John tells us that when he saw the "son of man," he fell at his feet as though dead. We have already argued in our previous post that it was the Lord Jesus Christ that John saw in visionary form. This being the case, John's reaction is fascinating especially in light of the user-friendly environment in which we live here in Canada.
We live in a time when some preachers are working very hard at making Jesus and Christianity "cool!" In far too many instances, this attempt to reach the masses has been at the expense of the awesome glory of the Son of Man. Today we are often presented with a "Jesus" who has been so stripped of his dignity that no one would think of falling at his feet as though dead. Church is "fun" and Jesus a kind of cosmic therapist who is always there to help us out when we get into a jam. In the end, it is often a matter of passing the bagels and slurping the coffee and worshipping on till Jesus comes again, hopefully before that big bad tribulation!
Although these folk are often well-meaning there is something wrong with the picture I have just described. I believe we desperately need to recover a proper sense of fear and reverence. We need a renewed sense of who Jesus Christ really is. We need to ponder his sheer majesty and splendor. We need to come into his presence with respect and deliberation remembering that he is the King of the church and the universe. The post- modern Jesus is too small to save anyone. Only the biblical Jesus inspires confidence and calls for our very best. And this is the Jesus we are confronted with at the beginning of his revelation.
One final thought. It is interesting to note that the words of comfort that Jesus spoke to John came to him as one who had humbled himself before the presence of his Lord. This is consistent with something that is said elsewhere by James: "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (4:8-10). Now there is something to think about while we enjoy our bagels and coffee!
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
John's Vision of the Lord Jesus Christ (1:12-16)
In verses 10 and 11 John is told to write what he sees and send it to the seven churches. This includes what he sees next: a vision of the Son of Man. It is a spectacular vision that is once again full of Old Testament allusion and imagery. In particular the vision draws upon Zechariah 4:1-6, Daniel 7:9-14 and Daniel 10:4-6.
When John turns to hear the voice that was speaking behind him, the first thing he sees are seven golden lampstands which we have already been told represent the churches to whom he is to send this letter (1:20). They are described as lampstands because they hold the lamp of God's Spirit and they are to be a witness to the world. This description also reminds the reader of the Old Covenant temple. It is a picturesque way of saying that the church is the end-time temple of God, the new Israel that is spoken about in ancient prophecy.
Moving among the lampstands was one "like a son of man." This ties the passage to Daniel 7:13. Here is one who is qualified to speak to the churches because he knows exactly what is going on in them. He moves among the churches, he has detailed knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses.
The "son of man" that John sees was dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and he had a golden sash around his chest. He was dressed in the garb of a priest/king. He is a unique combination of the two. He ministers in the temple of God on behalf of the people and yet he also reigns over the people as their king.
His head and hair were white like wool, we white as snow and his eyes were like blazing fire. This description draws on Daniel 7:9-12 in which the Ancient of Days, or God himself, is described in these terms. Clearly the "son of man" is being brought into the closest possible relationship with God himself. Like God, he possesses eternity, he is fully qualified to judge the church and the world since he is absolutely righteous and nothing escapes his omniscient gaze.
His feet are like bronze glowing in a furnace. This somewhat strange description underlines his purity. He is a pure and righteous judge and in a position to insist on purity in his people without hypocrisy.
His voice is like the sound of many waters. In the Old Testament (Ezekiel 1:24; 43:2) God's voice is described in these terms. Whoever this "son of man" is, he is in some profound way "God-like."
In his right hand he holds seven stars. This is yet another picture from Daniel. This time Daniel chapter 12. There the stars seem to represent the "wise" of Israel who have been resurrected to heavenly glory. Here this seems to be another way of saying that this glorious "son of man" is connected with the church in its heavenly as well as its earthly existence.
Out of his mouth comes a sharp, double-edged sword. He is the great end-time Judge spoken about in passages like Isaiah 11:4 and 49:2. The warrior who will judge the nations and defeat all his foes.
Finally, we are told that his face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. This is a biblical way of saying that he is the ultimate warrior. He will be victorious. None can stand against him.
