It has been 60 years since John had seen the Lord Jesus. John was around 30 years of age at the time Jesus ascended into Heaven. He gets a glimpse of glory now. Jesus is sitting at the throne at the right-hand of God the Father. From the bleakest of places John gets the greatest revelation of future events that the world has ever seen. Jesus is holding the keys of life and death.

1 – He sees the sovereign on the throne (vs. 2-3)

Three pictures are used:-

• Seven golden candlesticks – There are many symbols in the book of Revelation and we know this is one because it is interpreted for us in verse 20. They represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. God looks at His Churches as lights in a darkened world. See Philippians 2:15-16. The candlesticks are golden because the Church is so precious to God. It is so precious that the Church was purchased with His own blood. See Acts 20:28. Gold is very valuable.
• The Son of Man – He is walking in the midst of the candlesticks. Jesus is always walking in the midst of His churches. The Son of Man is used 85 times in the New Testament. It emphasised His full humanity.
• The glorified Christ – John has to use metaphorical words to describe what is indescribable.

1. His majesty. (vs. 13). John describes the “golden girdle” like that worn by a judge or king. Jesus Christ will judge this world. We will all stand before Him to be judged. See Philippians 2:10. You will meet Him. The question is, “Will you be ready?”
2. His purity (vs. 14). White is the symbol of purity. Jesus is the only man of whom we can say that He has no sin. There was no one who could convict Him of sin. He is white as snow. He wants to purify others. See Isaiah 1:18.
3. His scrutiny (vs. 14). His eyes were like a flame of fire. This shows his omniscience. Jesus has great intelligence. He sees right through us. There is nothing hidden from Him. See Hebrews 4:13. His eyes are like laser beams. There are no secrets with Jesus.
4. His integrity (vs. 15). Feet like fine brass that burns in a furnace. Brass is a symbol of the judgment in the Bible. The same feet that walked upon this earth will judge this earth. All things will be under His feet. See Hebrews 2:8.
5. His authority (vs. 15-16). His voice is like the sound of many waters. It is like the sound of Niagara Falls! People will try to talk but nobody will hear you. Jesus will not listen to excuses. He is holding the seven stars in his hand. The seven stars are the pastors of the seven churches. (See vs. 20). We are all held in His hand.
6. His victory (vs. 16). He has a sharp two-edged sword. This is a symbol of God’s Word – the Bible. God’s Word will cut away your excuses. It is the tool that the Church needs to be victorious.
7. His glory (vs. 16). His countenance is like the sun at full strength. Imagine looking straight at the sun at full strength. You can’t take it! We will be able to look at Jesus in Heaven because we will have the same nature. See 1 John 3:2. The unbeliever will not be able to do it. The Church is like a lamp, the pastors are like a star but Jesus is like the full brightness of the Sun.
8. His deity (vs. 17). John fell at his feet as if he was dead. He got a glimpse of the glory of Jesus Christ and he was changed. Saul got a glimpse of the glory of Jesus and he was changed to Paul. Job got a glimpse and he was changed. Isaiah got a glimpse and he was changed. If you get a glimpse of the glory of Jesus, you will be changed! You will see Jesus as He really is. You will fall on your face.

2 – The voice of the glorified Christ (vs. 17-20)

John did not just see something. He also heard something. Notice these things about the Lord Jesus:-

• His gentleness. (vs. 17). He laid his right hand upon John. If every John needed a touch it was now. The right hand is the hand of authority. We all need a touch from the Lord Jesus. Those who are touched by Jesus are never the same again. It is a healing touch. He also tells him to “Fear not”.
• His greatness. (vs. 17-18). He tells John three things:-

1. “I am the first and the last”. This is like the saying “alpha and omega”. He is everything in between. He is from eternity and not limited by time.
2. “I am alive and was dead and now alive for evermore”. Death could not hold Jesus. He will never die again. He is alive forever more. The Devil thought he had defeated Jesus but Jesus turned death and defeat into life and victory. There is no more fear from death. Jesus is not a dead Saviour – He is alive!
3. “I have the keys of hell and of death”. How did He get these keys? When He rose from the dead. Jesus took the keys from the Devil. Jesus had conquered death. He took the key of hell and death. A key unlocks a door. We don’t have to worry about hell or death. Jesus holds the keys. We don’t have to be discouraged. Hell and death have no power over those who follow Jesus.

Categories: Revelation