It seems as though the most mysterious Book in the entire canon of
Scripture is the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ to St. John. The
Book, written by the apostle while he was in exile on the Isle of Patmos,
contains symbolic pictures of future events and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There have probably been more different types of interpretations read into
this Book than any other of the sacred collection. Much of this �reading
into� has been of a divisive nature. Many of the strange doctrines of man
have found their genesis in, supposedly, this Book. In reality, these
strange doctrines have resided only in the minds of the men who have read
herein.
The human author�s of these strange doctrines have, almost without fail,
not taken heed of the instruction of II Peter 1:20: �Knowing this first,
that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation.� We need
to not just take one portion of Scripture and then go to our concordance
to find verses to support our own personal view of what we believe
Scripture should be saying. We need to compare, not to construct,
Scripture with Scripture to see what it is that God is saying.
In the popular Halley�s Bible Handbook, Dr. Halley says,
"A thing that strikes one ... about the book of Revelation is the UTTER
DOGMATISM with which so many put forth their opinions ... as to the
meaning of even the most mysterious passage, as it ... their say so
settles the matter..."[1]
Still, we must remember that the Scripture is not just another book. The
Scripture is the Message of God to man. It is a simple equation: If He
said it, it is important. �...all the symbols in the Book of Revelation
have definite meanings.�[2] God put these symbols in the Book for a
purpose. The symbols are for the edification of the elect.
Although in many ways the Book is a mystery. It is still to be read and
studied by the Christian. I may stand corrected, but to my knowledge this
is the only Book in Scripture which offers a special blessing to those who
read it - �Blessed is he that readeth...� (Revelation 3:1)
Due to the wealth of symbolism, and doctrinal teachings, contained in the
Book of Revelation, this study will confine itself only to those symbols
which speak of Jesus Christ.
Although the title given the book in most of the Bible tables of contents
is, The Revelation of St. John., the Divine, a more proper title would be,
The Revelation of Jesus Christ to St. John the Divine. John is the writer
of the Book. But, he did not write from his own mind or imagination. He
wrote that which he was shown and commanded to writer. Neither did he
write of himself. He wrote of Jesus Christ in His glory.
From an early age, when he was first called to be a disciple, and on
throughout his life (John, and the other disciples, were called around 30
A.D. This Book, Revelation, was written around 95 A.D.), John had
maintained a special relationship with Jesus. This Book continues that
aspect of John�s life.
Herschel Hobbs states that, �As John had previously borne witness to the
Word of God [Jesus Christ] in the flesh, new he bore witness to him in his
heavenly glory and power.�[3]
We need look no further than the first chapter of the Book to see that
John had kept his risen Lord in the forefront of his life and actions.
Revelation 1:9 gives the reason that John had been placed, under a Roman
persecution, on the isle: �I, John ... was in the isle that is called
Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.�
As John had kept Christ central in his life, so also is Christ kept
central in his writing. About Revelation, M. R. DeHaan, has said, �Christ
is the subject of the book, the center and the consummation.�[4]
Hobbs gives the five major methods of interpretation regarding Revelation:[5]
"Futurist School: Revelation deals with events connected with the end of
the age. This is especially so of Chapter 4 - 19.
"Continuous - Historical School: Revelation is a symbolic prophecy of the
history of the church. The Roman Church is the beast which has
apostatized the church from true Christianity.
"Philosophy of History School: The historical background is disregarded.
Revelation deals with the principles by which God deals with all men
throughout all history.
"Preterist School: Of this school there are two views.
"The Right Wing View: The book is inspired. Most of it was fulfilled
during the time of Domition. The final judgement and the state of the
redeemed are yet to be fulfilled. The book has no other meaning for today
other than literary value.
"The Left Wing View: The book is not inspired. It has no value other than
literary.
"The Historical Background School: The book was written for a definite
historical environment but has value for all ages.
It would seem that the Futurist School would be most in line with the
contents of this study. The first three chapters deal with the churches
of history and today, while the last nineteen chapters have to do with
events yet future.
Further, the proper way to interpret not only Revelation, but all of
Scripture, is to interpret literally unless the sense of the text makes
symbolism necessary.
