I have, I believe, seen Christ by faith. He has been revealed in my heart by the Holy Spirit through the gospel. I have looked to him in his humiliation as my sin-atoning substitute, dying in my stead under the wrath of God in putting away my sin by his own precious blood. That first revelation of Christ to my heart was a blessed, glorious thing. It brought me life, peace, and pardon. It
The apostle John had seen Christ, not with the natural eye only, but with the eye of his soul. He had seen him in his life of obedience, in his miraculous power, in his agony in Gethsemane, in his crucifixion, and in his glory on the mount of transfiguration. And one Sunday, while he was meditating on his beloved Redeemer, Christ appeared to him again and gave him another vision of his majesty and glory. It is this vision which John describes in Revelation 1:9-20. It is my prayer that, as I guide your meditation now upon John's vision of Christ, the Holy Spirit will give both you and me a fresh personal revelation of him who is the object of our faith and love.
Proposition:As Christ revealed himself to John, he still reveals himself to people like John.
Why should this vision of Christ which John had so many years ago be of any importance to us today?
1. This vision of Christ is a symbolical representation of The One Who Suffered And Died For Our Sins.
John immediately recognized his Lord as the Son of man. He was different, because he was now glorified. But somehow he was the same identical Person. Heb. 13:8 There were no thorns on the brow; but John knew the brow. There were no nails in his hands; but John knew these hands. There was no agony in his voice; but John knew the voice of his Master.
2. This vision represents what Christ Is Now.What Christ was when he was upon the earth is of vital importance to me. But what he is now is equally vital. Some get all excited about what Christ shall be in the future. And, I must admit, I do too. But I am more concerned about what he is in the here and now. In the midst of my present strife, and pain, and sorrow, I want to know what Christ is today.
3. The vision of Christ which is presented to us in this passage Shows Us What Christ Is To His Churches.
Our Lord here reveals himself in the midst of his churches. The vision should therefore be of particular interest to all who are members of the churches of Christ. Every pastor, every elder, every deacon, and every member of every Christian Church should be greatly interested in John's vision of Christ. It has to do with us! We are personally involved.
Divisions:What kind of man was this John, upon whom God bestowed this great privilege? Surely there is something about this man that is worthy of our attention, and worthy of our imitation too. Look at John's description of himself in verses 9-11).
A. John Was A Truly Humble Man.He was a chosen apostle of Christ. Of the chosen twelve, John was one of the chosen three. And of the chosen three John seems to have been in the most intimate relationship with Christ. John was an apostle, an inspired author of Holy Scripture, and a pastor of great fame. He had been with Christ from the beginning. He saw Christ on the mount, in the garden, on the tree, and ascending in the clouds. Yet, when he describes himself, he does not lay claim to any fancy titles, or any dignity, or any superiority over the rest of God's elect. He simply says, "I John," a sinner saved by grace, "who am your brother," one with you in the family of God, "and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ."
B. John Was Also A Faithful Servant.He was exiled to the isle of Patmos by the Roman emperor Domitian, "for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Because of his faith in and adherence to the word of God, and because of his faithful declaration of the gospel of Christ, John was banished to the isle of Patmos. He had been sentenced to hard labor in his old age, because he confessed Christ to be the only God and Savior of men and refused to worship any other.
C. Again, John Was A Worshipping Man.He said, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." When Sunday came around, though John was exiled from his beloved brethren, his heart was with them. He was meditating upon his beloved Redeemer under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Though his body was in shackles, his soul was free. His heart and mind were out of contact with the world around him. He was in the Spirit. He was in direct contact with his Savior. John was alone with God!
NOTE: Christ always reveals himself to such men as this – (Isa. 6:1; Acts 10:2, 10).
D. And John knew The Voice of His Shepherd – (vv. 11-12).The sheep know the Shepherd's voice – (John 10:3-5). He may speak with a still small voice, or he may speak with the voice of thunder, but the sheep know their Shepherd's voice.
It was to this man, John, the humble, faithful, worshipping servant of God that this vision of Christ was given.
II. What Does This Vision Tell Us About Christ?This is not a vision for curious, speculative eyes. It is a vision for reverent, believing hearts." Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." I do not need to tell you that the words used in verses 12-16 are symbolic. They are not, of course, to be taken literally. They do not represent the physical appearance of Christ in heaven. They represent the physical appearance of Christ in heaven. They represent his spiritual dignity, majesty, and glory. The candlesticks are not literal candlesticks, and the two-edged sword going out of our Lord's mouth was not a literal sword. Now, let's look at John's vision.
A. "I saw seven golden candlesticks." (v. 12).These candlesticks represent the seven churches of Asia Minor, and they represent the churches of God throughout all the ages of time. (v. 20). Certainly there is some reference here to the candlesticks in the sanctuary of the Old Testament (Ex. 25:37; Zech. 4:2). The church of Christ may be compared to a candlestick, because it held forth the light of the gospel in a dark world. It has no light of its own, but it holds forth the light that is put into it by the Spirit of Christ. This is our one responsibility in this world. We must hold forth the light.
