7 th “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right
hand on me saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last; and the Living One
and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of
death and of Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Those that saw him saw the glory
as of the only begotten of the Father, who was full of grace and truth. What they
did not see during the days of his flesh was the glory he was to receive after he
died and rose again. Before he left the upper room for Gethsemane he prayed,
“And now Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory I had with Thee before the world was.” John 17:5
That glory was not received while Jesus remained among us, even after he was raised from the dead. There is no indication in scripture, that any of those chosen to see him after his resurrection, ever fell at his feet as one dead. (Acts 10:40-41)
John saw the glorified Jesus, and fell at his feet as one dead. If we had seen the vision of Jesus that John saw, we would have fallen down likewise. Jesus' touch restored John to his feet. He makes us to stand as well, in spite of our sins.
“I am the first and the last, “
From the extremes of eternity, there is nothing beyond Jesus, in the beginning with God.
“and the Living One,”
It is tragic that some of us were taught that with the writing about him, Jesus
stopped exercising his power of Life. He gives his healing power of Life more now than in the days of his flesh. (John 14:12) Because he is the Living One,
he gives his life to whomever, whenever he pleases. We receive his life again and again as we acknowledge our need of it.
“I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore.”
In referring back to his death, Jesus shows the importance of history.
What occurred in the past has shaped the present.
The concept of judgment rests upon history. Jesus died because of our trespasses. That fact of history is the only basis upon which we are now forgiven.
Father we come to eat the bread that represents the flesh of your son
who was humiliated because of our sins.
Empty us of all our pride and self-righteousness.
Pierce our hearts with a vision of him now.
“I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore.”
The sinless life could not remain among the dead. His resurrection is our future.
Paul declared that what is seen is temporary, what is unseen is eternal.
Here our faith is tested. The gospel declares there is eternal life in his blood.
It is a simple, humbling faith . The Lord is Risen, O Lord Come.
Father forgive our unbelief, that shapes so many moments of our lives.
Restore his sinless Life in us again as we drink.
He was dead, but is alive for evermore.