, God is unendingly Holy - whether he reveal Himself on earth or in Heaven.
2. Unquestionably Sovereign. God is not only Holy, but Sovereign. To be Sovereign simply means that God is in comprehensive control of all places at all times. Again we are reminded of previous visions and revelations of God in scripture. Isaiah, the prophet, saw God seated upon a throne. Ezekiel, another prophet of Israel, saw God seated upon the throne with shining wheels. Daniel, the prophet throne into a lions' den, sees God as the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7, seated upon His throne. No matter what time we look at in redemptive history in the Bible, God is on His throne. As Psalm 47:8 records - "God reigneth over the Heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness."
3. Undeniably Precious. John sees in this vision a set of precious stones in the description of God's glory recorded in this chapter. The use of rpecious stones in the Bible points to the goodness, the eternal value of God. He is the Good God, worthy of our worship. 1 Peter 2:7 reminds us that this Lord, Jesus Christ, is precious to those who believe. The presence of these stones hearken back as well to the precious stones worn by the High Priest as he represented the nation of Israel before the Holy presence of God. God is so good as to provide for us Representation. He has done so in the Person of the Eternal High Priest - Jesus Christ - who incidently is called the chief, precious cornerstone . (please compare 1 Peter 2:7)
4. Unfathomably Faithful. The final detail we will focus on today is the rainbow situated around the throne. Why a rainbow? If you will recall what God revealed to Noah back in Genesis 9:12-16 - He revealed to Noah a Rainbow. That Rainbow was a sign that God would never destroy the world with a flood of watery wrath. Likewise all who by grace through faith trust in Christ as Savior, Lord and Treasure, have the promise that when they approach the throne - the blood of Christ shed for them will protect them from the coming firey wrath of God on this world. (please compare 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and 2 Peter 3) He not only is faithful to our future, but also our present, for God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
As we continue our tour of Heaven in Revelation, we are brought to the throneroom where the God of Glory Himself is revealed. As John is taken by the Spirit of God into this incredible place, the four underlined phrases in the text tells us four things about God's Eternal presence in Heaven. As we have already said in previous blogs, Heaven is undoubtedly God-centered. This vision of John, stretching for two chapters, confirms just how God-centered of a place that Heaven is and will be. Please note the four Eternal truths of God's character revealed in these first four verses:
1. Unendingly Holy. The very first thing that John experiences in reference to the Heavenly throneroom is the sound of a trumpet. The sound of a trumpet in the Bible is associated with God's revelation of Himself on top of Mount Sinai in Exodus 19, when He revealed the Law of God to Moses and Israel. At the end of Hebrews 12 we read of that scene - that the mountain quaked, and shaked at the sound of the loud trumpet-call of God's voice. The sights and sound was so terrifying that the Israelites, gathered around the base of Mount Sinai, begged Moses to speak to them, rather than God. No doubt, God is unendingly Holy - whether he reveal Himself on earth or in Heaven.
2. Unquestionably Sovereign. God is not only Holy, but Sovereign. To be Sovereign simply means that God is in comprehensive control of all places at all times. Again we are reminded of previous visions and revelations of God in scripture. Isaiah, the prophet, saw God seated upon a throne. Ezekiel, another prophet of Israel, saw God seated upon the throne with shining wheels. Daniel, the prophet throne into a lions' den, sees God as the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7, seated upon His throne. No matter what time we look at in redemptive history in the Bible, God is on His throne. As Psalm 47:8 records - "God reigneth over the Heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness."
3. Undeniably Precious. John sees in this vision a set of precious stones in the description of God's glory recorded in this chapter. The use of rpecious stones in the Bible points to the goodness, the eternal value of God. He is the Good God, worthy of our worship. 1 Peter 2:7 reminds us that this Lord, Jesus Christ, is precious to those who believe. The presence of these stones hearken back as well to the precious stones worn by the High Priest as he represented the nation of Israel before the Holy presence of God. God is so good as to provide for us Representation. He has done so in the Person of the Eternal High Priest - Jesus Christ - who incidently is called the chief, precious cornerstone . (please compare 1 Peter 2:7)
4. Unfathomably Faithful. The final detail we will focus on today is the rainbow situated around the throne. Why a rainbow? If you will recall what God revealed to Noah back in Genesis 9:12-16 - He revealed to Noah a Rainbow. That Rainbow was a sign that God would never destroy the world with a flood of watery wrath. Likewise all who by grace through faith trust in Christ as Savior, Lord and Treasure, have the promise that when they approach the throne - the blood of Christ shed for them will protect them from the coming firey wrath of God on this world. (please compare 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and 2 Peter 3) He not only is faithful to our future, but also our present, for God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Jesus Christ, Heaven's Chief Beauty
Revelation 1:1a 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ....
