This strong and faithful Jesus is our brother, and loves us (1:5)
Indeed he loves us so much that he pours out his blood to liberate us (1:5)
and make us "a kingdom of priests" (1:6). He has "glory and power for
ever and ever" (1:6). At the end of time, he will come back on the cloud
and all will see him and repent - even those who nailed him to the
cross (1:7).
All this John thinks about and hopes from the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit. The initial greeting is a short summary of the entire Good
News of the Book of Revelation.
The beginning of the Book: the vision of Jesus (1:9-20)
Revelation was born of a vision in which John saw Jesus. John remembers
even the day and the place. It was a Sunday, "the day of the Lord"
(1:10) on the island of Patmos (1:9). Jesus appeared to John and told him:
"Write down in a book all that you see and send it to the seven
Churches" (1:11). At the end of the vision, Jesus repeats the same order
(1:19). This was an important vision. It is important, therefore, to study
it more closely.
- A key to understand the vision better
A vision is like a dream; it cannot be understood literally, word for
word. Besides, this would be impossible. How is one to understand
phrases such as "feet like burnished bronze" (1:15), "face like the sun"
(1:16), "sword coming out from the mouth" (1:16) John is an artist rather
than a technician, a poet rather than a reporter. His vision is the
expression of an inexpressible experience. John must have had a deep
experience of the power, love and holiness of Jesus; and, by means of
images, he tries to convey to others his own personal experience. He uses
well-known images which ordinary people would be likely to grasp. In fact,
the people may not have been able to grasp all the details but guessed
at the meaning of the whole for they had the same faith in Jesus
Christ.
Conclusion: Study is not enough to understand the visions. One must
have the same faith and the same experience of God and of Jesus. The
visions are a real challenge to us.
- Some hints to understand the details of this vision better
The seven lamp-stands (1:12) are the seven communities (1:20). The Son
of man (1:13) is Jesus, the Messiah. The long robe (1:13) is the sign
of his priesthood. The belt of gold (1:13) reminds us that he is king.
The white hair (1:14) suggests his eternity. The eyes like a burning
flame (1:14) indicates his divine knowledge. The feet like burnished
bronze (1:15) are signs of stability and strength. His voice like the sound
of the ocean (1:15) reveals his majesty and power. The seven stars in
his hand (1:16) are the seven coordinators, or the protecting angels, of
the communities. The sword which comes out of his mouth (1:16) is his
Word which has the Power of God. His face like the sun (1:16) suggests
his authority. At the sight of Jesus, John falls at his feet, as though
dead (1:17): this gesture reflects the situation of the communities,
afraid of persecution and of death.
At this moment of the vision, Jesus begins to act. He places his right
hand on John (1:17) and says: "Do not be afraid: it is I, the First and
the Last; I am the Living One. I was dead and look, I am alive for ever
and ever, and I hold the keys of death" (1:17-18). This gesture and
this word of Jesus express much more than all I have explained before.
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