공동체와 양육

A Greater Glimpse of Glory (Rev 1:9-20)

2010.04.11Rev. Eddie Byun

Those who see Christ correctly will suffer patiently, worship amid injustice, and serve courageously, because the risen Son of Man is majestic, holy, and in control of history and the churches. Seeing Christ rightly also means loving his imperfect church, which he walks among and died for.

Seeing Christ rightly enables patient suffering (9-10)

John calls himself his readers' brother and partner in the tribulation and the patient endurance found in Jesus, not a leader, even though he was once a man who sought top positions in Jesus' kingdom. Jesus warned that in this world we will have tribulation, and F.F. Bruce noted that the patient endurance of tribulation is the way into the kingdom, because the cross comes before the crown. Exiled on Patmos, John did not complain but worshiped on the Lord's Day, and that shows what it looks like to see one's suffering rightly. How we respond to desert seasons determines how long we stay there, because our attitude reveals the state of our heart. Following Christ means suffering with him, so that we may share in his glory when it is revealed.

The Son of Man in majesty, not the expected conquering king

The title Son of Man, drawn from Daniel 7, led the Jews to expect a mighty military Messiah who would destroy their enemies. Jesus instead took the most glorious title and lived a humble life, talking like a king and acting like a slave. Now the risen Christ appears to John in glory, with white hair, eyes of fire, bronze feet, a voice like many waters, and a face shining like the sun. His robe and sash mark him as the priest who opens access to God, his white hair recalls purity and forgiveness, his fiery eyes see into every heart, and his bronze feet show a strong and tested foundation of power. The right hand, which holds the seven stars, shows that he rules and controls all, and the sword from his mouth shows that his word judges.

Those who see Christ rightly serve courageously (17-19)

When John saw Christ, he fell at his feet as though dead, and those who truly see him revere him. Christ laid his right hand on John and said, fear not, for he is the first and the last, the living one, and he holds the keys of death and Hades. Gordon Fee's story of a black preacher's Good Friday and Easter image makes this vivid: Jesus took the keys from the grave. Because Christ is not finished with the old John, he commissions him again to write what he has seen. God is Lord over history and will bring it to its close in his time, so the people of God should be strong and courageous and not a fearful people.

Each church is a lampstand bearing Christ's light (20)

The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the churches themselves. God assigns an angel to every church, so every church, whatever its size, matters to God. The purpose of the church is to bear the light of Christ in a darkened world, receiving that light from Christ and the gospel and holding it out for others to see. We are called to bring glory to God by shining the light of his gospel, and therefore not to be timid but to serve him with our gifts, our talents, and by serving his church.

Christ loves his imperfect church and stands among it (13)

Jesus walks among the churches, which shows how important the church is to him. Though the church is weak, imperfect, and sometimes does more damage than good, Christ is not embarrassed to stand in the midst of it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer noted in Life Together that God's grace frustrates the dream of a perfect church, and that disillusionment comes sooner or later. The one who loves an ideal community more than the real one becomes its destroyer. To speak ill of the bride is to offend the groom, because Christ loves her, died for her, and is preparing her for the wedding. We see the glory of Jesus both in his power and in his heart for the church.

Apply to Life

  • Let us accept the suffering that comes from following Christ, and let us not complain, but worship him patiently.
  • Let us examine our hearts in the desert seasons, because our attitude shows whether we trust Jesus.
  • Let us see Christ as the majestic, holy, and sovereign Lord who holds the keys of death and Hades, and let us serve him courageously.
  • Let us love the church, our family, as the bride that Christ loves, and bear with its imperfections.
  • Let us shine the light of the gospel in this dark world with our gifts and talents, and serve his church.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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