The Deity of Jesus
Text: Revelation 1:9-20
I. In the third introduction to Revelation, John describes the vision that he had.
A. The first introduction established the purpose of the book
B. The second introduction described what Jesus meant to the Christian.
C. The third introduction describes the majesty of Jesus as God Almighty.
II. Time and place of the vision
A. John describes himself as a fellow partaker in
1. The tribulation - the church was suffering persecution
2. The kingdom - the church itself
3. Perseverance - holding on through the persecution
B. He is on an island called Patmos because of the Bible and his testimony of Jesus
1. Patmos was used by the various Roman emperors to banish people who were "not convenient" to have around.
2. Frequently used during Domitian's reign.
C. It was on the Lord's Day
1. Some think that it was some day that John had dedicated to God. Or that John was calling it a day belonging to God because of he vision he received.
2. This is the only place in the Bible where the phrase "the Lord's day" is used.
3. The phrase does appear in the uninspired writings of early Christians and there it is used to refer to the first day of the week or Sunday. We still use it in that sense today. This is the most likely meaning, but it doesn't matter much to the understanding of the vision.
D. John was in the spirit and heard a loud voice
1. The phrase is sometimes translated "in the Spirit" or "in spirit".
a. It calls to mind Paul's description - II Cor 12:2-4
b. It is used a number of times to say that John experienced these things in his spirit and not in his body.
(1) Rev 4:2; 17:3; 21:10
2. The phrasing is very close to Ezekiel's descriptions of his visions
a. Ezek 3:12-14 - The Spirit taking Ezekiel up
b. Other times: Ezek 8:3; 11:24; 37:1; 43:5
3. A trumpet was often used to herald important news
a. Ex 19:16-19 - God appearing before the Israelites
b. Isa 58:1 - The proclaiming of Israel's sins
E. The voice tells John to write his vision in a book to be sent to seven churches.
III. John turns to see who was speaking to him in such a loud voice
A. He saw a being like a son of man
1. "Son of man" is used over 90 times in Ezekiel by the prophet to refer to himself.
2. Jesus also called himself the son of man over 80 times in the Gospels.
a. John 12:34 - Who is the Son of Man?
b. Matt 16:13-16 - The son of man is the son of the living God
3. Daniel too has a vision of the son of man ascending to God - Dan 7:13
4. The phrase emphasizes the humanity of the being, which strongly contrasts with the remainder of the description.
5. We understand that John is talking about seeing the resurrected Christ.
B. Jesus standing in the middle of seven golden lampstands
1. Some think of the menorah, the lampstand in the Old Testament that held seven lamps.
2. This is different, here we have seven lampstands each holding a lamp.
3. We don't have to go far to understand this symbolism – the stands represent the seven churches just named - Rev. 1:20
4. Why lampstands? The purpose of the church is to spread the word of God
a. Matt. 5:15-16 - letting the light shine forth
b. Phil 2:15-16 - We contrast to the sinful world around us
5. In the Old, there was one lampstand to which all came to worship. In the New, each church was the gathering point. Hence the change in the symbol.
6. Why gold? It means it was precious and important.
IV. The description of Jesus
A. He wore a long robe belted at the breast with a golden girdle
1. While the everyday workman wore shorter tunics so as not interfere with their work, nobles and priests wore long robes.
2. The description is similar to the priestly garments - Ex 28:4; 29:5
3. The placement of the belt and the material it is made of indicated the importance of the individual. The higher the belt, the more important the person
4. Josephus mentions in his book Antiquity 3:7,2 that Levite priests were girded about the breasts.
B. White hair, like wool or snow
1. Whiteness symbolizes purity and a freedom from sin - Isa 1:18
2. The description is similar to the Ancient of Days - Dan. 7:9
a. White hair is usually associated with an elderly person who is wise in years.
b. God, being eternal, would be very old and very wise.
3. Notice that same symbols applied to God the Father in the Old Testament is now being used for God the Son in the New Testament.
C. Eyes like a flame of fire
1. Daniel's description of a great angel is very similar - Dan 10:5-9
a. The vision was so terrible, that Daniel fainted, as John did in Rev 1:17
2. The symbolism is a penetrating gaze, which even darkness cannot hide - Heb. 4:13
3. Recall Paul's words of the Judgment - I Cor 3:12-13
D. Polished bronze feet still glowing from the furnace
1. The actual type of metal is not known. This is the only place it is found.
2. One who is able to stomp out his opposition, leaving nothing but ashes - Mal. 4:1-3
E. His voice was like the sound of many waters
1. This echoes the vision of Ezekiel - Ezek 1:24; 43:2
2. I can imagine it being like the sound of Niagara Falls.
3. It is a voice that is heard from a distance, holding authority and power.
4. Again an image of God the Father is applied to the Son.
F. In his right hand he held seven stars
1. In Rev 1:20, we are told the seven stars are the seven angels (or messengers) of the church
a. Stars have long been associated with angels - Job 38:7
b. Hag 1:13 - Haggai is God's messenger (or angel)
c. Mal 2:7 - Priests are God's messengers (or angels)
d. Mal 3:1, Matthew 11:10-11 - John was the messenger of Jesus
2. There is much debate over the meaning, but I think it is consistent to say that the messenger in each church is the preacher.
3. Christ shows control over these stars as God controls the stars in Heaven - Job 38:31-33
4. The right hand is hand of strength and power - Ps 110:1, Heb 1:3
G. From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword
1. Echoes Isaiah's statement - Isa 49:2
2. God's words through His servants can battle all evil - Hos 6:5
3. Satan will be destroyed by the breath of his mouth - II Thess 2:8-9
4. This mighty weapon is God's Words contained within our Bibles - Heb. 4:12
V. John's response to this vision was to faint
A. A common response. Daniel fainted and the angel lifted him up
1. Dan. 8:17-18, 27
2. Dan. 10:9
B. Ezekiel fell to the ground and the Spirit lifted him up
1. Ezek 1:28-2:1
2. Ezek 3:23-24
3. Ezek 43:3-5
C. An echo of the encouragement Jesus gave His disciples on the water - Matt 14:26- 27
VI. Jesus is our living God
A. He is the first and the last
1. The same title God, the Father, just used - Rev 1:8
2. Isa 44:6 - God is the first and the last (also Isa. 48:12)
3. Col 1:16-17 - Christ was before all things
B. He lives forever
1. Deut 32:40 - God is eternal
2. John 5:26 - God and the Son have life in themselves
C. He has the keys to death and hades
1. Jesus has the authority, power, and control over the entrance and exit of these realms
2. Keys control - Isa 22:22, Matt 16:19
3. Jesus gained control when he rose from the dead.
4. Death has no dominion over Jesus - Rom 6:9