We continue our study in Revelation and today's passage is interesting with lots of symbolism etc. But before we get bogged down with the details (or confused), let Rev 1:3 be an encouragement to us, remembering that there is blessing in the reading and study of His Word.
(A) Jesus revealed for our tribulation (Rev 1:9-11)
John refers to himself in Rev 1:9, and note how he describes himself. John says that he has 2 roles in 3 senses with 1 cause (single Gk. Article). We must remember that John wrote this on the island of Patmos, where he was exiled and all alone and by this time, most of the apostles were already martyred. In this verse, he identifies himself as their brother and partner. What do those words suggest? Not only does he think of himself as a family (indicating a sense of closeness), but he also speaks of a common destiny and purpose. In the Greek, he calls them brothers and partners in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus. They were brothers and partners in all these things. Do these words surprise you? Tribulation is a word that appears in multiple instances later in the book of Revelation and sometimes we have been influenced to think that it is a period of sudden, super intense persecution. But here, John basically states that tribulation had already come with the kingdom. With this kingdom coming, opposition also arose. We saw this clearly at the birth of Jesus, where Herod sought to kill him from his birth. Opposition also plagued Jesus throughout His life and that led to the cross. John reminds us that tribulation comes with the dawning of the Kingdom, but patient endurance is therefore our response.
At the end of verse 9, we are also told of the cause of John's exile -- because of the "word of God and testimony of Jesus". This is a man that was writing under tremendous personal suffering on account of Jesus. This is central to understanding Revelation. This book was and is not given to people who are confident, self-assured but was given to man who was suffering and felt alone because of his ministry. Do you struggle with this? It is not difficult to see and feel that if you are a follower of Jesus in this world, this world is not your home. We are in exile. If there is anything in this world that holds us to it and love more than the world to come, we are not in keeping with the apostolic witness of the NT!
To this John, God gave a prophetic revelation when he "was in the Spirit" (Rev 1:11). John had a spiritual experience, but this was grounded in reality, for he was also told to write down (not draw!) what he saw and send it to the churches that were in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea. These cities were on the postal route of the day.
Once again, it is important to remember the circumstance of John and the first readers. Imagine the emotional turmoil. John was one that walked and lived with Jesus. He saw the miracle feeding of the 5000 and he witnessed Jesus calm the storm. John was also there at the transfiguration, and saw Jesus speak with Moses and Elijah. John would know that Jesus is the Messiah, the Promised One from the line of David and the One to fulfill all the OT promises. But yet, he died a shameful death, no different from a criminal. What would it be like for them to have their hearts broken? The disciples all ran away, broken hearted and despairing, and perhaps even trying to protect themselves. And yet, Jesus came back from the dead and showed them his wounds and commanded them before ascending. Imagine the roller coaster ride thus far. John and the other apostles also witnessed the expansion of the church thereafter. Surely God is at work and amazing! But yet, persecution followed them and one by one the apostles were martyred for their testimony. What would John be struggling with? It is to this person that Jesus reveals himself to, to strengthen in his patient endurance. Do you also see how this is also what God is doing right now with this letter? He sends His word to those who wait, who are in tribulation. This includes us! Ps 128:1 reminds us that those who fear the Lord are blessed. Wait on the Lord.
(B) Jesus revealed for our worship (Rev 1:12-16)
In Rev 1:12-16, John records for us the vision that He had. John uses a device called “blazon” to describe 10 features, listed in the table below. After all, how do you put into words, what words cannot describe? That's why he uses symbolic language and we know how symbols work -- symbols are a representation of what is real.
