An Encounter with the Holy One – p.2

“Fear Not!”

Revelation 1:17-19

• The Scriptures tell us 366 times “do not be afraid”.

• fell at his feet as though dead (Rev. 1:17)

• fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him” (Gen.15:12)

Zechariah

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

(Luke 1:13 ESV)

Mary

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

(Luke 1:30 ESV)

Joseph

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,

Joseph

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

(Matthew 1:20 ESV)

Shepherds

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

(Luke 2:10 ESV)

John’s response is expected.

“I fell at his feet as though dead” (Rev. 1:17 ESV)

John’s response is expected.

John’s response is unexpected.

John was called.

John’s response is unexpected.

John was

chosen

John’s response is unexpected.

John was cherished

Jesus response is unexpected.

But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not…” (v.17)

Jesus response is unexpected.

• Fear is an emotion and emotions are not subject to acts of the will.

• “Fear not” means that He asks us to act according to His truth in spite of how we feel. 

Jesus response is unexpected.

• A coward is someone who fears in spite of God’s promises. 

• Every call in Scripture to “fear not” is a call to believe in and trust the sovereignty of God.

Zechariah

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

(Luke 1:13 ESV)

Mary

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

(Luke 1:30 ESV)

Joseph

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,

Joseph

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

(Matthew 1:20 ESV)

Shepherds

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

(Luke 2:10 ESV)

Jesus response is expected.

• Trust Jesus because He has “power over time”

Fear not, I am the first and the last (v.17)

Jesus response is expected.

• Trust Jesus because He has “power over life”

Fear not, I am…the living one. (vv.17-18)

Jesus response is expected.

• Trust Jesus because He has “power over sin”

Fear not… I died, and behold I am alive forevermore (vv.17-18)

Jesus response is expected.

• Trust Jesus because He has “power over death”

Fear not… I have the keys of Death and Hades ( vv.17-18)

Jesus response is expected.

Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. (v.19)

Bottom Line:

• Fear Not! Trust Jesus!