Jesus Is Lord of His Church

1. Call & Commission

This vision uses the same language as the calls of the OT prophets. It establishes John’s prophetic authority. He is in the Spirit like Ezekiel (2:2; 3:12,14,24; 11:1,5,24; 43:5). He hears “a great voice like a trumpet.” God’s voice sounded like a trumpet when He revealed himself to Moses and Israel at Mount Sinai (Ex 19:16:19-20; 20:18). John like Moses receives God’s word for God’s people. He must write in a book what he sees. He falls down in worship; is lifted up and encouraged.

John received this revelation while he was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. The Roman authorities exiled him to the island. While exile was a lesser penalty than execution, it still involved a loss of honor and even the loss of one’s civil rights and property. Whatever the circumstances, it would have been harsh for someone of John’s age. Here he was because of his faithful witness of Jesus, which must have disturbed the social order and peace from a Roman perspective. John, the churches, and we are partners in tribulation, the kingdom, and endurance, all in Jesus.

Jesus warned us that in this world we will have trouble. The world hates us as they hate Him. They will persecute us, insult us, and falsely say all kinds of evil against us because of Him. The apostles strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith saying, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Jesus faithfully and patiently endured his suffering. This is the irony and the paradox of Jesus’ example. He won a kingdom and became Lord not through power and might but through love, humility, self-sacrifice, and suffering. We follow his example. We reign in this world with Jesus as we faithfully endure tribulation.

We keep Jesus’ word to endure patiently (Rev 3:10). We do not compromise our faithful witness in the face of trials and suffering. We defeat sin in our lives and resist the powers of evil. And so we conquer and rule in Jesus.“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Ro 8:17).

Tribulation is a present reality. It will continue in the future and before the final end, it will increase tremendously. Revelation is a reprimand to believers who feel that an easy life, prosperity, health, and wealth is our birthright and who become hostile to anyone who threatens it. The church in North America has not yet experienced persecution as many others have. Perhaps we should pause to reflect — the prosperity, peace, and “blessings” we experience, are they perhaps due to the fact that we have compromised with the world? We have given in to materialism, greed, pride, and lust. We have made so many things our idols, some of which we seem willing to die for. But are we willing to die for Christ? We are not radically different, not counter-cultural. We speak out selectively against some sins but keep quiet about others. Therefore, the world and the devil do not persecute us. Complacent, compromised, lukewarm Christians are his biggest allies.

We are called to reign with Christ already now by living the kingdom life. By doing that, we will experience tribulation and suffering. These we endure patiently. We can do this because Jesus is the Lord God Almighty and He is the Lord of his Church. He is the reason why we should endure and He is also the source of power by which we endure. As the Lord God and as Lord of his Church He is present with us, empowers us, and protects us.

2. Jesus Is the Lord God Almighty, the “I Am”

John’s first vision opens with amazing claims about Jesus. He weaves together the language and images from Daniel 7 and 10, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Exodus, and other texts, in order to tell us that Jesus shares in the power, the rule, the glory, and the being of the one God, the Creator of all. Jesus is the Lord God Almighty, the great “I Am.”

John sees seven golden lampstands. Exodus 25, 37, Numbers 8, and Zechariah 4. The lampstands were in the tabernacle and the temple. The temple represents God’s holy presence with his people. He is in the presence of the Holy One, Yahweh. We will come back to the lampstands.

Next, John uses Daniel 7 and 10 to portray Jesus as priest, king, and judge. He sees someone like a son of man. This description of heavenly beings in Daniel is applied to Christ. It is also his messianic title. He is dressed in a robe reaching to the feet with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. This tells us that Jesus is a king and a priest. People of lower classes wore short tunics and the sash or belt was around their waist.

His head and hair are white like wool and snow. This alludes to God himself, the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7:9-10. His voice like many waters recalls the sound of God’s voice in Ezekiel. Flaming eyes, glowing metal, face like the shining sun, all used to describe God’s glory, now describes the glory of Jesus because He is God. Jesus speaks with a voice like God’s because He is the living Word of God.

His eyes like a flame of fire portray Jesus as the all-knowing God and divine judge. “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good” (Prov 15:3); “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chron 16:9). The eyes also represent the Holy Spirit. “The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth” (Rev 5:6). Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to his church. He sees everything, knows everything, including what is in our hearts, and this results in either blessing or judgment.

His feet are like fine bronze that is glowing when refined and purified in fire. He is holy and pure, and requires of us to be holy in order to reflect his holiness. The sharp double-edged sword coming out of his mouth (Isaiah 1:20, 11:4-5 & 49:2) portrays Jesus as Judge. His Word gives life or it kills. It proclaims truth, judgment, and salvation. Those who hear and repent are saved and given new life. Those who do not repent are judged and condemned. In this way, Jesus does battle against the evil nations (Rev 19:15) and unrepentant sinners, but also against all those believers among his churches who compromise their faith (2:16).

His face is like the sun shining in its strength when it is at its brightest at midday. He is the Light of the world that overcomes all darkness.

