Seeing Jesus

• 1^st – The Vision… vs. 9-11
  • 1^st – John our brother… vs. 9
    • I – John – your brother!
      • As John begins to describe what he SAW in this REVELATION of Jesus…
      • He first describes himself – emphasizing that He is just LIKE us…
      • He does NOT call himself an APOSTLE – or a PASTOR [titles]
      • He calls himself our BROTHER [ἀδελφός] – he is just another SINNER saved by GRACE!
      • John was an APOSTLE – and PASTOR – but he wanted to RELATE to us…
      • And although he was given the most POWERFUL vision every recorded in the Bible…
      • It was NOT because he was special – he was just a SINNER!
      • We tend to like TITLES – it feels nice when people us them to address us…
      • But if I am honest – I am WARRY of being called Pastor…
      • The dilemma is – all TITLES do practically is cause separation…
      • It puts people on a pedestal – as if they are MORE – or BETTER than others…
      • They make people forget we are just like them – SINNERS who are saved by GRACE…
      • Therefore ANYTHING God does in our lives – He can do in ANYONES life!
    • [Our] companion in the tribulation – and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ!
      • John goes on to describe THREE ways he is our COMPANION [συγκοινωνός] – 4x in NT
      • The word means to be a PARTAKER with – to have something in COMMON [κοινός]
      • TRIBULATION [θλῖψις] – like us John went through HARD times – John 16:33
      • KINGDOM [βασιλεία] – like us John also was also a citizen of the KINGDOM of God…
      • PATIENCE [ὑπομονή] – [ὑπό] is the preposition UNDER – and [μένω] means to ABIDE…
      • Like us – John had to ABIDE in Jesus – as he waited for the KINGDOM to come!
      • When we put our FAITH in Jesus – we become citizens of His KINGDOM…
      • But until the day comes when He brings us HOME – we will go through TRIBULATION…
      • That TRIBULATION – our TRIALS – teach us to CLING [μένω] to Jesus…
      • As we – just like John – wait patiently for Jesus to come!
      • James 1:2-3 – “Count it all joy… knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
        
  • 2^nd – Patmos… vs. 9
    • Was on the island that is called Patmos!
      • As we mentioned in our INTRODUCTION to the book…
      • PATMOS – is a small island about 70km off the coast of Ephesus [Turkey]
      • The Romans used the island as a PRISON for their worst criminals!
    • For the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ!
      • John was banished there for teaching the WORD of God [Bible]
      • And because of his WITNESS [μαρτυρία] for Jesus Christ!
      • Church tradition [Tertullian] – tells us Rome tried to kill John by boiling him in oil…
      • When he miraculously survived – he was exiled to PATMOS!
      • John 15:20 – “If they persecuted Me – they will also persecute you.”
      • Standing up for Jesus comes with a COST – the world will try and SILENCE us…
      • But no matter how BAD a day we are having – what TRIALS we might face…
      • At least no one has tried to BOIL us in oil – or banish us to a remote Island!
  • 3^rd – The Lords day… vs. 10
    • I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day!
    • The Lords DAY – ONLY mentioned here in all of the Bible…
    • It could refer to the SABBATH day – the ONE day set aside for the LORD – Exodus 20:9-10
    • It could also refer to SUNDAY – when the CHURCH met to worship – Acts 20:7
    • But the DAY is not important – what matters is John was in the SPIRIT…
    • He was WORSHIPING the LORD – and then he SAW the LORD!
    • There are people who make a BIG deal out of what DAY we meet to WORSHIP…
    • But the DAY is not important – what matters is that we WORSHIP – we are in the SPIRIT!
    • Colossians 2:16-17 – “Let no one judge you… regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths – which are a shadow of things to come – but the substance is of Christ.”
  • 4^th – Seven churches… vs. 10-11
    • And I heard behind me a loud voice – as of a trumpet!
      • As John was worshiping – BEHIND him he heard a MEGA [μέγας] voice…
      • It was as LOUD as a TRUMPET – 110 decibels – almost as loud as a thunderclap!
      • It is interesting John heard it from BEHIND – he was going the WRONG way…
      • And Jesus LOUDLY got his attention to TURN him around!
    • Saying [present] – I am the Alpha and the Omega – the First and the Last!
      • I AM [Ἐγώ ἐιμι] – we are familiar with the SEVEN – I AM statements of the Gospel of John…
      • Jesus said I AM – the Good shepherd – the light of the world – the Resurrection and the life…
      • Here Jesus adds the title – the [Α] ALPHA and [Ω] OMEGA – [2^nd of 4x in Revelation]
      • The FIRST and LAST letters of the GREEK alphabet!
