Fear Not

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:  (18)  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. - Revelation 1:12-18

When John saw the glorified Christ, he fell at His feet as dead. It was too much, Christ was too glorious. The same John that was so near to Jesus at the Lord's Supper fell as dead at the sight of the Christ, wearing the garments of the Royal High Priest, who intercedes for us. Pause a moment and think about that. Consider the glory of Christ. The power, the majesty, the glory. And He is the one who intercedes. This Christ stooped down to where we are and shed His blood for us and now comes to us and says "fear not". Shinning brightness as the sun. White in holiness and majesty. Piercing eyes that can see into the furthest reaches of our soul. The omnipotent judgment the King of King's. It was too much for John.

It is this Christ who is in the midst of His churches, who holds His messengers in His hands. It this Christ who come to adore and honor and worship on the Lord's day. It is this Christ who is the center and the head of the church. If only we would hear and see. This epistle was given to the churches. If only we could realize who walks among us. This is the Head of the church. If only men who stood behind the pulpit could remember it is this Lord's Word that we handle. It is HIS message, not ours. It is this Christ whom we all must give an account, and how it should shake us to our very core that we stand up and tell people "thus saith the Lord." 

But Christ came to John and said "fear not." Don't be afraid John. You fall as dead, but I am He that died and lives for ever more. You need not fear me, for I rose again. Jesus touched John with that right hand of power. The right hand of honor. The right hand of blessing and inheritance. Even the right hand of fellowship. How can this be? For this same Christ stooped down to us, saved us, and ever lives to make intercession for us.

May God's churches remember this truth in God's house. May God's people remember this truth in seasons of doubt and despair. May we see, with eyes of faith, the glorious Christ who says to us "fear not.