We have been working through a series on the book of Revelation. This book of the Bible can be difficult to understand for a variety of reasons, so we are taking it slow and studying it bit by bit together.

As we continue through the book of Revelation, in Chapter 1, verse 12, John turns around to see who was speaking to him and it was none other than Jesus. We see the risen Jesus through the eyes of John. Jesus does not look like the Shepherd Who came to earth. When Jesus was on earth, He was both God and the Son of Man. This title means that He had a human body. How do we know this? Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary, who was human (Matthew 1:20 – 1:21). Also, John saw Jesus tired, hungry, weep, and even die on the cross. In Revelation, Jesus shows John Who He is in heaven, John sees Him in all His glory.

In verse 12, John writes, “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴ The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶ In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.”

We will study the seven lampstands and the seven stars in future posts. Today, let’s focus on the risen Jesus. When John saw Him, he fell at Jesus’ feet as if dead. This is a disciple that rested his head on Jesus at the Last Supper (John 13:23). John is referred to as the disciple that Jesus loved, he was invited into private moments and miracles while Jesus was on earth. John was in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33), he was there when Jesus raised the dead girl to life (Luke 8:51), and during the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1). John knew and loved Jesus when He walked the earth and now one look at Jesus and John falls as if dead.

If John is so blown away by the Man he walked with for years, how much more should we honor and humble ourselves before Jesus, the Son of God, who sacrificed everything for our salvation? Reflecting on the incredible love and grace He freely offers, it becomes essential to approach our time in prayer with profound reverence. How might your prayer time look different if you truly thought about the risen Jesus that you are praying to, envisioning His power, His compassion, and the intimate relationship He desires with each of us? Imagining speaking directly to the One who overcame death can transform our prayers into heartfelt conversations, filled with deep gratitude and awe, urging us to seek His guidance and presence in every aspect of our lives.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the wisdom that we have in the Bible. Lord, help us to apply Your Word in our everyday lives. Lord, help us to study Revelation and give us understanding. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.