Sermon Summary: “He Is Coming with the Clouds” (Revelation 1:4-8)

Revelation was written to be read, heard, and kept. John addressed it to the seven churches in Asia Minor, extending grace and peace from the Triune God—the Father (eternal), the Holy Spirit (perfect and complete, represented by the “seven spirits”), and Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:5-8 unveils Jesus in powerful ways:
• The Faithful Witness – Jesus is trustworthy, faithful unto death, and the source of all truth.
• The Firstborn of the Dead – Not just the first to rise from the dead but supreme in position and authority.
• The Ruler of Kings on Earth – His sovereignty will be fully recognized in the future.

Because of these truths:
• We can trust His promises.
• We have hope beyond the grave.
• No earthly power can overrule His kingdom.

Jesus loves us deeply, as illustrated by Samuel Trevor Francis’ hymn, Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus. (Please see the text of the hymn below) Jesus has freed us from sin by His blood and made us both a kingdom and priests, i.e., we are children of the King, and just as was true for the priests, we have access to God.

John emphasizes the return of Jesus:
• “He is coming with the clouds” – A fulfillment of Daniel 7:13-14 and echoed by the angels at Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:11).
• “Every eye will see Him” – His return will be unmistakable, not hidden.
• “Even those who pierced Him” – A reference to Israel and all who rejected Him, fulfilling Zechariah 12:10.
• “All tribes will wail” – Many will mourn, realizing their rejection of the Savior.

The passage concludes with God declaring:
• “I am the Alpha and the Omega” – He is the beginning and the end.
• “Who is, who was, and who is to come” – He is eternal.
• “The Almighty” – He holds all things in His hands.

The sermon ends with a call to seek Jesus personally, much like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) and the Greeks (John 12:21). The invitation is to deepen our understanding and relationship with Jesus, praying daily: “I want to see Jesus.”

O the Deep, Deep Love (Samuel Trevor Francis)

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth,
Changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones,
Died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth,
Watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Love of every love the best!
Tis an ocean vast of blessing,
Tis a haven sweet of rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
For it lifts me up to Thee!