I'd like for you to turn in your Bibles this morning to Revelation chapter 1. You know there is a sense in which what we are looking at this morning as we look at the resurrection of Christ in which it really, we do this especially once a year we focus upon it, but we know that it must be at the heart of everything that we do and everything that we are as believers. If you remove it, what are you left with? A dead faith. If you remove it, you're left without hope, except for what you might be able to find in this world, which when you really look at it, It's nothing. It's completely absent. And so that's why at a time when the church in its early years was facing difficulty, especially due to persecution, many believers were probably struggling with a sense of despair and a lack of hope. That's why the Lord had the Apostle John write the revelation of Jesus Christ. To remind them of the bigger picture. That things are not always as they seem as we look around us. To remind them that a believer is a person that has a sense of hope and a sense of joy and a sense of victory. And so all of this comes through to us in this book on the basis of one central point. And that is that we follow a risen Savior, one who has conquered death. And so they needed to be reminded of that in that time. And we, in our own circumstances today, need to be reminded of that as well. Just a word about this book, the last book of the Bible as we turn to Revelation. It is based upon a vision that was given to the Apostle John right at the end of his life. And I think it's helpful to look at Revelation as being a picture book. Now we all know adults and children like what it's like when you pull out one of those large format books and you open it up and it's primarily made up of pictures. It may have some descriptive text in it, but it's mostly pictures. And it's pictures that bring the story to life. And so it is with the book of Revelation. It does require some amount of effort and some amount of knowledge as you turn the pages of the book, especially out of the Old Testament, to understand the pictures that are presented. But as you do that, you get this dramatic unveiling of what God has been and is doing throughout history. You get a picture of the battle that has been taking place and is taking place and what we can know about how that battle will play itself out. And then right at the heart of this story, it's the fulcrum upon which all of history turns, is the Lord Jesus Christ. And that's why the book is given the name, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, because that is, at its heart, what it's about, revealing Christ. Now, we're going to turn to this book in chapter 1, just after John has, in his vision, he's seen the Christ. He calls Him, one like a son of man. And he describes him in very picturesque language, word pictures, as being clothed in power and clothed in majesty. He is here, the judge, ready to execute sentence upon those who have sinned. And it's this sight that fills John with awe and with terror. And that's what we're going to see as we look at this passage. We'll see right there at the very beginning John's response to Christ as he has seen Him. And then I'd like for you also to pay attention to what we see from Christ as He responds to John as well. Again, this is Revelation 1, just two verses, verses 17 and 18. This is God's Word. John says, When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, Fear not, 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. Father, we thank you for these words. lay out and set forth the theme for this book of Revelation. We pray that you would use them to help us to see your theme in history and the way it applies to us. We pray that we would see the Lord Jesus Christ in a greater way. We pray that you would bring us understanding to our hearts, to our minds, through your work, Holy Spirit. We ask for this in Christ's name. Amen. Please be seated. You know, just a couple of days ago, the New York Times had a headline, which in my reading of it was almost apocalyptic sounding. It was drawing a comparison between things that are happening today in the US, and it mentioned things like long lines at food banks, almost unprecedented job loss, people pleading for forgiveness of loans and extension on rent and loan payments. And so it's making a comparison between today with the Great Recession and making it sound as if we're almost there. It said, and it even middle-class Americans, once snugly secure, have become increasingly anxious anxious about their own fragile finances and their children's prospects. Now, this article was making the case that this has been building for a long time, although it's just come to fruition in the past few weeks with the events that have happened. Now, in general, what the article was doing was taking a pulse of the people in the U.S. today. And really it's not too different as we know as you go around the world. It's a time in which many are struggling and perhaps even in the beginnings of much more difficult struggles. Many are questioning, some even at the edge of despair. Although I think that even with everything that has happened, if you look at our healthcare situation, if you look at the economy and what's happened there, that most still have a hope inside or belief inside that things will return to the way they were. It may take a little bit of time, but things will return. But