The First and the Last

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

Tim Keller

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality:christianity, Spirituality, Religion, Religion & Spirituality

4.9 • 16.2K Ratings

🗓️ 27 May 2026

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

There are lots of letters in the Bible, but only one place has a series of letters written directly from Jesus to the churches — and that’s in Revelation. Jesus appears to the now elderly apostle John on the isle of Patmos, where John is in exile, and it is quite an amazing vision. In it, there are three vivid contrasts. Each one tells us something that will make a real difference in our lives. Let’s look at the contrasts: 1) Jesus has come but is coming, 2) John is stunned but still alive, and 3) we are suffering but brilliant. This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on June 29, 2008. Series: Revelation: Jesus’ Letters to the Church. Scripture: Revelation 1:7-20. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Gospel and Life. What would it be like to hear Jesus speak directly to the church today?
0:09.8	In the book of Revelation, we're given a rare glimpse of exactly that, Jesus addressing his followers with words of comfort, hope, and calling.
0:19.3	Today, Tim Keller explores how these letters to ancient churches
0:22.7	invite us to examine our own hearts and receive the healing and renewal Christ offers.
0:35.6	Good morning.
0:45.9	Our scripture reading this morning is taken from the Revelation of John, chapter 1, verses 7 through 20.
0:58.9	Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.
1:02.4	So shall it be. Amen.
1:17.5	I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. I, John, your brother and companion,
1:24.7	in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
1:29.4	On the Lord's Day I was in the spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
1:36.3	which said, write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thytira, Sardis, Philadelphia,
1:49.7	and Laodicea. I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me, and when I turned,
1:56.9	I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,
2:04.0	dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
2:10.3	His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace
2:20.6	and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars and out of his
2:28.6	mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him,
2:38.6	I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said,
2:47.7	Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last. I am the living one. I was dead. And behold, I am
2:58.0	alive forever and ever. And I hold the keys of death in Hades. Write, therefore, what you have
3:06.0	seen. What is now and what will take place later.
	...

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