Revelation 1:9 - Meaning and Application

We have now come to that glorious vision the apostle John had of the Lord Jesus Christ when Christ came to give him this revelation. We should notice, first, the account John gives of himself, the one who was honored with this vision. He describes his present condition: he was a brother and partner of these churches in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Christ. At this time, like other true Christians, he was being persecuted, and may even have been imprisoned or banished for following Christ.

John says he was their brother, even though he was an apostle. He seems to value his place in the church family more than his authority in it. Judas Iscariot could be an apostle, but he was not a brother in God’s family. John was also their companion, because God’s children should choose the company of one another. He was their companion in tribulation, because God’s persecuted servants do not suffer alone, since the same kinds of trials happen to others too.

He was also their companion in patience, that is, in the steady grace that helps believers endure suffering. If we have the patience of the saints, we should not complain when we face the saints’ trials. John was a fellow sufferer for the kingdom of Christ, meaning Christ’s kingly rule over the church and the world. He was suffering for standing by that rule against all who tried to seize authority that belonged to Christ alone. By speaking this way, John shows his sympathy with the churches and his readiness to give them counsel and comfort, and he asks them to pay close attention to what he has to say from Christ, their common Lord.

Second, John tells us where he was when he received this vision: he was on the island of Patmos. He does not say who sent him there, and Christians should speak with humility and restraint about their own sufferings. Patmos was an island in the Aegean Sea, one of the Cyclades, about thirty-five miles around. Even in that confinement, John took comfort in the fact that he was not suffering as a criminal, but for the testimony of Jesus, that is, for bearing witness to Christ as the Immanuel, the Savior. This was a worthy cause to suffer for, and the Spirit of glory and of God rested on this persecuted apostle.

Third, John tells us the day of the vision: it was the Lord’s Day, the day Christ had set apart for himself, just as the Lord’s Supper is named for him. This can mean nothing other than the Christian Sabbath, the first day of the week, observed in memory of Christ’s resurrection. If we call him Lord, then we should honor him on his own day, the day the Lord has made, and in which we should rejoice.

Fourth, John describes the condition of his soul at the time: he was in the Spirit. He was not only in a spiritual rapture when the vision came, but already in a serious, heavenly frame, under the blessed and gracious influence of God’s Spirit. God often prepares his people for special showings of himself by making them more alive through the Spirit’s sanctifying work. Those who want fellowship with God on the Lord’s Day should try to pull their thoughts and desires away from fleshly things and be absorbed in what is spiritual.

Second, the apostle tells what he heard while he was in the Spirit. There was an alarm like a trumpet, and then he heard a voice, the voice of Christ. Christ spoke of himself as the first and the last, and commanded John to write down what was about to be shown to him and send it at once to the seven churches in Asia, whose names are given. In this way our Lord Jesus, the captain of our salvation, gave John notice of his glorious appearance, as with a trumpet blast.

Third, we also have an account of what John saw. He turned to see the voice, to learn whose voice it was and where it came from, and then a marvelous vision opened before him. He saw a picture of the church under the symbol of seven golden lampstands, as the last verse of the chapter explains. The churches are like lampstands because they hold out the light of the gospel for all to see. The churches are not the light itself, Christ alone is our light, and his gospel is our lamp, but the churches receive their light from Christ and his gospel and pass it on to others.

They are golden lampstands because they should be precious and pure, like fine gold. That should be true not only of the ministers, but also of the members of the churches. Their light should shine before people so that others are led to give glory to God.

John also saw the Lord Jesus Christ in the middle of the golden lampstands, because Christ has promised to be with his churches always, even to the end of the world. He fills them with light, life, and love, for he is the living and shaping soul of the church. Christ appeared in glory in several ways. He was dressed in a robe down to his feet, a royal and priestly garment that showed righteousness and honor. He was wrapped with a golden sash, like the breastpiece of the high priest, on which the names of his people are engraved. This shows that he is fully ready to carry out the work of a Redeemer.

His head and hair were white like wool or snow. He is the Ancient of Days, and his white hair is not a sign of weakness, but a crown of glory. His eyes were like a flame of fire, able to see into the deepest parts of human hearts and to strike fear into his enemies. His feet were like fine burning bronze, strong and firm, holding up his own cause and crushing his foes. His voice was like the sound of many waters, like many rivers rushing together. He can make himself heard to those far away as well as to those near at hand. His gospel is like a strong flowing river, fed by the highest springs of endless wisdom and knowledge.

In his right hand he held seven stars, that is, the ministers of the seven churches. They are under his direction, receive all their light and influence from him, and are kept safe by him. Out of his mouth came a two-edged sword, his word, which both wounds and heals, striking sin on every side. His face was like the sun shining in full strength, too bright and dazzling for mortal eyes to bear. This sight deeply affected John. He fell at Christ’s feet as though dead, overcome by the greatness of the brightness and glory in which Christ appeared, even though he had known him closely before. How good it is for us that God speaks to us by men like ourselves, whose presence does not terrify us, for no one can see the face of God and live.

Then comes the gentle kindness of the Lord Jesus toward his disciple: he laid his hand on him, which shows that Christ’s glory does not keep him from tender care.

He lifted John up. He did not rebuke him with force, but strengthened him with kind words. First, he spoke words of comfort and courage: “Do not be afraid.” He drove away the fearful dread of his servant.

Second, he gave John instruction by telling him who it was that had appeared to him. He first made clear his divine nature: “I am the First and the Last.” He then reminded John of his suffering: “I was dead.” This was the same Christ whom the disciples had seen on the cross, dying for the sins of people. Next, he spoke of his resurrection and life: “I am alive forevermore.” He has defeated death and come out of the grave, and he shares an endless life.

He also spoke of his office and authority: “I have the keys of Death and Hades.” That means he has sovereign rule over the unseen world. He opens, and no one can shut; he shuts, and no one can open. He opens the gates of death when he chooses, and he opens the gates of the eternal world, whether to joy or judgment, as the Judge of all, from whose verdict there is no appeal.

Finally, he told John what he wanted him to do: “Write what you have seen, what is now, and what will happen later.” He also explained the meaning of the seven stars, which are the ministers of the churches, and the seven lampstands, which are the seven churches. Christ would now send John special messages for each of them.