THE GLORIFIED CHRIST - Revelation 1:9-20

 

The Glorified Christ

Revelation 1:9-20

 

I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ (1:9).

John (Yahweh is gracious).

Brother and companion - (συγκοινωνός sugkoinōnós, Gk.) – John was a companion and partner; a partaker together with others, a fellow or joint partaker, a sharer with others in the Gospel of Christ (Romans 11:17; 1 Corinthians 9:23; Philippians 1:7). He was an eyewitness to the Revelation of Jesus Christ and held tightly to his position even in his isolation.

Tribulation and Kingdom, and patience of Jesus Christ – John was at that moment, suffering severe persecution for the cause of Christ. The “Kingdom” is the sphere of salvation over which Jesus reigns as Lord and King. Patience (ὑπομονή hupomonḗ, Gk.) is a word which means ““A bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or circumstances.” We as believers in Christ are to patiently endure difficulties without giving up. (James 1:2-4). We are translated from tribulation to kingdom blessing, and it requires patience. Let us welcome the Word of God in our lives

For the Word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ – The Word of God expressed in the book of Revelation is the testimony about the coming glory of Jesus given to His church (Revelation 1:9; 12:17; 19; 10). Testimony (μαρτυρία marturía, Gk); the announcement of the gospel, the apostolic preaching of Christ as determined by the Apostle’s testimony (v. 2, “all things that he saw”). This testimony especially concerns Christ and is based upon a personal knowledge of Him (Revelation 12:17; 19:10; 20:4).

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet (1:10).

In the Spirit – occurs 4 times in Revelation (1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10). John was supernaturally transported out of the material world, while awake. The Holy Spirit empowered his senses to perceive revelation from God. Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:2; 3:12, 14), Peter (Acts 10:11), and Paul (2 Corinthians 12:1) had similar experiences.

Loud voice as of a trumpet – Indicates the solemnity of what is about to be revealed (Revelation 14:2, 15, 18; 16:1, 17; Exodus 19:16).

The Lord’s Day – (Te kuriake hemera, Gk) is a word that appears only here in the New Testament, and is best understood as a reference to Sunday. It is “the day belonging to Christ, to the Lord, having special reference to Him.” Hence, Kuriakḗ, which came to mean Kuriakḗ Hēméra, the “Day of the Lord,” what we call Sunday. It was the day kept in commemoration of Christ’s resurrection (John 20:19–23; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).

Saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea” (1:11).

I AM- The second time mentioned in the book of Revelation.

Alpha and Omega – First and last letters of Greek Alphabet. Jesus is the Almighty from the beginning to the end of all creation. He is called “Almighty God” 8 times in Revelation. God’s power is supreme over all (Revelation 4:8, 11:17, 15:3, 16:7, 14, 19: 15, 21;22). Omnipotent (Revelation 19:6).

What you see, write in a book – The first of 12 commands for John to write what He saw (Revelation 1:11, 19; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14; 14:13; 19:9; 21:5)

7 churches – These cities were located in Asia Minor (Turkey), and the seven churches were located in the key cities of seven postal districts into which Asia was divided. It was the central point for disseminating information. Each church received the whole book of Revelation and each received an individual letter from Christ. The seven congregations in the seven churches represent (1) historically existent churches at the time of John’s writing in A.D. 95-96, (2)  the entire church through the seven types of local churches which will exist throughout the dispensation, and (3) prefiguring seven aspects of the professing church which would successfully rise into prominence before Christ’s second coming.

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands (1:12).

7 golden lampstands – The lampstands are symbolic of churches as lights of the world (Philippians 2:15). Christ is the light, but He uses the churches and the children of God in the churches as lampstands to convey this light (Matthew 5:14). The only limitation placed on the brilliance of the light is the lampstand (church) being yielded to Christ. Salvation is no longer coming out of Judaism; It is for all.

Gold reflects the beauty and the preciousness of the church to God, so valuable that Jesus purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28).

And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band (1:13).

Son of Man – The glorified Lord of the church moving among His churches (Daniel 7:13; Matthew 28:20; 18:20; Hebrews 13:5).  The living Christ indwells His church to lead and empower it. (Philippians 4:13). The term “Son of Man” is used for the first time in Psalm 8:4, prophesying His first coming in humility, and the last time in Revelation 14:14, prophesying His second coming in power.

Garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band – This pictures Christ in His role as the great High Priest of His people (Isaiah 6:1; Exodus 28:4; Leviticus 16:4). His offering was infinitely superior to that of any human high priest (Hebrews 2: 17-18; 3:1; 4:14; 7:25; 9:11-12). As our High Priest, Christ once offered the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins and permanently, faithfully intercedes for us (Romans 8:33-34).

 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire (1:14).

His head and hair were white like wool – This refers to the Ancient of Days in (Daniel 7:9). It affirms Christ’s deity, and He possesses the same attributes of holy knowledge and wisdom as the Father. White (λευκός leukós, Gk.) denotes a “shining, glittering, bright, blazing, brilliant, dazzling white” It symbolizes Christ’s eternal, glorious, holy truthfulness (Matthew 17:2).

His eyes like a flame of fire – It speaks of His searching, revealing, infallible gaze that penetrates His church (Matthew 10:26; Hebrews 4:13). Jesus will not fail to recognize and deal with sin in the church. The Greek construction is literally, “his eyes shot fire,” indicating that Christ was indignant over the indifference, in some cases, of the apostate churches. Whenever the Church of Jesus Christ is not what it should be, we can be sure it arouses the indignation of Christ.

