Christ Today

John heard Christ 1.10-11

A. John was worshiping when Christ spoke.

Revelation 1:10 ESV

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet

Far to many people want God to speak to them, but they don’t have the discipline to enter into quality worship of Him! We have seen that in our own ministry over recent years.

B. John heard a “mega” voice.

It is interesting that this word is only translated loud in the book of Revelation. The vast majority of it’s use is GREAT or metaphorically important.

Have you ever talked to a long lost friend on the phone and said, “Great to hear your voice!”? I imagine this was in some ways that very situation. John was hearing a great voice - the one of His friend who was now coming across as so much more than just an old friend.

Zodhiates says, “as a Trumpet” is often used announcing the approach or presence of God “Zodhiates, S. (2000). In The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). AMG Publishers.” Again, that would be a great voice to hear!

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Chapter 1)

Trumpets are important in Revelation; in 4:1, the trumpet calls John up to heaven, a picture of the rapture; and in 8:2ff, trumpets signal that the wrath of God will be poured out on the world. … God’s trumpet will call the church home (1 Thes. 4:16), gather Israel (Matt. 24:31).

C. I often mention Text variants.

There is one here in verse 11.

The phrase “I am the Alpha and the Omega” has been mentioned just up in verse 8, and the phrase “the First and the Last” is found in verse 17.

Let me say that whatever version you are using, it is in the context. We are not changing, adding to or taking away our core beliefs by there being a text variant here. This phrase is found 3 other places in Revelation. It also agrees with the whole of Scripture as we find the phrase used in the OT also. Outright reject things that disagree with the whole of scripture (from old other texts or from new AI sources).

Only 3, of 34, pre 9th century manuscripts have this. Non of the very old reliable manuscripts have the extra sentence. Nor do the majority of manuscripts have it.

New Testament Text and Translation Commentary:

These extra words are present in only those manuscripts that follow the commentary of Andreas (MajA). Evidently it was Andreas of Caesarea who interposed these words when he wrote his commentaries. Since his commentaries were widely used and distributed, the King James translators included the addition for fear of leaving anything out about Jesus Christ.

YES! We want to be carful about people adding to or taking away from the Bible. There was a big news story this week about Chat GBT adding to the words of Christ in favour of Trans people.

John saw Christ 1.12-16

A. He saw Christ Himself!

John was used to seeing his friend with dusty dirty feet, quite average clothing, and even hot and sweaty from long walks as they traveled. John may have also had burned into his brain the view of Christ on the Cross - broken, bleeding, gasping for air, and eventually giving up His spirit and dying.

Now John still sees Him as the “Son of Man” but also: v 13ff

Clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Both signs of high rank and power of a Judge -King in John’s day

14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow

The whiteness signifies purity, glory and eternality (think Ancient of Days)

His eyes like a flame of fire

Penetrating and consuming

15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace,

The Greek indicates shiny and glowing suggesting pure judgement.

and His voice as the sound of many waters;

Vast -See Ez 43.2; Dan 10.6 and yet in Rev3.1 we are commanded to hear listen and open the door.

16 He had in His right hand seven stars,

Once again symbolising awesome power and control of the universe.

Verse 20 tells us these stars are the guardian angels of the churches.

out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 1

His WORD is omnipotent in executing His will

and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength

His power and glory are unclouded, sublime, and immense.

We see Jesus as the risen, glorified, exalted Son of God, the Priest-King who has the authority to judge all men, beginning with His own people (1 Peter 4:17).

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 569). Victor Books.

B. What John saw around Jesus

He sees lampstands that verse 20 tells us represent the churches.

Revelation 1:12 (ESV)

“...on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,”

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 1

The candlestick is not light, but the bearer of light, holding it forth to give light around. The light is the Lord’s, not the Church’s; from Him she receives it. She is to be a light-bearer to His glory

Revelation 1:13 (NKJV)

and in the midst of the seven lampstands One...

Jesus was “in the midst” or wandering among the lampstands. He is over and among His church.

John responded to Christ

The Apostle Paul said there will come a time when we no longer regard each other according to the way we know each other here on Earth (2Cor 5.16). That time between John and Jesus is found right here! John saw the glorified Christ in post assertion form. He had seen Jesus with some of His glory on the Mt of Transfiguration, but this is a whole nother level!

A. John responds by passing out

Revelation 1:17 (ESV)

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. . .

Remember how Isaiah responded when he had a vision of God? Is 6.5

Isaiah 6:5 ESV

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Or Daniel in Dan 10.7-9

Daniel 10:7–9 ESV

And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

"I Can Only Imagine"

I can only imagine what it will be like When I walk by Your side I can only imagine what my eyes will see When Your face is before me I can only imagine, yeah Surrounded by Your glory What will my heart feel? Will I dance for You, Jesus Or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine I can only imagine I can only imagine when that day comes And I find myself standing in the sun/son I can only imagine when all I will do Is forever—forever worship You I can only imagine, yeah I can only imagine

(repeat chorus)

Remember, on the night Jesus was betrayed John had reclined ON Jesus as they had supper together (Jn 13.23). This was a MASSIVE change from those days!

B. He responds to touch

Revelation 1:17 (NKJV)

... But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

That must have been very reassuring! To be touched by God is amazing! For John, it not only revived him, but gave him the strength for the task ahead.

However overwhelmed you may be with life, please let God touch you and give you strength for the purpose He has for your life.

C. He responds by writing things down.

Because Jesus is who He is, and John has had these visions, and he understands and accepts verse 18, John writes! John pens what he heard from Christ, what he saw of Christ, and he wrote of the things Christ was asking him to wright about that explained how heavenly things (stars, golden lampstands) and the churches were related.

Revelation 1:18 ESV

and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Note that Christ has the keys and not the Pope.

There is a month of sermons in this one verse alone!

Revelation 1:19 ESV

Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

This verse is often used as an outline of the entire book!

Conclusion: John had his understanding of who Christ is greatly magnified. It was to much for him at first, but with Christ’s kind hand on his shoulder, he is revived and enabled in the task.

Today you may have come to church to enjoy yourself, and after being here you “saw God in a whole new light.” Good!

Because of who He is, He will strengthen us for the task before us!

How is the quality of your worship?

2. Do we see Christ as the man who walked the earth, or do we also see Him as God in control of all?