Assurance in His Sovereign Presence

Revelation 1:17-20 

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. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

John had the reaction we would all have; in the Sovereign presence of the Lord, he fell to the ground.  Being in the presence of the infinite power and holiness of God, we could not stand as if we were worthy either, but would likewise bow face down and not move in fearful awe of Him.  But the Lord comforted and assured John with the words describing who He is.  He is the first and Last, which probably refers to the beginning Word (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16) who spoke all into existence, and the final judge and redeemer of all.  He was dead and lives forever, reminding us of the resurrection.  He has the keys of death and hell, meaning Jesus has power over death to resurrect us and throw those not His into hell forever (Luke 12:5).  Not only were these reassuring words, they were given to the church throughout time by commanding John to write them down for us.  He was to write what he saw and heard, both the events and reality of the way the world and churches were at that time, as well as what would unfold over time as God revealed through certain events and situations under His control as planned from eternity.  Jesus then explained that the seven stars are the seven churches named in Revelation 1:11 already.  He also revealed that the seven lampstands were also symbolic of the same churches.  Chapter two will then begin His messages written to each of these churches for what they do well or where they must beware, that grace and peace offered in the beginning of this letter may continue to be theirs (Revelation 1:4).