Chapter 12.

Late In His Life,

John Sees Jesus Again

 

Sixty-five years after Jesus was Crucified, in A.D. 95, John was the only Apostle yet alive.  Even though he was near the age of 90, he was still actively preaching the Gospel, but not in the Holy Land.  Israel had been evicted from Palestine in A.D. 70.  Jerusalem and its renowned Temple had been razed and buried by the Roman army.  So, John was ministering to the Churches in Asia Minor.

 

John was treasured and venerated by the Christians of that era.  This gravely irritated the officers of the Roman Empire.  They wanted every resident of their kingdom to deify their reigning emperor, Domitian.  But, since John was so famous and well-loved, they refrained from executing him.  Instead, they banished him to a small, rocky island called “Patmos”.

Patmos lies off the Southwest coast of Turkey.  It is one of a group of islands located in a part of the Mediterranean known as the Aegean Sea.  It is widely believed that John was eventually freed and that he returned to Asia Minor, where he served in the Church of Ephesus until he died.  His body is entombed there.

 

While on Patmos, John was graced with a vision of future events.  In it, the Lord told him to write down an account of what he saw.  That writing has become the last Book in our modern Bibles, “The Revelation”.

 

 

 

The Source of “The Revelation”.

 

For millennia the Jews have rightly proclaimed, “Our God is one God.”  This sets them apart from cultures that allege the existence of myriad gods ... gods of the soil, air, water, crops, reproductive fertility, etcetera.  Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism, so Christians agree with Jews, “Our God is one God.” 

 

But, when Jesus came to Earth to enlighten us, He taught, “God is a very complex Being.  He is not a glorified ‘Man upstairs’ with super-human powers.  No, He is ‘Other’.  He is unique.  He is so different from mankind that men cannot fully comprehend Him.

 

“God is Triune.  He interfaces with mankind via 3 personalities.  ‘God, the Father’ is an infinitely powerful, dazzling Spirit Who resides on Heaven’s Throne.  ‘God, the Son’ has appeared to men in various forms, but often, in a man-like body.  Or, more accurately, men live in a body like His, for He made men in His own image.  ‘God, the Son’ is most often identified with Jesus.  And also, there is ‘God, the Holy Spirit’, Who is a seven-fold Spirit that abides in the Throne Room of Heaven and in the breast of every believer in Heaven or on Earth.  Yet, in essence, these Three are One.  They transcend the obstacles of form, space and time and operate as One Entity.”

 

In the opening verse of “The Revelation”, we see these facets of the Trinity in action.  “God, the Father” gives a vision of the future to “God, the Son”, who delivers it to John, the Apostle, by way of an angel as John is meditating in the Spirit..  John discloses ...

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John ...  (Revelation 1:1)

As we read the Revelation, we encounter words like “shortly” and “soon” and “quickly”, referring to events that were future to John and are still future to us.  As we contemplate these statements, we must keep in mind this comment from the Apostle, Peter ...

... do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day.  (2 Peter 3:8 AMP)

 

 

 

John Recorded the Revelation.

We Should Read It.

 

In the vision He gave to John, Jesus told John to write down what he saw and send copies of his notes to 7 Churches in Asia Minor.  The words spoken by persons appearing in the Revelation urge us to live in a Christ-like manner.  Our service to the Lord is elevated when we pursue that advice.  John ...

... bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.  (Revelation 1:2-3)

 

 

 

John Extended Salutations

From the Savior

To the Churches.

 

John indicated that the vision described in his letters to the 7 Churches came from the Triune God ... from the Father, Who is and was and is to come ... from the seven-fold Holy Spirit ... and from the Son, Jesus Christ. 

