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04.30.2023 | Encountering the Exalted Christ

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04/30/2023 by Pastor Anton Brown

Five Life-Changing Lessons from Revelation 1:9-20

Introduction

The Book of Revelation's mysterious imagery and prophetic language often seems difficult to understand. However, its primary purpose is to reveal Jesus Christ and His victory over evil and show us how to live in light of it. In Revelation 1:9-20, we find a powerful vision of the exalted Christ and its implications for followers of Jesus. Drawing on the insights from the passage, we will explore five life-changing lessons and how they can be applied in our daily lives.

1. Embracing Christ's Presence in the Church

The image of Christ standing among the seven golden lampstands, representing the churches, highlights His presence and involvement in the lives of believers. As followers of Jesus, we can take comfort in knowing that He is always with us, guiding and protecting His people.

To embrace Christ's presence in the church, we can:

  • Regularly attend and actively participate in a local church community, seeking to grow in our faith and support one another.
  • Pray for our church leaders and fellow members, asking for God's wisdom, guidance, and protection.
  • Seek to be an active and positive presence within our church community, contributing our time, talents, and resources for the benefit of others.
  • Remain open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, allowing Him to direct and empower our church's mission and ministry.

 2. Honoring Christ as Our High Priest and Judge

In Revelation 1:9-20, Christ is portrayed as both a high priest and a judge, signifying His roles of intercession and authority. As believers, we are called to honor Christ in both of these capacities, trusting in His ongoing work on our behalf and submitting to His rule in our lives.

To honor Christ as our high priest and judge, we can:

  • Regularly confess our sins and seek forgiveness, trusting in Christ's atoning work and intercession for us.
  • Pursue holiness and spiritual growth, seeking to live in a way that pleases Christ and reflects His character.
  • Submit to Christ's authority in all areas of our lives, seeking His will and guidance in our decisions and actions.
  • Encourage others to follow Christ as Lord and Savior, sharing the good news of His love, forgiveness, and transforming power.

3. Trusting in Christ's Omniscience and Power

The vivid imagery of Christ's eyes like a flame of fire and His voice like the roar of many waters underscores His all-knowing nature and infinite power. Believers can find reassurance in these attributes, relying on Christ's perfect knowledge and strength in every circumstance.

To trust in Christ's omniscience and power, we can:

  • Share our burdens, concerns, and praises with Christ through prayer, trusting that He knows and cares about every detail of our lives.
  • Rest in the knowledge that Christ is in control, even when our circumstances seem overwhelming or uncertain.
  • Seek Christ's wisdom and guidance in our decision-making, believing that He knows what is best for us and will work all things for our good and His glory.
  • Boldly proclaim the gospel, trusting in Christ's power to save and transform lives.

4. Pursuing a Deeper Encounter with the exalted Christ

John's powerful encounter with the Christ serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring majesty and holiness of Jesus. As believers, we are invited to seek deeper, more intimate encounters with Christ that will enrich our faith and inspire devotion.

To pursue a deeper encounter with the exalted Christ, we can:

  • Dedicate time daily for prayer, Bible study, and reflection, seeking to draw closer to Christ and know Him more fully.
  • Cultivate a spirit of humility and reverence, acknowledging Christ's majesty and submitting to His lordship in our lives.
  • Participate in worship, both individually and corporately, expressing our love and devotion to Christ through song, prayer, and acts of service.
  • Share our experiences of encountering Christ with others, testifying to His transforming work in our lives and encouraging one another in our faith journeys.

5. Embracing Our Responsibility to Share Christ's Revelation

John is entrusted with the responsibility of writing down the revelation he receives, and likewise, believers are called to share the message of Christ with others. We must take seriously the task of proclaiming the gospel and sharing the hope found in Jesus.

To embrace our responsibility to share Christ's revelation, we can:

  • Regularly pray for opportunities to share the gospel with others, asking the Holy Spirit to guide our words and actions.
  • Be prepared to share our testimony and the hope we have in Christ, both in casual conversations and more formal settings.
  • Look for practical ways to demonstrate Christ's love and compassion to those around us, reflecting His character through acts of kindness and service.
  • Support and participate in local and global mission efforts, partnering with others to advance the gospel and make disciples of all nations.

Conclusion

Revelation 1:9-20 offers powerful insights into the nature of the exalted Christ and the implications of His revelation for our lives. By embracing Christ's presence in the church, honoring Him as our high priest and judge, trusting in His omniscience and power, pursuing deeper encounters with the risen Savior, and embracing our responsibility to share His revelation, we will see our lives transformed by the power of the Gospel. Let us continually draw near to Christ, allowing Him, by the Spirit, to transform our lives.