The Vision of The Risen Lord
By Senior Pastor Prince
Guneratnam
On Good Friday, Jesus was
taken by his accusers and nailed to the cross. When He died, they sealed the
borrowed tomb where they laid Him. Then on the third day Jesus rose again. The
resurrection account can be read in Matthew chapter 28.
We read in the account that
the women who went to the tomb witnessed an unusual phenomenon. There was an
earthquake and an angel from heaven came down and rolled away the stone that
sealed the tomb, and the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know
that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified” (Matthew 28:5). As the women
hurried to tell the disciples, Jesus met them and said, “Do not be afraid. Go
and tell my brothers to go to
It is significant to note
that it was women who were the first to see the risen Lord and to proclaim the
Easter message. Let us not limit the preaching of the gospel to men. The Great
Commission is for the whole Church, men and women.
The Great Commission is
noted in the Easter message. If Christ were not risen, our preaching would be
in vain. The whole gospel is: He came, He died and He rose from the dead. Many
are waiting for us to tell them the gospel. Some have not heard. Others have
heard but not adequately. We need to go and tell. We who have been cleansed,
forgiven, sanctified by the blood of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit,
must tell them that He is no longer in the grace. He has risen – Jesus is a
living Saviour!
In most stories that we read
or watch on television, the bad guys who plot evil against the good guys
tremble when their plot fails. This is because the good guys will be after the
bad guys and the bad guys will be running for their lives.
Satan plotted and sent Jesus
Christ to the cross. He convinced the people that Jesus was a liar. Jesus was
nailed to the cross; he thought that was the end of Jesus. But God vindicated
His Son, Jesus, and raised Him on the third day. Do you know who is trembling
today? It is Satan and his demons. His plot has failed! For Jesus said to His
disciples, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” and “I have given you
authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of
the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke
How Do You See Jesus Today?
Some still see Jesus hanging
on the cross, so they have a cross made out of metal with Him hanging on it,
but that is not where He is. Some have painted pictures of Him that makes Him
look effeminate.
The Bible gives us a
beautiful description of Jesus. It is a revelation that God gave John the Apostle
on the
Jesus came to John in a
vision and John’s description of his vision of Jesus is found in Revelation
1:10-18. There is tremendous significance in the description given.
1.
John describes Him first as being clothed (v. 13)
Too
many see Jesus as one who has a pretty face but pathetic looking, destitute,
lonely and with a little piece of cloth around His loins. Some think of Jesus
as spineless and a born-loser. This is far from the truth. We see a totally
different Jesus in the Scripture. He is strong, powerful, radiating with power
and energy.
Jesus
is alive and He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. God has exalted Him
above every name and He is seated at the right hand of God, the Father. John
saw Jesus beaming with life – strong and mighty. That is why, today we pray in the
Mighty name of Jesus and worship Him.
2.
‘His head and hair were like wool, as white as snow.’
(v. 14)
John
said that Jesus had hair that was white as snow. This description fits the
description of God in the Old Testament where God is described as the Ancient
of Days (Daniel 7:9). ‘Pure as wool’ – His white hair speaks of wisdom. Jesus
is full of wisdom. Today we see judges or magistrates wear white wigs, symbolizing
their wisdom as they preside over the courts. We have a wise Saviour and Lord.
3.
‘His eyes like a flame of fire.’ (v. 14)
His
eyes are penetrating eyes. When Jesus looks at you, He sees beyond your
appearance; He sees your heart. You cannot hide from Jesus. Everything is open
before Him. We can come before God just as we are because He knows all about us
and He has the power to forgive us. Therefore, we must not be afraid to come to
Him.
4.
‘His feet were like beaten brass as if refined by
fire in the furnace’ (v. 15)
Brass
symbolizes strength and steadfastness and the glitter speaks of the swiftness
of God in acting. Jesus is always on time for our needs. He may not act as
quickly as we would like him to, but he is always on time. He is not unstable
but always steadfast and sure.
5.
‘His voice as the sound of many waters’ (v. 15)
God’s
voice is not confined to a single tone. It can sound as thunderous as a rough
sea or as soothing as the voice of a mother to a hurting child. It can be a
still, small voice. Sometimes the voice of God brings strong conviction; at
other times it brings comfort, hope and peace.
6.
‘He had seven stars in His hands’ (v. 16)
We
have a song that says ‘He holds the whole world in His hands.’ Yes, the hands
of Jesus can hold the whole universe; yet they are gentle enough to touch John
and to wipe away every tear.
7.
‘Out of His mouth, a sharp two-edged sword…’ (v. 16)
His
words bring conviction to our hearts and prove that Satan is a liar. They also
bring life and spirit to those who trust and love Him.
8.
‘His face was as the sun shining in its strength’ (v.
16)
The
face of Jesus radiates with life, power and love. This is our Jesus – HE IS
RISEN, our Advocate in Heaven.
What Did Jesus Say To John?
1.
Jesus said, ‘Do not be afraid’ (v. 17)
Fear
is a robber of our peace and joy in God. Jesus is saying to us, “Do not be
afraid, I am with you always.” Satan is the one who should be fearful, not us. If
you have fear, you cannot have faith; and when you have faith, you will not
fear. Let Jesus remove all fear from your life today.
2.
‘I have the keys of Hades and of death’ (v. 18)
Man
has made great strides in science but he has yet to find a way to conquer death
(if ever he can). But Jesus Christ has conquered death for us. He said to John,
“I have the keys of Hades and of death”. Hell is real, but Jesus has won the victory
for us.
3.
‘I am alive forevermore’ (v. 18)
Paul
says, “…the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death,
and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (II Timothy
Do you have a Saviour, so
that your sins can be forgiven? Can He hear you when you pray? Today, you can
experience the living Jesus, if you will put your faith in Him and confess Him
as your Lord and Saviour.
Issue No. 16, April - June
1992