Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10: I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11: Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12: And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13: And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14: His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15: And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16: And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17: And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19: Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20: The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. 

Introduction

How many of you got in trouble for doing the right thing? Have you had a situation where you were punished or mistreated for doing what is right? You were avoided by your peers for being a Christian. You lost your friends because you quit drinking. You lost your job because you refuse to manipulate the numbers. You did not get the promotion you deserved because you would not take advantage of another. 

In our text we see a classic example of an individual who suffered for doing the right thing. I am speaking of the apostle John, who refers to Himself in this book as a “brother, and companion in tribulation.” John was banished in the isle of Patmos because of his faithfulness to the Word of God and to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But this time of exile for John was owned and blessed of God and gave John a glorious vision of Christ. While in exile, John had a direct vision of exalted Christ. In this vision John was given the privilege to see the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ. He was also given the privilege to see Christ amidst the Church, as the Prophet, Priest, and King. He saw Him walking among His churches for the purposes of reconciling, interceding, sanctifying, guiding, protecting, and shining. John had never encountered Jesus like this before and this morning, I invite you to look at the response of John to the revelation of Christ’s glory and majesty and His eternal purposes and plans for the Church.

John’s Response to the Revelation of the Person and Purposes of Christ

Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:  

As soon as John saw Jesus in all His glory and majesty, all John can do is fall on his face in worship. Really, this is the only proper response. He is face to face with the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the Sovereign King, Ruler and Judge of all creation and all eternity.

Remember this is the same John who has identified himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. This is the same the apostle John who had spent at least three years of his life in the presence of Jesus. Being an apostle, he traveled with Jesus throughout the Saviour’s earthly ministry. As they traveled he heard Christ preached and taught doctrines with authority and power. In many occasions, he had witnessed Christ performed many miracles. He was there in Cana when Christ turned water into wine. He was there when Jesus healed the lame and gave sight to the blind. He was there when Jesus performed the miracle of great catch of fish. He was there when Jesus walked on water. He was there when Jesus calmed the sea. He was there when Jesus fed the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fishes. He was there when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. He was there on the Mount of Transfiguration and given a glimpse of the blinding brightness of the glory of Christ. John is not just a disciple in name. He was not an outsider. He was actually one of the inner circles along with Peter and James. John was a man with a very close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and because of that close relationship he had many tremendous experiences with the Lord.

But as Jesus gave him a greater revelation of His glory and majesty, John fell at Jesus’ feet as dead man. The sight of Christ was so overwhelming to John that he was not able to stand. This is John’s spontaneuos response to the greatness of Jesus Christ – He falls at His feet as though he was dead. What does this falling at Jesus feet tell us about John’s response?

1. John Responded in Humility 

A true sight of Christ produces humility. John’s response to the new and fresh sight of Christ is humility. He immediately realized as he looks upon the Lord that Christ is everything, but he is nothing. He saw his own unworthiness. A true sight of the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ and understanding of person and the purposes Christ is a very humbling experience. 

When we see the Lord, there is no room for selfish pride. What are we to be proud of? There is really nothing that we can to boast about in this life. Nothing. Because ultimately every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights. And a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. And then don’t forget the fact that we all have sinned against the Lord. We are unworthy of Him. We do not deserve Him, and His salvation and we can certainly add nothing to Him and to His salvation. Even our best efforts are stained with failure and we have no reason to be proud. Again even f we are serving Him faithfully, Luke says in Luke 17:10, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” So, when you meet a person who thinks the world revolves around him, that person is not seeing the Lord as he should.     

If you and I understand grace and if we take time to deeply think about Christ and gaze upon the Lord of glory, it’s a humbling thing.

2. John Responded in Fear 

John fell to the ground afraid. How do we know that? Because in verse 17 we read our Lord’s word to John, “Fear not; I am the first and the last.” John was filled with fear at the sight of Christ. What was it that filled John with fear when he saw the Lord? I believe upon seeing Christ and His glory he became painfully aware of Christ’s holiness and his own sinfulness. 

Doesn’t this remind us of Isaiah’s response when he saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple and when he heard the angelic being before the throne crying, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory? What was Isaiah’s response? 

Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 

Every time that someone is privileged to see even a glimpse of the glory of God, their response is fear. When God reveals a vision of Himself to Daniel, Daniel lost all strength and fell with his face to the ground. When Ezekiel is exposed to the glory of God and he falls on his face. When Paul meets Jesus on the road to Damascus, he also falls to the ground.

The consistent response of those who saw even just a glimpse of His glory is that of fear. Yet, how careless many are today in their attitude toward Jesus Christ, the Creator of the Universe.

Tony Garland wrote …

“We, who dare not even touch a 60-watt light bulb without wearing protective gloves, often treat Him (God) as our “Genie on call.” We don’t have the slightest notion or appreciation of His holiness, even daring to think that worship is about pleasing us—expressing our dislike if the music is not to our taste or we are unable to drink coffee during the “worship service.” How much we are in need of a glimpse of His glory that we might have a Scriptural fear of the Lord! A lack of fear for God is the characteristic of His enemies (Ps. 36:1; Jer. 2:19; 5:24; Rom. 3:18) and “fear” is one of His titles (Gen. 31:42, 53).” 

3. John Responded in Submission

One who bows before God conveys an attitude of submission. Falling down before Christ provides a physical picture of submission to Christ’s authority and sovereignty. This is what we see all throughout the book of Revelation. 

Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 

Revelation 19:4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 5: And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

Falling down before the God is an outward expression of complete submission of an inferior being to a Superior Being. It is a beautiful illustration of a humble submission to God’s will, His word, His plan, His providence. When we see Christ as we should the response from our hearts would be “I surrender all”. 

The sight of Christ overwhelmed John. When was the last time you were overwhelmed with Christ, so overwhelmed that you responded in humility, fear, and submission and surrender? This is the unrehearsed response of all who have been privileged to see the glory of the Lord. Only a true sight of Christ’s glory and majesty will produce humility, fear, and submission.  

Closing Exhortations 

What John saw while exiled in the isle of Patmos is accurately recorded in the Scripture and is now revealed to us. The question is, does this great portrait of Jesus affect you? How are you responding to this revelation of Jesus?

There are many today who still refuse to humble themselves and bow down before Jesus Christ. They have made their minds not to submit to Jesus Christ and His gospel message and as a result they have not received forgiveness and salvation. 

When John heard the loud piercing voice of Jesus he turned around and what he saw affected him as never before. 

Exhortation to those who are lost: Do you hear the voice of Jesus calling you for salvation? Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. Come and to Jesus and be saved. 

Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2: Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3: Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Exhortation to those who are saved: 

Do you hear the voice of Jesus calling you for deeper love, devotion and commitment to Him? Do you hear the voice of Jesus calling you for faithful service to our Lord? Is God speaking to you about being more active in His service and in the house of God? Is He perhaps speaking to you about coming to Sunday School, or to be baptized, or to sing in the choir, to come to Saturday visitation/soul winning? Whatever the Lord is calling you, today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. Come to Jesus and commit your life for greater service. He deserves it!

Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

AMEN!