He Reigns
Bible reading
11 which said: ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.’
– Revelation 1:11-13a (NIVUK)
12 I turned round to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man (…)
Devotional
So what happened when John turned around? In chapter 1 we have him on the Island of Patmos waiting to die. John is having his quiet time… praying and worshipping God.
Would we do that? If we were in prison, in exile, with no one around us that we knew, with no possible visit from anyone that loved us… would we be having our quiet time? What would our prayers sound like? Would we be complaining? Would we be angry with the injustice? Would we be feeling sorry for ourselves trying to convince God that we’d be of better use on the mainland?
We will always have times when we feel like we’re in exile; when we’re lonely, tired, confused, persecuted and scared. This lockdown has been one of those times. What worries me are the generations that come after us who will have their own struggles… maybe even more struggles, and certainly different ones. Will they have us as an example of men and women who spent quiet time with God no matter our circumstances? Will they see men and women of character, of devotion, of submission and of thankfulness? How do we deal with our inner conflicts when our outer world is seemingly falling apart? John prays! John spends quiet, calm time with Jesus… and he’s a bit surprised when Jesus shows up behind him.
Chapter 1:12-13a: “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man, …”
Do you remember the children’s song: “Be careful little eyes?” There is a line in there that says, “because the Father up above is looking down with love”. Well, that’s not true!! Jesus is not looking down from above… he’s right here, in the middle of His churches. He’s very close, He sees everything, and He sees them as they really are! Jesus is going to show John two realities in every church. First he will show John what everyone else sees in and about the church. And then Jesus will tell John what He sees… the really real!
These may seem like 7 ancient churches in an ancient world, but they represent all churches at all times and all churches have these same difficulties as we try to live for Jesus in a broken world. To understand this more, take time to read Revelation chapter 2 and 3 this week.
– Connie Main Duarte
This devotional is part of a series that helps us navigate the texts of the book of Revelation with fresh eyes. A new devotional every Saturday.
These devotionals are available in Portuguese and in English.