As Though Dead
On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." 12I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,"[a]dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
John hears the voice of Jesus behind him, giving him instructions. When John turned around to look at Him, he saw the glory of Jesus! He falls at His feet as though dead. Jesus touches him and says ‘Do not be afraid.’ This is the consistent message to people when they see the glory of God Almighty (Luke 2:9-10). John’s response will be everyone’s, I believe. Every knee with bow and every tongue confess… (Philippians 2). “Look, He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.” (Revelation 1:7).Jesus is glorious! He is loving, kind and gentle – and these qualities, while true, can cause me to be too comfortable with Jesus. He is my friend and He is God Almighty, the First and the Last. When I see Jesus face to face, my response will most likely be like John’s! I will fall on my face as though dead. He is glorious…My worship of Jesus is not to be because of how my life is better because of it, although it is. My worship needs to be because He is glorious! There is no other like Him. No other deserves worship. No other holds the keys of death and Hades in His hands.Lord Jesus, Your Name is above every other name. You are the Living One who gives life and sustains it by Your very Word. You are the First and the Last; the Alpha and Omega, the One who was and is and is to come. I am in awe of You… Forgive me for taking You for granted, ever! Forgive me for considering You in any way less than who You are. Thank You for placing Your hand on me and saying, ‘Do not be afraid.’ My trust and my life are in You.
Revelation 1:10-18
John hears the voice of Jesus behind him, giving him instructions. When John turned around to look at Him, he saw the glory of Jesus! He falls at His feet as though dead. Jesus touches him and says ‘Do not be afraid.’ This is the consistent message to people when they see the glory of God Almighty (Luke 2:9-10). John’s response will be everyone’s, I believe. Every knee with bow and every tongue confess… (Philippians 2). “Look, He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.” (Revelation 1:7).Jesus is glorious! He is loving, kind and gentle – and these qualities, while true, can cause me to be too comfortable with Jesus. He is my friend and He is God Almighty, the First and the Last. When I see Jesus face to face, my response will most likely be like John’s! I will fall on my face as though dead. He is glorious…My worship of Jesus is not to be because of how my life is better because of it, although it is. My worship needs to be because He is glorious! There is no other like Him. No other deserves worship. No other holds the keys of death and Hades in His hands.Lord Jesus, Your Name is above every other name. You are the Living One who gives life and sustains it by Your very Word. You are the First and the Last; the Alpha and Omega, the One who was and is and is to come. I am in awe of You… Forgive me for taking You for granted, ever! Forgive me for considering You in any way less than who You are. Thank You for placing Your hand on me and saying, ‘Do not be afraid.’ My trust and my life are in You.