 

Then, John  proceeded to highlight the credentials and wonderful works of Christ ... the “faithful witness”, the Word, Who brought the Message of salvation from Heaven to Earth.  He is the “first begotten from the dead”, because He was the first Man to enter Pre-Millennial Heaven as He led all the saints who had died before His Crucifixion from Paradise to Heaven.  He is the Prince of the kings of the Earth, because, when He wishes to do so, He is able to force these potentates to act in obedience to His sovereign will.  Because He greatly loves all of us who believe, He washed away our sins with His own sacrificial Blood.  And, He has promised that He will have us reign as kings and priests with Him in the hereafter.

 

In his letters, John writes ...

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  (Revelation 1:4-6)

 

 

 

John Proclaimed,

“Jesus Is Coming To Earth

Again!”

 

The Christians of the first century A.D., like us, were looking forward to the day when Jesus would return to Earth to establish His worldwide Kingdom.  And, God wanted them to eagerly anticipate that day.  So, the vision He sent to the Churches via John opens with a brief depiction of that dramatic event.

 

We believers see that day as a moment of rejoicing, and in many passages the Bible portrays it that way.  But, in this portion of the Revelation, Jesus reminds us that, for many, His return will engender alarm and dread.  Most of mankind has rejected the Gospel.  They have treated the ministry of Christ as a legend.  When His return brightens the sky, they will be filled with fear.  John reveals ...

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.  (Revelation 1:7-8)

 

 

 

As John Meditated,

A Mighty Voice Addressed Him.

 

One Lord’s Day, the Apostle John, perhaps kneeling, was worshiping in the Spirit when a pleasant, mighty voice caught his attention.  The Speaker told John to send letters to 7 Churches in Asia Minor, documenting the prophetic vision he was about to see.  So, in the Revelation, John told his Christian friends about his experience.

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit.  Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, “Write in a book  everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”  (Revelation 1:9-11 NLT)

 

 

 

John Saw the Risen Lord.

 

John arose from his meditation, turned to see the source of the mighty voice he had heard, and suddenly, he was face to face with the Risen Lord.  For sure, John had seen the Risen Lord before on multiple occasions during the 40 day period that began with Jesus’ Resurrection and ended with His Ascension to Heaven.  And perhaps, John had seen Jesus in subsequent visions during the 65 years of his ministry.  Still, he had never seen Jesus as he saw Him then.  There He was in the midst of 7, tall candlesticks, which represented the 7 Churches to which written accounts of the Revelation were to be sent.

 

Jesus was resplendent.  He wore a glistening, white robe with a brilliant, golden sash wrapped about His chest.  His eyes sparkled.  His hair was soft and white as snow, and His skin gleamed like molten brass.  John was overwhelmed by the breath-taking sight of the Lord.

 

As we consider Jesus’ Heavenly form, it is immensely encouraging to recall 1 John 3:2 ...

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 

(1 John 3:2)

Someday, we will be like the Risen Lord!  Hallelujah!  Imagine yourself in this glorified form.  And remember, our beautiful, Heavenly bodies will never wither and die.  They will house our souls forever and ever.

 

In His right hand, Jesus held 7 stars.  These represented the pastors of the 7 Churches.  And, in some demonstrative, mystical manner, when Jesus spoke, His statements proceeded from His lips looking like a two-edged sword.  This mysterious phenomenon reminds us of the enlightenment given in Hebrews 4:12 ...

... the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)

So, the Word of God is a tool.  One of its sharp edges judges.  It cleaves the human race, separating the saved from the lost.  Its other sharp edge circumcises the heart of each believer, removing the sheath of sin that hides that heart from God.  As Paul put it in the Book of Romans ...

... true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.  (Romans 2:29b NLT)

If you believe it, the Word of the Lord can save your soul from an eternity in Hell.  If you reject God’s Word, you will be cut off from the congregation of the righteous that is gathering in Heaven and will abide there forever.

 

John documented his dramatic encounter with the Risen Lord with these words ...

... 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. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.  (Revelation 1:12-16)

 

 

 

Jesus Decreed,

“John, Write ‘The Revelation’!”

