Reality versus Fantasy, Part 1

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 hold seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Revelation 1:12-16

What are you seeking-reality or fantasy? If you are seeking fantasy, I encourage you to watch television, read newspapers, listen to politicians, and read mountains of books because much fantasy is found in these. But if you are interested in reality, I urge you to focus on God’s word, wherein is found ultimate reality.

I had a friend in college who had the habit of sleepwalking. Though he seemed to be awake, he did not know what he was doing. Every unbeliever in Jesus Christ is like this man-sleepwalking through life, only in the end to enter into an eternity of misery and torment. Only true Christians live in the light of ultimate reality.

We often hear of people dying suddenly and unexpectedly. Any moment, reality can come to us, and if we are not believers in Jesus Christ, we will slip into an eternity of misery. What, then, is ultimate reality? It is the uncreated, self-existing, eternal, most wise, most holy, omnipotent triune God-the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-who created all things, from the smallest particle to the largest star, and who sustains them all.

Reality is that which abides. We read in the Scriptures that God is once more going to shake everything, so that the unshakable may be made manifest. So reality-both ultimate and temporal-is to be found in God’s book, the Holy Bible. Any book that does not speak according to reality as described in the Bible is dealing in fantasy, particularly when it speaks of large issues, such as the meaning of life and the reality of death.

Only the book of God speaks truth. It tells us about creation, fall, redemption, judgment, eternal life, eternal damnation, holy angels, demons, Satan, and Jesus Christ, the God/man and only Savior of the world. So if we want reality, we must read the Bible, for there we discover reality, that we may repent of our fantasies and illusions. Repentance means we change our thinking, forsake the lies of the devil, and believe truth as God has revealed it in the Bible. Thus, a repenting person will think differently about himself and God, creation, sin, redemption, Jesus Christ, judgment, heaven and hell. Before, he saw himself as a god, but now he sees himself as a dead dog, a miserable sinner-in fact, the chief of sinners-and earnestly cries out to Jesus to save him. An unrepentant sinner is like my college friend: he is sleepwalking into an eternity of torment in the lake of fire with the devil and all who cast their lots with him.

In the book of God we read that God created all out of nothing by his powerful word. We also read that man sinned against God and about God’s judgment upon sinners. The Bible says that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” It gives us a very dark picture of sin, hatred, disease, war, death, and so on.

But God’s book also reveals the reality of redemption through the person of Jesus Christ. So we read of his incarnation in the midpoint of time; his holy life before a holy God; his cruel and violent death on the cross; his burial and resurrection; and his being exalted and seated on the right hand of God the Father as the Sovereign Ruler of the universe and as the head of the church, his people.

We see this reality especially in the book of Revelation, which was written by the apostle John, after he was sent to Patmos, a Roman penal settlement, to punish him for his faith and his testimony of Jesus Christ. Patmos is a very small, rocky island, four miles wide and eight miles long, in the Aegean Sea, fifty miles southwest of Ephesus. In Revelation 1:10 John writes, “On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.” When Jesus Christ speaks, it will be loud, commanding, piercing, convicting, and relentless. In the Greek it is, “On the Lord’s Day I became in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.” Reality confronts John on the Lord’s Day-reality of the person of our Lord Jesus Christ in all his majesty and glory.

The Lord’s Day is the day devoted to the Lord. It is the first day of the week, the day of worship that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We live in a world of unreality and are daily given fantasies by the media, by politicians, by educators, and others. But thank God, as we gather to worship on the Lord’s Day, we see reality. We hear truth and are cleansed of all the dirt of the world’s fantasies, lies, and unreality. Truth is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ confronted John on the isle of Patmos on the Lord’s Day. On this day, the Holy Spirit filled John and enabled him to receive revelation from Christ. We find several such encounters in the Bible. Jacob met with God at Bethel, and Moses was invited to come up to God at Mount Sinai. Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel also met with God (Isaiah 6; Daniel 7:9; Ezekiel 1). Paul was confronted by the risen Christ and asked to come up into the third heaven to see ultimate reality (2 Corinthians 12).

