SERMON 1: "The Unveiling of Christ and The Church Age. (Where we stand today)!"
PRESENTER: Rev. Dr. JoAnne King
DATE: October 4, 2026
Good morning Saints and welcome to Exousia Ministries.
Saints, today we are stepping into an extraordinary journey as we begin a 5-part sermon series through the Book of Revelation.
Now, when many people open the Book of Revelation, their immediate reaction is confusion or even intimidation. They see mysterious symbols, terrifying beasts, fiery visions, and complex timelines, and they step back thinking this book isn't meant for them. But let us never forget what the very word Revelation means—it comes from the Greek word Apokalupsis, which means an unveiling or an uncovering, not a hiding. This book was not written to keep you in the dark; it was written to turn the lights on! Above all else, it is the unveiling of Jesus Christ in all His glorious majesty, His absolute sovereignty, and His unstoppable victory.
IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP AND LOOK UP!
Saints, I came to tell you today that the Book of Revelation was not written to scare you; it was written to prepare you! God didn’t hand this vision to Jesus, and Jesus didn’t send His angel to John, just to give us a holy mystery novel. No! He gave it to us so that the Body of Christ would know the truth, stand on the truth, and believe!
Look at what Jesus said in Luke 21! He told us that when you start seeing the signs, you better know that the hour is at hand!
You don’t have to look hard to see it today! We are the only generation in human history that has watched Israel become a nation again!
We turn on the evening news and watch the Middle East in constant turmoil with escalating conflicts between Israel and surrounding nations and the United States waging war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz filling our daily news feeds!
We look at the weather report, and the meteorologists don't even know what to call it anymore! Record-breaking heat, devastating hurricanes, massive earthquakes, unseasonable tornados—creation itself is groaning!
When you scroll through social media or watch the evening news, it is easy to let anxiety grip your heart. You might wonder, Is the world spinning out of control? But as believers, these headlines should not bring fear; they should bring focus. When you see these things, do not panic—look up! Your redemption draws nigh. Use the state of the world as a daily reminder to pray for your neighbors, share the gospel, and live with urgency.
It’s like driving down the highway and seeing those big highway warning signs flashing in bright neon letters: "DANGER AHEAD! PREPARE TO DETOUR!" You don't ignore the sign and keep cruise control on—you get ready!
Jesus said in Luke 21:28: “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh!” Somebody shout, LOOK UP!
In this 5-part journey, we are going to walk step-by-step through God’s divine end-time plan:
Sermon 1: "The Unveiling of Christ & The Church Age (Where we stand today)!"
Sermon 2: "God's Master Timetable & Prophetic Clock"
Sermon 3: "Heaven Holds the Throne While the Earth Shakes!"
Sermon 4: "Behind the Scenes When the World Stands Still!"
Sermon 5: "From the Fall of Babylon to the New Jerusalem--The Return of the King!"
We live in a culture saturated with modern anxiety, political upheaval, and constant dread about what tomorrow holds. But Revelation wasn't given to terrify the believer; it was given to anchor us. It reminds us that no matter how chaotic the news looks, Jesus Christ holds the future, and our hope is firmly rooted in the King of kings.
Notice how this divine revelation flows down to us: it originates in the heart of God the Father, who gives it to Jesus Christ. Jesus then sends His angel to declare it to the Apostle John, who records every word so that you and I can read it today.
In verse 3, God attaches a specific and unique promise to this message: "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it." This is the only book in the entire Bible that begins with a direct, guaranteed blessing just for opening it up and listening to what God has to say!
God the Father ──► Jesus Christ ──► Angel ──► Apostle John ──► The Believer
Think about where modern society turns for guidance today. People spend hours scrolling through social media feeds, watching news commentary, and seeking worldly wisdom to make sense of life. Yet God promises true clarity, peace, and spiritual blessing to those who ground themselves in His prophetic Word. When you align your heart with God's Word, you no longer have to live in fear of world events.
When John was exiled on the isolated Isle of Patmos for preaching the Gospel, Jesus appeared to him in a vision. But John did not see Jesus as the humble carpenter from Nazareth carrying a heavy wooden cross, nor did he see Him as the bruised and battered Savior on Mount Calvary. John saw the Exalted, Glorified King of kings in full divine power!
Revelation provides a dynamic uncovering of Jesus through a theophany—a visible manifestation of God to humankind (Revelation 1:13-18). The awe-inspiring attributes John saw are the exact descriptions Jesus uses to address the seven churches.
John describes Him with vivid detail:
His eyes were like a flame of fire: This speaks of His absolute holiness and His ability to see directly into the human heart. Nothing can be hidden from His sight.
His voice was like the sound of many rushing waters: His word carries ultimate authority, drowning out every opinion, philosophy, and lie of the enemy.
He holds the keys of Death and Hades: He has completely disarmed the power of the grave, proving that death has no final victory over those who belong to Him.
If Jesus holds the keys to death and hell itself, then there is no problem in your life today that is outside of His control. He holds the key to your health, your family, your finances, and your peace of mind. Whatever door you need opened, or whatever fear you need unlocked, remember that the Glorified Christ is standing in power on your behalf.
You must know who your savior is! "Revelation" means an uncovering or an unveiling. Chapter 1 introduces us to the true identity of Jesus Christ using specific titles. It is vital to understand these names so you can defend your faith out in the marketplace.
The First Begotten (Revelation 1:5; Colossians 1:18)
This title means "the firstborn from the dead." This refers strictly to His incarnation—God becoming flesh. Cults try to use "firstborn" to imply Jesus had a beginning and is a created being. Don't let anybody tell you Jesus was just a good teacher or a created angel! Micah 5:2 says His goings forth are from everlasting! Before time was, HE IS!
Colossians 1:18 says He is “the head of the body, the church… the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.”
Imagine you are talking to a coworker or a member of a non-Christian cult at your doorstep. They might try to trick you by saying, “Jesus isn't special; He raised Lazarus and a young girl from the dead before His own resurrection.”
Your answer should be direct: “Yes, Jesus raised them, but they grew old and died again. Jesus Christ was raised to immortality, never to die again!” He conquered the grave permanently. Because He lives, you can face tomorrow knowing death has no final sting in your life.
He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and when He steps back onto this earth in Revelation 19, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is King of kings and Lord of lords!
He is Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8), He is the beginning and the ending. He is the Almighty who spans all of human history. He is the A to the Z! He wrote the first chapter of your life, and He’s got the pen for the final chapter!
When we read the signs: God's perfect number is 7. Now, Revelation uses symbols, numbers, and signs. But hear this clearly: unless a passage is explicitly symbolic, we take God's Word in its plain, literal sense!
In the Bible, the number 7 means perfection, completeness, and total sufficiency. In Chapter 1 alone, we see the number 7 four times:
Seven Churches (v. 4): God selected these seven specific historical churches in Asia Minor because their unique traits formed a complete picture of every spiritual state a church could be in—from the 1st century all the way to our pews today!
Seven Spirits (v. 4): This is the total, complete, unrestricted fullness of the Holy Spirit! There is nothing missing from the Spirit of God!
Seven Stars (vv. 16, 20): These are the pastors of the churches.
Stars shine in the dark! In a culture that has lost its moral compass, pastors are called to let their light shine (Matt 5:16)!
Notice Jesus is holding them in His right hand, and out of His mouth goes a sharp two-edged sword (Heb 4:12). A true pastor doesn't preach popular opinion or social media trends; a true pastor preaches the sharp, uncompromising Word of God!
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus commands all of us to let our lights shine. When you go to work, school, or the grocery store, your integrity, kindness, and speech should shine brightly in a dark world.
Seven Golden Candlesticks (vv. 12, 20): These are the local churches!
A lampstand doesn't generate its own light—it holds up the flame! You and I don't produce the light; we just hold up Jesus in a dark world!
And where is Jesus? He is walking in the midst of the candlesticks! He is right here in the church today!
And bless God, look at His garment! He is dressed as our Great High Priest! Hebrews 7:25 says He ever lives to make intercession for us! When the enemy accuses you, Jesus stands at the right hand of God as your Defense Attorney saying, "That one is covered by My Blood!"
You are the candlestick. Your job at your workplace or in your family is not to generate your own goodness, but to hold up the light of Christ. Let your daily actions manifest His love, peace, and truth to those walking in darkness.