B. "And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man." (v. 13).John saw Christ standing in the midst of his churches. What a delightful picture! Christ our risen Lord is ever present with his church in the world. He graciously visits the assemblies of his saints, and holds sweet communion with us (Matt. 18:20). He walks in our midst and perpetually abides with his own.
1. Christ rules as King in the midst of Zion.
2. Christ provides for and protects his churches.
3. Christ, like the sons of Aaron, trims the candles in the candlesticks, causing the light of the gospel to burn bright and clear in his church.
This robe is like the robe of Aaron, a holy garment. It is the righteousness of Christ. Do you get the picture? Christ is ever in our midst as a sin-atoning High Priest. His royal robe of righteousness is a robe of his own making and it covers his whole body – It covers every member of his mystical body, the church.
The golden girdle that he wears is not around his waist, but around his paps, his chest.
1. Christ wears the golden girdle of a King – It is a girdle of faithfulness, righteousness, and power.
2. He wears the golden girdle of a Prophet – It is a girdle of truth.
3. And Christ wears the golden girdle of a Prophet – It is a girdle of love, with the names of his people inscribed upon it.
How worthy he is of all our love and faith and worship. He who redeemed us is ever with us. He is a King to rule us, a Prophet to teach us, and a Priest to intercede for us. And all that he does, he does in love for his own!
D. "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow" (v. 14).
In the Song of Solomon we are told, "His locks are bushy, and black as a raven" (5:11). Is there a discrepancy? Certainly not. In the Song of Solomon, the church, his bride, is describing the perpetual youth and strength of our Savior. Here John is viewing his eternality, his purity, and his wisdom. He who ever has the dew of his youth is the Ancient of days. (Dan. 7:9).
E. "And his eyes were as a flame of fire." – (v. 14).This certainly speaks of our Savior's omniscience. He sees all and knows all. But principally the flaming eyes are eyes of love for his people. His love never waxes cold, and being shed abroad in our hearts, it warms, revives, and refreshes our hearts. His love, like flames of fire, melts our hearts before him.
Yet, these very eyes burn with wrath and vengeance against his enemies and ours.
1. These feet of brass refer to the power of Christ to support his people and defend them.
2. Being burned in a furnace indicates that in all our afflictions he is afflicted. When we pass through the refining furnace of affliction, our Lord is ever present. (Isa. 43:2; Dan. 3:25).
3. These feet will tread down our enemies before us. (Isa. 43:10-11).
His voice is the gospel which we preach. It is sounded across the waters throughout the whole earth. And when it is sounded out by the power of the Spirit, it is effectual and irresistible (Isa. 55:11).
H. "And he had in his right hand seven stars." (v. 16).These stars are the angels of the churches, God's appointed pastors, these men who preach the gospel of Christ.
1. Gospel preachers are compared to stars because God has placed them where he wants them. These stars are reflectors of light – Not sources of light. They are useful only as reflectors of the light and glory of Christ – The Sun of Righteousness.2. These stars, faithful gospel preachers, are the angels of God to his churches (v. 20) and Christ holds them in his right hand.
This sword is the Word of God. It is a weapon of offense and a weapon of defense. With it Christ conquers his enemies and with it he defends his church. It is a sword with two edges. It cuts both ways.
John had seen this before (Matt. 17:2). It speaks of the dignity, majesty, and glory of Christ, who is the Sun of righteousness.
If ever a man sees him, he will always see him. He will have "Sun burnt" eyes. No matter where he looks, he sees Christ.
III. What Was The Result Of This Vision – (vv. 17-20)?No man will ever have Christ revealed to him and walk away the same as he was before. When Christ reveals himself, something happens. And the results are always pretty much the same.
A. The Flesh Always Withers Before Christ When He Is Pleased To Reveal Himself. "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead."Compare: Manoah (Jud. 13:25), Ezekiel (Ez. 1:28), Isaiah (Isa. 6:15), Daniel (Dan. 10:4-9).
Oh, that we might have such a vision of Christ! How blessed it is to fall at his feet as one who has been slain in his presence! We are never so much alive as when we are dead at his feet. We are never so truly living as when our flesh withers in death before our great and glorious Savior. I want more than anything the death of all that is sinful and rebellious in me. Old Adam withers only in the presence of Christ's glory and grace!
B. Christ Who Slays Our Flesh Will Raise Us Up And Revive Our Spirits. "He laid his right hand upon me."
Life comes out of death. Revival comes out of withering. Christ raises up those who are cast down at his feet.
C. And Christ Revealed Always Brings A Word of Comfort And Assurance. "Fear not; I am the first and the last; I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (vv. 17-18).
There is no reason for any sinner to fear who falls down at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. He lives as the sinner's surety forever. He died as the sinner's Surety. And he lives forevermore as the sinner's Surety. And he who is our Surety has sovereign power over death and the grave (Ps. 68:18-20).
D. Once More, Whenever Christ Reveals Himself To A Man, He Gives That Man A Message To Declare To The Sons Of Men. (v. 19).
Every man who ever had Christ revealed to him received a message to declare to his fellow men (Isa. 6:8). We who have seen the Lord are his witness.
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