A Vision and Commission

Patiently Endure Reproach.

This happens through genuine fellowship with Christ and His church.

John is a partner, and the root of this word is koinonia. It’s a shared and mutual participation, and there’s three things of partnership and fellowship that John shares with the church: tribulation…the kingdom…and the patient endurance. Sandwiched between the idea of suffering and faithfully enduring suffering is the kingdom. If we plan to be partakers of the kingdom, we must plan to suffer because of our association with Jesus.

This call to patient endurance because of the believer’s association with Jesus figures prominently in the entire book. It’s written to believers who are suffering, and it reminds all who read it…remember immediate context but universal application…that bearing the name of Christ necessarily invites reproach. It’s the by-product of holy living!

Further, it’s necessary to remember that we do not go it alone. We were never called, nor could we ever. Even Jesus Himself reminds us of His presence (Mt.28:18-20), and John says, “Hey, I’m not immune to suffering.” Isn’t it great that the one that God gives this phenomenal vision to first says that he is a partner in the fellowship with all of God’s people?!

Well, he goes on. The vision he receives is on the Lord’s day, associated with the resurrection of Jesus. What’s fascinating about this I think is that no matter where you date Revelation, an early, pre-fall of Jerusalem or a later, more traditional date, around 95 AD or so, still before the end of the 1st century Christian’s commemorate the day of the resurrection. This mention of the Lord’s day sets up a key note in how this passage ends.

John says He is in the Spirit, especially interesting in light of OT passages like:

Ezk.2:2 “And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.”

Ezk.3:12 “Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great earthquake: “Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!””

Joel 2:28 ““And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”

The final days have indeed arrived. The Spirit of the Lord is once again on His people to declare His word!

As John is in the Spirit, on the Lord’s day, he hears a voice like a trumpet. The trumpet is a harbinger of the DOTL typically in the NT or during a theophany. He is commanded to write what he sees. Typically in the OT, when a command to “write” happens, it involves a judgment against Israel. In verse 11, John is told to write what you see. This theme of what John hears vs. what John sees will figure prominently in a few sections in the book. Emphasis is given here to what John sees. Hang on to this idea, because in a few places in Revelation what John hears and what John SEES is different. I would argue that the vision is the thing that bears more attention, and that is set up here in the beginning.

After this, the seven literal churches that set the context for the letter, and they’re listed in a somewhat circular manner, likely in which the letter would travel.

So, we know right off the bat — expect reproach because we are associated with Jesus. Endure it well, because it is common to all churches throughout history, and we have an authoritative message to carry us along.

Next...

Cling To Christ’s Reign.

John turns to see the voice speaking to him, i.e., to see who was speaking. However, the phrase is interesting — he turns to see something that cannot be seen.

When John turns, he sees not a person but seven golden lampstands.

This is another reference to Zech.4 and indicates the latter days have started.

Lamp stands are to shine God’s light n a hostile world.

Whereas Zech. has one lampstand and seven lamps, the seven lampstands here could refer to the fullness of God’s people which is no longer bound by a single ethnicity or nationality.

The lampstand imagery appears throughout the churches discourse, and particularly in vs.20 here.

John shows Jesus in the middle of the lampstands: Christ isn’t an absentee Landlord. And, notice how Jesus is portrayed. He’s called one like a son of man. If you’re wondering where John gets this phrasing from, thinking maybe the gospels — it was one of Jesus’ favorite terms for Himself — it actually predates the gospels. Dan.7:13 ““I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.”

But, what’s interesting is that John takes the title son of man but then attributes to Him descriptions made of the AOD…Daniel doesn’t do this. The two are clearly separate, for the son of man approaches the AOD. However, John combines the two: Dan.7:9 ““As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.”

This obviously is no coincidence — he’s in the Spirit receiving a word from Christ Himself. The image he now gives us is that of someone who is uniquely man and God — Christ alone.

But, the symbology goes even deeper — yes, He’s the unique God-man, but He’s also portrayed as the unique priest-king. He’s wearing a long robe, similar to what a priest would wear, but a golden sash around his chest, indicating some type of royalty. And, since the “son of man” language is in play, Dan.7:14 tells of his everlasting dominion.

The unique role of the priest-king fleshes out the exalted one of Zech.4, 6:9-15 where two oil spouts pour into one fount.

We see His purity, His moral perfection, through His white hair. His eyes are piercing with divine judgment, a flame of fire. His moral foundation is absolutely pure, burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and when He speaks, it’s like the roar of many waters (see Ezk.1:24 “And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the sound of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings.” and Ezk.43:2 “And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.”)

Jesus held the seven stars in His hand.

The word held means “to take hold of” and “grip tightly.” Jesus both takes and keeps authority. It’s a way of showing that He is in complete control, an important idea for those who are suffering persecution and tribulation.

Jesus holds seven stars showing His power over creation, and by extension, pagan deities.

The sword coming from Jesus’ mouth is sharp and two-edged.

The fact that it proceeds from the mouth of Christ mimics Isa.11:4 where the Righteous Branch judges righteously and strikes “the earth with the rod of His mouth.”

The announcement of Christ’s word (Heb.4:12; Rev.19:15) and the description of it being sharp and two-edged indicates that He judges the righteous and the wicked with violent effectiveness.

It truly is a fascinating vision, both in terms of how John brings together ancient pictures, but also just in the minds eye as you image something like this. It all points to the irrefutable and unstoppable reign of Jesus. This is meant to carry believers through when the tides of persecution come pounding on the door.

Finally...

Trust in the Resurrection.

John’s reaction is appropriate in light of the magnitude of the vision he has just been given. There is a picture of Christ’s gracious comfort as the glorious One lays His hand on John to offer him calm assurance.

Here, Jesus is described as the first and the last, the nature previously attributed to the Father. Jesus says that He died, but now He is alive forevermore. Deut.32:40 and Dan.12:7 both describe God as the one “who lives forever.” Jesus is the One who has defeated Death and Hades by His own death and resurrection.

John is recommissioned to write. Rooted in everything that has just been revealed (Christ’s glory, His death, and His resurrection), John’s commission is reaffirmed. This seems similar to the commission of Isaiah after he sees a vision of the reigning Lord depicted in grand holiness.

John is to write the things that are. Remember that when Christ came, His death and resurrection ushered in the last days as He frequently proclaimed that the kingdom of heaven/God were at hand. However, John is to also write the things that are to take place, i.e., the end. It is likely he has the book of Daniel in mind, the things that were far from being fulfilled in Daniel’s day. John will write of the things that began with Christ and culminate with the DOTL and Christ’s return.

The stars that John earlier saw in Jesus’ right handier now described as the angels of the seven churches. While tricky to exactly understand, likely refers to an angelic being charged with overseeing the church. Ultimately, they are under the authority of Christ for He holds them in His hand. Typically, when angel is used in Revelation, it refers to heavenly beings, not the generic interpretation “messenger.” The lampstands are the seven churches, and Christ is shown to be in the midst (v.13). This implies a close relationship and concern for the church and their role as witnesses to the truth.