 

Jesus put His hand on John’s shoulder, and while looking into his eyes, He identified Himself in 4 ways.  He said, “’I am the first and the last’.  I began the era of mankind in the Garden of Eden, and I will end it on Judgment Day.  After that day, there will be no humans.  The saved will be in glorified bodies in Heaven, and the lost will be in diminished bodies in the bowels of Hell.  Furthermore, I am the One ‘that lives, and was dead’.  John, you know all about My Crucifixion and Resurrection.  And, ‘I am alive for evermore’.  And, I ‘have the keys of hell and of death’.  I will separate the Heaven-Bound from the crowd headed to Hell.”

 

Having reminded John of His unique credentials, Jesus commanded him to write the Book we call “The Revelation”.  John described this other-worldly episode with these words ...

... when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.  (Revelation 1:17-20)

 

 

 

John Saw

“God, the Father”

On Heaven’s Throne.

 

As the Revelation proceeded, the Risen Lord dictated letters to the 7 Churches in Asia Minor, and John recorded them.  These letters are filled with wonderful information and advice for Christians.  They have been guiding lights to all Churches ever since the Revelation was copied and circulated among believers.

 

After the letters were completed, Jesus invited John into the Throne Room of Heaven, and there, John saw “God, the Father” sitting on Heaven’s Throne.  Remember, “God is a Spirit”, (John 4:24), not an “elderly Man upstairs”.  Yet, later in the Revelation, John refers to the Father’s hands, and elsewhere in Scripture references are made to the Father’s eyes, ears, arms, feet, etcetera.  Perhaps, it is best for us to think of Him as a lively, loving and visible Spirit that resembles the human form.  In any case, not fully understanding the nature of the Being before him, John described what he saw ... a vibrant entity exhibiting 2 vivid colors, a gleaming white, like the crystalline gem known as Jasper, and a ruby red, like a Sardius gemstone.  And, the Throne was encircled by an over-arching rainbow of emerald green.  He saw a stunning scene.  John used these words to describe it.

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.  (Revelation 4:1-3)

 

 

 

John Surveyed the Throne Room.

 

Imagine John’s amazement as he viewed Heaven’s Throne Room.  He saw the 4 beautiful creatures that filled the hall with song.  Creatures unlike anything on Earth.  He saw the crystal sea before the Throne ... the 7 lamps representing the seven-fold Holy Spirit ... and the thrones of the 24 elders.  He was looking into the future, so as he studied the 24 elders, he may have seen himself, for Jesus had taught ...

... ye [Apostles] which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  (Matthew 19:28)

And, John heard all manner of marvelous melodies, murmurings and choric voices, and he saw flashes of lightening and heard rumblings of thunder proceeding from the Throne.  John wrote down his observations in these words ...

... round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.  (Revelation 4:4-11)

 

 

 

Only Jesus Could Open

The Book With 7 Seals.

 

John had been told that the vision he was documenting was about the future.  Early in Chapter 5 of the Revelation, we are told of a future, crucial moment when the attention of every creature in the Universe will be focused on Jesus.  John wrote ...

... I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  (Revelation 5:1-5)

 

 

 

The Lamb of God

Took the Book.

 

With anticipation, John waited for Jesus to take the Book of Prophecy and open its 7 seals.  But, he was awestruck when Jesus appeared before the Father in the form of a Sacrificial Lamb that “had been slain”.  And more so, because even in that shape, Jesus was a majestic figure with 7 horns and 7 eyes, indicating He was filled with the seven-fold Holy Spirit.  We believe this episode hints at a major difference between the way we communicate on Earth and the way we will communicate in the hereafter.  Here, if we see a beautiful bird, we can use words to describe it to you, but there, we will be able to assume, momentarily, the form and behaviors of the bird and show it to you.  What an exhilarating notion!

 

In any case, Jesus appeared in a form that reminded everyone of His crowning deed.  He had served as the Ultimate, Sacrificial Lamb of God and had erased every  sin of every saved soul of every era. 

 

So, when Jesus took the Book, a celebration ensued. 

