A Vision of Christ. Sermon by Pastor Andrew Marttinen. December 7, 2024.
There are 500 to 800 prophecies of Jesus.
The Messiah by Handel starts with the prophecy in Isaiah that points to Jesus.
Have you ever visited the Notre Dame Cathedral? It was recently reopened after a devastating fire. The building is over 900 years old. When looking at the base, then look up, you see carved artistry all the way to the sky. It is meant to be seen, an amazing view.
St. Paul's Cathedral is also filled with artistry.
The Pyramids are amazing. You look up. 3/4 of what you see are huge blocks that still hold fast.
Jesus used the lessons of the lesser to the greater. How much more in this view will will the Lord give you?
The ten commandments are seen by many as foreboding. When we understand Christ's gift for us, we will not steal, kill etc. Foreboding commandments are seen as promises when we see them through Christ.
Paul says everything testifies of Jesus. This includes the ten commandments, promises, the sanctuary, doctrine etc). Jesus is greater than all these. We line in a sun centred universe. We live in a Son centred universe.
Every pastor does a deep study of Revelation, the revelation of Christ.
Ephesians 1:17 NKJV
... that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ...
Revelation is an answer to prayers.
The hope and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.
Revelation ch 1 is like a house with all present. Ellen White describes Revelation as a book where all Bible books meet and find their end. Revelation speaks on a worldwide scale. God is worldwide, universal.
Revelation starts with a benediction.
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
The gospels are the record of Christ. Paul explains the meaning of Christ. Do we understand? Revelation has amazing symbols that all point to Christ.
A song looses it's meaning when you try to attribute it to others.
Revelation is infallible. If you put God's Word into practice, you will be blessed. The Bible invites you to live the truth, not just believe.
Revelation 1:5
... and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead,
and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
This is a profound statement. He loves us and freed us from our sins. Jesus said the world would be freed from their sins.
Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.
And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.
Even so, Amen.
God has done, is doing and will don something for the problem of our sins. There is a blessed hope. A psat, a present and a future. A prophet sees the the revelation of Christ. A prophet falls down when they see Christ and then is lifetd up.
Revelation 1: 9-11 NKJV
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying,
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and,
“What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
John sees the lampstand and hears the voice and understands. John saw one like Christ walking through the lampstand with a golden sash around his chest. He saw the Son of Man tending to the needs of the churches. Tending to the candle sticks like a farmer tends to their fields. Christ tends to His church so they cab receive more light and grow. God in his heart is a farmer. Churches cannot trim themselves or make their own plans without His guidance.
People don't like change.
What are Christ's plans? Jesus is juggling the stars in His hands. The Bible talks about God's people as a signet ring. A signet ring is used to sign and seal documents. There are 7 stars in His right hand. He is ruler in all the church. 7 stars and 7 angels. Divine messengers.
In Revelation 23 we see the 7 churches.
Revelation 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. NKJV
Death is a reality on this Earth. We have assurance that the enemy is in the hands of the One who has the key to life.
Revelation ch 1 introduces Christ. The gospel commission is clear in the Book of Matthew.
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Amen.
___________________
Matthew 28:20
"...lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Amen.
Think about Christ and all the glories of heaven. We are called upon the be witnesses of Christ.