Everyone loves a good story and I have a great story to tell today. It is the story of future history. It’s not fictional—the product of someone’s imagination—but it’s a true story. It’s called “The Revealing of Jesus Christ.” This story is about the future, about the things that must soon take place. But where did this story come from? It came from God. It came through Jesus Christ. Then, by means of an angel, to the apostle John. Then, through the apostle John, to all the servants of Jesus. But, not only is Jesus telling the story, he is the subject of the story. This story is an autobiography of Jesus.
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Everyone loves a good story, and I have a great story to tell today. It is the story of future history. It is not fictional, the product of someone’s imagination, but it is a true story. And it is called ‘The Revealing of Jesus Christ.’ Let’s read about in Revelation 1:1-3.
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
So this story is about the future, about the things that must soon take place. But where did this story come from? Verse 1 tells us the answer. It came from God. It came through Jesus Christ, then by means of an angel to the apostle John, then through the apostle John to all the servants of Jesus.
But, not only is Jesus telling the story, he is the subject of the story. Look at verse two. The word of God is another name for Jesus and then it straight out says it is the testimony of Jesus.So, this story is an autobiography of Jesus.
The book of Revelation is an autobiography of Jesus.
And there are special blessings attached to the story.Blessed is the one who reads the story. So I myself am going to be blessed this morning in telling you the story. Then there is a blessing for those who hear the story, so that means you will be blessed this morning. Besides that, there is an extra blessing for those who take it to heart. That means they believe it and act upon it. That’s how good this story is! Blessing upon blessing for those who engage with it.
Like all great stories these days, they get made into movies, blockbuster movies. So I am going to suggest that God has got a blockbuster movie for us to see. The movie rights belong to a group of three production companies, and like a movie, they appear first on the screen. These three companies are closely related. We read of them in verse 4 and 5.
The first company is known as ‘Him who is and was and is to come.’ Of course, we know who that is. It is Father God. He is the eternal One. The story originated from him and he has the rights to the story.
The second production company is called “The seven spirits production company”. That is the Holy Spirit. Father God always works through the Holy Spirit in all He does.
The third production company is “Jesus Christ production company.” All three companies are producing this movie. But there is more about Jesus. He is the star of the movie. And not just one movie, but three, forming a trilogy. To introduce the third movie in the trilogy, a brief review of the first two movies appears on the screen. Note verse 5.
The first feature movie was called “The First Coming” in which our hero Jesus Christ starred as The faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead. And the ruler of the kings of the earth. That was the story of his first coming to earth, where he faithfully declared the grace of God and died to secure it for us. Then he rose from the dead. And God exalted him to the highest throne of the universe. That is recorded in the gospel of John.
The second movie is entitled “The Kingdom Advances.” Note verse 6. It stars Jesus as loving us and freeing us from our sins and fitting us for service. That is recorded in John’s epistles. These two movies were widely acclaimed and resulted in much glory and power for the star, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now the third movie in the trilogy is due for release. It is called, “The Second Coming” and it is about his glorious return to earth. The trailer for this third movie is pictured in verse 7.
Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
What a preview of this blockbuster movie! The climactic scene where our hero returns to earth in triumph. How is it that every eye will see him! I suspect it is because his victory march will take enough time for the earth to revolve one whole revolution so that the light of his coming shines over all mankind. Then all his enemies will mourn and flee in terror, looking for places to hide from his wrath.
So exciting is this movie that the Father, the first production company, declares that he will reveal all that there is to know. I am the alpha and omega!
Let’s read on in the text as the first scene of the movie unfolds.
I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
Revelation 1:9–11
The first scene is a small island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Asia Minor where John had been exiled by the Roman emperor Domitian due to his Christian faith. He was most likely condemned to work in the marble mines there. On a particular day, called the Lord’s Day he hears a great voice and then sees a great sight. This expression ‘the Lord’s day’ does not mean Sunday as that expression was not in use in the early church. Rather, John, by the Spirit is looking at the coming day of the Lord, of Christ’s return. The voice is Jesus‘ voice, our hero, the risen Lord, appearing in all his glory.
The squalid and depressing circumstance of John’s confinement only highlights the dramatic entrance of our hero. With a voice like a trumpet, he tells John to write on a scroll what he sees and to send it to the seven churches, churches which he himself was overseeing in Asia Minor. Then John turns and sees who is speaking and he sees someone like a son of man dressed in glorious apparel.
Before we go farther in the unfolding of this scene, I want you to notice the pattern developing. This pattern will be repeated seven times in the book of Revelation, and it gives the book its structure. First, Jesus our lead actor appears in a scene, and each time he appears he is presenting himself in a different role with a different costume. You will observe how, like a great actor, Jesus is not just one-dimensional, but rather appears in various roles. Then he initiates the action that follows. Therefore, the key to understanding the action and message of the book of Revelation (our movie) is this: Keep your eyes on Jesus. Look for him to appear, and the action follows. Let me illustrate.
