Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
When you usually picture Jesus, I bet the description from Revelation chapter 1 is generally not the first thing that comes to your mind.
(Unfortunately, when we picture Jesus nowadays, it usually isn't the Jesus from the gospels either, because we've been so influenced by Renaissance painters, but I digress...)
I have spent several blog posts breaking down the phrases from the introduction of Revelation, because they are so theologically rich, and really beneficial for our understanding of the gospel as we approach Revelation. There's a reason John started with that introduction as we embark on the vision of the book. We saw that through frequent allusions to the rest of the Scriptures, John painted a vivid picture of who Jesus is and who we are as the church. That is the basis for reading this book. But now, we get into the meat of the book. Verses 1-8 are all intro. Now, we get to start experiencing along with John what he experienced on the Isle of Patmos.
First, we get John giving us the context for his revelation.
Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Though we don't have all the exact details, we see how he is setting the stage. John, (and I do believe this is the Apostle John, brother of James, son of Zebedee, one of the original 12 disciples), has outlasted all the other apostles up to this point. His brother, James, was the first of the 12 to die (aside from Judas Iscariot), killed in Acts chapter 12 by Herod. The rest of the apostles took longer, but eventually, it seems they all died a martyr's death. Peter and Paul were put to death in Nero's persecution in the 60s. Foxe's book of Martyrs has some interesting accounts of some of the other big names of the New Testament church, and how they died, Andrew being hung on an X-shaped cross, preaching for days before dying, James, the half-brother of Jesus, being thrown from the pinnacle of the temple then beaten to death, Thomas killed by a spear, Matthew meeting a similar end...one by one, all the early leaders of the church were killed in one way or another, by one group or another, and the leadership of the church passed on to the next generation of their disciples.
But John lived on, one of the last apostles to survive, one of the last original voices to speak strongly for who Jesus was as an eyewitness and to fight against the false teaching that was encroaching on the church in the decades after the beginning of the church. There was probably a brief respite from the Roman government after Nero, as they dealt with political turmoil (though many groups would have been none too happy about the followers of Jesus). But by the time John writes his gospel, epistles, and Revelation, the emperor Domitian, an embittered and once-passed-over younger brother of Titus who had destroyed the Temple, had come to the throne and was determined to be respected. He initiated a new wave of persecution, which John probably got caught up in.
Tertullian tells us that John was plunged into boiling oil, but was unhurt, and thus, was exiled to the small penal colony of Patmos. It is interesting, that in writing to the area of Asia Minor which he was spiritually responsible for, (according to church history), he starts by reminding them that he is their brother, and companion in tribulation. He is not lording anything over them. Jesus is Lord; John is a brother and companion of the people he is writing to. He works for the same kingdom and must endure with patience for the sake of his Savior just like them. He is not immune because he is a leader--far from it. This is a body, a fellowship, and he is one of us. The very reason he is on Patmos is that he insists on sharing his testimony of Jesus Christ, and will uphold the Word of God no matter what. Our priorities should be no different. No matter what the last days may hold for us, no matter what our view ends up being as we study this incredible book, the Word of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ should be our paramount priorities. This is the same John who, along with Peter, gave us this example, when they were being told by the authorities not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus:
Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Now John has been exiled from his community and his flock for continuing to preach the truth that he has been preaching from the beginning. It was interesting that the last Bible study I participated in with a group before the Covid-19 shut-downs in 2020 was through Revelation chapter 1. We drew great encouragement from John, who, though he was exiled away from his church, was able to draw nigh to God and receive one of the greatest Revelations the world has ever received.
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
John, all by himself in his exile, does what every Christian should do every day. Gets in the Spirit. He is worshipping. And it says it is "the Lord's day", which I believe to be Sunday, the first day of the week, because I believe that's when the early church met. Whether it is or not, we see that John didn't let not having a congregation stop him from getting in the Presence of the Lord. And only when that happens can we hear the voice of the Lord. An important thing to note about this Scripture is also this: when John received the Revelation, he was in the Spirit. How are we to understand it, if we are not also in the Spirit? This is a spiritual book, and we must treat it as such.
Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
So let's set the stage here. John is praying and worshipping on this island where he has been exiled, and suddenly, as he is in the Spirit, he hears a voice like a trumpet blasting behind him. Now that's already startling, and we already have an inkling of who this voice belongs to, don't we? If we are in the Spirit and hear a voice like a trumpet, who are we expecting? What does this voice like a trumpet remind us of? We'll have a lot more to say about trumpets as we continue through the book of Revelation, but I do want to draw attention to one Old Testament passage where the phrase is used...
Exodus 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
Exodus 19:17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
Exodus 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
Exodus 19:19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.
I can't help but think of scenes like this when I read Revelation chapter 1. Exodus 19 is one of the greatest revelations of Himself that God gave to His people, and I think we're seeing another one here. We get the Voice identifying itself, as we got in verse 8... "I am Alpha and Omega." Those are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. We could say He is the A and the Z in English, or the Aleph and the Tau in Hebrew. He is the first and the last. Now where have we seen phrasing like that before?
Isaiah 41:4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
This isn't just anyone...this can only be the LORD, YHWH HIMSELF, who has this kind of title. Who else COULD be first and last except The Only Eternal One? It is also interesting that this chapter of Isaiah is in a global context, calling out to the islands... Again:
Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Connecting this to Isaiah seems to make it pretty emphatic about who is talking here. Some versions don't have these phrases in this verse, which is a shame, but we do see the phrase repeated in verse 17, so the phrase is associated with the speaker in Revelation 1. This title is unique, as is the title Almighty in verse 8. How many Almighties can there be? I submit to you that there can be only one. And the Alpha and Omega has an assignment for John. John is going to see these things and he is tasked with sending the account of what he has seen to the seven churches of Asia. (We will, of course, be getting more into the specifics of each of these churches in chapters 2 and 3.)
Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Now again, picture the scene. John hears the voice from behind him, so naturally, he turns to see who is speaking. But the first thing he sees is seven golden candlesticks. Now I've tried to set up some things about the candlesticks in the post on the Seven Spirits of God in Revelation 1:4, and we'll be getting more of that in the explanation of the candlesticks in Revelation 1:20. But, here, I want us to think of what our first association should be with this. Where does one usually see seven golden candlesticks? If you said in the Tabernacle or the Temple, ding, ding, ding! You are correct! This is a link to bring us into the Holy Place, which is where the candlestick was to be set up. Remember that in Exodus when Moses was being told how to build the Tabernacle, the third thing he was told of, after the ark of the covenant and the table of the bread of the presence was the candlestick...
Exodus 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. ...00
Exo 25:37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
And remember what Moses is reminded of immediately after the instructions on how to make the candlestick...
Exodus 25:40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Moses was basing this on what he had seen in his own revelation. The physical candlestick was a representation of something going on in the spiritual realm in the heavenlies.
Exodus 40:24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Exodus 40:25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
The candlestick was placed in the Holy Place where only the priests could go. So already, John is seeing something beyond the first veil, deeper than what the ordinary Israelite could have seen. He is seeing into the Holy Place.
Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
So first John sees the candlesticks, then IN THE MIDST of the candlesticks, he sees one like the Son of Man. Now, hopefully, I made a big enough deal about the connection with the Son of Man from Daniel chapter 7 in my post on Revelation 1:7, the Pierced Cloud-Rider, that this phrase instantly jumps out at you. One like the Son of man, the same phrase Daniel uses in his vision to describe the human figure who receives power and authority from the Ancient of Days, which is the phrase Jesus used most often when referring to himself. But look at how he's dressed. A modest, long garment down to the foot. And he has a girdle on. But this girdle is made of gold, and instead of where girdles usually go, around the loins, this one is around his waist. Why is that so significant? Well, the whole purpose of a girdle is to bind up the robes to make you ready for action. "Gird up your loins like a man," is the phrase God used to Job. That's where the sword would be kept (but, ah, the Son of man seems to keep his sword in a different place...), that's how they would become ready for action, to work, to run, to fight. Yet, this girdle is around his chest, which seems to be more ceremonial, indicating, perhaps that the action has already taken place, and that the battle has already been won. In Bible study, we took to calling this the championship belt. And the ceremonial nature of this, connected with the golden candlesticks, HAS to bring my mind to the garments of the priests...
