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| Volume 25 Number 12 December 2023 |
Page 11 |
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| Volume 25 Number 12 December 2023 |
Page 11 |
Gary C. Hampton
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw” (Revelation 1:1-2 NKJV). The beginning of Revelation is awe-inspiring. The vision of the Lord in 1:12-16 is even more so. It was so powerful that John fell down as if he were dead (Revelation 1:17-18; cf., Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:29; Daniel 8:17, 27; 10:8-10). Jesus does not want His followers to fear Him but to be comforted by His presence.
Jesus was there in the beginning of the world, and He will be there in the end (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12). He had to die on the cross, but now Jesus is alive and able to give life to those who come to Him. He conquered death and opened up the way from the place of disembodied souls (Hades) so that Christians need not fear the end of life on this earth.
The Lord was walking among the churches (lampstands) and held the angels (stars) in His hand. Each letter that follows is addressed to the angel of the church, with all who receive the message being given directions to act upon the things they heard. The angel, then, is God’s messenger for the particular church addressed (Revelation 2-3).
Faithful Christians are awestruck by the greatness of our Lord. We receive comfort from knowing Jesus, the Eternal One and Life Giver, is among the churches. His message is the most important thing to all who seek an eternal home in Heaven. We must resolve to hear and to act upon everything he places before us.
