Revelation Chapter 1

VERSE 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.”

AND WHEN I SAW HIM, I FELL AT HIS FEET AS DEAD:

“This was the literal John’s appropriate response. The symbolic John Class falls (from any notions of self-import or from any self-made plans) at his feet (an act of worship) as a dead man (giving over life in full consecration, sacrificing whatever is left of human life and its rights). Compare Rev 20:4.” (New Albany Notes on Revelation)

“So great was the splendor John beheld that he fell as if dead. Likewise, Daniel fell prostrate and was like a dead man in the presence of the mighty one whom he saw, and Saul of Tarsus fell down before the majesty displayed to him (Dan. 10:5–9; Acts 9:3, 4). The lesson applies symbolically to the Lord’s people. Once they glimpse the glories of the divine character through the divine plan and get a true view of Jesus as the great heart-searcher and caretaker of the Church, they fall before him in humility, realizing their imperfection, their inability to stand before the Master, and their unworthiness of his favor and blessing.” (The Keys of Revelation)

“We see that John fell at his feet as a dead man, and this is similar to what happened to Daniel, in Dan 8:18, 10:9, 18, when he saw the angel Gabriel. This shows that neither John nor Daniel as mortal men could stand in the presence of God, Jesus, or his angels without help, and this is true of all of us.” (Revelation Notes: Southern Wisconsin)

BUT HE LAID HIS RIGHT HAND ON ME:

“This is the same hand which holds the stars, the hand of favor and action. Our consecrations secure his favor and his power acting on our behalf. From here through Verse 18, Jesus assures the John class of what is behind this right hand of favor and power.” (New Albany Notes on Revelation)

“The Master touched John gently, raising him up. Thus Jesus speaks words of comfort, peace, and love to his followers, providing assurance that as high priest he is touched by their infirmities and can mercifully assist them. He has bought them with his own precious blood, and will number them as his body members as long as they abide in him and seek in their hearts to know and do his will. Upon all such followers he places his hand (power) and gives his message.” (The Keys of Revelation)

“That he laid his “right” hand upon John shows that John was in a position of favor with him, and perhaps this implies that he was one of the stars or messengers, which were seen in our Lord’s right hand. In another sense, this favor applies to all of the members of his church. As Daniel was given increased strength and raised up off the ground, we in symbol can also be raised up from our fallen condition. That we fall to the earth may show that we are only of humble earthly nature, but Jesus raises us up with his spirit, and gives us strength to live in our new nature, because of the help we are given by his sacrifice for us.” (Revelation Notes: Southern Wisconsin)

DO NOT BE AFRAID:

“The relationship of Jesus to his Church is not one of fear as the heathen have with their gods and as many Christians yet have for God (Fear of death, of eternal torment as the wages of sin). The entire chronicle of the message to the Seven Churches MIGHT inspire fear in the uninformed reader, therefore, Jesus’ INITIAL words to the John class warn against this improper attitude.” (New Albany Notes on Revelation)

“The Father sent the same message through the Prophet Isaiah: “Their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men” (Isa. 29:13). The absence of paralyzing fear is one of the first lessons the Lord’s people must learn. They cannot come into close sympathy with the Master and learn other features of his plan until they have confidence in him, submitting themselves to his guidance and believing his purposes work continually for their welfare.” (The Keys of Revelation)

I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST:

“The ABSOLUTE! —The first and final authority on all doctrine and practice. With this information (the truth), the John class CANNOT FEAR that it is missing something it needs.” (New Albany Notes on Revelation)

“The Lord’s people must recognize that Jesus is next to the Father and is His representative in everything pertaining to the affairs of the universe. His exaltation to this high position and relationship with the Father is not temporary, subject to possible change, but enduring and permanent. Therefore, the Lord’s people can hold fast to their profession and receive strong consolation.” (The Keys of Revelation)

“This verse not only informs us that He was the FIRST of God’s creation, and that all other things that have been created were made by him, but likewise that He is “the first and last”, as respects the new creation, in that he is the FIRST-born from the dead of many sons.

What the first and last actually is, is defined for us in the next verse where it tells us that he was dead and that now he is alive.” (Revelation Notes: Southern Wisconsin)

We will take a look at this in our next post as we continue on to Verse 18.