“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)
In John’s vision recounted in Revelation 1, the glorified Christ, radiant as the sun in full strength, overwhelmed him, causing him to collapse as though dead (Rev. 1:17-18). Only Christ’s touch and words, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,” sustained him. Similarly, Saul, while on the road to Damascus, was struck down by Christ’s blinding glory and left without his sight for three days (Acts 9).
These encounters reveal the awesome majesty of the Lord, whose presence humbles even the strongest. As Thomas Manton said, “All those that received visions from him to teach his people, God would season them by leaving a stamp and impression of his excellency upon them.”[1] God’s glory indeed leaves an indelible mark, fitting His servants for ministry by instilling in them a deep and abiding reverence for the Almighty.
Scripture abounds with such moments. Jacob wrestled with God and limped away, yet prevailed (Gen. 32:28, 31). Paul, caught up to the third heaven, bore a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble (2 Cor. 12:7). These accounts demonstrate the infinite distance between God’s divinity and our frailty.
Though we approach Him as children to a tender Father, yet His majesty demands reverence. His greatness, as the First and the Last, calls us to worship Him with a holy reverence and awe, trusting His sovereign care while trembling at His glory.
Contemplations:
- Approaching with awe. Lord, I come humbly before You, considering who I am in light of who You are. I approach You with a trembling and holy awe, for “who am I but dust and ashes, that I should speak unto God?” (Gen. 18:27). Your majesty humbles me, and I long to worship You rightly.
- Elevating my worship. Lord, I must not seek to please myself with the performance of ordinary service to You, but I should raise the level of my service to an eminent degree of worship and adoration because as Psalm 48:1 states, “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.” Your greatness deserves my deepest devotion.
- Falling short of Your glory. Your greatness, O Lord, deserves a level of service far above that which we usually offer to You. Even then, my best resolutions and performances can never come close to the excellency and greatness of God. I rely on Your grace to honor You rightly.
- Banishing fear through Your majesty. Lord, I serve a great Master, and so I may then expect great things from You. If I fully understand the expanse of Your majesty, it should banish the fear of man in me (Matt. 10:28). For there is no God like You, and there is no God apart from You. Your supremacy fortifies my faith.
Prayer (Adoration)
O majestic and sovereign God, You are the First and the Last, whose glory outshines the sun and humbles all who behold You. Your radiance overwhelmed John and Paul, revealing Your infinite greatness. I worship You as the King eternal, whose majesty demands awe and whose mercy sustains the weak. Your Son, Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, embodies Your glory, and I adore You for His tender touch that calms our fears.
I confess that I have often approached You casually, failing to tremble at Your greatness. My worship has been shallow, not reflecting the reverence Your majesty requires. I have let fear of man overshadow my awe of You. Forgive me for these sins, for diminishing Your glory. Cleanse me through Christ’s blood and renew my heart to worship You with holy fear.
Lord, I plead for grace to adore You as You deserve. Elevate my worship to match Your greatness. Establish my confidence in Your supremacy (Matt. 10:28). Let Your Spirit impress Your excellency upon me, fitting me for Your service. And keep my heart in holy awe until I see Your face.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for Revelation 1:17:
Rev. 22:13; Isa. 44:6; Isa. 48:12; Dan. 8:17; Matt. 14:27.
[1] Thomas Manton, Christs Temptation and Transfiguration Practically Explained (London printed: 1685), 184.
