Responding to God’s Glory

You’ve heard the phrase “faint dead away.” That’s what happened to John in today’s verse: He “fell at [Jesus’] feet as dead.” And he wasn’t the first either. Daniel also fainted upon seeing the glorified Lord: “No strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength” (Daniel 10:8). Recall that it was just previous to this that the prophet described the appearance of Jesus in an almost identical fashion to John.

The similarities don’t end there. In response to Daniel’s fainting, the angel Gabriel “touched [him]” (v. 10) and said, “Do not fear, Daniel” (v. 12), just as Christ did to John in today’s verse. Gabriel also informed Daniel that he was a “man greatly beloved” (vv. 11, 19); John described himself in his Gospel as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20). After being strengthened in this way, both men were given an apocalyptic prophecy.

While on earth, Christ often comforted His disciples in a similar manner. He would tell them, “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27; 17:7; 28:10). Here, in this verse, Christ stated very specifically why there was no need to fear: because He is “the First and the Last.” It is a reference to His declaration at the end of the book, in Revelation 22:13, but it is also an exact translation of Isaiah 44:6, when God stated, “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God.’” Furthermore, God continued, “Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it?” (v. 8).

There is no need to fear because God, the only omniscient Being, has “[declared to us] the end from the beginning” (46:10). Everything that Christ told John to write, which became the book of Revelation, will happen. Christ will complete the plan of salvation. He will save those who believe in His Word from eternal death and claim ultimate victory.

Glorious Redeemer, I believe in Your prophetic words and can rest in the assurance that all You say will come to pass.

For Further Study: Exodus 14:13, 14; Job 42:5, 6; Isaiah 48:12, 13

Key Bible Texts

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (Revelation 1:17 KJV)