Now we get a glimpse of the first vision that Christ gives John. He is going to proclaim a message for the 7 churches but before he does that, He gives John a vision of Himself. He wants believers down through the ages to know that the message to the churches is coming from the Supreme Majesty of the universe.
The first thing we look at is the setting. READ 9-10a. John says 3 things here that we need to look at. Notice that John tells us that he is the writer not the author, the Holy Spirit is the author. (v.11) He is the last living apostle, probably about 95 yrs. old.
1. He calls himself a brother and a companion to the believers of the churches. By brother he means that he is a fellow believer. By companion he means that he has lived among the believers. He has been a companion with them in their day to day tribulation, (and by tribulation he is not referring to the great tribulation, but persecution). He was with them in their day to day seeking of the kingdom, their day to day patience, enduring and persevering against all trials and temptations. He knew what they were going through.
2. Second, John says that he was on the island of Patmos when Christ gave him the visions of Revelation. Notice he says that he had been banished or exiled to the island for the cause of Christ—for preaching the Word of God and the testimony of Christ.
• Practicing Christians will experience tribulation and persecution.
• It wasn’t easy being a Christian then and it’s not easy being a Christian now.
• A.D. 96 pastor of the church of Smyrna, Polycarp, was burned at the stake for refusing to bow to the Roman emperor, and wouldn’t stop preaching Jesus.
• Martin Luther, John Wycliff, John Bunyon, all gave their lives for the Word of God.
3. Thirdly, he says that he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. Most theologians seem to agree that this simply meant that it was Sunday. When he says in the Spirit, it means that Christ put John in a trance. He gave him a deep spiritual experience that lifted his mind and spirit above this world and put him in the very presence of Christ Himself. This wasn’t a dream. John was supernaturally transported out of this material world to an experience beyond normal human senses. He was in fellowship with God. An important note: we cannot hear from God or worship God outside the Spirit of God.
Note that God met John’s needs while in exile. There’s a lesson for us in this. In the darkest hours of human need, God is always there. God will meet us if we will only cast ourselves upon Him and call for Him. It’s interesting to note that John was in exile at this time when Christ came to him.
- It was in exile that Jacob saw God at Bethel. (Gen. 35:6ff)
- It was in exile that Moses saw the angel of the Lord and heard God at the burning bush. (Ex. 3:1ff)
- It was in exile that Elijah heard that still small voice (1Kings 19:3ff)
- It was in exile that Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord by the river. (Ez. 1:3ff)
- It was in exile that Daniel saw the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9ff)
Does that say anything to you?
Then there was the loud trumpeting voice of the Lord giving instructions. READ 10b-11. So, the vision begins. John hears a loud voice behind him. It must have been pretty loud to be like a trumpet. It was also a voice of authority. The voice instructed John to write what he saw and send it to the 7 churches of Asia.
Note that the message was not for John but for the 7 churches. It was to build the churches up in faith. That is why it’s important to teach the Revelation in the church today; to edify and build us up in the faith. Over 60 years had gone by since John had heard the voice of the Lord Jesus. John recognizes that voice and turns to see the one He so loves. What did he see? READ 12-13.
There was Christ standing in the middle of 7 golden lamp stands, or in the midst of the churches. Verse 20 tells us that the seven lamp stands represent the 7 churches. Why does the lamp stand represent the church? Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The church is to proclaim the light of Christ to the world. Notice that Christ stands in the middle of the candlesticks. Here we have the picture of Jesus in the midst of His churches. Unless He stands in the midst of the church, the church has no light. The church must see to it that Christ is in its midst, and the church must proclaim the light of Christ to the world.
Then there was the awesome and frightening appearance of Christ. READ 14-16. Standing in the midst of the golden lamp stands or in the midst of the church was the Son of Man, Christ Himself. This tells us that the message of Revelation is from the Lord Himself. The message comes from Christ so we know it’s the truth.
If you look closely, you’ll see that the image of Christ was more awesome than John could explain. There is no human language to describe Him. All he could do was compare the image of Christ to some of the most awesome and precious things of earth and say the glorified Lord is like that.
1. He was clothed with a robe down to his feet. (v.13) Throughout the OT we see that this was the robe of prophets, of priests, and of kings and princes. It symbolized the prophetic, priestly, and kingly message of Christ.
