Very often when we think of Jesus, our first thoughts go to Jesus as He is portrayed in the Gospels. We think of Jesus as our saviour, our role model, our friend, and someone who is always available to help us. While this is absolutely true and foundational, we should not stop there.
Jesus is no longer in the Gospel era. He gloriously rose from the dead and victoriously ascended to heaven. He is now seated at the right hand of the Father “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the age to come.” God has “placed all things under his feet” (Ephesians 1:21-22; see also Hebrews 1:3; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22). He is the supreme Lord and King over absolutely everything!
John’s revelation of Jesus
This risen and ascended Jesus was who the Apostle John saw when he was on the Island of Patmos. Jesus did not appear to John as He had in the Gospels. Instead, He had eyes like a blazing fire, glowing skin and His face shone like the full force of the sun.
And among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
Revelation 1:13-16
It was glorious, and rather frightening for John! John says that he fell at Jesus’ feet as though He was dead, but Jesus spoke life and gave him a commission to write about things for his own time, and things for the future (verses 17-19).
Today is our day of revelation
Today is our day for a revelation of Jesus Christ – not as He was 2000 years ago, but as He is right now. As our holy and righteous Lord and Master, lover of our souls, who reigns supreme in glorious splendour. Because that’s how the book of Revelation begins – with a revelation of Jesus Christ.
The book of Revelation is all about Jesus. He is standing in the midst of His church in Revelation chapters 1-3, He is the only One worthy to open the seals in Revelation chapters 6-8, and He is the One who is coming soon (Revelation 22:12). But we must begin by grasping a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ as He is in Revelation chapter 1.
The thing is that the more we grasp hold of who He is in all His glory, victory, dominion and power, the more we grasp hold of who we are in Him.
Why not invest time in reading Revelation 1 a few times this week? Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you afresh as you read.
