Sixteen Descriptions of Jesus: Preparing for the End-Times
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Rev. 1-3 is a unique and significant passage. In it Jesus gives us more insight of the revelation of His name and
unveiling of His beauty than any other passage in Scripture. This will prepare us for the glory and crisis in the End-Time
move of God as seen in the Book of Revelation. We must grow in revelation of these facets of Jesus’ heart and ministry.
We do this by studying and praying over these truths as we confess them to God in faith to resist Satan’s attack.
B. In this session, we will look at 16 different facets of Jesus’ name which reveal His personality and ministry to the
Church (holding the seven stars is mentioned twice).
1 To…the church of Ephesus write, “These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the
midst of the seven golden lampstands…” 8 To…the church in Smyrna write, “These things says the First and the Last,
who was dead, and came to life…” 12 To…the church in Pergamos write, “These things says He who has the sharp
two-edged sword”…18 To…the church in Thyatira write, “These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame
of fire, and His feet like fine brass”…3:1 To…the church in Sardis write, “These things says He who has the seven Spirits
of God and the seven stars”… 7 To…the church in Philadelphia write, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true,
"He who has the key of David"…14 To…the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful
and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God”… (Rev. 2:1-3:14)
II. JESUS HOLDS AND WALKS WITH HIS PEOPLE (REV. 2:1-7)
1 To…the church of Ephesus write, “These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the
midst of the seven golden lampstands”...4 I have this against you…you have left your first love…5 I will…remove your
lampstand…unless you repent...7 To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the
Paradise of God. (Rev. 2:1-7)
A. Jesus holds the seven stars (messengers) or apostolic leaders in His right hand as He anoints, directs, protects
and delivers them. This emphasizes His tender care and commitment to help. He is deeply involved in the life and heart
of the leadership of His Church.
20 The seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are
the seven churches. (Rev. 1:20)
B. David had revelation of God’s right hand of kindness manifesting God’s protection (Ps. 17:7), delight (Ps. 16:11),
blessing (Ps. 18:35), power (Ps. 20:6) and the place of honor (Heb. 1:3).
7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You from those who rise
up against them. (Ps. 17:7)
C. Jesus desires to make His servants shine as stars to impart light and fire to the church and lost.
3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the
stars forever and ever. (Dan. 12:3)
D. Jesus walks in the candlesticks or the Church. In other words, He is deeply involved with His people to help those
who desire to walk with Him as Adam walked with God in the garden.
8 They heard the sound of the LORD walking in the garden in the cool of the day… (Gen. 3:8)
14 For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore
your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you. (Deut. 23:14)
E. When God’s servants feel inadequate in the task the Lord has assigned them or when they need help in repenting
they confess that Jesus holds them in His right hand and walks with them.
6 Being confident…that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it… (Phil. 1:6)
III. JESUS IS THE SOURCE AND ASSURANCE OF ALL OUR BLESSINGS (REV. 2:9-11)
9 To…the church in Smyrna write, “These things says the First and the Last who was dead, and came to life…” 10 Do not
fear any of those things you are about to suffer...be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life…11 He who
overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. (Rev. 2:9-11)
17 He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and
was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. (Rev. 1:17-18)
A. Jesus reveals Himself as the source and assurance of blessing. This emphasizes His tender care for those being
persecuted. Jesus as the First and Last is mentioned seven times (Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev. 1:8, 17; 2:8; 22:13).
In Isaiah (3x) and Revelation (4x).
B. Jesus is the “First” as the uncreated God who was before all things and as the creator who is the source of all
goodness. He gave us all that we may lose in persecution. He can give it to us again.
C. Jesus is the “Last” or is the purpose and goal for all as well as having the final word on all things. We can be
assured that all His promises will come to pass. The end of His plan for our life is in His hands. Jesus sees the end of the
story and assures us that there is something bigger going on.
D. Jesus was “dead and came to life”. He experienced all the pain involved in suffering a cruel death. He understands
humanity and suffering and therefore, He understands us and can encourage all who suffer. Jesus possesses power over
death and knows the way to victory. He experienced the worst that men can do to us and then triumphed over it. We do
not need to fear martyrdom because we live forever (Mt. 10:28).