There are three major divine appearances you need to know about in Revelation:
The Vision on Patmos (Rev 1:13–18): Jesus appearing in unveiled, blazing majesty to John!
The Rapture of the Church (Rev 4:1): When the trumpet sounds, the door in heaven opens, and a voice like a trumpet says, "Come up hither!" In the twinkling of an eye, the Church is caught up to meet Him in the air!
The Second Coming (Rev 1:7): “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him!” This isn't a secret catching away; this is the glorious, visible return of the King to execute judgment and establish His Kingdom!
The Timeless Blueprint of Christ’s Church
Saints, when we open Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus Christ steps into the midst of the seven golden lampstands. He doesn't send a delegation or delegate His appraisal—He walks among His churches personally!
While these were seven literal, historical churches in 1st-century Roman Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), they also represent Seven Prophetic Church Ages across church history, and seven types of individual believers sitting in pews today.
For every church, Jesus follows a divine pattern:
The Revelation of Himself (a unique title matched to their need).
The Commendation ("I know thy works..."—what He praises).
The Rebuke & Warning (what offends His holy eyes and the punishment for unrepentance).
The Practical Application for our daily walk.
The Promise to the Overcomer (the eternal reward!).
Ephesus: The Careless Church — The Danger of Lost Devotion (Rev. 2:1–7)
He who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.
Ephesus was a busy, orthodox, hard-working church! They tested false apostles, hated compromise, exposed false teachers, and never grew weary in standing for doctrinal purity. "Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." They had legalistic orthodoxy without intimate affection! They were doing the work of the Lord, but they had lost their passionate love for the Lord of the work!
"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place..."
If they refused to repent, Jesus warned He would remove their lampstand! A church can keep its building, keep its choir, and keep its doctrine, but lose the light and presence of the Holy Spirit completely! It becomes a spiritual museum—powerless and dark.
Check your heart at the breakfast table! Are you reading Scripture just out of religious habit, or are you sitting at the feet of Jesus because you love Him? Don't let busyness in church work replace your quiet intimacy with Christ.
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
Those who keep their love burning for Jesus will eat from the Tree of Life in God’s heavenly paradise—restoring the intimate fellowship lost in the Garden of Eden!
It is possible to be busy doing "church work" and holding correct beliefs while completely missing the heart of Christ. Guard against letting routine replace devotion.
Smyrna: The Persecuted Church — Faithful unto Death (Rev. 2:8–11)
The First and the Last, who was dead and is alive!
Smyrna was a poor, crushed, heavily persecuted church facing Roman oppression and false accusations. Yet Jesus says: "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)!" They had no material wealth, but they were spiritually millionaires.
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison... and ye shall have tribulation ten days..."
Notice that Jesus offers no rebuke to Smyrna—only comfort! He doesn't promise to instantly remove their trial, but commands them to be faithful through ten days (representing ten waves of Roman imperial persecution).
When family members mock your faith, or your workplace pressures you to compromise biblical values, remember Smyrna! Earthly suffering is brief, but Christ’s approval lasts forever. Do not fear what man can do to your body; trust the One who holds your soul!
Suffering is not always a sign of God's displeasure; sometimes it is the very refined fires through which true faith shines brightest.
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life... He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
They receive the Crown of Life (stephanos) and complete immunity from the Second Death (the Lake of Fire). Earthly executioners might take their physical breath, but they can never touch their eternal destiny!
Pergamos: The Compromising Church — Married to the World (Rev. 2:12–17)
He who has the sharp sword with two edges (the piercing Word of God).
Pergamos dwelt "where Satan's seat is"—a center of emperor worship and pagan idolatry. Yet they held fast to Christ's name and did not deny the faith, even when their faithful martyr Antipas was slain among them.
They tolerated false doctrine in their pews! They allowed the Doctrine of Balaam (enticing believers into sexual immorality and idolatrous compromise) and the Nicolaitans (creating a corrupt spiritual hierarchy).
"Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
If the church refuses to exercise holy discipline and cleanse itself of worldly compromise, Jesus Himself will come to wage war against them with the sharp sword of His Word!
