THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

I have heard the last book of the Bible referred to as “Revelations.”  They mean that it is a book filled with various revelations concerning the end times. Certainly, there are those, but that is not the name, nor the theme of the book. It is “Revelation,” singular and the focus is on a Person, Jesus Christ. Hear the author himself, as he begins the book:

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,” (v. ‭1‬‬).

It is easy to become obsessed with the Antichrist, and miss the One in the Scriptural spotlight, Jesus Christ!  From start to finish, the Spirit of God moved John, the servant of God, to point to the Son of God.

The Apostle was overwhelmed by this manifestation of the Master, “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. 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.’” (1‬:‭17‬-‭18‬‬).

From the lips of the Lord we hear of HIS ETERNITY, “I am the First and the Last.”  There has never been a time that He was not, nor will there ever be a time that He will not be. The Second Person of the Trinity is eternal and uncreated, without beginning or ending. He transcends time and is in control of it, rather than being subjected to it.  

Yet, that Eternal Word became flesh and dwelt among us. So, He next speaks of HIS HUMANITY, “I am He who lives, and was dead.”  There was a moment is history when Christ took on humanity. The Infinite became an infant. The Son of God became the Son of Man that the sons of men might become the sons of God. The Sinless One hung on the cross and died as our Substitute, fully paying the price for our sins. 

But, that was not the end of Him or that would be the end of hope, as the Lord declares HIS VICTORY, “behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.” The grave could not hold Him. Death could not defeat Him. “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes!”  Because He lives, He can give those who trust in Him, life beyond death—victory over our “last enemy,” (1 Cor. 15:26).

The Risen Lord affirms HIS SOVEREIGNTY, “I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”  If you hold the keys, you have authority. He rules over the realm of the world of the dead, “Hades,” and even “Death,” itself, sitting above it. Christ is no more subject to death, but sovereign over it—and indeed over all. Our Lord is guiding all things to fulfilling His goal and for His glory. Hallelujah to the Lamb that was slain and the Lion who will reign!

CHRIST UNVEILED

 

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man….  (Revelation 1:12-13a)

Artists through the years have tried to capture the image of Jesus Christ on canvas.  The Bible never tells us what the Carpenter of Nazareth looked like then, but we know what He looks like now—for John saw Him and was overwhelmed.  In the first chapter of Revelation we behold Christ unveiled.

Consider His WORTH (v.11a).  Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  He is the first and last letters and all those in between.  Twenty-six letters are used in the English language to form all our words.  That's all you need—Jesus is all you need.  His worth is also suggested in Rev.1:13 where He is "girded about the chest with a golden band."  Gold is a precious metal, the symbol of riches.  John falls, deeply sensing his own unworthiness in the presence of One so worthy.

Hear His WORD.  Throughout the text, stress is laid upon what the Eternal Word of God is saying.

He speaks with A TRUMPET VOICE (v.10).  One cannot read this without thinking of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 where the trumpet of God sounds.  Just as He cried with a loud voice before the tomb of Lazarus, "Lazarus, come forth!" so the saints who slumber will arise.

It is also A THUNDEROUS VOICE (v.15b).  John heard the thundering waves dashing on the rocks of Patmos.  The voice of Christ drowned out the surf.  “John, these waters may separate you from human companionship, but your Heavenly Companion will never leave you, nor forsake You!”

His is A TESTING VOICE (v.16b).  The test of true faith is the Word of God.  "He who rejects Me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day."  (John 12:48)

However, it is also A TENDER VOICE (v.17b).  I am most grateful.  These are words of grace that dispel all fear.

Christ speaks with A TRIUMPHANT VOICE (v.18).  Keys stand for authority. Acts 2:24 says, "And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power." The hymn expressed it,

Death could not keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;

He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord.

Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes.

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign.

Note His WALK (v.13a,20; 2:1).  He walks among His people.  It is a walk where He is sifting us and evaluating us.  His feet are as brass in a furnace (v.15a).  This is a picture of judgment.  He is going to confront His churches in chapters 2-3.

Observe His WORK. 

He is THE INTERCEDING PRIEST (v.13).  His robes are those of the High Priest who went into the temple and stood before the golden lampstand, and so we see Jesus in an even greater way.  He ever lives to intercede for us.

He is THE INTERROGATING JUDGE (v.14-15).  Here are the piercing eyes of the Ancient of Days. You can't pull the wool over those eyes!

He is THE ILLUMINATING LIGHT (v.16b).  He is the Light of the world.  

He is THE INVINCIBLE KING (v.18).  He holds the keys of authority as King of kings and Lord of lords!