The Forer unner School of Ministr y - mike bickle

The descriptions of Jesus in the Book of Re vela tion

Session 1 Why Study the Descriptions of Jesus in Revelation

I. REVIEW: THE BOOK OF REVELATION IS THE END-TIME BOOK OF ACTS

A. I refer to the Book of Revelation as the end-time Book of Acts because it describes the acts of
the Spirit released through the end-time Church. As Moses released God's plagues on Egypt
through prayer, and as the first apostles released His power through prayer, so God's power will
be released against the Antichrist by the praying Church (Rev. 5:8; 8:3-5; 9:13; 22:7, etc.).

B. The primary theme of the tribulation is God's judgment against the Antichrist's empire. The
secondary theme is tribulation against the saints from the Antichrist (Rev. 12:12; 13:4, 8).

C. The generation in which Jesus returns will have unique dynamics that require our involvement.

II. THE BOOK OF REVELATION: UNVEILING THE MAJESTY OF JESUS

A. The Book of Revelation is called the revelation of Jesus because it reveals first the majesty of
His heart, power, and leadership in His plan to transition history to the age-to-come.

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him (Jesus) to show His servants— things
which must shortly take place. He sent and signified it by His ansel to.. .John.. . (Rev. 1:1)

B. Revelation is secondarily a book about events in the End Times to purify the church, bring in the
harvest, and to replace all the evil governments on the earth as He drives Satan off the planet.
God's purpose in this book is meant first to reveal Jesus as the Man behind the plan.

C. In Rev. 1-3, John reports one visionary experience which highlights 30 specific descriptions of
Jesus' personality and ministry. This passage gives us the clearest picture of Him in Scripture. If
we read it with the right perspective it inspires us to adore Jesus and trust His leadership. There
are nearly 100 descriptions of Jesus in Revelation (especially see Rev. 1-3; 14-15; 19; 22).

D. The 30 distinct aspects of Jesus in Rev. 1-3 can be seen in 24 descriptions in Rev. 1 (note: 7
descriptions in v. 5-7 plus 17 in v 10-20) plus 18 descriptions in Rev. 2-3 totaling 42. However,
since 12 are used in both Rev. 1 and Rev. 2-3 (thus, 24), there are 30 distinct descriptions. There
are 12 descriptions in Rev. 1 that are not in Rev. 2-3 and 6 in Rev. 2-3 that are not in Rev. 1.

E. Rev. 1-3 is the most complete picture of Jesus in the Bible. Revelation reveals His glory in a way
not yet previously revealed in Scripture. Jesus never changes (Mai. 3:6). Thus, He is the same in
OT and NT. This book is a great gift from Him to us.

F. Jesus is initially seen as a loving priest , righteous prophet , and warring king who judges all that
hinders love in Rev. 1 . However, as the book unfolds, He is presented as our Bridegroom, King,
and Judge in Rev. 19-22. Jesus is shown as fully God and fully man as He openly manifests His
love, power, and wisdom before all the nations.

IHOP-KC Missions Base
www.IHOP. org

The descriptions of Jesus in the Book of Re vela tion - Mike Bickle

Session 1 Why Study the Descriptions of Jesus in Revelation PAGE 2

III. JESUS IN REVELATION 1-3

5 From Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of
the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us
kings and priests to His God and Father. . . 7 Behold, He is comins with clouds. ..10 1 heard behind me
a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, "
and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the 7 churches. ..12 Having turned I saw seven
golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed
with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair
were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine
brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right
hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the
sun shining in its strength. 1 7 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand
on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 1 am He who lives, and was
dead, and behold, 1 am alive forevermore. Amen. 1 have the keys of Hades and of Death. (Rev. 1:5-18)

1 He who holds the seven stars... walks in the midst of the seven lampstands... 8 The First and the
Last, who was dead, and came to life... 12 He who has the sharp two-edged sword ... 18 The Son of
God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass ... 3 ' 1 He who has the seven Spirits
of God and the seven stars . . . 7 He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David . . .14 The
Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God (Rev. 2:1-3:14)

A. Everything about Jesus' appearance, apparel, and actions are very intentional with the purpose of
communicating a message to His people.

B. We can only understand these truths about Jesus in Rev. 1-3 by seeing them in the context of
eternity. We can endure persecution and understand His judgments with an eternal perspective. If
we are anchored only with a temporal perspective, then His judgments seem to contradict love.

C. In Rev. 1, John is commissioned to prophesy by seeing these aspects of Jesus' majesty. These
truths will prepare the Church and form the way we prophesy about the End Times. With these
insights we can avoid prophesying with a wrong spirit. We must speak with confidence, boldness
and tender love without anger, fear, cynicism or timidity so that we impart a right spirit to others.

D. We must search out these truths which will produce love, humility and the fear of the Lord in us.
These truths will exhilarate us with love, stir our faith, and empower us with righteousness.

E. The theme of Revelation is Jesus' Second Coming (Rev. 1:7). It is set forth with three primary
emphases: what Jesus wants us to know about His personality and ministry (Rev. 1), how He
wants us to dwell together as the Church (Rev. 2-3), and what His end-time plan is (Rev. 6-22).

F. Rev. 2-3 describes how we are to live before Him. It describes how the saints dwell together on
His terms, so we can mature in faith that we may fully release His power. We must build our
ministry on these insights.

