Grosey's Messages

Announcements and welcome                   Thys v L

Bible Reading                Isaiah 9:1,2,6,7 - For to Us a Child Is Born            Steve

Isaiah 9: ¹ But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. ²  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. ⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.  Isaiah 9:1,2,6,7

Much has been made about the phenomenon called El Nino. It is the talk of the world. El Nino is a climatic change in the waters of the Pacific Ocean that raises the surface temperature a few degrees and has impact all over the globe. In some places it brings warm weather during winter. In other places it brings flooding or drought. The effects are different in different places.

El Nino is Spanish for "the Child" and refers to Jesus because the warm waters of El Nino always come around Christmas time.

It is a fitting title, because the coming of Jesus always has had and always will have far-reaching effects. For some his coming is wonderfully good and pleasant and for some it is dangerous and devastating. Depending on how we respond to the Christ child he may bring us peace and salvation and eternal life . . . or judgement and eternity without God.

This year the most important El Nino is not the climate but the Christ.

Sing:            BoW 252 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Bible Reading Matthew 1:1,17, 18-25            

 Salvation was predicted long ago:

The Prophets Predicted it As Grace  ⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given"

Matt 1: 20 behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Micah 7: 18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot.

You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

The Prophets Predicted it As Saviour

2 Samuel 22: ³ my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.

2 Kings 13: ⁵ (Therefore the LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they escaped from the hand of the Syrians, and the people of Israel lived in their homes as formerly.

Nehemiah 9:²⁷ Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.

Psalms 17:⁷ Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

Psalms 106:²¹ They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,

Isaiah 19:²⁰ It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.

Isaiah 43:³ For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.     ¹¹ I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.

Isaiah 45: ¹⁵ Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.

²¹ Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.

Isaiah 49:²⁶ I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine. Then all flesh shall know that I am the LORD your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

Isaiah 60:¹⁶ You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Isaiah 63: ⁸ For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely." And he became their Savior.

Jeremiah 14:⁸ O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?

Hosea 13: ⁴ But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.

Sing:            BoW 271 - O Come, All Ye Faithful (4 verses)

Bible Reading     John 1:1-18

Sing:            BoW 270 - Joy to the World

It was an ordinary night! There was nothing out of the ordinary about the sheep in the field, and nothing out of the ordinary about the shepherds themselves. But, on this otherwise ordinary night – something extraordinary happened. Suddenly, the Bible tells us, there was a glow. The glory of God Himself shone around the shepherds, and an angel appeared with a message of Good News. Everything about that night was changed, and what was ordinary became EXTRA-ordinary! A night of miracles! A supernatural moment in history never seen before.

Angels had clearly taken an interest in the birth of the Saviour.

But they could only stoop to look into this mystery, for they could not feel the misery that we feel through sin, nor can they experience the fullness of joy that we can experience through salvation. They did not need to be saved.

Bible Reading     Luke 2:1-20  

Salvation In the Saviour was Proclaimed:

Angels are messengers. In fact, the Greek word for messenger is "angel." The #1 job of an angel is to communicate God's message.  If angels get nervous and breathless, this angel must have been shuddering and panting. And the shepherds were no better, terrified just about to death at the sight of the angel. This was the most important message the angel would ever deliver. He spoke it word for word the way God wanted it said: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12)

Sing:            BoW 268 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Sing:            BoW 257 - Angels We Have Heard On High

What would Christmas be without angels? The greatest concentration of angelic activity in the Bible undoubtedly surrounds the life of Christ—His birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return. Whether visible or invisible, angels hovered around the Son of Man at His every step. They announced His birth to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. They ministered to Him after He was tempted. He spoke of them frequently in His teachings. They comforted Him in the Garden and were ready to deliver Him from the cross, had He called. They proclaimed His resurrection, explained His ascension, and worshiped with joy at His re-enthronement.

So it was with awe and wonder that the multitudes of heaven assembled one night over a little scruffy patch of pasture on the outskirts of Bethlehem. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'" (Luke 2:14) Is the phrase "Gloria in excelsis Deo" echoing through your mind? It can be easy to allow the busyness of the days to fill our mind. So today we take time to stop and give God the glory for the gift of His Son.

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be Which inspire your heav'nly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo

We Should, like the angels, Glorify His Wonderful Person

We Should, like the angels, Glorify His Wise Purpose

1Peter 1:10-12  SG

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,¹¹ inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.¹² It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

The angels Glorify His Wonderful Person

The angels Glorify His Wise Purpose

What about you?

Salvation is to Be Received

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Then the angel was joined by thousands of his buddies who praised God with words in unison. They didn't sing . . .they said: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Interesting! The peace isn't for everybody. It's just for those who believe in Jesus and receive the favour of God. They are those who love and praise God. They are merely messengers. God is the one who is important, not the angels. They were merely the messengers of the moment in the Christmas story. The real center of attention was the child of eternity. He was the one to forever reset the calendars of history.

