Plantation SDA Church
Welcome! Our Speaker today is Pastor Joseph Salajan
Sermon Theme: Jesus is Priest and Judge. His words are like double-edged swords that perform surgery on us.
Revelation 1:12-18 NASB1995
Exile
The Apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos, a prison-island where the inmates were forced to work in quarries. One Sabbath (on the Lord’s day) as He is meditating… he hears a voice like a trumpet. He turned around (Revelation 1:13)
Revelation 1:13 ESV
Priest or King
In the Old Testament, the robe reaching down to the feet (poderes) was used as priestly and kingly garments. In what capacity does the resurrected, exalted Jesus appear here? He’s walking among 7 lamp-stands (symbolizing the 7 churches). What is he: priest or king…?
The scene clearly evokes the Old Testament tabernacle: the priest goes in every morning, cleans the lamps and refills them with fresh oil so that the light will never go out…
The message is powerful! No matter how difficult, how dark history may seem, I am here; the light of My church will not die out! I am refilling the lamps!You are the light of the world…
But there is more about Him:
White Hair
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow… In Daniel 7 the Ancient of Days – God – is described as a judge with white hear…
In the ancient world (+Bible), white hair symbolized wisdom and dignity, which come with age…In Jewish tradition, God goes out to war as a young man with black hair, however, when He and his hair is white…
Eyes of Fire
His eyes like a flame of fire…He can really see! To each of the 7 churches, Jesus says: I know/He knows us (He reads us…) and he tells us what we need to hear! Each of the 7 churches receives a customized message… but at the end of each, he repeats: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches… (Rev. 2:7).
Revelation 2:7 ESV
Grace & Truth
Jesus Christ is not only priest (administers grace); He is also judge (pursues truth)!
Judgment is more than condemnation or execution! Jesus is not in the condemnation business; He is in the business of sorting things out! This is the meaning of judgment: to discern, to separate! His light and the sword of His mouth separate things…
Revelation 3:17-21 ESV
Execution of Judgement
That’s exactly what happens with the wicked: the execution of divine judgment is nothing but the validation of our self-judgment. Paul says it this way:But if we judged ourselves rightly, we should not be judged
(1 Cor. 11:31 NAS).
1 Corinthians 11:31 NASB1995
John 12:47-48 ESV
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
Perfect Surgeon
When I put together the two images, Jesus the priest and judge… the it gives me the picture of Jesus the surgeon He knows exactly what and how to cut… He makes no mistakes - unlike surgeons that cut off the wrong body parts…
The Light of Surgery
Surgery requires light to examine and sort out the tumor and a scalpel to extirpate… I use tumor for sin/sinful acts/behaviors. Yes, the word of God, if allowed, can perform surgery on you and clean you. But Jesus wants you to remain in his light, under His observation, because our sinful nature needs to be under permanent observation…
Conclusion: Stop Being Afraid of Surgery
When John saw the exalted, resurrected Jesus, he fell at His feet as dead… Jesus touched Him with His right hand and told him: Stop being afraid! I’m not about death, I’m about life!Surgery is needed for life! The only way to survive is surgery!