COLUMNS

Christ in Revelation

T.M. Moore

November 21, 2015

Revelation 1.12, 13
¹²Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³and in the midst of the seven lampstands Onelike the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Gaze deep into the luster, brilliance, radiance, sparkle, and brightness of the Lord’s engagement ring, the book of Revelation. See the colors, angles, facets, and other dynamics of this carefully-cut and firmly-set ring.

What do you see?

The Light of the World. The book of Revelation is about Jesus. He gives it to John, He sends it to His churches, and stands in the midst of them, holding their pastors in His hand, to ensure right reception for His marriage proposal.

He rules with the Father in heaven, opening the divine decrees so that all might come to pass in accordance with the eternal purposes of God. He receives the worship of departed saints and angels. He rides out by His Spirit in His Church, conquering and to conquer, as He advances His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

He is the focus of the scorn and fear of the nations. He rules the powers and creatures that struggle under the burdens of unbelief and sin. He is the witness of the two olive trees. He is served by the angels. He is preparing a Marriage Supper for His Bride and a New Heaven and New Earth for her eternal abode. He is coming again, and He will vanquish all His foes, vindicate all His saints, and victoriously establish His Kingdom on earth and heaven in a fusion of spiritual and material reality that cannot be comprehended this side of glory.

He gives the book of Revelation, He superintends the progress of its narrative, and He brings its promises to those who patiently endure in seeking and advancing His Kingdom.

As you read Revelation, look for Jesus, and praise and thank Him continually.

Read Revelation 16-20
The unseen King becomes visible to all, in all His might and glory. How do these chapters help you in longing for the return of our Lord and the Marriage Supper He has prepared for us?

Glory to Glory
Jesus gave us Revelation to encourage us and to strengthen us so that we can endure amid the trials of this world. What are you learning from your reading thus far that could be used to encourage a fellow believer in the patience that is in Jesus? Find someone to encourage this way today.

Closing Prayer
Based on Psalm 126.1-3:

Lord, when You back us out our captivity in this world of sin,

We will be like those who dream.

Then our mouths will fill with laughter,

And our tongue with singing.

Then they will say among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

You have, indeed, done great things for us, Lord,

And we are glad.

Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “Revelation: Introduction and Overview,” simply click here.

T. M. Moore