Earlier this year two church leaders in India were abducted and murdered. At about the same time gunmen opened fire during Sunday worship, in an Indian church, which had already been attacked 3 times in the previous 8 months. And in the same month 11 Christian families were attacked by Hindus, who beat the men and sexually abused the women. And then declared that Christians might no longer use the village well or buy food locally.

Sadly, this is not exceptional. Similar treatment goes on throughout the world – of which Western media takes little note. I start in this way – not to raise your indignation – but to ask you – what would you say to such persecuted Christians? And how would you or I cope – if such hostility and hatred were to break out against this church?

For that matter, what do you say to Christians anywhere, who suffer unemployment, serious illness or bereavement – and who question the apparent indifference of God to their plight? Many are fearful of what the future holds – it is a characteristic of our age. Everyone of us must face our own death – and in most cases, the deaths of our loved ones. What does the Lord teach us about such matters?

The message we too need to hear.

We have just heard read a portion of the last book in the Bible – the book which begins, The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants what must soon take place... This revelation, this disclosure of what was previously hidden, was written to Christians who not only faced the troubles we all face – but who were living at that very moment in the midst of a hostile society – and who would soon be experiencing severe persecution. But it has a message for us all, of teaching we need to learn, of challenge we need to respond to, and of encouragement we need to be strengthened by.

The essence of that message is that history has a goal, determined by God, who is Lord of the past, the present and the future. And history will climax with the return of Jesus in glory – that same Jesus who died for us and rose again.

Because it is a disclosure of Jesus Christ, the book soon begins with a vision which reveals who he really is, his glory and majestic authority. Beyond the passage read, the book takes us into the very presence of God in heaven, where Jesus, pictured as the Lamb of God, stands in the centre of God's throne and takes from him the scroll which, as he breaks its seals, reveals heaven's perspective on the present and future of all mankind. For the scroll contains God's plan for the redemption and restoration of God's people and of the world they are to live in – and the judgement that must fall on all who oppose God, his purposes and his people.

This glimpse into heaven and into the future – is a dazzling one, because it is full of pictures ablaze with colours and images which alternately amaze and appal us. This message not just for the church of John's day, but for the church of all ages. It may be cloaked in contemporary first-century dress, and especially in the imagery and language of the Old Testament – but it is a message we need to hear ourselves, because we are surrounded by those who believe that this life is all we have.

We Christians of the affluent West have been deeply affected by this, and the biblical world-view, with its emphasis on God's sovereign purpose and reality, is no longer at the forefront of our thoughts. Maybe , from time to time, we are touched by the beauty of creation, or affected by someone's death, or made fearful by the latest news – and we are reminded of the fundamental questions, Who am I? What is life all about? Where am I going after death? We need to hear again the biblical truths concerning the eternity that lies beyond this life. So that we may live this life in the light of these biblical truths, and rejoice in the glorious hope of the life to come, with our Lord and Saviour.

John's vision of Jesus, the Lord of glory.

John, in his old age, is exiled on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea, because of his faithfulness to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. (1:9) No doubt, on the Lord's Day, he is worshipping the Lord, and praying for the nearby churches, whose needs he knows so well and who, like him, are facing suffering and needing endurance. Maybe he felt lonely and discouraged. But, suddenly, the Spirit opens to his sight the very presence of the Lord.

The vision of Jesus that John is given, is not a cosy vision. He is not seen as the gentle Jesus of Victorian sentiment – nor an easy-going, matey Jesus, of some present-day writers. Instead we see a breath-taking figure of majestic glory, authority, power and purity, before whom we can only bow in worship and adoration. He is described as like a son of man – the words from Daniel 7:13, which Jesus had taken to describe himself.

But the description exactly echoes that of the Ancient of Days – God Himself – in the same vision that Daniel saw (Dan 7:9). It is no wonder that John falls at his feet, as though dead – until Jesus touches him, tells him not to be afraid – and identifies himself: I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!

Jesus' opening words come straight from Isaiah 44:6: This is what the LORD says – Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and the last, apart from me there is no God...! God speaks through Isaiah to make it clear that he is the incomparable One, to whom all nations are subject, whom none can frustrate. (Isa 40:12-28) God precedes all things and will bring all things to completion. He is the origin and goal of all history.

And this is whom Jesus is too! For, throughout this book, it is clear that Jesus Christ is included within the ONE God of Israel, who in verse 8 speaks in his own name, I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. And at the end of the book, Jesus takes up these words again, Behold I am coming soon!... I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Rev 22:13)

What Jesus has to say to the churches.

