◄ What Does Revelation 1:13 Mean? ►

It was John, the beloved disciple, who loved his Lord with a deep passion and who had walked with Jesus from the start of His three-year ministry, that was given this unique glimpse of the risen, ascended, glorified Son of Man. It was John who opened our understanding to things which must shortly come to pass. John penned the "Revelation of Jesus Christ", which God gave Him, to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place, and Jesus sent and communicated this to His bond-servant, John, through an angel.

John had been one who had walked with Him by the way, listened to His teachings, seen the signs and miracles Jesus had performed, witnessed His tender-mercy and loving compassion, and had been empowered to carry out mighty signs and great wonders in His holy name. John had even glimpsed the magnificent vision of the glorious transfiguration of God's beloved Son.

John had seen the empty tomb with the linen wrappings lying there. He saw the face-cloth which had been wrapped round His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but folded neatly, in a place by itself. And it was John who turned and, "saw ONE, like unto the Son of Man, standing in the middle of seven candlesticks, clothed with a garment down to His feet and girt about the breasts with a golden girdle."

No wonder the appearance of his risen, ascended, glorified Lord caused John to fall at His feet as if dead. This was a vision of the eternal, transcendent, almighty God, Who stood before him surrounded by seven candlesticks, which represented the Christian Church. There, before this elderly apostle of love, stood the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last - the Beginning and the End - the King of kings and Lord of lords.

And yet, the One Who stood before him was none other than Jesus of Nazareth, Who in His earthly walk was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He had been led as a lamb to the slaughter, so that the price of sin could be paid for through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. This same rejected Saviour, stood before John, in His magnificent, resplendent glory... as God of gods, Light of lights, Very God of Very God - begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father - through Whom all things were made.

This was the incarnate Son of God Who had laid aside His heavenly glory, so that He could be born into the human race, that He Himself had created, in order that you and I could become a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and children of God - accepted in the Beloved. John stood before the eternal God, Who had become the glorified Man... through Whose blood we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting... according to the riches of His grace, that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

The unknowable God made Himself known to us through the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the eternal Son of God and perfect Son of Man. Although He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, His appearance to John reminds us that He is ever-present with His children - standing in the midst of His people, holding each of us in the palm of His hand, and interceding for us, day and night. John's vision reminds us that He is our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendour and girded with praise!

Jesus came to earth as the suffering Servant of God, so that He could save His people from their sins, by means of His sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection. And Jesus is returning to set up His kingdom as King of kings and Lord of lords. But the most precious name for our Saviour is JESUS - the name above all names for he is the Son of Man, the Messiah of Israel, and Saviour of the world. 

And Jesus is soon coming in the clouds of glory, as the Son of Man, to take us to be with Himself, for we are His Body and Bride and He is our Saviour and Lord. Let us worship Him in the beauty of holiness and sing forth His praises in time and through eternity. Let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord - the Rock of our Salvation.

Loving Father, thank You for sending the Lord Jesus to be Son of Man so that I can become a child of God. Thank You, Father, that He took on flesh and blood, and took the punishment that I deserve upon Himself, for which I praise Your glorious name. Thank You that He is returning soon to take me to be with Himself. All glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Who was in the beginning, is now - and ever shall be, world without end, AMEN.