We cannot digest the world’s toxic entertainment on weeknights and expect to walk in Holy Ghost power on Sunday morning! Examine your home, your internet browser, and your daily habits. Cut off compromise before it corrupts your entire household!
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Divine, secret spiritual nourishment from Christ Himself.
A White Stone: In ancient courts, a white stone meant full acquittal/innocence; in athletic games, it was a ticket to the victor's banquet!
An intimate, personal endearment written on the stone known only to you and Jesus!
Thyatira: The Corrupt Church — Tolerating Jezebel (Rev. 2:18–29)
The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like fine brass (searching judgment).
Thyatira was growing! Their charity, service, faith, patience, and works were actually greater at the end than at the beginning.
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest [toleratest] that woman Jezebel..." They allowed a self-proclaimed prophetess to teach false grace, promoting sexual immorality and cultural compromise under the guise of deep spiritual enlightenment.
"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation... And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts..."
God gave Jezebel space to repent, but she refused. Therefore, God promised severe physical judgment—casting her onto a bed of suffering, delivering her followers into great tribulation, and bringing divine destruction upon her spiritual children as a holy warning to all churches!
Tolerating false doctrine in the name of "love" or "being welcoming" is spiritual treason. When modern culture redefines morality, stay anchored in the unshakeable Word of God!
"And he that overcometh... to him will I give power over the nations... And I will give him the morning star."
Overcomers will reign with Christ over the nations during the Millennial Kingdom and receive the Morning Star—Jesus Christ Himself in all His glory!
Sardis: The Dead Church — A Reputation Without Reality (Rev. 3:1–6)
He that has the Seven Spirits of God and the seven stars.
Only a tiny remnant ("a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments").
"I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead!" Sardis had a great historical reputation, a busy calendar, and institutional prestige—but spiritually, they were a graveyard! They had form without force, and routine without resurrection power!
"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain... If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."
Sudden, unexpected divine judgment! If they remained spiritually asleep, Jesus warned He would catch them completely unprepared—stripping away their standing and exposing their spiritual bankruptcy.
A church or individual can look spiritually thriving on the outside while being spiritually decayed on the inside. God looks at the heart, not the reputation.
It is easy to go through the motions—sitting in church, nodding at the sermon, going home, and living like a spiritual zombie all week. Wake up! Ask the Holy Spirit to revive your heart, your prayer closet, and your passion for soul-winning today!
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
They will be clothed in pure white garments of righteousness, their names will remain permanently sealed in the Book of Life, and Jesus will personally declare their names before the Heavenly Father and His angels!
Philadelphia: The Faithful Church — The Open Door of Opportunity (Rev. 3:7–13)
He that is holy, he that is true, he that has the Key of David—He that opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no man opens!
Philadelphia had "a little strength" (small in human power), but they kept God’s Word and did not deny His name!
Like Smyrna, Philadelphia receives no rebuke from the Lord!
"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan... to come and worship before thy feet... Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world..."
Because they stood firm on God's Word, Jesus promised to keep them from the global hour of trial (the Great Tribulation) and make their persecutors acknowledge that God loved them!
God does not require us to be worldly powerful; He values steady, quiet obedience and faithfulness to His Word.
When God opens a door of opportunity for your family, your business, or your ministry, walk through it boldly! You don't need giant worldly resources when you have the Key of David on your side. Trust His open door!
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God... New Jerusalem..."
They will become unshakeable pillars in God’s heavenly temple, permanently secure, bearing the sacred Name of God, the Name of the New Jerusalem, and Christ’s own new Name!
Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church — Materially Rich, Spiritually Naked (Rev. 3:14–22)
The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning (Arche—Originator) of the creation of God.
Laodicea is the only church that receives not a single word of praise from Jesus!
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth!"
Laodicea was famous for its banking, black wool garments, and eye salves. Their local aqueduct brought water from hot springs miles away, but by the time it reached the city, it was lukewarm, mineral-heavy, and nauseating!
Jesus applied this directly to their souls: They boasted, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing!" But Jesus saw their true spiritual state: wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked!
