Theological Commentary: Click Here
Hopefully it
goes without saying that this book is about Jesus Christ. Jesus is mentioned in the opening passage. He is standing amidst the lampstands. He is described in great detail. He is the key figure in the chapter, as it
should be.
What can we
learn about Jesus? First, Jesus stands
in the midst of the churches. He is
among His people. He is not an outside
observer who looks down from heaven from afar.
He knows our troubles. He hears
our struggles. He can see our joy. He is among us.
He has a
long white robe and a golden sash with white hair upon his head: pure and adorned
as a ruler. His eyes are like fire: capable
of stripping away that which is not permanent in order to perceive the truth at
the core of a person. His feet were like
bronze: strong and sturdy and capable of crushing others underneath his
feet. His voice was loud like rushing
water: forceful and powerful, capable of asserting His will. His right hands holds the seven stars: He
holds the messengers of the Father in his grip.
His mouth is like a two-edged sword, capable of cutting through to the
truth and a serious threat to His enemies.
His face was like the sun: radiantly shining glory outward for others to
see.
When John
falls down to worship, Jesus’ words are telling. He tells John to fear not. Jesus’ first message in this book is one of peace
and removing fear. When John comes into
the presence of God, like most prophets before him, he fears God. Jesus wants relationship, so he tells John to
fear not. Jesus isn’t chastising John;
John’s reaction is rather righteous!
Jesus is telling John that relationship and not fear is what is desired.
Putting this
all together should make sense. God is a
god of relationship. He came into our
midst to seek and to save. He came into
our midst to know us and to love. He can
and will judge us, but He could do that from afar. He came into our midst to give us an
opportunity to know our creator, not be wracked in judgment by Him.
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