"Saviour" explains the whole purpose of Jesus' birth. He came to save us from sin. If we miss that, we miss Jesus. He's not most about mangers or angels, or holidays, or politics or happiness. He's most about salvation.
The whole premise of Jesus' coming is that every human being is a sinner lost from God and heaven. Jesus came to die, pay the penalty for sin, and bring us back to God.
That is why it is so important for every person to decide to accept Jesus as Savior. To merely acknowledge him as a great man of history is not enough. He must be acknowledged and accepted as Saviour or we will die forever in our sins.

"Christ" is a title meaning "Messiah." It means that he was anointed or chosen to represent God on earth and accomplish God's great purposes in history. He is God's Man. He is the one God promised would come. He is extra special. He is one of a kind. He is the Christ!

"Lord" is the word ancient Jews used to refer to God. This is a most amazing word to be connected to Jesus. He is "the Lord Jesus" - - that means that Jesus is God. Not just from God but God himself. 100% God. When we pray to Jesus, we're praying to God. When we follow Jesus, we are following God. When we love Jesus, we are loving God.
God came to earth, became human like us in order to save us from sin so that we can be forever with him in heaven. That is the biggest news of all of history. It is the most amazing and wonderful thing that has ever happened. The child born in Bethlehem should be the centre point of history! All dates before and after his birth should be calculated around him. He is the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour. The Child born in that manger was not only the centre point of all human history, He is the centre point for the Universe.  All angelic hosts worship Him.  They are excited to see God the Son appear in human form.

Centre Point in Pitt Street.  The tower in the centre of Sydney that was to be the highest building and the centre point around which the whole of Sydney rotates. But many other buildings have been built that are taller now, and obscure Centre Point tower.

The child born in the manger should be the centre point for your individual life.

He is the Savior, Christ the Lord!  He is the centre point!  But so often other things obscure our view, and that which is most important because lesser in importance.  But the problem isn't that He isn't still Lord of the Universe. We have just chosen to let other things obscure the view.  

He came with the purpose of sacrificing Himself for your sins. He came to redeem you.  "And when I think, that God His son not sparing, sent Him to die I can scarce can take it in, that on the cross my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin!"

Will you acknowledge Him today as the centre point of your life? Receive this Saviour as your own Saviour and Lord.  Listen to the angels.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Sing:      BoW 367 - How Great Thou Art (vv. 1, 3, 4)

Benediction                 Steve

Sing:              BoW 265 - Glory to God

December 24   

Call To Worship Isaiah 40:1-5

Law and Grace  2 Sam 7:1-17

Luke 1:57-80    Saving Christmas  -Zechariah's Benedictus

⁵⁷ Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.⁵⁸ And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.⁵⁹ And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father,⁶⁰ but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John."⁶¹ And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name."⁶² And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.⁶³ And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.⁶⁴ And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.⁶⁵ And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,⁶⁶ and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.

⁶⁷              And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

⁶⁸              "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

                      for he has visited and redeemed his people

⁶⁹              and has raised up a horn of salvation for us

                      in the house of his servant David,

⁷⁰              as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

⁷¹              that we should be saved from our enemies

                      and from the hand of all who hate us;

⁷²              to show the mercy promised to our fathers

                      and to remember his holy covenant,

⁷³              the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

⁷⁴              that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

           might serve him without fear,

⁷⁵              in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

⁷⁶              And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

                      for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

⁷⁷              to give knowledge of salvation to his people

                      in the forgiveness of their sins,

⁷⁸              because of the tender mercy of our God,

                      whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high

⁷⁹              to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

                      to guide our feet into the way of peace."

⁸⁰              And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Days were dark and difficult for a middleaged composer named George who had recently suffered a stroke. His health had finally been broken by an anxious and difficult life. The stroke had paralyzed the left side of his face, causing intense pain.

Most days, he could barely afford to pay his rent and was facing the possibility of debtor's prison. He was despondent and discouraged — frankly, life was dark and despairing. One night in 1741, depressed and defeated, he wandered the lonely streets deep in thought trying to come up with a plan — some hope in life. When he returned to his home, an envelope had been dropped off by a friend. His friend had wanted to encourage him, and he had simply copied off a number of verses — Biblical prophecies of the coming Messiah.

George Handel read through them, then tossed the pages aside and crawled into bed, but he couldn't sleep. Biblical phrases he had just read kept coming back to his mind — the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. . . it is the glory of God . . . Hallelujah!

He got up and went to his piano and for the next 24 days, didn't stop writing. For three weeks straight, he composed, hardly stopping to eat or sleep, refusing to see anyone.

