Dearly loved by God, subjects of the eternal King,
One would hardly think of an isolated rock pile in the middle of a wine dark sea as the door to heaven. Yet that is exactly where Emperor Domitian put the apostle John “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Yet is there that Jesus opened the door, and in spirit John walked in.
The living Christ commanded the exiled apostle to write down everything he saw. Jesus wanted all future generations of believers to see the revelation also. John obeyed and penned this letter to the seven churches in Asia Minor. The Holy Spirit preserved John’s inspired letter for our benefit.
One of the things Jesus showed John was himself, the King of the universe. On this final Sunday of the church year, we get to accompany the last of the apostles, the only one to die a natural death, as John Takes Us into the Presence of our King. We fall at his feet though dead. The living One places his right hand on us.
The revelation of Jesus Christ to his servant, John, was the climax to the apostle’s long and faithful life. John was a companion in tribulation with his brothers and sisters. He also was a companion in the kingdom, literally, ruling, along with them as together they patiently endured. They were doing all these things because they were “in Christ,” connected to their Savior by faith.
Christ the King Sunday is the climax of the church year. It reminds us that we too share in tribulation, ruling and patient endurance because we are in Christ. We have followed our Savior’s life from his birth, through his death and resurrection, Epiphany, Ascension, and sending the Holy Spirit. We have looked at ways we offer our hearts and lives as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. How fitting to end the church year with an audience before our King in his throne room of heaven.
What is our posture before our King? We follow John’s lead. “When I saw him I fell at his feet as though dead.” The vision of the living Christ and the power of his word drove John to fall prostrate before the Lord. John recognized his Lord in his humanity, “someone like a son of man.” The King’s voice was loud like rushing waters. If you ever have stood next to Niagara Falls, or a large mountain stream, you know what John means. The Old Testament used this description about God. John recognized the one speaking to him is God.
The King had white hair. He is holy and worthy of respect and honor, the Ancient of Days. His eyes are penetrating and all knowing. His feet are strong and enduring. The King’s word was like a double-edged sword, a metaphor for God’s Word. He held in his hand the seven pastors of the churches. His face radiated with glory in his love.
John and we know to fall down in humility and in contrition for our sins before Jesus Christ our King. We may be his children and he our Father but we are not his equals. We know him well and he knows us perfectly but there is no improper familiarity. This reminded of Jim Thorpe in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. When the King told him, “Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world,” Thorpe reportedly replied, “Thanks, King.”
Mindful of our daily failures to love God and to love one another, we fall at the feet of Jesus Christ our king as though dead. We fall before him in humble complete submission. We tremble in fear before his holiness and his word of judgment. We can only rely on him to approach us in his mercy. That is what took place in John’s vision. “Then he placed his right hand on me and said, ‘Do not be afraid,” literally, stop being afraid.
What gives our King such power and authority over our fears? He tells us who his is, and what he has done for us. “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
The living One places his right hand on us. He is the eternal God. He was dead as he bore the curse for our sins as our Substitute on the cross. He suffered eternal death in hell for us. The Father gave him new life because he had paid the full price of our redemption. Death and the tomb could not hold him. Now he lives again forever and ever and gives us that new life through the good news of his saving work.
Our King touches us with the right hand of his life giving power. It is what he told the disciples in the upper room on Maundy Thursday evening, “Because I live, you also will live.” [Jn 14:19] His word of life not only tells us to live but also imparts that life into us. He holds the keys to death and Hades. This is not the ministry of the keys to forgive or retain sins. The time of our temporal deaths is in his hand. Hades likely refers to the afterlife where all people go when we die. It is there that God takes believers to heaven or sends unbelievers off into damnation.
We see that fearless living church surrounding our King. He is standing in the midst of the seven lampstands. These oil-burning lamps are the churches in Asia Minor who will receive this letter. We are like them. Jesus Christ our King lives forever and ever in his promise, “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” [Mt. 18:20] He also holds, protects the seven stars, or pastors, of those churches with his powerful hand.
John was a companion with his brothers and sisters in the kingdom, literally, ruling. Even as the church shares in Christ’s tribulation and patience, we share in his rule over all things. Always remember that over every earthly government and ruler, over every spiritual kingdom and authority, the One who was dead now lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. We rule with him now through faith and one day will rule with him in heaven in person.
Lying at the feet of our King in humble submission as though dead, our King touches us with the right hand of his mercy and makes us alive. He raises us to our feet so that we stand around him in steadfast faithfulness forever and ever. We behold his radiant glory and hear his voice loud and clear. What a great way to end the church year and to prepare once more for his first Advent into the world; his initial steps in our forgiveness and salvation. Amen. <SDG>