The Glorious Lord Speaks (Revelation 1:9-20)
Who is Jesus? This question was at the centre of a recent controversy surrounding the staging of a popular musical in Singapore. The musical made the news earlier this month after receiving an Advisory 16 rating from the government, deeming the show more suitable for those above 16 years old. Critics say the musical’s portrayal of Jesus seriously distorts his identity. He is presented as a conflicted revolutionary plagued by doubt as death draws near. The issue is not only with what is said about Jesus, but also with what is not said. For example, the musical depicts Jesus’ crucifixion but not his resurrection. His humanity is highlighted, not his divinity.
Regardless of what we might think about the musical, the more fundamental question remains: Who is Jesus? It’s probably unrealistic to expect a popular musical to give us a reliable answer. So, we must turn elsewhere for the truth. Does the question about Jesus’ identity matter? Definitely. Knowing who Jesus is affects how we hear Him. If He is the Lord, then surely we must listen to Him.
How do we know who Jesus is? Jesus himself has spoken. His word reveals who he is. Last week, we began a new sermon series on Revelation 1-3, focusing on what Jesus has to say to seven first-century churches. This book is the revelation of Jesus Christ for the good of His church — it comes from Him, and it is also about Him. In our passage, Jesus speaks that we might know Him for who He truly is. Why?
The seven churches faced a whole host of challenges. Some were suffering for their faith. Some had compromised with false teaching and sin. Some were spiritually cold and complacent. These seven churches are like a mirror in which we see ourselves.
Like them, we live in a world that is unfriendly to the faith. We too suffer and struggle. Trials and temptations threaten to turn us away from God. Our problems can overwhelm us. What is the remedy when we feel as though our faith is failing? How will the church survive in a hostile world?
The glorious Lord speaks to His church.
We need more of Christ, not less of him. We need to hear from Jesus afresh, for it is by listening to the Lord that we behold His glory. Knowing Jesus as He truly is will encourage us to keep trusting in Him. Therefore, the Lord shows us His glory for our good. This is the big idea of our text: The glorious Lord speaks to His church. We will unpack this in two points: (1) The glorious Lord speaks His word to His church; (2) The glorious Lord strengthens His church with His word.
The glorious Lord speaks His word to His church (Rev 1:9-11)
The Lord commissions John to record His revelation and to relay it to the churches. Revelation 1:9-11 tell us about John’s circumstances and His calling. In Revelation 1:9, the apostle introduces Himself as “your brother”. Notice how John does not focus on his apostolic authority. Instead, he emphasises his unity with his spiritual siblings in the seven churches. He loves them with brotherly affection, as a fellow follower of Jesus. A word of encouragement to my fellow elders: Even as we serve as shepherds of God’s flock, remember that we are sheep too. Together with the rest of the church, we submit to Jesus and follow Him.
What does it mean to have fellowship with one another? Biblical fellowship goes a lot deeper than simply having a chat over coffee after service. Fellowship means being a partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus (Rev 1:9). Because we are in Jesus together, we share in Him and His suffering. John Himself was an example of this. He tells us he was on Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. John had been exiled to this remote, desolate island because he has been proclaiming the gospel. John speaks of his circumstances to show his solidarity with suffering Christians. He says, “I am with you. You are not alone in your trouble and affliction.” Because we are one in Christ, we weep with those who weep. Love one another by bearing one another’s burdens.
But take heart, for the cross leads to the crown. Because Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him, we who are in Christ have hope. Believers are partners in the kingdom in Jesus. We suffer with Him, that we may be glorified with Him. Jesus wins! This is the main message of Revelation. Jesus will return to establish His kingdom. And, we will share in His victory if we remain faithful to Him till the end.
But for now, we live between the first and second comings of Christ. The kingdom is not yet here in its fulness. We still walk by faith, not by sight. Hence, we are partners in the patient endurance that are in Jesus. We cannot live the Christian life alone; we need the partnership of other Christians in the local church. We encourage one another to keep our faith in Jesus. Being an active member of a local church helps you to remain a Christian.
