Truth for Today II & III: Revelation 1. 7-20 The Vision of the Beloved Here is the first in the series of visions that John has in the book of Revelation. A vision conveys the truth in picture form, and a picture can paint a thousand words. Don’t worry, you’re not going to have to read a thousand words before you can understand this passage - but let us look at the picture, or rather the vision and see what it says to us. In this passage John introduces themes that will be important throughout the rest of the book. The first of these is:
The Coming of Christ. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Rev 1:7) The blessed hope of all believers it that we will see Jesus and be with him one day. Our desire is to be with the Lord who loves us, and he too, as this passage makes clear, longs to be among his people. No one should be misled into thinking that the early Christian church ‘spiritualised’ the return of Christ. John anticipates him returning in such a way that will be personal. He will be seen approaching in the clouds, that is in the sky—an unmistakable event—and every eye, even of the long dead Jews and Romans present at his crucifixion, will see him.
The Divinity of Christ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Rev 1:8) The revelation given to John is reliable, because Jesus is from everlasting to everlasting and knows everything that will happen—from his eternal perspective it has already been completed.
Persecution of Believers Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Such is our love for Christ that we are prepared to suffer for his name - even as his love for us meant he was willing to endure the suffering of the cross. Persecution of believers is one of the main themes in Revelation, and the church is warned that it will face opposition for Christ’s sake throughout the church age. Yet the book also makes clear that the ultimate position of the church will be one of triumph and vindication. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 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. (Rev 1:10–13)
The Robes of the Beloved Being summoned by a voice from heaven, John turns to see the One who had spoken and saw One like the Son of Man standing among seven golden lampstands, which (v 20) represent the seven churches of Asia. However, since the number seven in the Bible represents completeness, Christ’s ministry to the churches of Asia is representative of his ministry to the whole church. Hence the letter, even though explicitly written to them and for their time and situation nevertheless contains application relevant for us all. Christ loved the church and gave himself for her (Eph 5:25). We love him for he first loved us (1 John 4:19), and has brought us into a relationship with Himself. If He is our beloved then we are his beloved, the objects of his affection. That is why Christ is always in the midst of his church. Christ is the head of the body and the church is His body (Col 1:18). Christ is the bridegroom and the church is the bride (John 3:29). In fact the church is described later in Revelation as being the Lamb’s wife. Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." (Rev 21:9) For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Eph 5:31–32) Christ and His church are eternally inseparable, joined in one by the everlasting Spirit of God. So where else would we expect to find Christ than amongst his people—walking among the ‘candlesticks’? If you want to meet with God you must gather with his people, for he is always among them. He said “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them.” Christ has promised never to leave us or forsake us, and He ever lives in the presence of God that he might minister to his church. That is why, as John relates His Vision of the Beloved, he mentions Christ’s robes first. For these are the robes of his High Priestly ministry. We do not often hear much in Christian circles about this aspect of Christ's ministry, but it is through this ministry that we are constantly receiving from Him. The robes are meant to be reminiscent of the clean linen undergarments of the high priest of Israel - a cleanness representing ceremonial purity. Jesus Christ is pure and clean enough to serve in his office as our High Priest, for he is without sin (Heb 4:14-15; 7:26). The golden breastplate is reminiscent of the breastplate worn by the high priest on which were 12 precious stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel - symbolising that the high priest was always to bear the tribes on his heart before God - that is, to intercede for them, as Christ our Great High Priest ever lives to intercede for us (Heb 7:25)
The Scope of His Office Christ fulfils His High Priestly ministry for all who have by faith received him as Saviour and Lord. John does not see Christ walking through the world, but among His church. In the Old Testament, God appointed a High Priest for the people of Israel as a foreshadowing of Christ’s High Priestly ministry. On his heart the High Priest wore a breastplate, decorated with twelve precious stones, symbolizing the children of Israel. So Christ our great High Priest carries us on his heart. He intercedes with God on our behalf. Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Rom 8:34) Do you remember the words of his High Priestly prayer in John 17? He prayed for you and me: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:20-21)
Before he entered the garden of Gethsemane to face his hour of agony, Christ said to Simon Peter “Simon, Satan has desired to have you to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you.” None of us can ever fall lower than Christ’s hands so long as Christ ever lives to make intercession for us. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Heb 7:25) What security this gives us—the beloved carries each one of us in his heart day by day. John later (v 16) describes Christ as holding the church in his hand, and those hands are nailed pierced. But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me." "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. (Isa 49:14–16) We are in his hands and in his heart. Secondly, the High Priest wore twelve precious stones on his shoulders, symbolizing the nation of Israel. The scripture says of Christ that the government shall be on his shoulder (Isa 9:6). As God’s household we submit to the head of the house. Christ rules, for He is Lord of all and head of the church. Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant ... but Christ as a Son over His own house (Heb 3:5-6). Whilst the Lord in grace stoops to take care of us and meet our needs, we must never forget that He remains Lord with absolute authority—to be obeyed. God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Every year the High Priest was to offer sacrifices with the blood of bulls and goats, which could never take away sins. But Christ offered one sacrifice for all time when he offered himself. It is not with the blood of bulls and goats, but by His own precious blood that he has taken away our sin once and for all. So here John again alludes to a theme very prominent in Revelation, as he did in verse 5, of Jesus’s death being ordained by God as a sacrifice which would redeem his people (see also Hebrews 9+10). The High Priest was meant to be a mediator between God and man, but in fact there is only one who can rightly fulfil this office and that is the man who is God - Christ Jesus. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, (1Tim 2:5) So when we come to God we come boldly by the blood of Christ, for He ever lives to give us access into the presence of God. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us... come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:14–16) Since the High Priest was a man himself, he was subject to weakness and able to sympathize with the people. Even so John sees Christ as the Son of Man. He became flesh and dwelt among us, partaker of our flesh and blood. He was tried and tested in every way that we can possibly be, and came through victorious. 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 (Heb 4:15) Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (Heb 2:17–18)
Because he has been this way before, he understands us, and helps us in time of need. His help is all availing, for he shares his victory with us. This is why he says “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So Christ is pictured in Revelation chapter one as carrying out his high priestly ministry, for while his church remains on earth, his heart of concern is never far away. He is near to you.
