“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, ‘Fear not; I am the first and the last.'” Revelations 1:17
Dear Ones:
One of the great proofs of Christianity, and the veracity of Scripture, is the fact that the followers of Christ could not lie. To love the lie, or for the lie to be a part of one’s normal living experience, was an abomination to God. The basic reason for this is that God is the absolute TRUTH. To lie is to deny God, reject Him. In light of John the Apostle writing the book the Revelation, we must ask ourselves, “Was he telling the truth,” or was he lying? The second question that we need to ask is, “Is there any supporting evidence that proves what John saw of God in Christ, is consistent with the whole testimony of the Bible?” To the first question, we would answer that John was committed to not only adhering to the truth, but writing it down in such a manner that it could be clearly read, and used by the Spirit of God to speak to, and change the lives of, millions of people. With regard to supporting evidence elsewhere in the Bible, the testimony of Isaiah, who saw the Lord high and lifted up, was an overwhelming vision that transformed him, and those who would read the book given to him of God. Ezekiel is another prophet who beheld the glory of God, who also would be overwhelmed by what he saw. All three visions of Christ, though differing in some details, are consistent in the portrayal of His Person, His holiness, and glory. Finally, we must ask the question: “What did John see, that would change the world?”
When Jesus walked the earth, after calling his twelve disciples to follow Him, there was none so close to Him as John. John would hear his words, see His marvelous and numerous miracles, even beholding him at the moment of His transfiguration when He was visited by Moses and Elijah. Yet, though he beheld the Father in the Son, with regard to His character and nature, John did not see Christ in His glory. What transpires at the beginning of the book of the Revelation, is a further unveiling of the glory of Christ, far beyond what John had previously seen. Christ’s human flesh had veiled the glorified Christ. Here the veil is removed further, and John will catch a glimpse of the sovereign and Almighty God in Christ. The result will not only evoke from him a reaction as Isaiah put it, of being “undone,” but would bring him to realize specifically that Christ was far more than he could ever have imagined, especially as it pertained to His power, authority, and sovereignty. John’s life was changed forever, and those who have truly seen Christ in the Revelation, have been changed also.
Dear Father, anoint our eyes to see Thy Son, not only in His flesh, as the Lamb of God, but as the Beginning and the End. Strengthen us to grasp the significance of Him as Sovereign in power and authority, fully able to bring about ALL that is Thy will. Bring us, dear Lord, into conformity with Thy eternal and perfect purpose and will for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad
Holy holy holy is the Lord!