At this point the study will be further limited in scope to the three
offices of Jesus as described within the Book. This concept is drawn
mainly from an unpublished study made by Rev. Golda Wheeldon. She noted
that, �In the first Chapter of Revelation, Jesus is the only One that is
prophet, priest and king.�[6]
Finally, therefore, the scope of this study is concerned with the symbols
that pertain to Jesus Christ in His Offices of Prophet, Priest, and King.
This study will also be limited to the first three chapters of the
Revelation.
JESUS CHRIST AS PROPHET
The first office to be examined is that of Prophet.
Our Culture has taught us to consider a prophet as simply one who
foretells the future. While that may be part of the equation, it is not a
necessary part of the prophetic message. The office of prophet is to be
that one who convey�s the Words of God to man. In this Jesus is a True
Prophet in that He gives the Words of God to man.
Jesus gives to mankind the example, the essence, and the earnestness of
God.
Jesus fulfills the work of the Prophet in that He shows the reality of God
to mankind. The disciple Philip came to Jesus with a simple, yet
extraordinary, request in John 14:8 - �...Lord, shew us the Father...�
While most of us would delve into the Scripture, or find illustrations in
nature, to show the evidence of the Eternal, Jesus� answer to Philip was
as remarkable as the question was audacious.
Jesus made a very clear reference, too clear to be explained away by
those who would doubt Him, to His Own Deity. Jesus said, �Jesus saith
unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known
me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest
thou then, Shew us the Father?� (John 14:9)
Jesus is a Prophet of God. Jesus is God. Would you know the Nature and
Personality of God? Study the life of Jesus. He is God in the flesh.
How can we say that Jesus is God? Simply because He has just made this
claim. But, even more!
Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, makes this same claim of Him. �For in
him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.� (Colossians 2:9) We
can make the claim that Jesus is God because the Preserved Word of God
makes that claim.
Jesus is not simply a repository of the �God Spirit.� In Him, bodily,
dwells all (Not some. Not a piece of. Not an addenda to His personality.
But, ALL!) the fulness of the Godhead. Simply stated, Jesus is God in a
human form. He is not a pale copy of the original. He is the very
essence of the Being of God.
As God, Jesus gives us a picture of the earnestness of God.
A crowd formed in the streets as Jesus was going into Jericho. We see
that sort of fervor even today when a politician, or a well known public
figure comes to an area. People just turn out in droves to catch a
glimpse of the celebrity. A gentleman named Zacchaeus didn�t want to miss
the moment.
But, Zacchaeus was at the back of the group. He was too short to be able
to look over the crowd. So, he decided to climb a sycamore tree so he
could view Jesus passing by.
Imagine the surprise of Zacchaeus when Jesus stopped near the tree, looked
up at Zacchaeus, and announced before the crowd of onlookers that He
intended to have dinner with Zacchaeus that very night!
This surprised everyone. After all, this Zacchaeus was a turncoat to his
own people. He was an agent of the occupying power of Rome. He was the
one who collected their taxes. He even was suspected of collecting a
little extra money to line his own pockets. He wasn�t the sort of man
with which the people thought a religious leader such as Jesus should have
a mean!
As the shock of this turn of events rippled through the crowd, Zacchaeus
also had an emotional event in his own life. Just as suddenly as the
momentous scene was played out, Zacchaeus began to profess the new nature
that came upon his life. He vowed to repay those whom he had wronged and
to help those who were less fortunate than himself.
Jesus accepted this change in Zacchaeus but He also mentioned that there
was something else, rather than just changing outwards lives, in which He
was interested. Jesus said, �For the Son of man is come to seek and to
save that which was lost.� (Luke 19:10)
Moral change is good. �Cleaning up one�s act� is commendable. But the
passion of Jesus was to see that those who were lost in sin were saved
from their sin. This is where lay the emotion of the Father in sending
the Son into the world. This was the purpose which lay behind the
necessity of the Cross of Calvary. Jesus wanted to see lives changed.
But, He desired to see souls changed!
