Revelation 1, Glorified Christ

 

Revelation 1   Glorified Christ

In mark 4:11 it says, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God.” Jesus said this to His apostles. Along the way God always gives knowledge to whomever he wishes. John tells us that whoever reads this book will receive a special blessing. In this chapter we see Christ in His unveiled beauty and power and glory. This revelation started with God to Jesus Christ to the Angel who revealed it to John and finally to His servants and that includes us. Jesus is the living word. John not only heard the living word, he saw it too. John greets the seven churches in Asia which today is modern Turkey. We know John was a pastor of the church in Ephesus. Apparently, he had oversight of these churches in that area. The number 7 means completeness. Such as seven years of plenty, seven years of famine, 7 beatitudes, the seven spirits refer to the Trinity Jesus the God son, the Holy Spirit and God who was and is and is to come. Jesus Christ is the faithful witness of the facts of this book. He is the first born from the dead. He resurrected and is the only one who had come back from the dead with a glorified body and His children will follow Him. Ultimately Christ will be the ruler of all kings and peoples of the earth and that is because He loves us and washed us from our sins. He will come in the clouds as a physical body and all eyes will see Him. Not everyone will want to see Him. Those who live in their sins or do not believe in Him will not want to see Him. When it says He is the beginning and ending it means He is of all time and eternity. John talked to his troubles he had in the Isle of Patmos. The Roman Emperor had put him in prison for preaching the Word of God. That was his tribulation that Christians experience today in God's kingdom here on earth. It was on this island of Patmos that he received his visions. It was a vision with sight and sound. What he heard was a voice like a trumpet. When Jesus comes, he will come with a shout. What he saw was 7 lampstands which stood for seven churches. The person who he saw was seen in high priest clothes. Jesus Christ was the High Priest clothed in righteousness. He is judging the seven churches. His hair and head speak of His eternal existence. He is the ancient of days. His flaming eyes speak of his penetrating gaze that knows everything about you and me. His brass feet is symbolic of judgement. In His hands He held seven stars meaning he controls the whole universe. The two-edged sword represents His word. Hebrews 4:12. This vision of Jesus was paralyzing to John. Even though John was favored by Jesus while on earth, John had great reverence for Jesus. Jesus reveals who He is in this vision and who the seven lampstands or candlesticks are the churches, and the seven stars are the angels of the churches. All that John seen and heard he writes about to the seven churches, and this is just the beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.