Message 1: The Revelation of Jesus Glory
Series: Apocalypse Now… And Again – City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
The book of Revelation is one of the most mistreated and misunderstood books of the Bible. Many abuse it by propagating wild and fanciful theories. Many shy away from it because it seems too confusing or even too scary. However, no other book in the Bible reveals more of the glory of God and the splendor of Jesus Christ than does the book of Revelation. Today, we will begin our look at this book by looking at what it says about itself..
THE REVELATION
The Greek is apokalupsis with means an unveiling. God inspired apocalyptic literature to speak to his people in times of great struggle and chaos. It is God’s way of showing through symbols what was going on behind the struggle. Its main emphasis was always the sovereignty of God and the defeat of evil. It was at such a time that the book of Revelation was given to John on the Island of Patmos. Revelation is a letter from Jesus to his servants when they are in distress.
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
The focus of the book is Jesus. It is a letter from Jesus about Jesus. Because it focuses on Jesus, the book of revelation is a summons to worship. It is second only to the book of Psalms as a book of worship.
WHAT MUST SOON TAKE PLACE
Must tells us that history if not haphazard. Life is not a matter of fate or chance. There is someone at the controls—Jesus. Soon helps us understand that every generation of believers has looked for Christ to return. Jesus was calling his church to not focus on the here and now, but to look with great anticipation dawn of the age to come. Living life on a one-dimensional level can lead to despair. The revelation of Jesus helps us to understand that God is moving us from the now to the then
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HEAR AND TAKE TO HEART
THE MESSAGE
This is one of seven times readers are called blessed. Blessed (from the Hebrew ashar) means “to find the right pathway, to discover meaning in the face of chaos.”
Blessed is not a light-hearted superficial word. It is rugged and tested assurance.
