Revelation 1:12-20

 

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 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. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 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.

 

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, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 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.

Revelation opens with John’s wild, awe-inspiring vision of Jesus the glorified and reigning Son of Man. Of course, this colorful imagery only begins to describe what is beyond words. But I can well imagine the terror I’d feel seeing a human figure so glorious that his face radiated like the sun, whose voice sounded like Niagara crashing, whose eyes pierced through all veils like fire in the dark. I really want to be on the right side of this person!

 

But the mighty one who could so easily crush us approaches gently. John falls at Jesus’ feet paralyzed with fear, and Jesus lays a reassuring hand upon him. He speaks the words we are cherishing this week, “Fear not.” I hear his words like this; “Let me tell you who I am. I’m the one with whom all creation has to do. Before there was anything, I am. After all is said and done, I am. I am the center. But once I left the realm of eternity to enter the world of all your warring and suffering. I became what I was not in becoming one of you. In reply, you killed me. I was truly dead. For I had truly given my very life for you. But look now. I am alive forever more. Death and the realm of the dead are under my authority. I can open all doors. I am the Living One. I am guiding how all things will work out. And you will be part of it.”

 

Stitching It In