My Bible reading plan this year has been to read one or two chapters each day from the New Testament so that’s how I’m going to structure this Bible study as well, though there may be days that I take an overview of several chapters as well.

The first three chapters are messages to seven churches from Jesus. He is very specific in his critique of those churches, but we can learn from them as well. Let’s read verses 9-17

Revelation 1: 9-17

 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. ¹⁰ On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 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.”

¹² I turned around 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,^[d] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴ The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶ In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.

Max Lucado points out in his book LIFE LESSONS FROM REVELATION that what John wrote was NOT what he actually saw. What he wrote was LIKE what he saw. What he saw was so otherworldly, he had no words to describe it so he used comparisons that might make it easier for us to understand.

a loud voice like a trumpet

like a son of man

hair on his head was white like wool,

white as snow

his eyes were like blazing fire. 

His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace

his voice was like the sound of rushing waters

His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance

I fell at his feet as though dead.

The implication is clear. Human words cannot adequately describe Jesus, heaven, or the visions John experienced. Is it any wonder John fell at his feet as though dead?

Take a moment to reread those descriptions, then close your eyes and imagine how amazing it must have been for John. One day, we will get to experience the real thing. We will get to hear Jesus’ voice. To see his glory. To feel his arms around us as he hugs us.

What a day that will be!

Your turn: What are you looking forward to when you get to heaven?