there's at least a fear there that they might not, because no one knows what's around the corner. Now, I don't know about you, but I've heard that, or similar words to that many times over the past few weeks. Something like this, we've never seen anything like this before, at least not in my lifetime, not in my parents' lifetime. And so nobody knows what's going to happen. Those are words of fear. Those are words of uncertainty. Yet we in the church have an answer to that. And it's an answer that looms very large because we have a clear and a definite view into all that matters in what has already happened and into what is about to happen, what is going to happen in the future. Do you believe that? Do you know that inside? Do you live your life out of that knowledge? And if so, how does it direct your life? Now that's what the Apostle John's vision in this book is all about. It's a message that is given to the church to help her to remain steady during difficult times. And a part of that message is that there is a reason to fear. Because all people will have their time in front of the judge. During Jesus' ministry, He said, do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear Him." Notice he's saying there is a reason to fear. Fear Him who can destroy both the soul and body in hell. He's saying there is a reason to fear. And it's because all people will come face to face with Jesus and will be judged. And so notice what we see back in our passage with John. We see here that coming face to face with God in all of His holiness, it results in fear. The Apostle John falls on his face as one who is dead before Jesus. Now, this is common. As you go all the way through the Bible, think about all the way back in Genesis chapter 3, Adam and Eve hid from God because they were afraid of Him. And then on and on, we see Isaiah chapter 6, where Isaiah said, woe is me in great fear. We see it again and again. It is the immediate reaction that the sinful creature has in the presence when he comes and knows that he or she is in the presence of a holy God. And this is an intuitive knowledge that God must judge sin and that we are sinful. But what about in this case? Think about John. Remember, the Apostle John, if we think about him during Jesus' ministry, he was the one who laid on Jesus' breast. He was the one who knew that he was the disciple whom Jesus loved. And so why here, having seen Jesus, does he fall down in fear in this way? It's got to be because he saw Christ in all of his holiness. And from his description, he recognizes Christ as the one who is the all-consuming Judge. You know, in Psalm 2 that we read last week, you may remember near the end of the Psalm, the Lord God Almighty speaks to his son and he says, you shall break them, break the nations with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. That's who John hears and sees when he looks behind himself. And the result is that he's stricken with fear. But the words of Jesus to John And the message of the book of Revelation to His church is one of comfort, great comfort. You think about it, Jesus must have had to kneel down in order to put His hand upon John. And he said, do not fear. He's saying, for you John, there is no place for fear. And for all who hear this, all who are part of his church, who have trusted in Christ, these words are ours. Do not fear. Now think about that for a moment. If you really take that to heart, and really believe that, I want you to think how that would change your life, how that would change the way you live. I know none of us can recognize the extent that fear in its different forms has upon our lives, but think about it for a moment. Now, you can have uncertainty about the things that might happen tomorrow or next week, but it will mean little to you or far less to you Because everything you'll know has already been determined. Death, the grave, judgment, your future. You have no place for fear. None of it can touch you. Now, of course, we need to know and understand, oh, what is the basis for that? How can I know for certain? And there are two ways in this passage that the Lord Jesus comforts John and comforts us, two ways that are intimately connected, but we're going to deal with these separately. The message is, fear not, because Christ died. And fear not. because Christ is alive forevermore. So two, fear not because Christ died. If you think about it, in any other circumstance, any other religion in the world, could you have a stranger's statement, fear not because I died? You know, isn't death the very thing that everyone in the world is truly afraid of, if you think about it? Yet this is the very foundation upon which the believer stands and obtains comfort when the Lord Jesus, who is the judge, when he says, fear not, because I have died. You know, this is the Lord Jesus. He's the one who executes wrath upon the sinner, and yet these are His words of comfort. So what is the basis that John gives us here in telling, or that Jesus gives to John in telling him not to fear? Well, the first part involves his death. Jesus says, if you look in verse 17, halfway through, He says, fear not, I am the first and the last and the living one. I died. In other words, he's saying, John, you need to look to me and you need to trust in me and you need to recognize who I am and who this is saying this. Look at the very first words that he shares. He says, fear not, I am the first and