Last week I wrote about the word perspective and referenced Colossians 3 and our need to "keep our eyes on things above and not on earthly thing."

While I had planned on talking about something else this week I was led once again to this word perspective and even more importantly, the object of that perspective, Jesus.

Back in middle school and then in high school I was deeply into Revelation and anything dealing with end times prophecy. Since leaving high school I have not obsessed over this book as much (which is probably good), but I do love reading & studying this part of scripture. Earlier this week was one such time. I opened up the book of Revelation and began reading John's description of our Lord in Revelation 1:13-18.

¹³ and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵ His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Awesome. I do not say that word like Bill & Ted, but rather this image of Christ makes me sit in awe. It is both beautiful and frightening all at once. After all, this is our God and King. This is the One who died a gruesome death at the hands of men and He now stands before John in all His glory. Awesome.

There are two main things I want to bring from this text today dealing with perspective (there are many more but just two today) .

1) Look at the majesty and power of Christ in this image. He is clothed in pure white and this white is not just white, but (to quote John MacArthur) "blazing, glowing, white light". His feet of bronze speak of judgment. His eyes pearce into the soul of man seeing everything. His voice (like crashing waved) is filled with authority and power. The two edged sword displays His power against the enemies of God. The stars in His hand show of His authority over the angels being sent to the 7 churches.

The most incredible thing about this image is that this is the same Christ who left that place of glory and come to earth to die for us. Yes, the One who holds angels in His hands, judges the world in righteousness, and destroys His enemies with His words...loves us and died for us.

This is humbling...this is true perspective.

2) Look at John's response to seeing Christ in all His glory, "And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. (17a)"

Can you imagine standing in the presence of the One who holds the world together by the power of his will? Who created all we see and know? Who holds our very life in His hands?

Me neither...but One day we will.

Like John we should all fall before His majesty as dead, dying to ourselves, our ways, our desires. And then our Lord, who is rich in mercy and loving kindness, will lift us up and care for us. "He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, 'Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. (17-18)"

As we pour out our lives in service to God let us keep our minds focused on the author and perfecter of our faith. We do not serve men for men's sake, but we serve men in order that we may serve God. The children in our care are from the Lord and when we become weary let us remember this image of Christ in all his glory. This is the One who creates universes with His words...surely He can strengthen the weary heart and the broken body.

May we remember Christ as He is...Lord, King, Savior, God.
And may that give us true persepctive.