“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8
In the book of Revelation we find the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos, “on the Lord’s day.” No doubt John was worshipping the Lord when, being in the Spirit, he recounts: “…I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” (1:10) With quiet heart, in Spirit-led worship, and with an earnest seeking of God, the Lord chose that moment to speak to John. The manner in which the Lord spoke to him is very important, for it was not a soft, consoling voice that spoke. It was a “great voice,” so clear and powerful, that John describes it “as of a trumpet.” It was the power of the voice that gripped the Apostle, but also the concise clarity of the One who was speaking. The message was intended to stir John to the depths of his being, convince him that the Almighty God was speaking, and that the message that was to be communicated to him, was of utmost importance. It was to be a message concerning the revelation of God in the glorified Christ, who then reveals Himself as “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” (1:11) Once it is clear who is speaking in such powerful clarity and conviction, the apostle hears the specific reason for this divine announcement. The message was, “Write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia.” The Lord then names the churches, those bodies of believers, in specific cities, in Asia Minor. The time had come in God’s economy, to reveal Himself unquestionably to every body of believers, and to each individual of those bodies. His message would be clear, specific, powerful, and perfectly applicable to each individual church, thus requiring a response of faith.
To place the entire matter in the spiritual context, John, upon turning to see the voice that spoke to him, saw seven golden candlesticks. That which distinguishes these candlesticks initially is the presence of the Son of Man, the glorified Christ in the middle of them. The association that Christ has with the candlesticks elevates the meaning and purpose of the candlesticks, which are the seven churches. In addition to this, as John looks upon the glorified Christ, he is certainly overwhelmed by what he sees, for this is no small vision of God. It is the revelation of the risen, and glorified Christ who has ascended into heaven, having conquered every enemy to salvation and the glorification of God, and is now seated at the Father’s right hand, waiting to come back to earth to set up His kingdom. He possesses all power and authority as Creator, and the sole Redeemer of men. His countenance and and appearance is such that John falls at His feet as dead. (v.17) Here is the Christ who “walked among us,” having revealed His glory to us, full of grace and truth. But now, He has put on His royal clothing, as the sovereign and victorious Lord and Head of the church, unveiling His present state as being that of Almighty God. This one in His immaculate, and all-encompassing power and glory, then speaks to John, still in accents clear and powerful. He tells John, “Fear not: I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (v.18) Why does Christ reveal Himself to John in this overwhelming manner? It is so that John can, by the Spirit, communicate to the churches the reality of just WHO Christ is, and Of His presence, and of His sovereign, eternal power and glory. This is the head of the churches that are now to be addressed by Him.
What then does He say to John? He commands John: “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” (v.19) It is imperative that God’s message be grasped.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to grasp. In Jesus’ name, Amen.