The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ

The Apocalypse of Jesus cHRIST

rEVELATION 1:1-20

Though St. John the Evangelist saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creature so wild as one of his own commentators.
~ G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy

Revelation shows us:
- The opposition we can expect to escalate
- The endurance we need to cultivate
- The judgment we will celebrate 
- The victory in which we will participate 
- The enemy Jesus will annihilate
- The sorrow he will alleviate 
- The creation he will regenerate
- The marriage he will consummate
- The home we can anticipate
~ Nancy Guthrie, Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation

Main Idea: The revelation of Jesus Christ comforts the afflicted and exhorts the faithful as we await his return.

I. Hearing the Revelation of Jesus (1:1-8)

‘Revelation’ (Gk: ‘apokalypsis’) means an “unveiling” and a “pulling back of the curtain” to reveal what was previously hidden and unseen (cf. Isa. 6, 2 Ki. 6, Acts 9). The ‘revelation’ given to John is “of Jesus Christ,” who is both the object and the means of this unveiling to his ‘servants’ of what must ‘soon take place’ (cf. Acts 2:16-17, 1 Jn. 2:18, Heb. 1:2)

The revelation given to John to the seven churches is thoroughly Trinitarian: 

  • God the Father: “from him who is and who was and who is to come” (1:4b; cf. Ex. 3:14)

  • God the Holy Spirit: “the seven spirits who are before his throne”(1:4c; cf. Isa. 11:2)

  • God the Son: “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth.” (1:5; cf. Col. 1:18)

Though these seven churches in Asia were under the mighty shadow of the Roman Empire, they have been made a “kingdom” and “priests to his God and Father” (cf. Ex. 19:6); they may be hated by Rome but they are loved by Christ who is the true King who has come and is coming again (cf. Zech. 12:10).

II. Seeing the Radiance of Jesus (1:9-20)

Jesus is presented as the “Son of Man” (cf. Dan. 7:13-14), and the one fulfilling the role of:

  • Prophet (“the voice speaking to me”)

  • Priest (“clothed with a long robe”)

  • King (“golden sash around his chest”) 

Jesus was not standing off at a distance while his followers suffered for him. He was right there with them, walking in the midst of them, keeping their fire for the gospel burning, correcting them, watching over them, strengthening them. Some people in this world today are so suspect of the church. They’ve seen too much of what they’ve labeled as hypocrisy, and even though they might be interested in Jesus, the last place they want to be found is in the church. But Jesus is not ashamed to be found in the midst of his imperfect church. It is his preferred place to be. He chooses to be in and among his imperfect people who follow him and serve him in imperfect ways. What a relief.
~ Nancy Guthrie, Blessed

John describes seven things he sees about Jesus’ glorified, bodily appearance:

  1. White hair: eternal wisdom (cf. Dan. 7:9)

  2. Eyes like a flame of fire: penetrating discernment (cf. Dan. 10:6)

  3. Feet like burnished bronze: strength and stability

  4. Voice like the roar of many waters: power and majesty (cf. Psalm 29:3; 93:4)

  5. Right hand holding seven stars: sovereign care for his people (cf. Dan. 12:3)

  6. Mouth: a sharp two-edged sword: cutting words of judgment or salvation (cf. Isa. 49:2, Heb. 4:12)

  7. Face radiant and shining like the sun: divine glory (cf. Ex. 34:29ff, Num. 6:25, Mt. 17:2)

St. John, away from his churches, fretting from lack of intimate knowledge of his people, sees the penetrating, attentive eyes of his Savior. St. John, weak from confinement, sees the strong, burnished feet of his Lord. St. John, used to speaking with authority to his apt-to-stray sheep but now without voice, hears the authoritative voice of the Ruler of church and world. St. John, homesick for his congregations, sees them held in the right hand of the Shepherd of Israel. St. John at the mercy of the political sword of Rome, sees the word of God proceeding swordlike and not returning void. St. John, nearing the end of his days, the energy of his countenance in eclipse, sees the presence of a radiating Christ throwing blessing on all. By virtue of the vision, the crushed exile becomes a vigorous prophet.
~ Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination

The message of Revelation to the church in every age is “fear not.” Though we live in the midst of suffering, hardships, persecutions, and calamities, we are invited to hear and see Jesus in all his glory, the one who has died but yet is “alive forevermore” and who victoriously holds the “keys of Death and Hades.”

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