Chapter # 1 Paragraph # 3 Study # 1
June 25, 2023
Broadlands, Louisiana
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Thesis: John's self-characterization sets forth his identity in respect to his readers' participation in the difficulties of living in this world as a child of God.
Introduction: In our studies thus far, we have seen that John had a particular theological introduction to this "Revelation of Jesus Christ" which focuses upon the benefits of being a part of those who belong to the triune God and get to participate in His Life.
This evening we are going to look into a kind of "second introduction" that focuses upon John's personal part in what produced this written Revelation From the Father regarding Jesus Christ.
- I. John's Self-Characterization.
- A. His name: John.
- 1. Well-known apostle who was in the chain of instruments of the production of the record of The Revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1).
- a. Originator was God the Father.
- b. Original recipient was Jesus Christ.
- c. Secondary recipient was "His angel".
- d. Tertiary recipient was "His bondservant John".
- 2. Proponent of the Gospel of the Grace of God (Yahweh is gracious).
- 3. Author of the fourth Gospel and the three letters contained in the New Testament.
- 4. Human author of the words of The Revelation.
- 5. One who wished "Grace and Peace" for his readers from The Father, The Spirit, and The Son in respect to the eternality of the Father, the seven-fold impact of The Spirit from the Father's throne, and from Jesus Christ (in regard to many things He is and has done for us): 1:4-8.
- B. His relationships to his readers.
- 1. The brother of you (sharing in the new birth by a Common Father so as to be a brother).
- a. These "brothers" are going to be martyred (6:11).
- b. These "brothers" have a common, and defeated, "accuser" (12:10).
- c. These "brothers" include the angelic messenger who was the third person in the chain of revelation (19:10/22:9 compared with 1:1).
- 2. And fellow recipient (Romans 11:17) "in Jesus" of...
- a. The pressures (thlipsei)...(arising from his fidelity to The Word of The God and his Testimony regarding Jesus).
- b. And Kingdom...(God's over-all plan since the beginning including everyone who will be given a part to play in it).
- c. And endurance...(the 'abiding under all of the negative characteristics of life on the earth for the sake of "Truth" in the place of "Lies"').
- II. His Location: In The Island Which Is Being Called Patmos.
- A. This is the only place in the Bible that mentions "Patmos". International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says it was one of several places to which Rome exiled people for "crimes" against Rome.
- B. The reasons ("crimes").
- 1. On account of The Word of The God...
- 2. And the testimony of Jesus.
- C. His particular experience.
- 1. I came to be "in Spirit" on the Lord's Day...
- 2. I heard behind me a loud voice as a trumpet...
- a. Saying: What you are seeing, write into a book and send to the seven churches...
- 1) Unto Ephesus.
- 2) Unto Smyrna.
- 3) Unto Pergamum.
- 4) Unto Thyatira.
- 5) Unto Sardis.
- 6) Unto Philadelphia.
- 7) Unto Laodicea.
- b. The beginning of the "passing on" of The Revelation.