the last. How many times have you seen a parent, a mom or dad, maybe you've done this yourself as a parent, say to a child when they are very fearful, don't be afraid. You're with me. This storm or this tornado that's coming through can't harm you. Or maybe at night you say, When there's a lot of fear there, don't worry. I'll always be with you. Nothing can take me away. You know, we'd like to believe that those statements are true. But to be honest, a parent doesn't have the power to make that kind of statement. We can say other things of comfort, but not that statement. But Jesus begins his statement to John with these words, fear not. I am the first and the last, the living one. He's saying, from everlasting to everlasting, I am God. In other words, do not fear. I'm giving you words that nothing and no one can take away. There's nothing that's outside of my hands. You know, these words carry the same meaning. If you look back in chapter 1 to verse 8, the Lord God says, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, the last letter. This is the same message here. Jesus is God. He is over all things. And His Word is true. So first off, Jesus reminds John that he is able to make this statement, fear not. And then He informs John of why he need not fear. Now recall what's happening here. John has just fallen down in front of Jesus as one who is dead. And yet Jesus, the Almighty Judge, He places his right hand upon John and he reminds him, you don't need to experience death, John. In fact, you won't. Now, yes, you are sinful and yes, My wrath must consume the sinner. And so, yes, you're seeing me in a right way. My eyes are those, if you were to look back at the description that he gives, my eyes are those that can pierce right through, that can see into the darkest corner of your heart, leaving nowhere to hide. My feet, which are burnished bronze, yes, they are those which can trample down the evil ones. Yes, John, you're seeing me right. You're seeing me for who I am, the rightful judge of all. But for you, I bring nothing but comfort. I died so that you would not have to die. You don't need to experience death, John, because I have experienced it for you." And so when he says, fear not, I died, he's speaking here about redemption. He paid the price for all. so that by His blood they might be freed." If you turn over a couple of pages to Revelation 5, we've got John continuing with his vision in the throne room of heaven. If you were with us last week, we were talking about Revelation 4, also in the throne room of heaven, but here it shifted to a slightly different scene where Jesus, the Lamb who has been slain, is being worshipped. He's being worshipped as the only one who is worthy because of his redemption. And look with me at verse 9. It says, living creatures, the 24 elders, and they sang a new song saying, worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals for because you were slain and by your blood you ransomed people for God, people who were bound for destruction. you took their place, and you ransomed them, people from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth." They shall reign, they shall live, because you died. You know, a couple of nights ago, our family watched, it was a recent version of Pilgrim's Progress. It's been made into a movie, you may have seen it. And it had this scene right at the end in which Christian had just gone through the dark river, which represents physical death, and he comes into the celestial city, but as he first comes in, he cries out, but I saw blood. And I thought the enemy had me. And the Lord Jesus replies to him, it was my blood that you saw. Are you trouble because of the things going on today, because of COVID-19, because it might affect you, your family, because someone might die? Are you fearful because you recognize that death may not be too far off, and you just don't know what's around the corner? Are you afraid of death? You know, if you don't know Christ, turn to Him and open up His Word. He says, seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. Ask and you will receive. In another place, Isaiah 55, he says, Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to him that he may have compassion on him and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. And so turn to him, seek after him, because these words of comfort are for those who have trusted in Christ in this life. But if that is you, the question is, have you taken these words to heart? Do not fear because I died. And so these are words of comfort, these are words of hope, of joy, because no one can take them away. You may recall in Romans chapter 8, We read a little bit earlier, who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died. And then a little bit later, no, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Look upon the love of Christ that He has given to us. Paul says, for I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Fear not, he says, I died. Now those are words of comfort, but of course we could never leave it there because it doesn't end there. He also says, fear not. because I am alive forevermore." Of course, this is the central piece. This is the necessary piece. It is the resurrection upon which all things stand or fall. You know, this was the thing that couldn't be accepted by Jew or Gentile. Remember, Paul said that to the Jews, his death was a stumbling block. And to the Gentiles, it