Jesus is also shown, in the Revelation, to be a Prophet of Power by the
objects which He holds. �These things saith he which hath the sharp sword
with the two edges...� (Revelation 2:12) Lindsey contends that the sword
here is the Gospel as the Word of God. He notes that, �Jesus describes
Himself as having a sharp sword with two edges; other verses of Scripture
teach us this refers to the Word of God in its keen discernment of men�s
thoughts and motives.�[7]
Although the people at Pergamos, to which this particular statement was
addressed, had held close in the form of religion, their worship had come
to be in error. The message to this church was that God understood their
worship. However, He wanted worship that was not only form but worship in
spirit and in truth. �God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must
worship him in spirit and in truth.� (John 4:24)
Jesus is also shown to be the Prophet of Power as He hold the stars in His
hand. �These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right
hand...� (Revelation 2:1) These stars were the messengers of the seven
churches mentioned in this Book. As Christ held the stars, �Each church
messenger was both protected and held accountable...�[8]
Because of the severe persecutions taking place at the time which John was
given this vision, and penned the Book of Revelation, such protection was
not only welcome, it was remarkable.
It was welcome in that those who were being persecuted needed to know that
God was still on the throne despite appearances to the contrary.
This is also a welcome message in the world of today. In the aftermath of
the �God is dead� theology of the 1960's, and the �New World Order� of the
1990's, it is comforting to know that the world continues to be in God�s
perfect plan. His prophecies are sure.
The message was remarkable in that it affirmed that even the death of a
martyr could be to the glory of, and in the will of, God. This is a
further affirmation that God is in charge in all areas of life and death.
This seems hard upon our ears and understanding. But, we hear these
things from our reference of experiences in a time centric and physical
manner. When we consider the glory of eternity and the spiritual
realities of which the Bible speaks, we can only begin to understand the
glory which awaits. This temporal life is only a preparing ground for the
eternal life which is the possession of those who are in Christ, Jesus.
Not only is Christ seen as holding the stars in His hand, He is also seen
in the midst of the candlesticks. �...who walketh in the midst of the
seven golden candlesticks...� (Revelation 2:1) The candlesticks represent
the seven churches to whom this Book was first addressed.
Jesus stands in the midst of these churches as a guide. As a prophet of
old, He stands with the people to guide both them and their worship (as
well as us and our worship) to the True and Living God.
Indeed, for the worship of these churches to be true it was necessary for
Him to be in their midst. He was, and He remains, the purpose for the
existence of the Christian churches. Jesus Christ is ever to be worshiped
and adored.
He is further seen to be the Prophet of Power when He heralds His Message
to the world. He does this through the witnesses which He has in His
churches. John, himself, was one such witness. It may be recalled that
such was the reason for John�s exile.
The power of His Message is the Power of the Preserved Scripture. One
small proof of that power is the seen in the fact that nearly two
millennia after the Book of Revelation was written, and half a world
removed from the site of the writing, in a language and culture unknown to
the human penman of Revelation, a study is being prepared and read on the
very work which was given John. The empire which persecuted has fallen
into the dust of the ages while the faith so persecuted lives!
�The true teachers, whose testimony is infallible, and whose sayings must
all come to pass...�speaks of Him Whose witness is both true and powerful.[9]
�And Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness...� (Revelation 1:5)
Because Jesus Christ is a Prophet of Power, He is able to finish that
which He sets out to accomplish. The Book of Revelation starts out with a
statement, �The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew
unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass...� (Revelation
1:1)
Much of the Book was fulfilled soon after the writing. But, all of it
must come to pass. Fulfillment of prophecy, when foretelling is part of
that prophecy, is a test of a true prophet.
And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD
hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the
thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath
not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not
be afraid of him. - Deuteronomy 18:21-22
Part of this prophecy must, of course, concern Jesus Christ. In reality,
all of this - any! - prophecy will concern Him in some aspect. Jesus is
shown to be identified with prophecy. As Lindsey notes, Jesus is tied in
with Old Testament prophecy. �When Jesus says that He possesses the �key
of David,� it�s a reminder to the Jews of Philadelphia that the Davidic
Covenant ... will be fulfilled in Jesus Himself.�[10]
Another example of Old Testament prophecy concerned with Christ is in
verse thirteen of the first chapter of Revelation. �And in the midst of
the seven candlesticks one like unto the son of Man...� Adam Clarke
points out that the phrase, �like unto the Son of man,� refers back to
Daniel 7:13.. �This,� says Clarke, �was our blessed Lord himself...�[11]
Of course, Jesus has much to do with the prophecies of this Book, but He
is also an example to the Christian. Christian service is expected from
the Christian. It is displayed by the Savior.
