My home church currently has an art exhibit featuring the works of illustrator Tim Davis, who created over 600 images for the beloved Hidden Pictures feature in Highlights magazine from 1994 to 2014.
Some illustrations are quite complex in the imagery.
But it is fun for kids and adults alike to find the artist’s hidden images as one studies each work.
If you’re in the area, I encourage you to come by and see for yourself. The exhibit is up through September.
Our study passage today is also full of interesting imagery that brings great comfort and awe as one looks for the connections throughout the rest of scripture.
I pray you too will find great illumination from this study of Revelation 1:9-20.
Seeing Through John’s Vision
A Study of Revelation 1:9-20 | The Passage
9 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. [i]
How does John describe himself to those he’s writing?
Why is John on the island called Patmos?
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 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.” [ii]
Go to GotQuestions and read their explanation of the phrase, “the Lord’s Day.” Describe what you learned about this phrase.
Based on what you learned about the Lord’s Day, what does John mean by the phrase, “I was in the Spirit?”
What does John 4:23-24 say about being in the Spirit?
How do Ephesians 6:18 and Jude 20 add to what it means to be in the Spirit?
Describe the voice John heard.
What was John instructed to do?
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.[iii]
How do Exodus 25:31-40 and Exodus 27:20-21 explain the seven golden lampstands?
Describe the role of the Son of Man. (See Daniel 7:13-14)
Explain the significance about where the Son of Man was standing in John’s vision? (See Hebrews 4:14)
We will explore another layer of the lampstands imagery when we get to verse twenty below.
Why is the Son of Man clothed with a long robe and a golden sash? (See Exodus 28:1-5)
14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.[iv]
Compare Daniel 7:9 with the description of the Son of Man’s hair above. What does this tell us about the Son of Man?
Explain the description of the Son of Man’s eyes using Psalm 139:1-16.
What is the point of his feet looking like burnished bronze? (See 1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
Think about the roaring sound of many waters. What does this communicate about the Son of Man?
16 In 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. [v]
Given all the above, describe the meaning of the phrase, “in his right hand he held seven stars?”
We’ll explore further the meaning of the seven stars with the help of the son of man’s explanation in verse twenty below.
Meanwhile, how does Hebrews 4:12 explain the imagery of his mouth containing a sharp, two-edged sword?
Compare Matthew 17:1-2; Luke 9:28-29; and John 8:12. How do these verses support John’s description of the Son of Man’s face?
17 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, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.[vi]
How did John respond to what he saw?
What does the Son of Man do to encourage John and all who read or hear these words?
19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.[vii]
Describe the type of information that is contained in the rest of the book of Revelation.
Review Revelation 1:9. Why is this type of information needed?
20 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. [viii]
What does the Son of Man reveal about the seven stars and the seven lampstands?
Angels are God’s spiritual messengers and guardians throughout the Bible. Stars and lampstands are expected to give off light. What does this tell us about the angels and churches in this verse?
What is spiritually significant about the number seven? (See Genesis 2:1-3) Why is it important given the context of these verses?
Seeing Through John’s Vision
A Study of Revelation 1:9-20 | The Application
Are you suffering because of your faith or worshiping in the Spirit with awe at the marvels of Christ? Or is it a combination? Describe where you are in your spiritual life right now.
How does this passage encourage you to worship the Lord and Christ in the Spirit, regardless of your circumstances?
Who will you share this encouraging passage with in the week to come?
Share your main takeaway from this post in the comments below!
Seeing Through John’s Vision
A Study of Revelation 1:9-20 | A Prayer Response
Heavenly Father, praise be to your magnificent presence in our lives.
Thank you for your Holy Word and the promises filled with encouragement and comfort. Help us choose to fix our eyes on you regardless of the circumstances we face. Bring us the joy of your salvation and enable us to share your light with those who need it. Amen.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[i] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 1:9.
[ii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 1:10–11.
[iii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 1:12–13.
[iv] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 1:14–15.
[v] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 1:16.
[vi] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 1:17–18.
[vii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 1:19.
[viii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 1:20.