Revivalation (Part 2)
The book of Revelation is Jesus communicating to the Christian Church calling them to renewed commitment to Him. When the church forgets its mandate, prioritises other values, and compromises to the surrounding culture she rejects her Saviour and Lord. Here is the main reason for Jesus' revelation to John. As Jesus is revealed, the spiritual heart that has stopped beating is revived.
Jacob Ugljesa
Check out Part 1 of this series exploring the book of Revelation.
An Unexpected Visitor
John writes the Book of Revelation from the island of Patmos. John is exiled to this island because of the "word of God and the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 1:9). As the church was moving further away from the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, his closest disciples and leaders of the church were passing away. The church was entering into a new era. This is a volatile time for the church which could threaten its extinction.
As John is praying and seeking God on the island, a voice like a loud trumpet blasts behind John. Shocking as it would have been to hear such a loud blast, what he saw when he turned around was even more confronting.
John looked behind him to see the loud noise. Now he realises he is no longer on the beach. Instead he's standing inside the Jerusalem temple. By this point the temple was destroyed by the Roman generals Titus and Vespasian in 70AD. This is something different. Amid the lampstands John sees a bright and fiery figure. The description could have brought up memories of the book of Daniel. The prophet Daniel in the time of the Babylonian/Persian rules encounters an unexpected visitor which has stark similarities to this surprise visitor (see image below).
"In the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength" (Revelation 1:13-16).
It's all too much. John is confused, stunned, and petrified. He falls to the ground passed out.
Some Things Never Change
When John finally comes to, he feels a hand touching his shoulder trying to lift him up (Rev. 1:17). Another memory comes to John's mind as he's regaining consciousness. He comes to the realisation about who is the stranger.
Decades before, when John was a young man, he followed his teacher and friend Jesus everywhere. Travelling beside him, listening to his every word, and wanting only to be near Jesus. On one occasion, Jesus took only 3 disciples up to a mountain in which he showed his full glory to them (Matthew 17:1-3). Amidst the very relatable travel stories, teaching accounts, and conversations Jesus has in the Gospels, this mountain scene stands out as unusual.
Here on this mountain, the three disciples, Peter, James, and John are with Jesus when they unexpectedly see Jesus glorified. Two visitors central to Jewish heritage and faith, Moses and Elijah also make an appearance. Finally the voice from heaven declaring that Jesus is God's Son booms from the heaven. It's all too much and the 3 of them, terrified they fall to the ground and pass out cold (Matthew 17:4-6).
Their next conscious moment is the face of Jesus only with all the glory dissipated returning him to his usual ordinary appearance. His hand gently lifting them up, he encourages them, "Rise and have no fear" (Matthew 17:7).
John must've remembered this moment as he started to awaken from his unconscious state on the island of Patmos. Again a hand lifting him up, and the words: "Fear not! I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (Rev. 1:17-18). This is the same Jesus who John knew all his adult life. His Saviour. His Lord.
Time had passed. Much had happened in the last 60 years of John's life. One thing never changed. Jesus, the one who John committed his entire life to, had never forgotten his loyal friend. The one who conquered death still is in control. Death couldn't defeat Jesus, and neither can the passing of time.
Reading Revelation Relationally
- Relationship with Jesus is a key requirement to understand Revelation.
It is easy to read the book of Revelation ready to decode the symbols and find the hidden meanings. If we want to hear the book of Revelation, we can't read this from a distance. John was a dear friend of Jesus. He dedicated his life to Jesus. When Jesus appears to John we see this relational connection. It is longterm and serious. If we want to get the most out of reading Revelation, we can only appreciate its message if we have a deep and vibrant friendship to Jesus.
- Jesus is not out to get us. The book of revelation calms our fears, not fuels them.
The belief of John was that Jesus is a living Saviour. He was not dead and buried, doomed to be forgotten in the pages of history. His character of love and care continued. Jesus' words "Fear not" is for us too. When we feel the weight of the world, the fear of the future, and the guilt of our past, we must turn around and see Jesus. He tells us "I am the first and the last" and in those words is comfort and assurance. His victory over death reminds us we have nothing left to fear.
- God never changes. The book of Revelation is a continuation of the Bible, not a deviation from it.
Notice also the connection to the Old Testament experience. Daniel and John saw Jesus the same way. The Bible is not dysfunctional and disjointed. We see the same God of the Old Testament in the New Testament. We must discover the fuller picture of the Bible. It is one God from start to finish. He does not change.
