August 28, 2023
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet … Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. (Revelation 1:10-12)
God wants us to know His triune self. He has gone to extraordinary lengths to make Himself accessible, even to the sending of His Son, who took upon human flesh. John says that when we saw Jesus, we saw His glory … the glory of God’s only begotten Son, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). And He has placed His Spirit inside every true believer giving us the capacity to know Him personally.
A VISION TO BE SEEN
God revealed all that would happen at the end of time to His Son, who showed it to his beloved Apostle John to be recorded for all time. And in that moment on the Isle of Patmos, Jesus began this revelation by letting John see Him—literally, visually—once again.
God knows we are visual, and so He gives John (and us) a very real picture of Jesus. Notice that eight parts of Jesus’ body are seen and intentionally recorded. We could spend days discussing the significance of each part. But simply take a moment and look at Jesus today, just as John did, recorded in Revelation 1:12-16. Pause and look at Him!
JOHN’S RESPONSE AND OURS
“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.” (Vs. 17)
There are some men and women among us that are striking in their appearance. When you see them, you can’t help but take a second look. But here, John encounters the resurrected Christ in all His heavenly glory. He had but one response. It was an automatic posture of awe and holy fear. How could John then (and us now) not fall on our face before Jesus in all His glory?
But notice Christ’s immediate kindness. He met John—literally, physically—right where he was and calmed His heart.
And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (Vs. 17-18)
See Jesus placing His right hand on John and assuring Him that there is no need for fear, just as He has done millions of times for all His children. He is alive forever, never to be threatened by any man or circumstance, and He is sovereign over all that is. He holds the keys.
God gave us this picture for us to look at Him. To be assured by the reality of His presence and to worship in humble joy. Why would He have recorded it in this way otherwise? So, feel His hand on your trembling shoulder. Fix your eyes upon the living, breathing Jesus. Listen to His voice and behold Him now … and let your heart be lifted and your fears banished!
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