Revelation 1:1-20 - Behold the Glory: Encountering the Risen Christ

Bible Passage: Revelation 1:1–20

Introduction

The Revelation was given not simply to impart information about the future but to help God’s people in the present (1:3).

In the seven churches, we see issues of

local persecution

how to be in the world and not of the world. What is our relationship to culture?

spiritual complacency

In our suffering and hardship, God is on his throne and Christ is at his right hand. We can look to Jesus and find encouragement to persevere and worship.

Revelation is meant to be a book that gives us confidence and hope.

It is in a very real sense, a vision of the fulfillment of the first three petitions of the Lord’s prayer: Matt 6:9-10

Matthew 6:9–10 ESV

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Because of this Revelation reminds us of the sovereignty of God, the futility of Satan in the current cosmic war, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the glory of the Christ

[The Apostle John on Patmos]

Patmos and the Seven Churches

The Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos because of his Christian faith (Rev 1:9)

He receives these visions on the “Lord’s Day” Sunday form the risen Christ himself (Rev 1:10)

He sends this collection of visions to the seven churches of Asia Minor by way of an angel or messenger (Rev 1:11, 20)

It was meant to be read aloud (Rev 1:3)

We also want to read this book as a whole, which can be intimidating because it moves in a non-linear way.

Spiral Structure of Revelation

The spirals are a series of visions (seven churches, seven seven trumpets, etc.)

At the end of each cycle is a vision of celebration and triumph (e.g., after the churches the throne room) “the worship songs”

When we are about to be overwhelmed by the threatening visions, the assuring visions comfort us and teach us to trust the Father’s promises and remain faithful by clinging to Jesus through the Spirit.

They should turn us away from false sources of security in our own culture and world, from complacency, and welcome us into the heavenly worship around the throne: Spirit-empowered worship of the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb!

1. Christ's Majestic Revelation

Revelation 1:1-8

A. Is a Blessing on Those Who Hear and Obey (Rev 1:1-3)

The word “revelation” is an revealing of something hidden, in this case given by Jesus to John.

John the Apostle lived with Jesus ( 1 John 1:1-3)

1 John 1:1–3 ESV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Why did Jesus give this revelation? So that you would be blessed in the reading, hearing, believing and obeying what is in it.

“Blessed” life as God intended it to be, happiness. You enjoy the privilege of God’s favor on your life.

“the time is near” - these things could happen in any generation.

B. Grace and Peace from our Triune God (Rev 1:4-6)

“To the Seven Churches” Seven is the number of completion in this book (7 Spirits, 7 trumpets, 7 churches). While the Revelation is addressed to seven churches known to him, its message was also for the whole church in general. (cf. Rev 2:7 - See what the Spirit says to the churches).

Grace and peace is the usual Christian greeting

The Trinitarian shape is a beautiful picture of throne room that will be repeated in Rev 22:1

Revelation 22:1 ESV

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

From the Father - “From Him who is, and Was, and Is to Come”

An allusion to Exodus 3:14 “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ””

Revelation 4:8 “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!””

Revelation 4:8 ESV

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

God is the eternal one who controls history from beginning to end.

From the Holy Spirit - “Seven Spirits who are before his throne”

These seven spirits are symbolic of the Holy Spirit. It is a reference to Isaiah 11:2, where the Holy Spirit is described by seven attributes

Isaiah 11:2 ESV

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Also, it seems to be an allusion to Zech 4:6, where the meaning of the vision is “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

Zechariah 4:6 ESV

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

How can it be that the apparently irresistible might and worldwide power of the dragon and the beast will be overcome? By the divine Spirit.

The Spirit is sent out into the world from both the Father and the Son, to make their victory effective throughout the world.

He is bringing about God’s kingdom by implementing the Lamb’s victory through the world.

From the Son

By adding three titles here, John is reflecting on the messianic Psalm 89

The Faithful Witness - Psalm 89:37 “Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.” Selah”

Psalm 89:37 ESV

Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.” Selah

Jesus maintained his witness despite dying on the cross for it.

This must have encouraged these early churches in their persecution.

The word witness is μάρτυς where we get our word martyr.

John views Jesus as the ideal Davidic King, whose death and resurrection have resulted in his eternal kingship and in the kingship of his beloved children.

The Firstborn from the Dead - Psalm 89:27 “And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.”

Psalm 89:27 ESV

And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

This has the idea of sovereignty rather than chronology.

The Ruler of the Kings of the Earth - Psalm 89:27 “And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.”

From our perspective, throughout human history and even today, there seems to be rule of the strongest and often times, the most wicked.

But there is coming a day when the true king will return and make manifest to the world the sovereignty which is already his.

Emperor worship was popular in Asia, but rather than saying Caesar is Lord, early Christians affirmed Jesus is Lord.

By the end of Revelation he is proven to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev 19:16)

Revelation 19:16 ESV

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

He Loves Us

This is a permanent truth.

The Christians in these churches could be tempted to doubt the love of God because of tribulation and persecution, but there is one event that proves the abiding love of God, the cross of Christ.

He Freed Us from our Sins by His Blood

Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

He is the Lamb slain - Rev 5:6

Revelation 5:6 ESV

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

This is the song of the redeemed in Rev 5:9

Revelation 5:9 ESV

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

He Made us a Kingdom, Priests to Our God

How are we a kingdom?

Rev 5:10 has the answer: we shall reign on the earth. We are a kingdom, not just because we are the people over whom Jesus reigns, but also because we will participate in His rule over all.

Revelation 5:10 ESV

and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

We are also priests: we have immediate access to God, and we offer up sacrifices of thanksgiving, worship and praise to God (Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15; esp 1 Pet 2:5-10).

C. Praise to Jesus (Rev 1:6)

Glory and Dominion be to Him Forever and Ever

Revelation is a book of worship. Worship songs are scattered throughout this book.

Rev 4:8, 11. - Worship of God the Father for Creation and his holiness

Rev 5:9-10,12, 13 - Worship of Jesus the Lamb for his redemption

Rev 7:10, 12 - Worship of the Father and Son for salvation

Rev 11:15, 17-18 - Worship of the Father for his rule and judgment of the earth

Rev 15:3-4 - Worship of the Father because his righteous acts have been revealed

Rev 19:1-8 - Worship of the Father for bringing salvation, judgment, and the marriage supper of the lamb

D. The King Is Returning to Make All Things New (Rev 1:7-8)

Here is why I titled the series “The King Is Returning to Make All Things New.”

Here is the motto of the book

The Personal, Visible Return of Christ the King (7)

He is Coming with the Clouds - He is coming as a divine warrior to do battle against the Satan, the dragon, and his followers.

Every Eye Will See Him - When he was here the first time, many didn’t believe He was the King.

When Jesus was on trial, the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” (Mark 14:61). His answer was “I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62).

In other words, “you can doubt I’m the King, but there’s coming a day when it will be crystal clear to everyone.”

Even those who pierced him - This isn’t talking about those who physically crucified Jesus, but rather everyone in all of the ages of history who share the indifference and hostility that was behind the act.

All the Tribes of the Earth Will Wail on Account of Him. These tribes throughout the book are unrepentant (Rev 9:20; 16:9,11), and so his return is the reason for their wailing.

Revelation 6:15–16 ESV

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,

It’s like Adam and Eve in the garden in Gen 3:9 - they hid from the presence of the Lord.

Even So, Amen - This is a true statement, and it’s going to happen. Christ is coming back, we win, be ready.

The Father’s Encouragement (8)

This is one of two times that we hear God the Father speaking in the first person. The other is in Rev 21:6 - I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

By the way, Jesus Himself claims these same titles in Rev 1:17 - I am the first and the last, and in Rev 22:13 - I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

I Am the Alpha and the Omega - God is the absolute beginning and the end, and therefore Lord of all that happens in human history. He has the first word in creation and the last word in the new creation.

The One Who Is, Who Was, and Who Is to Come - He will again visit us to bring history to its divinely ordained and decreed consummation.

The Almighty - The All-Ruler. God is in control of everything

2. Christ's Glorious Presence

Revelation 1:9-16

A. With John as he was commission to write Revelation (Rev 1:9-11)

John was suffering in exile on Patmos. Other Christians were suffering tribulation and patiently enduring this world.

We should not be surprised when we suffer because of our allegiance to Jesus.

John knew Jesus was with him on that Lord’s Day (Sunday), and as he was in the Spirit, heard him speak with a loud voice to write to the churches.

B. With all the churches including us (Rev 1:12-16)

Fulfillment of Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

“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. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

The description fits Yahweh, manifestations of wisdom (white hair), light (fire, glowing bronze, sun shining in full strength), and power (roaring waters, sword from his mouth)

He holds the seven stars and is in the midst of the seven lampstands

The starts are the “angels” of the churches

Could be human messengers

Pastor/Overseer of the church

Messenger from John to the church

Could be guardian angels assigned to each church. (cf. Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”)

The lampstands are the churches - just as the lampstands in the temple meant, God is at home because the lights are on, so too churches as lampstands mean God is dwelling with us

3. Christ's Comforting Assurance

Revelation 1:17-20

A. Reassurance to “Fear Not (Rev 1:17-18)

No longer under judgment

No more fear of death - Some of the most comforting promises in the Bible

John 11:25-26 - Even though we die we will live

1 Cor 15:22 - In Christ, all will be made alive

Phil 3:21 - he will transform our bodies to be like his glorious body

1 Thess 4:13 - we grieve with hope

1 Cor 15:54-57 - the sting of death is gone

Heb 2:14-15 - the fear of death is gone

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

Revelation 21:4 ESV

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

B. Reassurance we are not left in the dark (Rev 1:19)

We are being told what will take place and what these visions mean - God’s plan to fix the world. Jesus has a plan

C. Reassurance that he is with us always (Rev 1:20)

He is in our midst as the church, with us always even to the end of the age.

Conclusion

This passage encourages us to recognize the majesty and authority of Christ in our lives, offering comfort in our struggles and inspiration to live faithfully. By understanding Christ's glory, we are reminded of our identity as His followers and the hope we have in His ultimate victory.

When we are about to be overwhelmed by the threatening visions, the assuring visions comfort us and teach us to trust the Father’s promises and remain faithful by clinging to Jesus through the Spirit.

Not only that, it gives us hope in our mission strategy. These seven church were strategic for advancing the gospel effort in Asia Minor. Our ongoing mission will be a recurring theme throughout revelation. (e.g., Rev 5 every nation, tribe, people, and tongue)

They should turn us away from false sources of security in our own culture and world, from complacency, and welcome us into the heavenly worship around the throne: Spirit-empowered worship of the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb!

Communion

I already mentioned the theme of worship throughout the book of Revelation

I want to point out a few more thoughts:

Tree of life

Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

Revelation 22:2 “through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

Hidden Manna

Revelation 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’”

A Feast with Christ

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 19:7 “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;”

Revelation 19:9 “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.””

Do this until the return of Jesus

Revelation 1:4 “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,”

Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”