Banished But Blessed
Revelation 1:1-20[1]
11-21-04
Intro
To set the stage for our message this morning I want you to imagine with me for a moment how you would feel if you had just received an unjust sentence—You will be transported to the Alcatraz of Asia Minor—a desolate island about six miles wide and ten miles long. You will not be permitted to leave that island. There you will be thrown in with hardened criminal and even though you are old and physically weak you will be required to labor in the mines and quarries.[2] Imagine the thoughts that would run through your mind as you stand in the ship with murderers and thieves approaching this island just 15 miles west Ephesus.[3] How long will you hold up to the harsh treatment there? Will this rocky island called Patmos be the place where you die? Why has God allowed this in your life?
In about 95AD that’s what happened to the Apostle John. He was sent to one of the worst imaginable places—a place where back-breaking work in the mines and deprivation were about all that was offered. You and I know what awaits John there. We know by good hindsight the wonderful thing God is about to do. But John doesn’t know. Before we talk about the glorious revelation that God is about to give John, it will benefit us to first get a feel for the context in which it came.
I. The CONTEXT of the revelation
The context in which God works is not always what we might expect or desire. There is this aged man who loved God with all his heart. And he writes these words in Revelation 1:9 “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” That was the context. The revelation came to this “companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance”—listen to these words closely—“that is ours in Jesus.” I really don’t know how to put those words in our context because as a rule we do not think of those kind of things as being “ours in Jesus”.
We think of worldly success and earthly comfort as being “ours in Jesus.” I don’t think I have ever turned on Christian TV and heard an evangelist say, “Send in your $ 100 gift and receive suffering and kingdom and patient endurance—it’s ours in Jesus.” That does set well with the average American mindset. But John identifies himself as a brother and companion in those three things—“suffering and kingdom and patient endurance”.know very many Christians who could honestly say what John is saying in Revelation 1:9. In the Greek one article is attached to “thlipsei” (suffering), “basileia” (kingdom) and “hupomonee” (patient endurance) tying the three together. Do you want to walk in kingdom authority? Its doubtful that we can do that without some patient endurance as well. And sometimes that includes unpleasant circumstances. Sometimes that involves some suffering. Sometimes we are not spared unjust treatment.
Why do we pause to address the context of John’s revelation? Because revelation from God and special visitations from God tend to come in that kind of environment. Most of Paul’s epistles were written from a dingy prison cell—not from a plush, well-equipped office or from a fancy hotel room. Stephen’s glorious vision of Jesus came while he was being stoned to death. In 1Kings 17 Elijah was sent to a starving widow in Zaraphath rather than a king’s palace. There in a desperate situation the miracles occurred. We tend to want it both ways. We want the power of God and the awesome acts of God. We want the Red Sea to part. But we do not want Pharaoh’s army pursuing us. We do not want to be down to our last meal. None of us would have wanted to be in the place John found himself there on that criminal’s island.
But that’s were it happened—not in a temple somewhere, not even in a church—but on a sin-plagued island full of criminals and undesirables.[4] There (can you believe it?) the Holy Spirit showed up. There Jesus sent an angel to John with the greatest prophetic revelation any man has ever received. I believe the revelation came to a man who was broken, humble and in pursuit of only one thing—God. There on that seemingly God-forsaken island God showed up in a very special way.
Why had God allowed such hardship to come into John’s life? Was it because John had not claimed the blessing with the right words of authority? Was it perhaps that John just didn’t have the faith to get the miracle he needed? We all know that’s not the reason. But can we apply what we see here in John’s life to our own? Can I get a mindset that is cooperative with God when my life gets uncomfortable? Do I have any other prayer than God get me out of here!
It looked like the devil was having his way, shutting John off from his ministry and friends. It looked like evil had won the day. But in reality God never lost control of the situation. In fact, God was working all things together after the council of His will. God had a man totally to Himself, totally dependent upon Him, totally free from all worldly distraction and attraction. John was even isolated from good things like his pastoral ministry—shut up with God in a secret place that John would have never chosen. God had John ready to receive what He wanted to give Him.
