- John Sees Jesus
John sees his Lord, Jesus Christ, in several different appearances. He is the dazzlingly radiant Son of man with eyes like blazing fire (chapter 1). He is the victorious Lamb standing before the heavenly throne (chapter 5). He is the Conqueror on the white horse riding down the skies to the marriage supper of the Lamb (chapter 19). John also testifies to his vision of the seven-fold Spirit of God before the heavenly throne, whom he sees as seven blazing lamps (Revelation 4:5). As we read, we follow the spectacle of the suffering but triumphant church of Jesus Christ (chapters 7, 19) and the divine seal set upon the righteous. John tells us of the Israel of that future day (chapter 7). He was profoundly impressed to see God’s record books opened (chapter 20). John saw the “synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9; Revelation 3:9), but before the vision ended, he foresaw the total defeat and chaining of Satan, his every power destroyed, his every license taken away (Revelation 20:1-3; Revelation 20:7-10). The Revelation is sobering, for it is a vision of judgment that is coming upon a sinful, selfish, violent world. John sees the Son of man appearing with clouds to “{swing} his sickle over the earth and reap the harvest” (Revelation 14:14-16). John must have been greatly moved as he viewed the new heaven and the new earth God is preparing for His people (Revelation 21:1-5). He tells us of the river of life that flows forever and, beside it, the tree of life with its leaves for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:1-2).
I speak of these things as still future. Many Christians of past centuries insisted that all the events and scenes in the Revelation were already history, that none of the book was predictive. It is a gracious aspect of our evangelical Christian fellowship that we do not make uniformity in prophetic interpretation the test of Christian orthodoxy. As believers we do not sit in judgment of others whose views on these matters are not identical with our own. Determining the actual day and hour of Christ’s return to earth is not the occupation God has assigned to us. Our constant readiness to meet Him when He does return should be our most important consideration.
I have been studying these Scriptures for many years. I am prepared to give my answer to an ancient question: “Are all these scenes in the Revelation history?” I can best answer with some questions of my own: Has the sun yet turned black like sackcloth? Has the moon yet become blood red? Have the stars yet fallen from the heavens? (Revelation 6:12-13) Has there been a time when the sky receded like a scroll being rolled up? Have the mountains and the islands been moved from their places? (Revelation 6:14)
When did the earth experience an invasion of locust-like creatures whose sting killed a third of the world’s population? (Revelation 9:1-11)
If the prophesied destroyer has already appeared and the seven angels of judgment have already done their work (chapters 8-9), would we not have known it? Would there not be some notice in our history books if four specially commissioned angels and 200,000,000 extraterrestrial cavalry had wiped out a third of earth’s population? (Revelation 9:15-19) When was the abyss—that bottomless pit—opened to allow Satan to come forth again for a short time? (Revelation 20:7-8)
No, I do not think all these events have taken place. On the other hand, I do believe that the Word of God tells us we stand on the verge of the most dramatic and far-reaching developments since Adam stood up in the garden of Eden and Eve stood by his side. I do not know all the details of the future. But I do know that our Lord is returning to earth. And in that Day of our Lord, the Holy City will come down out of heaven beautifully dressed as a bride for her husband (Revelation 21:2).
We have in the Scriptures many appeals to be ready for that day. We are not to live just for now and for this world. We are to live each day with a view of the world above! I am troubled because the church of Jesus Christ today does not seem to know as much about spiritual victory and rejoicing in the Lord as did our forefathers in the Christian faith and fellowship.
Within my own denominational background, I have read much and reflected often on the ministries of A.B. Simpson and the joyful fellowship of those who associated with him in the late years of the nienteenth century. One of the godly Christian brothers who joined with Dr. Simpson was an officer in the Savation Army, Russell Kelso Carter. He and those sincere believers were so enthralled with the scriptural promises of Christ’s ultimate triumph that Carter was moved to write a gospel song that is still in our hymnal: “Jesus Is Victor!”
Congregations sang that message often in their services of praise, for they believed it was true. Jesus is Victor indeed! Kelso Carter’s song depicts clearly and confidently the major themes that prevail throughout the book of Revelation:
Jesus is victor—His work is complete,
Crushing all enemies under His feet.
Jesus is victor; He died not in vain,
Risen and glorified, Jesus doth reign!
Jesus is victor—without and within,
Saving and keeping and cleansing from sin;
Jesus is victor, O heavenly Dove,
Come to abide and make perfect in love.
Jesus is victor—the heavens shall ring,
Great king of terrors, where is thy sting?
Jesus is victor—we’ll shout o’er the grave,
Glory to God, He is mighty to save!
My word to you is this: Do not neglect, do not ignore God’s message to our race in this Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.
So shall it be! Amen.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 1:7-8; Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:12; Revelation 22:20