Monday 1 September 2025
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last." (v. 17)
Background
The Book of Revelation is our focus for this week. It is one of the most mysterious books of the Bible. The Greek word is ‘apocalypse’, and in this context it means 'to unveil', like a curtain being drawn back to reveal a scene on a stage.
Revelation was written towards the end of the 1st century AD, by John. There is traditional identification with the apostle John (the brother of James) but scholarly doubt about this. Suffice to say that the author was a prominent leader in the Early Church, who was forced into exile on the island of Patmos, and had a close relationship with the church communities in the province known as Asia (western Turkey).
Revelation tells of a series of vivid spiritual visions, which came to John when he was in a heightened state of spiritual contemplation and prayer. It begins with a vision of the exalted Christ giving messages to seven churches. It then reveals the throne-room of God, and goes on to speak of events yet to come: terrible trials and persecutions, the ultimate defeat of evil, and the glorious climax of the new heavens and new earth.
However wonderful the ending, it can be a frightening journey. The reality of the Lord Jesus in the opening chapter is clearly tangible to John in an awe-inspiring and startling way. Yet the passage begins with words of ‘grace and peace’. Jesus is described as "him who loves us and freed us from our sins" (verse 5) and, when he speaks, his first words are characteristically: “Do not be afraid” (verse 17). The author wants the readers to be spiritually aware, but not alarmed; to be suitably warned, but not to forget the overarching love of God.
The picture of Christ in the first chapter might be less familiar to us. But the symbolism is very important: eyes like flame, a double-edged sword in his mouth, face shining like the sun, feet of bronze, voice like rushing waters. He radiates power and majesty, he is firmly established, and everything he sees, speaks and smiles upon should be taken very seriously.
There is a strong sense of Jesus being one who will return. Verse 7 is consistent with Daniel 7:13-14 and the prophecies of Isaiah and Zechariah, echoed by Jesus in the gospels (eg Mark 13:26-27, Mark 14:62). This shows continuity of God’s purposes, moving towards completion now that Jesus has been enthroned as Lord of all. Jesus claims: “I have the keys of Death and Hades” (verse 18; see also his claim in Matthew 28:18). Charles Wesley later put this in the triumphal hymn, ‘Rejoice, the Lord is King!’ (Singing the Faith 335): “The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given”. It is a hymn worth reading in a sense of worship as we seek God’s message for our own Church in the 21st century.
To Ponder:
- How do you picture Jesus today? Do you picture him being glorified in heaven, or do you still imagine the earthly Jesus? Is he a comforting figure, or a terrifying one?
- If you are feeling creative, try to draw a picture of the Jesus described in this passage, and think about the symbolism of the different parts.
- In these opening chapters, Jesus is intimately concerned with the churches on earth: they are getting some things right, but other things he is far from happy with. How has the Church through the ages been faithful to Christ, and in what other ways do you think he would be dismayed?
Bible notes author: The Revd Andrew Murphy
Andrew is a Methodist presbyter in the East Mercia Circuit, and currently the minister of the churches of Market Harborough, Kibworth and Rothwell, and part of the ministry team at St Giles, Desborough. He is married to Emily, with two children, aged nine and eleven. He has been in the ministry for 17 years, previously serving in the Hinckley Circuit. He trained at the Wesley Study Centre in Durham, is a published hymn writer, supports Newcastle United FC, and is proud of his roots in Consett, County Durham.