Jesus is Lord
Colossians 1:15-20
Message #4
This is the fourth message in a short series called “Give Up.” It started with a message called “Giving Up, In, and Over” and it’s developed into this series, “Give Up.”
In that first overview message, we talked about:
Giving Up your Pride
Giving In to the Lordship of Jesus Christ
Giving Over what you Can’t Handle
After that first overview message, we did two messages on “Giving Up.” Those were the last two messages called “Brokenness” and “The Blessing of Brokenness.” If you haven’t heard either, I would encourage you to listen to or watch those messages. It’s because we have got to be constantly reminded of our need for brokenness in the Christian life. That was the “Give Up” portion.
Today, I’d like to start two messages on “Giving In.” As in giving in to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And what I’d like to try to do today is just place before you the sheer power and magnificence of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is Lord. It’s an undeniable, Biblical fact that Jesus is Lord. No matter what you think. No matter what anyone else thinks. Whether you understand him or not. No matter whether he is your Lord, he IS Lord. That’s who he is. That’s who Jesus Christ is. I just want to press this Biblical truth in front of you because it stands on its own, regardless of how you respond to it. However, how you respond to it is a matter of eternal life and death. And then, next message, we’ll discuss what to do about it and how to respond to the fact that Jesus is Lord.
Jesus is Lord. And Jesus is Lord whether he is our Lord or not. Jesus is Lord. That’s who he is, regardless of how anybody feels or thinks; this is just who Jesus is. Today we want to see the Biblical fact that Jesus is Lord. Then next message, we will look at what it means to make Jesus OUR Lord (personally) and to receive him as our personal Lord.
When John the Baptist came on the scene to “Prepare the way of the Lord” as Isaiah prophesied, the first thing John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:
Matthew 3:2 (ESV)
2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
And he said, “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” because he knew the KING of Heaven was at hand. The King of Heaven was bringing his Kingdom to the earth, and John the Baptist was saying, “Do not miss this.” And today, by the Holy Spirit, John the Baptist is still saying, “Do not miss this.”
At the end of the Old Testament, in Malachi 3, we read,
Malachi 3:1 (ESV)
1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple . . .
Israel was looking for a King from Heaven, and their King came. God even had Pilate make it clear one last time with the inscription on the Cross – Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. The fact that Israel missed it doesn’t change the fact that Jesus is Lord, and it is the same for us today.
The King of Heaven had invaded enemy territory to rescue his people and to begin his eternal reign. In the Old Testament, whenever a king had been put in place by God, he was required to prove his calling and anointing. That is exactly what Jesus did. When John the Baptist had his moment of doubt in prison, he sent his followers to confirm that Jesus was indeed the Lord and Messiah God had promised. And when they asked Jesus that question, we read in Matthew 11:
Matthew 11:4-5 (ESV)
4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
These are the signs, the proofs that the rightful King and Lord was in the midst of his people, and that’s why Jesus answered this way.
The first message Jesus gave after his temptation in the wilderness, he stood in the Synagogue and read from Isaiah 61 about the coming of the Lord of Heaven. And when he finished reading, he sat down and said in Luke 4:
Luke 4:21 (ESV)
21 . . . “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
And through his life, Jesus proved over and over again that he was not just a good teacher bringing us good instruction for life. Jesus proved over and over again he is Lord of all.
He HEALED the SICK
He gave SIGHT to the BLIND
He RAISED the DEAD
He FORGAVE SIN
The FORCES OF NATURE OBEYED HIS EVERY WORD
Even the DEMONIC REALM OBEYED HIS EVERY WORD.
And finally, on the Cross, when it looked like the enemy had beaten the King of Heaven, it was there Jesus displayed his supreme act of Lordship over our final enemy. Because at the Cross, Jesus destroyed the one who held the power of death. At the Cross, Jesus put the evil principalities and powers in the spiritual realm to open shame.
Speaking of the victory of the Cross, we read in Colossians 2:
Colossians 2:15 (NLT)
15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
And in that final victory, we can say Jesus Christ is Lord over all! Over all things in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth. He is King of kings and Lord of lords over all things.
