It is pretty easy to divide up these verses. Rev 1:9 pretty well stands on its own, introductory in nature, but clearly looking forward to the text that follows rather than back at the introduction.
It is interesting that John begins by introducing himself as “your brother and partner [fellow-partaker] in the tribulation….” He associates himself with everyone who lives in this age (tribulation is a word used in the seven letters (Rev 2:9, 2:10, 2:22) and later (Rev 7:14)). The point I am making is that tribulation describes the whole period from John’s time until Christ’s return. Of course, it can get worse — thus “great tribulation.” But the whole period can be described as a time of tribulation. He is also a fellow-partaker in the kingdom and the patient endurance in Jesus. Thus we see this apocalyptic theme emphasizing patience in the midst of tribulation. Poythress says, “Christian experience has two sides, suffering and kingdom” (75, The Returning King). He reigns in the midst of tribulation. This is a much different idea than many expected with the coming of the kingdom. John points out that the situation of tribulation has come for him because of Jesus: “on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” So this is not just tribulation for tribulation’s sake, but suffering for the sake of Jesus’ name. These tribulations, even those faced by John personally in his exile to Patmos, are a reminder that the return of Christ is eschatologically soon/near.
Rev 1:10 introduces the first vision of Revelation “in the Spirit” and also includes the phrase “and I heard.” This is a vision (that he saw and heard). But it is a vision that stresses the importance of the written word: “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches…” (Rev 1:11). We are again reminded that this is a letter (an epistle). That it is written to seven churches, since seven means complete, shows us that it was meant for the whole church. And it is a vision on the eighth day of the week — the Lord’s day, pointing us forward to the end of Revelation.
Rev 1:12 is a new paragraph marked by “I saw” and Rev 1:17 yet another paragraph marked by the phrase “and when I saw.”
In the paragraph starting with verse 12, we see the vision of Christ. John turned to the voice and saw seven golden lampstands reminiscent of Zechariah 4. In the midst of the lampstands was Christ in a robe with a sash. He is described with the terminology of the book of Daniel: “like a son of man” (Rev 1:13, cf. Dan 7:13). The description of the hair reminds one of Daniel 7:9. The eyes and feet and sound like Daniel 10:6. The vision of Ezekiel 1 is similar to these. John combines all of these descriptions into one. Clearly John wants the reader to associate the visions of Daniel and Ezekiel with the vision of Christ. And John tells us that Christ is holding seven stars and wielding a “sharp two-edged sword” from His mouth and His face was like the shining sun.
Now what does this vision mean? First, the image is of Christ as the judge and ruler of the universe, including the churches in a special way. He resembles God the Father — the white hair reminding us of His wisdom. This is after all a wisdom writing. The description also reminds us of high priest’s robe and sash because Christ is the priest in the temple of God where the churches are lampstands. John stresses the theme of the testimony of Jesus. This is what landed him in exile on Patmos. And the churches are seen as lampstands as a reminder that they are to bear light — that is, to bear witness to Christ. The seven stars are the angels or messengers of the churches. (The word translated angels simply means messengers, whether these are supernatural beings or not depends on the context.) That these stars were in Christ’s right hand suggests that they were under Christ’s control (the right hand symbolizes power). The sword coming from Christ’s mouth is the word of God, which as the author of Hebrews says, “is sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb 4:12). This image emphasizes Christ’s ability to punish or reward by His word (cf. Rev 19:15, 21). This is a wisdom writing emphasis.
The next paragraph, starting with verse 17, shows us John’s reaction to the vision and Jesus’ response. John fell at Jesus’ feet as though dead. This is a standard response to visions of the glory of God. The brightness of Christ’s face was the last major reminder of this glory-light and do not forget the sound is like that of an army or the roar of many waters. This was an overwhelming vision of sight and sound. It should make one think of Judgment Day.
And, as is common in Scripture, Christ tells John: “Fear not” (Rev 1:17) and begins to explain to John what he is seeing. The interpretation of visions is something that was reserved to wise men in Scripture. Jesus is that wise man. He tells John that the seven lampstands are symbols for the seven churches and the seven stars are symbols of the messengers of the seven churches. Jesus said, “I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades” (Rev 1:17-18). This is a summary of the good news testimony (also cf. Rev 1:5-7). It is because Jesus is victorious over death that He has this office. Jesus is the wise judge and ruler of all, the Ancient of Days, He holds the keys of Death and Hades for the church, He is the priest in the midst of the seven churches and holds their messengers in His right hand. It is a message of encouragement during tribulation for the priest-kings who are His people. If they are not faithful, Christ will be their judge. If they are faithful, they need not fear tribulation.
And Jesus tells John, “Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this” (Rev 1:19). This is the reason we looked at Rev 1:9-20 separately. It is for John “the things that you have seen.” Next we will look at the things “that are.” And then we will begin to unpack the things “that are to take place after this.” This repeats the commission John has to write the book. As an aside, this should remind us that this commission has much in common with the Great Commission at Matthew 28:18-20.
Recent Comments