was folly. A dead Messiah? You know, think about for us, of what value is that? A Savior without an ounce of power because He's dead. But of course, that's the glory of it all because He did not stay that way. He did what no one else ever had done or ever could do. He conquered the grave. so that all those who are yoked to him likewise would be raised with him." Consider what he says when he placed his hand upon the Apostle John. He said, fear not, I died. But then that wasn't the end of it. And he said, behold, I am alive forevermore. And I have the keys of death and Hades. I'm alive forevermore. I have the keys, I have authority over death, over Hades, alive forevermore. This speaks, of course, of the event that each of the four gospel writers put down right at the end of their gospel accounts. The event that caused his disciples and the women to cry out, he is alive, the stone has been rolled away. This is the very thing that showed the apostles who He truly was. It authenticated that He was the Messiah, and He is the Messiah. It authenticated that He is God. It authenticated that all of His claims were true, that He and the Father are one, and therefore that He has within Himself the power that is needed to free His people from the bonds of death, What that means is that the resurrection of Christ has brought about a complete reversal of the curse. Think back to Genesis chapter 3, the curse that was placed upon all mankind from Adam on down, bondage, bondage all the way to the point of death, and yet Jesus turned that around and reversed it. You know, every person knows deep down inside that he or she is in bondage in this world. Many people will try to put on a front and make it look, seem otherwise, as if, I'm okay at death. I stare in the face of death. Don't be fooled. It's all a lie. Everyone knows deep down inside that they are in bondage to death, and it's a bondage from which we cannot free ourselves. And it creates inside of each person a great fear. But through the resurrection, Christ has reversed the curse of death, and in doing that, he is released from bondage and from the curse. all those who ever have been or who ever will be His. The author to the book of Hebrews describes Jesus as destroying the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, and delivering all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. The bonds of death are loosed. We are no longer bound. Now that's how Jesus can say to John, fear not. I died, but not only that. I am alive forevermore. I have authority and power over death and Hades. You're no longer subject to them. You've been set free. And you think about that. Can there be any better news ultimately than that? Think for a moment about the inmate who's been incarcerated. He's got a death sentence hanging over his head. But then he receives the news that his chains have completely been removed, that justice has completely been satisfied, that he has been set free. And that's only a mere glimpse into the joy and the hope that is ours in Christ. And so the question not only is, are you free from the fear of death, but even more so, do you know the joy? Do you know the hope? that through your union with Christ, you too have conquered the grave. And this is not something that's just made up or something that is contrived. You think about all the Easter celebrations that happen with the chocolate and the bunnies and all other. This is not something that's external. We're talking about a certainty inside, a certainty that governs the way that we live our lives, all of our actions. Remember what Paul writes right at the end of 1 Corinthians. He said, death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting? And then he goes on to say, thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. You know, the Christian life is something that's characterized by a great sense of victory, a great sense of joy, a great sense of hope. Fear not, Jesus said, I died and am alive forevermore. I want to close with this out of 1 Peter 1. Peter says this, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for in His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Where does our hope come from? It's through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And then he goes on to say, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. Then he says, in this you rejoice. We rejoice. We rejoice in the living hope that we have through the resurrection. We rejoice in the knowledge that He died and He redeemed us. Finally, we rejoice because He has conquered death and given us life forevermore. That should be our heart. That should be our mind day in and day out. I ask you, please join me in prayer. Lord, we thank You that You have revealed Yourself in this way, that You have revealed Your plan in this way, that You have executed it and that You have made it available to us, that by turning to Christ, asking, receiving, reaching out, turning from our sin, that we might have this gift of life freely given, and that You have done it all. Father, we pray that You would set our eyes upon that. We pray that You would strengthen us day in and day out. We pray that You would cause us to walk in that manner, knowing that death no longer has dominion over us. I pray that for each one of us who are hearing this message. We pray that You would set our eyes upon You, upon the Lord Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen.