Who is Jesus? The way we answer this questions identifies who or what we follow. As God’s people we are commanded to follow Jesus! John recounts in Revelation 1:5-6, 12-13a, 16a, 20,

“and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen… Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lamp stands, and in the midst of the lamp stands one like a son of man… In his right hand he held seven stars… ‘As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands, the seven starts are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches.'”

JESUS IS GIVEN GLORY AND DOMINION FOREVER AND EVER

Jesus is in the midst of his church always. He lovingly pursues and protects his people. He knows their pain. He knows their need. His glory and dominion are forever! The churches addressed in Revelation needed such a reminder. Our churches today need the same type of encouragement. The King controls his kingdom. We are his kingdom. Daniel 7:13-14a opens,

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him;”

HIS KINGDOM IS UNIVERSAL

Christ’s universal kingdom should not be confused with universalism. The only way into the kingdom is Jesus (John 14:6), but his kingdom is universal in that it was never meant to be limited to a specific geographical region or a subset of people. Paul reminded the early church, “For he himself [Jesus Christ] is our peace, who made us both one and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility… So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:14, 19). Paul encouraged the Gentiles that they shared the same spiritual heritage as the Jews. Revelation reminds us that each person regardless of color, creed, background, etc. who follows Jesus and endures to the end will have a heritage among the King and his kingdom (Rev. 21:1-7), but those who refuse to follow will spend eternity in torment apart from him (Rev. 21:8). This vivid reality is why we’re commissioned to share Jesus Christ among the nations (Matt. 24:14; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Daniel 7:14b closes,

“his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

HIS KINGDOM IS UNENDING

The finite can hardly grasp the infinite. Eternity is mind-blowing! In contrast to earthly rule which has a beginning and an end, God’s kingdom has none. Jesus was the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7:12-16). Luke 1:30-33 reads, “And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Matthew 1:1-17 traces Christ’s genealogy from Abraham to David to his earthly father, Joseph! Jesus perfectly fulfills the promises of God to his people. His kingdom will never be destroyed. His dominion, or rule, will endure to the end and so can we (Dan. 7:14b; Heb. 13:14). This is the God we serve. This is the Savior we trust. Will you follow him today? Romans 10:9, 13 declares,

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved… For ‘everyone who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”

Restoration is here. His name is Jesus! Join the kingdom today.

#RestorationIsHere #JESUSis

• Written by: Dean Ross (12/1/20)
• This blog is part 7 of 7 based on the “Jesus Is…” series by Family Church NOLA. For more resources visit: http://www.JoinTheFamily.Church
• All scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Crossway)

Who is Jesus? Who are we? The answer to the first question should directly impact the answer to the second! Furthermore, this question was posed by Christ himself (see Matt. 16:13-16, Mark 8:27-29, Luke 9:18-20). In fact, Jesus didn’t much care about what other people said about him rather what our response would be as his followers. With this framework in mind, John opens his mixture of letter, prophecy, and apocalypse in Revelation 1:5-6, 19,

“and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen… Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.”

JESUS IS THE ONE WHO MADE US

John was commanded to write down these visions to encourage the church to trust and follow Jesus at all times. Acknowledging Christ as Creator frees us to accept the identity, gifts, and purpose for which we’ve been created. Creators hold authority over their creation. Isaiah 45:9b poses, “Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles?'” Knowing who Jesus is helps us to know who we are because he is our maker! Jesus made us into a kingdom of priests for God’s glory (Rev. 1:6). His kingdom was made clear from his birth. The angel Gabriel declared to Mary in Luke 1:30b-33,

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

HE MADE US A KINGDOM

A kingdom is the dominion of the king. Kings have complete control, or sovereignty, over their kingdom. A kingdom is not a democracy. Christ, as Creator, always rules over his creation (Eph. 1:11). His kingship never ends. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved,” reminds Ephesians 2:4-5. Following Jesus gives us membership in his kingdom (Eph. 2:19). How are we supposed to live in this kingdom? 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10 declares,

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… But you are chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

HE MADE US PRIESTS

In the Old Testament, priests carried out duties of proper worship and represented the people before God. So here’s the good news! Mark 15:38 recounts, “And the curtain of the temple was torn into two, from top to bottom.” The temple curtain held out everyone but specific priests who were allowed in to carry out the sacrifices of God’s people. We now, through Christ because of the cross, have direct access to the Father. The curtain is torn! We are a kingdom of priests (see Eph. 2:18, 1 Tim. 2:5, Heb. 10:19, or Rev. 1:6). No longer are physical sacrifices (see the Book of Leviticus) required to be made right with God! Through Jesus we have been saved by grace through faith (see Eph. 2:8-10) and now live a life of worship, our spiritual sacrifice to God (see Rom. 12:1-2 or Heb. 13:15-16). How will you respond to the King and live in the kingdom? Restoration is here. His name is Jesus. Follow him today!