When we meet with God, we do not remain the same. We begin to think differently. Our fantasies are cast out and reality grips and guides us to live to please God alone. God calls us up to the mountain of his presence and confronts us with truth so that we may descend to the valley to live for God in the light of this revelation of reality.

May God help us this Lord’s Day to be filled with the Spirit-to be in the Spirit, to be controlled by the Spirit, to meet with the risen Christ and be changed by truth as it happened to John. May we all hear the commanding voice of Christ in his glorious majesty!

John’s Vision of Reality

Here, then, we find John, not sleeping, but fully awake, seeing a vision even as Peter did when he was praying on the rooftop in Joppa. In verse 12 John writes, “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands.” It was the voice of Jesus. Worship should never be boring. If it is, it is because we are focusing on ourselves, not on him who is in the midst of us in all his majesty and glory. When we worship, we should see the glory of Christ, who is in the midst of us. Such a vision of Jesus is highly enriching, exhilarating, edifying, and humbling. Let us then examine John’s vision of reality.

1. “And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands” (v. 12). The golden lampstands represent all true churches of the world in their witness-bearing function. Jesus is the light of the world, and through his church the light of the gospel shines forth. Paul says in Philippians 2 that we are to shine like stars in a crooked and depraved generation as we hold out the word of life. If we refuse to shine, Jesus will tell us, as he told the church of Ephesus, “I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Are we sleepwalking, or are we repenting and shining as stars, living the truth of the gospel and proclaiming it?
2. “And among the lampstands was someone ‘like a son of man'” (v. 13). Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.” We must lift up our eyes away from ourselves and see this one who is “like a son of man” walking among us.

   The prophet Daniel says, “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” (Daniel 7:13-14).

   Here we see this one like a son of man approaching the Ancient of Days, who is God Almighty. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power, and all people worship him. His dominion is an eternal dominion. His kingdom is eternal. So this one is God, the God/man Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in all his glory and power. This one John sees is the judge and ruler of the church and the world. So Revelation 2:27 tells us, “He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

   Friends, do you see reality this morning? This one is King Eternal, the Judge of all the earth. It is he who said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Therefore, wake up, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ, who is light, shall shine on you (Ephesians 5:14). Christ, who is faithful and true, is in the midst of us! And one thing is certain: he is not boring. He has come to touch and heal us, to command us, to rule us, and judge us. He has come to teach us, rebuke us, correct us, and train us. He has come to save us and bless us. He has come to hear our prayers and accept our praise. He has come to give us life, repentance, and faith. May we rouse ourselves from apathy and give him our complete attention. May we hear his voice that is like the sound of the trumpet.

3. “Dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet” (v. 13). This tells us he is a highly honorable person. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Holy One. And not only is he the Prophet and King, but he is also the great High Priest, as we see him here, who walks among the lampstands. It is his job to take care of these lamps, which stand for the church, trimming their wicks and keeping them filled with oil so that they may shine ever more brightly. And, yes, he also rebukes, corrects, and judges them, calling out, “Remember from whence you have fallen! Repent, and do the first works. Otherwise, I will come and remove you.”
4. “A golden sash around his chest” (v. 13). Again, this designates royalty and high dignity. Isaiah 11:5, which also speaks about this great king, says, “Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.” This one is righteous, and he makes us righteous. And he is faithful; he keeps his covenant and expects us to be faithful to him and to his people. And what is the heart of the covenant? “I will be your God and you will be my people.”
5. “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow” (v. 14). In Daniel 7:9 we read, “As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.” So this head and hair that are white like wool and snow describes not only the Ancient of Days whom Daniel saw, who is God Almighty, God the Father, but it also describes Jesus, the one “like a son of man,” according to John. That is, Jesus Christ is God. He is pure and he is wisdom. He shares all the attributes of the Ancient of Days. So the church confesses that our God is one God existing in three Persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
6. “His eyes were like blazing fire” (v. 14). This tells us that God sees and knows everything we do, even the thoughts and secrets of our hearts. He knew what Achan was doing (Joshua 7); he knew what Ananias and Sapphira were doing (Acts 5). In Revelation 2:18 we read: “To the angel of the church at Thyatira write: ‘These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds . . . .'” How many people have lied and tried to cover up their sin! But we cannot hide anything from him. And in Revelation 2:23 he says: “I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” In Revelation 19:12 we read again, “His eyes are like blazing fire. . . .” Psalm 139 describes how we can never hide anything from this God who knows our thoughts from afar.

