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)
I've had to delete a comment from BK because it linked to an advertisement. Sorry, I do not wish to advertise -- for me or for anyone else. A Google for "The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" will take you to the link BK left in his original comment if you wish to pursue his question.
ReplyDeleteHere are some of the comments BK left: "Sadly there is often little willingness to submit to the word of God and to much willingness among those who claim the name 'Christian' to turn-a-blind-eye to the Biblical admonition 'prove all things' when then text of scripture happens to disprove some tradition of men that they choose to follow. Consider, for example, the statement you made: 'John, referred to as The Beloved Disciple'. This unbiblical tradition is proven false by the plain text of scripture but many will nonetheless continue to promote this idea."
"The truth is there is not a single verse in scripture that would justify teaching the idea that John was the unnamed 'other disciple whom Jesus loved' and yet most simply assume that this man-made tradition cannot be wrong and then interpret scripture to fit this idea. In order to sell this unbiblical idea it is claimed that John is referred to in the five passages that in fact never mention him but that rather talk only about the anonymous one whom 'Jesus loved' -- but this is easily shown to be the logical fallacy called circular reasoning. This idea comes from NON-Bible sources and is imposed upon the text, when the text says nothing of the kind. In fact we see a stark contrast between the BEHAVIOR of John who repeatedly identifies himself by name in the Book of Revelation and the BEHAVIOR of the unnamed 'other disciple, whom Jesus loved' who went to great lengths to conceal his identity in the fourth gospel."
There are many questions left unanswered by the Bible. BK is correct to state we should not go beyond scripture in our doctrine. I do stand by my typed statement "John, referred to as The Beloved Disciple" for John has thus been referred by secular writers for centuries. BK is correct that the fourth gospel's author is not identified within that book. As is true with many others.