#RestorationIsHere #JESUSis

• Written by: Larry Johnson & Dean Ross (11/27/20)
• This blog is part 6 of 7 based on the “Jesus Is…” series by Family Church NOLA. For more resources visit: http://www.JoinTheFamily.Church
• All scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Crossway)

Who is Jesus? The final book in God’s Word, Revelation, is concerned with our reaction to this question. Seven churches are addressed in Revelation 2-3 giving the context for the mixture of letter, prophecy, and apocalypse incorporated into the book. The visions seen in Revelation are a stark reminder to the church to trust and follow Jesus. God’s people were in bondage to sin, oppression, poverty, etc. These realities held back these men and women from fulfilling their destiny. Too often we suffer this same self-imposed bondage. The Lord knew his church needed a vivid reminder of freedom! Revelation 1:4-6, 17b-18 reminds,

“…from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth. To him who loves and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen… ‘I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.'”

JESUS IS THE ONE WHO FREED US

We are free from sin! Jesus declares, “I have the keys of Death and Hades” (Rev. 1:18b). Keys represent authority. The holder of a key is able to lock or unlock a door. In essence, they have authority over the one who enters or exits or who is kept in or out. This authority is highlighted by Christ being “the living one” (Rev. 1:18a). On the cross Jesus fully took God’s wrath towards sin. In doing so he defeated death and the grave! His sacrifice served as a ransom payment freeing us from the bondage of sin (Mark 10:45). This freedom is experienced by everyone who chooses to follow him (John 3:16). The Suffering Servant was promised in the Old Testament. Isaiah 53:2-3 reads,

“For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from who men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

HE WAS UNEXPECTED

“‘Man of sorrows!’ What a name for the Son of God who came. Ruined sinners to reclaim, ‘Hallelujah, what a Savior,'” declares the old hymn! A “man of sorrows” was not what was expected by God’s people in need of a Savior. They anticipated an earthly, conquering king. Earlier Isaiah had prophesied “the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Surely this meant the nation of Israel would regain its social and political prominence! But the prophet clearly states he would have “no form or majesty” commonly desired and would be “despised and rejected” by his very own (Isaiah 53:2-3). Isaiah 53:4-8 continues,

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteem him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned–every one–to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?”

HE SUFFERED IMMENSELY

Jesus didn’t just free us from the sickness of sin, he carried our pain. He was “cut off out of the land of the living” for you and for me (Isaiah 53:8)! This language symbolizes the exile God’s people endured as punishment for their sin and disobedience (see 2 Kings 17:6-23 and Jer. 32:23-24). This Suffering Servant bears the exile we deserve shifting our identity to righteousness instead of wrath! Paul wrote we “where by nature children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3) but now through the love of Christ “we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Isaiah 53:9-11 continues,

“And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.”

HE RESTORES US

Restoration is here. His name is Jesus! Indeed, his grave was made with the wicked (Isaiah 53:9). He was crucified on a sinner’s cross between guilty criminals (see Isaiah 53:9, Matt. 27:38, Mark 15:27-28, Luke 23:33, or John 19:18). Our Guiltless Savior became the ultimate guilt offering (see Lev. 5:14-6:7 and 2 Cor. 5:21). Paul writes, “For the death he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:10-11). We were bought with a price, paid for by Christ! Isaiah 53:12 concludes,

“Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”

HE IS WORTHY

The final verse in Isaiah 53 serves as an epilogue to the entire prophecy of this Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ. This King now enjoys the spoils of victory! Earlier Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted” (Isaiah 52:13). Our King is worthy of all praise (see Philippians 2:9-11). However, this Glorious King continues to make “intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12b). Paul echoes in 1 Timothy 2:3-6a,

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.”

Follow Jesus today. 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is who Jesus is!

