This morning David continued the series on Revelation, focusing on Revelation 1:9-20. As usual he asked a question: How do we picture Jesus?
However we imagine him, the image John sees in this passage (the first of 7) is very different and very unusual.
Reflection:
Before considering the actual vision, we need to:
- Remember the Revelation is about Jesus
- Know Christ better and follow Christ better
- Have Jesus at the centre of every aspect of our lives
- Respond to Jesus
“I, JOHN, YOUR BROTHER AND COMPANION IN THE SUFFERING AND KINGDOM AND PATIENT ENDURANCE THAT ARE OURS IN JESUS”.
So, who is John? From this verse we can say that he is a fellow believer, he is their brother in Jesus, he is one of them in their suffering, in the kingdom and in patient endurance. He is on Patmos because of the word of God and testimony of Jesus and he is a true worshipper (see v.10).
THE VISION (vs. 10-20) – 10 aspects:
1. John first sees 7 golden lampstands which are the seven churches. This is logical as the Church in the New Testament is told by Jesus himself:
“YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD”.
2. But, as John looks closely, he sees someone is among the lampstands like a son of man. John is drawing from a vision God gave Daniel regarding the promised one:
“IN MY VISION AT NIGHT I LOOKED, AND THERE BEFORE ME WAS ONE LIKE A SON OF MAN, COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. HE APPROACHED THE ANCIENT OF DAYS (GOD) AND WAS LED INTO HIS PRESENCE.”
3. John notices the way he is dressed:
The long robe, either a priest’s or a king’s, was a graphic reminder that Christ is both, a mediator and a bridge-builder and the one enthroned with all authority in heaven and on earth. He is priest and king. The sash across the chest revealed the person had accomplished a task. A sign that it is finished.
4.Another image: His head and hair are white like wool, as white as the snow.
In Daniel 7 there was a similar description:
“I WATCHED AS THRONES WERE PUT IN PLACE AND THE ANCIENT OF DAYS SAT DOWN TO JUDGE. HIS CLOTHING WAS AS WHITE AS SNOW, HIS HAIR LIKE PUREST WOOL.”
So John is making the significant point that the one like a son of man has hair like wool and therefore he too is God.
5. His eyes were like blazing fire: Missing nothing and seeing us as we really are. He also has the ability and the right to judge.
6. John then sees that his feet are like bronze glowing in a furnace. This communicates that his position and his kingdom are strong, secure and steady.
7. His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. The voice of Jesus is powerful, unstoppable, life-giving, thirst quenching and refreshing.
8. John sees 7 stars in his right hand. Seven is a sign of completeness. But it also represents the angels of the seven churches:
“THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN STARS THAT YOU SAW IN MY RIGHT HAND AND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS IS THIS: THE SEVEN STARS ARE THE ANGELS OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES, AND THE SEVEN LAMPSTANDS ARE THE SEVEN CHURCHES.”
9. The next image shows that out of his mouth comes a sharp, double-edged sword. Jesus is the Word, who speaks the word and has the words of eternal life.
10. His face is like the sun in all its brilliance: Blessing us, keeping us as his face shines upon us.
JOHN’S RESPONSE
“WHEN I SAW HIM, I FELL AT HIS FEET AS THOUGH DEAD.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The same hand that holds the seven stars reaches out and touches John, saying:
“DO NOT BE AFRAID…I AM THE LIVING ONE; I WAS DEAD, AND NOW LOOK, I AM ALIVE FOR EVER AND EVER! AND I HOLD THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HADES.”
Response:
David invited us as we sang the closing song, We Bow Down and Confess, to kneel or sit in response to the vision of Jesus.