2. The chest of Christ had a gold sash strapped across it. (v.13) The sash covered the heart. This symbolized that Christ holds His people and His church ever so close to His heart.
3. The head and hair of Jesus Christ were as white as wool and snow. This is the picture of Christ as the Ancient of Days, as being the eternal Lord of the universe. It’s possible that this is also a picture of His sinlessness and purity of mind.
4. He had eyes that were like blazing fire. This symbolizes a piercing, penetrating power. He sees everything—even in the dark places and behind closed doors. His eyes search the innermost region of the heart. No one will ever be able to hide from Him or hide anything from Him.
5. He had feet like glowing bronze symbolizing strength and perseverance. His feet were those that preached the gospel and brought the glad tidings of peace. But they were also the feet that shall tread down His enemies. His feet are also able to rush to the rescue of His people.
6. Jesus had a voice that was like the sound of rushing waters. Have you ever heard the sound of rushing water? It’s deafening. That’s all you can hear. This symbolizes authority. It’s that voice that sends forth the glorious message of salvation, hope, joy, and comfort. But it also thunders rebuke, conviction, and judgment.
7. Jesus held 7 stars in His right hand. They symbolize the messengers, the ministers of the churches. The application is that Jesus holds the pastor of the church in His divine protection and care. I couldn’t do it if He didn’t.
8. Jesus Christ had a sharp two-edged sword coming out of His mouth. Someone once told the preacher that his message was like a long knife. The preacher said, “You mean a long sword; sharp and to the point.” The person said, “No, a long knife; long and dull. This symbolizes the Word of God and its penetrating power. The sword stands for Jesus’ power to judge and conquer His enemies and to protect His people.
9. He had the face that was like the sun shining in its full strength, symbolizing the dazzling brilliance of His presence in all of His majesty and honor and glory as God.
This is the best that John could describe. It was actually better than these descriptions, but John said it was LIKE these things. Like us trying to describe heaven.
Then John was given the reassuring presence and care of the Lord. READ 17-18. John was terrified. He fell at the feet of the Lord as though he were dead. But did you notice the calm assurance of Christ? Jesus reached out His right hand and softly and tenderly touched John, assuring him that He was not there to consume him. Christ said four things to John:
1. “Do not be afraid.” He was saying that He hadn’t
appeared to John in judgment but in love and care. He was actually commissioning John to carry the mission of building up the churches and of reaching the lost for God.
2. “I am the First and the Last.” He’s the beginning and the end. He’s the one who can be with a person forever—when he is born, when he dies, and during all the days in heaven. John didn’t need to fear.
3. “I am the Living One; I was dead; and behold, I am alive forever and ever!” The exalted and glorified Lord need not be feared, because He’s the same Person who came to earth and died and arose for our salvation. He’s exalted and dwells in the most awesome glory, but He dwells there to save us, not to condemn us. He lives for ever and ever to make us acceptable to God and to carry us through the evil death of this world. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
4. “I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Jesus is the Savior of the world. He has conquered death, and He can deliver us from judgment and Hades. He has the keys to unlock both death and hell and to deliver us from the bondage of both. Isaiah prophesied years before, “He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 25:8)
Then we see the very clear instruction of Christ. READ verse 19. He tells John to write three things. These things actually provide an outline for us of the Book of Revelation. He said to write:
• What he had seen; that is, the vision of the glorified Christ (Chapters 1 & 2).
• What is now: that is, the state and condition of the churches (Chapters 2 & 3).
• What will take place later: that is, the consummation of human history, the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of the world (Chapters 4-22).
Lastly in verse 20 we see Christ interpreting the vision for John. READ verse 20. Jesus states it clearly:
• The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. We pretty much know by now that the word angel is literally translated to mean messenger. As I have already stated, most theologians, after interpreting the evidence, agree that “the seven stars” refers to the ministers of the churches.
• The seven lampstands are symbols of the seven churches.
What a lesson we draw from verses 9-20. Our grandest lesson points to the lampstands. Remember the symbolic meaning. The church holds forth the light of the world, the glorious light of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reference verses are Matthew 5:14, Acts 13:47, Ephesians 5:8, and Philippians 2:15.
