Revelation chapter 1 teaches us the solemn lesson that the church had already become, in John’s day, the object of Christ’s judgment. The church is not looked at in this chapter as the body of Christ; it is the professing church, figured by the seven assemblies of Asia, who represent there the complete figure of the professing church of God in John’s day.
As a building the church may be looked at as Christ’s building which He builds (Matt. 16:16-18), but it may also be looked at as handed over to the responsibility of man, as we read in 1 Corinthians 3:10-17 where Paul laid the foundation, but other builders built it up, some with good material, others with bad. But whether the walls were built in of living stones or bad material, the Holy Spirit had come down from heaven and taken up His abode in the midst of these believers as the house of God.
Christ As Judge Among the Churches
In whatever way he has been tested, man has failed, and the church is no exception. In 2 Timothy all they of Asia had departed from Paul. In 1 Peter 4 the time was come when judgment must begin at the house of God. But not till Revelation 1 do we find the church actually becoming the object of judgment itself. There we have the awful picture of the seven lampstands figuring the complete church of God on earth, with the Son of Man in their midst in the aspect of Judge.The church, set up as a light-bearer in this world, had totally failed in its responsibility to God in John’s last days. The Son of Man stood in its midst as a Judge, finally coming to the point that He would spue it out of His mouth as a loathsome thing.
In Revelation 1:12-13, the Son of Man is seen in the midst of the seven candlesticks; He is seen on earth, not in heaven. In Revelation 5, after the earthly history of the church is over, we see Him as the Lamb in the midst of the throne with the heavenly saints in heaven. But here He is seen on earth, in spirit of course, and as the Son of Man. And is not this what the professing church has lost— the sense of His actual presence there?
The Ancient of Days
At one time He appeared in the midst of the disciples in the upper room and proclaimed “peace be unto you” (John 20:19). But now all was changed; the Son of Man is there still, but no longer joyful and singing praises; He is the Ancient of days of Dan. 7:9-10, 22, to whom judgment is committed. So fearful was the sight that John fell at His feet as dead. But the Lord lays His hand upon John, and says, “Fear not; I am the first and the last” (Rev. 1:17). John’s eye was raised to Him who had risen as man over the whole power of the enemy. He was the Eternal Life in heaven who had been into this scene of ruin, had met the whole power of the enemy, and had overcome. If the church has so departed from its standing that it has become the object of judgment, blessed be God, the Eternal Life remains. The foundation of God stands sure, and every believer that is held by Him stands firm with Christ as partaker of His victory.
The Key of David
Christ is the true Eliakim of Isaiah 22:20-25, who has the key of David, type of the administration of David’s house, the unlocker of all his treasures, and so makes known to the church what belongs to Israel, as distinct from what belongs to the church. He opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens. He is the One who presents Himself to the church at this present time, and sets before it an open door which no man can shut. May you and I understand today how the blessed Lord is presenting Himself, so that you and I, hearing His voice, and being obedient to His word, may be found in these last days in this circle of blessing, and waiting patiently for His coming.
A. P. Cecil (adapted)