The gospel writers documented it. Acts set his new Kingdom in motion, and the remainder of the New Testament tells the rest of the story. Let’s look at Colossians 1, starting in verse 13, at the proclamation of Jesus as Lord of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
13 For he (God) has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
There is a “Kingdom of Darkness” with a usurping ruler named Satan running the show, and when it’s time, Jesus will deal with him accordingly. And there is a “Kingdom of Heaven” that you can be transferred into by receiving the free gift of forgiveness and freedom from your sin. The King of that Kingdom of Heaven is Jesus Christ, God’s dear Son, and he himself paid the full price to purchase your freedom and forgive your sin.
But we have got to grasp WHO he truly is
He’s NOT just a GOOD TEACHER
He’s NOT our SERVANT
He’s NOT our GENIE
Colossians 1, verses 15-20, gives us some idea of WHO our Lord truly IS.
Colossians 1:15 (ESV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
“The image” means “the exact (full) representation of God.”
“The firstborn” doesn’t mean created, but “first in preeminence.”
Jesus is the exact (full) representation of God, and he is first in preeminence over all creation. Continuing in Colossians:
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV)
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
All things were created by him and through him in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, including all thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together. That is who our Lord Jesus IS.
Colossians 1:18 (ESV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
He is the head of the Church, and we are his body.
He is the Beginning and the first of the resurrection
He is absolutely preeminent over all things. HE IS LORD.
Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Jesus is God in the flesh. The fullness of God dwells in him, and through him, all things have been reconciled to God, whether on earth or in heaven. All of creation was under the curse of sin, but Jesus Christ alone has made peace by his sacrifice on the Cross. He is King of the Kingdom of God, and he is Lord over all.
Let’s look at Hebrew chapter one. The writer of Hebrews put the Lordship of Jesus Christ in this exact same light.
Hebrews 1:2-3 (ESV)
2 . . . [Jesus], through whom [God] created the world.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power . . .
He is the AGENT of creation
He RADIATES (not reflects) the GLORY of God
He is the EXACT IMPRINT of God’s Nature
and he upholds the UNIVERSE by the word of his POWER
And then Hebrews 1, verse 3 continues:
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)
3 . . . After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
After the final victory of his resurrection, after Jesus conquered sin and death and the grave on our behalf, he sat down at the right hand of God (the place of authority).
Turn back to Ephesians chapter 1.
Ephesians 1:19(b)-22 (NLT)
19 . . . [It is God’s] mighty power
20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
This is who the Lord Jesus really is. You can be on his side, or you can be against him, but this is who he truly is. He has done so much for you personally, to save you and to transfer you into his Kingdom. Listen to the incredible extent to which the LORD of all Creation has gone for you.
Turn to Philippians.
Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT)
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (FOR YOU!!)
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus is LORD, and he is Lord of all Creation, but look at what he has done for you, personally. He emptied himself of his divine rights and privileges. He took on the humble (and humiliating) position of a slave and was born a human being. And he humbled himself so far, for you, that he died a criminal’s death on the Cross, in your place.
And therefore, because of who he is and what he has done, God has elevated him to the place of highest honor and given him the name that is above all names that at the name of Jesus (one day), every knee will bow in heaven on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus Christ is LORD OF ALL. All that is in heaven. All that is on earth. Jesus Christ is LORD OF ALL.
I think we often fail to have a correct view of Jesus as the Ultimate Lord. Maybe we’ve never had the right view, or maybe we’ve gotten so caught up in our self-focused view that we’ve got a distorted view of who Jesus is.
The Apostle John had one view of Jesus while Jesus was here on earth. In fact, the Apostle John liked to refer to himself as “The Apostle whom Jesus loved.” John was most probably Jesus’ best friend while Jesus was on earth. But John got a full perspective update on Jesus in Revelation chapter 1.
Revelation 1:10-17 (ESV)
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
. . .
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead . . .
This is who the Lord Jesus Christ is today. He is in the midst of the heavenly throne room. His eyes are like a flame of fire. His feet are like bronze in the furnace. His voice is like the roar of many waters. In his right hand, he holds seven stars. From his mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword. His face is like the sun shining in its full strength. And when you see him, the only correct response is to fall at his feet as though you were dead.
THIS is the LORD of Heaven
THIS is WHO Jesus Christ is today
But this is also the same Jesus who died in your place to pay for your sin and to offer you the free gift of eternal life. He is awesome in his Lordship and in his love for you. And so, as John was lying there shaking like a dead man, we continue reading in Revelation 1.
Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV)
17 . . . But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,
18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
The Lord Jesus has ultimate authority over all eternity, but this awesome heaven-shaking Lord also says to you, personally, just two chapters later in Revelation 3:
Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
This is a picture of the Lord of Heaven offering to commune with you personally, and he not only offers to commune with you, personally, the next verse, Revelation 3, verse 21 says:
Revelation 3:21 (ESV)
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Joint heirs with Jesus Christ. That’s what Romans 8:17 call those who have made him their personal Lord.
There is so much in Revelation that shows Jesus as the Lord of all Creation. If you weren’t with us when we studied Revelation, get it online or on the phone app, and go through it.
Jesus is absolutely Lord in ALL of Revelation, from the first verse to the last verse. Jesus is LORD.
But there’s just one more passage in Revelation I have to read. It’s the return of our Lord from heaven to earth.
Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
This is how the Lord Jesus is going to return. The next time he comes to earth, he is coming as King of kings and Lord of lords. And please hear me when I say you want to be with him, not against him. You definitely want to be part of that heavenly army who are arrayed in fine linen, white and pure and are following Jesus when he returns.
We have the most awesome, incredible Lord
King of kings and Lord of lords
the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End
the First and the Last
the One who Was and Is and Is to Come
the Lord of all Creation, the Maker of Heaven and Earth
the One who Reconciled all of Creation to God
and the One who came to die in your place to reconcile you to God.
Do you know him?
Would you like to know him? Because he stands knocking at the door of your heart, and if you will invite him in, he will save you, transform you and make you a joint heir with him of all the Father has given him.
In that first overview message, we talked about:
Giving Up your Pride
Giving In to the Lordship of Jesus Christ
Giving Over what you Can’t Handle
After that first overview message, we did two messages on “Giving Up.” Those were the last two messages called “Brokenness” and “The Blessing of Brokenness.” If you haven’t heard either, I would encourage you to listen to or watch those messages. It’s because we have got to be constantly reminded of our need for brokenness in the Christian life. That was the “Give Up” portion.
Today, I’d like to start two messages on “Giving In.” As in giving in to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And what I’d like to try to do today is just place before you the sheer power and magnificence of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is Lord. It’s an undeniable, Biblical fact that Jesus is Lord. No matter what you think. No matter what anyone else thinks. Whether you understand him or not. No matter whether he is your Lord, he IS Lord. That’s who he is. That’s who Jesus Christ is. I just want to press this Biblical truth in front of you because it stands on its own, regardless of how you respond to it. However, how you respond to it is a matter of eternal life and death. And then, next message, we’ll discuss what to do about it and how to respond to the fact that Jesus is Lord.
Jesus is Lord. And Jesus is Lord whether he is our Lord or not. Jesus is Lord. That’s who he is, regardless of how anybody feels or thinks; this is just who Jesus is. Today we want to see the Biblical fact that Jesus is Lord. Then next message, we will look at what it means to make Jesus OUR Lord (personally) and to receive him as our personal Lord.
When John the Baptist came on the scene to “Prepare the way of the Lord” as Isaiah prophesied, the first thing John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:
Matthew 3:2 (ESV)
2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
And he said, “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” because he knew the KING of Heaven was at hand. The King of Heaven was bringing his Kingdom to the earth, and John the Baptist was saying, “Do not miss this.” And today, by the Holy Spirit, John the Baptist is still saying, “Do not miss this.”
At the end of the Old Testament, in Malachi 3, we read,
Malachi 3:1 (ESV)
1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple . . .
Israel was looking for a King from Heaven, and their King came. God even had Pilate make it clear one last time with the inscription on the Cross – Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. The fact that Israel missed it doesn’t change the fact that Jesus is Lord, and it is the same for us today.
The King of Heaven had invaded enemy territory to rescue his people and to begin his eternal reign. In the Old Testament, whenever a king had been put in place by God, he was required to prove his calling and anointing. That is exactly what Jesus did. When John the Baptist had his moment of doubt in prison, he sent his followers to confirm that Jesus was indeed the Lord and Messiah God had promised. And when they asked Jesus that question, we read in Matthew 11:
Matthew 11:4-5 (ESV)
4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
These are the signs, the proofs that the rightful King and Lord was in the midst of his people, and that’s why Jesus answered this way.
The first message Jesus gave after his temptation in the wilderness, he stood in the Synagogue and read from Isaiah 61 about the coming of the Lord of Heaven. And when he finished reading, he sat down and said in Luke 4:
Luke 4:21 (ESV)
21 . . . “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
And through his life, Jesus proved over and over again that he was not just a good teacher bringing us good instruction for life. Jesus proved over and over again he is Lord of all.
He HEALED the SICK
He gave SIGHT to the BLIND
He RAISED the DEAD
He FORGAVE SIN
The FORCES OF NATURE OBEYED HIS EVERY WORD
Even the DEMONIC REALM OBEYED HIS EVERY WORD.
And finally, on the Cross, when it looked like the enemy had beaten the King of Heaven, it was there Jesus displayed his supreme act of Lordship over our final enemy. Because at the Cross, Jesus destroyed the one who held the power of death. At the Cross, Jesus put the evil principalities and powers in the spiritual realm to open shame.
Speaking of the victory of the Cross, we read in Colossians 2:
Colossians 2:15 (NLT)
15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
And in that final victory, we can say Jesus Christ is Lord over all! Over all things in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth. He is King of kings and Lord of lords over all things.
The gospel writers documented it. Acts set his new Kingdom in motion, and the remainder of the New Testament tells the rest of the story. Let’s look at Colossians 1, starting in verse 13, at the proclamation of Jesus as Lord of the Heavenly Kingdom.
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
13 For he (God) has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
There is a “Kingdom of Darkness” with a usurping ruler named Satan running the show, and when it’s time, Jesus will deal with him accordingly. And there is a “Kingdom of Heaven” that you can be transferred into by receiving the free gift of forgiveness and freedom from your sin. The King of that Kingdom of Heaven is Jesus Christ, God’s dear Son, and he himself paid the full price to purchase your freedom and forgive your sin.
But we have got to grasp WHO he truly is
He’s NOT just a GOOD TEACHER
He’s NOT our SERVANT
He’s NOT our GENIE
Colossians 1, verses 15-20, gives us some idea of WHO our Lord truly IS.
Colossians 1:15 (ESV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
“The image” means “the exact (full) representation of God.”
“The firstborn” doesn’t mean created, but “first in preeminence.”
Jesus is the exact (full) representation of God, and he is first in preeminence over all creation. Continuing in Colossians:
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV)
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
All things were created by him and through him in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, including all thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together. That is who our Lord Jesus IS.
Colossians 1:18 (ESV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
He is the head of the Church, and we are his body.
He is the Beginning and the first of the resurrection
He is absolutely preeminent over all things. HE IS LORD.
Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Jesus is God in the flesh. The fullness of God dwells in him, and through him, all things have been reconciled to God, whether on earth or in heaven. All of creation was under the curse of sin, but Jesus Christ alone has made peace by his sacrifice on the Cross. He is King of the Kingdom of God, and he is Lord over all.
Let’s look at Hebrew chapter one. The writer of Hebrews put the Lordship of Jesus Christ in this exact same light.
Hebrews 1:2-3 (ESV)
2 . . . [Jesus], through whom [God] created the world.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power . . .