"I will spue thee out of my mouth... I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment... and anoint thine eyes with eye salve... As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
Lukewarmness makes God sick! If they refused to repent, Jesus warned He would vomit them out of His body. Yet, in His amazing grace, He stands outside their closed church door knocking: "If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me!"
Self-sufficiency is the greatest enemy of spiritual vitality! When your bank account is full and life is comfortable, it is easy to become lukewarm and pray token prayers. On your drive to work tomorrow, invite Jesus back inside! Ask Him to refine your faith in the fire and open your spiritual eyes!
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
The highest honor in the Book of Revelation is overcomers. Those who turn from lukewarmness will sit with Jesus Christ on His very throne, sharing in His eternal reign over the universe!
Material wealth and self-reliance can blind us to our deep spiritual poverty. Spiritual lukewarmness is dangerous because it lulls us into false security.
Let me close with the incredible testimony of the Apostle John the man who wrote this book down! Because John refused to obey the Roman Emperor's decree to worship him as a god, he was sentenced to a brutal execution: being boiled alive in a massive amphitheater filled with spectators.
Now, the rest of the world was bowing down out of fear. But John looked that Emperor in the eye and said, "I’ll only bow my knees to King Jesus!"
The Emperor got so furious that he had a massive kettle filled with boiling oil in the middle of a packed arena filled with thousands of shouting Romans. They took this elderly apostle and threw him headfirst into that bubbling, fiery cauldron!
Normally, when a human hits boiling oil, the flesh melts right off the bone, the lungs collapse, and death comes in seconds. But somebody forgot to tell the fire who was in the kettle!
Instead of screaming in agony, John raised his hands in that boiling oil and started shouting, "GLORY TO GOD! PRAISE THE NAME OF JESUS!"
When they pulled him out, his skin wasn't burned, his hair wasn't singed, and he didn't even smell like oil! The miracle was so undeniable that the entire coliseum audience threw down their idols and surrendered their lives to Christ on the spot! When the world puts you through the "hot oil" of trials, persecution, or sickness, keep your hands lifted in praise. Your endurance through suffering is often the very catalyst God uses to save your loved ones and coworkers.
Frustrated and embarrassed, the Emperor said, "I can't kill him, so put him on a boat and send him to Patmos!" They sent him to a desolate, jagged rock of an island reserved for the worst criminals, thinking the elements and the violent prisoners would finish him off.
BUT GOD SAID, NOT SO!
Because in Revelation 1:18, Jesus stepped into John’s cave on Patmos, placed His hand on his shoulder, and declared:
“I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death!”
Jesus was saying, John! The reason that boiling oil couldn't burn you, and the reason Patmos can't break you, is because I hold the keys! And nobody dies until I say your assignment is finished! And John, you haven't written the Revelation yet!
Saints, John outlived the emperor! He walked off the Isle of Patmos with the Book of Revelation tucked under his arm! Hallelujah!
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?
If God can keep John in a kettle of boiling oil, He can keep you through whatever storm, trial, or sickness you are facing today! But more than that—He wants your heart!
The keys of death and hell belong to Jesus. The signs of the times are flashing all around us. The clock is ticking, and eternity is real.
Saints, the Book of Revelation makes one truth abundantly clear: history is not a series of random, chaotic accidents. History is His-story, and it is heading toward a triumphant finish under the sovereign authority of Jesus Christ!
God does not want you living in fear, lukewarmness, or spiritual compromise. He is calling us today to wake up, lay aside every weight and sin that holds us back, and anchor our souls in the blessed hope of His return.
Just know, no power on earth, no corrupt leader, and no spiritual enemy can cut your life short when Jesus holds the keys to your destiny. But to walk in that divine protection and assurance, you must know that you know, that there is nothing between you and the One who holds the keys. Today, we are closer than ever before to the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior.
Father in heaven, we thank You for the unveiling of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Open our eyes and illuminate our hearts as we study this sacred book together. Deliver us from lukewarm living, stir up a holy passion within us, and fill us with Your Peace. Help us to walk courageously, knowing that the ultimate victory belongs to our Lord. In the mighty and exalted name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen!
Let's give the Lord a praise offering for His teaching on
"The Unveiling of Christ and The Church Age!" Sermon 1
Amen and so let it be done!