Review
I. PROLOGUE 1:1-20
A. John identified his source 1-2
B. John offered a blessing for exposure to Revelation 1:3
C. John identified himself and his audience (readers) 1:4a
D. John prayed for an outpouring of God’s grace and peace on us
E. John offered a grand doxology of gratitude and praise to Jesus
F. John introduced his theme – Jesus is coming!
G. John encountered the resurrected Jesus
1. John shares his circumstance 1:9-10
I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Physical Circumstance (9)
As to His physical circumstance, the authorities exiled John to the Roman prison Island of Patmos; a barren, 10x6mile nearly treeless chunk of volcanic rock with some mountain peaks reaching 800 feet located off the coast of modern day Turkey. (An ancient Alcatraz)
The aging apostle identified with his readers on a personal level rather than a pastoral one.
He used the terms “brother” and “companion”. He referenced the persecution that was affecting Christians everywhere. He called their attention to the reason they were being singled out. They were citizens of a rival kingdom. He also referenced their “perseverance” (purposefully remain under) in the midst of it all because of their commitment to Jesus.
John mentions this particular character trait six more times in connection to the events of Revelation. (2:2; 2:3; 2:19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12)
The authorities exiled John to the Patmos prison colony for preaching the Gospel.
“Because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
The theme reoccurs throughout the book. They naively thought exiling John might diminish his influence. Surprise! It only resulted in one of the most influential books of the New Testament.
Stephen was the first Christian to be killed for the faith. Herod’s henchman executed John’s own brother James early in the church history. By the time of this writing, Peter had been crucified, the other apostles killed and Paul beheaded in Rome. Some date the circulation of Revelation during Domitian’s rule when both Christians and Jews suffered significant persecution. He even slaughtered some of his own relatives suspected of sympathizing with Jews and Christians. It was “open season” on Christians all across the Roman Empire.
Domitian perceived Christianity a threat to the empire and his own claim to deity. Because John posed a threat – preaching the Kingdom of God – he was exiled. Perhaps because of his popularity and notoriety or maybe his age, he wasn’t executed but exiled instead. Conditions on the Island would have been severe.
The conditions under which he lived would have been harsh. Exhausting labor under the watchful eye (and ready whip) of a Roman overseer, insufficient food and clothing, and having to sleep on the bare ground would have taken their toll on a ninety-year-old man. It was on that bleak, barren island, under those brutal conditions, that John received the most extensive revelation of the future ever given.(John MacArthur)
Jesus had no trouble finding John even on such a remote Island in the middle of nowhere.
Spiritual Circumstance (10)
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day
This is a curious expression that bears some inquiry. Reference to this Spiritual state appears three more times in Revelation (4:2; 17:3; 21:10). Ezekiel uses a similar expression in connection to his futuristic visions (Ezek. 3:12, 14; 8:3; 11:1, 24; 43:5).
What does it mean to be “in the Spirit?” Some consider it a reference to the spiritual state generated by the Holy Spirit in which visions of the future were communicated. I think, due to the casual nature of the statement, that John was in a state of worship on the Lord’s Day.
It sounds as if this were a regular thing for him along the lines mentioned in John 4 and Phil 3.
"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24
for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, Philippians 3:3
Jude 1:20 mentions “praying in the Spirit.”
It is a state where we are completely surrendered to the work of the Spirit in our lives.
He has control of our whole being to the point where all our senses (physical and spiritual) are tuned to Him and we are able to relate on a level beyond the emotional and physical. It is along the lines of the “filling of the Spirit”; “walking in the Spirit”; “Living in the Spirit.” In that state, John was opened up to an even deeper spiritual dimension. Peter experienced such an encounter (Act 10). Paul experienced several such encounters. At his conversion (Acts 10) and twice later (Acts 22 and 2 Cor 12). Ezekiel was also “caught up in the Spirit” where he was shown future events (Ezek 2, 3).
