A Vision of Christ
Revelation 1:9-20
9 I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. 19 Now write what you have seen, what is, and what is to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Three things to see here:
First, John’s context. John introduces himself to his readers as their brother in Jesus, sharing with them in hardship (persecution) and in the kingdom that awaits those who live with patient endurance. This double theme of persecution and patient endurance are central to the book. Any application to our time needs to highlight this double theme. Living the Jesus way will involve hardship and patient endurance as we await the full revealing of the reign of God.
Second, Jesus is portrayed in power and splendour. This description is intentionally demonstrating that Jesus’ power is greater than the emperor’s, or the power of any other human being. Not only is his power greater, so is his obvious authority. Jesus is one before whom everyone, including the emperor, including any human power, would fall to their knees in awe and wonder. The powers of this world, which so often have us in fear, the powers of this world which seek to control our lives, before this Jesus fall on their knees as if dead. Their power, their authority, are nothing in comparison to Jesus, the ruler of all things.
Third, Jesus’ words. Jesus says to John – Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid because I am for those who follow me. Do not be afraid because those who use the sword, who use might and power to intimidate, they have limited power. I am, Jesus says, the beginning and the end, my power rules over all even over death. So even the actuality of death is not a threat to those who follow me. In me is life, Jesus says, eternal life. In a world where human powers seek to rule, Jesus’ rule is larger, greater, more.
PRAYER:
Lord God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, is above all things in majesty, above all governments and rulers in authority, above all military forces in power, above all things. To Him be all glory and praise. Amen.