From: Revelation 1:9-20 “I, John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation [dative, singular, feminine] and kingdom and patience which are in Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” John wrote in the present tense. John affirmed that there is one tribulation, one kingdom of God and one way of attaining to that kingdom; i.e., through patience or endurance. In fact, John was imprisoned due to his faithfulness to the Lord and His kingdom. Yes, all who live piously in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution or tribulation (2Timothy 3:12). On the Lord’s Day, John was in the Spirit: in a conscious state; however, influenced metaphysically. He heard a voice like a trumpet. (The sound of the “shofar” preceded an announcement to alert the people to the impending proclamation.) The voice requested John to pen what he was about to see; the transcript was to be sent to the seven assemblies or metropolitan churches of Asia Minor as is noted in verse four. John, then, turned about; and, he saw seven golden menorahs or candelabras, which are symbolic of the churches (cf vs. 27), and among the menorahs, one like unto the Son of Man… Cf Daniel 7:9,10; Ezekiel 8:2; 10:2,7. The depiction of the Son of Man: a) clothed down to his feet…, he is the High Priest (Hebrews 4:14); b) his head and hair were white…, the Wisdom of God (1Corinthians 1:24); c) eyes a flame of fire, the Righteous One (1John 2:1); d) feet like brass…, swiftness in judgment/the Judge (Revelation 22); e) voice of many waters, authority/ the Sovereign One (Psalms 29); f) seven stars in his right hand, appointed leaders of the seven churches (vs. 20); g) sharp two-edged sword going out of his mouth, the Omniscient One (Hebrews 4:12); and, h) countenance as the sun shines, the Holy One (Psalms 29:2). John prostrated himself as he was struck with reverence for the Lord; moreover, he was comforted by Him. A second time, the Lord declared His self-designation: “…I am the First and the Last, the Living One. I was dead, but look! -- I am alive forever and ever! Amen. And I hold the keys of hell and death.” Jesus Christ during the period of His death, burial and resurrection conquered death, hell and the grave. He alone is eternally endowed with all of the authority over them. John, again, received the request to write down the things that he was about to see: both things present and (near) future. Here, the word “write” [grayson, grapson, (2 person, singular, aorist, imperative, active)] denotes a complete and final act. Chapters one through three depict Christ in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. The number seven signifies “quantitative fullness” (it occurs fifty-four times in the transcript); therefore, the seven churches depict the entire church. Each church depicts reoccurring conditions faced by the church throughout the Gospel age (cf 1:5,7). Therefore, the book holds both specific and general applications. In John’s day, it depicted the events that took place during Vespasian’s reign.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 23:24:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015