Revelation Day 4 - The Voice

DAY 4
THE VOICE
Revelation 1:10-20
 
Celebrity musicians face the audience on throne-like chairs, unable to see the auditioning singer behind them. The panel of four famous coaches claims the singers who impress them most. The coaches then guide their teams of selected artists through the remainder of the season. But it all starts with a stranger’s voice - thus the TV show’s name, The Voice.

John of Patmos also heard a voice from behind. Although Jesus’s name is all over the book, he’s never named in this vision but context tells us exactly who is speaking.

Remember, this book is “a revelation of Jesus Christ.” It’s FROM Jesus and ABOUT Jesus. Revelation reveals reality by revealing Jesus. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds of this confusing book, but don’t lose sight of the fact that it’s clearly about Jesus.

What does it show us about Jesus? This entire opening chapter celebrates the risen Jesus in glory. He is “the firstborn from the dead” - the first righteous person raised to life again. That’s why he’s “the Living One who’s alive forever and holds the keys of death and the place where the dead live.” Like God the Father in v.8, Jesus is the “first and last” who rules over everything. His beauty could melt you! But he’s also the one who loves us, who freed us from sin, who cares enough to say, “Don’t be afraid,” who walks among the churches, actively encouraging and disciplining them. Above all, he's the one worthy of our worship.

How do we know he's worthy and not someone or something else? He proves he's worthy.

How? He proves it by crushing evil as a faithful witness to the truth.

Revelation shows world powers imposing control through violence and Injustice. But Jesus doesn’t conquer evil by getting a bigger gun than the bad guys, he conquers evil through his sacrifice and the truth! The “sharp, double-edged sword coming out of his mouth” is not a weapon of violence. It’s truth. Jesus tells the truth about us, about the world around us, but most of all about God. He reveals reality, exposing things for what they really are.

John will show us that nothing proves Jesus worthiness or witness more than his death on the cross. His favorite picture for Jesus is a lamb - a slaughtered lamb. Jesus isn't violent and vengeful, he's self-sacrificing. He saves us and crushes evil by letting it crush him on the cross. The cross looks like ugly weakness but actually shows us real power and beauty. Revelation reveals reality by turning our eyes upon Jesus.

REFLECT
What most stands out to you in John’s description of Jesus?

PRAY
Lord Jesus Christ, the first and the last, the living one, blazing in glory: open my ears to hear your voice speaking today and all throughout my time in Revelation. Amen.