Saturday, January 26, 2013

Revelation of Christ: Triplets of Power



The Revelation of Jesus Christ paints a dramatic portrait of our Judge, Warrior and King as we will know Him throughout eternity. In contrast to the helpless Babe in the manger (Luke 2:7,12,16), the humble Servant (John 13:5), and the meek, sacrificial Lamb (John 1:29, 36) portrayed in the Gospels, Christ shows Himself in Revelation in triplets of Divine power.

This unveiling of Christ to the apostle John was given by God, sent by His angel, and signified by His angel (Revelation 1:1; 17:1). As John was caught up in the Spirit in a prophetic vision (Revelation 1:10), he faithfully recorded God’s Word, the testimony of Christ Himself, which is the Spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10) and everything that he saw (Revelation 1:2). Jesus told John to record His Words regarding the past history of the seven churches, His present observations for these churches, and His prophecies of future events (Revelation 1:19).

John makes it clear that his vision came from Christ Himself, Who is, and was, and is to come, reflecting His present Priesthood, His eternal past, and His eternal future (Revelation 1:4,8). Jesus describes His own everlasting nature as Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last (Revelation 1:8,11,17).

John refers to Christ by three of His titles: the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. In other words, Christ is the Prophet, Priest and King. John praises Him for three of His noble deeds: He loved us; He washed us from our sins in his own blood; and He made us kings and priests in His Name (Revelation 1:5-6). His triumphal return will be a monumental event seen by all, realized by those who crucified Him, and causing great dismay to all remaining on earth (Revelation 1:7)

John hears the powerful words of Christ as a great voice, as of a trumpet (Revelation 1:10), and as the sound of many waters (Revelation 1:15). Christ wields three symbols of power and holiness: seven golden candlesticks (Revelation 1:12-13) surrounding Him, representing the seven churches (Revelation 1:16,20); seven stars in His right hand, representing the seven angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:16,20); and a sharp two-edged sword, representing His Word, proceeding out of His mouth  (Revelation 1:16).

Jesus Christ radiates brilliant light, for He is light (1 John 1:5): His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet like fine brass, as if burned in a furnace; and His face shining like the sun (Revelation 1:14-16). He makes three pronouncements about His power over life and death: in His incarnation He rose from the dead; He lives forever in His resurrected, glorified body; and He has the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:18).

Christ is adorned in attire suitable for a Priest, Judge, and Ruler. His full-length robe reflects His holiness, authority and majesty, and His golden girdle circling His chest is like the priest’s ephod, breastplate of a mighty warrior, or royal banner. His snow-white hair, like wool, resembles the wigs worn by magistrates to reflect their wisdom, age, and authority (Revelation 1:13-14).

Unlike any other book in the Bible, Revelation carries a special blessing for those who read it, those who hear it, and those who keep it; meaning for those who carry the promises of this book in their heart, mind and soul to influence their thoughts, words, and behavior (Revelation 1:3). Knowing that Christ will soon come again in judgment, power, and glory, should we not live every moment following His Word, seeking His will, and doing His work?


© 2013 Laurie Collett
children's ministry blogs
Bible
Top 1000
Adorned From Above
No Ordinary Blog Hop
 

23 comments:

Denise said...

Thanks for sharing.

Nadwrażliwiec said...

Day by day I more and more discover, how big and wonderful is grace of our great Lord. Greetings to You dear Laurie, have a blessed Sunday!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Denise, & God bless!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Praise God for His amazing grace! Thanks, Zim, for your comment, & may you have a blessed Lord's Day also!
Laurie

Denise said...

This is powerful Laurie! I am getting ready to start Swindoll's book of Insights to Revelation; I am looking forward to getting deep into the book of Revelation.....very timely message for me here! :)

Blessings for a joyful week full of His amazing grace!
Denise

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Denise! I am blessed to hear this post spoke to you today. Swindoll's book sounds great -- I'll see if I can get a copy. Revelation is such an intense subject for study and meditation.
May you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
For many years I have been intrigued with the book of Revelation, and I have given much time in working out the meaning of symbols given in the book. Then I realised, especially from chapter four onwards, that the key word which brings the whole book together is "Israel" -as chapters four and five seem to describe the Church raptured to Heaven and beholding the very glory of God - even in three coloured stones - White, Green and Red, which to me may symbolise the Holiness of God, his creation and his redemption.
Another well written and thought out article. God bless,
Frank.

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
So true, the churches are addressed in Chapters 1-3, but then they are in Heaven, while the prophecies regarding the Tribulation have to do with God dealing with Israel. Excellent point about the 3 colors of stones -- green may also symbolize eternal life, as in the evergreen tree or the new, green leaves of spring breaking forth after the apparent death of winter.
Thanks for your encouraging & thought-provoking comment, & God bless,
Laurie

Unknown said...

Hi Laurie,
Thanks for sharing on Creative Monday. We learn to be better Christians every time we read your posts. Enjoy the rest of your day. God Bless!
Judy

Unknown said...

Love it! It's great to read the "book ends" of the Bible. Beginning of time in Genesis, and the end in Revelation. I'm thankful that God through His Words and pictures points us to the ultimate purpose of man...To bring Him pleasure!

Good read!! Thanks Laurie!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Judy, for your encouraging words! May you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Nate, for your kind and thought-provoking comment! What an amazing mystery that the Creator of all, the self-existent One Who needs nothing, created us for His pleasure and desires to have fellowship with us. What a wonderful blessing to worship and serve Him, in accordance with His Word that He wrote to guide us, to instruct us, and to communicate His love!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks for following, Rachael! I'm following you back!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Susie Jax, for your kind visit & comment! I'll head on over!
Blessings,
Laurie

Donald Fishgrab said...

At the end of the tribulation, the world will finally see what the Christian has seen by faith for the last two thousand years. The believer will be experiencing the benefits of choosing to believe. It's exciting to know our faith is not without hope.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Donald! Our faith promises us the blessed hope of the Rapture and eternal life. It amazes me that people who consider themselves too intelligent or logical to believe Scripture fail to see the logic in Pascal's wager -- if Christians are wrong and our faith is misplaced, we have lost nothing, but if we are right, they have lost everything.
Thanks for the insightful comment & God bless,
Laurie

Janis Cox said...

Hi,
I love the: Who is, and was, and is to come, Isn't that powerful?

Blessings,
Janis
Thanks for linking at Wednesday's Word. www.janiscox.com

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Janis! He commands the present, past & future!
God bless,
Laurie

Katherines Corner said...

Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo P.S. the new giveaway started Friday :-)

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks Katherine, for your comment & for hosting!
God bless,
Laurie

HomeFor4 said...

thank you for linking up with Fun Friday Blog Hop, i hope you're having fun blog hopping!

see you next time, huggies♥
rea

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Rea, for your comment & for hosting! God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you, Hadi shaikh, for your visit and kind words of encouragement. May God bless you richly,
Laurie