Finally, a friend managed to get inside the apartment where he found George Handel surrounded by sheets of music strewn everywhere; tears were streaming down his face as he said to his friend, "I do believe I have seen . . . the greatness of God." And Handle's Messiah was soon completed.

For 400 years in Israel's history, there had been little to sing about. Following the prophecies of Malachi, between Malachi and the Gospels of the New Testament, there has been no word from God. No prophet of God spoke either words of judgment or words of encouragement. It was a time which came to be known as the 400 years of silence.

But then, the most amazing things began to happen. Angel sightings, supernatural events, surprising joy — and music being composed again.

And from the most unlikely places. In a village overrun by Roman soldiers where immorality was legendary, a teenage girl composes a song rich with Old Testament passages, a song of her own Savior and the miracle of her conception, though yet a virgin.

In fact, as Luke's Gospel opens — just in the first 2 chapters, you have as many as 5 songs, and the theme running throughout them all is joy.  And the major theme is Salvation.

For the first time in 400 years, choruses of Hallelujah are beginning to echo throughout the land. This was all such good news leading us to great joy.

How could someone not be joyful about salvation? 

God develops the theme of salvation.

Here in this passage called the Benedictus, just like Mary's song is called the Magnificat because of the first words of this song. Benedictus.  "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel," Blessings.

Following Mary's song of joy, an old priest, well past his prime, has had a surprise baby boy born to his elderly wife and him. They live out in the country, away from the religious power players of the nation. Yet God has chosen their miracle baby to become the next prophet — following Malachi — and their son will introduce the Messiah.

And now it's this old priest's opportunity to start singing — or more than likely what would have sounded like chanting — as he delivers his own composition of joy.

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, let's go back to where

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. Luke 1:57-59a

This was the sign of the Abrahamic covenant — the mark of a Jewish male in obedience to the law — which would have given John the necessary credentials as an Israelite prophet.

We're told here that everybody they know have shown up for this joyous ceremony and time of celebration which traditionally included the naming of the son, on his 8th day.

And it was customary in these days to name a son after his father or grandfather, especially if they were highly esteemed men.        

So if anybody was going to be named after his father, this baby would certainly be Zechariah Jr. In fact, notice the family drama that's breaking out here at the ceremony — the middle part of verse 59 tells us that:

they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John." And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name." That's the Biblical way of saying, "Are you crazy? Nobody in your family is named  John — where did that name come from? You can't name him John — there's  no one in our family called John. But Elizabeth chooses the name John! 

But Elizabeth is refusing to budge, and Zechariah can't even speak yet, because he's still under the discipline of God for his earlier unbelief.       So here's Elizabeth, terribly outnumbered, but unmoved; in spite of the entire family and the entire neighborhood insisting on Zechariah, Elizabeth says: "He's going to be called John." I mean, nobody would tangle with this 80- year-old new mother. She's obviously learned from her husband writing it all out for her earlier, that Gabriel told him this was God's choice to name their son, John — which means, God is gracious. That's the message God wanted Israel to hear from His prophet: not just a message of repentance from sin, but a message of the forgiving grace of God.

Look what the neighbours do next verse 62 — they ask Zechariah.

And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." Luke 1:62-63

He gets a tablet — this word refers to a wooden tablet covered with wax. And he writes something amazing here. He confirms what Elizabeth said earlier in verse 60, but he uses a different tense of the verb. He doesn't write, "He shall be called John", he writes: "His name is John!"    It's already settled! What's more, he was already John, in the womb, before he was born. He's not being named today at this ceremony; he was already named before any of you showed up with your vote. He was named "John" by God, a little more than 9 months ago. And with that statement of obedience and humility, God reopens Zechariah's ears and mouth. And immediately, Zechariah begins to speak words of praise to God. We're told in the next verse — I love this — that "awe came on all their neighbors." (v. 65)

And he begins to sing — now Zechariah has been composing his own version of the Hallelujah Chorus — it's loaded with Old Testament passages and allusions — perhaps as many as 33 different connections to the Old Testament. There are several stanzas in this composition, depending on how it's outlined; I'll break it down into three stanzas.

The prophecy of Zechariah about God's salvation

Beginning at verse 68:

Blessed by the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.      Luke 1:68-75

Salvation is Brought to You By A Person.

Zechariah is singing about the future in the past tense — He has visited us; He has redeemed us; He has raised up a horn of salvation.  God did it.  So though not done it was as good as done because God did it!

Salvation is Confirmed To You By Prophecies

David's House  2 Sam 7  ⁵ "Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?⁶ I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.⁷ In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'⁸ Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.⁹ And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.¹⁰ And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly,¹¹ from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.¹² When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.¹³ He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.¹⁴ I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son…. my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.¹⁶ And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"

Israel's enemies

Covenant with Israel

Redeem Israel

Salvation is Announced to you by the Preacher

The prophecy of Zechariah about the ministry of his son Notice v. 76:

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins because of the tender mercy of our God." Luke 1:76-78a

Can you imagine this scene — there hasn't been a prophet for 400 years. And now, Zechariah is holding a prophet in his arms. He's singing now directly to John

— "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High . . . you're going to go before the Lord, our redeemer."