      • Because Jesus was there BEFORE the BEGINNING – the [אֵ] and the [ת] – Genesis 1:1
      • And He will be there AFTER the END – Revelation 22:13
    • What you see – write [imperative] in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia!
      • John was to record what he SAW for the SEVEN churches – interpreted in THREE ways!
      • Referring to the HISTORY of the church – from PENTECOST to the RAPTURE…
      • Referring to different KINDS of churches – the TOTAL [seven] church…
      • Referring to SEVEN literal churches in the days of John!
    • To Ephesus – to Smyrna – to Pergamos – to Thyatira – to Sardis – to Philadelphia – and Laodicea!
      • Here we are given the LIST of the SEVEN literal churches…
      • All located in the Roman province of Asia Minor – modern day southwest Turkey…
      • They will each be individually addressed in – Revelation 2-3
• 2^nd – Description of Jesus… vs. 12-16
  • What John SAW… vs. 12
    • I turned to see the voice that spoke with me – having turned I saw seven golden lampstands!
    • John TURNED around to SEE [βλέπω] – to LOOK with his eyes…
    • What he SAW [εἴδω] – often translated as to KNOW…
    • He SAW Jesus standing in SEVEN lampstands – more on this in a minute – Revelation 1:20
    • John did not just TURN around to LOOK – he TURNED so he could KNOW – Jesus!
    • There were MANY people who SAW Jesus – when He walked on the earth…
    • Yet it did not CHANGE them – they moved on and FORGOT what they SAW!
    • Those who TURN to Jesus – so that they can KNOW Him – truly SEE Him…
    • In all His POWER – GLORY – and SPLENDOR – and they are NEVER the same again!
    • John goes on to give the ONLY description of Jesus in the NT – he gives us SEVEN things:
  • 1^st – Son of man… vs. 13
    • In the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man!
    • In the MIDDLE of the LAMPSTANDS – important location – Revelation 1:20
    • Was one LIKE – here is our word that tells us NOT to take it literally…
    • LIKE – the Son of MAN – meaning the APPEARANCE of Jesus was HUMAN!
    • But He is NOT human – He is GOD who took on the FORM of a MAN…
    • So that He could be offered as a SACRIFICE for the SINS of men on the CROSS!
    • Philippians 2:7-8 – “Taking the form of a bondservant – and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man – He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death – even the death of the cross.”
  • 2^nd – Long Robe… vs. 13
    • Clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band!
    • Jesus wore a LONG robe – that went all the way down to His feet…
    • It had a GOLDEN belt that went around His chest!
    • His clothing is reminiscent of the High Priest – Exodus 28
    • The GOLDEN band around His HEART – perhaps speaking of His immeasurable LOVE for us!
    • Because Jesus is our HIGH priest – who LOVES us – and LEADS us into His THRONE room!
    • Hebrews 4:14 – “We have a great High Priest… Jesus the Son of God.”
  • 3^rd – White hair… vs. 14
    • His head and hair were white like wool – as white as snow!
      • Jesus had WHITE hair – LIKE the color of wool or snow…
      • This could be referring to His WISDOM – the GREY hair of the elderly…
      • God is described as the ANCIENT [old] of Days – with WHITE hair – Daniel 7:9
      • With that AGE – comes WISDOM – because we have LEARNED from our experiences!
      • Proverbs 20:29 – “The gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.”
    • Referring to His PURITY…
      • The color WHITE in the Bible is used for PURITY – Isaiah 1:18
      • The white HEAD and HAIR of Jesus refers to His PURE mind – there is NO evil…
      • From head to toe He is all GOOD – all PURE – all WHITE!
  • 4^th – Eyes of Fire… vs. 14
    • His eyes like a flame of fire!
    • His eyes were NOT on fire – the were LIKE flames of fire…
    • This is the FIRST of THREE times in Revelation Jesus is described as having BURNING eyes…
    • The idea being they were INTENSE – could BURN right through the exterior…
    • The gaze of Jesus can penetrate and see what is INSIDE – see the HEART!
    • I can imagine it is a VERY overwhelming to stand before Jesus…
    • As His gaze falls on us – we KNOW – there is NOTHING hidden from Him…
    • He does NOT look at the facade we create – He knows EVERYTHING about us!
    • Hebrews 4:13 – “There is no creature hidden from His sight – but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
  • 5^th – Brass feet… vs. 15
    • His feet were like fine brass – as if refined in a furnace!
