The Exalted Christ: Authority, Glory, and Our Call to Surrender

Summary

Believers often obey Christ selectively, forgetting that He is the exalted and glorious Judge. John’s vision on Patmos reveals Jesus’ supreme authority, holiness, and compassion as High Priest and King. Christ walks among His churches, empowers them to shine, and sees every motive. He holds authority over death and judgment, calling His followers to repentance, surrender, and Spirit-filled obedience

Who Truly Sits in the Driver’s Seat?

We often replace Christ in the driver’s seat of our lives. We obey selectively. That is foolishness because He is our exalted, overwhelmingly glorious judge.

Faithfulness Tested Through Suffering

For eighteen months, John did hard labor in the rock quarries on the island of Patmos because of his faithfulness to Christ. What we suffer for demonstrates what we value. Do we value Jesus enough to suffer for Him?

John’s Vision of the Exalted Christ

One Sunday, God’s Spirit gave John a prophetic vision of the exalted Christ. Christ’s trumpet-like voice told him to write what he saw in a scroll and send it to seven Asian churches that would read it.

Lampstands, Light, and Spirit-Filled Lives

John saw amid seven golden lampstands one like a son of man, a fulfillment of Daniel 7:13.

One like a son of man is the exalted Christ because Revelation 1:17-18 describes His pre-existence, death, and resurrection. The lampstands represent the seven churches (Revelation 1:20) that bore Christ’s light in a dark world.

How can we let our lights shine? As a lamp depends on oil to shed light, God’s word and Spirit must fill us. For God’s Spirit to fill us, we must give Him control of our lives.

Those who are filled talk about Jesus. They unconditionally and sacrificially love God and imperfect people. If we are not carrying that light, being sorry enough to change is the solution.

The Majestic Appearance of Jesus

The lampstands, stars, and description of Jesus’ appearance are symbolic. Jesus is wearing the high priest’s garment. In God’s presence, He pleads for forgiveness based on His sacrifice for those who believe in Him.

His white hair symbolizes that He is wise, dignified, and worthy of honor. His flame-like eyes reveal that He sees our deeds and motives.

His brilliant, radiating feet portray His strength and stability. His booming voice represents His power and authority.

The seven stars in His right hand are the angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20). They indicate that He sovereignly controls and protects those churches.

The sharp, two-edged sword from His mouth symbolizes His irresistible divine judgments.

We cannot control them. They are just and final. His face is sun-like, reflecting His divine glory and preeminence.

Authority Over Life, Death, and Judgment

He has power and authority over death and Hades. He can send people to death and hell or take them from it. Our part is to turn from sin and place our lives daily in His hands.

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