His ministry is described as one preparing the way for the Messiah He's literally going to be the advance agent for Jesus Christ  — he will prepare the way. 

Isa 40:1-5    Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

That expression was rooted in ancient history where good roads weren't the norm. Most roads were simply tracks across fields and as they led into towns, they were often rutted and muddy; the wheels of the carts would often get bogged down and get stuck.

If a king were traveling to visit a town, a lot of effort would be put into preparing the road leading into and through the town. It would often be leveled and drained and raised and paved with stone pavers for the royal chariot or carriage.

Early in the Roman Empire, those raised roads paved with stone pavers were called highways — they were called highways long before we called them highways.

And to this day, there's nothing like a good highway to get you where you're going.

John is going into spiritual road construction; he's going to announce to the world that the King is on His way — the royal Son of the Most High is coming.

John is going to build a highway with his preaching for the Messiah to ride directly into the hearts of those who will believe.

With that in mind, Zechariah's final stanza describes this Messiah; this is:

Salvation is Made Personal By His Power

The prophecy of Zechariah about the coming Sunrise

Notice verse 78 – the middle part: "The sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:78b-79

What will the Saviour, the Son of God do for you?

• He will release those captured by the darkness;

• He will rescue those facing inevitable death and eternal judgment

• He will give inner peace to those who know nothing of it. This is a bleak and yet realistic description of the human race – throughout human history:

• living in darkness and despair        • facing inevitable death and Judgment 

• hungry for peace and satisfaction

The world here is described realistically: darkness, dying and despairing.

But the sunrise is about to break into the dark and despairing world.

Zechariah sings: the Sunrise from on high is on His way!

• The Apostle Peter wrote that Jesus Christ was like a day dawning and a morning star rising in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19);

• John called him "the bright and Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16);

• Salvation is described as being rescued from the power of darkness and being brought into the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Colossians 1:13);

• Our mission as believers is to declare the praises – to sing the hallelujah's – of those who have been called out of darkness and into this marvelous light (I Peter 2:9);

• And we are promised that in the end, in the kingdom of everlasting light, that we, the redeemed will actually shine with the brilliant light of the sun (Matthew 13:43).

The sunrise is on His way

And in the meantime, we have every reason to sing Hallelujah to our Redeemer.

George Handel would take this song of prophecy from Zechariah and turn it into music.

The people who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, have seen a great light — the sun is rising — and the light of His gospel will rescue us from eternal death; and lead our feet into the perfect peace of God.

No wonder believers sing — hallelujah!

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet11 saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last,18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Perhaps the oldest Christmas hymn still in popular usage is the hauntingly beautiful carol by Aurilius Clemens Prudentius, "Of the Father's Love Begotten." Prudentius was born in northern Spain in A.D. 348, not long after Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire. He was a lawyer and provincial governor by profession, but in his mid-fifties he retired from government service and devoted himself to writing sacred poetry. He's been called "The Prince of Early Christian Poets," and his hymn about Jesus, begotten of the Father's love, is among the most beautiful ever written, especially when sung to the probing melody, "Divinum Mysterium," which was composed a thousand years ago. The carol was originally made up of nine verses that told the story of redemption and was translated into English in the 1850s by John M. Neale and Henry Baker.

The message of Jesus is this—"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus' message was God's love for the people of this world. And there is no better way to reflect the true Light of Christmas than by sharing the love of Christ who came into this world with a message: "God loves you."

Of the Father's love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He
Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see,

Evermore and evermore.

When Jesus Christ came the first time, His glory was veiled. When He comes again, His glory will be unveiled. And, I look forward to that time. We have a great Saviour, whose glory has been veiled. And, we would not know of this great glory were it not for the Book of the Revelation, where God has pulled back the veil. This is the apokalupsis, or the "unveiling" of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the apocalypse of the Lord Jesus Christ. You see, His second coming, as it's shown in the Book of the Revelation, is going to be so far different from His first coming, when His glory was veiled there, in the Gospels. When Jesus came the first time, He came to a crucifixion; when He comes again, He's coming to a coronation. When He came the first time, He came to a tree; when He comes again, He's coming to a throne. When He came the first time, He stood before Pilate to be judged; when He comes again, Pilate's going to stand before Him to be judged. When He came the first time, He came for shame; when He comes again, He's coming in splendor. When He came the first time, He came to redeem. When He comes again, He's coming to reign. When He came the first time, He came as the Suffering Servant; as He comes again He's coming as the mighty Sovereign. And so, the Book of the Revelation, here, is to unveil the Lord Jesus Christ. And, if you don't see both parts of the Lord Jesus Christ, you're not going to know the whole Christ. You need to know Him not only as Savior, but you need to know Him as Sovereign. You need to see Jesus not only as Justifier; you need to see Jesus as Judge. You need to see Jesus not only as Redeemer; you need to see Jesus as Ruler.

