NR3-03    ORS-03  REV-19

980412AM

 

THE TOMB — IS EMPTY

This morning I checked on a few remote cemeteries and did some investigating. Here is the verified record of what I found:

  • Confucius’ tomb- occupied
  • Buddha”s tomb – occupied
  • Mohammed’s tomb – occupied
  • Joseph Smith’s tomb – occupied
  • Mary Baker Eddy’s tomb – occupied
  • Jesus’ tomb – EMPTY!

The Resurrection Record is Clear

John 20 records Resurrection morn. John and the apostles were startled and ran to confirm the report of the women that the tomb was empty. Remember the events?

  1. Mary MagdaleneMark 16:9-11; John 20:10-1 8
  2. The other women at the tombMatthew 28:8-10
  3. Peter in JerusalemLuke 24:341 Corinthians 15:5
  4. The two travelers on the roadMark 16:12, 13
  5. Ten disciples behind closed doorsMark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:l9-25
  6. All the disciples, with Thomas (excluding Judas Iscariot) .John 20:26-311 Corinthians 15:5
  7. Seven disciples while fishingJohn 21:1-14
  8. Eleven disciples on the mountainMatthew 28:16-20
  9. A crowd of 500 I Corinthians 15:6
  10. Jesus’ brother James 1 Corinthians 15:7
  11. Those who watched Jesus ascend into heavenLuke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8

But now over 60 years have passed. Many memories of Christ’s ministry were vivid in John’s heart but he hadn’t seen Him for so long. And then it happened –

John Sees Jesus Again

Revelation 1:9-20  I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 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: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lamp stands [One] like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair [were] white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet [were] like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance [was] like the sun shining in its strength. 17 and when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 “I [am] He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. (NKJV)

This is only the beginning of an amazing journey John takes. As he records what he saw:

“I saw”  39 times 1:12-22:8 , like watching slides that are describing what he saw
“I looked” 11 times (4:1; 5:11; 6:2,5,8,12; 7:9; 8:13; 14:1; 14:14; 15:5)
“I heard”  21 times  (1:10; 5:11-13; 6:1,3,5,6; 7:4; 8:13; 9:16; 10:4,8; 12:10; 4:2, 13; 16:1,5,7; 18:4; 19:1,6)

John sees Jesus all the Way Through this Book

The theme of this book captures what each of our hearts in whom Christ dwells longs for most, to see Jesus, and to see Him in all His beauty.  The first 3 words of this book gives us its purpose: Revelation of Jesus – unveiling, revealing, disclosing of Jesus. Thus in no other place on Earth can you see more of Jesus than in this final Book of the Book of Books. Have you seen Him in all His beauty?

  • Rev. 1:18 = He is the LIVING One holding the keys to death and hellRevelation 1:18 “I [am] He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. (NKJV)
  • Rev. 3: 18 = He is  the LORD OF THE CHURCH Revelation 3:18 “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, [that] the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. (NKJV)
  • Rev. 5:5 = He is the LION OVER THE NATIONS as He  restores His Kingdom  Revelation 5:5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” (NKJV)
  • Chapter. 21-22= He is LAMB AMONG THE REDEEMED as He invites  His own to join Him forever Revelation 21:14, 22-23  Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb [is] its light. (NKJV)

First –

John sees Jesus Revealing His Eternal Character as the Risen Christ  v. 10b-11

Revelation 1:9-11 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.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,11 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: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” NKJV

In these verses, let’s be blessed with some beloved truths:

  1. 10b-11  JESUS IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY
  • He spoke to the dead and they rose to life.
  • He spoke to the raging waves and they fell to silence.
  • He spoke to bread and fish and they multiplied to  feed thousands.
  • He spoke to a fig tree and it withered away to nothing.
  • He spoke to lowly sinners and they found new beginnings.
  • He spoke to haughty hypocrites and they  hardened their hearts to the end.
  • He spoke as never man spoke –

–  to death and disease

– to seekers and finders

– to skeptics and scoffer

– He spoke the universe into motion

– He shall speak the closing word on mankind.

Be aware as never before, when Jesus speaks, it is with authority and tonight, in this Book…He speaks to you!

The second truth of our incomparable Christ…

John sees Jesus as He walks around here in His Church Today! v. 12-16:

Revelation 1:12-16  Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. NKJV

Imagine hearing a voice like a trumpet and seeing these NINE perfections of his DIVINITY:

  1. The perfect man: As identified with us,Hebrews 2:18  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.Hebrews 4:15 but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. NKJV Son of Man: (84 times He calls himself this, no one else does.) He came to seek and save the lost of Adam’s fallen race. One like the Son of Man, THE CONQUEROR OF ADAM’S FALLEN RACE,
  2. The perfect sacrifice He is robed to the feet as THE PERFECT PRIEST,: All other priests carried around sacrifices, this priest was the sacrifice, He gave Himself for me Paul says and so should we! As priest:  Robe to Feet , Hebrews pictures Him ever living to intercede for us.
  3. The perfect judge: as Judge: Girded around breast was ancient symbol of restrained emotions. He judges rightly. He is sinless, He is full of love and wisdom. No one can made decisions perfectly except Him!
  4. The perfect image of God He is white haired as THE ANCIENT OF DAYS,: As Ancient of Days, White hair = sign of maturity, absolute holiness;  Ancient of Days –Daniel 7:9 –same description. As Hebrews 1:3  who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, NKJV
  5. The perfect truth: With His eyes of fire, THE SEER OF ALL SECRETS, As penetrating scrutinizer: those eyes of fire discover and with consuming light reveal secrets
  6. the perfect defender: As trampler of foes, those feet of military bronze will crush His enemies, even those who cry, “Lord, Lord…but He never knew.” With His brazen feet, THE ULTIMATE JUDGE crushing all foes,
  7. The perfect communicator:  With a voice, THE VOICE OF GOD as thunderous as the 12 million cubic feet of water crashing at Niagara’s base, commanding all to pay attention, the deaf and the dead can hear it, and so should we!
  8. The perfect revealer: Holding out His hand as THE POSSESSOR OF ALL THE SECRETS of the universe,
  9. The perfect supply:  What does He have? All we need to be made complete!Colossians 2:10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. NKJV   And all the incomprehensible fullness of THE ALL-POWERFUL LORD OF GLORY with a blazing countenance. As the awesome and most powerful being of all… Face like sun shining in its strength.

So what is Jesus doing here this morning?

  1. VISITING us in his CHURCH v. 13  and in the midst of the seven lampstands [One] like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. Do you know that this church is His?
  2. WAITING  for OUR WORSHIP v. 14a  His head and hair [were] white like wool, as white as snow, Do you look for Him? Do you look in the Word, in your worship, in your world?
  3. INSPECTING OUR LIVES v. 14b and His eyes like a flame of fire; Do you like what He sees?
  4. REFINING OUR CHARACTER v. 15a  His feet [were] like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, Do you let go of what He is trying to cut and prune away in your life?
  5. COMFORTING OUR HEARTS v. 15b  and His voice as the sound of many waters; Do you listen to Him daily?
  6. GUIDING our lives v. 16a  He had in His right hand seven stars, do you follow His directions?
  7. PROTECTING HIS PEOPLE v. 16b out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, do you trust He is able?
  8. DISPLAYING HIS GLORY v. 16c and His countenance [was] like the sun shining in its strength. Do you show He is Lord of your life?

John Shows us how We Should Respond when we See the Risen Christ v. 17-18

Revelation 1:17-18  and when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. NKJV

And what happened when John saw the Risen and glorified Christ of God ? He became in v. 17 what? As a dead man. Then that familiar hand he had known and loved so well reached out to him. And Jesus touched John.

Would you join me in adoringly worshiping the Risen Christ?

What we will do is follow John’s example and fall on our faces in our heart. With all our eyes closed you may respond to our Risen Lord in any way you deem reverent and worshipful. One man told me if no one would have been offended, he would have slipped to the aisle and knelt before the Lord. Maybe you are less expressive, maybe more. If you wish to lift your hands, kneel, whisper His praise, feel free. We are all standing in His presence.

1.   One like the Son of Man, THE CONQUEROR OF ADAM’S FALLEN RACE,2.   He is robed to the feet as THE PERFECT PRIEST, GUARDING HIS CHURCH v. 13  and in the midst of the seven lampstands [One] like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. Do you know that this church is His?
3.   He is white haired as THE ANCIENT OF DAYS, INVITING OUR WORSHIP v. 14a  His head and hair [were] white like wool, as white as snow, Do you look for Him? Do you look in the Word, in your worship, in your world?
4.   With His eyes of fire, THE SEER OF ALL SECRETS, INSPECTING OUR LIVES v. 14b and His eyes like a flame of fire; Do you like what He sees?
5.   With His brazen feet, THE ULTIMATE JUDGE crushing all foes, REFINING OUR CHARACTER v. 15a  His feet [were] like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, Do you let go of what He is trying to cut and prune away in your life?
6.   With a voice, THE VOICE OF GOD as thunderous as the 12 million cubic feet of water crashing at Niagara’s base, commanding all to pay attention, the deaf and the dead can hear it, and so should we! ADDRESSING OUR NEEDS v. 15b  and His voice as the sound of many waters; Do you listen to Him daily?
7.   Holding out His hand as THE POSSESSOR OF ALL THE SECRETS of the universe, GUIDING HIS SERVANTS v. 16a  He had in His right hand seven stars, Do you follow His directions?
8.   He has spoken, THE CREATOR OF  ALL THINGS spoken into existence by His word, PROTECTING HIS PEOPLE v. 16b out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, Do you trust He is able?
9.   And the incomprehensible THE ALL-POWERFUL LORD OF GLORY with a blazing countenance. DISPLAYING HIS GLORY v. 16c and His countenance [was] like the sun shining in its strength Do you show He is Lord of your life?