In Revelation 1 we have seen him appear to John as the Son of Man, the risen Lord. He directs John to write on a scroll seven messages to seven churches. These messages are revealed to us in the next two chapters of the book and we will be examining these messages in coming weeks.
In Revelation 4 and 5, we have a dramatic scene change. John is caught up into heaven to view the glorious throne room of the living God and the worship that is taking place there. In the right hand of God is a sealed scroll which contains the events of judgment to come. No one is found worthy to open the book except one. Our disguised hero enters stage left, appearing as a tender lamb, a lamb looking as if it had been slain. Those who have seen the previous movie of Jesus first coming know that in the gospel of John he is identified as the lamb of God.
John the Baptist says of Jesus: “Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
He is the sacrificial lamb who takes our place on the cross and saves us from our sins. As he takes the scroll from the hand of the one on the throne who is God the Father, worship is directed to him for his saving work: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God” (Revelation 5:3).
As he opens the sealed scroll one page at a time, this initiates the judgments that are written in the scroll, which are described in chapters 6 and 7. Once again, Jesus is in control of the action. He is Lord of history, Lord of all.
The next sighting of our hero is in chapter 8. The scene is in heaven. Seven angels with seven trumpets stand before God waiting to blow their trumpets which will initiate a second round of judgments on the earth. What are they waiting for?
Another angel, who had a golden censor came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand.
Revelation 8:3–5
Could this be our hero appearing as an angel? It is not the first time Jesus appears as an angel. In the Old Testament there were various sightings of an angel who helped Israel, called ‘the angel of his presence’. I believe it was the Lord Jesus. And no angel was ever given the priestly job of presenting the peoples’ prayers to God. Only a human can represent us as our priest. Yes, this is our hero. He is our high priest. The book of Hebrews states he is our eternal priest: “He always lives to intercede for us” (Hebrews 7:25).
Then, when he fills the censor with coals and throws them down to the earth, the trumpet judgments described in chapters 8 and 9 begin.Once again, Jesus is in charge.He is the Lord of history.
The fourth sighting of Jesus our hero is in 10:1-3.Once again, he appears as an angel, but in glorious array.
He was robed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head and his face like the sun, and his legs like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll which lays open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion.
He is a colossus who stands on the sea and on the land. The picture is one of powerful control over all the earth. No mere angel has such authority. John is told to take a scroll out of the hand of Jesus and to eat it. It is a representation of John receiving his prophetic message from Jesus, exactly what is stated in Revelation 1:1. Jesus is the great prophet of our God. The message contains the revealing of seven persons of interest in the following scenes including a dragon who is Satan, and the beast and false prophet who are Satan’s agents. The message is clear. These evil persons are not allowed to act until our Lord gives them permission to do so. They are described in chapters 11-14:5. All is under the direction of our Lord who is the great prophet of our God. His word cannot be broken. He is in control!
The fifth sighting of our hero is in Revelation 14:14.
I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
Here Jesus our hero is being portrayed as the great judge of all the earth. There is a verse in John’s gospel where God the Father delegates all judgment to the Son.
Moreover the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, so that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father.
John 5:22–23
Jesus, as the judge, takes the sickle and reaps two harvests. The first harvest is the good harvest, the wheat harvest. Last week Josiah spoke on Psalm 126 where we are to be engaged in reaping the sheaves of wheat, bringing precious souls to Jesus. Then he swings his sickle over the grapes and harvests them. This is the harvest of evil. It is Jesus who separates the evil from the good. It is Jesus who finally judges the evil. The grapes are cast into the great winepress of God’s wrath. This is the signal for seven angels carrying seven bowls of God’s wrath to, one by one, pour them out on the earth and great judgment falls, as described in chapters 15-16. Jesus, our hero, is in charge. He us in control. He is the judge of all the earth. He is Lord of all.
The sixth sighting of our hero is in Revelation 19:11–16.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse whose rider is called faithful and true. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the word of God. The armies of heaven were following him riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron sceptre. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
What wonderful and awesome scene: Heaven breaking open and the King charging down on a white horse followed by his armies. Of course it is our hero Jesus. This is where every eye on earth will see him. His enemies will scatter in terror and his loved ones will rejoice. He brings seven dooms on his enemies as one by one he defeats them. You don’t want to be opposing him on that day, because Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of lords. He is Lord of history.
The last sighting of our hero is awesome as well.It is found in 21:3.
Now the dwelling of God is with men and he will live with them.
