The Revelation - Part 5
September 10, 2003 Wed. - Danny L. Williams
Rev. 1:9-20
What John heard (vv. 9–11 ). On the Lord’s Day, John heard a trumpet-like voice behind him.
It was Jesus Christ speaking!
Every name or title that Jesus wears is a blessing that he shares.
The better we know him, the better he’s able to bless us and make us what he wants us to be.
One of the best ways to get to know him is to study his names
and titles in Scripture.
Our Lord said, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and
My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his
work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and
the End, the First and the Last" (Rev. 22:12-13).
"Alpha and Omega" are the first and last letters of the
Greek alphabet. In fact, the English word "alphabet" comes
from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet,
"alpha" and "beta."
When he calls himself "Alpha and Omega,"
Jesus declares that he is the first and the last, the beginning and
the ending.
What truths do we learn about the Lord Jesus
Christ from this name "Alpha and Omega"?
1. Jesus Christ Is Eternal God
Jesus Christ is the beginning and Jesus Christ is the ending;
he is the first and he is the last.
In Isaiah 41:4,
Jehovah God declares, "I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last I am He."
This same declaration is repeated in Isaiah 44:6 and Isaiah 48:12.
Our Lord Himself said in John 8:58,
"Before Abraham was, I Am."
In Colossians 1:17 we are told, "He is before all things."
Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
As far as we know, the apostle had not heard his Lord’s voice since Christ had returned to heaven more than sixty years before.
The Lord commissioned John to write this book and to send it to the seven churches He had selected. Later John would hear another trumpetlike voice, summoning him to heaven ( Rev. 4:1 ).
“rapture 1 Thes. 4:13–18 a picture of the rapture of the church.)
What John saw (vv. 12–16 ). He saw a vision of the glorified Christ.
Revelation 1:20 makes clear that we must not interpret this vision literally, for it is made up of symbols.
The seven lampstands represent the seven churches that would receive the book. Each local church is the bearer of God’s light in this dark world.
Compare this vision with Daniel’s
( Dan. 7:9–14 ).
1. Christ’s garments are those of a Judge-King, One with honor and authority.
2. The white hair symbolizes His eternality,the Ancient of Days ( Dan. 7:9 -13,22).
3. His eyes see all ( Rev. 19:12 ; Heb. 4:12 ), enabling Him to judge righteously.
4. His feet of burning brass also suggest judgment, since the brazen altar was the place where the fire consumed the sin offering.
The Lord had come to judge the churches, and He would also judge the evil world system.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
The “sound of many waters” ( Rev. 1:15 ) makes me think of Niagara Falls!
Perhaps two ideas are suggested here:
(1) Christ gathers together all the “streams of revelation” and is the Father’s “last Word” to man ( Heb. 1:1–3 );
(2) (2) He speaks with power and authority and must be heard. The sword from His mouth certainly represents the living Word of God ( Heb. 4:12 ; Eph. 6:17 ). He fights His enemies by using His Word ( Rev. 2:16 ; 19:19–21 ).
Revelation 1:20 informs us that the seven stars in His hand represent the angels ( messengers, see Luke 7:24 where the Greek word is so translated), or perhaps pastors, of the seven churches.
God holds His servants and places them where He wants them to “shine” for Him. In Daniel 12:3 , wise soul winners are compared to shining stars.
The Lord’s shining countenance reminds us of His transfiguration
( Matt. 17:2 ) and also the prophecy of Malachi 4:2 (“the Sun of righteousness [shall] arise”). The sun is a familiar image of God in the Old Testament ( Ps. 84:11 ), reminding us not only of blessing, but of judgment. The sun can burn as well as bless!
This vision of Christ was totally different in appearance from the Saviour that John knew “in the flesh” when He was ministering on earth. He was not the “gentle Jewish carpenter” that sentimentalists like to sing about. He is the risen, glorified, exalted Son of God, the Priest-King who has the authority to judge all men, beginning with His own people ( 1 Peter 4:17 ).
What John did (vv. 17–18 ). He fell at the Lord’s feet as though he were dead! And this is the apostle who leaned on Jesus’ breast! ( John 13:23 )
A vision of the exalted Christ can only produce awe and fear ( Dan. 10:7–9 ).
We need this attitude of respect today when so many believers speak and act with undue familiarity toward God. John’s response illustrates what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:16 : “Though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more.” John no longer “nestled” next to the Lord’s heart, relating to Him as he had done before.
