"In The Spirit On The Lord's Day"

by George Prasher, Manchester, England | Category: The Lord Among The Lampstands | Jun 1994

Revelation 1:10-20 presents one of the most remarkable appearances of the Lord Jesus in His resurrection as seen by the apostle John in the Island of Patmos: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day", John wrote, "and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet saying, what thou see'st write in a book, and send it to the seven churches".

The Lord's Day was the first day of the week, as distinct from Saturday the traditional Jewish sabbath. In the New Testament the seventh day is consistently referred to as the sabbath. After the Lord's resurrection, however, the day on which the Lord rose from the dead became of special significance to His disciples. On this day they met together for the breaking of the bread in remembrance of Him (Acts 20:7); an occasion which provided opportunity for giving to God materially as well as spiritually (1 Cor. 16:2).

Although exiled from other Christians the apostle John was doubtless sharing their spiritual exercise in consideration of Christ. Perhaps he was feeling like the sons of Korah, when they were for the time being cut off from the privileges of God's house. Their longings of heart found expression in the 42nd Psalm:

As the hart panteth after the water brooks,

So panteth my soul after Thee, 0 God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

When shall I come and appear before God? ("v.1,2).

In this condition of heart, John was granted a unique revelation of the glory of Christ. "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day", he tells us. He was in harmony with the Holy Spirit of God, making him alive to the spiritual realities of which others would not be aware. In promising His disciples that the Holy Spirit would be sent, the Lord Jesus had said: "He shall glorify Me: for He shall take of Mine, and shall declare it unto you" (John 16:14) "and He shall declare unto you the things that are to come" (v.13). As a result of being in the Spirit that day, John was to experience dramatic fulfilment of the Holy Spirit's ministry in glorifying and revealing Christ, and in declaring the things that are to come.

When John turned in response to that marvellous voice, compelling as trumpet sound, deep and full like the sound of many waters, he found himself face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ - transcendent in majesty. As we read again John's description, may something of the awe which overwhelmed him be impressed on our own hearts. John continues:

I turned to see the voice which spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the midst of the lampstands one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. And His head and His hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and His voice as the voice of many waters. And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength (1:12-16).

The unsullied holiness and purity of Christ were expressed in His hair being white like wool, white as snow. His feet like bronze glowing in a furnace, speak of His zeal and righteousness in judgement His eyes like a blazing fire remind us that all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. His face shining like the sun in its brilliance is in harmony with the truth that He is the very radiance of God's glory. He is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. Out of His mouth came a sharp, double-edged sword, a feature repeated in Revelation chapter 19, where the Lord is seen as King of kings, executing judgement on the nations. As Isaiah puts it "He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked" (11:4). In that future day He will be manifested as the Word of God in judgement (Rev. 19:13). As He walked among the lampstands, He was Son over God's house, assessing the condition of the seven churches in Asia, impartially judging their failures and giving credit for dedicated service.

John saw this wonderful Person among seven golden lampstands. Each lampstand represented a church of God in certain named cities of the province of Asia. To each of these churches the Lord Jesus sent a solemn message, showing His perfect knowledge of their circumstances, their service, sacrifice and achievements, as well as their failures. We shall find as we study chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation that these seven churches were far from perfect! Yet the exalted, glorified Lord was deeply interested in them, concerned that God would be glorified in all their service. A fact which should help us to understand the importance He attached to believers serving Him together in churches of God. May the Holy Spirit impress our hearts with this truth as we consider the emphasis placed upon the worship and service of churches of God in the New Testament.

In verse 17 of Revelation chapter 1 we have John's reaction to this awesome appearance of His glorified Lord:

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as one dead. And He laid His right hand upon 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.

How clearly the Lord Jesus identifies Himself in these words of reassurance to John. Triumphant reality! The eternal Son of God became flesh for our redemption, but now lives in the power of an endless life and has won victory over death.

That John should have been overcome by the glory of the Lord's appearing to Him, corresponds with the experience of others who have been granted special manifestations of the glory of God. Daniel told of his similar experience: "there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me unto corruption, and I retained no strength" (10:8). Perhaps we are especially impressed by John's fear and weakness because he had been known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". It was John who, when reclining at table during the last supper, had leaned back against Jesus and asked which of the disciples would betray Him. Yet now in Patmos John falls at the Lord's feet as though dead. Impressive reminder of the majesty of our exalted Lord! A reminder too of the important point made by Paul: "Though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know Him so no more" (2 Cor. 5:16). As believers we should recognize that it is through His death and resurrection our spiritual blessings have been secured. Therefore our attitude to Him must be reverently related to His glory and dignity at the right hand of the Majesty on high. This attitude is well expressed in references to Him as the Lord Jesus Christ; a title so frequently used in the Epistles.

George Prasher, Manchester, England | Jun 1994
The Lord Among The Lampstands