The Glorified Jesus
After John has introduced his letter to the seven churches in Revelation 1:1-8, you expect some action. But before that happens, John first tells us about his call. This calling gives him legitimacy as a prophet and therefore he can present his book as a prophetic book (v. 3). Yet unlike most prophets of the old covenant and unlike the prophets in the New Testament church (1 Corinthians 14), John is not called to speak God’s word. That wouldn’t make much sense because he actually is on the Island of Patmos. John’s task, according to Revelation 1:11 and 19, is a command to write down what he is going to see. His prophecy immediately takes written form. But soon his book will be read in the seven churches and then God’s word will be heard there.
The one who gives John this command to write is the one who appears to him here in Revelation 1:9-20. Remarkably, he is not mentioned by name. The reader is supposed to ask, “Who is this special person?” He is referred to as “voice” (v. 12) and as “one who looked like a man” (v. 13). In the Greek it says, ‘like a son of man’ and this designation leaves nothing to be desired for anyone who knows even one of the four Gospels: it is Jesus! Jesus appears here to John, on the island of Patmos, in an overwhelming vision. Those of you who are very familiar with the Old Testament may note that John’s description is influenced by the vision in Daniel 10:4-6.
Just read this section and try to visualise it. This vision contains beauty (vv. 13, 15, 16) and light (the full sun, 16), but the sharp sword also symbolises strength and the threat of judgment (v. 16). And there are quite a few special effects! For example, John describes the sound of Jesus’ voice as “of great masses of water” (v. 15). John uses the word “like” several times, so difficult is it to reproduce his impressions exactly. No wonder, for the distinguished figure he sees is the Lord who reigns in heaven, the Almighty. It is the ascended and glorified Christ. No wonder John is so impressed that he falls down as dead (v. 17)!
Jesus is now going to give John a message, and it will follow in the rest of the book, but whatever its content, it is clear that it begins (and ends) with him. This is an important fact for our reading of Revelation. This book is not about all kinds of information, about small facts or about the identity of the Antichrist, but about who Jesus Christ is and what he does. If the seven churches understand this well, the aim of John’s letter writing has already been largely achieved. The same applies to us. We need to ask ourselves from time to time whether our theology, our experience of faith, the whole life of the Church, begin and end with the glorified Jesus.
This “Son of man” is also God, for he emphatically uses the expression “I am” (v. 17). By claiming to be “the first and the last” (17), he also claims to be the Alpha and the Omega (8). Some elements of John’s vision are reminiscent of a mighty king, but the long robe makes the Lord Jesus also resemble the Old Testament high priest. And on top of that comes the reference to his death and resurrection (v. 18). Jesus is truly a unique person!
How do we, as modern humans, respond to this vision? It can help us to confess Jesus as Lord, not the Roman emperor or the government of the day. Lord of the world, Lord of the church, Lord of our learning and studying. There is no reason to be afraid of this Jesus, but while many today speak and write about him irreverently, after witnessing this vision you understand that you should not do so.
The vision sets the tone for understanding the entire book of Revelation: this Christ, who is worthy of all honour and glory, can surely win victory over evil.
Dr Pieter J. Lalleman, an author and biblical scholar, is the minister of Knaphill Baptist Church in Surrey, England.
