In our next series of Bible Study articles, Letters To 7 Churches In The Book Of Revelation, we are going to study the letters to 7 churches in the book of Revelation. These letters to 7 churches are in Revelation 2 and 3. These are letters and messages that Jesus told John to send to 7 actual churches located in Asia Minor. Asia Minor is Turkey in modern times.
Some of the letters to the 7 churches are important messages to us today, because there are many similarities to today’s modern churches, especially in America. Specifically the letters to the churches in Ephesus and Laodicea.
John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his faithfulness to Jesus, and because of his witness to others about Jesus. Prior to his exile to Patmos John was the leader and pastor of the church in Ephesus.
I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. – Revelation 1:9
All of the other apostles died for the same reason that John was exiled. For their passionate devotion to Jesus and their faithful witness to others about Jesus.
Revelation 1 – Jesus Appears to John
Jesus Appears to John in Revelation 1
Jesus appeared to John while he was on Patmos, and told him to write down and share the revelation that Jesus gave him about “what must soon take place”. And to send the letters to the 7 churches that we will study.
“The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” – Revelation 1:1-3
“ On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” – Revelation 1:10-11
John Describes Jesus’ Appearance
7 Golden Lampstands & 7 “Angels”
We will look at how John saw Jesus when He appeared to him on Patmos. It is relevant to the letters that Jesus sent to the 7 churches, because in each letter John mentions some of Jesus’ characteristics. And the specific characteristics of Jesus that he mentions in each letter sets the tone of the letter.
“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and 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.” – Revelation 1:12-13
The first thing John mentions is that he saw 7 golden lampstands. In Revelation 1:20 Jesus explains that the 7 golden lampstands are the 7 churches in Asia Minor that he wants John to send a letter and message to. The church is to be a “lampstand”… a light shining in a dark world. And an instrument of Jesus, the “Light of the world”, that testifies of Him and brings the Good News to a lost world.
“In his right hand he held seven stars…” – Revelation 1:16
The 7 stars, as explained by Jesus in Revelation 1:20, are the 7 “angels” of the 7 churches. The Greek word “angelos” can mean angels, but in this case it most likely means “messengers” of the churches. The messengers of the churches were the leaders or pastors of churches.
Revelation 1 – Jesus Appears to John
Jesus’ Appearance in Revelation 1
When Jesus came to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins on the cross, He came as a humble servant in human form. He was not the warrior type Messiah that most expected and hoped for. There was one event where His appearance changed on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17.
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.” – Matthew 17:1-3
Jesus’ appearance in Matthew 17 is somewhat similar to how He appeared to John in Revelation 1.
“and 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
The similarity in Jesus’ appearance between Matthew 17 and Revelation 1 is that Jesus’ face was shining like the sun. This is His glory.
These verses also describe Jesus’ hair as “white lite wool, as white as snow”. And His eyes were “like blazing fire”. Eyes like blazing fire depicts that Jesus sees everything about us. Our actions and behavior, and even our thoughts and motives of our hearts.
This is similar to how Jesus appeared in a vision Daniel had in Daniel 7:9-10 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.”
And His feet were “like bronze glowing in a furnace”. Jesus’ feet of bronze refers to the altar at the Temple. The bronze altar was where the sacrifice for sin was made, just as Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus’ feet being like bronze “glowing in a furnace” refers to Jesus and the final judgement. Jesus’ feet will “tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty”. Jesus will bring the final judgement and punishment for people’s unbelief and rebellion against God.
“Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.” – Revelation 19:15-16
Revelation 1 – Jesus Appears to John
A Sharp Double Edged Sword
In Reveleation 1:16 Jesus is described as holding the 7 stars of the churches in His hand. And Jesus is described as being among the lampstands. Jesus is actively at work among His true churches and followers. And He is empowering His followers to accomplish His kingdom work and mission. Jesus promises at the end of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 that “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
“ 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 1:16
The sharp double edged sword is a weapon. This description appears in one of the letters to one of the 7 churches in Revelation 2. The sharp double edged sword also appears in Revelation 19.
“Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.” – Revelation 19:5
This describes how Jesus will come at the end of the Great Tribulation and strike down the rebellious and unbelieving people and nations. And He will establish His 1000 year reign on earth, followed by His eternal kingdom in the New Heaven and Earth.
Revelation 1 – Jesus Appears to John
Jesus’ Clothes
Revelation 1 includes several new descriptions of Jesus appearing in His glory. First it says in verse 13 that Jesus was dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet, with a golden sash around His chest. The robe is a picture of a high priest. Jesus is The High Priest, making atonement for sins and interceding for us.
The robe can also depict a judge. In John 5:22-23 Jesus told His disciples that God The Father entrusted all judgment to Him. Jesus will be the One who will judge all at the end of times.
“Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.” – John 5:22-23
The robe with a golden sash around Jesus’ chest also depicts Jesus as The King. Jesus is called The King of kings and The Lord of lords.
“ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” – 1 Timothy 6:14-15
“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” – Revelation 17:14
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.” – Revelation 19:11-16
Jesus is our High Priest and our King. He also will be the one to judge all people, believers and non believers, in the final judgement.
In our next Bible study article on the Letters to 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation we will study the letter Jesus wrote to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2.
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