The great question is this: who is this "son of man?" The answer of the rest of the book of Revelation and the Bible itself, is that it is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. He has received a kingdom from the Ancient of Days that will never pass away. He is the one before whom we must stand one day. He is glorious in all of his perfections. To know him is life itself.
When John turns to hear the voice that was speaking behind him, the first thing he sees are seven golden lampstands which we have already been told represent the churches to whom he is to send this letter (1:20). They are described as lampstands because they hold the lamp of God's Spirit and they are to be a witness to the world. This description also reminds the reader of the Old Covenant temple. It is a picturesque way of saying that the church is the end-time temple of God, the new Israel that is spoken about in ancient prophecy.
Moving among the lampstands was one "like a son of man." This ties the passage to Daniel 7:13. Here is one who is qualified to speak to the churches because he knows exactly what is going on in them. He moves among the churches, he has detailed knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses.
The "son of man" that John sees was dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and he had a golden sash around his chest. He was dressed in the garb of a priest/king. He is a unique combination of the two. He ministers in the temple of God on behalf of the people and yet he also reigns over the people as their king.
His head and hair were white like wool, we white as snow and his eyes were like blazing fire. This description draws on Daniel 7:9-12 in which the Ancient of Days, or God himself, is described in these terms. Clearly the "son of man" is being brought into the closest possible relationship with God himself. Like God, he possesses eternity, he is fully qualified to judge the church and the world since he is absolutely righteous and nothing escapes his omniscient gaze.
His feet are like bronze glowing in a furnace. This somewhat strange description underlines his purity. He is a pure and righteous judge and in a position to insist on purity in his people without hypocrisy.
His voice is like the sound of many waters. In the Old Testament (Ezekiel 1:24; 43:2) God's voice is described in these terms. Whoever this "son of man" is, he is in some profound way "God-like."
In his right hand he holds seven stars. This is yet another picture from Daniel. This time Daniel chapter 12. There the stars seem to represent the "wise" of Israel who have been resurrected to heavenly glory. Here this seems to be another way of saying that this glorious "son of man" is connected with the church in its heavenly as well as its earthly existence.
Out of his mouth comes a sharp, double-edged sword. He is the great end-time Judge spoken about in passages like Isaiah 11:4 and 49:2. The warrior who will judge the nations and defeat all his foes.
Finally, we are told that his face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. This is a biblical way of saying that he is the ultimate warrior. He will be victorious. None can stand against him.
The great question is this: who is this "son of man?" The answer of the rest of the book of Revelation and the Bible itself, is that it is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. He has received a kingdom from the Ancient of Days that will never pass away. He is the one before whom we must stand one day. He is glorious in all of his perfections. To know him is life itself.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Back From Vacation
Hello everyone. Well I am back from vacation and it is time to get this blog up and running again.
Over the next weeks I hope to continue posting material from a series of sermons that I am presently preaching at Pilgrim Baptist Fellowship on the book of Revelation.
It is the last book of the Bible and brings the written revelation of God to a conclusion. The next great event on redemptive calendar of God is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory and power. In the book of Revelation the Lord Jesus has all kinds of things to say to his church and we need to listen. We live in a day of enormous confusion within the church. There are so many different ideas out there clamoring for our attention. It has never been more important to listen to what Jesus has to say and to put it into practice.
I trust that these excerpts will be helpful and encouraging to you. If you have any question please write and I will try to get back to you.
In the meantime remember: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105).
Over the next weeks I hope to continue posting material from a series of sermons that I am presently preaching at Pilgrim Baptist Fellowship on the book of Revelation.
It is the last book of the Bible and brings the written revelation of God to a conclusion. The next great event on redemptive calendar of God is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory and power. In the book of Revelation the Lord Jesus has all kinds of things to say to his church and we need to listen. We live in a day of enormous confusion within the church. There are so many different ideas out there clamoring for our attention. It has never been more important to listen to what Jesus has to say and to put it into practice.
I trust that these excerpts will be helpful and encouraging to you. If you have any question please write and I will try to get back to you.
In the meantime remember: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)