Rev. 1:9-20 The Glorified Jesus Christ
Intro: Last week we introduced to you the book of Revelation.
Title: Revelation of Jesus Christ Author (human): John the Apostle Date: @95A.D. Schools of Interpretation: Preterist, Historicist, Idealist, Futurist. We said this was a book given by all the persons of the Trinity to John. It is a Profitable book written to the seven churches of Asia to reveal to them the glorified Jesus Christ.
Prop: We need to take a good and broad look at the book of Revelation.
I. The Person receiving the Vision (1:9-11):
Four times the author is identified John (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8). Early Church Fathers all affirmed that this was John the son of Zebedee, one of the twelve apostles.
A. Johns condition (9-10).
1. He was in the body of Christ He was their brother John was an apostle and a member of the inner circle of the twelve. He is humble, not proud or trying to impress with his authority. He is also not writing to command & demand a certain action. He is writing as an eyewitness who wants to exhort and comfort a suffering church.
2. He was in exile: He was their companion in tribulation and exiled to isle of Patmos Christs predicted that His followers would suffer persecution (Jn. 16:33). It certainly came true for these people and for John. Patmos is a small barren volcanic island about 6 miles wide and 10 mile long. It is located about 40 miles off shore. John was about 90 years old and was banished to Patmos because he was a member of and leader of an illegal religious group. Official Roman persecution of Christians began under Nero (A.D. 67), and got worse under Domitian. It was Domitian who exiled John. a. Exiled on account of his commitment to the Word of God b. Exiled on account of his witness for Christ John was a faithful, uncompromising preacher of the gospel.
3. He was in the spirit in the spirit = this phrase is found in 1:10, 4:2; 17:3; 21:10 - some take it to mean in a spiritual frame of mind
- literally I became in spirit; which I think means he was actually transformed into a spiritual form so as not to be limited by time & space
.. on the Lords day = This is the only place the Greek is put togethere like this. Some argue this is referring to Sunday which was referred to as the Lords day shortly after this. Others argue that this refers to the day of the Lord or end times. I dont know for sure which John meant.
B. Johns command (1:11).
1. Write it in a book
2. Send it to the seven churches (seven key churches in seven postal districts).
II. The Person of the Vision (1:12-18, 20):
A. The Position of a Glorified Christ midst (1:13; 2:1) seven golden candlesticks (1:12, 13 & 20) = V.20 says these are churches. Seven = a number which symbolizes completeness (the church at large) Golden = the most precious metal (Christ sees the church as precious). Candlesticks = Portable lampstands used to light up rooms & dark places. The church is to be a light in the dark world.
(Phi 2:15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; The picture here is of Christ standing in the middle of a circle of churches. This pictures His presence and ceaseless activity in the midst of His people on earth and His desired relationship with the churches.
(Mat 18:20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
B. The Portrait of a Glorified Christ
1. His Clothing (13) a long full length robe.
Similar to the robe Isaiah saw:
(Isa 6:1) In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Similar to the robes worn by O.T. priests and judges
(Exo 28:2) And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. This robe signifies Royalty, majesty but emphasizes Christ as our High Priest.
2. His Golden Girdle (13) = golden sash around His chest This pictures Christ as a righteous High Priest. High Priests in the O.T. wore sashes similar to this
(Lev 16:4) He [The High Priest] shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen miter shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.
(Isa 11:5) And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. As our High Priest he is acquainted with our sorrows and makes intercession for us. He is the one who offer the perfect & complete sacrifice for our sins.
(Heb 2:17-18) Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
3. His White Head & Hair (14) Pictures eternality, wisdom, justice White hair is a symbol of old age, which is an apt symbol for Christs eternal nature. White hair is also a symbol for wisdom because it is believed that with age comes wisdom. In old times judges wore white wigs to symbolize wisdom and justice. Parallels Dan. 7:9
(Dan 7:9) I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
4. His Eyes of fire (14) speaks of perfect discernment, omniscience and penetrating judgment. Christs gaze is able to penetrate anything or anyone so that nothing is concealed. (Heb 4:13) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
(Psa 11:4) The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. Christ had eyes of tears & compassion the first time He came but not the 2nd time.
5. His Feet of brass (15) symbolizes authority & judgment Kings would sit on elevated thrones so those being judged would be beneath their feet. The feet of a king thus became to symbolize a kings authority. And these feet are brass which is reddish in color, which speaks of chastening & judgment. Christ had beautiful feet the first time He came, but not the 2nd time.
(Isa 52:7) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
6. His Mouth with a sharp sword and Voice like many waters (15, 16)
a. Voice sounded like ocean waves crashing on the rocky shore (15). Signifies His sovereign power.
(Jer 25:30-31) Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
(Eze 43:2) And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
b. Sharp two-edged sword out of His mouth (16).
This is an instrument of warfare against all who would harm His church. He fights against those from within and from without the church.
(Rev 2:16) Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
(2Th 2:8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
7. His Right Hand (16, 17) This is picturing control more so than safety & protection as one might think.
With His right hand Christ controls the pastors of the seven churches (angels = messengers in the Greek.)
Christ uses pastors as an intermediary through which he controls His church.
8. His Face like the sun (16) Radiant glory
Matt. 17:2 say His face shined like the sun on the mount of transfiguration
Acts 26:13 Paul said Christs face was brighter than the sun.
2 Peter 1:19 Peter refers to Jesus as the day star
Rev. 22:16 call Him the bright & morning star Jesus will be difficult if not impossible to look at in His glorified state. Is it any wonder that John responded to this vision as he did.
III. The Response to the Vision (1:17-18):
A. Fear Johns initial response was to fall down in devastating fear. He fell down as if he were dead. He was overwhelmed with terror. Such fear and response is the norm when one comes face to face w/ God.
(Dan 10:8-9) Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength
. then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
(Isa 6:5) Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
(Eze 1:28) As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke. This stands in stark contrast to the silly & frivolous & boastful claims of so many in our day
B. Johns second response was assurance (17b-18). Christ touched him and spoke words of comfort and reassurance.
Christ is the: I am = the covenant name of God (Ex. 3:14). the first and the last = a title of God in the O.T. (Isa 44:6; 48:12
)
(Isa 44:6) Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
the living One = this is another title for God used many times in the O.T.
(Jos 3:10) And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and
(Psa 84:2) My soul longeth, yea even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
the one who was dead and is now alive forevermore = more comforting words.. Jesus died for our sins but did not remain dead
.
the one with keys of hell and of death = Keys denotes authority and access. I hold keys to my house and my car. As such I control who had access to them. You have keys and you control access. Jesus Christ has authority and decides who dies and who lives. Jesus Christ has authority to decide who will go to hell and who doesnt.
IV. The Prescription with the Vision (1:19): Jesus commanded or prescribed John to write this down.
This verse forms a basic outline of Revelation.
Part #1: The Things Which You Have Seen (1:1-20).
Part #2: The Things Which Are (2:1-3:22).
Part #3: The Things Which Will Take Place After This (4: 1-22:21).
It was Johns duty to pass the information on to others. Likewise, we too have a duty to pass this book on to others.
