Vision of The Exalted Jesus

 Dear Saints:

I read a headline today. “Tiger Woods is lucky to be alive” according to first responders. I will never use the word “lucky”. God spared and saved Tiger Woods from a deadly accident. I pray we will all realize that including Tiger Woods; so that he and all will make peace with Jesus before all face the ultimate judgment. 

Lord, we thank you for sparing Tiger Woods. Please heal and help Tiger and all people to know you for you have the “keys of hades and death” as we will discover in today’s study of Revelation. We will all see you Jesus for good or bad based on our believe and trust/faith in You and Your finished work on the cross. Amen. 

What picture of Jesus do you have in your mind and head? Most of us go back to the image/impression of Jesus based on the accounts of Christ in the four Gospel books (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). I must confess that normally I do not think of Jesus as revealed to Apostle John in the book of Revelation (please read the entire first chapter).

Before we go into the revelation, Apostle John tells us where he was; in the island of Patmos:

⁹ I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, ¹¹ saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” 

and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Revelation 1:9-11.

Patmos, was the place where the Roman government banished trouble makers, criminals and insurrectionists. Followers of Jesus were considered insurrectionists and were severely persecuted/killed and silenced in those early times and have been for two thousand years. We pray God’s grace abound for our brothers and sisters who are suffering and being killed in various parts of the world including my country of origin Nigeria.

Don’t be surprised that the world governments (including America) will continue and increasingly be hostile to Christ and His followers. We must never bow to obey the government and disobey Christ and His words. Like Apostle Peter, we must stand and say, “We ought to obey God rather than men” Acts 5:29. We must also listen to the Holy Spirit and obey even in our “exiles” and trials as John did.

Now the description of the exalted Christ as revealed to John:

¹² Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 

¹⁵ His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.” Revelation 1:12-17.

Just one word: Awesome. The reaction of Apostle John was falling to worship and he could not stand to behold the exalted Jesus. John fell “as dead”.

We would have equally fallen as dead as John. How can you stand to see a Holy God? You cannot.

What is my take away? I can no longer become too casual with Christ. Familiarity breeds disrespect. Jesus is not our buddy/pal. He is God with all due respect.

Yes, Jesus is our friend but we must recognize that He condescended and died for our sins to be our friend and we are not equals. Jesus is 100% God and 100% human. Who is Jesus to you?

Can we start seeing Jesus differently? He is the Conquering King, the Judge, Lord of lords and the Almighty. Yes, He is also the Head of the Church who continues to love and be with us and will never forsake us.

Please hear the words of Jesus to apostle John as he fell "as dead": “But He [Jesus] laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ 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.” Revelation 1:17-18.

Hallelujah! Jesus is alive forever. He has conquered death and hades. No more fear for He has taken away our greatest torment and fear, death. Life and death are in His hands.  

I am also encouraged even on this day as our family friend, a twenty year-old Samuel Ikenna is buried. We mourn with HOPE as Samuel was killed in a senseless shooting. Lord, please comfort Ikenna’s mother, siblings and all of us. Yes, Jesus has the keys of hades and death.

Is it your time or mine next? May we never refuse this great salvation in Jesus. May we offer Jesus to all our acquaintances. The Crucified, Risen and Exalted Jesus is the only HOPE for all humans. Amen.

We must embrace and present a complete picture of Jesus to all. He is not just the meek, mild and loving Jesus of the Gospel but He is also the Exalted Jesus that need to be revered and feared by all. He is coming as a conquering King and Judge of all that have ever lived on earth. 

Let's repent, fear and trust Christ and live forever. Amen.