Posts tagged eschatology

Imagine spending a few years with a close friend and then having that friend go away for many years. In the meantime, that friend has become the president of a major country. After not seeing him in years, you see him at a public appearance. Things are much different than they once were; he is now a very powerful individual while you are the same common individual (except much older). Yet he still speaks directly to you — and you realize that even though he has become great he has not forgotten you.

This is only a tiny fraction of the magnitude of the experience John had late in his life. While exiled on the island of Patmos for the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:9), John saw a glimpse of the glorified Christ. About sixty years earlier, John had been one of Jesus’ closest friends… “the disciple that Jesus loved.” Then Jesus ascended into heaven, and John had not seen Him since. He had spent his life in the service of Christ and furthering His Kingdom, seeing the Church grow in great numbers. But he had also seen the church go through times described as “great tribulation.” Now he himself was living in a prison colony on an island in the Aegean Sea… all for the testimony of Jesus. But one day, Jesus spoke directly to John and told him to write a book and send it to seven churches.

The “disciple whom Jesus loved” turned around and saw the Son of Man. At the sight of Him, John fell at his feet. Jesus was much difference in appearance now than prior to the ascension. The hands that had once been pierced now held seven stars. His face was shining like the full brightness of the sun. His voice sounded like roaring waters. Yet in all His glory, Jesus again spoke to the disciple whom He loved. The hand that held seven stars rested on John. The voice that sounded like roaring waters encouraged John to “fear not.” And Jesus proceeded to tell John the mystery of what he saw in a vision of heaven.

How often do we forget this depiction of Jesus? We depict Him as a man… often helplessly knocking on a door or dying on a cross… maybe dining at a table or walking on a road. And often this is the picture that remains in our minds as an image of the Son of God. In doing this — in constructing these representative images of God (Deut. 5:8) — we deny Christ of the glory and honor which He is due. To the flesh, this is the most “comfortable” depiction of Jesus… a “gentle, meek, and mild” man, just waiting for someone to ask Him in. The flesh desires a “safe” Jesus. But in Revelation, Christ is not revealed as “safe”… but good. In fact, perfect and glorified, holding the keys of Death and Hades, and guaranteeing the total destruction of Satan. But this perfect, holy, and glorified Jesus is not distant and unreachable. No, He is ever-present. He desires to be in fellowship with those who are His… friends. (John 15:14, Rev. 3:20)

John 15:14 ~ “You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”