Revelation 1-3: The First Facet

Week 2, Friday: Radiant with Glory
John’s primary message to all readers of Revelation is that Jesus is the King of Glory. He is all glory. He rules in glory. His glory is overwhelming, overpowering, irresistible, crushing, and for those who know Him, their source of grace, peace, and patience.

The beauty and glory of Jesus revealed here will be matched, in chapter 21, by the beauty and glory He bestows upon His Bride, the Church. But we need not wait until the “then and there” to enter into the glory of the Lord. John didn’t.

Read Revelation 1

Meditate on Revelation 1.12-16
1.      John continues to represent the glory of the Lord Jesus with as many images and to as many of our senses as he can. What is suggested about the glory of Jesus by the colors John mentions here?

2.      What additional sounds does John use to help us experience the glory of Jesus? How should these sounds lead us to think about Him?

3.      Jesus is seen standing in the midst of “seven golden lampstands.” What do you suppose is the effect of His presence and glory on those lampstands?

4.      Jesus holds seven stars in His right hand. According to Genesis 1.14-19, what purpose do the stars fulfill in the divine economy? Why are they held in Jesus’ right hand, as opposed to His left?

5.      Eyes like fire, a two-edged sword coming out of His mouth, face radiant like the sun, the brightness of stars and the power over time and times: How do you suppose you would respond to experiencing this “weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4.17)? Should we expect to see something like this vision, or some aspect of it, (vv. 12-16) every time we open the Scriptures? Explain:

My Reflection
Jesus is powerful, glorious, bright, radiant, roaring, fearful, bearing down and overpowering, Sovereign-Over-All. And I am…

The Glory of God
Based on what you have seen of the glory of Jesus thus far in Revelation, how should we be able to know when we have actually begun to experience that glory as we read and study Scripture? What can keep us from this?

Glory to Glory
Spend a little more time meditating on the image of Jesus described in the verses for today. Let each sight, sound, and item, and the positioning of everything, surround and draw you into the glory of the Lord. While you’re there, think about the people you will see today. Pray for them.

Memorize
By now you should have Revelation 1.18, 19 committed to memory. Recite these verses aloud. Now use Revelation 1.18, 19 as your closing prayer for today:

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are He Who is alive from the dead!
You were dead, but now You are alive forever and ever!
You are Sovereign-Over-All, including death and hell!
What should I proclaim about You today? To whom?
Teach me to trust in You, no matter what comes my way today!

T. M. Moore

Download your free copy of this week’s study, Revelation Week 2, by clicking here.

The book of Revelation is the culminating episode in the story of God’s covenant. To learn more about that covenant, and to discover the way it integrates all of Scripture into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, order a copy of T. M.’s book, I Will Be Your God, by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.