The ruler of the kings of the earth - Revelation 1:4-9

Imagine, if you will, being a Christian in the Roman empire in the late first century AD. Emperor Domitian is persecuting Christians. People you know have been imprisoned or killed for their refusal to offer incense to the Emperor as a god and to say the words 'Ceasar is Lord.' Into your church community comes a scroll, a letter from John the Elder in Ephesus. You listen with eager expectation to the subversive message of hope, which encourages you to stay faithful to Jesus, and overturns the way the world seems to be...for Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth... This sermon explores Revelation 1:4-9 and its message for the early church and for us.

This sermon was preached at Sunday Night at St John’s, Southgate, on November 25, 2012.

It is designed to be used with:

- the bible study found at this link

- the Prezi zooming visuals found at this link.

Enjoy!