What if… The federal government decides under the auspices of “civil rights” to require doctors and nurses to perform gender reassignment surgery (or feminizing hormone therapy or abortion) or assist in them, or at least sign a statement saying they would if the hospital administration required them to. Imagine… That the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department wrote a letter to our local hospitals (Hurley, McLaren, and Genesys) and informed them if that they did not require all their doctors and nurses on staff to sign a statement to that effect, the federal government would cut off all Medicare and Medicaid funds to that hospital? What would our Christian doctors and nurses do? What if…?
What if the American Medical Association decided they would require the same statement – under the auspices of “civil rights” – from any doctor who wished to be recognized by the Medical Association?
What if your state decided to require the same statement before they would issue a medical license?
Like me, you probably think this is all outlandish – and maybe is not highly probable. But it is not impossible.
If these things concern you, the book of Revelation has something to say to you.
In 2023, we are going to study the last book of God’s word, the book of Revelation and I will point out some “rich realities from Revelation” that will encourage and inspire us as we try to stay faithful to Jesus Christ.
Against Rome, against persecution, against challenges to their faith, John’s message to those Christians in the first century was that faith and obedience to Jesus Christ will bring “victory.” The verb “to be victorious” or “to overcome” is used 17 times in Revelation.
WHAT JOHN SAW – 1:12-16:
The description of Jesus shared here in this text is the description of God from the book of Daniel. Jesus has the authority, the nature, and the power of the “Almighty.”
We see, in Jesus, glory, majesty, holiness, power, and authority. He had the power to rule, to command, to know, and even to punish.
When John addresses the seven churches of Christ in chapters 2-3, he will use descriptions of Jesus which come from this text.
Jesus was standing in the middle of His churches. The seven lamp stands represent the seven churches (verse 20). Jesus is always and has always been among His people. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
The robe and sash indicate royalty.
The white symbolizes purity and holiness.
The eyes portray penetrating knowledge.
The bronze pictures strength and stability.
The seven “stars” are seven angels of the seven churches (ver. 20). Out of Jesus’ mouth came a sharp sword with two edges. Jesus’ offensive weapon has always been the power of His word – whether that power is found in the blessings of the gospel or in the curses of divine judgment. Jesus exercises all power through His spoken word. That’s why it is so important for us to trust that word and build our lives on that word.
WHOM JOHN SAW – 1:17-20:
John reacted with fear and fell down as if he were dead. Jesus laid his hand on John and said, “Do not be afraid.”
Then Jesus used the same expression for Himself that God used of Himself in verse 8: “I am the first and the last.” That means Jesus was present before the Roman Empire started and He will be present when the Roman Empire is destroyed. We could insert “USA” in that statement too: Jesus is present before the USA started and He will be present when the USA is destroyed.
Jesus is the “living One,” meaning that He “was dead, but behold, I am alive forevermore.” That was important for Christians in the first century to keep in mind because they might be killed for their faith. Jesus was killed for His faith. But, as John wrote in 1:5, Jesus was the “faithful witness.” He calls on us to stand on His truth and to do so, as He did, faithfully.
Jesus has the “keys of death and of Hades.” In other words, there was no reason for the Christians to fear Greek gods like Hades. Jesus controlled the unseen world and He controlled who would die and where they would spend eternity. He has all power.
Therefore, for a second time (1:11, 19), Jesus commands John to write what He sees in His vision – things that had happened in the past; things that were going to be happening in the present; things that would happen in the future.
Then in verse 20, John identifies for us the meaning of the symbols of the lamp stands and the stars. The lamp stands, shining the light of Christ in their respective communities. And the stars symbolize the “angels” of the churches. In Matthew 18:10, Jesus alludes to His followers having “angels” who are constantly in the presence of the Father. Here, it appears that congregations of Jesus’ followers also have “angels” who are constantly in the presence of the Father. It seems to mean that these “angels” are a metaphor denoting the idea that Jesus knows exactly what is going on in every congregation of His people – for better or for worse. In chapters 2-3, Jesus will encourage and correct those seven congregations of His people.
Rich reality from Revelation #1: Jesus is: The Loving One. The Faithful One. The Ruling One. The Glorious One. The Coming One. The All-Powerful One.
Paul Holland