“I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus”. How did John wind up here? “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” That’s what the devil wants stopped—the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. That’s where the battle is engaged. That’s why this church and any other church that preaches the word and preaches Jesus gets opposed. That’s why you get opposed when you share your testimony at work or with a friend. But I wonder—if John would have been on this island if he had backed down on those issues. I wonder what John would have received had he just decided to be a little more cooperative with the “powers that be” and try to not rock the boat too much there in the Roman Empire. Perhaps the enemy would have backed off as well. Perhaps John would have been able to live more comfortable and avoid all that hardship. Perhaps John would have never received this revelation!
I am sometimes alarmed at what I may be missing because of limited dedication to the Lord. The interesting thing about missing out is that you usually don’t even know it happened. In the coming year who will God use to reach lost souls? Will I be a part of that? Who will receive fresh anointing and authority in the Spirit? Will I? Who will be in the right place at the right time to make a real difference? I think that will depend on who will give themselves to God—who will give Him the maximum instead of the minimum—who will pray—who will say with complete sincerity, “Here am I, send me.”[5]
I don’t want the legacy of my life to be “what might have been”. I want to make the right choices that result in me being exactly where God wants me to be. Don’t you?
II. The CONNECTION for the revelation
Rev 1:10 “On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet...” I think it came as a surprise to John—I don’t think he knew it was coming. But John was in a position to hear that voice—I was in the Spirit. That’s a good place to be isn’t it? In the Spirit, in a place like Patmos? It’s not the condition of the environment around us that determines that. It’s the condition of our hearts, isn’t it? How do you think John got in the spirit on that particular day? I don’t think it happened as a result of him dwelling on how bad the circumstances were. I don’t think it happened by him pleading with God to get him out of there—though that would have certainly been understandable. I think it happened much like Paul and Silas’ experience in the jail at Philippi. I think John may have been dwelling on the goodness of God and the promises of God. I think he may have been rejoicing that his name is written in heaven. I think John found a way to get happy in God right there in the most miserable place on earth.
And God started to talk. It was loud. It was awesome. It sounded forth like a trumpet blast. I suspect no one else heard it because their hearts were in no condition to hear it. When God is speaking can I hear His voice? I can if my ear is turned toward heaven. But if the world has my attention, if my heart is set on other things even a heavenly trumpet blast I will not hear. “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
I want to focus just a moment on the first two words in Revelation 1:12. For this also was an important response. “I turned.” Have you turned at the voice of God in your life? Has He spoken and your response was to turn—turn from all distractions and ambitions toward Him—turn from the direction you were intending to go to the direction where He is? Had John never turned, he would have never seen. I personally think it’s interesting that the voice and vision were behind John and not in front of him. Certainly God knew which direction John was facing. Why not make it easy on John? Why not just get right in his face and speak? Has God’s voice ever come from behind you?[6] Are you insisting that it be on your terms or will you turn and do it on His terms?
I’m glad John turned because when he did he saw something marvelous.
III. The CONTENT of the revelation
He saw seven golden lampstands. We are told in verse 20 that those seven lampstands represent the seven churches. A lamp is not the light but the light shines through it. The oil on fire is the light. But the oil on fire is in the lampstand. God has chosen to shine His light through the church. It is a terrible judgment on a church when that light is withdrawn.[7] For a lampstand has only one purpose and that is to carry the light. May the Holy Spirit fire of God burn in our hearts and may we let that light shine to the world around us.[8] Seven is the biblical number of completeness. Although the seven churches named in verse 11 were real local churches they were also in this revelation representative of all churches throughout the church age.[9]
And in the midst of those seven lampstands—in the midst of His church stands Jesus. John sees Him as one “like a son of man” retaining His humanity but in a glorified state. It is no small matter that the eternal God—the Creator of heaven and earth—the divine Son of God—would so identify with you and me that He would not only temporarily take upon Himself the form of man so that He might redeem us but that He would choose to retain that identity forever and ever. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
John sees Him dressed in priestly, royal robes. For He is not only King of Kings but He is also our great High Priest.[10] Now follow this description with me in verse 14 “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow...” Two things are communicated there about Jesus—His holiness and His dignity. He is the Ancient of Days who was and is and is to come. Prov 16:31 says “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” In our culture we dye gray hair to try to look younger. But in that culture, gray hair was a badge of honor and symbolic of wisdom.
