Revelation – Things are Not as They Seem The Son of Man Amid His 7 Churches

Revelation – Things are Not as They SeemThe Son of Man Amid His 7 Churches

It seems that Revelation is not preached much or too much.

Advice given to me:“Don’t preach from Revelation until you have been

in ministry at least 20 years.”

It’s been 22 years.


Let’s have a little quiz:

Revelation is a blend of what 3 types of literature?1. Letter

- Need to know it’s context

2. Prophecy- Both fore-telling and telling forth God’s Word to the

present

3. Apocalyptic


What is the meaning of the word “apocalyptic?”

“unveiling” “revelation”

“opening-up”“lifting the lid”


We ended last time with a story about some seminarians playing in a gym. And while they

played the janitor read in one of the guys’ Bible.

What did the Janitor say in answer to the seminarian who asked, “So what does the book of

Revelation mean?”

Janitor: “It means that Jesus is gonna win.”


Scripture Reading

Revelation 1:9-20


Entitled this series “Things are not as they seem.”

Revelation wants to help us see reality in light of an unseen future and a present reality

seen only with the eyes of faith.

This series will be based largely on Darrell Johnson’s book, Discipleship on the Edge.


“New Testament scholar George Beasley-Murray has suggested that we can think of the images in Revelation in terms of the modern-day political

cartoon.” Johnson, p.36


What is thiscartoon saying?

What is the beaver symbolic of?


What message is this cartoon giving?What if you knew that this was during the time of

Clinton’s impeachment hearings?Animals – symbolic


What is the message of this political cartoon?What if you knew that that it was published July 1st, 1997

about Hong Kong?Would you have seen a dragon swallowing Hong Kong?


So will there be a literal “enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads . . . [who] stood ready in front of the woman was about to

give birth,…” Rev. 12:3,4


Remember the characteristics of Apocalyptic Literature:

1. Written during times of oppression2. Given as visions and dreams 3. People portrayed as animals4. Highly symbolic - #’s & colours5. Gives broader perspective on present reality


John is on the prison island of Patmos.

His letters would all be read before being sent on.

He writes in images that his congregations would understand.

They understood the symbols. We need to learn the context, to understand them.


Let us look at the image given to us in vv.12-16:“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me.

And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,”

dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his

voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp

double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”


and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,” v. 13

“Like a Son of Man”-Like - trying to find words to describe what he saw-Son of Man

- Daniel 7:13-14: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”- heavenly being who will establish an indestructible kingdom


was someone "like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. v.13

“Dressed in a robe”- Priestly robe- “Priest, in Latin, is pontifex, it is an engineering term that means ‘bridge-builder.’ A priest is one who builds a bridge between 2 sides of the canyon…. John is being reminded that Jesus is the greatest bridge=builder of all. He is the one who bridges the infinite chasm between us and God.” Johnson, p.43

- Sash around chest = work is done


His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire v.14

Head and hair white like wool- Symbol of wisdom- Symbol of purity

Eyes were like blazing fire- Jesus is not only pure but purifying- Fire illuminates and penetrates- burns away impurities Johnson, p.45


His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. v.15

“Feet like bronze”-Compare to the vision to Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel where are human kingdoms are compared to a huge statue whose feet are a mix of iron and clay – not able to support it weight – ready to fail- Jesus’ kingdom rests on feet of bronze – will last forever


His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. v.15

“Voice like rushing waters” - drowns out other noises [voices] - gives peace


In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its

brilliance.” v.16

“In his right hand he held seven stars” - seven stars = the 7 messengers to the churches - saying more – “In 1st century mind, the seven stars would clearly refer to the seven planets known at that time.” Johnson, p.46


“People thought that all of life was under the sway and control of those planets. People anxiously

consulted the astrology tables…. In Greek religion the goddess Hekate held the stars and calls herself ‘beginning and end.’ Counter image. Alternate

vision. The seven stars in in Jesus’ right hand…. The planets do not control anyone. Jesus controls them.

The planets do not run life. Jesus does.” Johnson. p.46

Are you checking your horoscope? What does that say about who you believe is in control?



brilliance.” v.16

Out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword - Jesus’ word is clear and sharp not dull - they cut evil out



brilliance.” v.16

His face was like the sun - John trying to describe what he saw - Numbers 6:24-26:

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”


And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,” v.13

Among the lampstands - Jesus in all his glory is among his churches - Jesus is portrayed here not above and far removed from us but in the middle of his churches - Jesus is here in the middle of Ottewell


So in the middle of our individual lives or communal life together,

whatever may be going on, allow this unveiling of Jesus in the middle of his

churches inform you and comfort you.

Things are not as they seem.


Revelation 1:17-18:

"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

I am the Living One; I was dead,

and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

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Revelation – Things are Not as They Seem The Son of Man Amid His 7 Churches

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