We shall see Him as He is, not as He was – Henry M. Morris.

His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters (1:15).

His feet like fine brass – A clear reference to judgment on sinners in the church.  Kings in ancient times sat on elevated thrones, so those being judged would always be beneath the king’s feet, so the feet of a king came to symbolize his authority. Christ is seen here moving through His church to exercise His chastening authority. (Hebrews 12:5-10).

His voice as the sound of many waters – This is the voice of Sovereign Power, Supreme Authority, and the voice that will one day command the dead to come forth from the graves (John 5:28-29). Christ’s voice is unmatched in volume and power (verses 10, 15, 16). This indicates the perspective of the Son of God as He comes on the Day of the Lord in judgment. Far too many cannot hear His voice today, but they will hear it then. When Christ speaks the church must listen! (Matthew 17:5; Hebrews 1:1-2).

He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength (1:16).

In His right hand seven stars – These are identified in verse 20 as the angels (ἄγγελος ággelos, Gk.), better rendered as “a messenger, one who is sent in order to announce, teach, perform, or explore anything (Matt. 11:10; Luke 7:24; 9:52; Gal. 4:14; James 2:25; Sept.: Josh. 6:17; Mal. 2:7).” The angels of the seven churches are identified as the elders or pastors of those churches; the delegates or messengers of the churches of God (Revelation 1:20; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). Hebrews 13:2 may have reference to itinerate preachers rather than angels. They are to be instruments through which Christ, the head of the church, mediates His rule (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

A sharp two-edged sword – It speaks of judgment against enemies from within the church (Revelation 2:12, 16; Acts 20:30). His Word is potent and will be used against the enemies of His people.

His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength – The radiant glory of God through the Lord Jesus Christ shines in and through His church, reflecting His glory to the world (2 Corinthians 4:6), and He is glorified (Ephesians 3:21). Let there be no doubt about it: This is Jesus the Christ, the divine Son of God!

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last (1:17).

I fell at His feet as dead – John was overwhelmed with terror and fear. He was having a heart attack of God. Daniel 10:8-9, 17; Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28; 3:23; 9:8; 43:3; 44:4, Manoah and his wife Judges 13:22; Paul Acts 26:13-14 all had similar visions. They realized their sinful unworthiness to be in His holy presence.

Do not be afraid – This is a touch of comfort and reassurance. This reveals God’s compassionate assurance (Genesis 15:1; 26:24; Judges 6:23; Matthew 14:27; 17:7; 28:10).

I AM- third time mentioned in the book of Revelation.

I am the first and the last – I Am (ego eimi, Gk.) the covenant name of God (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58).  “I Am” is used 48 times in the New Testament and 5 times in Revelation. Almighty God will continue to exist eternally; long after all false gods have been forgotten.

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death (1:18).

I AM- fourth time mentioned in the book of Revelation.

I am He who lives and was dead – Literally in the Greek “I became dead.” The Living One, the Eternal, Self-Existent God, who could never die, became man and died (1 Peter 3:18). He died without ceasing to live as God.

I am alive forevermore – Christ lives forever in a union of glorified humanity and deity. This truth provides comfort and assurance (Hebrews 7:16; Romans 6:9; Hebrews 7:25).

I have the keys of Hades and of Death – Death is the condition and Hades is the place. Hades refers to the place of the dead. When Jesus died on the cross and His body was placed in the tomb, Ephesians 4:9 states that He descended into the lower parts of the earth (ἄβυσσος abussos, Gk); “an extremely deep place; the prison destined for evil spirits. It is a prison in which evil powers are confined and out of which they can at times be let loose.”  Hades (ᾅδης hádēs, Gk - the region of departed spirits of the lost); housed all the souls and spirits who had lived before that time. Those who died in faith were comforted in one part of Hades, and the others were separated by a great gulf, and were in torment (Luke 16:23-26). Jesus went and proclaimed His victory to the evil spirits who were still incarcerated in prison (1 Peter 3:18-20). Upon His resurrection, when He ascended on high, he carried with Him all of the righteous saints to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8-10). Now, those who die in the faith are translated to be with Christ in Heaven (Philippians 1:23). The unsaved dead remain in Hades.

 Keys denote access and authority. Jesus Christ has the authority to decide who dies and who lives; He controls life and death (John 11:25; 14:19; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Hebrews 2:14-15). The Christian need not ever fear death anymore.

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this (1:19).

John’s second command to write:

The things which you have seen – Chapter 1 – Past.

The things which are – Chapters 2 and 3 – Present.

The things which will take place after this – Chapters 4-22 – Future.

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 which you saw are the seven churches (1:20).

7 stars – The angels of the seven churches are probably the bishops or pastors of those churches, the delegates or messengers of the churches of God (Revelation 1:20; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). Hebrews 13:2 may have reference to itinerate preachers rather than angels. They are to be instruments through which Christ, the head of the church, mediates His rule (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

7 lampstands – The lampstands are symbolic of churches as lights of the world (Philippians 2:15). Christ is the light, but He uses the churches and the children of God in the churches as lampstands to convey this light (Matthew 5:14). The only limitation placed on the brilliance of the light is the lampstand (church) being yielded to Christ. Salvation is no longer coming out of Judaism; It is for all.

 

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©2012 Kenute P. Curry. All rights reserved.