WRITE ON A SCROLL WHAT YOU SEE
Revelation 1:9-20
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. (18)
chapter 1
9. 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.
10. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
11. 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."
12. I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13. 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.
14. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
15. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
16. 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.
17. When 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.
18. 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.
19. "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
20. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. John the Apostle was imprisoned on the island of Patmos for his faith. He considered himself a brother and companion of those who also patiently endured the same suffering for Christ and were waiting for the kingdom of Christ. One Lord’s Day, Jesus tells John to write what he sees and send it to seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
2. John sees seven lampstands which represent the seven churches that would receive this letter. These churches should be like lampstands, holding up and displaying Jesus, the light of the world. Then Jesus appears, and John does his best with words such as “like” and earthly imagery—as Jesus is almost indescribable. Jesus wears a robe and around his chest is a golden sash. His hair is white like wool and his eyes are like fire. Jesus holds seven stars, which represent seven angels, one for each church. A double-edged sword comes from his mouth which is God’s word (Heb 4:12).John falls at this sight of Jesus in great fear but Jesus reassures him. Jesus is the Living One. He conquered death with his resurrection and lives eternally. He holds the keys to death and Hades. With that knowledge and authority, John can confidently write and share Jesus’ revelation.
Prayer: Father, help me to see Jesus as he really is so that I can boldly share your word with others.
One Word: Share Jesus’ words with others