Fear Not, for I Am

Revelation 1:9–20 NASB 2020

I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze when it has been heated to a glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. 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. Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Intro

Setting/Context (9-11)

John the Apostle in exile because of the Word of the Lord.

1 Peter 3:17 NASB 2020

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

Participant in tribulation

Participant in the kingdom

Participant in perseverence

Truth

I. Christian resilience is tied to our vision of Christ.

We must see that Christ is with us. (12-13, 20)

Notice that when John sees Christ, Christ does not stand alone. Rather He stands amongst the seven lampstands.

The seven lampstands are the seven churches.

John’s vision reminds us that Christ intendes to dwell forever in the midst of His church. Knowing that He intends to always be with us changes everying about the way we view life.

The churches are presented as lampstands because we are called to put the light of Christ on display for the world.

Matthew 5:14–16 NASB 2020

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The lampstands also harken back to the temple, within which 7 lamps were lit symbolizing the presence of the Spirit of God.

Numbers 8:1–4 NASB 2020

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will provide light in the front of the lampstand.’ ” Therefore Aaron did so; he mounted its lamps at the front of the lampstand, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Now this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold; from its base to its flower ornamentation it was hammered work; according to the pattern which the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.

Seven is a number which in Scripture often symbolizes completeness. Having seven lampstands represented here is significant.

It both speaks to each of these seven churches individually, but also to the greater “catholic” (universal) or “complete” or “comprehensive” church of Jesus throughout all times and places.

This is also a clear reminder from the Lord that the church is the true Israel in Christ, the temple within which Christ dwells forever through His indwelling Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 2:4–5 NASB 2020

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We must see that Christ’s army ministers with us. (16, 20)

The seven stars are the seven angels which minister amongst Christ’s church by His sovereign will.

We are, like Elisha and his servant, surrounded by a multitude of the host of Heaven whether we see it or not. Christ wants us to know that He has minsitering spirits who are working to watch over us and to support the word He has called us to.

2 Kings 6:17 NASB 2020

Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Hebrews 1:14 NASB 2020

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to provide service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

We must see that Christ’s glory is overwhelimg light. (13-16)

Christ is a light so overwheming that no darkness can possibly come against Him nor stop His advancing cause.

John 8:12 NASB 2020

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 1:5 ESV

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

II. Knowing Christ dispels our fears.

Because of who Christ is, Christians need not fear. (17-18)

Because of who Christ is, we have authority to speak as His witnesses. (19)

Gospel

Challenge