After making this amazing statement to John, Jesus commissions him to write what he is seeing. And what he is seeing refers to the present and to the future. He is to write to the 7 churches named, all of them in the Roman province of Asia, which occupied what today we would call western Turkey. To each of them Jesus has a particular message of praise, but usually also of rebuke, and a further word of encouragement and challenge. However the entire book is written for them all to hear – for the 7 churches are representative of all the churches down the ages – right to our own day!

John is told to write to the 'angel' of each church. (2:1) So I cannot conceive that these are angels, as we normally use the word! Angel means messenger. Those that are sent to speak for God are in the O.T. called God's messengers.(e.g. Isa 44:26) So I take it that our Stephen is our 'angel' – but Jesus' messages are for all of us! The angels of the churches are symbolised by 7 stars – and they are seen in Jesus' hand. That is their privilege – and their honour – but their responsibility is to be God's messenger.

And the churches? They are symbolised by lampstands. In fact John sees these before he sees Jesus! The churches are to be bearers of light in the surrounding darkness! Didn't our Lord teach that his people were to be salt and light? He spoke of himself as the light of the world – but he also said to his disciples, You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone... (Matt 5:14,15)

And what is Jesus doing? He is walking among the lampstands. And he is dressed like a priest of the Temple (Exod 28:4; 39:27-29) – one of whose duties it was to trim the 7 lamps on the single lampstand there, so that they burnt continually throughout the hours of darkness, although it was the responsibility of all God's people to provide the olive oil for these lamps. (Ex 27:20-21; Lev 24:1-4)

When Jesus dictates his letters to each of the churches, he begins by refering to a feature of his appearance, or of the words Jesus has just spoken. And each of these is appropriate to that church's situation! For it is clear that Jesus knows all about us – every individual church, and every member – the manner of our daily lives, the contribution we make in our lives to the light shed abroad by this church – in the conduct of our work, in our conversations, in our relationships – indeed, in all we do.

Thus, in his first letter – to the church at Ephesus – Jesus reminds them that he holds the 7 stars and he walks among the lampstands. He commends them for their zeal, but rebukes them that they have lost their first love. First love speaks to me of the ardent affection of two lovers, which can so easily cool in the routine of daily married life. These Christians had lost the warmth of their devotion to Jesus – and it showed, I've no doubt, in their lack of love and warmth to each other – and to others. What would Jesus have to say to us? The church at Ephesus is reminded that Jesus has the authority to remove lampstands that do not give light – the light of love, as well as truth.

To the church at Smyrna, where there is only suffering, Jesus gives no rebuke – only a call to continued faithfulness. He reminds this church that he is the First and the Last. He called them into being, and he will not fail to keep them to the end and reward them with the crown of life. He is altogether in control, even when they are persecuted and face martyrdom. He has not abandoned them, and he reminds them that he died – and came to life again. They – and we – are to walk in his steps, taking up whatever cross he gives us. It is the path to glory for us, as it was for him. Jesus says, I hold the keys of death and Hades (1:18) – we need not fear to die!

And so it continues, as each church in turn is brought face to face with its condition – and challenged to repent of its faults, amend its life, overcome and do the Lord's will to the end – when it will be rewarded with the mighty blessings the Lord has prepared for it. We are left in no doubt of our Lord's intimate knowledge of us and his deep concern that we become and stay faithful to him. It is those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.(3:19) This is tough love – but if we are to be any earthly use to him – we'd better take heed! Christians are sometimes said to be so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly use! But it is often truer that we may be so earthly-minded as to be no heavenly use!

And so it is John is now given such a view of the glory of God's throne, and such an unfolding of God's sovereign purpose, that we should be filled with awe and worship – and encouraged to endure, and see ourselves as part of God's great plan. (Rev 4:1 – 7:17)

What the rest of the book teaches us.

Can I possibly summarise the message of the remainder of this book? Clearly I cannot do so adequately here and now – but I can refer to one or two of its principal themes, to set us thinking.

The Lord has been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

1. We have seen that the risen and exalted Jesus is intimately close to his churches, of which he is Lord. He 'walks' among them, speaks to them, sustains and empowers them by his Spirit. I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt 28:20) But he is also enthroned at his Father's side, given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18) – to bring about the fulfillment of God's purpose for his creation – and to bring his people to their final destiny. And this will include his personal return to this world – to be its Judge – to destroy his enemies – and to rescue and welcome his people to be with him for ever, in a world that has been gloriously re-created. (Rom 8:18-23; 1 Thess 4:14-18; 5:9-10; 2 Thess 1:5-10; 2 Pet 3:13)

This world awaits judgement.

