THE PROMISE OF OUR FUTURE RESURRECTION IN CHRIST
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On a small, rocky island in the Aegean Sea, about 50 miles offshore from Ephesus, sits Patmos… the place of exile for the apostle John. In his later years, John is sent to this remote island for preaching the gospel. No one could keep him from his holy calling of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. In this lonely time of exile, John no doubt turns to deep thought and prayer with His Savior.
“On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.” – Revelation 1:10
John is met with a most incredible vision of the risen Christ. The apostle recognizes his Teacher with whom he walked and talked during His earthly ministry. Yet here Jesus appears to be more like the Son of God John remembers seeing in heavenly radiance at the transfiguration. Before John stands the unmistakable King of Glory!
“Among the lampstands was someone like a Son of Man, dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest. The hair on His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and coming out of His mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” – Revelation 1:13-16
Here is the risen and glorified Christ, the Messiah, in all His divine magnificence. He is wearing a priestly robe with a golden sash… for He is our High Priest who stands in the presence of God, interceding for all who believe.
John falls at the feet of this King of Kings in holy reverence. The face of his Savior shines like the sun… the brilliance of God’s glory. His hair is as white as snow… a reflection of His wisdom and divinity. His eyes are like blazing fire… for He is the One who judges all evil. His feet are as burning bronze… ready to tread victoriously upon His enemies.
The voice of this Mighty One is like the sound of rushing waters… the roar of the ocean… portraying the power of His words. In His hands are seven stars… symbols of His absolute and complete authority. The two-edged sword coming from His mouth is a manifestation of His justice… and the power of His truth that penetrates soul and spirit.
John hears this thundering voice speaking to him, yet with a peacefulness, a tenderness he remembers. The Majestic One places His right hand gently upon the apostle and speaks the words He so lovingly speaks to us in our trying times…
“Do not be afraid.” – Revelation 1:17
John realizes that this Holy One, this Son of God, is the One he knows and loves. The One who lived out compassion, mercy and grace throughout His time on earth. The One who healed the sick and set the captives free. The One in whose footsteps John had faithfully followed. Jesus gives John a revelation of Himself…
“I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End… I am the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One… I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” – Revelation 1:8, 18
Jesus Christ is the Almighty One… eternal and unchanging. He holds the keys of death and Hades for He has all power and victory over the enemy. Only through our Conqueror can we be freed from captivity to sin and death. He has broken our chains of bondage and given us eternal life.
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” – John 11:25-26
Like the apostle John, we revere both the glorious, risen Christ with whom we will spend eternity and the Savior of our lives who walks by our side day by day in this life. For He is both transcendent and immanent. By faith, we are united with Christ. He has restored us to Himself. We have found in Him forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Death no longer has power over us. In Christ we have victory over the curse of death. We live now by the power of His Spirit within us… and one day we will be resurrected with Him and taken into glory. We believe in the promise that He will resurrect us to eternal life… to live in a perfect relationship of peace with Him… to be in His presence forevermore. For Jesus Christ is our Living Hope.
