The Living One

The Living One  

Revelation 1:4-18

Southern Illinois District Pastoral Conference, Wartburg, IL

In the name of Jesus Christ, the first and the last and the Living One who died and is alive forever.  He holds the keys of death and Hades in His hand, Amen.  Of all the disciples, one can argue that John was closest to Jesus.  He is known as “the beloved disciple.” John was next to Jesus in the Upper Room. Jesus commended the care and keeping of Mary into John’s hands as the cross.  Among the men John was the first to reach the tomb. His piety prevented him from entering. Peter ran up and went straight inside.  John was present Easter evening and again the following week as The Living One appeared to Thomas.  John was among the brothers as Jesus ascended into heaven.  Yet nothing in John’s experience prepared him for what he saw in the Revelation of Jesus Christ that forms today’s text.

Two rangers were on foot patrolling their campground around 3:00 am.  One was a Christian, the other an agnostic.  Suddenly night turned into day as a bright light burst from the heavens.  Both men fell to their knees in the dew drenched grass.  Looking up to they saw the bright tracing of a meteor that had entered the atmosphere and burned up.  The Christian said to the other, “I know why I was on my knees. What about you?”  He had no answer. The return of Jesus will have an even greater impact.  Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him.  All tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him.  Every knee will bow to Jesus and confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9).

Jesus is alive.  The crucified one is risen from the dead.  He holds the keys of death and Hades in His hands.  The believer’s momentary fear will give way to everlasting joy as your redemption draws near.  Those who rejected Christ will see with their own eyes what they rejected.  Jesus is alive.  He is returning to judge the living and the dead. The whole world is accountable to God (Romans 3:19-20). No excuses, no alibi’s, no good intentions count.  Either one believes in his heart and confesses with His mouth that Jesus is Lord or will face the eternal consequences for their rejection of Christ.

Permeating this text is an implicit fear of God.  This fear, expressed so well in Luther’s explanation of each commandment, is missing from the Public Square and pop spirituality. Some see God as their personal spiritual trainer. He is there to help you work out your salvation and improve on character shortcomings.  Some women see Jesus as a lover and the understanding man their husband can never be. Increasingly “the nones” have no use for any caricature of God.  What about you?  Do you fear God more than men? Are you more concerned with keeping your congregation happy than calling them to repentance and faith?  Do you keep quiet about controversial issues hoping they will go dormant? Do you fear people more than God?  Repent!

Jesus says. “Do not fear those who can destroy the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell…So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:28, 32-33). Jesus is the Living One.  He died and is now alive forever.  He holds the keys of death and Hades.

The apostle John did not recognize Jesus. Christ is the Pantocrator in His divine glory.  Still, like the Son of Man because of the incarnation.  Jesus is in the midst of His church.  He is the High Priest who intercedes for His people. Eyes with fire enable Him to discern the thoughts and intentions of every heart. He stands with His burnished bronze feet victorious over all the earth.  He speaks with the authority of God Himself. His Words kill and make alive.  He emanates light brighter than the sun.  Like the two rangers who fell on their knees, John falls prostrate before Jesus.  The beloved disciple knows He has no right to stand in the presence of the glorified Christ. Neither do we if He appeared to us with the unveiled majesty that is rightly His.

Jesus approaches John and laid His right hand upon John’s shoulder.  Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one.  I died and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Revelation 1:17-18).  The right hand of Jesus’ power and authority is entrusted to the Church.  Jesus continues to walk among us.  He graciously veils His divine glory that we may enter His presence with joy and thanksgiving.  He is here cradled in the Scriptures instructing us in all things and calling you to make disciples by baptizing and teaching them everything Jesus has revealed.  Jesus is here.  His body hidden in bread; His blood conveyed in wine. He enters our bodies in the eating and drinking of this most sacred meal.  Jesus is here forgiving you of all your sins.  He is here to strengthen you for the living of these days.  The Living One invites you anew to His feast service to your neighbor. Jesus had the first word at creation and will have the final one on the Last Day.

We are entering uncertain times for the Church within the United States. Persecution is underway.  The extent of which is unknown.  In many ways ministry will be fulfilled in an age increasingly hostile to you and the Savior that you proclaim.  We are not unique or alone.  Consider how John identifies himself as the author of Revelation.  He is your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus (Revelation 1:9).  He writes from Patmos where he had been exiled because of Jesus.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a book of immense comfort for Christians in an hostile age.  No matter what happens, Jesus wins.  His people prevail and we will be with Him forever.  Knowing how everything ends makes it easier to face today.  The Lord Jesus joined you into His death and resurrection in your baptism.  Your true life is now hidden with God in Christ. The Lord Jesus will transform your lowly body to be like His glorious body by the power that enables Him to subdue all things to Himself.  What is there to fear? Jesus, the Living One remains in the midst of His golden lampstands, the Church.  He is coming back.  Everyone will see Him.  When these things take place stand erect and look up for Jesus, your redemption draws near, Amen.