And so, one of the purposes of this book is to reveal the Lord Jesus. Jesus is the central character of the book. Now, you know, one of the things that bothers me is people who love prophecy, but they don't love Jesus. And, they love to study prophecy, but they do it more like a hobby. And, they're more occupied with His coming than they are with the One who is coming.

It Will Unlock the Mystery of History

What's it all about? Now, in the eastern religions, history just goes in a cycle, round and round and round. That's why they believe in reincarnation: you just keep coming back, and coming back, and coming back, until you get it right. But, Bible history is not cyclical;; it is linear: we are moving toward a goal. And, "the kingdoms of this world [will] become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ" (Revelation 11:15). "And the seventh angel sounded;; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). That is the mystery of history. As I've told you, there's no devil in the first two chapters or the last two chapters of the Bible. You know why the world is in such a mess today? Things are out of place. Jesus is the King; the King belongs on His throne. The Church, the Bride, belongs with the Groom. And, the criminal, Satan, belongs in prison. One of these days, when the King is on the throne and the Bride is with her Groom and the criminal's in prison, then you'll understand the way things are meant to be. And friend, this book tells us how that's going to come to pass, so it unlocks the mystery of history.

It Will Bring Sense to Our Suffering

I'll tell you what else this book will do—why it's a blessing: it will bring sense to our suffering. You know Revelation 21: 4: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4). 

It Will Give You Stability in Chaotic Times

I'll tell you what else it'll do: It'll give you stability in chaotic times. Have you been reading the newspapers lately? Have you been listening to the news? I mean, it is absolutely incredible these days in which we're living. Our Lord Jesus said, 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."  (Revelation 1:8).  He is the Almighty.

He Is the Resurrected Christ with Undiminished Humanity

He Is the Reigning Christ with Unrivaled Majesty

He is called the Lord of glory. The Book of the Revelation is written, really, to give Him glory.  Now, I would have loved to have seen the Lord Jesus when He was here in the flesh. I would have loved to have seen the Lord Jesus healing the multitudes. I would love to have heard the Lord Jesus teaching. I would love to have seen the Lord feeding the five thousand. What a thrill it would've been to see the Lord Jesus walking on water! But, that's past. That's history. That is gone. But, I'll tell you something else: I had rather see Him when He comes again—and that, I will.

John the apostle says, " to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds (Shekinah glory cloud) , and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

I am Alpha and Omega—now, the alpha was the first letter in the Greek alphabet. This is written in Greek. The omega is the last letter in the Greek alphabet 24 letters in the greek alphabet corresponding to our English alphabet mainly. There is nothing before the alpha; there is nothing after the omega. You see, the Greek alphabet is encased in those two bookends—the alpha and the omega. Now, if Jesus were speaking to a modern congregation of English people, He would say, "I am" what? "I am the A and the Z." Do you know all the books in my library are made up of only 26 letters? All of them between A and Z—everything in there. All of the knowledge, all of the wisdom, all of the history, all of the facts, all of it is comprised with just 26 letters. Now friend, Jesus—Jesus—is all of everything. He's just all of everything. He is the Alpha and the Omega, and He is every letter in between; and that's what He is.

John is on the Island of Patmos. It's a little rocky, craggy island in the Mediterranean. It's about ten-miles-long, and five-miles-wide. And, it was the Pinchgut, Fort Denison of that day. The Apostle John was put there for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation"—now, he's an old man now, about 90-years-of-age. He's been exiled to this terrible isolated island. Just trying to survive with other criminals who are there, working in the quarries, breaking rocks or whatever. And, he says  Revelation 1:9–11  9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet11 saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

. And, that's the Book of the Revelation that we have right today. This is when the Apostle John got his commission to write the book that we hold in our hands today.

Now, John hears this voice like a trumpet, and he turns around to see. Verse 12: 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man (Revelation 1:12–13). And then, John begins to describe the glorified Christ that he sees. There on Patmos, there on that rocky, barren island, Almighty God pulled back the veil and showed Jesus in His glory. Now, when Jesus came to this earth the first time, He came with His glory veiled. As a matter of fact, we sing it in the Christmas carols: "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see" (Charles Wesley). There was a veil over His glory. We could not have seen His glory and stood it, so He came with a veil over His glory—not a veil like a woman wears at a wedding, but His very humanity veiled that glory that was inherently His.

