SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1-3
“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18)
John is in exile on the Isle of Patmos because of his faith in Jesus (Revelation 1:9).
He has a vision, and is told to record it to encourage the believers through their persecution.
The visions recorded here are wild, apocalyptic, like a Marvel comic book.
But through it all is the recurring image of Jesus Christ, directing affairs from the heavenly HQ.
The persecution was bad, really bad, and many believers were losing their faith, their hope, their love.
This letter urges them to look up beyond their circumstances to the Lord of all circumstances.
It is similar to Stephen’s vision, when he was dying a martyr’s death:
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ (Acts 7:55-56)
The specific letters from Jesus to each church are meant to encourage and inspire.
Stay true, stay focused, stay strong, Jesus is still Lord despite what is happening.
We can be encouraged by this vision too, Jesus is still Lord of the Church and the World.
He is still walking among us (the lampstands), inspiring and encouraging us to hang on.
As this vision will show, everything is unfolding according to plan.
And at the end of it all – spoiler alert – Jesus wins, and we with Him!
Even if most of this vision confuses you, hang on to this picture of Jesus.
“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, lions and tigers and bears, oh my! But You are in charge, even when the world seems to be crashing and evil seems to be winning. Grant me the vision of Stephen, the vision of John, to so You behind it all!