Rev 1:12-20

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All right, so we pick up tonight in Rev 1 as John has a vision of the Alpha and the Omega, Jesus Christ.

12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 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 which you saw are the seven churches.

V12 He turns to see 7 golden lampstands. Not menorahs. Singular stands on which a light or oil lamp was placed. These are in a circle with “Son of Man” in the midst or center. This is an awesome picture.

Think of a candle stick . What is it’s job? To display the light. Jesus is the light of the world. The candlestick produces no light. No matter how beautiful or ornate its light comes from outside itself. When there is no light on it it’s only furniture.Jesus in the midst gives the oil and the light to each lamp.

Why call him “the Son of Man”? To a hurting church Jesus portrays himself as relate-able, reminding us of Heb 4:15

The New King James Version Chapter 4

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

…just as we are yet without sin.

Note: In this vision this is the one of two physical descriptions of Jesus and it is meant to be symbolic. Heard a BLM representative use this description to say that Jesus Christ was Black. Because he had hair like wool. This is absurd, this description obviously symbolic. The second description is (any guesses?)

Is 53.

2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

What do you notice when you first meet someone? Maybe their eyes, or their clothes, or their face. Well John is now going to give us His description.

V13 John begins with His location and clothing; and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band

John turns and sees a human form with a Long Robe and Golden Sash- Reminds of the High Priest, only a person of importance or royalty would wear this.

He sees this being in the midst; one like the son of Man. Interestingly, this is where Jesus always is in reference to his church.

Mat 18:20 .

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

On the cross, Jesus, was in the middle of two Criminals.Also, in chapter 5

Rev 5:6

6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Dan 3:25 – in the midst of the fiery furnace.

25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Jesus is always in the preeminent place among his church. Right in the middle. It’s good to know that wherever you are, no matter what, Jesus is there with you.

David writes in Psalm 139

The New King James Version Psalm 139

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”

Even the night shall be light about me;

12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,

But the night shines as the day;

The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

John now moves his attention and focuses on His Head, hair, and eyes;

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;

Head and Hair were white, like wool, white as snow. White speaks of Purity, Holiness, and Antiquity. Interesting for you bible students, Where have we seen wool and snow before?

Is 1:18

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Snow and wool speaks of the forgiveness of Christ. Notice, also, Daniels vision of Gods Throne

Dan 7:9

9 “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;

John see His Eyes as a blazing fire- eyes that look right through you to reveal the truth.

Have you ever experienced that sense that someone was reading your mind. People think we as Pastors can do that. We can’t, however God can and does. The book of Heb 4:12 says the word of God “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

To us as believers a blessing but to those outside of Christ, terrifying. God sees everything!

Proverbs 15:3 NKJV

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

V15 John now focuses on His Feet and Voice;

His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;

Feet like bronze glowing in the furnace. Brass is a symbol of Judgement. Examples: Brazen serpent, brazen alter.

Article - Dis you ever wonder what is the difference between Brass and Bronze and Copper?

Voice like rushing waters or many waters. Think of Niagara falls.

As a side note, the idea of many waters gives us the message that the confluence of many streams of information all giving the same message is a loud one. Application: you may not get a vision like John, but God is speaking through this message, on the radio, from friends, and personal study. Its not coincidence when that happens.

V16 Johns focus is now on His Hands and Mouth;

He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

In his right hand were 7 stars and out of his mouth was a sharp double edged sword. This is the heavy sword or (rhomphaia) The small sword is (Machaira) used in

Heb 4:12.

The New King James Version Chapter 4

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

"There is no handling this weapon without cutting yourself, for it has no back to it, it is all edge. The Word of Christ, somehow or other, is all edge." (Spurgeon)

Face- like looking into the sun. Again, a comfort to the believer, (the lord bless thee and keep thee make his face shine upon thee and give you peace)but a horrifying thing to the heathen.

V17- And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Johns response to seeing God, I fell as dead…No man can see God and live we are told. Yet Jesus placed his hand on him and says,” don’t be afraid”. He is saying that to you and me right now, whatever we are going through. Don’t be afraid.

Consider also, that when you encounter the Living Christ you are now dead. Dead to the flesh, dead to Sin.

V18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

First and the Last, the living one, I was Dead… another great passage to share with anyone not believing that Jesus is God.

He says He Holds the keys to hades and death. Two sides, to lock up or release. Jesus holds the keys to everything!

Jesus say something very interesting in regard to keys;

Matthew 16:19 NKJV

19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Most of us have not really considered this passage. Think of the power Jesus has given us. What we pray for effects eternity and who will enjoy eternity with Jesus.

The word bind - deo in Greek- means to tie up, put under obligation.

Loose is - luo in greek - means to loose any person (or thing) tied or fastened

Now we get to the pivotal verse to understanding the Revelation.

V19 “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

This verse is so important to understanding the book. Even if before tonight you new nothing. Now you know the outline Ch 1 ..have seen, Ch 2 -3, is now, Ch 4-22 after these things (Lit.- after this). In Greek, meta tauta .

So to review, thing you have seen. refers to? Ch 1. The things which are? Ch 2-3, the Church Age, and meta tauta- after this, after what? after the church age ch 4 -22.

So where is the wrath of God revealed in the book? After ch 4. And where is the Church at that time? More to come on that.

Finally the Interpretation of the vision.

V20 “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 which you saw are the seven churches.

Stars are the angels. The Greek word here Angelos means messenger. Could indicate guardian angel of each church, or the leader or Pastor of each church.A real blessing to each pastor is know he is held in Jesus’ right hand.As we close we must ponder how is our lampstand doing. Are we shining for Jesus.each of us must answer.