We have seen Jesus in the gospel during His time of humiliation. We saw Him beaten and mocked and crucified. We saw Him meekly yield His life at Calvary for our salvation. He loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood John says in verse 5. But now we see Him in His power and authority. “And His eyes were like a blazing fire.” Verse 15 “His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace...” He is not walking amongst His church as the meek and lowly Jesus. He is walking in the midst of His church as the Judge of all the earth.[11] And judgment begins in the house of God.[12] Later in this revelation horrific judgments fall upon the ungodly world—judgments like this world has never seen before. 1 Thess 5:3 “For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them...” (NKJV) A Christ-rejecting world is not going to slowly get better and better. It will think so. It may think its technology and diplomacy has done the trick. But “when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” NKJV
But before all that Jesus walks among His own as the righteous judge. “And His eyes were like blazing fire...” penetrating and discerning all. “His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace...” Bronze is associated with judgment in the Bible. It was on the bronze altar where the sacrifices were laid in the Old Testament. At the bronze laver the priests cleansed themselves. The book of Revelation is based upon Old Testament imagery and can only be understood with that foundation. A key to interpreting the signs[13] and symbols in Revelation is to understand them from a Jewish background. John, a Jewish believer, is seeing Jesus as the judge of His people.
Do you see Jesus as your judge? Most people don’t want to think of Him that way. But all judgment of all humanity rests in Him. We shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. That has to be a part of our understanding of who Jesus is and our relationship to Him. The book of Revelation was primarily given as a source of comfort and encouragement to the Christian. But there is also this element of warning. Each and everyone of us will give an account of himself to God. Every decision we make should be made with that understanding. How is this going to hold up on the day of my final review before the Lord? Will it prove to be wood, hay and stubble? Or will it pass the refiners fire as precious gold?[14]
”...and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.” John is describing the authority of His words. Ps 29:3-4 is a great commentary on this verse “The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.” Some of you have stood at Niagara Falls and experienced the awe of that powerful waterfall. That is what John is communicating.
John follows up with three more key descriptions. Verse 16 “In his right had he held seven stars and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword.” That two-edged sword is symbolic of the power of His words. In Revelation 19 when we see Jesus confronting His enemies out of His mouth comes this sharp sword with which He will strike down the nations (verse 15). He does not have to wrestle with His adversaries. The glory of His countenance consumes them. Zech 14:12 “...Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.” (NKJV) I hope you are catching the awe of John’s experience. This is no helpless babe lying in a manger. This is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. The Almighty! That’s why we need this book—so that we can see Him as He is right now. “His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”
How does this holy, chosen apostle John respond to all this? Look at his response in Revelation 1:17 “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” That is the typical response when people truly encounter the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. I have had people tell me how they were caught up into heaven and chatted with God and sat in His lap, etc. I have had enough experience with God to know that is utter non sense. There is an awe about God that is beyond description. It’s no so much a fear that He’s “gonna get ya” so to speak. In fact, there is the assurance of His love and favor. But to come into His presence in any way close to what John experienced is to fall at His feet speechless. On judgment day nobody will stand before God and contest the verdict. Every mouth will be stopped and every knee will bow.
I close with the words of Jesus to His beloved disciple as John lay at His feet, Verse 17 “...Then he placed his right hand on me (do you see His tenderness in that?) and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” In other words, your future is safely in His eternal hands.
Invitation
TEXT: Rev 1:1-2:1
1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw-that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. 4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 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. (from New International Version)
Richard Tow
Grace Chapel Foursquare Church
Springfield, MO
www.gracechapelchurch.org
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[1] Text which was read at the beginning of the service is provided at the end of this manuscript for easy reference. All quotes are from New International Version unless otherwise indicated.
[2] PATMOS
(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
[3] REVELATION OF JOHN (from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft)
[4] For excellent insight on this comment read The Sequence of the Supernatural by Robert Ascroft and published by Gospel House Publishing in Springfield, Missouri.
[5] Isaiah 6
[6] Isa 30:21 “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it...’” NKJV
[7] Revelation 2:5
[8] Matthew 5:14-16
[9] For a more extensive discussion, I recommend W.A. Criswell’s expository sermons on this text. His pastoral messages on this last book of the Bible have enriched my understanding of the symbolism are published under the title Expository Sermons on Revelation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978).
[10] Isaiah 6:1; Hebrews 4:14; 9:11-12
[11] John 5:22,27
[12] 1Peter 4:17
[13] (Rev. 1:1) Jesus “eseemnen” (aorist of seemainoo)(KJV= signified) it by His angel.
[14] 1Corinthians 3:12