Exodus 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exodus 28:8 And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exodus 28:22 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.
Exodus 28:23 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 28:24 And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate.
Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Exodus 28:43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
I know it's not an exact picture of the priestly garments, but a lot of the phrases recall the images to mind. But let's go further, because there's a lot more going on here...
Revelation 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Revelation 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
What about this description? Well, if the phrases before sort of reminded us of Exodus 28, the parallel to a figure Daniel sees after fasting for 3 weeks gets much stronger.
Daniel 10:5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
Daniel 10:6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Clearly, John and Daniel were seeing a similar figure. Notice all the similarities...
- Revelation: "eyes were as a flame of fire" / Daniel: "eyes as lamps of fire"
- Revelation: "his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace" / Daniel: "his feet like in color to polished brass"
- Revelation: "his voice as the sound of many waters" / Daniel: "the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude."
Though the description of the voice uses a different analogy, it is obviously going for the same thing, though I would make note of Ezekiel's comparison with the voice of the Almighty, which he describes in the first chapter of his book...
Ezekiel 1:24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
I'm going to cheat and pull a description from verse 16, though we haven't looked at it yet, and pull from verse 13, as well...
- Revelation: "his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength" / Daniel: "his face as the appearance of lightning"
- Revelation: "one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot," / Daniel: "a certain man, clothed in linen"
- Revelation: "girt about the paps with a golden girdle" / Daniel: "loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz"
Of course, notice the difference, that in Daniel, his loins were girded, versus in Revelation, his chest or breast or "paps" are girded with the golden girdle. Suffice it to say this is a vision of a heavenly being that looks very similar in Daniel and Revelation. But what's the deal with the white hair? You might have noticed that I conveniently skipped over that bit. I was actually saving it for the end because this is one of the coolest revelations of this chapter of all to me!
In Daniel 10, it is unclear who Daniel is seeing. At least to me. In Revelation 1, it seems very clear. The odd thing is just about the white hair. But we know one of the hyperlinks in this passage is to Daniel 7 because he makes the reference to the Son of man. So what can we see in Daniel 7? No doubt you Bible scholars reading this already know where I'm going with this, but indulge me as I elaborate.
I have had people try to convince me that there are two different persons represented in Daniel 7 because we see the Son of man interacting with the Ancient of Days. Some say this means that Jesus can't be God (a.k.a. the Ancient of Days) because he approaches the Ancient of Days to receive dominion. We'll see a similar scene in Revelation 5, and I'll elaborate there, but I think the Son of man figure has far more to do with the Incarnation than it does with there being another figure. Now can I get that teaching only from Daniel 7? Well, there are some interesting things that happen at the end of the chapter paralleling descriptions of the Son of man's kingdom with the kingdom of God. But we still have the Ancient of Days figure. What we can take away from Daniel 7 is that a legitimately human figure will receive dominion. Now what I believe is that there was no ordinary human who could actually fulfill that role.
Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Because of the depravity of humanity, according to my theology, God decided to do something unique and step into humanity Himself. He took on the role that a human needed to fulfill, Himself.
Isaiah 59:15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
In other words, God decided to make Himself known in the flesh. He is the Ancient of Days, but He decided He would also fulfill the human role of the Son of man that we see prophesied in Daniel 7. We see this described in numerous ways in the Scripture...
1st Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
2nd Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
And when we look at Revelation, we see a combination of the descriptions of the Son of Man and the Ancient of Days. For a refresher, look at Daniel chapter 7:
Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Daniel 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Now look again at what John sees in Revelation chapter 1...
Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Revelation 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Isn't this amazing? The descriptions of the Son of man and the Ancient of Days are combined into one person! And, indeed, I believe it IS the same person. The Ancient of Days humbled Himself and became the Son of man, for our sakes! The Ancient of Days made the world, and was in the world as the Son of Man and the world knew Him not. The Ancient of Days was manifest in the flesh as the Son of Man! The Ancient of Days was in the Son of Man, reconciling the world unto Himself! The Ancient of Days became the Son of Man and purchased the church with His own blood. Isn't that incredible? That is an amazing revelation! The Ancient of Days was the only One who could fulfill the role of the Son of Man! Lest you think I'm going completely off the rails, consider these other prophecies, several hundred years before Daniel...
