Awestruck!

Introduction

There just isn’t much that overwhelms us anymore. We have access to images that a generation ago were unavailable and two generations ago were unthinkable. The result is that something really has to affect us emotionally for it to be validated. Life is ho-hum unless there is some special effects. Computer-generated images are far more entertaining than the real thing. The chase scene from Star Wars is head and shoulders above car chase scenes of the 1970s and the western chase scenes of Roy Rogers of the 1950s. The result—nothing much overwhelms us anymore. Even God.

As the old saying of just a few years ago goes: been there, did it, moving on. Such is life. We go from one event to the next. We may be overstimulated but we aren’t overwhelmed. We may have more to see, but we have less enthusiasm. So the criteria for something that is meaningful is how does it hit me. Does this event or sight trigger some emotional chord in me and thus it becomes worthy of my attention? As a result, we expect things to make us feel good to be real. It happens at the movies and it happens in a church building. Just pay attention to our own responses to an assembly. What makes it a good assembly? If we sing the songs I like, a sermon that hits me, getting out on time. Do you notice how selfishly motivated those reasons are for what constitutes a good assembly?

What is our assembly about? If our motives are selfishly generated, then we will most often be disappointed. “It is boring” will be our response. But if our desire is to see God; if our desire is to be astonished at the glory of God; if our desire is to be transformed by God; if our desire is to leave with the comment, “what a great God,” then our assembly can indeed be a time of reflection and interaction with each other and with the God who calls us together. There isn’t much that overwhelms us anymore. But to yawn in the presence of God says something about us, not our creator. If you came to punch the clock, you have your reward. If you came to be seen, you have succeeded. If you came to be entertained, you won’t get your money’s worth. But if you came to be astonished by God; to be impressed by God; to participate so that you can be near to God, then you may well receive what you came for. As we study today, may we turn our eyes to Jesus and see him.

John’s Vision

John is on the tiny island of Patmos. He is there because of the word of God. He is there because he is a believer. Tradition says he was exiled there; removed from friends and supporters. He is suffering. Like those to whom he is writing, he shares in the same type of suffering. Persecution is real. But persecution cannot keep John from being with God. According to verse 10, it is Sunday. John is in the Spirit. He is worshiping. He is spending time praying, contemplating, maybe singing. But he is concentrating on God and is intent on being with God on the Lord’s Day.

Behind him comes a sound like a trumpet, but it isn’t a trumpet. But it is loud. The voice breaks the moment. It tells him to write to these seven churches. He is to write to them what he sees. That is extremely difficult. To write what you see not what one hears is a tough assignment. Verse 12 is interesting. He turned to see the voice. Of course, we understand that he is turning to see who possesses the voice or where the voice is coming from. And when he turns he sees something that he tries to write down for us, but it is really indescribable. Albrecht Durer tried to capture it in a drawing, but it really isn’t adequate.

We aren’t told who possesses the voice until verses 17–18. But is there any doubt? John sees Jesus. Think about that for just a moment. This is the apostle John. He walked with Jesus, he talked with Jesus, he ate with Jesus, he watched Jesus die, he saw the resurrected Jesus. But this is a Jesus he has never before seen. This is a Jesus in a splendor that his eyes have never experienced. Even the transfiguration scene did not reveal this Jesus. And John’s response is natural. Afraid, he falls to his face. Motionless on the ground he remains at the feet of Jesus. And he would have remained that way if Jesus had not lifted him to his feet.

At this point many want us to dissect the image. Many want to discover what is the symbolism behind each item in this vision. John, however, does not tell us what the symbols mean and we must be careful to attach significance to items when the Bible doesn’t. What we can say for sure is that this image of Jesus is similar to images depicted in Daniel 7 and 10. Both of these images in Daniel have to do with God. And so this image in Revelation about Jesus demonstrates his equality with God. But the point of the vision is not the symbolism. The point is that John in his suffering is not alone and not only must John know this but so must the Christians who will receive this letter. Jesus has not left them alone either.

John falls to his face. This is often the response of people who have come into the presence of God. Moses at the burning bush; Ezekiel in his ministry; Isaiah and his temple vision, and now John joins the company of people who fall on their face before God because they are overwhelmed. Because what they see takes away their strength. And we come today in full strength waiting for someone to “wow” us with words and songs and prayers and we have not come prepared to meet God. Revelation is about worship. Everything and everybody worships in the book of Revelation. Only the Holy Trinity and the Evil Trinity do not worship. Some worship the wrong things, but all worship. And John begins this letter reminding these early readers that his vision took all his strength. He bowed before the one who is far superior—Jesus who is the Christ.

Application

So what does this mean? Look at verses 17 and 18. Jesus says about himself that he is the first and the last. He is from the beginning to the end. He is eternal. He also says that he was once dead but now he lives forever and ever. He holds the keys of death and Hades. Here is what it means for us. The day will come when we will be overwhelmed. It will be the time of our death. And at that time it will matter for eternity who holds the keys of death. Death is our enemy according to Hebrews 2:14–15. It is the work of Satan. But if our faith is in the Ancient of Days; the Christ, he unlocks the hold of death and judgment.

There isn’t much that overwhelms us. We are unreactive to most things. But what if you had seen this vision? Would that overwhelm you? The day will come when we will be overwhelmed. It may be at our death. It may be at the judgment. If we have not bowed to the Christ before that day, we will. And on that day we will be overwhelmed. But the keys of death will not be used to release us. Will you not today bow and give yourself to Christ?

In the children’s book The Wind in the Willows, Mole and Rat experience this mystery that both terrifies and fascinates them when they are confronted with an august Presence:

Then suddenly the Mole felt a great Awe fall upon him, an awe that turned his muscles to water, bowed his head, and rooted his feet to the ground. It was no panic terror—indeed he felt wonderfully at peace and happy—but it was an awe that smote and held him and, without seeing, he knew it could only mean that some august Presence was very, very near. With difficulty he turned to look for his friend, and saw him at his side cowed, stricken, and trembling violently. And still there was utter silence in the populous bird-haunted branches around them; and still the light grew and grew…

“Rat!” he found breath to whisper, shaking. “Are you afraid?”

“Afraid?” murmured the Rat, his eyes shining with unutterable love. “Afraid! Of HIM? O, never, never! And yet—and yet—O, Mole, I am afraid!”

Then the two animals, crouching to the earth, bowed their heads and did worship.

John lay face down, but Jesus stretched out his right hand bringing comfort and reassurance. And then the Christ gave him work to do. Like John, it isn’t until we have fallen at the feet of Jesus that we can be given a service to perform; a work to do. We are God’s light in this world. He is calling us to worship and to serve. Without being overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus, one will not serve with faithfulness and love. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Come to him today.

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