Until Jesus returns, we will face troubles, trials and temptations. But be encouraged that endurance is found in Jesus. He will help us and hold us fast.
In tough times, we cry out, “How long, O Lord?” If he does not deliver us from our difficulties right away, it is not because he does not care. Wait patiently for the Lord. Trust Him to work in His time. He deepens our faith by teaching us to wait. We may have to endure a long night of weeping before the joy of the morning comes. In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas tell new Christians to expect hardship: We enter God’s kingdom “through many tribulations”. Patient endurance is necessary. Until Jesus returns, we will face troubles, trials and temptations. But be encouraged that endurance is found in Jesus. He will help us and hold us fast.
To strengthen the churches, the Lord commissions John to write down his revelation. This book encourages us to press on in Christ. Having described John’s circumstances, Revelation 1:10-11 describe John’s call. Jesus appears to John on the Lord’s day (Rev 1:10). Because Jesus was raised on the first day of the week, Christians would gather for worship on Sunday, although it was a working day. They called it the Lord’s day to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. We rejoice weekly that the Lord is risen; we do not have to wait to Easter! Although John was in exile and unable to meet with other Christians, the Lord was still with Him. Beloved, be thankful that we can gather regularly with one another for worship. Some long to be here, but cannot due to health or other significant reasons. If providence prevents you from gathering with the church, do not lose heart. The Lord is with us, just as He was with John in exile.
John was in the Spirit. The same Spirit who moved the Old Testament prophets to prophesy is also at work in John. God’s Spirit moves John to write God’s word. John hears a loud voice like a trumpet. It is Jesus speaking with divine majesty and authority. This recalls the great and awesome presence of God at Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:16 says there was “a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled”. The same Lord who spoke at Sinai speaks again.
Similar to how God called the Old Testament prophets, so the Lord commissions John. He is to faithfully record the visions revealed to Him by the Lord. Look at Revelation 1:11 — “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” Revelation was written as a letter to be delivered to each of these churches in Asia Minor, or modern-day Türkiye. The order in which they are mentioned reflects the circular route a courier would take. Beginning in Ephesus, he would travel northwards through Smyrna to Pergamum, then circle back southwards through Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia before ending in Laodicea.
The Lord speaks to our church today. So, listen to Him who is strong to save.
Why seven churches? Seven symbolises fulness and completion. Taken together, these historical churches represent all churches in all places in all times. We are meant to see ourselves in them. How are we faithful like some of them? How are we struggling like some of them? How have we strayed like some of them? The Lord speaks to our church today. So, listen to Him who is strong to save.
The glorious Lord strengthens His church with His word (Rev 1:12-20)
Hearing the loud voice, John turns to see the one speaking. He sees a vision of seven golden lampstands in Revelation 1:12-13. What do these lampstands represent? Revelation 1:20 tells us: “The seven lampstands are the seven churches.” Each lampstand symbolises one of the seven churches. In the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, a golden lampstand with seven lamps stood in the Holy Place, just outside the Most Holy Place. The priests were responsible for refilling the lamps with olive oil, to keep the lamps burning continually. They symbolised God’s light shining in the world.
These lamps anticipated a greater light. When Jesus came, he declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (Jn 8:12)” God made us in His image to shine the light of His glory, but we preferred the darkness of our sin. Because we have all turned away from God, we face His judgement against us. We deserve death and hell. But God, in His kindness to sinners like us, sent His Son, the true light, into our darkness. Jesus died on the cross to save sinners by bearing God’s wrath for us, if we trust in Him. Jesus is perfectly pure; the darkness could not overcome Him. God raised Jesus from the dead, victorious over sin and death. Therefore, Jesus is the light of life for us. If we repent and believe in Him, our sins are forgiven. We receive eternal life. In Christ, we become His witnesses. He calls us to be the light of the world, for the glory of God.
