◄ What Does Revelation 1:12 Mean? ►

The book of Revelation describes, in detail, the events of the future time of Great Tribulation which is coming upon the whole earth, following the Rapture of the Church but preceding Christ Second Coming, when He returns with power and great glory to set up His eternal kingdom. This is the start of His 1000-year reign on earth before fashioning a new heaven and new earth, for His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and His truth endures forever and ever.

Revelation describes a literal future time of great trouble for the people of Israel, when the wrath of God is poured out on a God-hating, Christ-rejecting, sinful world which takes place just before we, as Church-age believers, return with Him from our heavenly home to rule and reign in His eternal kingdom. John uses some very descriptive metaphors and symbolism to foretell this astonishing time, and although there are as many unscriptural interpretations of its meaning and imagery, Revelation is often its own best interpreter, having its roots sunk deep in Old Testament symbolism and prophecy, which further clarifies its content.

John is entrusted with an unfolding revelation of the glorified Lord Jesus Christ which is written for our learning, reminding us to be ready for His any day return and encouraging us to take careful note of all that is written within the God-breathed Scriptures, for John tells us Jesus is coming soon, and His reward is with Him.

Having heard a loud trumpet blast, John turned to see a shining vision of the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus, dressed in judicial robes in preparation for the judgements that are soon to be carried out. This glorious vision of the Son of Man shows Him standing in the midst of seven candlesticks, representing of the full Body of Christ; the Christian Church which He Himself is building today.

As members of His Body, our mission during this Church dispensation is to reflect the light of His love and proclaim Christ: crucified, risen, ascended, and glorified. The candlesticks have no light of their own and should never seek to bring glory to themselves, but individually and corporately, we are to reflect the light of the Lord Jesus, the Light of the world Who lights every man that comes into the world.

We are not here to draw attention to ourselves or to publicise our own ministries or work, but to glorify Christ and to let Him be seen in each one of us. He must increase and we must decrease as we die to self and to live for Him so that the world may know that Jesus Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, in Whom are the words of eternal life.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the truths it contains. Thank You that I am part of Your Body and am privileged to be an ambassador on earth. May I reflect the light of Your love and truth to others in all I say and do. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.