My cousin spoke of her good friend. Their husbands had been in the Navy and since they were doing similar jobs, twice they ended up on the same base. My cousin was to pick up her friend at the train station. Though it had been just a few years, her friend had changed so much that she was not recognized at first.
I thought of that tale when I was reading Revelation.
John, referred to as The Beloved Disciple, knew Jesus quite well. Jesus and the twelve walked together for three years, north, south, east and west. Crisscrossing Israel together. Taking their meals together. On board ships, along the shores, across the mountains, down in the valleys -- they walked, talked, listened and looked. John knew Christ.
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (Revelation 1:12-17)
I doubt that was the way John would have described Christ before. Any time before! The first time they met there was no hint of gold in his dress. Nowhere else in the Bible is His hair described as white. There was no description of His voice, though His words were described.
And John fell at His feet, as though dead. Talk about astonishment! But we know it would be the same for us. We'd be just as awestruck at the countenance that is as the sun shining in strength. The first -- and the last.
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; (Revelation 1:18-19)
Alive, dead, alive for evermore. The promise offered to us as God's children.
Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. (Luke 20:36)
How do we describe Christ to others? Do we see Him as a myth? A historical person? God's Son? Our Lord and Savior? Or, as He stated to John, the Almighty?
Come, speak with Him, learn of Him -
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: (Revelation 19:7a)
