Dear Ones:
One of the most extraordinary visions of Christ in the Bible is found in the first chapter of Revelation. We see Him revealed to the “beloved apostle” John, sequestered on the isle of Patmos. John tells us that he, “…was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,” and because of the Divine timing, and the circumstances, Christ reveals Himself as being the glorified Christ, but specifically as “the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” (Rev. 1:11) He goes on to say, “…I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death.” (v. 18) The vision is so overwhelming that John, “…fell at His feet as dead.” (v. 17) The question must be asked at this point: Why did the Lord Jesus reveal Himself to John at this time, place, and circumstance? And why did He reveal Himself in this manner?
We must remember that a certain amount of “church” history has transpired by now. We see this by the following seven letters written to the churches in Asia Minor. Here are established churches with varying needs and testimonies. In the broad sense of answering our questions, we can say with assurance that the whole of the book of Revelation is given, and the corresponding revelation of the risen Christ, to prove and declare to the world, that He is the sovereign God of history, and specifically of the church, and this by His intervention in History, and His testimony in and through the church. The consequent call to the world is for all to truly believe in Him. But how shall they believe unless they see the love of God? “By this shall all men KNOW that you are my disciples, by the love that you have for one another.” The revelation to the world is more specifically directed at the church. First and foremost is the church at Ephesus, who had “…left her first love.” All the power and authority of God is put at the disposition of the churches in Asia (…and in the world), but only available to the one(s) who see clearly that indeed, the “greatest of all is love.”
Last question: Where does this love love come from? We know that it must come from God. But can we believe Him to give it, and in abundance, abounding in knowledge and wisdom? Jesus said, “…how shall the Father not give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” The Apostle Paul prayed for the Philippians, that God would “…cause their love to ABOUND in knowledge and in all judgement (discernment), in order to approve those things that are excellent.” The great revelation of Christ, in His power and authority, has its out working in this: He gives His love to those who ask and trust Him for it, and this, because He has the power, authority, and will to do so. May God give us grace to believe Him for this love in all of its dimensions, first of all, in the quiet place with Him, but in the world where a lost and dying world needs to know the reality and truth concerning the nature of God.
Love, Dad