#RestorationIsHere #JESUSis

• Written by: Dean Ross (11/19/20)
• This blog is part 5 of 7 based on the “Jesus Is…” series by Family Church NOLA. For more resources visit: http://www.JoinTheFamily.Church
• Hymn quoted: “Man of Sorrows (What a Name)” written by Philip P. Bliss (1875, public domain)
• All scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Crossway)

Who is Jesus? How does the reality of who he is impact the way we live? What would Jesus do in these uncertain times? John experienced similar questions and concerns during his lifetime. Near the end of his life, he finds himself exiled on the island of Patmos and receives this vision in Revelation 1:4-6, 17a,

“…from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth. To him who loves and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen… When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not…'”

JESUS IS THE ONE WHO LOVES US

Jesus loves his people. When John encounters Jesus, his initial response is fear. Fear is a common response to the divine in Scripture! God’s people should rightfully fear him (see Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10). However, God’s people receive the response, “Fear not” (see Genesis 15:1, Daniel 10:12, and Luke 1:30)! Earlier in his ministry, John writes, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18a). If perfect love casts away fear, then what is love? Again, John answers the age old question in 1 John 4:8,

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

LOVE IS AN IDENTITY

Love has always been hard to define apart from God. Is it a feeling? Is it an emotion? Is it an action? Or is it more? In fact, the responses of feeling, emotion, action, etc. issue from the acceptance or rejection of perfect love. The ancient Greeks employed many terms attempting to describe love including: “Eros” (sensual or romantic love), “Storge” (familial or natural love), “Philos” (brotherly love), and “Agape” (godly love). While many aspects of love exist, only one definition can be given: God. Creation cannot define love; only the Creator defines love. Perfect love satisfies the soul and that satisfaction is God himself. John Piper writes, “God doesn’t have ultimate satisfaction in us; we have ultimate satisfaction in him.” 1 John 4:9 continues,

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”

LOVE IS DISPLAYED

God’s love (as Creator) is displayed to us (as his creation) through the giving of his son, Jesus Christ, to cover our sins (see Genesis 3 and John 3:16). God isn’t just the definition of love; his love pours forth to restore his creation. This display of love allows believers to take on an identity of restoration. Revelation 12:11 declares, “And they have conquered him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” This testimony wouldn’t happen without the undeserving blood of Jesus! 1 John 4:10 reads,

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

LOVE IS UNMERITED

Thank God love is not based on our own merit! History shows us we will always mess everything up. Just turn on the tv, browse the internet, or look at your phone. Or maybe not. Wayne Grudem concludes, “Every part of our being is affected by sin–our intellects, our emotions and desires, our hearts (the center of our desires and decision-making processes), our goals and motives, and even our physical bodies.” We need a Savior! This propitiation, or satisfaction of God’s wrath toward sin, is taken on in love by Christ himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). He saves us by grace alone through faith alone for his glory alone (Ephesians 2:1-9). We don’t deserve it, but he freely offers it (1 John 1:9). However, his love demands a response (see John 3:36 and Ephesians 2:10). 1 John 4:11-12 challenges,

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

LOVE IS OUR RESPONSE

Just as God displayed his love by giving his only Son, we display the love of God by how we love one another. God’s two greatest commands to his people were to Love God and Love People (see Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34, and Luke 10:27). Paul writes in Romans 12:9-10, “Let love [agape] be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love [philostorgos] one another with brotherly affection.” In these verses we see godly love, agape, is the basis for how we love one another as his people by way of philostorgos, a combination of natural, familial love with brotherly love. This means we love each other as we are family. Love is the mark of Christianity. It’s what defines us. It’s what we do. It’s who we worship! Restoration is here. His name is Jesus. Follow Love today!

#RestorationIsHere #JESUSis

• Written by: Dean Ross (11/13/20)
• This blog is part 4 of 7 based on the “Jesus Is…” series by Family Church NOLA. For more resources visit: http://www.JoinTheFamily.Church
• John Piper quote taken from an interview entitled “What Is Love?” (7/28/15) archived on http://www.DesiringGod.org
• Wayne Grudem quote taken from his book “Systematic Theology: An Introduction To Biblical Doctrine” (Zondervan, 1994, pg.497)
• All scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Crossway)

In a good, well-oiled classroom, there are rules and procedures.

In a perfect world, these procedures are followed flawlessly by students which decides what type of environment they will see in the classroom. These rules and procedures are created by a teacher so the class will go smoothly and students will have their needs reached. It’s when these procedures are not followed that the class begins to break down.