And, the Book of the Revelation is called the Apocalypse. That's the Greek name for it—the Apocalypse. It comes from a Greek word, apokalupsis, which simply means "an unveiling."

And, what the Apostle John is about to see is an unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is about to see what I want you to see today, as we get ready to give Him glory. He is about to see the Lord Jesus Christ—not as He was, walking in sandals by Galilee, but as He is, ruling and reigning. And, there are ten wonderful things about this Christ that I want you to see today— the Jesus that appeared to the aged Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos, this Alpha and Omega. "In this world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). And friend, in tribulation, it's always good to get a glimpse of the glory.

I. He Is the Resurrected Christ with Undiminished Humanity

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man (Revelation 1:12–13)—not the Son of God, though He was the Son of God, but "one like unto the Son of man" (Revelation 1:13). Now, the Apostle John had not seen Him for some 60 to 65 years. And, when He appears to the Apostle John on the Island of Patmos after He'd already gone to Heaven and come back to appear to John in all of His glory, how does John see Him? John sees Him still as a man. Now, when Jesus Christ stepped out of Heaven and was born through the portals of a virgin's womb at Bethlehem, He took upon Himself humanity. And friend, He still has that humanity today.

Now, let me tell you something: when we get to Heaven, we're going to see in Heaven the man Christ Jesus. He is still a man. He did not take human form only to be here on earth and then lay it aside. There is a man in the Glory. And, when I get to Heaven, I will see the nail prints in His hand, and so will you. You think about that.

When the Lord Jesus Christ took our humanity, He took our humanity and He will forever be like us. And, when we see Him, we will forever be like Him. Now, that right there is a praise point. So, the very first thing he sees is the resurrected Christ with undiminished humanity.

II. He Is the Reigning Christ with Unrivaled Majesty

Notice Revelation 1:13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.

What is this? What is this sash that He wears around His chest? What is this robe that He wears? These are the robes of a king and a priest. And, that's what our Lord is. He is still the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He has this unrivaled majesty. You see, He is not now pictured as the Savior. He is now pictured as the Sovereign. He is now the reigning, ruling, regal Lord with the robes of regality round about Him. He is now our King-priest. It's very important that you understand this, because when He came to the earth the first time, He came to a tree. And, when He comes again, He's coming to a throne. When He came the first time, He came to redeem; but when He comes again, He will come to reign. When He came the first time, He came as a Savior; but when He comes again, He is coming as the Sovereign.

Occasionally I hear about people being treated unjustly, put out of their homes by wealthier people, or corrupt people. When will it ever end?

III. He Is the Righteous Christ with Undiminished Purity

Here's the third thing I want you to see about Him. Number one: He's the resurrected Christ with undiminished humanity. Number two: He is the reigning Christ with unrivaled majesty. He's wearing the robes of regality. And then, I want you to notice in verse 14 He is also the righteous Christ with undiminished purity: 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. Revelation 1:14. What does that talk about? It talks about exactly what we've been singing about: His holiness, His purity. He has this unblemished purity. The whiteness of the snow represents purity. Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." And, the purity of the Lord Jesus Christ is purer than the virgin snow that fell here on this city this week. And, if you think that He can accept you as you are without being born again, you're grossly ignorant of two things: you don't know how holy He is, and you don't know how sinful you are.

IV. He Is the Revealing Christ with Unhindered Scrutiny

Now, here's the fourth thing he saw about this Christ: He is the revealing Christ with unhindered scrutiny. Revelation 1:14 His eyes were like a flame of fire,    What does this mean? It means that His vision not only sees you—it sees through you. He has X-ray vision. The Bible tells us "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). Did you know the Lord Jesus Christ right now sees your heart this moment? Did you know He knows what you're thinking this very second? His eyes—like a flame of fire. He cannot be deceived. He cannot be disputed. He cannot be discredited.

V. He Is the Relentless Christ with Untarnished Integrity

15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, (Revelation 1:15). Now, in the Bible, brass is an emblem of judgment. In the outer court, where the sacrifices were made in the tabernacle, those implements were made of brass. That brazen altar where the sacrifice was consumed was, indeed, brass. And, the fires of God's judgment burned themselves out upon that sacrifice. Now, what is this talking about—when the Bible says that His feet are like molten brass. Well, the feet speak of His progress—His going forth. And, He's going forth to judge. He is the relentless Christ—the relentless Christ—with untarnished integrity. Now, He came the first time to save; but when He comes again, He's coming with those feet of glowing bronze to trample out His enemies and to trample His foes. He is unstoppable. Symbolically, this speaks of judgment. When our Lord Jesus comes the second time, He's coming not to redeem; He's coming to judge. You might put Acts chapter 17, verses 30 and 31 down: the Bible says, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he"—that is, "God"—"hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:30–31). The Lord Jesus Christ is the judge as well as the Savior. He Himself said, "The Father judgeth no man…[He] hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22). So, He is the relentless Christ coming in judgment with untarnished integrity.