IHOP-KC Missions Base
www.lHOP. org

The descriptions of Jesus in the Book of Re vela tion - Mike Bickle

Session 1 Why Study the Descriptions of Jesus in Revelation PAGE 3

IV. THE BRIDE IS MAKING HERSELF READY TO PARTNER WITH JESUS

A. The Bride will make herself ready to partner with Jesus by walking in the truths in Rev. 1-3.
Jesus will not come until the Bride is prepared in knowing Him as Bridegroom, King, and Judge.

7 For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. (Rev. 19:7)

B. When Jesus returns, the Church will be victorious and without spot (compromise).

27 That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any
such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish (compromise). (Eph. 5:27)

C. Rev. 1-3 is a significant passage that is essential for the prayer movement to mature. The Spirit is
raising up forerunners who will prepare the prayer movement in the truths of Rev. 1-3.

D. We must experience Jesus' heart, and call forth His hand according to these truths as our
inheritance in God. The truths in Rev. 1-3 are foundational to the activities in Rev. 6-19.

E. Hearing someone teach the Scripture can be compared to reading a menu that stirs our appetite.
We do not fully feed on the Word by hearing someone teach. We may be inspired in our faith,
but we actually feed our spirit as truth becomes part of our prayer language with God. In other
words, we are not really fed until truth enters into our dialogue with God in our private life.

F. The goal of this message is to draw attention to the 30 specific truths of Jesus, in order to stir
your faith, so that you may feed on them in your private prayer life for many years.

V. THE FOUNDATIONAL ISSUE IN THE END TIMES: WHO IS JESUS

A. One of the foundational issues of the early apostles concerned what they understood about Jesus.
The same issue will be emphasized by the Holy Spirit to the end-time apostles and prophets.

13 Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? 14 They said, "Some say John the Baptist,
some Elijah, and others Jeremiah... " 15 He said, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Peter
answered..., "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. " ...18 On this rock I will build
My church, and the gates (authority) of Hades (Hell) shall not prevail against it 19 1 will give
you the keys of the kingdom... and whatever you bind (stop) on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose (release) on earth will be loosed in heaven"... 27 For the Son of Man
will come in the glory of His Father with His angels.... (Mt. 16:13-27)

B. Some thought Jesus was John the Baptist or a holiness preacher. Some thought He was Elijah or
a prophet that could do miracles and call fire down from heaven. Some thought He was Jeremiah
or weeping prophet who was full of compassion. All three answers contained some truth about
Jesus. However, they did not point to the full truth that was revealed in Scripture about Him.

C. Peter understood that Jesus was both the Christ (human Messiah or the anointed one) and the son
of God (divine). Jesus will build His Church on the revelation of who He is as seen in Rev. 1-3.

IHOP-KC Missions Base
www.IHOP. org

The descriptions of Jesus in the Book of Re vela tion - Mike Bickle

Session 1 Why Study the Descriptions of Jesus in Revelation PAGE 4

D. The gates of Hades (Hell) speak of Satan's authority. The Church will fully prevail against Satan
by using the keys of prophetic proclamation, intercession, and a Sermon on the Mount lifestyle.
Jesus promised that Satan would openly be defeated in every sphere of society by the Church
using the keys of the Kingdom. This measure of prevailing has not yet occurred in society.

E. Jesus fully won the victory on the cross but it has not yet been completely manifest on earth.

On the cross, He fully triumphed over the power of hell, yet after 2000 years 90% of the societies
of the earth are still significantly under the influence of Hell.

F. Hell will be on earth in many places during the final 3V4 years (Rev. 12:9; 13:2; 6:8).

9 The great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil... who deceives the whole
world; he was cast to the earth, and his ansels (demons) were cast out with him. (Rev. 12:9)

2 The dragon gave him (Antichrist) his power, his throne, and great authority. (Rev. 13:2)

G. The Church will not be prepared to stand, nor be able by prayer to bind (stop) the plans of evil
men, or loose (release) God's power to the full measure without revelation of Jesus (Rev. 1-3). In
this passage, Jesus promised to release "greater works" which speaks of the miracles of Acts and
the miracles of Exodus being combined and multiplied on a global level in the End Times.

12 The works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do... (Jn. 14:12)

H. God is raising up a justice movement to confront the Antichrist, who is the ultimate oppressor in
human history. The end-time prayer movement is the ultimate justice movement. Jesus will only
confront the oppressor to the measure that the prayers of the saints ascend in faith.

4 The prayers of the saints ascended before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took
the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. (Rev. 8:4-5)

I. Jesus will trust His Bride with the power to call fire down from heaven (Rev. 8:4). John wanted

to call fire down for the wrong reasons and with a wrong spirit (Lk. 9:55). Then 60 years later,
John saw a people in the End Times with the anointing to release fire on the earth.

J. Believers around the globe will engage in the prayer of faith to bind and loose according to

God's will. This passage is fulfilled on earth in the Tribulation by all the praying Church.

6 Let the hish praises of God be in their mouth... 7 to execute vengeance on the nations ... 9 to
execute on them the written judgment — this honor have qtt His saints. (Ps. 149:6-9)

K. The ultimate question for the end-time Church is the issue of who Jesus is. Thus, the question of
"who do they say Jesus is" is related to the measure of faith to fully bind and loose His power.
We search for this by studying and praying over these truths and by speaking to God by faith.

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek
her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear
of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Pro. 2:3-5)

IHOP-KC Missions Base
www.IHOP. org