A study in Revelation
Message 4
Revelation 1:9-20
The witness of our Age
Introduction: We have been looking at the course of our age. During our study thus far we have seen the courses blessing a benediction. Last week we took a look at the consummation of our age. This week we are going to begin a study of the character of our age. What do I mean by character? Well character refers to what something or someone is, on the inside and how they behave on the outside. The age we live in has an influence and is an influence. It is influenced by spiritual, emotional, financial and physical forces; likewise the age we live in creates an influence on the individuals who must live during this age. How we view spiritual matters, how our emotions are shaped, how we handle the power of finances and how our values are shaped all reflects the influence of this age upon our lives. Tonight as we look at the witness of our age I trust you can find yourself in the message, your influence in this age and the influence this age has upon you. From tonight’s message I hope you will better understand how…
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation …
John speaks of tribulation being shared. By this I mean that no person will be spared the effects of tribulation, even the church will go through some. Christians today are going through tribulation! Either physical, financial, emotional or legal there is tribulation in this world. John reminds us that we will be enduring this together. We had better get accustomed to helping one another and supporting each other, there will be no room for petty disagreements as this age ushers in tribulation.
John also tells us that we will be companions during tribulation. This companionship will not be based on denomination, membership or family name. This companionship will be based on the blood of Jesus, the born again church. The day will come when Christians everywhere must support one another, if we don’t some will be destroyed and others will be turned away from the faith. What a sad day it would be for the church to pick and choose who they will stand with based on popularity, prestige or prominence. As Christians we are bound together by the blood of Christ to be companions during tribulation.
…and
in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ was in the isle that is called
Even
though tribulation will come to us, tribulation does not have to turn us. John
tells us the kingdom and perseverance (patience) of Jesus Christ was with him
on the isle of
…and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
As John concludes this verse we see sincerity. Everything that has been done, or will be done during this age has the name of Jesus Christ upon it. Why? It was Jesus who was before the world was, It was Jesus who ushered in the ages, It was Jesus who came to earth as God and man within one person, It was Jesus who gave himself as mankind only sin sacrifice to die upon a cross and suffer the shame of being labeled among the criminals and It was Jesus who rose again on the third day rolling away a stone walking out physically resurrected having defeated death and the grave and having silenced the cheers of hell. The tribulation this age will endure will be a testimony of who Jesus was, is and will be.
Conclusion: While we view tribulation as a horrifying situation and it will end up as that, with God judging all the unsaved at the Great white throne judgment. Tribulation will begin before the church is raptured away, as a matter of fact the church will experience some of this tribulation, the question must be ask, are we ready for it? If not we must take time to make ourselves ready. We must be ready to be a brother and companion when needed. We must be ready to recognize the sovereignty of God during the time and not criticize Him for seeing His will done. Lastly we must be prepared to recognize the sincerity of tribulation as we see the testimony of Jesus Christ show through. Now we must ask ourselves the question; are we ready?