Just as in a classroom, the universe has a set of rules and procedures. The laws of physics govern the universe as do rules in a classroom. Additionally, an innate sense of morality governs every human being. The universe is bound by physics. Humans are bound by morality.

Just as rules in a classroom are created by teachers so too are the laws of physics and morality are created by a mind. This mind is personal and created man in His own image. And gave us the ability to steward creation with Him and for Him.

It is when we turn away from these set rules that chaos and brokenness enters into this “classroom.” Only the teacher can ultimately fix the classroom…

by showing mercy where mercy is needed.

Grace where grace is needed.

Love where love is needed.

Wrath where wrath is needed.

And discipline where discipline is needed.

The good Teacher knows when to do all of these. So too does the mind of the One who created the universe. And instead of some abstract concept to fix the issue, this Mind answered our brokenness with a concrete response.

This person is Jesus!

#RestorationIsHere #HisNameIsJESUS

• Written by: Todd Weller (8/14/20)
• Edited by Dean Ross (10/13/20)

Who is Jesus? The answer to this question can be both challenging and comforting. In reality this year has been quite challenging and often divisive with very little comfort. We have been reminded of the need for good leaders to bring us through chaos. Scripture points us to such a Ruler. Revelation 1:5-6 reads,

“…from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen… Then I [John] turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lamp stands, and in the mist of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 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.”

JESUS IS THE RULER OF THE KINGS

John’s vision of the “one like a son of man” (see Dan. 7:13-14 and Mark 10:35) in the opening chapter of Revelation reveals both Jesus’ kingly (“a long robe”) and priestly nature (“a golden sash around his chest”). In this vision Christ’s “feet were like burnished bronze.” Roman generals were often depicted by burnished bronze statues standing tall with their small, inferior subjugates underfoot. The church needed a reminder that Jesus is “the ruler of the kings!” Today, we need such a reminder too. Our King, Jesus, was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6a:

“For to us a child is born, to us a song is given;”

THE RULER IS GIVEN

Who doesn’t like a great gift? Each Christmas, services and celebrations prominently feature this prophecy from Isaiah 9 depicting the baby born to become king. This promised Messiah would be the greatest gift ever given to Israel. Through this Jewish Messiah, the whole world would be offered the gift of salvation (Eph. 2:11-13). Humankind needed salvation from the mess we created (Gen. 3). Unable to properly rule ourselves, this King would be and is exactly who we need. Isaiah 9:6b continues,

“and the government shall be upon his shoulder,”

THE RULER IS IN CONTROL

Nothing catches God off guard. He is never surprised by anything. Time and time again, Scripture reminds us God places and displaces people in power (Dan. 2:20-21; Romans 13:1-2). But what about evil rulers? God doesn’t create or cause evil, but our Creator remains in complete control (Job 1:6-12). John Piper declared, “This is the very air we should breath… Christ is triumphant in his reign over the kings of the earth. All developments today are steps to a decisive triumph.” God can use any evil rule or intention to work by his power for his glory and our good to fulfill his perfect plan (Romans 8:28; 9:17). What a promise! Isaiah 9:6c reads,

“and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

THE RULER IS NAMED

During Biblical times names had even more significant meaning than they do today. A name defined who you were and what was expected of you. This Ruler is named “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus the “Wonderful Counselor” rules through wisdom, Jesus the “Mighty God” won the war over sin and death, Jesus the “Everlasting Father” watches over us as his children, and Jesus the “Prince of Peace” brings calm to our chaos. Furthermore, Isaiah 9:7a promises,

“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David”

THE RULER WON’T STOP

Christ cannot be stopped. His plans never fail and they never will! Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7:16). God promised David his throne would be established forever. This throne wouldn’t be earthly but everlasting. Genealogies are all the rage these days. The New Testament opens in Matthew 1:1-17 by tracing King Jesus’ earthly lineage to King David. Currently, Jesus reigns at the right hand of the Father in Heaven waiting one day to return for his people, completely restore his creation, and dwell with his people for eternity (Rom 8:34; Rev. 19-22). Isaiah 9:7b concludes,

“and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

THE RULER LEADS THE WAY

This Ruler is a righteous King! Christ’s rule is defined by justice and righteousness. Justice and righteousness cannot be separated in God’s Kingdom (Amos 5:21-24). Revelation reminds us that we live in “the already, not yet.” While we long for an eternity marked by justice and righteousness, we work towards these ideals today. For this reason we participate in our government, we lead in our world, and we submit to the rule and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives each and every day! Restoration is here. His name is Jesus. Follow the Ruler today.