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Psalm 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
I categorically deny the idea that the Jews weren't expecting YHWH Himself to come and save them. If they were reading their Scriptures carefully, I believe that was exactly the hope. Yet, Jesus didn't come in the WAY they expected YHWH to come. But I believe that's exactly what the gospel writers were indicating when they put Jesus right into the prophecy in Isaiah 40 when they associate John the Baptist with the voice crying in the wilderness.
Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isaiah 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
....
Isaiah 40:9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
The gospel writers show that John the Baptist fulfills the role of the voice crying in verses 3-8 in Isaiah 40. Well, what's supposed to come next after the voice cries out? Behold, the Lord GOD will come! And the gospels record after quoting this prophecy about John, someone indeed coming. Jesus of Nazareth. Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Although the picture described of Jesus in Revelation chapter 1 is probably not the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of Jesus, the description of what John saw, in the unveiling of Jesus, showing who He REALLY is, conveys powerful truths in the way that it links with the Old Testament, and I believe very clearly reveals that the Son of man that came to earth to die for our sins was not just a man, but was the Ancient of Days in flesh. And THAT is something that should make us fall at His feet, as John did, and worship Him for making himself of no reputation, taking on the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and humbling himself, even to death, the death of the cross, for which reason he is highly exalted to the right hand of God!
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Revelation is a very intimidating book for many people, including myself. The cataclysmic events and bizarre imagery are tough for us to wrap our carnal minds around. But I love that one of the first things we hear from the lips of Jesus in this book is: "Fear not; I am the first and the last." What a beautiful reminder as we go deeper into this book. We already discussed how this ties Jesus in with YHWH from the phrases in the book of Isaiah. (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12) But the truly incredible thing about YHWH is what He did.
The right hand signifies power and authority so when Jesus lays His right hand on John, it's like he's strengthening him, much like Daniel was strengthened by the heavenly figure he saw. (Daniel 10:9-10) So it's like God Himself (the first and the last), reaching down with His power and authority to strengthen John. Now remember, this is the disciple whom Jesus loved, who lay on his breast at supper! And now he's falling down at his feet as dead! Why? Because John is receiving a revelation of Jesus Christ. He's not just the man who walked with them for three and a half years, but He is the First and the Last! The First and the Last became someone who lived and died and rose again. That's an incredible thought. Just like when John, along with Peter and James saw the curtain peeled back on the Mount of Transfiguration, here he sees Jesus's countenance like the sun shining in his strength! Or as Paul would later describe his revelation of Jesus Christ..."At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me." (Acts 26:13)
Out of His mouth goes a sharp two-edged sword, which represents the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12) and should remind us of Isaiah 49:2, which is one of those passages that has powerful implications about the Messiah.
The thing that is amazing though (and I know I keep using words like "amazing" and "incredible", but with a topic like this, I can't help it) is that with all these descriptions of Jesus which are descriptions of God, Alpha, Omega, first, last, etc., we learn that the Alpha and Omega Himself liveth, was dead, and is alive forevermore. He went through death Himself! God Himself? How is that possible? And why?! He did it so that He could have authority over death and hell!
Whoever has the keys has the authority. We know who had the authority prior to Jesus's death and resurrection...
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
The reason the devil had the power of death isn't because he could actually kill people, but because God's law demanded death for sin, and after the devil tempted humanity to sin and brought them into bondage, he could demand the righteous wages of that sin, which was death. But Jesus made a way for us to escape that power of death. Now Jesus has the keys to death and hell because He took the punishment and wages Himself so it could be righteously satisfied, so we have to come to Him for the authority over death and Hell!
The whole message of the gospel is wrapped up in these passages...about how God became a man, and subjected Himself even to the death of the cross, that He might purchase us with His own blood and take the keys of death and hell. Only God could have fulfilled the role of the Son of man, and Revelation chapter 1 ties together so many elements we have seen in so many other places in Scripture to reveal that to us. Praise God for what He's done!
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