Is there such a state for us today? If so, why aren’t we experiencing it? I think there are different levels of connection God and manifestation of the Spirit. Not every encounter is such a monumental one. Perhaps we do not see more is because so few are completely surrendered to God’s will to be entrusted with such an empowering state. Perhaps so few get alone with God long enough for Him to do such a work in their lives. It is obvious here, that such life-changing encounters with God are not dependent on our physical environment but our spiritual connection to the Holy Spirit. In this surrendered state, John both heard and saw some pretty amazing things.
2. John receives his Commission (10-11)
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."
John first heard a voice before he actually saw anything. He received his commission to write in dramatic fashion. He heard a loud voice behind him. There was an obvious sense of direction and physical awareness – It is not just a dream or his imagination. Sometimes God uses His outside voice; sometimes a still small voice. He speaks in whatever voice it will take to get our attention. John heard a voice with the sharp decibel of a trumpet. A trumpet blast would immediately grab a Jew’s attention. The giving of the Law was preceded by a trumpet blast. The New Year was marked by trumpet blasts. They celebrated a yearly feast called the “feast of trumpets”. Jesus promised His return would be preceded by a trumpet blast.
The voice was not identified then, but from later verses it is clearly the voice of Jesus.
This sound captured John’s attention and alerted him to an important announcement.
3. John relates his encounter with the resurrected Jesus 1:12-16
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.
What a contrast to the Jesus John had known during His time on earth. He had one brief similar glimpse of Jesus in His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. He was more familiar with the earthy appearance of Jesus.
A thirty year old single man
Powerful but physically limited
Compassionate eyes
Normal feet
Regular dress
Dark hair
Rough carpenter hands
Friendly engaging face
Casual walks on the dusty roads of Israel
Strong but gentle voice
Moments of mistreatment and mocking
Intimate relationship of love i.e. comfortably leaning on His chest at dinner
Even the post resurrection image of Jesus was mysterious but still familiar
Disarming, Touchable, Friendly, Encouraging, Eating fish by the seashore
John turned around to identify the source of the voice that was speaking. The surroundings caught his eye first.
When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands,
You’re not in Kansas anymore Dorthy. John, you’re not on Patmos anymore. John was familiar with the symbolism of the lampstands in the temple. They were gold symbolizing great value and purity. The lampstand is not the light but displays the light and the light in turn illuminates the beauty of the lampstand.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. Philippians 2:14-16
Here we find seven lampstands. Jesus interprets their symbolism later as the seven representative churches in Asia.
Then he saw the one who had been speaking to him walking among the lampstands.
and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man,
He bore human resemblance. He uses a term used by Daniel in his vision (7:9). In fact there is a great deal of similarity to Daniel’s vision and John’s regarding Jesus. Jesus walks among His churches. It is His church. He said “I will build by church!”
Christ is central, His presence is essential to the effectiveness of the church. Together they carry the light of Jesus throughout the people of the earth. The ministry of Jesus is to walk among the churches as Lord and High Priest. To comfort the afflicted. Strengthen the weak.
Direct the confused. Teach the ignorant. Afflict the comfortable. Judge the wayward.
Protect the vulnerable. Purify the tainted. He walks among us today.
McGee says Jesus walks among His churches for Intercession, intervention, inspection.
1.Long robe and Golden sash
Long robes were the uniform of the High Priest as well as high ranking kings and nobles and prophets. The further description of the sash seems to reinforce the high priestly image.
Girded with righteousness and faithfulness. The high priest was in charge of the lampstand.
The sash or belt around the chest was a symbol of royalty and authority and finished work.
A belt around the waist was signified a warrior or workman prepared for activity.
2.White hair (Dan 7:9)
White hair was a symbol of purity and glory and wisdom.
3.Faming eyes (Dan 10:6)
Flaming eyes symbolize an all searching, penetrating look. Nothing escapes His notice.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Heb 4:13
4.Shiny bronzed feet (Dan 10:5-6)
1Cor 15:25 talks about the fact that everything will be put under His victorious feet. Strong feet were the symbol of glory, power and authority. Feet that brings purification and judgment? Feet that brings good news?
