Persevering for the King

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a letter to the seven churches of Asia Minor in which the Lord is revealed as enthroned and reigning, King of kings and Lord of lords (v. 4). Seven is the number of completion and fulfillment; thus, the churches addressed represent the whole church in every place and time of this gospel age. The glorious truth set forth is that believers are considered as already risen and co-ruling with Christ in His kingdom (v. 6; Ephesian 2:4–10). This is the purpose God intended for His people from the very beginning (Exodus 19:6). The tense of the verb also proves this — “made us a kingdom,” etc., as compared to Exodus 19:6, showing intention. Furthermore, Jesus Himself applies both Exodus 19:6 and Zechariah 12:10 to Gentile churches of Asia Minor, not to national Israel (v. 7).

Add the reference in Revelation 1:13 to Daniel 7 where “one like a son of man” receives “dominion, glory and a kingdom” in order that “all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him” (Daniel 7:14). This truth informs us that Jesus has already begun to reign, having received that kingdom at His resurrection and ascension. It is also clear from chapters 3 and 4 that Christ is and has been “coming” to His churches in blessing and judgment. This explains the phrase, “I am coming soon” (3:11) considering the passing of over two thousand years since the words were penned. He has come and continues coming to His churches throughout this last age. What waits is His final coming at the end of the age when every eye will see Him (v. 7). We may also conclude that the truth of Revelation 1:7, citing Zechariah 12:10, has a spiritual application as well in the opening of spiritually bind eyes (John 9:37–39; Mark 15:39).

John saw the Son of man standing in the midst of seven golden lampstands (temple furniture) representing the seven churches (v. 20). In Zechariah, the lampstand with its seven lamps is a synecdoche, a part that represents the whole—the whole temple—and is applied to faithful Israel (Zechariah 4:6–9). This tells us that the church universal is the continuation and fulfillment of true Israel, a spiritual temple, drawing its truth and power from the Holy Spirit (Revelation 1:4, 4:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17).

Now, if Jesus has made us kings and priests, then we are obligated to serve Him in His work of advancing His kingdom on earth. Jesus did this because He “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (v. 5). That we are far from perfect is evident from the rebuke and threats set forth in chapters 3 and 4. Nevertheless, these chapters inform us and should encourage us to persevere in this calling, for our spiritually enabled perseverance is clear evidence of the genuineness of our relationship to Him (Revelation 3:10, 11). On the other hand, many who fall by the wayside without repentance and restoration prove that they are the false mixed multitude whose purpose is to discourage true saints on this difficult journey.