Locked Out!
Have you ever been locked out of somewhere? You need to get into your house but you forgot your keys. You need to start your car but you dropped your keys in the store. You need to get into the lockbox for an important documents but the keys are lost. Being locked out is frustrating!
How do you get in if you’ve been locked out? You needs the keys. That is what John offers in Revelation 1:9-20. John offers, what I will call, the “keys of courage.” In this book, the Apostle John “unlocks” the mysteries of the future—he offers us the key to hope. Revelation, as a book, offers hope precisely because we are told how history will end! Revelation fills our heart with courage as we contend for the faith here and now. Revelation challenges us to place our faith in the Sovereign Lamb of God, the Rider on the White Horse, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Recognize The Darkness
First, recognize the darkness. After his epistolary opening, John continues the unveiling:
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 1:9-10, ESV)
9-11 of chapter one serve as John’s commission to write the whole book. However, before looking forward, he reminds his readers of their present reality and his partnership in it. In short, he recognizes the darkness. He begins, pastorally, by reminding his readers that they are in this together. I am your “brother and partner.” What does this partnership entail? Notice three application points in the darkness: (1) The Tribulation (2) The Kingdom (3) The Endurance. All three are found in their union with Christ.
First, the Tribulation. This, of course, is an important and debated term in Revelation. What is it? How long is it? Who experiences it? When will it happen? The Greek word is Thlipsis. This is a common New Testament (NT) word for suffering, but it is often translated “tribulation.” In Revelation, this word often describes the “suffering and pressures experienced by believers.”[1]
Second, the Kingdom. What Kingdom is he referring to? This concept is interesting because we don’t expect to find tribulation and kingdom together. It’s possible this refers to the future end times kingdom, but I think it more likely is picking up the “already/not yet” aspects of the kingdom common in the NT. In other words, as you experience tribulations, remember the Kingdom of God is HERE … in power! But it is not yet fully here. The way we push back the darkness is our world is by exposing it to the Kingdom of LIGHT!
Finally, the Endurance. In the NT, this word regularly calls believers to perseverance in difficult times. If I could sum up John’s exhortation, “in this life, there will be trials, so patiently endure and never stop building the kingdom.” You may be begging Jesus to return. Recognize the darkness and push it back. Even to the point of exile. Even to the point of consequence.
Notice: “in Jesus” modifies all three words. Dr. Jim Hamilton captures it this way:
“Unlike the Roman Empire, which promised peace but delivered brutality and fear, the kingdom of God promises tribulation and delivers peace and confidence and eternal salvation to those who patiently endure. Jesus will bring hope and change.”[2]
For John, Patmos is the cost of telling the story. What does it say? He was on Patmos “on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” John had COURAGE.
Radiate The Light
Now we get into the vision:
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, (Revelation 1:12, ESV)
The trumpet has sounded; John regains his hearing, only to see GOLD LAMPSTANDS. What is this? This second section is full of Old Testament imagery. In Exodus, the lampstand in the tabernacle had seven lamps to shed light on the Holy Place. Zechariah the prophet had a lampstand in chapter 4 of his book. The Revelation lampstands, as we will see, are connected to the seven churches. It connects them to the Spirits power; if they go out it can indicate the church is not accomplishing God’s purposes in the world.
Jesus himself calls us to be SALT and LIGHT in the world (Matthew 5:16). Are we? How bright is your lampstand? If you light is diminished, it is possible you are missing the power and radiance of the one who walks among his lampstands.
Think about your current situations. When challenges come your way, do you only complain about the darkness … or do you see the radiate the light of Christ? Look past the tribulation to the triumph of our king. That is what Revelation will show us. But to radiate the light of Christ requires courage.
Rest In The Victory
Vv. 12-16 is a magnificent vision of Christ! Let me ask, if you met the Jesus in the vision, if you were John, how would you response? Let us look at v. 17:
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. (Revelation 1:17, ESV)
John is awestruck by what he has seen and so would we. This reaction, this vision, is why many people have a hard time with Revelation. The images are scary. You might be saying, “This dark world is terrifying. Pastor Bob, I am walking through some uncharted waters am I don’t know if I’ll make it. A terminal health diagnosis. The loss of a loved one. A child has wandered from the faith. I can’t afford to feed my family! You keep telling me that Courage … costs. I don’t have any courage! What I need … it’s a Jesus will sword in his mouth, I need a comforter!”
John falls at his feet in fear. How does Jesus respond?
But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not […] (Revelation 1:17b, ESV)
Fear … NOT! The fiery gaze of the Savior looks right through your soul and he says, “I see your fear … don’t fear! Trust me! The reason for this vision is to show you my power!” Do … Not … Be … Afraid! Courage! Notice, he extends his right hand to John. That is the hand of strength, which signals power and authority. Literally, Jesus gives his strength to John in difficult times.
Now … why should we not fear?
But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “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, ESV)
Friends, did you just hear that? “Don’t fear. I … have … the … KEYS!!!!” Of death. Of hades. I died and I rose again. Does Satan have the keys? No. JESUS HAS THE KEYS! That is powerful. The book of Revelation fascinates people precisely because of these terrifying images. But it also captures people because we want to know, “it’s going to be alright!” Right here, Jesus is letting us know that in the end it’s going to be okay.
Why does Jesus tell us not to fear?
He is FIRST and LAST. The phrase is repeatedly found in Scripture and it often conveys the power and uniqueness of God (Is. 44:6). Commentator Greg Beale says, “This phrase refers to the complete sovereignty of God over human history from beginning to end.”[3] He is on our side if we know him. We do not need to fear.
Additionally, He is ALIVE. He is not dead! After Jesus died and the disciples were overwhelmed with fear. The doors of their home was locked for fear the Jews would kills them. John records in his Gospel that Jesus appears to them. What was the first thing he said to them? “Peace be with you.” Don’t fear. It’s okay. Jesus goes one step further in v. 18.
He has the KEYS! He has the keys of Death and Hades. This is a significant image. It shows that he rules over death. I guarantee there is at least a few people in here who fear death today! You need to hear this: Jesus has faced death so you don’t have to! Rest in the Victory!
Three Questions
No matter you view, the point is this: in the end, Jesus wins! He holds the keys to the Kingdom (shake). We can have hope! His radiance should ignite our lampstand. Not matter your view, all roads lead to the New Heavens and New Earth with Jesus on his throne. So, as we close, I’m going to ask you to consider three questions during your time with the Lord. Use them to guide your prayers.
First, What’s My Darkness? Friends, we have to recognize the darkness, but our tribulations are not all the same. Take some time this week to actively bring your dark circumstances before the Lord as you plead for mercy.
Second, Where’s My Light? This question is meant to point us back to John’s vision of our great Prophet, Priest and King. Jesus, the Son of Man who will one day come on the clouds and make all things right. Until that time, he walks among the lampstands of the church to light the flame in our hearts.
Finally, Who’s Got The Keys? Church, never forget who has the keys! You know, sometimes we walk through life like Jesus doesn’t hold the keys to Death and Hades. Seriously. We walk around complaining of our circumstances. We walk around in fear like the sky is failing. Church, the sky only falls if Jesus commands it too. He is sovereign over all! And, as Revelation will show, he will come back to make it right.
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[1] Shreiner, Thomas. Revelation. (Baker Books: Grand Rapids) 2023. 95.
[2] Hamilton, Jim. Preaching the Word: Revelation. 43-44.
[3] Beale, G.K. A Shorter Commentary on Revelation (1:17).
