Exploring The Revelation: Chapters 1–5 / Part 2

Series – March 2021 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Exploring The Revelation
Chapters 1–5: Part 2

John’s Vision Of One Like Unto The Son Of Man
John was over 90 years old and suffering banishment on the island of Patmos for Christ’s sake and for the Word of God. He spoke only of his tribulations as making him a companion of other saints of God. There is no suggestion here of self-exaltation or of self-pity. “The kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ” (v.9 NKJV ) beautifully describes the character of His kingdom at present in contrast to the manifested glory of the one in the millennium. Then the Lord Jesus will have a kingdom of great magnificence for 1,000 years when Israel and the nations will bow to Him in full subjection after the great tribulation. Today He has a kingdom in an inconspicuous, or hidden, form composed of all who on earth acknowledge Him as Lord. He is rejected and waiting patiently for His public coronation. His present kingdom therefore is connected with His admirable patience. Every believer is privileged to share in this as John did, suffering for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

John “was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” (v.10), the first day of the week. This is not the same expression as “the day of the Lord.” Being an exile he would greatly miss the gathering of the Lord’s people to the name of the Lord (Mt. 18:20), and especially so on the Lord’s Day. The Lord graciously gave John something else: he heard a loud voice as of a trumpet behind him. This implies a clear public declaration.

The voice told John, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia” (Rev. 1:11). These were literal assemblies, but they also represent the history of the entire Church from its inception until the coming of the Lord. “Asia” means “the miry land,” which is a significant suggestion of the Church’s entanglement in the mire of the world. These addresses to the assemblies, in order, seek to liberate God’s people from unscriptural entanglements.

The great voice causes John to turn to see “seven golden lampstands” (1:12) and “One like the Son of Man” standing in the midst of the lampstands (v.13). The word “like” implies the fact that He is greater than merely “the Son of Man,” although He is certainly this also. The seven churches formed roughly a circle in Asia Minor (present day Turkey), and the Lord Jesus is seen in the midst, the only Center whom God allows for His Church worldwide. There follows a nine-fold description of His glory. His long garment speaks of His priestly character. Here as Priest He is not interceding, but judging, just as the priest was to discern and judge in regard to leprosy (Lev. 13). That His breasts are bound with a golden girdle suggests that His affections are not free to be expressed, but are restrained by the greater consideration of the glory and righteousness of God of which gold speaks. This is the motive of the solemn service that engages Him.

His head and His hair being white like wool, as white as snow (v.14), speak of Him as “the Ancient of Days” (Dan. 7:22), who has the wisdom of eternal experience, wisdom that acts in perfect purity. His eyes as a flame of fire represent the penetrating holiness of His discernment: nothing is hidden from those eyes of pure truth. Proverbs 20:8 refers especially to Him: “A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with His eyes.”

Brass and fire (“furnace”) are often united in Scripture, as in Revelation 1:15. Both speak of the holiness of God. In burning holiness He will subdue all things under His feet. The tremendous power of His voice is likened to many waters, with its irresistible, awe-inspiring resonance, or sound. It is no longer a voice of gentle grace heard only by His own sheep (Jn. 10:27), but one which will be heard by every ear in the whole universe.

In His capable right hand are seven stars (Rev. 1:16), which we see in verse 20 represent the angels of the seven churches. These stars speak of the reality of heavenly character in those who take a responsible place in the assemblies to which John was to write. That character was in contrast to earthly mindedness. This speaks therefore of His power to sustain such reality in spite of every contrary thing. The sharp two-edged sword proceeding from His mouth (v.16) symbolizes His ability to precisely distinguish between every matter that must be judged. His Word carries out the judgment in perfect consistency with the moral principles involved, not sparing evil in one direction or another. The final characteristic is the most absolute testimony to His deity. His countenance shines as the sun at the peak of its radiance. The full glory of God shines in His face so brilliantly that no human eye can endure looking directly at it.

Little wonder that John falls at His feet as though dead (v.17). It is a vision utterly subduing even to one who had reclined on His breast 60 years earlier (Jn. 13:23). Such submission of the creature is due only to God, his Creator. The Lord does not refuse it, as did a mere angel (Rev. 22:8-9). Yet with tender compassion the Lord lays His right hand of power on John, bidding him not to fear. Still, He affirms the greatness of His divine glory. He is the First and the Last (1:17, see vv.8,11).

He is the living One (v.18). In Him life is seen in its perfection and fullness – its very source. Yet He says He was dead, for in manhood He assumed a body capable of dying and bore our sins in it. None could take His life from Him: He laid it down (Jn. 10:17-18). But He is “alive forevermore” (Rev. 1:18). Of course as God He could never die; now also as glorified Man He can never die again. In fact He has “the keys of Hades and of Death” (v.18). He has total authority in regard to “Hades,” the unseen state of the spirit and soul when the death of the body has taken place, and the same authority over “Death,” the condition or state of the body when the spirit and soul have departed. This is a divine prerogative: He is able to change these conditions according to His own will.

The Key To Dividing Revelation
How worthy He is to command John as He does in verse 19 to write of the:

• “Things which you have seen” – a reference to Revelation 1.
• “Things which are” – the present dispensation of the Church. Revelation 2–3, the addresses to the seven churches, embrace this important second division of Revelation.
• “Things which will take place after this” – referring to the remainder of the book, as Revelation 4:1 affirms. From that point the Church is never again seen on earth, for that verse symbolizes her removal to the heavenly presence of her Lord.

By Leslie M. Grant

Look for Part 3 of this Series next month.

This Series has been adapted from “Exploring The Revelation,” a brief commentary on the whole book of Revelation. The entire book can be accessed online at Bible Centre or purchased from Believers Bookshelf USA or Believers Bookshelf Canada.