| Description | Significance |
|---|---|
| "Seven golden lampstands" (Rev 1:12) | Jesus himself explains what this means in Rev 1:20. The lampstands are the 7 churches, and here, he's pointing forward to the next chapter, with the letters to the churches. The number 7 probably just describes the totality of the church. We've seen in Zec 4:5-9 how the lampstands symbolise the temple, and here, this is a picture of Jesus dwelling in the temple like a priest (c.f. Lev 24:1). Therefore, we are reminded that Jesus keeps the light of the church burning, and Jesus also supplies the spirit to the church (oil) and ministers to the church. |
| "Son of man (in the midst of lampstands)" (Rev 1:13a) | John lifts phrases from Dan 10:5-6. The Jews were well-acquainted with the Old Testament passages and John fell back on these passages to help describe, and to help the readers understand the vision. |
| "long robe, golden sash" (Rev 1:13b) | It conveys the idea of nobility (c.f. Dan 10:5). |
| "Hair like white wool like snow" (Rev 1:14a) | In Dan 7:9-14, the Ancient of Days is seated on a mobile throne with wheels (and this is spoken of in Ezekiel. This is significant, because in Ezekiel, God abandons the temple and this throne leaves the people of God and they go into exile). In Dan 7:13, one that looks like a son of man (Daniel couldn't be sure of the clouds) came to the Ancient of Days. 2 different people are in this passage. Yet in Revelation, the Son of Man has hair like white wool. John combines the 2 figures in Revelation in one. John knows something that Daniel did not know. John knows that Jesus and the Ancient of Days are just as divine. John is therefore lifting this figure and helping the readers make the connection. |
| "Eyes like flame of fire" (Rev 1:14b) | Like in Dan 10:6, this speaks of the divinity of this son of man. |
| "Feet like burnished bronze" (Rev 1:15a) | Also the divinity (c.f. Dan 10:6). |
| "Voice like the roar of many waters" (Rev 1:15b) | This speaks of the power of this person (c.f. Dan 10:6). |
| "Seven stars in right hand (Rev 1:16a) | This refers to the messengers of the 7 churches (c.f. Rev 1:20). They are in his hands, thus drawing attention to his power and authority. |
| "Sharp edged sword in mouth" (Rev 1:16b) | This refers to His righteous judgment and wisdom, words that the Pharisees and the people marveled at because he spoke as one who had authority (c.f. Is 11:4, 49:2). |
| "Face shining like the sun" (Rev 1:16c) | This is blinding glory that we cannot look at (c.f. Dan 10:6, Jdg 5:31) and we know this very well in Singapore! |
What is John trying to do here? He is trying to show an exalted Jesus different from what we have seen before. The Jesus that we celebrate at Christ came born of the son of a carpenter who did not look impressive. He came as a poor person, with no place to lay his head. He died as a criminal, and was laid in a borrowed tomb. But this is not the Jesus in Rev 1. Rev 1 presents Jesus in His glory, where knees will bow before Him. John, when seeing this, fell at his feet as though dead. (Rev 1:17). What power pressed him to this? This Jesus is not revealed just for our adoration but also for our worship. In front of this Jesus, what would you be afraid of? Your boss, academic failure, being a social outcast? Fears fly in front of this Jesus that is revealed.
What is even more astounding is how this Ancient of Days came as a baby, and dwelt among man! Imagine this! This is exactly what is written in Phil 2:5-11, and now in Rev 1, we catch a glimpse of what it is like that God has "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (c.f. Phil 2:9).
(C) Jesus revealed for our peace (Rev 1:17-20)
John was overwhelmed after seeing all these. He "fell at his feet as though dead" (Rev 1:17). In response, this man laid his right hand on John and comforted him (Rev 1:17b). The Savior in all His glory bent over to comfort and to encourage this John, who probably felt the weight of his sins and wished that he could die in front of this holy God. Isn't this an amazing picture?
Jesus comforts John by assuring him that there is no need to fear. He also introduces Himself in Old Testament terms -- "I am the first and the last" (Rev 1:18, c.f. Isa 41:4, 44:6, 48:12). This is the God of the OT and now Jesus is saying that He is that God. He is the God of the OT. This is the God who created the world and every other God is a lie and an idol. He also calls himself the "living one", the one who is living evermore (continuous tense). And He will never die again. Jesus also holds the keys of Death and Hades. He controls life and death and this is the comfort He issues. Do you believe that? What does this mean if we do believe this? Writer Paul Tripp has often described this as the "nowism of the gospel". He says that we don't need more grace, but that we are often grace amnesiacs who forget to live out of the freedom, beauty and security of this grace now.
Because of all these then, John was commanded to write all the things that he has witnessed (Rev 1:19). This text only makes sense because Jesus is alive, and is God. The things, as we are told in verse 19 and as we learnt last week, are things that have already happened and will continue to unfold. G.K Beale and David H. Campbell write in their commentary on Revelation:
“Hence, as John stands at the beginning of the end times, he is to record both what is already happening around him and the things which will continue to unfold as the end times proceed. Thus the scope of Revelation deals with all the events of world history commencing with the death and resurrection of Christ and concluding with His final return.”
How should we read this passage then? Jesus is not revealed just to wow us, but also to comfort us. Do not be afraid, for we serve one who died and is raised and is alive forevermore. Many of us today desperately need an encounter with this one. Perhaps we come with a weight on our shoulders or that God has forgotten you. This text reminds us that God meets those He love in their tribulations and lifts their eyes from the petty problems of this world. This causes trauma because it causes upheavals in their lives, but also gives them great comfort. Do not be deceived for a minute thinking that this life has what your heart wants. John Wesley says,
"I was in the robe-chamber, adjoining the House of Lords, when the King put on his robes. His brow was much furrowed with age and quite clouded with care. Abd is this all the world can give even to a king? All the grandeur it can afford? A blanket of ermine round his shoulders, so heavy and cumbersome he can scarcely move under it! A huge heap of borrowed hair, with a few plates of gold and glittering stones upon his head! Alas, what a bauble is human greatness! And even this will not endure."
What are you living and searching for? Commit to live as partners and brothers in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus. If it means being alone, stuck on an island, not married, then so be it. This is not a declaration of resignation, but as this passage showed us, this Jesus that the gospel speaks of and the one who grants the endurance is one who is all glorious, powerful and good. There is none like Him.