As we continue to explore what Heaven is like in the book of Revelation, our line of vision is still arrested by the Person of Jesus Christ. This is why I find it so remarkable that in the Bible, we find Heaven to be so God centered, and that its glory is Jesus Christ. We witnessed yesterday the twin truths of Christ's full humanity and undiminished Deity. As He exists and occupies the portals of glory, Christ is excercising three offices on behalf of the believer. In Revelation 1:5-7 we find a description of these three offices:
1. Christ is our Prophet
Revelation 1:5a states - "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead..." A Prophet in the Bible functions to represent and explain God to the people. Christ is described in this passage, as well as others, of His capacity and office as Prophet. Hebrews 1:1-3 describes Him as the "radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation of His being". That same text also explains how "in former times God spoke to us in many ways but in these last days He is speaking to us through Jesus Christ." Now Christ never communicates anything apart of scripture - which testifies about Him (please compare John 5:39). As God, Jesus Christ alone is qualified to reveal God in His fulness. As man, He enables all true believers to know God and to interract with Him - since He Himself is God.
2. Christ our King
Revelation 1:5b continues - "and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood . . ." Now Christ is referred to as King - Ruler of the Kings of the Earth. John here is demonstrating the authority and Majesty of Christ. Stretching back into the Old Testament, Isaiah for instance in Isaiah 6 saw a vision of the True King, seated upon His throne. Who was that King which He saw? According to John 12:41 it was none other than Jesus Christ. The John who wrote those words is now writing here, giving us a full length description of the King of Kings.
3. Christ our Priest
Revelation 1:6 says - "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." This third office, that of our Priest, is also used to identify the saints. Because Christ is our Chief Priest - our High Priest - all who are connected to Him by faith constitute a royal priesthood. That simply means that the Christian has the right to represent people to God in prayer, since Christ most perfectly, and completely does that for Christians. Just as a prophet represents God to the people, the priest represents the people to God - Christ our Highpriest, and Christians as "a kingdom of priests" serving un Him.
Thus we have witnessed Jesus Christ as God and man, as well as Prophet, Priest and King. May your heart today desire to see Jesus Christ, and be with Him.
As we continue to explore what Heaven is like in the book of Revelation, our line of vision is still arrested by the Person of Jesus Christ. This is why I find it so remarkable that in the Bible, we find Heaven to be so God centered, and that its glory is Jesus Christ. We witnessed yesterday the twin truths of Christ's full humanity and undiminished Deity. As He exists and occupies the portals of glory, Christ is excercising three offices on behalf of the believer. In Revelation 1:5-7 we find a description of these three offices:
1. Christ is our Prophet
Revelation 1:5a states - "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead..." A Prophet in the Bible functions to represent and explain God to the people. Christ is described in this passage, as well as others, of His capacity and office as Prophet. Hebrews 1:1-3 describes Him as the "radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation of His being". That same text also explains how "in former times God spoke to us in many ways but in these last days He is speaking to us through Jesus Christ." Now Christ never communicates anything apart of scripture - which testifies about Him (please compare John 5:39). As God, Jesus Christ alone is qualified to reveal God in His fulness. As man, He enables all true believers to know God and to interract with Him - since He Himself is God.
2. Christ our King
Revelation 1:5b continues - "and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood . . ." Now Christ is referred to as King - Ruler of the Kings of the Earth. John here is demonstrating the authority and Majesty of Christ. Stretching back into the Old Testament, Isaiah for instance in Isaiah 6 saw a vision of the True King, seated upon His throne. Who was that King which He saw? According to John 12:41 it was none other than Jesus Christ. The John who wrote those words is now writing here, giving us a full length description of the King of Kings.
3. Christ our Priest
Revelation 1:6 says - "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." This third office, that of our Priest, is also used to identify the saints. Because Christ is our Chief Priest - our High Priest - all who are connected to Him by faith constitute a royal priesthood. That simply means that the Christian has the right to represent people to God in prayer, since Christ most perfectly, and completely does that for Christians. Just as a prophet represents God to the people, the priest represents the people to God - Christ our Highpriest, and Christians as "a kingdom of priests" serving un Him.
Thus we have witnessed Jesus Christ as God and man, as well as Prophet, Priest and King. May your heart today desire to see Jesus Christ, and be with Him.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Jesus Christ, the Darling of Heaven
Revelation 1:2 "who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw."
Who is Jesus Christ in Revelation?
