After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day, he met over 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:5).
Although these encounters had an encouraging character, nothing earth-shattering happened. Jesus’ disciples went their own way again.
Jesus sent all the disciples back to Jerusalem.
The expectation of the disciples was great that Jesus would now set up the kingdom. But Jesus did not want to set a time for this and promised them divine power through the Holy Spirit, who would lead them into the whole world (Acts 1:6-8).
As Jesus ascended into heaven before their eyes on the Mount of Olives and disappeared from their sight through a cloud, Jesus opened a new chapter.
Jesus finished his first commission on earth. He went bodily to a real otherworldly place where he promised to prepare place to live for his followers (John 14:2).
He is now seated at the right hand of the heavenly Father (Mark 16:19 / Acts 7:56).
From there he will come again to set up God’s kingdom visibly.
Jesus taught his disciples that there is a real transcendent world and has now entered it. God’s presence is experienced anew through the Holy Spirit.
The followers of Jesus live in the expectation of being accepted into this other world. They look forward to the return of Jesus when he will set up his kingdom in glory.
Perhaps the Ascension Day has become a symbol that we too want to go to another world in prayer and then come back with new eyes.
The Jesus Movement of Smyrna is materially poor, but they have discovered the riches of faith (Revelation 2:9) even as they are persecuted.
In Smyrna was a Jewish community that made life difficult for the people of Jesus (Revelation 2:9). Paul also made life difficult for the followers of Jesus at the beginning and was later attacked himself.
The Jews of the synagogue in Smyrna were supposed to be serving God, but their behaviour played into the hand of the enemy. Likewise, people can call themselves Christians, but their actions is rebellion against God.
Imprisonment and death are reported as common. Because Christ himself was dead and came to life again (Revelation 2:8), the first death loses its fear.
People who suffer for the faith and are willing to die for it, are among the victors who receive the laurel wreath. This doesn’t just mean the first to reach the finish line, but all those who hold on to their faith and are willing to trust in God in everything.
In the face of the divine Jesus, John gives up all his own strength. “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead” (Revelation 1:17).
Some people think that once they meet God, they will ask him many questions. I see here and also in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:28) that whoever encounters God or Jesus says nothing more.
But those who stand to Jesus meet Jesus as friend. Jesus said in Luke 12:8, “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God“.
The encouragement to John is: “Fear not … I have the keys of Death and Hades” (Revelation 1:17). Jesus has all authority and the keys. Jesus decides.
In Matthew 7:23 Jesus himself says to godly people, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness”. The key question is not whether we know Jesus, but whether He knows us. Do we open ourselves to Jesus? He knows us when we reveal ourselves to him and talk to him. It starts in the here and now.
Jesus is the key person of revelation. He reveals what will happen to the called-out ones so that they don’t get worried. They should know: Jesus has everything in his hand. He wants to save people from their own destruction and invite them to repent. In addition, he lets them see how little they have in their own hands.
For believers, the book of Revelation is a book of comfort. They are walking towards an accomplished Jesus.
In describing Jesus (Revelation 1:14-16), John seems to be struggling for words.
I find the image of the resurrection of Jesus on the Isenheim Altar very appropriate. The face of Jesus shines like the sun.
This is how I imagine how John saw Jesus. For his face shines like the sun (Revelation 1:16). So it is obvious that John is blinded and does not see everything clearly.
The statement is: The bruised Jesus is now a majestic appearance. The symbol of beauty and perfection. I don’t know if we would have chosen the same words. But the picture that John had of the crucifixion and what he now saw was like day and night.
The two-edged sword in the mouth of Jesus does not fit into the picture. But Simeon already said about Jesus in Luke 2:34-35: “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
With our reaction to the words of Jesus we judge ourselves.
In his introduction to Revelation, John focuses on the central person of the book.
Jesus is the divine person visible to us.
He is the origin and source of all things and will bring everything to completion.
Jesus’ characteristic is that he loves us. “Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (Revelation 1:5).
He is the high priestly king for his churches and leads us back to our destiny. As priests (Revelation 1:6) and representatives of God, we be present to serve and encourage one another.
Nicodemus is the perfect believer. Jesus said to him, “Unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
At first it seems promising that a representative of the Jewish elite would seek out Jesus, address him as a teacher, and acknowledge his miracles.
Jesus addressed Nicodemus on the central point of their different views: It is the personal focus and love for the God-sent Son of Man and Son of God with which eternal life begins and not through belonging to a group. It takes a spiritual beginning (born from above).
It’s like the serpent in the desert at the exodus from Egypt. All those who consciously turn to Jesus are no longer part to the deadly poison of rebellion against God.
Moses showed the consequences of our decisions in his last speech in Deuteronomy.
Moses says in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, “Choose life, that you may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life.”
The possibility of choosing between life and death goes like a red line through the Bible. It begins in the Garden of Eden with the two trees. Jesus speaks of eternal life and perdition. And in Revelation, humanity reaps the consequences of their choices.
In short, those who love God will live, those who oppose him will perish. God has mercy on those who turn back.
Deuteronomy 30:2 If you return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, … 6 so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Joy has its roots in distressing experiences.
Fruits come from rain and sun.
Without suffering we would not understand the perfect.
Suffering pushes us to the limit of understanding and leads into the world of trust.
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:4-6).
Joy in the success of your neighbour, the secret of divine humility and unity.
“But God has so composed the body, giving greater honour to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26).
Saturday, January 14 – Impulse 7 for the Allianz Week of Joy