Revelation 1:9–10 (ESV) - I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet

What suffering / disruption / inconvenience / denial / ridicule have you experienced because of testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

The important point is knowing and trusting the source – the Holy Spirit

Exodus 19:16-17 (ESV) - On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.

Revelation 1:11 (ESV) – saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Revelation 1:12-13 (ESV) - Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man,

Lampstands were made of pure gold and placed in the Holy Place of the Temple – the only light source – the church is the light of Christ in the world.

Daniel 7:13–14 (ESV) - “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Revelation 1:13-16 (ESV) - …clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Daniel 7:9–10 (ESV) - “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV) - When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Revelation 1:19 (ESV) - Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

Revelation 1:20 (ESV) - As for the mystery of the seven stars that 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 are the seven churches.

So what?
This is our glorious, exalted, risen Savior. The one who with you/us; the one with power to calm our fears because He is the risen Lord and holds power over all that is. Humble yourself – stand in awe – fall on your face – surrender your life to him.

Discussion Questions
1. Share a time when you were shocked, overwhelmed or in awe?

2. Read Revelation 1:9-20 as a group. Discuss what it means to be a “brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus”? How does this help define our responsibility to one another today, as the church?

3. What can you learn about Jesus and His character from the description of Him in this passage?

4. What does it mean to you that Christ, in all His splendor and majesty, calmed John when he was frightened by His presence?

5. How might you remind yourself each day of the awesome, powerful and gentle nature of Christ what would be the benefit of doing so?