5.Roaring voice (two more 14:2; 19:6) Ez 43:2
The majesty of a raging surf would have been familiar to John on an Island.
6.Seven stars in His right hand
The seven stars are identified in a moment.
7.Sharp two-edged sword out of His mouth
John employs this image 6 times in the book. (also in Isa 11:4; 49:2) The sword is reference to the powerful word of God that cuts both ways.
8.Brightly glowing face like the midday sun
Reminiscent of the mount of transfiguration. Symbolic of glory, purity. He will return in glory and we too will be revealed with Him in glory.
John attempts to describe the total experience. His encounter with Jesus overwhelmed His senses. We gather from john’s response to the encounter it was awesome. I think his description attempts to communicate the emotional impact and sensory impact beyond an actual physical description.
Here is my humble attempt to interpret the experience.
I turned to see who was calling me to write with such a distinctive trumpet-like voice.
I saw one who looked like a man walking among 7 bright lampstands.
He wore a long white robe that reached to his feet like a high priest or royalty might wear.
A golden royal sash draped over his chest.
He had the distinction of wisdom and confidence like a white-haired wise man.
He had eyes that penetrated everything he saw. Nothing escaped his gaze.
His feet and stance gave the impression of power and authority.
He was ready to commission seven messengers.
His words were sharp and truthful.
His voice was majestic and as powerful as breakers on the seashore.
There was brightness to His appearance that was as bright as the sun.
4. John describes his response 1:17a
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.
This was an image of Jesus that elicited immediate fear and respect. John dropped to the ground. I am not sure John realized at this point just who stood before him. Some think that they will run up to Jesus and give Him a great big hug when they see Him. This is quite a different picture of Jesus than the Jesus of the gospels. Peter got a brief sense of this Jesus at the boat load of fish when he fell face down in the fish. Paul got a glimpse of this Jesus on the road to Damascus. As John lay paralyzed with fear and awe, Jesus touched him and identified Himself.
5. Jesus identifies Himself to John 1:17-18
And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
The power of touch and words. Jesus first reassured John by gently touching him and urged him not to be afraid. Then He identified Himself in a way that John would understand.
First and Last – the eternal one.
The living one – I am the resurrected Christ, not a ghost.
I was dead but am alive forever.
I conquered death and hell.
The following is the denomination’s identification of Jesus.
Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace.
6. Jesus repeats John’s Commission 1:19
Jesus repeated the earlier commission to write what he saw.
Here is the outline to the book of Revelation.
Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.
Things which you have seen – chapter 1
Things with are – chapters 2 and 3
Things which will take place in the future – chapter 4-22
7. Jesus interprets the of symbols 1:20
As for the mystery of the seven stars which 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.
Jesus then interpreted two of the symbols. The seven stars = the messengers of the seven churches.
The seven lampstands = the churches themselves
Jesus used the word “angelos” which could also be interpreted messenger.
The personal messages to the churches will be sent to the “angels” over each church.
It is possible that every church has a guardian angel over it. God usually does not send messages to angels. Angels are usually the messengers.
It is also possible that Jesus intends John to write to the pastors or elders of the seven churches. He has these pastors “messengers” in His right hand.
Lessons
. Jesus can find you where ever you are.
•We need to give ourselves in full surrender to the Holy Spirit.
•Make a regular practice of worship on the Lord’s Day. You never know when Jesus will manifest in a most memorable manner.
•It doesn’t take grand external surrounding to experience a life changing encounter with Jesus.
•Let the Scripture direct your image of Jesus not a fallible artist.
•Jesus walks in the midst of His church just as He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
•You are extremely valuable in the eyes of Jesus
•God calls us to be a channel for His light in a dark place.
•Be attentive and listen for Jesus’ instruction and inspection for your life.