The Lord reassured John by touching him and speaking to him
(note Dan. 8:18 ; 9:21 ; 10:10 , 16 , 18 ). “Fear not!” is a great encouragement for any child of God.
We need not fear life, because He is “The Living One.”
We need not fear death, because He died and is alive, having conquered death.
And we need not fear eternity because He holds the keys of hades (the world of the dead) and of death.
The One with the keys is the One who has authority.
At the very beginning of this book, Jesus presented Himself to His people in majestic glory. What the church needs today is a new awareness of Christ and His glory. We need to see Him “high and lifted up” ( Isa. 6:1 ). There is a dangerous absence of awe and worship in our assemblies today. We are boasting about standing on our own feet, instead of breaking and falling at His feet. For years, Evan Roberts prayed, “Bend me! Bend me!” and when God answered, the great Welsh Revival resulted.
The Outline ( Rev. 1:19 )To the best of my knowledge, the Book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that contains an inspired outline of the contents.
“The things which thou hast seen” refers to the vision in Revelation 1 . “The things which are” refers to Revelation 2–3 , the special messages to the seven churches. “The things which shall be hereafter” covers the events described in Revelation 4–22 . What John heard in Revelation 4:1 substantiates this interpretation.
In review, we can summarize the basic characteristics of this remarkable book as follows:
It is a Christ-centered book. To be sure, all Scripture speaks of the Saviour; but the Book of Revelation especially magnifies the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ. The book is, after all, the revelation of Jesus Christ and not simply the revelation of future events.
It is an “open” book. John was told not to seal the book ( Rev. 22:10 ) because God’s people need the message it contains. Revelation can be understood, despite the fact that it contains mysteries that may never be comprehended until we meet at the throne of God. John sent the book to the seven churches of Asia Minor with the expectation that, when it was read aloud by the messengers, the listening saints would understand enough of its truths so as to be greatly encouraged in their own difficult situations.
It is a book filled with symbols. Biblical symbols are timeless in their message and limitless in their content. For instance, the symbol of “Babylon” originates in Genesis 10–11 , and its meaning grows as you trace it through Scripture, climaxing with Revelation 17–18 . The same is true of the symbols of “the Lamb” and “the bride.” It is exciting to seek to penetrate deeper into the rich meanings that are conveyed by these symbols.
It is a book of prophecy. This is definitely stated in Revelation 1:3 ; 22:7 , 10 , 18–19 ; note also 10:11 . The letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor dealt with immediate needs in those assemblies, needs that are still with us in churches today; but the rest of the book is devoted almost entirely to prophetic revelations. It was by seeing the victorious Christ presented that the persecuted Christians found encouragement for their difficult task of witnessing. When you have assurance for the future, you have stability in the present. John himself was suffering under the hand of Rome ( Rev. 1:9 ), so the book was born out of affliction.
It is a book with a blessing. We have already noted the promise in Revelation 1:3 , as well as the six other “beatitudes” scattered throughout the book. It is not enough simply to hear (or read) the book; we must respond to its message from the heart. We must take the message personally and say a believing “Amen!” to what it says. (Note the many “Amens” in the book: Rev. 1:6–7 , 18 ; 3:14 ; 5:14 ; 7:12 ; 19:4 ; 22:20–21 .)
It is a relevant book. What John wrote about would “shortly come to pass” ( Rev. 1:1 ) because “the time is at hand” ( Rev. 1:3 ). (Note also Rev. 22:7 , 10 , 12 , 20 .) The word shortly does not mean “soon” or “immediately,” but “quickly, swiftly.” God does not measure time as we do ( 2 Peter 3:1–10 ). No one knows when our Lord shall return; but when He begins to open the seals of the scroll ( Rev. 6:1ff ), events will occur with speed and without interruption.
It is a majestic book. Revelation is the book of “the throne,” for the word throne is found forty-six times throughout. This book magnifies the sovereignty of God. Christ is presented in His glory and dominion!
It is a universal book. John saw nations and peoples ( Rev. 10:11 ; 11:9 ; 17:15 ) as part of God’s program. He also saw the throne room of heaven and heard voices from the ends of the universe!
It is a climactic book. Revelation is the climax of the Bible. All that began in Genesis will be completed and fulfilled in keeping with God’s sovereign will. He is “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending” ( Rev. 1:8 ). What God starts, He finishes!