28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and
body in hell. (Mt. 10:28)
E. Jesus is transcendent (First and Last) and because He is human (dead and came to life) He knows our pain as
He brings us to the victory He experienced. We can walk in peace by encountering Jesus as the “First and the Last,
who was dead, and came to life”
IV. JESUS WARS AGAINST ALL THAT OPPOSES HIS KINGDOM (REV. 2:12-17)
12 To…the church in Pergamos write, “These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword”... 14 You have those
who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak…to commit sexual immorality. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you
quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth…17 To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden
manna to eat. I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows. (Rev. 2:12-17)
A. Jesus has a sword that is released by the command of His mouth. He has zeal against that which opposes His people,
whether sin in the Church or evil governments that persecute it. Jesus will not be silent but will surely intervene. Jesus
fights for us by fighting against those things in our life that are in agreement with darkness. Jesus will use the sword of
His mouth to withstand immorality and the Antichrist’s government at the end-of-the-age. John refers to Jesus’ sword
five times (Rev. 1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15, 21); four times it is designated the sword of His mouth.
B. The Balaamites taught a perversion of liberty in grace. They taught that it was okay to participate in the idolatrous
feasts with their drunkenness and immorality. Thus, some leaders in the church promoted the pagan feasts under the
pretense of Christian liberty. Antinomianism falsely teaches that since salvation is given as a gift by faith, thus, we do
not need to walk in purity. Balaam advised Balak to get the Moabite women to seduce the Israelite men with immorality
(Num. 25) so that God would judge Israel. Balaam was killed by the sword (Num. 22:23, 31; 25:5; 31:8).
V. JESUS RELEASES HIS FIRE AND JUDGMENT AGAINST IMMORALITY (REV. 2:18-29)
18 To…the church in Thyatira write, “These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet
like fine brass”…20 You allow that woman Jezebel…to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality…22 I
will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation…23 I will kill her children with
death…26 He who overcomes…I will give power over the nations…28 I will give him the morning star. (Rev. 2:18-29)
A. As the Son of God, Jesus emphasizes His deity and power to withstand Jezebel’s immorality. Jesus will impart His
holy fire to those who open their heart to His. He will intervene with the fire of judgment to confront immorality. His eyes
like fire search out our heart.
B. Jesus has eyes like a flame of fire that both impart His holy love and judge was hinders love. He releases either the
“fire of grace” or the “fire of judgment” depending on if we respond to Him. In context to our war against the spirit of
Jezebel, Jesus will impart holy passion (Lk. 24:32; Acts 2:1-4) which includes convicting us of compromise or He will
release judgment on immorality. The morning star is the brightest star in the sky (Venus) seen just before the dawning
of a new day. The Morning Star is Jesus (Rev. 22:16). A deep relationship with Him is promised in v. 28.
C. Jesus has feet like fine brass which symbolize judgment against sin. Jesus’ feet of bronze speak of His commitment
as a mighty warrior to trample over Jezebel in victory. Jesus will bring all His enemies under His feet (Ps. 110). Our
confession is that Jesus gaze with the fire of grace on our heart to awaken us in love and that He tread on His enemy
until she is openly defeated.
VI. JESUS RELEASES THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HOLDS HIS LEADERS (REV. 3:1-5)
1 To…church in Sardis write, “These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your
works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,
that are ready to die…3 If you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief…5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in
white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father…
(Rev. 3:1-5)
A. Jesus has the seven Spirits thus, the authority to release the diverse ministries of the Spirit to the spiritually lethargic
saints at Sardis to fully revive them as they watch or develop a prayer life. The Spirit resting on us refers to our
relationship with Him which grows by being with Him.
2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. (Isa. 11:2)
B. Jesus will give us wisdom to know how to apply God’s Word to our life and understanding that we may have His
perspective in interpreting what is really happening in our lives. He counsels us that we may make good decisions
in the practical areas of life and fulfill our assignment in life. He will teach us all things including how to relate, serve, use
time and finances and be healthy.
26 He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things… (Jn. 14:26)
C. Jesus will give us a spirit of might to keep our spirit strong that we may sustain righteousness, resist sin, be faithful
in difficulty and overcome rejection, pain and even loneliness.
16 To be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man… (Eph. 3:16)
D. Jesus will give us the knowledge of God so we can go deep in God (Isa. 11:9).
10 For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (1 Cor. 2:10)
E. Jesus will put the fear of God into our heart so that we tremble before His majesty. It is much easier to obey God
when we tremble before His majesty.