VI. He Is the Regal Christ with Unchallenged Authority

" and his voice was like the roar of many waters." (Revelation 1:15). Now, this speaks of the majesty and the power of our Lord:" Psalm 29: 3, 4 says, "The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty" (Psalm 29:3–4). It's like one hundred times the noise and power of the biggest waterfall you can imagine. We came down the road from Armidale past Ebor falls when it was in full flood. It was amazing! Can you imagine standing at the foot of those falls and arguing with the water? This is what he's saying here: that His voice is like one hundred cascading waterfalls—the power of His voice, the unchallenged authority of this. "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice" (John 5:28). There'll be no talking back. We'll stand before Him in silence.

VII. He Is the Regulating Christ with Unequaled Mastery

And he had in his right hand seven stars" (Revelation 1:16). He's holding seven stars in His right hand. What does that speak of? Well, seven is the number of perfection. And, the stars speak of several things. They speak of all creation that He has in His right hand, as He is the One who regulates and rules the universe.

Well, these stars have a deeper symbolic meaning.  "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches" (Revelation 1:20).

Every one of the seven churches in the Book of the Revelation had an angel, and the word angel is the word angelos, which means "messenger." And, the Bible teaches, I believe, this refers to the pastor. Did you know that your pastor is an angel? You didn't know that, did you? He's also a star. You didn't know that, did you? And, I'll tell you one thing you can rejoice in: he's in Jesus' hands. God keeps His men. He keeps His messengers—those who are God-called. And, it's just His way of saying, "Look, I've got this thing in My hand. Adrian, it's not your ministry. It's not your church. It's Mine. I hold you in My hand."  He's the One who holds everything in His right hand. He is the regulating Christ with unequaled mastery.

VIII. He Is the Revenging Christ with Unspoiled Victory

from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword,  (Revelation 1:16).

What is this sword? This sword speaks of His Word. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). And, when He comes again—the Lord Jesus that we read about there in Revelation chapter 1 and verse 3 (Revelation 1:3)—when He comes—and again in verse 7, "Behold, he comes with clouds" (Revelation 1:7)—He is coming to take vengeance.

2 Thessalonians1:7,8: and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed

He's coming again in vengeance. And, He has said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19).

Revelation 19:11-16. Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

This speaks of the Lord Jesus, when He comes back to this earth to rule and reign with Heaven's armies, as He comes upon a white charger, the symbol of victory, and as He comes with the crowns upon His head, His eyes like a flame of fire. Out of His mouth is this sword that comes.

Remember, this sword is His Word, and this blessed blade cuts both ways. It is a saver of life unto life or death unto death. If it does not bless you and save you, it will cut you and judge you. Be careful how you handle that blade—that Word that goes out of His mouth. You see, He created everything with His words. In the Book of Genesis, He spoke, and worlds sprang into space; and darkness fled, and life appeared. Oh, the mighty power of that two-edged sword! In the Book of the Revelation, He will speak again. And, what this is talking about in Revelation chapter 19 (Revelation 19) is the Battle of Armageddon, when the beast, and the antichrist, and all the malevolent armies of Heaven are gathered around Jerusalem to make war against God's ancient people. When it looks like the end of things has come to a drastic end and it looks like there is no hope, then the heavens are opened and the Lord Jesus comes—this time not for His saints, but with His saints. And, the Bible says, "He will destroy them with the sword that goes out of His mouth" (Revelation 19:21).

Many people have wondered what the Battle of Armageddon is going to be like.

Here is the antichrist, and he's gathered against Jerusalem. They're bivouacked there in the valley, in the ghetto. I have been there, and watched, and seen that plane which Napoleon said was the world's greatest natural battlefield. And, all of the contingency of the UN is out there one more time to make war upon God's ancient people that Satan has hated so much. And, it looks like there is no hope whatsoever. And, I can imagine in my mind—I see the fighter planes, and the drones, and the laser weapons, and the bombs, and all the artillery that antichrist will have. But, our battle's going to be won with one weapon: a sword. Don't get the idea that all of us are going to come and do handto-hand combat. We will not, folks. We'll be with Him. We'll be behind Him. But, the battle will be won with the sword that's in His mouth. And, you know how the battle's going to be won? What's the Lord going to say? I mean, here's the battle raging. I think it'll be over in two words. He'll say, "Drop dead." That's it. I mean, the Lord Jesus, who spoke them into existence, will speak them into oblivion. He is the Christ that has this revenging Christ, who is coming in unspoiled victory.

