A Pastor’s Perspective

“The Right Response” by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen         

Listen to CALVARY RADIO 90.3 FM                                           (mjhill@ida.net)                     

            Wobbly legs and a weak stomach were my immediate reaction.  We went to California last week to visit my in-laws and enjoy some R&R as a family.  One day, Knott’s Berry Farm, an amusement park in Buena Park, beckoned us to tarry awhile.  As I stood there gawking at the roller coaster called “Montezooma’s Revenge” jettisoning up to 55 mph in a few seconds, and then barreling upside-down through a loop, the words, “Let’s go on that one!” slipped out of my mouth.  What was I thinking?  My hopes of the ride breaking down while waiting in line were dashed because I was next.  No turning back now.  As I sat there, it seemed like everything went into slow motion.  The staff worker who pulled the switch to catapult the ride appeared to be moving at a snail’s pace as she made her way back to the control board.  When the ride was over, my legs felt like rubber and nausea became my constant companion for the next hour.  I suppose that’s the appropriate response after such a ride.  “Let’s go again!” was not something my family heard me say. 

            John the Apostle’s knees became instantly weak as he buckled under the weight of Christ’s glory and face-planted before Him (Revelation 1:17).  Right response.  Describing Himself as the stone in Psalm 118:22, Jesus said, “Whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder” (Matthew 21:44).  We can be broken in humble surrender before the Lord or be completely pulverized in judgment.  John opted for the former.  What elicited such a response from John?  While banished on the island of Patmos for his faith in Jesus, John described, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,’ and, ‘What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea’” (Revelation 1:10-11).  When John turned toward the voice, he was blown away by what he saw.  He encountered seven brilliant, golden lampstands, which we soon discover represent the seven groups of believers, that is, churches, spread throughout the seven cities mentioned in verse 11 (See also Revelation 1:20.).  What really captivated John’s attention was the risen and glorified Christ in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.  The phrase “Son of Man” is actually a Messianic title as the description in Revelation 1:13-16 links with Daniel 7:13-14.  Slowly read Revelation 1.  This description of Jesus is quite different than the pictures that attempt to depict Him, isn’t it?  Besides, I do not believe any of the pictures are even close to what Jesus looked like prior to His death since Scripture indicates that “there was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance, nothing to attract us to Him” (Isaiah 53:2b NLT).

            In response to seeing the glorified Christ, John rightly worshiped the risen King, similar to Isaiah’s and Thomas’ response (Isaiah 6:1-8; John 20:28).  Jesus then unlocked the mystery of what he witnessed.  Jesus seems to enjoy telling submissive people His secrets (Matthew 13:9-11).  Jesus informed John that the seven stars which were in His right hand represent the seven angels of the seven churches  and the seven lampstands represent the seven churches (Revelation 1:20).  Jesus also provided the key to understanding the book of Revelation.  In verse 19, He outlined the book in three sections:  the things which you have seen (chapter 1), the things which are (chapters 2-3), and the things which will take place after this (chapters 4-22).  John’s response to Jesus is humble surrender.  What is your response?

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2Cor. 3:18)