Fear not, for Jesus Christ has overcome the world

Revelations 1:9-20

Vision of the Son of Man

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Summary:

John introduces himself and gives the audience some insight on why he is on the island of Patmos. He is a partner, a partaker in the tribulation and hardship that is also upon the churches in Asia Minor. A loud sound commands John to write a letter to seven churches. Suddenly, John sees a vision of “one like the Son of Man.” He sees lampstands, a two edged sword, light, etc. Ultimately, John falls before this vision of the Son of Man in fear and reverence, but is encouraged by this vision and sound to not be afraid.

Reflection:

As you read Revelations, your mind can start churning and you can try to make sense of all the visions, images and symbols. It is quite an endeavor and can be quite fun. However, what we see here in the close of the first chapter of Revelations is the consistent message throughout this first chapter and the entirety of Scripture. He reminds John to “Fear not.” But fear is not easily removed unless there is some truth, some information, some encouragement that can remove that fear. What is this Truth that we need to hear when fear is overtaking us? It is the Truth that Jesus Christ is the “First and the Last, the Living one. The one who died, but is now alive forevermore and has the key to Death and Hades.” He reminds John, and hopefully us today as the readers of Revelations, that He exists outside of time and sovereign over all history. We as his disciples need to remind ourselves of His faithfulness in what has come, His faithfulness in the present, and His faithfulness in what is to come. 

Application:

Remember that Christ is in no way shape or form diminishing suffering. From your personal struggles and hardships to the pain that exists in this world, Christ knows. If anything, Christ suffered the worst hardship, the most unjust hardship known to all mankind ever. Yet he reminds us today to fear not and take heart. The enemy may have thought that the cross was a decisive blow to the world and man, but Christ has overcome and calls us each by name. So today, in the midst of perhaps some suffering and things not going your way, lift them all up to Jesus Christ. Call upon Him that you may instill in yourselves the everlasting Truth that He has been faithful and will remain faithful to the end. 

Prayer:

Living God,

Thank you for life today. Thank you for molding us and shaping us, using each and everything possible to refine us to pure gold. When the walls of the world seem to be crumbling around us, may your Spirit remind us that you are actively present, working for the good of those who love Him. May we abide in that love today and may the power of your love overflow from us unto the world.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.