Dear Church... Jesus Looks DIFFERENT in the Book of Revelation

In our journey of faith, we often encounter depictions of Jesus that feel comfortable and familiar. We see Him as the gentle shepherd, the compassionate healer, or the wise teacher. Just do a quick Google search, and you will find this… 

But if you expand your search and include the word. Revelation, you get this…

And then, there’s this picture from the second row.. . here is a close up 

Yikes.

What if there's more to Jesus than we see from The Chosen? (GREAT series, btw) I certainly hope so. What if His true nature is far more magnificent, powerful, and awe-inspiring than we've allowed ourselves to imagine?

The book of Revelation presents us with a vision of Jesus that might seem startling at first glance. Its portrayal challenges our preconceptions and invites us to see Christ in a new light. This isn't just about end-times prophecy; it's about understanding the full scope of who Jesus is and what that means for our discipleship.

Let's embark on a journey through some of the vivid descriptions of Jesus found in Revelation:

The Lord on the Throne

In the opening chapters of Revelation, we're presented with a breathtaking vision of Jesus as the Lord enthroned in glory. John, the author, describes Him in terms that defy our limited human understanding:

"...one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters." (Revelation 1:13-15)

This description draws on imagery from the Old Testament, particularly the books of Daniel and Ezekiel. It paints a picture of Jesus as the eternal, all-powerful, and all-knowing God. His appearance is so overwhelming that John falls at His feet "as though dead."

What does this revelation of Jesus mean for us? It reminds us that the One we follow is not just a good teacher or a moral example, but the Lord of all creation. Our discipleship is not to a mere human figure but to the King of kings.

The Lion and the Lamb

As we move further into Revelation, we encounter another striking image of Jesus: He is both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb who was slain. This dual nature captures the essence of Christ's power and sacrifice.

The Lion represents strength, authority, and victory. It harks back to ancient prophecies about the Messiah coming from the tribe of Judah. But just when we expect to see a conquering lion, John sees a Lamb "standing as if it had been slaughtered" (Revelation 5:6).

This unexpected twist reveals a profound truth about the nature of God's power. Christ's victory comes not through domination and force but through sacrificial love. The Lamb conquers by laying down His life.

What does this mean for our discipleship? It challenges us to rethink our notions of power and victory. Following Jesus means embracing both His strength and His sacrificial love. It means being willing to lay down our lives in service to others, just as He did for us.

The Word of God

Finally, Revelation presents Jesus as the Word of God. In a climactic scene, John sees heaven open and Christ appearing on a white horse:

"He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God... From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron." (Revelation 19:13,15)

This imagery might seem violent at first, but it's crucial to understand its symbolic nature. The sword from Jesus' mouth represents the power of His words, not physical violence. It reminds us that God's truth is the ultimate weapon against evil and injustice.

For disciples of Jesus, this means recognizing the power of God's Word in our lives. It challenges us to speak truth in a world often dominated by lies and to embody that truth in our actions.

These descriptions of Jesus in Revelation weren't just abstract visions. They had profound implications for the early Christians living under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire (which John symbolically calls "Babylon").

In a world where Caesar demanded absolute allegiance, these believers were called to give their ultimate loyalty to Christ. They were challenged to be "dissident, allegiant witnesses" – faithful to Jesus even when it meant going against the prevailing culture.

This message resonates just as powerfully today. We may not live under Roman rule, but we face our own "Babylons" – systems, ideologies, and powers that demand our allegiance and try to shape our values.

As disciples of the revealed Christ, we're called to:

1. Recognize the true nature of the world around us, discerning where human systems conflict with God's kingdom.

2. Center our lives on Jesus – the Lord, the Lamb, and the living Word – rather than on the "beasts" of our modern world.

3. Wage spiritual battles not with violence or domination, but with the truth of God's Word and the witness of our lives.

4. Be willing to suffer for our faith, knowing that victory ultimately comes through Christ's way of sacrificial love.

5. Speak truth to power, even when it's costly, trusting in the ultimate victory of God's kingdom.

As we contemplate these powerful images of Jesus, let's ask ourselves some challenging questions:

- Have I allowed my view of Jesus to become too small or comfortable?

- Where in my life do I need to recognize and resist the influence of "Babylon"?

- Am I centering my life on the Word of God, or am I more swayed by the words and values of the surrounding culture?

- How can I embody Christ's way of sacrificial love and truth-telling in my daily life?

The book of Revelation invites us to see Jesus in His full glory and align our lives with His kingdom. It's a call to radical discipleship—to follow the Lion who conquers as a Lamb, to wield the sword of truth in a world of deception, and to trust in the ultimate victory of God's love.

May we have eyes to see this revealed Christ and hearts ready to follow Him, no matter the cost. For in Him, we find not just the gentle teacher of Galilee, but the Lord of all creation, the Lamb who was slain, and the living Word that brings true life and freedom.