#RestorationIsHere #JESUSis

• Written by: Dean Ross (9/29/20)
• This blog is part 3 of 7 based on the “Jesus Is…” series by Family Church NOLA. For more resources visit: http://www.JoinTheFamily.Church
• John Piper quote taken from his sermon “Jesus is the Ruler of Kings on Earth” (11/26/89) archived on http://www.DesiringGod.org
• All scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Crossway)

Who is Jesus? How will we react to Jesus? These questions drive the Book of Revelation. The book, a blend of apocalyptic, prophetic, and letter writing, purposes to encourage the church to remain faithful in the midst of ever-growing persecution. Gerald Stevens asserts, “I have told my students that if they get the first chapter of Revelation correctly, the have mastered the rest of the book… Its central context is the church. Its central figure is the Son of Man.” Revelation 1:5-6, 10-11 reads,

“…from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen… I [John] was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, saying, ‘Write what you see in a book and send to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN OF THE DEAD

The title “firstborn” means the highest in rank, the utmost, or superior! Nowadays, we use the term mostly to refer to firstborn children. In biblical times the rights and responsibilities of the firstborn were great. However, when John uses the term “firstborn of the dead” in Revelation, this special title points us to Jesus’ resurrection power! Jesus wasn’t the first person to rise from the dead. In 1 Kings 17:17-24, Elijah prays for God to raise a widow’s son from the dead and the Lord answers. Furthermore, Jesus displayed numerous resurrection miracles during his earthly life and ministry including raising his friend Lazarus from the grave (John 11:1-44). Jesus’ firstborn status is meant to remind us that he conquered the grave and now offers us new life by following him (John 3:16). In Colossians 1:15-16, the apostle Paul reminds us,

“He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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.”

THE FIRSTBORN IS CREATOR

Creators wield power over their creation. As creator he left the riches of heaven to come to earth, fully God and fully man, to meet us where we are (Eph. 4:9). He is a personal God. Jesus Christ makes God visible to us. Paul employs the same Greek word for “firstborn” used by John in Revelation. Here the term again drives home the point that Christ is preeminent in his creation. “Jesus is not only the agent of creation but is also the goal of creation,” reminds Clinton Arnold. This Creator deserve our praise and perseverance. Colossians 1:17-18 continues,

“And he [Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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.”

THE FIRSTBORN IS SUSTAINER

Praise God we do not serve an inactive God! Our Creator does not sit away in heaven disinterested in his creation. His people are on his mind (Jer. 29:11). In fact, the word “synistemi,” translated “hold together,” means both to “establish” and to “stand near.” Jesus is the head of the church. He guides us. He leads us. He keeps us. He told his disciples it was better he left (death, burial, resurrection, and ascension) so the Helper, the Holy Spirit, would come (John 16:7; Acts 2). God’s very presence ministers to us and helps us in our time of need (Rom. 8:26-28). Colossians 1:19-23 concludes,

“For in him [Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

THE FIRSTBORN IS OUR RECONCILER

Sin infected and affected the world we live in (Gen. 3). Sickness, disaster, and injustice were not realities in the Garden of Eden. Sin had cosmic ramifications. It broke our relationship with God and with others. This year is a firsthand reminder of the brokenness of our world, but there is hope! Revelation reminds us that hope is active and our future is promised (Rev. 21-22). Restoration is here. His name is Jesus. Will you follow him today? Isaiah 53:5 reminds us of the price he paid to reconcile us to him once and for all,

“But he was pierced for our transgression; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

#RestorationIsHere #JESUSis

• Written by: Dean Ross (9/22/20)
• This blog is part 2 of 7 based on the “Jesus Is…” series by Family Church NOLA. For more resources visit: http://www.JoinTheFamily.Church
• Gerald Stevens quote taken from his book “Revelation: The Past and Future of John’s Apocalypse” (Pickwick Publications, 2014, pg. 249)
• Clinton Arnold quote taken from his study note contributions in the ESV Study Bible (Crossway, 2011, pg. 2294)
• All scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Crossway)

