Today, Tuesday February 01
“His Countenance Was Like the Sun” Revelation 1:16-18 “He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
At the very beginning of this book, Jesus presented Himself to His people in majestic glory. John is about to write a book to the seven churches in Asia and give a specific message to each of them. They need encouragement but they also need a fresh vision of the glorified Lord Jesus Christ which would bring them back to their “first love.” Already, even in the first century, the churches had strayed away from where they should be! They had allowed the world to come into the church! They needed to repent!
What the church needs today is a new awareness of Christ and His glory. We need to see Him "high and lifted up" (Isaiah 6:1). There is a dangerous absence of awe and worship in our assemblies today. We are boasting about standing on our own feet, instead of breaking and falling at His feet. For years, Evan Roberts prayed, "Bend me! Bend me!" and when God answered, the great Welsh Revival resulted.
So John sees the glorified Christ in all His majesty and gives us a description of Him! “Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword.” (v. 16) I’m always amazed at how it seems that every verse of Scripture has its mate. Isaiah the prophet mentioned this: "Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail; Not one shall lack her mate. For My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.” (Isaiah 34:16) The mate for Revelation 1:16 is found in Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
We can share our opinions, our political views and give our arguments to those around us and usually it only causes more confusion and division. But when we share God’s Word, it always goes forth with power and authority and produces conviction and repentance. But sometimes as it cuts into the soul and reveals the real intents and motives of our heart, instead of repenting we rebel and resist and deny it and our hearts get colder and harder! But today, Jesus still speaks with authority though His Word!
The Lord's shining countenance reminds us of Jesus transfiguration. No doubt John remembered seeing Jesus in this fashion before in Matthew 17:1-2: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”
We also think of the prophecy of Malachi 4:2: “But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.” The sun is a familiar image of God in the Old Testament, reminding us not only of blessing, but of judgment. The sun can burn as well as bless! One of my favorite verses over the years has been Psalm 84:11-12: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!”
John begins his Gospel declaring that Jesus Christ is the Word and the Light of God: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:1-5)
My friend, do you need healing for your soul today? Please join me today in worshipping the risen “Sun of Righteousness!”
God bless!
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