After John heard the voice behind him, and then turned to see who it was, and having then seen the Lord as He is described there in verses 12-16, we now have John's reaction. He fell to the ground as if dead.
Of course he did not really die, but he did fall to the ground, as if he was dead. The sight of Jesus Christ in His glorious body and state, was so awesome that John could only fall to the ground. This same reaction is seen and found in some of the priests in the OT.
At this point, Jesus spoke again to John. This is the second time in this chapter that He did so.
The first time was in 1:11, but now, He speaks again. He first of all had identified Himself as the Eternal God, and instructed John to write in a book the things he was seeing, and then to send it to the seven churches that are in Asia.
But, now, Jesus speaks again to this aged apostle who was just prostrated before Him, and says something so familiar to anyone who has read the Bible. It's a phrase and statement that God often uses and says to His people. It is, "Do not be afraid" But, He also did something else, He laid His right hand upon John. Now, in the Bible, the right hand is considered to be a symbol of power, and it is an expression of not only power but of will and encouragement, affirmation, commission etc. It's very comforting and a real blessing.
There were a number of things the Lord said about Himself to John at this point.
1. I Am the First and the Last.
2. I Am He who lives and was dead.
3. And, behold I live forevermore.
4. Amen.
5. I have the keys of Hades and Death.
So, He was saying, I'm the eternal God. I'm the One who came to the earth, took on a body, died for your sins, and was buried, and then rose again.
I'm alive forevermore. I'll never die again. That phase of my ministry is accomplished and finished.
Amen or so be it. I'm affirming this eternal truth about Myself, and My mission to redeem man.
And, because of who I Am, I possess the ability to open the door and release men from death, and to also allow them to go into eternal judgment.
Finally in the next two verses, Jesus gives John further explanation about what to do. It's somewhat of a repetition to what He had said earlier in 1:11. Additionally, what's said to John at this point, covers the entire history of man from that time, till the end of man's rule upon this earth, extending into what is called the 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth and beyond.
Jesus also gave explanation to some of what John had seen. This is so helpful for us. He explains the mystery as He calls it, of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands.
The seven stars in the right hand of Jesus are the seven angels, or messengers, or pastor's of the seven churches that are listed in chapters 2-3. And represent the future pastors and leaders who would find themselves ministering in the church of Jesus Christ.
The seven lampstands are the seven churches.
So, what we know from this explanation is the intimate involvement of Jesus Christ with and in His church.
Some applicational thoughts.....
1. God often repeats Himself for our benefit.
2. We must need to have His Word repeated, or He would not do it.
3. Fear is one of the common emotions we have to deal with.
4. God's prescription for our fear is "do not be afraid"
5. The prescription is based on who He is in our lives.
6. Not being afraid is linked intimately with who He is.
7. One thing the Lord wants us to know is His eternal nature.
8. God very frequently tells us He is eternal.
9. Forevermore, is waiting for us.
10. Forevermore is actually waiting for everyone.
11. Forevermore with God is what He wants.
12. Forevermore without God is not what He desires.
13. Jesus received into a life, means forevermore with God.
14. The call to John was to write, or to serve.
15. God has a call upon each one of our lives also.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
God is more awesome then we know.
Bowed down before Him is an appropriate reaction to God.
