Resilient – A Revelation Daily Devotional – Day 5
Day 5 – August 1
Read or listen to the audio version of the Bible Reading and Daily Devotional.
Read: Revelation 1:17-20
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
John’s response to this first vision is awesome and relatable. He “falls over as dead.” The qualifier of how he falls reveals that this is not merely an act of laying prostrate before the Lord in worship, but rather a near fainting experience at the majesty that has just been revealed. The Bible is riddled with accounts of those who, upon getting a glimpse of God in his glory, were shaken, to say the least.
As awesome as John’s response is, the response of Jesus to the now fallen disciple is even more wondrous. There is no, “Get up; we have things to talk about.” Instead, like we see so many times in Jesus’s ministry, he reaches out and touches John. There is something comforting about physical touch, especially when fear seems to grip every corner of life. There is even more to be considered here than merely the touch.
The right hand that Jesus uses, recalling yesterday’s passage, is the same hand that holds the seven stars, which symbolize His divine protection and provision for the churches addressed in this letter. There is no reference that Jesus must put these down before consoling His disciple. Rather, the comfort that comes through Christ, He is able to give without ever relinquishing any of His other power and position. He holds everything together, and in the midst of that daunting task, He holds every individual hair on our head and knows the innermost workings of our spirit. All this without ever feeling fatigued.
The comfort reaches deeper levels as Christ references death and Hades. These are common enemies that are imminent for all humanity. There is no escaping death, and no human logic, reason, or knowledge has come up with a remedy to this issue that provides suitable comfort. Christ has defeated death by taking the foe on directly. He died and was resurrected, and invites the seven churches, as well as us, to trust His protection and provision even when facing this most daunting of enemies.
It is easy to find oneself in the same position as John when considering the character and work of Christ. His perfection contrasted with human depravity can lead one to feel hopeless and in need of laying down for a bit. However, this is not the message of the Gospel. Instead, we are strengthened by considering that God’s right hand reached for us in our depravity to comfort and call us to stand. Death is no longer a formidable foe, but a conquered enemy. Our biggest enemy, now an issue already solved, provides freedom for us to live confidently in all circumstances. God, help us lean in to that truth and live lives that reflect the Gospel.
Pray: God give me a boldness to pursue holiness and live a mission drive life as I remember that you have already conquered all that I have to fear.