   Our God dwells in unapproachable blazing, brilliant light. There is no darkness in him, and there is no way we can conceal anything from him. Confession, brothers and sisters, is the only way we can find mercy from him who is merciful.

7. “His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace” (v. 15). Bronze is a hard metal used for making weapons. The fiery feet of this one stands for the sure judgment of his enemies. In Psalm 110, which is a Messianic psalm, we read, “The Lord says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'” (v. 1). We will either sit with him as his beloved church or feel the pressure of his feet on our necks.

   In Revelation 19:15 we read, “Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” May God give us faith to see his fiery, burning, bronze feet that speak especially of his sure and complete judgment! All God’s enemies shall feel the pressure of his feet in judgment and complete destruction.

8. “His voice was like the sound of rushing waters” (v. 15). His voice is continuous, compelling, and powerfully persistent. It cannot be ignored; it demands attention. We can never say to God, “I did not hear” or “I did not know.”

   John was citing Ezekiel 43:2: “And I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters.” Have we heard this voice like the roar of rushing waters? When our parents or other authorities spoke, did we realize that God was speaking to us? Our God demands that we pay attention to him. We must tremble at his word and above all, do his commands that come clearly through his voice.

9. “In his right hand he holds seven stars” (vv. 16, 20). What are these seven stars? They are the ones to whom the seven letters were written-the bishops, or pastors, of seven true churches.

   This should encourage any true minister of the gospel. It tells us that pastors who are called and commissioned by God are safe and secure in God’s powerful right hand; no one can snatch them away. All undershepherds are under the Chief Shepherd’s control, protection, and provision. So also, are every church and every believer. No one can snatch us out of the grip of God’s right hand.

10. “Out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword” (v. 16). In the Greek it says it is continually coming forth. “Double-edged sword” speaks of the word that comes from the mouth of Christ. It is coming continually, and it brings both salvation and judgment.

    In Revelation 2:12 we read: “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.” And verse 16: “Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” And Revelation 19:15, 21: “Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations . . . . The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.”

    The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, is coming to us today through the gospel. It is coming either to cut and convict us so that we will repent and trust in Jesus, or to bring about judgment and destruction for those who will not believe. So in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Paul writes, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” The same gospel either kills or saves.

11. “His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance” (v. 16). Look at our Lord Jesus Christ: he is brilliant, majestic, glorious God. Look at Matthew 17:1-2: “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun. . . .” That is what we see in Revelation 1:16. Our God is all purity, majesty, glory, and holiness.

In Revelation 21:22-23 John writes, “I did not see a temple in the city because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” His face shines in all its brilliance like the sun. And why did Jesus come to this earth? To bring many sons to glory. (PGM) Thus, one day our faces also will shine with all the brilliance of the sun, as we read in Matthew 13:43: “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear it.”

Impressed by Christ

What was John’s reaction to this one “like a son of man”? In verse 17 he says, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” In this encounter with reality, in this meeting with his majestic Lord Jesus Christ, John was so impressed that he fell at his feet as though dead. Jacob, Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Stephen, Paul and others were also so impressed and transformed when they encountered the living God.

