A view of Jesus

"When I saw Him I fell at His feet as though dead.

Then He placed His right hand on me and said,
"Don't be afraid, I am the First and the Last. . .""
Rev 1 v 17

If ever we needed a view of Jesus like John's it is now! Surrounded by the uncertainty of
an age of doubt and immorality - presented with views of man's achievements lined up for
a millennium celebration of human wisdom and not the gracious gift of God. At such a
time when some see a new beginning many are confused and in darkness.

The world needs a vision of Jesus

The Church needs a vision of Jesus - in exactly the way that the Church of John's day
needed one.

And I need a vision of Jesus too.

So we turn to the narrative in Rev 1 9-20 and we recognise the progression that John
describes there :

 A voice

 A vision

 Reverence

1. A VOICE vv 9 - 11

Out of the darkness of experience and bitter suffering John heard God speak

That is not to say God does not speak in quiet and blessed times - He does

But john says :

9 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

Page 1
On the Lord's Day v 10

10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a
trumpet,

That is not to say that God does not interrupt the work a day week with the trumpet blast of
revelation - He does

But He delights to speak to us On His Day

How often have we heard Him speak in a Sunday service? It is especially the day of vision

But you need to be receptive

I was in the Spirit

Sometimes God breaks in on us unexpectedly and at unprepared times

but we are more likely to hear the trumpet
to see the Master
to be pressed into a reverent attitude when we are waiting on Him
"in the Spirit"

Sometimes God interrupts us like a placard held before us - or a red light in front, or even
directly addressing us to the face

More often we hear as multitudes down the ages

A voice behind us saying

God knows our dark moments - our suffering - our sharing in the patient endurance that is
ours in Jesus

At such a time he speaks so as to as to turn us round and SEE

Page 2
2. A VISION vv 12 - 16

12 I turned round to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I

saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone "like
a son of man", dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash
round his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and
his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace,
and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held
seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was
like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Oh we need such a vision!

The candlesticks - and Jesus

among the lampstands

Or perhaps a golden menorah with seven branches?

A familiar image a reminder of worship

and community
and holiness

Later the meaning is given so we know it signifies

the churches

Whatever else the vision declares it places Jesus among the churches - not one church
but the churches

In the letters that follow we find the diversity that this represents

someone "like a son of man"

The familiar figure - forget Daniel for a moment - and recognise the HUMAN
JESUS GLORIFIED

someone "like a son of man"

Glorious yes
Blazing yes
Mighty yes but the familiar JESUS
Page 3
like the sun shining in all its brilliance

I do not doubt that each phrase of the passage bears some special meaning - but for now I
want to see Him in His radiant glory

the familiar Lord Jesus

triumphant among the churches

unmistakeably wonderful!

Such a sight of the glorified Christ that provokes the response of . . .

3 REVERENCE vv 17 & 18

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.

Such reverence demands . . .

1. RECOGNITION

Like Mary I cry "Rabbi!"

Like Thomas I cry "My Lord and my God!"

FAITH

KNOWLEDGE

With Paul "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection"

2. HUMILITY

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.

How can I lift up my head at such a time in prospect of such a Lord?

"How wonderful, how beautiful

The sight of Thee must be,
Thine endless wisdom, boundless power
And aweful purity"
Page 4
How often do we pause to consider the implication of His holiness?

Too easily slip into His presence or raise ourselves in worship - we who of ourselves are
nothing but worthless sinners

And it is from that position of humble adoration that we go on

to feel the touch

Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the
First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive
for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

3. RESTORED

Because of Him
because of His word
His touch
I can stand in His presence

Page 5
Page 6
See this then, doubting, darkened soul the Lord of glory in the midst of His churches

Look away from all the shadowy uncertainties of life

from all the cynical views of modern man

See Him who was dead

and is alive for ever and ever

He holds the keys of death and Hades

Fall at His feet in humble adoration and in faith

So that He may touch you and raise you up with Him

SEE JESUS!

Page 7