John beholds quite a sight: he turns and sees the exalted Son of Man in full glory in the midst of the seven lampstands (i.e., the seven churches which also represent the universal church)...meaning this Jesus is right here among us.
His picture in Revelation 1 is nothing short of stunning. Jesus has a robe reaching to His feet (Priestly), a golden sash girded across His chest (King), head and hair white as snow (Honor), eyes like a flame of fire (Judge), feet glowing like burnished bronze (Strength), a voice like the sound of many waters (Might), seven stars in His right hand (angels of the seven churches), a sharp, double-edged sword protruding from His mouth (Law/Gospel Judgment), and His face shining as the bright sun (God’s Glory).
John sees this Jesus and falls at His feet like a dead corpse. Can you blame him? Yet this Jesus is a Jesus of touch; He places His right hand on John, and for the first time he opens His mouth. What would this kind of Jesus say? What would His first words be in Revelation as a whole?
Jesus says to John, “Stop being afraid (mn + present imperative); I AM the first and the last, and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades.”
Jesus’ self-description are words in the OT used of Yahweh Himself (cf. Dt 32:40; Isa 41:4; 44:6; Dan 12:7). Moreover, the threefold formula details Jesus’ earthly life and ministry: the Living One…dead…alive forevermore.
Lastly, note in this picture of Jesus that He’s holding something very significant in His hand: the “keys of death and Hades.” Following His own resurrection from death’s entrapment, Jesus’ rule extends even over death! GOD now reaches out to all – even you – through this Jesus to give you abundant life.
Such an incredible picture of the Christ of Easter assures believers that, regardless of what sufferings, hardships, or trials they may endure now as Christians, Jesus reigns in supreme glory and power; and every believer who perseveres in Christ will live and reign with Him forever.
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