    • The FEET of Jesus looked LIKE – they were made of BRASS [bronze]
    • As if they had just been taken out of the FIRE – still RED hot!
    • When Moses built the TABERNACLE – BRONZE was ONLY on the outside…
    • The BRONZE altar – where the SACRIFICES were made for the SINS of the people…
    • Because BRONZE is a picture of JUDGMENT – Exodus 27:2
    • The idea being – Jesus FEET are ready to JUDGE the SINNERS of this world…
    • Rebellious men who will fall under the WRATH of the KING…
    • Who will bring down His RED hot BRONZE feet in the JUDGEMENT because of their SIN!
    • Revelation 19:15 – “[Jesus] treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
  • 6^th – Loud voice… vs. 15
    • His voice as the sound of many waters!
    • The VOICE of Jesus is LOUD – is sounds LIKE [as] a LOT of water!
    • One of the most amazing things I have ever seen is Niagara Falls…
    • Almost three MILLION liters of water fall over the falls every SECOND…
    • The result is not just beautiful – it is also VERY loud – deafening!
    • The point is God is NOT quiet when He speaks – His voice is VERY loud…
    • To which we might answer – I have never HEARD the VOICE of the LORD…
    • God does not have to SPEAK with an audible voice [although He certainly can]
    • He SPEAKS through His CREATION – He speaks through His WORD – Psalm 19
    • God is NOT silent – the question is are we LISTENING!
    • Psalm 29:3-4 – “The God of glory thunders. He is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful. The voice of the LORD is full of majesty!”
  • 7^th – Two edged sword… vs. 16
    • He had in His right hand seven stars – out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword…
    • Jesus had SEVEN stars in His right HAND – more on that in a minute – Revelation 1:20
    • Out of His MOUTH – a TWO edged SWORD…
    • SWORD [ῥομφαία] – a LARGE two handed broad sword…
    • Not that Jesus literally has a SWORD coming out of His mouth…
    • It is speaking of the POWER of His WORDS – that cut like a SWORD – Ephesians 6:17
    • Because it is the WORD of God – that reveals the TRUTH…
    • It is the instrument that he will use will bring the JUDGEMENT upon the world!
    • Hebrews 4:12 – “The word of God is living and powerful – and sharper than any two-edged sword [μάχαιρα]… a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

• 3^rd – Reaction to Jesus… vs. 16-18
  • 1^st – Falling down… vs. 16-17
    • His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength!
      • Jesus was SHINING – like the power [δύναμις] of the noonday SUN on a cloudless day!
      • A 100 watt incandescent light bulb – is considered very BRIGHT…
      • The SUN has the BRIGHTNESS – of a THOUSAND 100 WATT bulbs…
      • If we ever try looking up at the SUN – NOT that I recommend this…
      • It is so BRIGHT – that more than just a glimpse – would blind us!
      • The BRIGHTNESS of Jesus speaks of His HOLINESS…
      • God is so HOLY – sinful man cannot look on the pure LIGHT of God!
    • And when I saw Him – I fell at His feet as dead!
      • John – seeing Jesus – FELL down and His feet overwhelmed by His HOLINESS…
      • Which I find interesting – as John KNEW Jesus – they were friends – John 15:15
      • John was the DISCIPLE whom Jesus LOVED – John 19:26
      • But when Jesus is revealed in all His HOLINESS – NO one can stand…
      • Even John fell before the FEET [judgment] of Jesus!
      • Isaiah 6:5 – “Woe is me – for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips… For my eyes have seen the King – the LORD of hosts.”
  • 2^nd – Do not be afraid… vs. 17
    • But He laid His right hand on me – saying to me – Do not be afraid!
    • John was OVERWHELMED – but Jesus was quick to help…
    • He reached DOWN and put His hand on John – NOT in ANGER but to bring him COMFORT…
    • And commanded him – do NOT [imperative] be AFRAID [φοβέω]
    • Yet John had EVERY reason to be AFRAID – he was a SINNER in front of a HOLY God…
    • The reason he was NOT to FEAR – was because of what God had done for us!
  • 3^rd – God died… vs. 17-18
    • I am the First and the Last.
      • This is a VERY important phrase– because it is the KEY to the GOSPEL message…
      • We first have to answer the question – WHO is the FIRST and the LAST…
      • Isaiah 41:4 – “I the LORD [יְהוָה] – the First and the Last. I alone am He.” [NLT]
      • There can be NO doubt – the Old Testament is VERY clear…
      • The LORD [יְהוָה] – the ONE and ONLY God – is FIRST and the LAST – Deuteronomy 6:5
    • I am He who lives – and was dead – and behold – I am alive forevermore. Amen!