Titles, descriptions, and images that usually describe God are attributed to Jesus telling us that He is the Lord God. Now, Jesus speaks and says, “Don’t be afraid, I am …”

I am the first and the last — This title is given to God (Is 41:4; 44:6; 48:12 & Rev 1:8; 21:6). It’s the same as “the Alpha and the Omega.” Now it is applied to Jesus. With these words, Jesus announces that He is the Creator of all, the sovereign Lord of the universe. He is the Lord God Almighty. The Roman Empire might demand worship of Caesar as lord of all. Jewish synagogues may demand of believers to renounce Jesus’ deity. The world today might tell us Jesus is not God or does not exist. They might require of us in many different ways to deny and denounce Jesus. But Jesus is truly the only Lord of the universe, and He is worth suffering and dying for.

I am the Living One — He is the Living One because He had died but triumphed over death and is alive forever. By rising from the dead, He guarantees eternal life to all his followers. Because of his victory, Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades. Only the truly risen and Living One, the firstborn from the death can release people from death. He controls who lives and dies. No hair of ours will fall to the ground apart from his knowledge, will, and care (Mt 10:29-31). So, we who trust his loving care do not need to fear. Death will not come to us by accident. When it comes, it comes only in the time our loving Lord permits it. And even then we know it is not the end.

Jesus the Lord commands John to write what he has seen, what is now, and what will happen. The combination of past, present, and future reminds us again that Jesus is also the Lord of history. He is the God who is, was, and is to come. Jesus is the true Lord who is genuinely in charge of history, of our past, of our present situation and our future. Therefore, do not be afraid.

But there is one more reason why we should not fear and why we as church should endure patiently in the midst of suffering. That is, Jesus is also the Lord of His Church.

3. Jesus Is the Lord of His Church

Jesus is standing in the middle of the seven lampstands and in his right hand he holds seven stars. The seven lampstands are the seven churches. This revelation is for the universal church — for all churches in the world, in all places, and in all times.

Jesus, the High Priest, is tending and taking care of the lampstands in the heavenly temple. He trims the lamps, removes the wicks and old oil, refills the lamps with fresh oil, and relights the lamps. In the same way, He takes care of his church. He commends, corrects, disciplines, exhorts, warns, and judges. All to ensure that the church will be effective to serve as his light bearers in this dark world.

Jesus is the Light. The light from his shining face and flaming eyes provide the light for the lampstands so that the church can be the light of the world. The flames on the lampstands are also the Holy Spirit who transforms us to be God’s temples in this world. The Spirit is Jesus’ presence with us, living in us. The Spirit empowers us to stand against the world and endure in faithful witness.   

In his right hand, Jesus holds the seven stars, the angels of the churches. They are the heavenly guardians of the churches. Jesus is in sovereign control of his church. Our fate and destiny are not determined by the stars. The Lord of the church holds us in his right hand.

This vision declares to us a Jesus who is mind-blowing, dramatically powerful, and glorious, who is the Lord God Almighty. It declares to us a Jesus in and through whom we see God the Father; a Jesus who has spoken and still speaks, explaining what is going on now, and warning of what will happen in the future. It declares also that He is the Lord of his church, the High Priest and Shepherd, who is gentle and lovingly takes care of his church. So, this vision gives us security. The all-powerful Lord will protect his church. “Do not be afraid.” It gives us hope. We are already kingdom citizens on our way to his eternal kingdom. It calls us to discipleship, to follow him in obedience.

The risen, living and exalted Christ is already present among his church. He is coming to us every day, living in our midst, with us, and in us. He is bigger than our trials and sufferings. Like John’s churches, many believers are already suffering for their faith. Opposition to Christ is growing, and we will also experience persecution. Like them, we face economic testing and difficulties. We face daily temptations to give up and give in to the ways of the world, and many more challenges. But Jesus’ triumph over death and his lordship over human history and all creation encourage us to endure patiently no matter what the circumstances. The future belongs to our Lord and his church.

4. Our Response — Worship & Witness

What is our response to Jesus the Lord God Almighty and the Lord of His Church? Worship and witness.

Like John, we should fall down in worship. Revelation is a book filled with scenes of worship. It helps us to lift up our heads and eyes to focus on Christ and to recognize his awesome majesty. When we are offering to God and the Lamb the glory they have and deserve, then we experience in the Holy Spirit a foretaste of heaven. When we turn our hearts and minds to our Lord we will find the strength to endure. Our fears, tensions, stress, anxiety, and worry quickly give way to celebration and joy when we recognize the awesome power of our faithful Lord. Revelation and the worship it inspires enable us to be and remain Christ-centered.

And worship leads to witness. We want to share this good news and joy with others. Worship and Christ-centeredness compel us to be community concerned. His love compels us to love others. His light is shining through us into the community. The Lord Jesus Christ is present with us, his church, and through us, He makes known his presence, power, glory, and salvation to the community. Through us, He is coming into our community and the world. Therefore, our prayer remains, Come, Lord Jesus.