The elders and the 4 ornate, Throne-Room creatures with their golden harps led the Heavenly ccongregation in singing a “new song”.  And, unexpectedly, they perfumed the air with incense stored in “golden vials”.  Surprisingly, the incense was comprised of the “prayers of saints”.  Did you know your prayers are being saved in Heaven to add a sweet fragrance to this and other significant occasions?  Heaven holds many delightful surprises for us.

 

The “new song” memorialized the blood of the Lamb, who was slain to redeem us.  He will make us kings and priests.  We will rule with Him when He reigns on Earth during the Millennium and in the New Heaven and the New Earth to come. 

 

John added these words to his letters ...

... I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.  (Revelation 5:6-10)

 

 

 

All the Creatures In the Universe

Will Pay Homage To Jesus.

 

In chapter 5 of the Revelation, we read of an immensely significant future moment when Jesus will be poised to open the 7 seals of the Book of Prophecy.  That Book tells what will happen during the last 3 1/2 years of the 7 year Tribulation Period that precedes Jesus’ Second Coming.  To place this moment in the context of human history, let’s review the events that will transpire during that 7 year period.

 

The Tribulation Period will begin when the Rapture occurs, when Jesus will appear in the clouds and call up unto Himself all the saved souls on Earth.  Suddenly, millions will be missing.  Those left behind will be profoundly puzzled.  They will ask, “Where’s Mom? Dad? my neighbor?”  As folks survey their communities, they will realize that those who professed Christianity are gone.  And, some of them will remember that those Christians often spoke of a day when they would “fly away” to Jesus.  The shock of this event will cause many of those left on Earth to study the Bible.

 

Concurrently, a world-class politician will gain absolute power over all the nations of the world.  “Globalization” will dawn.  During the first 3 1/2 years of his administration, this dictator will talk incessantly about “peace” and “safety” as he surreptitiously consolidates his control.  He will disarm everyone but his soldiers.  No one will be able to resist his rule. 

Even while this evil dictator is subjugating the nations, Christianity will be receiving substantial respect.  Folks will say, “The Bible said the Rapture would occur and it did.  We better pay attention to the Bible.”  Even the unsaved will show respect to Christ.  For a few years, the dictator will allow Christianity and other religious disciplines to flourish as one facet of his “peace” plan.  The dictator will even allow the Jews to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem and resume their ancient rituals. 

 

So, this will be the situation on Earth and in Heaven just before Jesus begins to open the 7 seals of the Book of Prophecy.  And, John describes that remarkable moment when Jesus and the Father will be honored by every creature in the Universe ... by everyone in Heaven ... by everyone on Earth ... and by everyone “under the Earth” in Hades.  Even the animals on Earth will worship the Triune God.  Of course, the unsaved of mankind will not be as euphoric as the saved, but at least, they will “honor” Jesus.  John describes that singular moment with these words ...

... I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of         thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.  (Revelation 5:11-13)

 

Just after this glorious moment, the Tribulation Period will become hellish.  The dictator, inflamed by Satan and evil spirits, will turn on Christianity and every other religion.  He will become infatuated with himself, and He will stride into the Temple in Jerusalem with every television broadcasting crew  watching and declare, “I am god!  Worship me!”  Abruptly, the Christians will dub him the “Anti-Christ”, and Jews will see him as the “Anti-Jew”, and Muslims will see him as the “Anti-Muslim”.  He will insist that every himan on Earth worship him.  Those who refuse to do so will be exterminated. 

 

As John watched, the Revelation proceeded.  Jesus reacted to the wicked actions of the Anti-Christ.  Each time Jesus opened a seal of the Book of Prophecy, a  calamity fell on what was left of the human race.  And, later in the vision, John saw the victory of Christ over the Anti-Christ, the birth of the Millennial Kingdom, and the appearance of the New Heaven and the New Earth.  So, John experienced a stunning, lengthy encounter with the Risen Lord.  And oddly, to this very day he is in Heaven, still waiting for the day when most of the events he saw in the Revelation will occur.