      • The LORD [יְהוָה] is the God who LIVES – no problem there…
      • And was DEAD – wait a minute – when did God [יְהוָה] – DIE…
      • To which we are commanded [imperative] and LOOK [εἴδω] and understand…
      • The LORD – our GOD – is now alive forevermore [He will never die again] – Hebrews 9:28
      • AMEN – [אָמֵן] – this is the TRUTH!
      • Side note – there are those who try to remove the DEITY for Christ from the Bible…
      • But this cross reference can still be found even in altered translations – showing Jesus is God!
      • We do NOT have to FEAR – because God [יְהוָה] came down and DIED for us…
      • There was NO other sacrifice that would work – NO others way…
      • The ONLY hope we have – is through the blood of Jesus…
      • GOD [יְהוָה] – who was alive – then DIED for us – and is now alive forever more!
  • 4^th – They Keys… vs. 18
    • I have the keys of Hades and of Death!
      • The phrase HADES [ᾅδης] and DEATH [θάνατος] – appears FIVE times in the NT…
      • But in every other instance the order is reversed – DEATH first – then HADES …
      • Because unbelievers DIE – then they are judged and sent to HADES [hell]
      • This is the SECOND death – permanent separation from God – Revelation 20:14
      • The greatest fear of all men is the fear of death – because they KNOW…
      • Although not everyone will admit it – they KNOW the judgement is coming!

• God is the KEY…
  • If someone has a KEY – it means there is something locked up…
  • In this case – we were the ones BOUND for HELL – which leads to the second DEATH…
  • But through the SACRIFICE of GOD [יְהוָה] – the FIRST and the LAST…
  • We have no need to fear DEATH – it has no power over us…
  • We know DEATH is not when we are JUDGED – it is when we enter eternal LIFE!
  • I Corinthians 15:55-57 – “Death – where is your sting. Hades – where is your victory… thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

• 4^th – The command… vs. 19-20
  • 1^st – Write down… vs. 19
    • Write the things which you have seen – and the things which are…
    • And the things which will take place after this!
    • Jesus then commanded [imperative] John – to write down these things:
    • PAST – the things John HAD [aorist] seen – vison of Jesus – Revelation 1
    • PRESENT – the things which ARE [present] – the SEVEN churches – Revelation 2-3
    • FUTURE – the things which will take place AFTER this [μετὰ ταῦτα] – Revelation 4-22
    • Having already read about the PAST – the VISION of Jesus…
    • John moves right on to begin to describe the things that ARE – the MYSTERY!
  • 2^nd – The Mystery… vs. 20
    • The mystery!
      • MYSTERY [μυστήριον] – something hidden – a SECRET…
      • The MYSTERY of the STARS in Jesus had – and LAMPSTANDS He is standing in!
      • It is quite large – and yellow and blue – and the impact at the end can be a bit jolting…
      • But so long as you do not run into anyone – it is exciting…
      • If all you heard was that statement – it would be a MYSTERY…
      • But if went on to say we were at the SPLASH park riding a water side – CONTEXT!
      • The book of REVELATION is famous for having a LOT of MYSTERIES…
      • But – the answer is often as easy as just reading the passage in CONTEXT!
    • Of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand…
      • The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches!
      • The seven STARS Jesus is holding in His right hand [His strength] – are seven ANGELS…
      • There are TWO thoughts on WHO these ANGELS are…
      • FIRST – they could be guardian ANGELS – who watch over the churches…
      • Just as Michael is the guardian ANGEL of Israel – Daniel 10:21
      • Psalm 91:11 – “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
      • SECOND – they could be the PASTORS of the churches…
      • ANGEL [ἄγγελος] – means messenger – one who gives Gods message…
      • Therefore Jesus could be talking about SEVEN pastors – who give the churches His Word!
    • The seven golden lampstands:
      • And the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches!
      • The seven LAMPSTAND – are the seven CHURCHES…
      • Recall that Jesus is STANDING in the middle of these CHURCHES – Revelation 1:13
      • Although we are going to be looking at SEVEN literal CHURCHES over the next few weeks…
      • It seems unlikely Jesus was ONLY standing in the middle of THOSE churches…
      • More likely – the number SEVEN – here again represents the COMPLETE church…
      • Because the CHURCH is NOT a building or a denomination…

We are the CHURCH – and Jesus dwells inside of us – John 14:23