The First Thing to See
*Revelation 1:9-20 [Take a moment and read through this passage.]
Observations from the Structure of this Passage:
First, notice the extended description of “one like a Son of Man” in verses 13-18. This is clearly a reference to Jesus Christ (v18). Every part of this description is like a hyperlink back to passages in the Old Testament. There are two things John highlights about Jesus by this description: 1) Jesus is the fulfillment of all biblical hopes for Messiah (e.g. Dan 7:13); 2) Jesus is also the presence of the Almighty God.
Second, notice that this description of Christ’s glory is framed by two moments of Christ’s “gracious presence.” In v13, Christ is “in the midst of the lampstands” (which we learn later are “the seven churches” to be addressed in Revelation 2). In other words, where is this exalted, glorious, fearful, person? On a throne, high and exalted? Well, yes… but also! He is with His people. This same gracious presence is reflected in John’s interaction with Christ in v17, “I fell at His feet as though dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not’.”
Third, notice the reiteration—at the beginning and the end—of John’s commission to “write” what he sees and hears. This commission sandwiches the first vision and explanation (sees and hears) that John receives—which is all about Christ. In receiving his commission to write, John is given the first thing to write about: Jesus. Jesus Christ is the first “revelation.”
Emphasis
John—and Jesus—begins this book of “revelations” with these profound truths.
First, that there is something we need to see and know first, foremost, most of all—this vision must be the context for all that is to come in this book, for all “the things you have seen, those that are, and those that are to take place after this.” (19)
Second, what must be the constant-context for all other revelations is the greatness of Jesus Christ, and His gracious presence with His people.
Good News
The heart of the Gospel is the joining of these two truths: that God is greater than our capacity to comprehend, and that God, in His greatness, condescends bringing mercy and grace to sinners like us, who fill all His churches.
This is what the vision presents to John, but it is also what John himself experiences, as he falls before Christ in fear and then is raised up by Christ with grace.
Argument of Revelation 1:9-20
First and most important of all, we must know the greatness, and kindness, of Christ.
Application
To the reader who looks back on all that God has done in history with a sense of confusion, who looks into the future with a sense of fear, and who looks around their life with a sense of anxiety or frustration, the “Revelation to John” begins by saying, “Behold Him who is the First and the Last, the Living One, who holds The Keys, who stands with and raises up His people.”
To us as we struggle with what has happened, behold Christ, glorious and good.
As we struggle through what is happening now, behold Christ, over all things and kind.
As we fear the future, its sufferings and sorrows, behold Christ, His sure hand, His merciful touch.
What we have seen, what is happening, and what will happen, God is working-together for good. But it is only when we see this vision of Christ that we can believe it. And that is why, first and foremost, Revelation says, Behold Christ Jesus your Lord.
Prayer
Father God, Help us to see and to hear the Good News of this vision—that over all we have endured, all that we face, and all that we fear, the glorious and mighty Lord Jesus Christ reigns exalted. And not only is He over all, but He is with us. He is over all that is in my life, yet He is also with me. May the greatness of Jesus and His tender mercy be the bigger picture, the context, in which I understand my life and, indeed, all things. So may I rest in You and know peace in all things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*[Every year I attend the Charles Simeon Trust workshop on expositional preaching, held at Crossway Community Church (Bristol, WI). Everyone who attends the workshop has to prepare a worksheet on two passages (from a list of eight) to present to their group. The worksheet guides the participant through the process of biblical exposition—that is, “exposing” what the Bible is teaching so that our preaching reflects the author’s intention. Small group leaders, however, are asked to work through all eight passages.
So over the next eight weeks I will prepare a devotional based on my work-through of the worksheet, from the eight assigned passages. This year we are studying the book of Revelation.]
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