After identifying himself as “I John,” John found himself “in the isle that is called Patmos” (Rev. 1:9). On this rocky and barren Island in the Aegean Sea, John was there for his faithful stand for God’s word and for his testimony concerning Christ. While on Patmos, John was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10). The expression “the Lord’s day” denotes that John’s human spirit was transported in vision to “the day of the Lord,” the time of Judgment on the earth (I Thess. 5:2; II Peter 3:10).
On the Isle of Patmos, John heard the voice of the Glorified Christ that resembled a trumpet sound (Rev. 1:10b-11). John was instructed to write in a book everything he saw and send it to the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 1:11). The voice addressing John had come from behind him (v. 10); so he turned toward the Speaker. What he saw greatly surprised him: There were seven golden candlesticks, and in the midst of them was the Glorified Christ (Rev. 1:13a). The seven candlesticks represent the seven churches (Rev. 1:20).
John further described the Glorified Christ as “One like unto the Son of man” (Rev. 1:13). In verse 14, John saw the Glorified Christ in attire that pictured Him as the High Priest of His people (Hebrews 10:19-22). He was “clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps (breast) with a golden girdle.” “His head and His hairs were white like wool”, as white as snow.” The eyes of the Glorified Son were “as a flame of fire. This speaks of the penetrating gaze by which He discerns and judges sin (Hebrews 4:13). Christ’s feet in John’s vision were “like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace” (Rev. 1:15). The voice of God’s Son was “as the sound of many waters.”
John went on to disclose that Christ “had in His right hand seven stars” (Rev. 1:16). These are identified as “the angels of the seven churches.” The Greek word translated “angels” means messengers. They are the pastors of the seven churches. It is a wonderful privilege to be held in Christ’s right hand that denotes His sovereignty, ownership and protection of us. Proceeding from Christ’s mouth was “a sharp two-edged sword” (Rev. 1:16).
This weapon speaks of Christ’s power to punish sinners. Christ’s “countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength (Rev. 1:16). The radiance John saw was brilliant! The vision John saw overwhelmed him to the degree that he “fell at Christ’s feet as dead” (Rev. 1:17a).
During Jesus earthly life, John was a cousin of His (John 19:25; Matthew 27:56). He had been a member of the inner circle of disciples, and had even the boldness to ask for a special place in the Kingdom (Mark 10:35-37). He was the disciple that reclined on Jesus’ breast at the last Supper (John 13:23); but now all familiarity was gone. John was face to face with the majestic Lord! Although John was overwhelmed as he gazed at the Glorified Christ, the Lord gave John reassurance as He laid His right hand on John, and said; “Fear not; I am the first and the last.” Christ went on to say that His redemptive work is completed. He is “alive for evermore.” He has authority of both hell and death.
In verse 19, the book of Revelation can be outlined this way: Past: “The things thou hast seen” (Chapter 1); Present: “The things which are” (Chapters 2-3); Future: “The things which shall be here after” (Chapters 4-22). In verse 20, the “seven golden candlesticks” represent “the seven churches,” and the “seven stars” represent the angels (messengers) of the “seven churches.”
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