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the son of man,
clothed with a garment down to the foot, and gift about the paps with a
golden girdle. - Revelation 1:13
�The girdle speaks of service. We read of the servant girding Himself and
waiting upon the table.�[12]
Not only is He an example of service, He is also seen as the Pre-Eminent
One. Even His voice suggests this. �I ... heard behind ... a great
voice, as of a trumpet...� (Revelation 1:10) �In general, trumpets in the
Bible signify exceptionally important messages from God.�[13] The
designation, therefore of the sound of the voice means that it should be
heeded because it is important.
Also, the voice which sounds like the trumpet would be loud, clear, and
distinct. It would be a call to action. In the Old Testament, at the
Battle of Jericho, the Israelites did not attack until they had heard the
sound of the trumpet. At that point they did attack!
A trumpet will also signify the return of Jesus for His saints at His
second appearing. (Ex. I Thessalonians 4:16)
The pre-eminence of the death of Christ is also noted by John. �...These
things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.�
(Revelation 2:8) This is important for the believer. �He�s tasted death
for each believer and removed its sting.�[14]
The very sound of His voice gives evidence that it comes from the
Pre-Eminent Source. �...his voice as the sound of many waters.�
(Revelation 1:3) Hobbs compares this with Ezekiel 43:2 and finds that the
same phrase describes the voice of God.[15]
JESUS CHRIST AS PRIEST
The office of priest differs from that of Prophet in a most important way.
Whereas a prophet is one who relays the message of God to mankind, the
priest relays the needs of man toward God.
This is the second office of Christ to be examined here. Jesus, as our
High Priest, takes our needs before the Seat of God.
John portrays Christ as clothed with the garments of a priest.
�...clothed with a garment down to the foot.� (Revelation 1:13) H. A.
Ironside notes that this was, �...the priestly garment ... of the high
priest.�[16]
More importantly than the garment, Jesus Christ is clothed with the glory
of a priest. �I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive
for evermore. Amen; and have the keys of hell and death. (Revelation
1:18) Hobbs makes note that, �He is the Living One. The present
participle (ho zon) denotes continuous being or life.�[17] He, therefore,
has the authority to approach God with man�s petitions.
Jesus also exerts a priestly influence over His churches. Again, Hobbs
makes the point, �...in this opening vision John saw the all-victorious
Christ standing in the midst of his churches... He both guarded and
guided...�[18]
This guarding and guiding aids in the presenting of worship toward God.
His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his
eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if
they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. -
Revelation 1:15-15
His relation to the entire creation is described as from a position of
strength. Verse 14 and 15, �...are symbols of strength...�[19] This strength
further points up His rights to the Office of Priest.
However, strength even God given strength, does not alone qualify one for
the office of priest. The supreme holiness of Christ also qualified Him
as Priest. �...clothed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the
paps with a golden girdle.� (Revelation 1:13) �The flowing robes and
golden girdle symbolize his priestly and kingly nature. [Also] ... Others
see this as symbolic of his holiness...�[20]
Owning the Office of Priest, Jesus also performs the duties of that Office
for the believer. He takes the need of man and brings it to God, the
Father, so that it may be resolved.
Man has a need to be able to deal with the biggest question confronting
him - death. Man has no way of answering the questions pertaining to this
subject. In order to get any satisfactory answer man must go to God. The
answer has been provided in the Person of Jesus Christ.
�And from Jesus Christ ... the first begotten of the dead...�
(Revelation 1:5) Others had risen from the dead before Jesus did so on
that first Easter morning. Lazarus had risen only a few short weeks
before Christ did so. Here, however, Jesus is called the first begotten
of the dead. Jesus was the first to rise and to never die again.[21] By
this, his own resurrection, Jesus proved His ability for the believer. He
took the believers need to the Father and returned with the answer.