40 I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. (Jer. 32:40)
F. Jesus has the seven Stars (Rev. 2:1; 3:1). He holds the seven stars means for Him to be deeply involved in the
life and heart of the leadership. He will hold His people in His hands to make them bright like a star because He is deeply
involved in the life and heart of His people.
20 The seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches… (Rev. 1:20)
VII. JESUS IS HOLY, RELIABLE AND POWERFUL (REV. 3:7-13)
7 To…the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David,
He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens"…11 Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your
crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will
write on him the name of My God and the name of the City… the New Jerusalem…and I will write on him My new name.”
(Rev. 3:7-13)
A. Jesus emphasizes His faithful care and commitment to intervene to help those in difficulty.
B. Jesus is holy. This has two primary applications, His holiness as a man and as God.
1. As a man, Jesus lived set apart fully to obey the Father. He understands what it means to walk out costly commitments
among sinful people. He is a sympathetic high priest.
8 He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (Heb. 5:8)
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are,
yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15)
2. As God, He is transcendent (wholly “other than”) or infinitely superior to all. Therefore, He is worth whatever it
costs to love and obey Him.
C. Jesus is true or reliable in giving the extravagant promises in v. 12 that seem too good to be true.
D. Jesus has the key of David. He is the ultimate King in David’s lineage who has authority over all the promises that
God gave the son of David that are to be fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom. For example, Jesus opens up the door to give
positions to the faithful in His eternal kingdom. Jesus has authority over the nations now (Matt. 28:19). Jesus has the keys
of the kingdom (Mt. 16:19) and keys over death and Hades (demonic realms).
E. Rev. 3:7-13 is based on the prophecy that Isaiah gave about Shebna, King Hezekiah's chief leader being removed
from his government position to be replaced by Eliakim (Isa 22:15-25). God promised to place on Eliakim’s shoulder the
“key to the house of David” so he could open and shut the doors of the royal resources to release God’s will in the
kingdom of Israel.
22 The key of the house of David I will lay on his (Eliakim’s) shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall
shut, and no one shall open…25 In that day…the peg (Eliakim’s position) that is fastened in the secure place will be
removed… (Isa. 22:22, 25)
F. Enemies seek to open doors of hostility and resistance against us to stop God’s will in our life but they cannot if
Jesus shuts those doors. Saul with 3,000 soldiers sought to kill David but could not stop God’s will in David’s life
(1 Sam. 24:2; 26:2). Neither men, nor demons, nor the Antichrist has the power to shut the doors that Jesus opens.
VIII. JESUS IS RELIABLE AND POWERFUL (REV. 3:14-22)
14 To…the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning
of the creation of God”… 16 Because you are lukewarm…I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 You do not know that you
are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may
be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and
anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see…20 If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to
him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also
overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Rev. 3:14-22)
A. Jesus is the Amen because His promises are certain and sure. Twenty five times John used the word, amen
(Greek “amhn”). It is translated as, “truly, truly, I say to you”. The “God of truth” (Isa. 65:17), is literally “the God of
Amen”. Amen was pronounced when one agreed with the promises and consequences of an oath (Num. 5:22;
Deut. 27:15ff.; Neh. 5:13; Jer. 11:5).
B. Being “The Amen”, Jesus on earth lived in perfect agreement with His Father. As the head of the Church, He requires
that we agree with Him to release His blessings. We have to relate to Jesus on His terms. Jesus is the one who agrees
with God and requires that we agree with Him to release His promises, conditions and consequences of violating our
covenant with Him.
C. All of the promises of God are yes and amen. All the promises of God are yes because they are true. They are
“amen” because we must agree with them. God’s promises for increased blessing are invitations to partnership not
unconditional guarantees.
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen… (2 Cor. 1:20)
D. Jesus is the Faithful and True Witness. This emphasizes that He is reliable and truthful. He was about to tell them
the truth in both positive and negative ways.
E. Jesus revealed such great promises in Rev. 3:18-21 along with negative truths about their spiritual problems in
Rev. 3:17-18. He does not ever exaggerate or flatter.
F. Jesus is the beginning of the creation of God. He is the beginning or “first” in cause and authority. The power
and authority over all creation “begins” with Him (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16-17; Rev. 1:8; 21:6). He is the uncreated eternal God
like the Father and the Spirit.
G. This truth was meant to arouse the Laodiceans into zealous repentance instead of being so impressed with their
prosperity. The creator and authority of the earth speaks to them.