Revelation 1:9-20

Revelation 1:9-20

John identifies with the suffering of the believers to whom he is writing. He calls himself their brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance. He tells them that he has been exiled to the island of Patmos because of his stand on the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. v. 9

On the Lord's Day (Sunday, the first day of the week) John heard a trumpet-like voice and saw a vision of the glorified Christ. Remember that John had known and walked with Jesus while He was here on earth, but he had not seen or heard Him since He ascended into heaven. The voice told him to write on a scroll everything he would see and send it to the seven churches. (We will see the number 7 many times in Revelation.)

When John turned around in the direction of the voice, he saw 7 golden lampstands, which represent the 7 churches (see v. 20). Among the lampstands, John saw someone "like a son of man." Notice how many times John describes what he sees as "like" something or someone else. It's as if human language is inadequate to fully describe the vision, and so John has to do the best he can to help us understand what he saw. The one "like a son of man" refers to Christ. Each part of his garment and accessories is symbolic of a characteristic of Christ.

• The long robe and golden sash symbolize his role as our Great High Priest.
• His white head and hair symbolize wisdom and authority and dignity and perhaps eternality.
• His eyes like blazing fire tell us that nothing escapes his view.
• His feet, like bronze glowing in a furnace show that He will judge sin.
• His voice like the sound of rushing waters shows his mighty power.
• The 7 stars in his right hand are the pastors of the seven churches. (see v. 20) This shows His role as head of the church.
• The double-edged sword in His mouth represents the Word of God which is living and powerful and will never be destroyed.
• His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance reminds us that He is God!

John reports that when he saw Him, he "fell at his feet as though dead." Then Jesus put His hand on John and identified Himself telling John not to be afraid. (I can understand why John would be afraid, can't you?) "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." vv. 17-18

v. 19 contains an outline for the remainder of the book. Christ told John to write

• What he had seen--the vision.
• What is now--the letters to the 7 churches.
• And what will take place later.

v. 20 interprets some of the symbols we have already seen

• The 7 stars are the pastors or angels :) of the 7 churches
• The 7 lampstands are the 7 churches.