2. Because these things are assuredly true, guaranteed by the death and resurrection of Jesus – and witnessed to, by the outcome in the hearts and lives of countless men and women – we have a vital perspective on our present situation in the world – and upon its future. In particular, that this present world-order is facing judgement for its disobedience and defiance of God's laws, for its arrogant independence and glorification of Man, and for its hostility towards, and its cruel usage of, God's people.

A message of judgement must always be unpopular – indeed, hated – by those who are condemned by it. But it belongs to the very character of God that this must be part of his message. Because he has made us responsible beings, everyone of us must appear before him. (Rom 14:10) And everyone of us will be condemned by the things we have done, or failed to do. Only by the grace of God, by accepting the pardon freely offered us in Christ, who died in our place, can we escape his just sentence, which he longs we should do! (Rom 3:19-26; John 3:16)

God's justice is witnessed to, however incompletely, in the history of the world. His temporal judgements on man's folly and sin point towards that great and final Judgement Day that yet awaits us – they are sent as gracious reminders of our accountability – and that out time is short. (Lk 13:1-5) But this book acknowledges that, in general, mankind does not heed the warnings and repent. (Rev 9:20; 16:9,11)

In John's day the hostile world-order was exemplified in the power and pride of Rome, which exploited conquered peoples and their lands – or seduced them by its materialism. It demanded that everyone gave it their allegiance – expressed in loyalty to its gods and in Emperor worship. Failure to do so could very easily result in poverty, ostracism or death.

Today the demands of the powers-that-be may take different forms – but the fact that mankind opposes God has not changed. In some places there is open opposition, and persecution of God's people.

In others it may be more subtle – a more hidden discrimination, a mockery and ridicule based on an intolerant rationalistic secularism – or an outward tolerance, combined with a vast propaganda of materialistic hedonism, by which we are daily attracted, and diverted from any serious commitment to holy living and sacrificial love of the Lord. In this book our Lord warns us against all kinds of compromise that make life easier or safer – but deny him!

We Christians need to discern – and this book makes it very plain – that behind the world's opposition or seduction stands the enemy of God, Satan and his hosts. Satan is behind all Christ-denying religions and philosophies of this world – and the addictive seductions of wealth, fame and influence, sex, drugs, and all occult powers, that put so many in bondage. (Rev 12:9-12; 13:5-8,14-17)

But he is a defeated foe, for Christ was victorious over him on the cross. He knows his time is short and final punishment is certain. And Christ's victory and authority over him can be experienced in deliverance from the bondages he has imposed. But he can only be effectively opposed in the power of the Holy Spirit. But, since the Son of God appeared to destroy the devil's work (1 John 3:8) we must oppose him too.(Lk 10:17-20; Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8,9; Rom 16:20)

We are therefore called to witness to Jesus.

3. We are therefore called to witness as a burning and shining light in a darkened world. How else can we be lampstands?! As Paul tells us, we are to be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. (Phil 2:15,16) We are to walk in our daily lives as Jesus walked – caring for others, loving and serving them in committed relationships, and we are to testify in words to God's gracious offer of forgiveness and eternal life.

And we are to suffer as Jesus suffered. For only in this way will it be truly seen that our message is authentic and real – that God is not a myth – that Jesus is a living Lord, who showed us that God loved the world and sent him to die for its freedom from guilt and bondage to Satan and his works.

Because the world will not repent in the face of temporal and partial judgements – God seeks to reach it through the steadfast love and faithfulness of his people to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus (2 Cor 2:14-16; Rev 1:2,9; 6:9; 14:12). Some at least will respond to his grace, for the Lamb of God has, with his blood, purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (5:9) And all nations will come and worship before You, for your righteous acts have been revealed (15:4).

Conclusion and doxology.

In conclusion then, we are to take comfort and be strengthened. Our pain and suffering is not pointless, but – by our response, by the grace of God – his love and mercy are revealed to men and women for their salvation. We can be assured that the Lord is always in control, and he will keep us safe for his eternal kingdom. And Jesus is coming back! Our present Lord and King will be revealed to all as the King of kings and the Lord of lords (19:16) – and all will have to acknowledge it and give him homage.(Phil 2:9-11; Rom 14:11; Isa 45:23)

But it is our privilege to love, serve and worship him now! In the words of verse 6 of this first chapter – To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Behold, I am coming soon! Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (22:7,20)

[My title: The Lord of glory – is taken from 1 Cor 2:8 – None of the rulers of this age understood [God's secret wisdom], for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.]