We began yesterday with an overview of the five major chapters in Revelation that describe Heaven. Today we begin by noting the Darling of Heaven, Jesus Christ. In the Bible some 200 names are used to describe Jesus Christ. Amazingly, 40 such names are found here in one chapter, Revelation 1! As we consider the 40 titles used by John in Revelation 1, five major themes emerge to describe the Darling of Heaven. The first two themes speak to the dual nature of Jesus Christ as God and man, and the final three themes speak to the main offices He occupies as he reigns at the Right Hand of God the Father. Today we will note the themes of Christ's humanity and Deity in Revelation 1, with a focus on His three main offices tomorrow.
1. Jesus Christ's humanity in Revelation 1
When we begin at verse one, we discover that first name, "Jesus". Clearly we are dealing with a revelation of a man, for in Matthew 1:21 that was to be his name given at His birth. As you go down the chapter, we discover in verse 5 that for all true believers, their sins are washed in His blood. When Jesus returns in Revelation 1:7, those who look upon Him will notice His nail pierced hands and feet.
Clearly through the rest of the chapter, Jesus is someone you can see (Revelation 1:11), He has a hand (1:16), He was once dead, but now is alive (1:18). Undeniably this Jesus is fully man, occupying and residing in Heaven. However.....
2. Jesus Christ's Undiminished Deity in Revelation 1
This same Jesus, who is so much man, is unquestionably fully and completely God. He states for instance in Revelation 1:8 that He is "Alpha and Omega". He is the origin of all things (Alpha) and He is the end of all things (Omega). He is the Creator and Completor. In that same verse He is called "The Almighty", a title given exclusively to the Lord in the Old Testament.
In the remainder of the chapter, Christ is described as the "Son of Man", a title of Deity that is connected to Daniel 7. There we see "The Son of Man" equated with the "Ancient of Days", clearly a reference to the Deity and power of God.
No doubt about it, this Jesus Christ is so much man as if he were not God, and yet He is so much God as if he were not man. When I behold his nail prints and wounded side, I see a man, a perfect man, my repesentative, in a glorified, resurrected body. When I look into His eyes, I see uncreated flame, unending depths. I see His glory, the glory of which He has shared with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit from Eternity. Indeed, He is the Darling of Heaven, Jesus Christ - God and man!
Who is Jesus Christ in Revelation?
We began yesterday with an overview of the five major chapters in Revelation that describe Heaven. Today we begin by noting the Darling of Heaven, Jesus Christ. In the Bible some 200 names are used to describe Jesus Christ. Amazingly, 40 such names are found here in one chapter, Revelation 1! As we consider the 40 titles used by John in Revelation 1, five major themes emerge to describe the Darling of Heaven. The first two themes speak to the dual nature of Jesus Christ as God and man, and the final three themes speak to the main offices He occupies as he reigns at the Right Hand of God the Father. Today we will note the themes of Christ's humanity and Deity in Revelation 1, with a focus on His three main offices tomorrow.
1. Jesus Christ's humanity in Revelation 1
When we begin at verse one, we discover that first name, "Jesus". Clearly we are dealing with a revelation of a man, for in Matthew 1:21 that was to be his name given at His birth. As you go down the chapter, we discover in verse 5 that for all true believers, their sins are washed in His blood. When Jesus returns in Revelation 1:7, those who look upon Him will notice His nail pierced hands and feet.
Clearly through the rest of the chapter, Jesus is someone you can see (Revelation 1:11), He has a hand (1:16), He was once dead, but now is alive (1:18). Undeniably this Jesus is fully man, occupying and residing in Heaven. However.....
2. Jesus Christ's Undiminished Deity in Revelation 1
This same Jesus, who is so much man, is unquestionably fully and completely God. He states for instance in Revelation 1:8 that He is "Alpha and Omega". He is the origin of all things (Alpha) and He is the end of all things (Omega). He is the Creator and Completor. In that same verse He is called "The Almighty", a title given exclusively to the Lord in the Old Testament.
In the remainder of the chapter, Christ is described as the "Son of Man", a title of Deity that is connected to Daniel 7. There we see "The Son of Man" equated with the "Ancient of Days", clearly a reference to the Deity and power of God.
No doubt about it, this Jesus Christ is so much man as if he were not God, and yet He is so much God as if he were not man. When I behold his nail prints and wounded side, I see a man, a perfect man, my repesentative, in a glorified, resurrected body. When I look into His eyes, I see uncreated flame, unending depths. I see His glory, the glory of which He has shared with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit from Eternity. Indeed, He is the Darling of Heaven, Jesus Christ - God and man!
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