Chapter 1:9-20 John Hears & Sees “a Voice”vivid imagery

-political cartoons-hard for authorities to decipher

v9 prison under Domitian

v10 heard a voice behind -like a trumpet (Ex19:16) -v12 see the Voice -v19 the Voice will place his hand on John

v11 “write what you see” to 7 churches -angels?

vv12-16 describes “the Voice”

vv17-20 “the Voice” instructs Bishop John

Chapter 1:9-20 John Hears & Sees “a Voice”vivid imagery

-political cartoons-hard for authorities to decipher

v9 prison under Domitian

v10 heard a voice behind -like a trumpet (Ex19:16) -v12 see the Voice -v19 the Voice will place his hand on John

v11 “write what you see” to 7 churches -angels?

vv12-16 describes “the Voice”

vv17-20 “the Voice” instructs Bishop John

1) messengers bearing scrolls2) public readers in each church3) guardian angels4) heavenly counterparts to earthly churches

vv12-16 describing “the Voice”v12 “seven golden lampstands” = v20 the 7 churches (complete?)v13 “in the midst of the lampstands"v13 “son of man” (Dan7:31-14) “most pretentious title in 1st Century”

v13 “long robe” = priest (Heb 4:14)v13 “sash around his waist” = work completedv14 “hairs white like wool, like snow” = agelessness, purity, wisdom (Dan 7:9)v14 “eyes were like the flame of fire” = purifying (Luke 3:16)v15 “feet burnished bronze” = kingdom secure (Dan 2:31ff)v15 “voice like roar of many waters” = drowns out other voices (Dan 10:6; Ezek1:24)v16 “in right hand seven stars” = v20 angels of churches = counter image to Romev16 “from his mouth two edged sword” = cuts to the heart (Isa 49:2)v16 “face like the sun shining full strength” = greatest blessing (Num6:25)

vv17-20 “the Voice” directs Johnv17 RESULT - prostrate (Ezek 1:28) The cumulative impact of these images is to present the risen Jesus as the greatest conceivable figure, using biblical imagery. - Craig Keenerv17 “laid his hand on me” (Dan 8:18) v17 “fear not” v17 “first & the last” - arche & telos

v18 “living one, I died, and behold I am alive forevermore”v18 “I have the keys of Death and Hades”v19 “write therefore”

Questions1) How would you sum up this vision of Jesus in a few words?

2) Is this a vision of Jesus in the future or of Jesus now?

3) How does this vision help us live now?

4) What will the world find difficult and offensive about today’s text?

5) Does today’s text call us to do anything (explicitly or implicitly)?

6) How is the text challenging you to live your life differently this week?