Therefore, every church is a lampstand, to shine the light of Christ. We are to proclaim Christ and portray Christ by how we love and serve one another. And, the Lord has not left us to do this alone. John sees in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man. This recalls the vision of Daniel 7: “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (Dan 7:13-14)” A figure of a man appears before God, who grants Him a kingdom. This man is no ordinary person. He is a heavenly being who comes with the clouds. He is also an eternal king, whose rule never ends.
This same Son of Man speaks to John and appears among the lampstands. He is Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man. He is God with us, present in the midst of His churches. Jesus is true to His promise to be with us always, even to the end of the age. Jesus is with His church to build His church. He is with us in our trials and temptations. So, take heart. Jesus has not left us to face our troubles alone. He knows us and He knows what we are going through.
The Son of Man is the glorious Lord. We behold His incomparable splendour and majesty in John’s vision. Seeing His glory ought to motivate us to listen to Him and trust in Him. Jesus is King and Priest. Jesus wears priestly clothing (Rev 1:13). He is clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. Like the Old Testament priests who tended the lampstand, Jesus the great High Priest cares for His church. He has laid down His life as a sacrificial offering to cleanse us and make us holy. He prays for us. He fills us with His Spirit, that we might shine as lights in the world. Jesus cares about our witness. May we as a church display the glory of Christ by holding fast to Him together.
Revelation 1:14 describes the Son of Man as having hair like white wool, like snow. It is striking how the Son of Man resembles the Ancient of Days in Daniel’s vision. John has not mixed them up. The point is that the Son of Man is exactly like the eternal, almighty God. In other words, the Lord Jesus is fully God. The Son is the radiance of the glory of God. He shares the Father’s attributes. The white hair represents God’s perfect knowledge and wisdom. The Son of Man is all-knowing and all-wise.
He is also all-seeing. His eyes were like a flame of fire. Nothing is hidden from Jesus’ penetrating gaze. The Lord sees not as man sees: We look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. Jesus knows who we truly are on the inside; He knows us better than we know ourselves. The Lord says to the churches, “I know your works”. He sees the good and the bad. This is convicting. The Lord calls us to examine ourselves, individually and as a church. Do we trust and obey the Lord? Are we listening and living according to His word? We cannot hide from Jesus. We cannot pretend. He sees through any religious hypocrisy. He sees through our superficial “niceness”. He knows if we truly love Him and His people. The fact that Jesus sees all things is also comforting. He knows our trials and temptations. He knows our sorrow, pain and suffering. He knows the wrongs we endure. He knows the rejection we face because we follow Him, not the world. Our faithfulness to Christ will not go unnoticed or unrewarded. Our hope in Him will not be disappointed.
The Son of Man is holy and strong. Look at Revelation 1:15 — “His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace.” His feet shine with the attractive gleam of beautifully polished metal. This points to his perfect purity. It also points to his power. He does not have feet of clay. His feet are strong and stable, able to crush His enemies. Purity without power is ineffective. Power without purity is frightening. The Lord is both pure and powerful. He is willing and able to help us. Surely, we can trust in Him.
Jesus’ voice, which was earlier likened to a trumpet, is described in Revelation 1:15 “like the roar of many waters”. This alludes to how Psalm 29 describes the LORD: “The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.” Jesus is the sovereign Lord who speaks with power and authority. Revelation 1:16 says a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. This recalls the words of the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah 49:2: “He made my mouth like a sharp sword.” God has made this Servant to be “a light for the nations” to bring salvation to the end of the earth. So, listen to the Lord, for His word is powerful and effective to save us. The Lord’s word shall succeed. It shall not return empty, but shall accomplish His purpose. The Lord’s promise to save will not fail. He will return to save His people and judge His enemies. Revelation 19:15 says of the Lord when he returns: “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.” If we reject his word, his word shall judge us.
Jesus rules over all. Look at Revelation 1:16 — “In his right hand he held seven stars.” Revelation 1:20 tells us the stars represent the angels of the seven churches. The Lord has sent His angels to minister to the churches. By holding them in His right hand, the Lord shows His absolute authority over the angels. The Son is superior to the angels. He is Lord of heaven and earth.