The Purpose of His Office Chiefly the aim of Christ’s High Priestly office is to bring every son to glory. By his death and resurrection Christ has saved us from sin’s penalty, but he continues day by day to work in our lives, saving us from sins power. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Rom 5:10) Malachi says “he will sit as a purifier to refine the sons of Levi”. God wants those who are his to be holy and perfected in their character. That is why Christ gave himself for the church “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,” Eph 5:26 Your character is the only thing you will take into heaven with you. Whilst it is true that a man may enter heaven if he receives Christ now and the next moment dies, without any chance to grow in grace; it is also true that only in this life, through pain and tribulation, can a work of grace be done in you that work will last for eternity. Even Christ as a son learned obedience through what he suffered, and when his obedience was made complete, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who believe. Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. (Heb 5:8–9) In a similar way His aim is to perfect us in grace and the obedience to God. In chapters two and three of Revelation we find Christ’s words of rebuke and encouragement to the seven churches. As he deals with them, he assures them, comforts them, rebukes and challenges them to keep living for God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation “among whom” says Paul “you shine as lights in the world.” That is why the church is viewed here as a lampstand, shining his light in the midst of darkness. The Priest in the Old Testament had to keep the lamps burning continually, and Christ works to keep the fire of faith and love for God burning in our hearts. That we are lights means that we are God’s witnesses of God’s glory. They are one piece speaks of the unity of the church. That they are gold that they share in the divine nature and glory of God (Rev 21:10–11 ). Christ’s ministry leads to our ongoing transformation into his likeness, and we are assured that when we see Him we shall be like him, which Peter calls “the glory that is to be revealed”. This is the ultimate purpose of his ministry.
The Fulfilment of his Office. John’s vision assures us that he who has purposed to bring many sons to glory, is fully able to do so. Christ assures John “I am he that lives and was dead and behold I am alive forever more and I have the keys of death and hell.” Surely the one with all power and authority in heaven and earth is able to fulfill his aims. The Lord will prefect that which concerns me. Psalm 138.8 The Lord will preserve me from every evil work and bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. 2 Tim 4.18
God who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1.6
The Face of the Beloved His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; (Rev 1:14) and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. (Rev 1:16) After the description of his robes, John describes the face of the beloved. His depicts Christ as having a head and hair as white as snow. The whiteness of his hair is a reference to his eternity. He is the ancient of days, without beginning and without end. It indicates the reverence that should be afforded to one who “Is and who was and is to come.” The eyes as flaming fire reveal the truth that this Son of Man standing before John is God. As Christ later explains to John “I am he who was and is and is to come, the Almighty.” for our God is a consuming fire. That fire in his eyes speaks of his all-consuming love, his anger against sin and of his all knowledge. Neither is anything in all creation hidden from his sight, for everything is open and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Heb 4:13). The shining whiteness of his head and face was familiar to John who was a witness of Christ’s transfiguration. It was an outshining of his glory within that made His face shine like the sun, v16 (Matt 17:2) The face of the beloved is most beautiful to us, for that face was beaten and marred for our sakes. I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. (Isaiah 50:6) Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, (Matt 26:67)
The Feet of the Beloved His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, (Rev 1:15) V15 Christ’s feet were beautiful, too for it was he who brought the gospel of peace. How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isa 52:7) When men fall at Jesus feet it is for mercy since we are all sinners. It is appropriate then that at Christ’s feet that we find an expression of God’s mercy. Bronze is an alloy - a bringing together of two different metals in one (copper and tin). The gospel message brings together the contrasting attributes of mercy and justice. Justice because sin is judged on the cross. whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, (Rom 3:25) Sin reigned from Adam to Christ. Mercy is offered on basis of cross. One day, offer closes, NO MERCY THEN. Mercy, because through the cross, mercy is offered to sinners. to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:26) Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. (Psalms 85:10)
No wonder we fall at his feet to praise him for his justice, and for his mercy.
The Voice of the Beloved His voice as the sound of many waters; (Rev 1:15) The voice of Christ is one of authority. He speaks and it is done. In the beginning he spoke and the worlds came into existence. But when he speaks to his people, how gentle he is, how tenderly and lovingly he calls us closer to himself. Even in rebuke, it is as many as he loves he rebukes and chastens. As believers we know his voice. Jesus said,” My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) That voice is precious to us, for how gracious Christ is to speak to us, again and again, through his word and by His Holy Spirit. Let us never take his voice for granted. The singer in Solomon’s song says: O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely." Song 2:14
Conclusion Our response to the vision of the Beloved would be the same as that of John, whose spirit was overwhelmed. He simply could not bear the beauty and glory of the vision. Only by receiving supernatural strength could he go on to receive further messages from Christ. May we gaze upon the vision of the Beloved, until it overcomes us, and we are lost in wonder, love and praise.