Who is Jesus? How you and I respond to this question identifies who we are. When opening up the Book of Revelation, the last book in the New Testament and the Christian Bible, the answer to this question directly impacts the way we read and receive its writings. Revelation is a unique book in the New Testament, a blend of an apocalyptic writing (Rev. 1:1), prophecy (Rev. 1:3), and letter (Rev. 1:4) to the church. Revelation 1:4-6 reads,

“John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithfulness witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

JESUS IS THE FAITHFUL WITNESS

Jesus is the key to reading and receiving the words of Revelation! As John opens the book, he declares, “Jesus Christ the faithful witness” (Rev. 1:5). Jesus is the Faithful Witness! A faithful witness is committed to God’s work. In fact the Greek word for “witness” (martys) is where we get the modern day word for the Christian martyrs, those people who give their lives for the sake of Jesus. Jesus laid down everything for the glory of God and the good of his people (John 3:16). In other words he truly was the “Faithful Martyr.” As he approached his eventual betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, Jesus prayed in John 17:1b-5,

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorifying me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

THE FAITHFUL WITNESS IS MOTIVATED BY GOD’S GLORY

Contextually, Jesus was born into a Jewish world that had developed a remote view of God. The religious people of his day would never had directly addressed God out of fear of blasphemy. However, Jesus taught his followers to pray, “Our Father” (Matt. 6:9). We serve a relational God. Jesus prayed “that they know you” (John 17:3). The phrase “know you” is written in the present tense suggesting an ongoing relationship and taken from the Greek word “ginosko” which is a highly relational term. This relationship is rooted in and mirrors the eternal community of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. One God. Three Persons. God the Son, Jesus, was fully dedicated to carrying out the will of God the Father no matter the cost! He used his authority for God’s glory. He laid down his rights for the sake of others. He continues his prayer in John 17:6-16,

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

THE FAITHFUL WITNESS PRAYS FOR OUR PERSEVERANCE

Monasticism, or the practice of living a religious life separate from the world, is a man-made invention not a God-given design. Jim Cymbala challenged, “Sitting safely in the shelter of Bible discussion among ourselves, or complaining to one another about the horrible state of today’s society, does nothing to unleash the power of God.” Darkness is darkness because of the absence of light. Jesus told us we are this light (Matt. 5:14). The Christian life was never meant to be lived in isolation from the world. Otherwise, how will anyone hear? God’s people are set apart for holiness (1 Peter 1:16) by the work of the Holy Spirit to grow more into the image of God day-by-day, but this “separation” is best practiced through persevering “infiltration.” Jesus concludes his prayer in John 17:17-26,

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them, and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, who you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made know to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

THE FAITHFUL WITNESS PRAYS FOR OUR OBEDIENCE

“Ideally, however, the church itself is not made up of natural ‘friends.’ It is made up of natural enemies. What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income level, common politics, common nationality, common accents, common jobs, or anything of the sort… In this light, they are a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus’ sake,” observes theologian D. A. Carson. Jesus concludes his prayer by praying for our obedience (specifically our unity). This obedience to pursue and live in unity as “one” people for the glory of God makes the message known to the world around us. Our aims undergird our belief. Our good works result from faith empowered by the unmerited grace of God (Eph. 2:8-10). We now have the opportunity to be faithful witnesses just as Jesus was and is the Faithful Witness until we one day meet him face to face in glory (Rev. 22:4). Restoration is here. His Name is Jesus. Follow him today.

#RestorationsIsHere #JESUSis

• Written by: Dean Ross (9/15/20)
• This blog is part 1 of 7 based on the “Jesus Is…” series by Family Church NOLA. For more resources visit: http://www.JoinTheFamily.Church
• Jim Cymbala quote taken from his book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God’s Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People” (Zondervan, 1997, pg. 173)
• D. A. Carson quote taken from his book “Love in the Hard Places” (Crossway, 2002, pg. 61)
• All scriptures quoted from the The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (Crossway)

For nearly two decades, Dean Ross led in the field of para-church events. First with Abandon Productions followed by The Restoration Collective, his ministry was and continues to move forward in assisting the church, proclaiming Jesus, and mobilizing people. Within the last decade, the Lord began to pivot his life and ministry towards the local church, pastoring, and church planting.

Welcome to The Collective Blog!

The Restoration Collective is excited to share these pastoral thoughts from Pastor Dean Ross of the Family Church in addition to other leaders in our city.

Stay posted.

#RestorationIsHere