What The Spirit Says … 02 A Remarkable Vision

(Notes and Reflections on Revelation 1 – for the prelude to the series, click here.)

Revelation 1 is an insight into what we’re about to receive from the rest of this text. We are introduced to John, but it’s clear in the early parts of this letter that John is taking notes from what someone else is showing Him. John is not the main author – this is coming from God. The revelation is from Jesus Christ and Jesus got it from the His Father.

The first chapter accords due honour and credit to the Father and the Son.

John is tasked with recording what is revealed to Him and ensuring that it gets to seven churches. He then shares an incredible scene of someone he should have found familiar. John had walked with Jesus whilst the Messiah spent His time on the earth. John saw Him feed thousands, John saw Him retire to pray alone in the wilderness. John saw Him doing good around the region. John saw Him teach many the right way of God. John saw Him agonise in a garden and then witnessed Him beaten, whipped, scorned, rejected and then crucified. John had the remarkable experience of seeing this Man who was crucified raised from the dead – alive and well. John saw Him teach many about the Kingdom of God before He ascended to heaven. John knew this man.

John had a brand new vision of Jesus. One that shocked him to the degree that he fainted. It’s not surprising when you get an idea of the amazing scene he receives:

• Clothed in a long robe;
• Golden sash around the chest;
• White wooly hair;
• Eyes like flames;
• Burnished bronze feet;
• Voice like roaring waters;
• Sevens stars in the right hand;
• Two-edged sword from his mouth;
• Face shining like the sun

This element is important to us as we read, because it tells us that what we’re about to get into is stunningly and gloriously serious. The vision of Jesus is what is needed to get this message across. The recording of what John witnesses about Jesus gives us something to take on board in our idea of who Jesus is. As we will discover elements of what John sees in Jesus is crucial for what Jesus has to say to His churches. The eyes, the tongue, the voice are not just for decoration or to mak an impresion – they have function and purpose in what Jesus is about to say to His churches and something that we need to be careful to hear as to what the Spirit is saying to us.

This awesome vision of Jesus did not come out of nowhere and with no context. The message to the seven churches addressed different saints in different locations dealing with different circumstances. In those seven scenarios, though, those with ears to hear will pick up on what the spirit says to the churches. What the Spirit says even if your church is not in that circumstance. What the Spirit says particularly if you can see similarities between what Jesus says about that church and what you witness about yours. What’s helpful about what we’re about to read as well is how helpful certain sources will tend to be about the meanings of some of the things that are seen. Jessu clearly did not want us to be looking for candles. Jesus explained what that meant.

This is reassuring for what we’re about to get into, to get the idea that Jesus means business when it comes to talking to His Bride. As He spoke to His churches then, in the light of the revelation of who He is, so we hope to hear what He has to say and recognise what His Spirit is saying to us as well.

Questions from Revelation 1

• What can you do to help you get an awe-filled as well as awesome sense of God?
• Why is this important in knowing who God is and receiving what He has to say?
• Why is a vision of an awe-motivating Jesus crucial to this book?
• What do you learn about Jesus reading this chapter?
• Do you sense a degree of importance and urgency in this encounter that Jesus inspires with John?
• Do you sense a degree of importance and urgency in an opportunity to hear what Jesus has to say to His Bride?
• After reading revelation 1 and praying on it – what comes to you about your experience with this chapter?

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden