What was to happen soon was to be shown to John, but he did not only see it, he also heard it. He was an eyewitness and ear-witness, a true Apostle.1 “I, John, I am the one, as you know, who saw and heard everything that Jesus did. I was the one who was with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration,2 and who stood at the foot of the cross,3 and was a witness to the empty tomb,4 and of His ascension.5 I am the one who was finally banished to the isle of Patmos because of Christ.6 And I am the one who at the request of Jesus on the cross looked after His mother Mary.7 I am the Apostle who heard and saw all these words and things.”
He is so impressed and overwhelmed by everything he has seen and heard that he falls down at the feet of the angel, just as he had fallen down at the feet of Jesus Himself.8 This is an almost natural reaction of a mortal person confronted in such a manner with things pertaining to eternity. This is also how he had reacted when he had heard about the ‘wedding supper of the Lamb’, the ‘true words of God’.9 This is now his reaction to the whole of the ‘Revelation of Jesus Christ’ as it was revealed to him.
“You are only a mortal being. You fall on your face, bowing down deeply in the dust. Who are you that you are permitted to see and hear all these things?” This should also be our reaction when reading the impressive Book of Revelation. This is the attitude of prayer and worship that John takes. 2 Chronicles 7:1 -3 records the reaction of the ‘children of Israel’ when the Shekinah Glory filled the Temple: “The priests could not enter the Temple of the Lord because the Glory of the Lord filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the Glory of the Lord above the Temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; His love endures forever.”
The Bible is not a puzzle book. Even less so the Book of Revelation. It is a book to be read prayerfully and reverently, causing awe and worship in one’s heart and mind. The Lord Jesus allowed John to see the future in order that he, John, will be able to lead and serve the flock, as well as to comfort them. When Moses had prayed to the Lord about his succession, because he understood that he would not be entering the Promised Land together with the people of Israel, Joshua was appointed as his successor. Then Moses prayed, “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd. So, the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.’”10
Likewise, Jesus takes John, and he really did stay until Jesus came.11 None of the other Apostles saw Him come in this way, as in this Glorious appearance, to lead the flock on behalf of Christ, to write down the things he had seen and heard on paper, for the flock of all ages and in every place on earth. John was not shown these things for the satisfaction of his own curiosity, but to serve others with these things. Likewise, we also do not receive insights into the prophetic word and into matters of faith to serve ourselves or for our own personal satisfaction, but in order to share them and make them public. We should publish them far and wide in written and in spoken form, in print and through the modern electronic means of communication out of a sense of ‘noblesse oblige’. In French, “noblesse oblige” means literally “nobility obligates, nobility brings with it obligations.” Of him or her to whom much is given, much will be asked. Of course, you may first ‘digest and enjoy’ them for yourself and be blessed by them yourself. But ‘noblesse oblige’. This is not knowledge without any obligation. Yes, these insights will transform and enrich your life and equip you to better serve others.
Daniel also falls down when he sees an angel of the Lord,12 as do Ezekiel,13 Manoah and his wife,14 and Joshua,15 who is the ‘first of the prophets’, for the Book of Joshua is the first book after the Torah—the five books of Moses—and therefore the first book of the prophets. The leper falls at Jesus’ feet likewise,16 as does the rich young ruler,17 and, mockingly, the Roman soldiers.18 No, we do not need to worship angels, but soon every knee will bow to Him in worship.19
• The ‘message’ must never be confused with ‘the messenger’. Impressed by the message, John wants to honour the messenger. That also happens sometimes with pastors, priests, ministers and spiritual leaders. Impressed by the message they bring, they are sometimes honoured and placed on a pedestal by the congregation. But they are human beings, just like anybody else. Yes, they may well be held in honour,20 but not slavishly followed. Leaders of sects require that. ‘Leaders’ must only be followed insofar as they themselves follow Christ.
• Paul says: “For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.21
• Christ is the Shepherd. ‘Leaders of the Church of Christ’ are like shepherd- dogs, protecting and leading the sheep on His behalf to green grass and fresh water.
Bible References:
1.1 John 1:1–3; Acts 1:21–22 2.Matthew 17:1–9 3.John 19:35 4.John 20:8 5.Acts 1:9 6.Revelation 1:9 7.John 19:27 8.Revelation 1:17 9.Revelation 19:9-10 10.Numbers 27:15–18 11.John 21:22 12.Daniel 10:9–11 13.Ezekiel 1:28b 14.Judges 13:20 15.Joshua 5:14 16.Mark 1:40 17.Mark 10:17 18.Mark 15:19 19.Philippians 2:10 20.Hebrews 13:7, 17; Philippians 2:29 21.1 Corinthians 10:33-11:1