It should also be noted that only Jesus had the power to raise Himself
from the dead via His Own Power. (Ref. John 10:18)
We shall all rise again if the Rapture tarry. Jesus is the �first
begotten� in that He has a position of leadership. His various offices do
not give Him the right to rule; that right to rule - His pre-eminence -
has given Him the right to those offices.
Jesus is particularly able to take the need of man to God because He,
Himself, as God took the form of man. �I am he that liveth and was dead;
and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen...� (Revelation 1:18) �This
speaks of the mystery of the incarnation.�[22] The mystery of the
incarnation is that God took upon Himself the form of humanity so that He
could draw humanity to Himself. He still draws and leads.
Christ has the right to the Office of Priest. He exerts the effort to
perform the Office of Priest. Further, He, as the Priest, takes an active
interest in the worship of His people. �The seven churches are called
�candlesticks� in Chapter one. Jesus is seen at the beginning of the
narrative as walking among them.�[23]
Rather than as an absentee landlord, Christ takes part in the work and
affairs of His churches.
Also, as his Office of Priest demands, Jesus Christ examines the worship
of those who attempt to approach the Throne of God through Him. �...Who
hath eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.�
(Revelation 2:18) In this passage, �Jesus describes Himself as having eyes
like a flame of fire... His piercing appraisal of their hearts, a search
which exposed impure motivation in their worship of Him.�[24]
Recognizing false or impure worship, Christ does not honor that sort of
worship. Rather, He condemns this in order that He may draw true and pure
worship from mankind.
JESUS CHRIST AS KING
This study will now conclude with a look at the symbols which relate to
Christ in His Office as King. It may be well now to note that the word
�Christ� is not a name of Jesus, but a designation of His Office as King.
Revelation 1:5 makes the claim that Jesus is, �...the prince of the kings
of the earth...� This verse may be further amplified by looking at Romans
13:1 - �For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained
of God.� Further reading in this thirteenth chapter of Romans will show
that God uses these �powers that be� in order to execute His judgement
upon the earth. They are, whether these powers understand the fact or
not, the �ministers of God� on this earth.
This, of course, goes back to the time of Noah when God instituted the
Dispensation of Human Government upon the earth. Although we are now in
the Dispensation of Grace, the principle which God before established that
general human conduct among themselves be given order by secular
governments is still in place.
These governments are a prefigure of the Millennial Kingdom wherein Jesus,
Himself, will judge the world rightly.
Where humanity has been given the task of regulating contact among
humankind, and all too often failed in its peaceful and respectful
workings, Jesus Christ will establish a Kingdom of true and perfect peace
and justice.
The question, quite naturally, arises as to profane - or unGodly, rulers.
Are they also �ministers of God?� Could Paul, as he wrote the Book of
Romans under inspiration, have been short-sighted, viewing only the �good�
rulers?
Even without considering the influence of inspiration, which of itself
would preclude this possibility, such a view is flawed from its outset,
the world in which Paul penned the epistle to the Romans was a world which
was hostile to the Christian communities. The rulers were killing
Christians because of their faith.
Paul also had intimate knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures.
Examples such as the Babylonians being used to bring chastisement upon the
earlier Jewish nation were well known to him.
God may, as is His right and His will, use the nations of the earth to
fulfill His prophecies. He is on the Throne. What our time centric view
may call persecution may, in the light of eternity, be His blessing.
May we never forget that those nations which would profane His Name and
His people have the duration of their reigns under His control. This
valid point is made by Adam Clarke when he says that the �prince of the
Kings� can also �dispose of them [those other kings] at will.�[25]
Hal Lindsey, looking at Revelation 1:7 (�...he that cometh in the clouds
... all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him...) makes this
same point. Lindsey, while writing primarily of the last judgment spoke
of in The Revelation, uses verses from Hebrews 12:1 and I Thessalonians
3:13 to point out that this coming in the clouds of Revelation 1:7 is a
picture of Christ returning to earth with His saints in order to execute
judgement.[26]
This, the setting up, using, and judging of the nations of the earth and
their rulers, is another example that Jesus Christ is the True and Final
King of the earth. Of more importance to us is the fact that He is also
King, or the Ruling Force, of our salvation from sin.
�Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against
them with the sword of my mouth.� (Revelation 2:16) Much of religious
thought dwells on the fact that many will be saved from the condemnation
of sin. Much emphasis is given to the blessed fact that Jesus does love
the sinner. However, we need to realize strongly the truth that not every
person will respond to the calling of God.
"Since the sword was 'out of his mouth' rather than in his hand, it
probably symbolizes the word of God or the Gospel. It is Christ�s means
of conquest. It saves those who come under its protecting power; it
judges and smites those who oppose it."[27]
The same gospel which can save a soul, if ignored, will stand in judgement
that, �...the way, the truth, and the life...,� (John 14:6) has been
spurned.
Also, in any discussion of the ruling of Jesus Christ in the matter of
Salvation, the principles of the Calvinistic doctrine of the Sovereignty
of God should not be overlooked. God is Sovereign as Creator. God is
Sovereign as Lord. God is Sovereign as Judge of those who would pollute
His creation with the stench of sin and rebellion.
While the popular twentieth verse of the third chapter of Revelation
portrays Christ as standing on the outside of a door knocking for
admittance, the seventh verse of that same chapter amplifies this picture
by noting that Jesus is the One Who, �...openeth, and man shutteth; and no
man openeth...�
Lindsey makes the point that,
"Jesus presents Himself as the One who opens the doors of evangelistic
opportunity when and whre He chooses. No mere man can open a door of
witness or shut one...�[28]
Ephesians 2:8 makes this concept very clear. �For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.� Jesus
Christ is the King, the Lord, of Salvation.
More than just a King of the earth, more than just the King of Salvation.
Jesus Christ is shown in these first three chapters of the Book of
Revelation to be the King of Glory. The terms (names) of Jesus and of
Christ have been used interchangeably in many Christian circles. Indeed,
in this study as well. There is a reason that this is so. They are the
same. Jesus is His Name. Christ (The Anointed One) is His Position, or
Office. But, more than this, Jesus is also God.
Jesus is not the Father. The Father is not the Son. The Holy Spirit is
neither Father nor Son. But, yet, these Three are all Co-Equal as One
God.
I do not profess to understand this. But, the Bible says that it is so.
This I must accept on faith, understanding that the ultimate Author of
Scripture is God. What He says is so. There is an old saying: �God said
it. I believe it. That settles it.� That is not a true saying. If God
said it then it is settled whether I believe it, or understand it, or not!
The first verse in the Gospel of John, which was penned by the same man
who put down the Message of Revelation into writing, states that, �In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.�
This is an affirmation of the Deity of Jesus Christ. Now, in the Book of
Revelation this same Jesus Christ makes the same claim for Himself.
Notice should be taken that Jesus identifies Himself with God, the Holy
Spirit. �...These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God...�
(Revelation 3:1) This speaks of His possession of the �...omnipresent and
omniscient nature of God the Holy Spirit.�[29]
A short note of explanation here is in order to clarify the reference to
the �seven spirits of God.� This is not an intimation of a pantheon of
gods. There is but One God. Matthew Henry, commenting on this same
phrase from verse four of the first chapter of Revelation, notes that this
number, seven, speaks of the perfect nature of God.[30]
In the study of Scriptural numerology, the number seven stands for
perfection.
Jesus also identifies Himself with the very being, the essence of the
nature of God. �I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,
saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the
Almighty.� (Revelation 1:8)
Jesus here declares Himself to be of the same eternality, that is to be,
Jehovah.[31]
The claim is further heightened by Jesus� use of the covenant name of
Jehovah. In the third chapter of the Book of Exodus, Moses asks that God
tell him Who it was that was sending him to Egypt and the Israelites. God
replies that, �I AM hath sent thee.� Now, in verses seventeen and
eighteen of the first chapter of Revelation Jesus repeats the phrase, �I
AM,� three times with reference to Himself.