He is the AGENT of creation
He RADIATES (not reflects) the GLORY of God
He is the EXACT IMPRINT of God’s Nature
and he upholds the UNIVERSE by the word of his POWER
And then Hebrews 1, verse 3 continues:
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)
3 . . . After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
After the final victory of his resurrection, after Jesus conquered sin and death and the grave on our behalf, he sat down at the right hand of God (the place of authority).
Turn back to Ephesians chapter 1.
Ephesians 1:19(b)-22 (NLT)
19 . . . [It is God’s] mighty power
20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
This is who the Lord Jesus really is. You can be on his side, or you can be against him, but this is who he truly is. He has done so much for you personally, to save you and to transfer you into his Kingdom. Listen to the incredible extent to which the LORD of all Creation has gone for you.
Turn to Philippians.
Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT)
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (FOR YOU!!)
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus is LORD, and he is Lord of all Creation, but look at what he has done for you, personally. He emptied himself of his divine rights and privileges. He took on the humble (and humiliating) position of a slave and was born a human being. And he humbled himself so far, for you, that he died a criminal’s death on the Cross, in your place.
And therefore, because of who he is and what he has done, God has elevated him to the place of highest honor and given him the name that is above all names that at the name of Jesus (one day), every knee will bow in heaven on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus Christ is LORD OF ALL. All that is in heaven. All that is on earth. Jesus Christ is LORD OF ALL.
I think we often fail to have a correct view of Jesus as the Ultimate Lord. Maybe we’ve never had the right view, or maybe we’ve gotten so caught up in our self-focused view that we’ve got a distorted view of who Jesus is.
The Apostle John had one view of Jesus while Jesus was here on earth. In fact, the Apostle John liked to refer to himself as “The Apostle whom Jesus loved.” John was most probably Jesus’ best friend while Jesus was on earth. But John got a full perspective update on Jesus in Revelation chapter 1.
Revelation 1:10-17 (ESV)
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
. . .
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead . . .
This is who the Lord Jesus Christ is today. He is in the midst of the heavenly throne room. His eyes are like a flame of fire. His feet are like bronze in the furnace. His voice is like the roar of many waters. In his right hand, he holds seven stars. From his mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword. His face is like the sun shining in its full strength. And when you see him, the only correct response is to fall at his feet as though you were dead.
THIS is the LORD of Heaven
THIS is WHO Jesus Christ is today
But this is also the same Jesus who died in your place to pay for your sin and to offer you the free gift of eternal life. He is awesome in his Lordship and in his love for you. And so, as John was lying there shaking like a dead man, we continue reading in Revelation 1.
Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV)
17 . . . But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,
18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
The Lord Jesus has ultimate authority over all eternity, but this awesome heaven-shaking Lord also says to you, personally, just two chapters later in Revelation 3:
Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
This is a picture of the Lord of Heaven offering to commune with you personally, and he not only offers to commune with you, personally, the next verse, Revelation 3, verse 21 says:
Revelation 3:21 (ESV)
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Joint heirs with Jesus Christ. That’s what Romans 8:17 call those who have made him their personal Lord.
There is so much in Revelation that shows Jesus as the Lord of all Creation. If you weren’t with us when we studied Revelation, get it online or on the phone app, and go through it.
Jesus is absolutely Lord in ALL of Revelation, from the first verse to the last verse. Jesus is LORD.
But there’s just one more passage in Revelation I have to read. It’s the return of our Lord from heaven to earth.
Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
This is how the Lord Jesus is going to return. The next time he comes to earth, he is coming as King of kings and Lord of lords. And please hear me when I say you want to be with him, not against him. You definitely want to be part of that heavenly army who are arrayed in fine linen, white and pure and are following Jesus when he returns.
We have the most awesome, incredible Lord
King of kings and Lord of lords
the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End
the First and the Last
the One who Was and Is and Is to Come
the Lord of all Creation, the Maker of Heaven and Earth
the One who Reconciled all of Creation to God
and the One who came to die in your place to reconcile you to God.
Do you know him?
Would you like to know him? Because he stands knocking at the door of your heart, and if you will invite him in, he will save you, transform you and make you a joint heir with him of all the Father has given him.