Here’s my sermon on the opening of Revelation, which I did through Advent and all of Spring 2026. AI generated transcript is below. I hope this is encouraging to you.
Sermon Outline: Revelation 1 — The Advent of the “I AM”
I. The Importance of Context: “Weird Bricks” and Video Games
- Vernacular and Clues: Just as gamers recognize specific symbols (like weird bricks or Koroks), 1st-century readers recognized the Old Testament “clues” in Revelation.
- Bridging the Gap: We aren’t 1st-century Romans or Jews, so we look to the “footnotes” of Scripture to understand the context.
- The Advent Series: Exploring Revelation 1, 5, 12, and 20 through the lens of Christmas.
II. The Foundation of the “I AM” (Exodus 3)
- The Burning Bush: A fire that does not consume; God getting Moses’ attention.
- The Problem of Oppression: God sees the cries of His people and promises to deliver them.
- The Name: “I AM WHO I AM.” God is present, existing, and with His people.
- The Timeline: He was, He is, and He is to come.
III. The Light of the Spirit (Zechariah 4)
- The Vision: A gold lampstand with seven lamps and two olive trees.
- The Meaning: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.”
- Victory through God: True change doesn’t come from military might, but from the presence of God’s Spirit.
IV. The Advent Connection (Luke 1)
- Gabriel and Mary: The angel’s message echoes the burning bush: “The Lord is with you.”
- The Promised King: Jesus is the “Son of the Most High” who will sit on David’s throne forever.
- The Magnificat: Mary recognizes that God is exalting the humble and fulfilling His promise to Abraham.
- Emmanuel: God “with us” moves from a burning bush to a heartbeat and a touch.
V. Defining the Apocalypse
- Revelation = Apocalypse = Advent: All these words mean “the uncovering” or “the arrival.”
- The “Price is Right” Moment: An apocalypse is like the big reveal of a new car. God’s ultimate “reveal” is Jesus Christ.
- The Blessing: Why reading this book aloud leads to blessing—it creates revival and teaches the community, just like in the days of King Josiah.
VI. The Vision of the Son of Man (Revelation 1:12-20)
- The Description: Hair like wool, eyes like fire, voice like many waters, and a face like the sun.
- Symbolism of the Sun: Brilliant, unavoidable, and nothing is hidden from its heat.
- The Seven Stars and Lampstands: Whether they represent the seven-fold Spirit (Isaiah 11) or the first-century belief in seven guardian angels, the point remains: Jesus is in charge of it all.
VII. Conclusion: The God Who Is With Us
- Consistency: The same thing Moses saw in the Tabernacle is what John sees in the throne room.
- The Core Message: Revelation isn’t meant to be a puzzle of “demon scorpions”; it’s a revelation that God is with us, even in our darkest history.
Podcast Summary
In this kickoff to our Advent series, we bridge the gap between 1st-century prophecy and 21st-century life. Using the imagery of video game “quest clues,” we explore how Revelation 1 is packed with Old Testament references. We connect the “I AM” of Moses’ burning bush to the “Emmanuel” of Mary’s manger. This isn’t just a book about the end of the world; it’s an apocalypse—a grand uncovering—of Jesus Christ. Discover how the God who was and is also promises to be the God who is to come, proving that His greatest desire is simply to be with us.