What about you? Are you impressed by Jesus Christ? God is speaking. Fix your eyes on this all-glorious Jesus, this Prophet, Priest, and King. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest, whom we confess. Fix your eyes on him, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Fix your eyes on him, the Savior and Judge of all.

About this appearance of Jesus, William Hendriksen writes:

Notice that the Son of man is here pictured as clothed with power and majesty and with awe and terror. That long royal robe; that golden belt buckled at the breast; that hair so glistening white that like snow on which the sun is shining it hurts the eye; those eyes flashing fire, eyes which read every heart and penetrate every hidden corner; those feet glowing in order to trample down the wicked; that loud, reverberating voice, like the mighty breakers booming against the rocky shore of Patmos; that sharp, long, heavy great-sword with two biting edges; that entire appearance ‘as the sun shines in its power’, too intense for human eyes to stare at-the entire picture, taken as a whole, is symbolic of Christ, the Holy One, coming to purge His churches (2:16, 18, 23), and to punish those who are persecuting His elect (8:5ff.) (Hendriksen, More than Conquerors, [Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1940; 2001 printing], 56-57).

Are you impressed, or are you still sleepwalking through life? If the latter is true, I urge you to pay attention, not to fantasy, but to ultimate reality. Are you impressed enough by Christ the King to repent, to believe and be saved forever?

Are you impressed with this Jesus? Or is he still a sweet doll, a teddy bear to comfort you in the night and play with you, or a dutiful butler, or a non-judgmental buddy? Are you impressed? If not, look again to his eyes of fire, to his burning bronze feet, to his majestic, shining face. He is here now. He is walking among us. May he touch you and heal you. May he raise the dead this morning, and may we all hear his voice and be blessed.

Most people are not impressed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is because of man’s enmity toward God and his slavery to the evil one. Luke 8:12 says the seeds that fell “along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts so that they may not believe and be saved.” Whenever the gospel is preached, some people remain unimpressed. This is because the devil is coming and taking the word of life, the word of power, away from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).

Those who are not impressed by Christ and the gospel are slaves to the devil and enemies of the gospel. Jesus told his disciples, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.” This is the discrimination of God. He gives the knowledge of the gospel to some but not to others.

But the elect of God will be impressed by the vision of the Lord Jesus Christ as he is placarded in the proclaiming of the gospel. So John says, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead” (v. 17). What did Jesus do when John’s feet gave way? The risen Christ touched this one who was being persecuted, revived him, and spoke encouraging words to him.

The Touch of Jesus

So John says, “He placed his right hand on me.” Matthew 8 speaks about a leper who came to Jesus, saying, “I know you are able to heal me. But whether you are willing, I do not know.” Jesus told him, “I am willing,” touched the leper and he was healed.

In Matthew 17 we read that Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the Mount of Transfiguration and “was transfigured before them” (v. 2). Then we read, “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Don’t be afraid'” (vv. 5-7). Oh, the touch of Jesus! It is my prayer that the Lord will touch us this day and take away all fears, misery, and anxiety.

“Fear Not!”

Not only did Jesus touch John, but then he spoke words of encouragement to him. In the midst of all persecution and suffering, God is with us, touching us and speaking to us. And what does he say? Fear not!

In the Greek, it is not just, “Be not afraid”; it is “Stop fearing!” It is a command, not a suggestion. When God commands, we should obey, for our own good. So God tells us, “Fear not! Be still, and know that I am God. I am God for you, and I will do for you only what God can do.” How many times have we been filled with fear! But Jesus tells us, “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1, NAS).

Unnecessary fear is due to lack of faith in the ability of our God to help us. In Psalm 46 we read, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (vv. 1-2). No matter what happens, God is with us. He is everywhere, and especially with his people. And we will not die until God wills. The bird flies in the heavens by his will, and by his will it falls. Our Lord governs the universe; it is he who tells us, “Stop being afraid.”

