Scripture: Revelation 1:9-20

Synopsis: One way of describing Revelation’s message is that things are not as they appear.  John is living at a time when the Roman Empire is ruthlessly persecuting Christians (John is himself in exile for his faith).  More than that, the allures of worldliness, immorality, and idolatry were ever-present and seducing believers away from faithfulness to Christ.  It would have looked as though the church is vulnerable and frail amidst enormously threatening powers.  And so in this vision, God gives to John and to the church of all ages the medicine we need: a remarkable vision of Christ’s preeminent and eternal glory…so glorious, in fact, that even the man who once knew Jesus best fell over as dead at the sight of him.  Things are not as they appear.  Christ is in the midst of his church, and there is no doubt about his cosmic supremacy over all that threatens us.