IX. He Is the Resplendent Christ with Undimmed Glory

In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength" (Revelation 1:16). You know, the Apostle Paul was on the road to Damascus. He saw light above the noonday sun. It blinded him, until God miraculously healed him. This speaks of the glory—the radiance—of our Lord that will light all of Heaven for all eternity. It will be the light of the universes. Who can describe this glory? We who are saved—we have learned of this glory. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6). We have the light of the knowledge of God, but we have never yet seen that glory. The light of Heaven is the face of Jesus Christ, brighter than the noonday sun. He is the resplendent Christ with undimmed glory.

X. He Is the Reassuring Christ with Undeniable Deity

And then, tenthly, He is the reassuring Christ with undeniable deity. This is the One that we worship..

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last,18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades

Anybody who comes before God irreverently has never seen this Christ. You can be sure of this: when the Apostle John, who laid his head upon Jesus' bosom when He was here as the Redeemer, when the Apostle John saw this Christ in glory, he did not lay his head upon His chest; he fell at

His feet like a dead man. Now, what has happened is this: this is the One who has the keys of Death and Hell. Death, that monarch of terror, laid his bony hands on the Lord Jesus Christ and laughed with a hoarse laugh. Death, when Jesus was nailed up on that cross, thought he had conquered. Jesus was taken down from that cross a bloody corpse, and Death waved his black banner of triumph. And, when Jesus died and was nailed to that cross, sighs, and moans, and woans, and groans went through the sepulchers of the righteous dead.  And, Death lifted up his scepter like a king, but Death did not understand what was happening. Jesus Christ met Death in Death's own territory and permitted Himself to be taken captive by Death that He, Jesus, might lead Death captive. And, the pale monarch, Death, took Jesus into the silence of that tomb. But, there inside that tomb, the Lord Jesus undermined Death's strongholds, and the Lord Jesus kindled the star of resurrection in the murky vault of that tomb. And, there the Lord Jesus Christ became the death of Death, and put Death to death, and pulled the sting from Death, took the crown from Death, and broke that crown, and Jesus became the death of Death. And, when He comes again, the same Jesus that walked out of that grave is going to give a shout, and it will be, "Come forth"—the same words that He gave when He stood before the tomb of Lazarus. And, the voice of the Lord Jesus will roll through the length and breadth of Death's empire and bring it crashing down. And, at the command of the Lord Jesus, from the sea and from the land, the bodies of the saints will be raised. That's what He's saying here—listen to it:  (Revelation 1:17–18) 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last,18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

You're really not supposed to understand it all. It's symbolic. It's imagery. But, it is fact put in terms so as to impress our heart. John said, "When I saw him, I fell on my face like a dead man" (Revelation 1:17).  When you catch a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, when you truly see the Lord Jesus, when you truly worship Him as He is described here in the Book of the Revelation, I'll tell you several things it will do for you, my precious friend.

A. Seeing the Lord Will Bring Your Full Submission

Number one: it will bring your full submission. When the Apostle John fell before Him prostrate, it meant, indeed, that He is Lord, not man. Have you surrendered everything—all that you have?

B. Seeing the Lord Will Give You Incredible Reverence for Him

I'll tell you something else it will do for you, when you see the Lord Jesus: it will give you incredible reverence for Him.

C. Seeing the Lord Will Give You Great Assurance

I'll tell you something else it will do for you, when you learn how to worship the Lord Jesus Christ: not will it only bring your submission, not only will it cause your reverence, but friend, it will give to you a great, great assurance. Do you know what the Lord Jesus said to the Apostle John, when he was there on his face before Him? He said, "John, don't be afraid. Fear not."

The person who truly worships the Lord can't be afraid, really, of much else, because when you put your eyes on Him, when you see those feet, when you see those eyes of His, when you see that hair white like wool, when you see the regal robes that He wears, when you see His feet going forth to judge, you say, "Who can stand before Him? I'll stand with Him." And, it takes away that fear.

And then, the Lord Jesus gave the Apostle John a commission, told him what to do and how to write the Book of the Revelation and all the rest of it. It came after that time of worship. You know, we can do more than worship after we've worshiped, but we can really do no more than worship until we've worshipped. But, when we worship—when we worship—there comes that submission; there comes that reverence; there comes that assurance; there comes that commission from our Lord to serve Him.

Do you have that absolute assurance if you died right now you'd go to Heaven, or if Jesus were to come right now you'd be ready to meet Him, would you give me a testimony by just lifting your hand up? That's wonderful. Take it down. Now, if you could not lift your hand, I'm here to tell you that if you will receive Him by faith and trust Him as your Lord and Savior, He will save you today—I promise you on the authority of the Word of God. The Bible says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). To be saved means that every sin now is forgiven, never to be held against you again. It means that Jesus Christ lives in you to give you peace, and power, and purpose—to help you day by day. And, it means that one day He'll take you home to Heaven to be with Him, and you can do that by trusting Him.