Suppose you say, “Why shouldn’t I fear? Are there any reasons that I should not be afraid?” The risen Christ gives us several reasons in this passage.

1. “I am the First and the Last” (v. 17). In Isaiah 44 and 48 this expression is used in reference to God. In other words, Jesus Christ is declaring that he is Jehovah God. That is a mighty reason that we should not be afraid. Our God tells us, “I am God. I can do for you what no one else can. I will do God-things for you.” So Jesus Christ is the Creator as well as the Consummator. He was not part of creation, but he was there at its creation and he will be there at its consummation. Our God is the eternal Lord of history; how can we fear?
2. “I am the Living One” (v. 18). This one who tells us to “Fear not!” is eternal life. He is the self-existing God. So again he is telling us that he is God. In John 11:25-26 he said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me . . . will never die.” That is absolute truth; we shall not die. It is not that we shall not die physically, but physical death cannot destroy eternal life. In fact, physical death only assists us in our enjoyment of eternal life. Eternal life is life with God.
3. “I was dead” (v. 18). This speaks of Christ’s incarnation to do the will of God actively and passively. He lived and died for our salvation. So he is saying, “I became dead for your salvation.” He is our propitiation. His death brought atonement for the sins of the elect of the whole world, that we may be justified justly. The eternal God became man, that he may die for our sins. Romans 6:23 tells us, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” The wages of sin is death, which he died, and the gift of God is eternal life, which we receive in his Son: “He who has the Son has life.”
4. “Behold, I am alive forever and ever!” (v. 18) Behold! It is a surprise. John is saying, open your eyes, for a great and wonderful thing happened! God raised Jesus from the dead because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. Why was it impossible for death to keep its hold on him? Because Jesus was without sin. So “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). By his death, Jesus destroyed death for us.

   Paul proclaims, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54). And now we can join with Paul and cry in triumph, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). What a reason not to be afraid! Our Lord Jesus Christ will never die again, and so we who are in him by faith shall never truly die again, but will live forevermore. Physical death cannot destroy eternal life, which we have in vital union with Jesus Christ. Nothing in all creation-neither death nor life-shall separate us from this life we have in Jesus Christ.

5. “I hold the keys of death and Hades” (v. 18). The devil doesn’t hold them; Jesus Christ does. In other words, Jesus Christ controls death and Hades, as well as paradise. He alone can send his enemies, both humans and angels, as well as death and Hades, into the lake of fire.

   In Revelation 20 we read, “And the devil who, deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (vv. 10-15). Who does the throwing? The Lord Jesus Christ, who alone controls paradise and Hades.

In Luke 16 we read about the rich man and Lazarus. It is Jesus who lets Lazarus enter paradise to rest in Abraham’s bosom. And it is he who told the repenting thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

The Lord Jesus Christ is given all authority in heaven and on earth. He is given a name that is above every name. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess his lordship, and every enemy shall be made a footstool for him. The Father has placed all things under his feet. He is the head of the church. He is Lord. He is the controller.

Therefore, church, the Lord tells you, “Fear not!” By faith see his hand touching you. Hear his words of encouragement. These words are true because they are spoken by him who is truth. Jesus is Lord of all, even of death and Hades.

Are You Impressed by Christ?

Are you impressed by Christ and the reasons he gives? “Stop fearing. I am here. I am God for you. I died for you. I destroyed death for you. I control all things.” There is no authority above him. Therefore, rise up, brothers and sisters. Rejoice and fight the battle of the Lord in his strength. Overcome every enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of the gospel proclamation. Hear his encouraging words: “I will be with you always, even to the end of the ages. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will be God for you. I will do only what God can do. I will save you. I will help you. I will protect you, and I will bring you safely home to the very presence of God your heavenly Father-without fault, without spot, without wrinkle. And your face shall also shine with the brightness of the sun.” This is the commitment of our God to his people.