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Printer Friendly VersionA. The Bible is both a series and a single story
1. Scriptures relate how the ancients encountered God
2. Each of their visions teach us in our experience of the eternal
a) If we quest for the Holy
b) As we seek the depths of his self-disclosure
(1) To establish the promise that we inherit in Christ
(2) To guide us into the possibilities of our life in Christ
B. Great were the visions of our noble forerunners
1. Abraham was called of God
a) Lived by his calling
b) Established the standards of faith
2. Moses heard God in a burning bush
a) In response he stood in the face of the world’s greatest
monarch
b) Created a nation in obedience to the heavenly vision
3. Isaiah saw God in the year of Uzziah’s death
a) A vision that would give his call for life
b) A vision that would result in changing our understanding
4. Paul met Christ in his journey of hatred toward the church
a) The vision was to transform the mission of the church
b) All the way to the dungeons of Rome
c) Acts 26:19 "Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient
to the heavenly vision;”
II. John’s Vision
The vision of our text is not John’s first vision
He is the beloved disciple in church tradition
He first saw Jesus as a disciple of John the Baptizer
He might have seen the first announcement at Jesus’ baptism
He had Christ pointed out to him John 1:29 "Behold, the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world!”
He walked with Jesus through all of his ministry
He was there when Jairus’ daughter rose from death
He was a witness to the transformation on the mountain
He was the first man to the empty tomb
He was the only man disciple at the cross
He saw the risen Lord
John 20:8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in,
and he saw and believed;
Notice where John is now located
He is on the Isle of Patmos
This is not a young nor an immature saint
This is a faithful life-long witness to Christ
The isle was both secluded and secure
He was alone
Yet he was still part of the universal church
He is located somewhere beyond Patmos
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,
He was ‘on Patmos’ but ‘in the Spirit’
The condition of his vision is more than physical
He was in a condition to hear from God
The nature of the vision
1. We have only John’s words to guide us
a) He seems to be struggling for words
b) Descriptions of light
2. Revelation 1:12-16 I turned to see the voice that was speaking
to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lamps, and in the midst of the lamps
one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round
his breast; his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow;
his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined
as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; in his right
hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and
his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
a) In all the symbolism of prophetic vision
b) In the language of apocalyptic thought
3. The vision was complex and multiple
a) Yet he fell at the feet of Jesus as if he were dead
b) Why?
(1) He had been comfortable on Jesus’ breast
(2) He had taken Mary to his home
(3) He was as a son in Jesus’ home
B. He had an all new vision
1. A vision beyond what he knew in all his previous intimacy
2. A vision beyond the trust that allowed him to ask:
3. John 13:25 The disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said
to him, "Lord, who is it?"
III. Our Common Journey
A. Many of us have known Christ since we were children
B. You have been moved by him
1. You know his leadership
2. You are involved in his mission
a) You have dwelt in the secret palaces with Christ
b) John had been in the very precincts of the Temple
C. Perhaps you are a convert
1. You have experienced the life transformation of the Spirit
2. You have already changed your life because he revealed himself
D. In either case you have lived with Christ
1. John 14:23 "If a man loves me, he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with
him.”
2. You already are sure that Christ is yours
3. You have assurance and security
E. Yet, you hunger for a new depth – a new height
IV. The New Epiphany
A. Like John – be in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day
1. There must be within you a spirit open to a new vision
2. One that is beyond all you have already received
B. Literally it is the person within you who receives a deeper
vision
1. This will be your Bethel
2. This can be your Horeb
a) Where Elijah was on the mountain where Moses saw God
b) And Elijah received an all new insight
C. Many are satisfied
1. They know the Jesus of history
2. They know the Christ of their personal yesterday
D. What must you do to ready yourself for a new vision?
1. First, hunger for a new insight
2. Second, carefully examine your present spiritual vitality
a) Have you become sensual in your heart?
b) Are you tired and drained, even in your life in God?
3. Next look at your life
a) John was alone and available
b) Do you have undistracted time with your Master?
(1) You must retreat into his presence
(2) We must still ourself in his presence
E. John was facing death
1. We also must join his cross
2. We need an unobstructed vision
a) A vision that will sweep you off your feet
b) Hear Jesus say to you: “I am the Living One”
(1) See him in his glory
(2) Translate to your heart an all new grasp from a new revelation
– See Jesus as Lord – afresh
V. Conclusion
A. Do you find in your soul a hunger for a fresh revelation?
B. Would you hear his voice again?
1. Seek him – get silent and listen for him
2. Hear again his voice from behind you
Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left