�'I am' is emphatic ... the 'I' is repeated ... The phrase 'I am' was
just used of Jehovah as the eternal one ... 'First ... last' is
equivalent of 'Alpha ... Omega' ... Christ applied the same words to
himself as the Father had done."[32]
But, the words do not necessarily establish the fact. The fact that Jesus
said that He was one with God bears more weight than just that. The claim
is backed by actions.
�...his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.� (Revelation
1:16) The action here described recalls and event from the earthly life of
Jesus. Upon the Mount of Transfiguration, the body of Jesus had also
shone in this manner.[33] Perhaps this vision given to John was made so that
John might realize that this was, indeed, the very same Jesus of Galilee.
Jesus, the fourteenth verse of the third chapter of Revelation says, is
�...the beginning of the creation of God.� This statement does not refer
to Christ as the first part of the creation. Rather, this verse refers to
Him as the beginning of creation. He is here called the First Cause.[34]
This verse, when compared with the other symbols of these chapters - as
well as when compared with the rest of Scripture, makes it clear that
Jesus Christ is the beginning of creation because, as God, He began it.
Note, here, also John 1:3. �All things were made by him, and without him
was not anything made that was made.� Jesus is not a created being. He
is Creator God.
Another action proving that Jesus is the King of Glory concerns the
actions that are incumbent of His nature. These concern His attributes.
�I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord,
which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.� (Revelation
1:18)
The point is again made by Lindsey:
��Who is and who was and who is to come� .... the eternity of
existence;... Christ existed before ... time and will continue to exist
after time... Added to this is the title of the Almighty ... The
omnipotent and all-powerful One.�[35]
If all the above were to be accepted, and the Scripture attests to the
truth of this, then we must return again to the opening statement of this
paper: This is that the Book of Revelation contains a symbolic picture of
the Lord Jesus Christ. A reasonable question at this point would concern
whether or not He continues to speak to mankind in this day.
The Book of Revelation makes its own claim that it is a �Revelation of
Jesus Christ� and that this revelation is �given to His servants.� This
is in the first sentence of the entire Book. It, therefore, follows that
if Jesus has servants on thsi earth today the Revelation is given to, and
speaking to, them as well.
Also, verse twenty of the third chapter gives the picture of Christ
standing at the door knocking. This implies an act of will on His part.
Coupled with I Thessalonians 4:13, �...I would not have you to be
ignorant, brethren...,� it may be seen that Jesus Christ does desire to
speak to man today.
The Revelation, therefore, contains a picture of a Prophet, a Priest, and
a King Who is interested in communicating with us. He stands at the door.
The next question is simply: Is the door of understanding and acceptance
to your own life opened, or closed?
FOOTNOTES:
1. Halley, Henry H.; Hallley's Bible Handbook; p. 648
2. Lindsey, Hal; There's a New World Coming; p. 37
3. Hobbs, Herschel H.; Cosmic Drama, The; p. 25
4. DeHaan, M. R.; Revelation; p. 14
5. Hobbs; p. 14-15
6. Wheeldon, Rev. Golda; Notes on Revelation; p. 3
7. Lindsey; p. 52
8. Ibid.; p. 45
9. Clarke, Adam; Clarke's Commentary [v. VI]; p. 970
10. Lindesy; p. 64
11. Clarke; p. 973
12. Ironside, H. A.; Lectures on the Revelation; p. 25
13. Lindsey; p. 33
14. Ibid.; p. 49
15. Hobbs; p. 33
16. Ironside; p. 25
17. Hobbs; p. 23
18. Ibid.; p. 35
19. Ibid.; p. 33
20. Ibid.; p. 34
21. Lindsey; p. 26
22. Hobbs; p. 34
23. DeHaan; p. 20
24. Lindsey; p. 57
25. Clarke; p. 970
26. Lindsey; pp. 28-29
27. Hobbs; p. 33
28. Lindsey; p. 28
29. Ibid.; p. 60
30. Henry, Matthew; Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (Rev.); p. 1378
31. Ironside; p. 17
32. Hobbs; p. 34
33. Ibid.; p. 33
34. Henry; p. 1386
35. Lindsey; p. 31
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