The Revelation Of Jesus Christ (part 1)

by Jim Reynolds⁽¹⁵⁾

Towering over John’s sobering prophecies is an unparalleled revelation of Jesus Christ. I believe this description, found in Rev. 1, to be the most complete picture of the glorified Christ recorded in the Bible. John instantly fell at Jesus’ feet “as though dead.” This was not an orchestrated worship move. John did not sense in His Spirit that he should bow, then submissively (and self-consciously) obey. It seems John saw the barely veiled glory of Jesus and could not control his response.

John did not see the meek and mild Jesus of a manger nor the smiling face of His best Friend. This reigning Christ no longer resembles the collapsed figure on the cross. Even the tomb bursting open as we celebrate Easter can barely compare to this fully glorified Jesus. Think of it: the fully glorified Jesus Christ is the only one “worthy” to preside over the end of the world. Therefore, we concluded last time, He is imminently capable of handling whatever crisis or trauma you think is ending yours.

John’s “crisis” paled in comparison to the issues facing his beloved church. Persecution was no longer sporadic and localized. It was regular and widespread. Distortions of the Gospel and heretical teachers more interested in cultural acceptance and financial success no longer stalked the fringes of the church. They had moved in, made themselves comfortable, and were rotting the church from the inside out. Immorality and worldly values infected the leadership.

Minus the persecution (for now!) could we make the case that this is a picture of the church in America? For that church, Jesus is first called the “faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, and ruler of the kings of the earth” ( Rev. 1:5.)

The earth was not an inviting place for Christians at the time John was writing. Patmos was sixty square miles of what he called “suffering” and “endurance.” He probably was not totally alone, but Patmos was an impregnable prison colony; Alcatraz might be a fair comparison. Sentenced there “for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ,” he must have wondered how his comrades in the churches were faring.

The words John wrote to these seven strategic churches were meant to encourage and prepare these people. Promises about the future were designed to bring hope and strength to the present. This picture of Jesus was designed to instill confidence and hope in the faithful.

In calling Jesus the “faithful witness,” John is urging, “You stay true also!”
Jesus is the “firstborn from the dead,” John proclaims, “so trust that not even martyrdom can overcome His word.”
He is the “Ruler of the kings of the earth.” “Therefore, dear reader,” John seemed to shout, “Jesus is to be worshipped, not the Roman emperor.”

The letters to the seven churches were read aloud. Can you imagine the roar of the crowd? Each succeeding image of our Lord must have swelled inside each person like a cascading wave. One writer comments, “Our Lord has no rivals. All of His enemies will be overthrown. He who sits enthroned in heaven laughs… at the futile attempts of little kings to contend with the King of kings and the Lord of lords.”

I love that phrase “little kings.” When, as I wrote last time, you think your world is ending, it is a reminder that whatever you face is “little” in comparison to our God. If crisis or trauma is threatening us, we need a fresh picture of Jesus Christ. There is no greater nor easier time to receive this than right now.

Hope had been shredded by the crucifixion of Jesus. His friends removed the lifeless body, placed Him in the grave, and grieved. We forget that His disciples and faithful followers not only lost their hope in a Messiah, they lost a good man, a friend. When the women approached the grave on Sunday morning, they had no plans but to anoint Jesus’ stiffening body. Instead, they were greeted by the aftermath of a very localized earthquake, an angel or two with a profound truth (“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”) and later, Jesus Himself. He was resurrected, glorified, victorious, and mysterious, but immediately recognized as Jesus.

If I may, perhaps oddly, turn to the Old Testament for a final attempt to picture this moment: Deuteronomy 4:7-8, 32-37, 40 -- ⁷What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to Him? ⁸And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? ³²Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created man on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? ³³Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived?

³⁴Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you… before your very eyes?

³⁵You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides Him there is no other. ³⁶From heaven He made you hear His voice to discipline you. On earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words from out of the fire. ³⁷Because He loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, He brought you out of Egypt by His Presence and His great strength. ³⁹Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. ⁴⁰Keep His decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.

Walk WITH Jesus,

Jim

Article submitted Friday, April 22, 2011 & read 199 times.

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» left by Teresa^(1,661) (1 year 19 days ago.)

Excellent introduction filled with encouraging words! I am looking forward to this continued series. Lord bless you and your family!

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