Indeed, He is the glorious Lord: His face was like the sun shining in full strength. This recalls Jesus’ transfiguration during His earthly ministry, when He revealed His glory to His disciples. Matthew 17:2 says Jesus’ face “shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light”. Have you ever tried staring at the brightness of the sun? The intense glare from the sun is too much for our eyes. How much more the glory of the Lord who made the sun? We cannot bear the brilliance of the Lord. His glory is overwhelming. Putting all these descriptions of Jesus together, they present a vision of the Lord that is supremely glorious. In the light of such glory, we can only fall down and worship Him.
Humble ourselves before Him. Confess our sinfulness, and our need for His grace and mercy. Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus. Worship and adore Him.
That is exactly what John does in Revelation 1:17. He falls at Jesus’ feet as though dead. Notice how Jesus does not refuse John’s honour and reverence. This is because Jesus is truly God. He is rightfully worthy of our worship. May we not devote ourselves to lesser things. John shows us how we should respond to Jesus: Humble ourselves before Him. Confess our sinfulness, and our need for His grace and mercy. Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus. Worship and adore Him.
The Lord opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. The glorious Lord is also the gentle Saviour. As the Lord says in Isaiah 57:15, “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Jesus graciously lays His right hand on John and assures Him with these two words, “Fear not.” Jesus is strong and kind. His right hand imparts strength to the weak. The glorious Lord strengthens us with His word. If we humble ourselves and listen to Him, He will lift us up.
Born in the 18th century, John Newton was a slave trader who led a reckless life. He was the captain of a slave ship and made a living selling lives. But the glorious Lord shined the light of his gospel into Newton’s dark life. John Newton came to understand himself to be a great sinner. But this did not lead him to utter despair, for he also came to know Jesus to be a great Saviour. Newton is famous for writing the hymn, Amazing Grace. He also wrote this other hymn that speaks of the peace and joy of trusting in Christ:
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away our fear.
We will be overwhelmed and undone by the glory of the Lord, if not for these two words that He speaks, “Fear not.” We can draw near to the glorious Lord because He has first loved us. He strengthens us with His word. May the sweetness of His name drive away our fear. Hope and trust in the Lord because of who He is. Jesus says of Himself in Revelation 1:17-18, “I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
Jesus is the first and the last. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He was before the beginning and He will bring all things to an end, according to His sovereign plan. We can trust the Lord who rules over history. Our trials and troubles are not outside of is control. So, patiently endure suffering. Do not be afraid, for the Lord is the living one. He has already defeated death by dying. He has risen from the dead, never to die again. The glorious Lord is the resurrected Lord, who is alive forevermore. Jesus has conquered the grave. Thus, He holds the keys of Hades, for He has authority over death. Because the tomb could not hold Him, death has no more power over us if we are in Christ. In Him, we are more than conquerors. Not even death can separate us from His love. So, fear not. We will share in His victory if we remain steadfast in Him. Be faithful unto death, and Jesus will give us the crown of life.
The glory of the risen Lord gives us strong confidence and encouragement to persevere in the faith. Therefore, because of who Jesus is, John is to write to the seven churches to strengthen them. In Revelation 1:19, the Lord commands John to “write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this”. Revelation is a Christ-centred, Christ-filled book that calls us to view the past, the present and the future in the light of Lord. Behold the glory of the Lamb!
When we go on to Revelation 2 and 3, notice this: Jesus’ perfections, as described in these verses, will be repeated in His words to each of the seven churches. Just like them, we need to be reminded of who Jesus is if we are to remain faithful to Him. He strengthens us with His word, which reveals the perfections of His person. So, keep looking to the glorious Lord. As we behold His glory, we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.
Who is Jesus? He is no mere earthly superstar. He is the glorious Lord who is our deepest need, the remedy for our every sin and weakness, and the answer to all our challenges. The glorious Lord speaks. Listen to Him.