Revelation 1:10-13; In the Midst

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Revelation 1:10-13 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send itunto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

John saw the vision of Jesus Christ who manifested His presence on a Lord’s Day. Jesus spoke directly to him by a great voice like a trumpet ensuring that this message will be as it were broadcast to every believer in His church during the church age. The trumpet’s function is to summon, warning call to warfare, to announcement dawning of Christ’s physical kingdom upon earth. This truth is understood in the light of Daniel 2 and 7. John said that he was a fellow companion in tribulation. By this time, Jerusalem has been destroyed. Persecution by the Roman Caesar is at its peak. Acknowledging Christ means losing their livelihood, home, even their lives. But if we have understood the judgment of hell, what men have to endure for eternity, persecution in this life is pales to the judgment to come!

Although the Apostle John is under chains, he was not standing alone for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was with him. This is the vision that he was led to see Jesus Christ was in the midst of His church as He had promised before His ascension.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, evenunto the end of the world.Amen.

 Acts 1:8-11 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 Jesus promised that His presence and His power would protect His people as they fulfilled His commandment upon earth till His return again on the same spot He would be ascended to heaven. This book is a sequel giving the events leading to His coming upon earth physically and thereafter.

What comfort for the church on earth! John first describes the church and then depicts her Lord, who always walks in her midst (2:1). Jesus as the Son of Man is walking among the churches, which brightly shine their light to dispel the darkness of this world. He has not withdrawn Himself to heavenly realms; rather He is with the church on earth to be their source of light (John 8:12). The churches receiving their light from him must be light bearers; if they fail in this, Jesus will remove their lampstand from its place and they will cease to be his church (2:5).[1]

Thank God for Christ’s presence with His church through the ages. Amen.

[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 20: Exposition of the Book of Revelation. New Testament Commentary (95). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.