The dwelling of God is a person and it is our hero, Jesus. In John’s gospel 1:14, it says of Jesus, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
The Word who is God became a man with human flesh. He is both God and man. And in that body of Christ both God and men are able to meet. Jesus is the meeting place. That is what heaven will be. It is a city for sure. But it is the spiritual body of Christ, the meeting place, the place where we will be able to live with God forever. It is called the New Jerusalem, but it could also be called Jesusville. Then the Lord goes on to describe seven new things about the city which we will inhabit. It will be glorious. And we who love the Lord all say, Come Lord Jesus!
Let’s go back to the first sighting of our hero and look at it in more detail.
Among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and our of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
Revelation 1:13–16
The appearance of our Lord is majestic indeed. A white robe with a golden sash, as a priest and a king would wear. His head and hair white like wool. That is not a product of advanced years like yours truly, but of perfection of wisdom. His eyes like blazing fire, able to penetrate through any mystery and see all truth. His feet like bronze glowing in a furnace. There were two bronze pillars at the door of the temple of Solomon which gleamed in the morning sun. It connotes that Jesus stands in perfect holiness. His voice like the sound of rushing waters, powerful and clear. His voice must have been powerful when he spoke to over 5000 people on a hillside in Galilee and they all heard him. A double edged sword coming out of his mouth, indicating authority and overwhelming power. His face shining like the sun in all its brilliance, evidencing warmth of character and holy love.
If his appearance was awesome, his words even exceeded that.
Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades.
Revelation 1:17–18
Only our risen Lord can claim all this. They echo the claims of Father God in verse 9 where God states he is alpha and omega. And that he is, and was, and is to be.
But where is he standing? It is among the seven golden lampstands. Verse 12 And what do they symbolize? The seven churches he is communicating with. Verse 20 The church on earth collectively, and each individual church, large or small, is meant to shine out the truth and glory of God.
This august person, the living Lord, condescends to walk among his people. He doesn’t walk in high society. He doesn’t walk in the corridors of political power. He walks with his people in the churches. He cares for his own and chooses to be with us. He, by his Spirit is with us today, and wherever his people gather. Why? Because he loves us.
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Ephesians 5:25
The question may be asked, why these seven churches? They certainly were literal churches of the time in Asia Minor. Undoubtedly, there were more churches than these in the area, so it is likely they are representative churches, representing various strengths and weaknesses. In that case, they are examples for us to learn from. Others see that they are not just literal churches or example churches, but they represent the chronology of the church age, from the church of the time of the apostles down to today’s church. More will be said about that in the folIowing Sundays, I am sure. But the big lesson here is that Jesus is the Lord, the head of the church.
He not only cares for us, but he leads us and governs us. This is indicated by the seven stars he holds in his right hand. Verse 16 and 20 There is some divided opinion about what these stars mean. Some say it is the pastors of the churches, but in the early church there was not such an established leadership as we have today where one man is head. Others say the stars are messengers, that the churches all sent messengers (angels) to John, but there is no evidence for that. Still others say they are literal angels like guardian angels assigned to each church, but once again, although this is a comforting thought, we can’t be dogmatic about that. Suffice to say, the stars represent government over the churches and Jesus holds them all. He governs us.
He is the head of the body, the church.
Colossians 1:18
He is the Lord, our boss.
In these letters he starts with a personal revelation of himself unique to each church. Then he commends the believers where commendation is warranted. Then he points out the deficiencies where there are deficiencies, and renders discipline accordingly. Finally, he promises great reward to those who are faithful to him.
Never forget, the church is not ruled by the elders. It is not the pastor who is the head. It is not ruled by the majority opinion of the congregation. Christ is the Head. We are all subject to Christ. We must all answer to him. We must all give account to him. He is the Lord of the church. In the coming weeks we will visit these seven churches one by one to learn the lessons these letters hold for us.
So, we have seen that Jesus is the star performer in future history. He is the Lord of all history. History is his story. And we have seen that Jesus is Lord, the head of the church. But there is something more. Look at the response of John the apostle.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
Revelation 1:17
He was so overwhelmed by the presence and appearance of the living Lord, that he fell prostrate before him, certainly in holy fear, but also in total worship and adoration.
So the question is to be asked, what is your personal response to this exalted Lord? Is he your Lord? Have you bowed low in his presence in holy fear and worship? Have you surrendered your life to his divine government and control? If you have not done so before, now is the time to do it. If you are a believer, do not trust that yesterday’s devotion will serve you today. Choose to look to Jesus and dedicate your life to him as a fresh offering of devotion every morning.
My dear brother and sister, keep your eyes on Jesus, look for him to appear, and the action follows. Because Jesus is Lord of all!
Jim Rennie is an elder at Oakridge Bible Chapel and an occasional speaker. He is a medical doctor with Christian counselling practice. Shortly after graduation from medical school he and his wife, Kathy, spent 14 years in Zambia as medical missionaries.
