The Faithful Witness

by D.W. Millar, Hayes, Kent | Category: General | Aug 1966

The Lord Jesus Christ is God's great and faithful witness. The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ opens by setting before us this divinely-given title, "... Jesus Christ ... the faithful witness" (read Revelation 1.4-7).

He has spoken to the children of men and though at present He is hidden from the eyes of men, the earth is full of His testimony and this scripture reveals that the time will come when every eye shall behold Him.

In the vast work of creation Christ the Son of God witnessed by the work of His fingers many of the divine attributes, "For the invisible things of Him (God) since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity" (Romans 1.20). When we observe with enlightened eyes the manifold diversity of nature's marvels, we discern handiwork of God's faithful Witness.

But when He was on earth mingling with men and women, the favoured human race had a unique opportunity of looking upon Him and listening to His faithful testimony. Many men and women had borne witness before, but at last God was speaking in the very Person of His Son. He said of Himself and His testimony:

"My witness is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go" (John 8.14). Men said of Him: "Never man so spake" (John 7.46). God said: "This is My Son, My Chosen: hear ye Him" (Luke 9.35).

In resurrection power and glory, as unfolded in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, he is twice described as the Faithful Witness. Men ignore what He has to say at their peril. In Revelation 1.10-20 we are given a detailed description of His appearance in His glory as the risen Son of God, at the sight of whom, John fell down as one dead. His all-seeing eyes observe all that is going on in these churches and He gives praise, or blame, as One who knows all the circumstances. Again and again He says, "I know": "I know thy works", "I know where thou dwellest", "I know thy tribulation" etc. It is indeed because of His complete and perfect knowledge that He is God's faithful witness. Other witnesses have made, and will make, mistakes but He is always faithful and true. What He has to say to the churches is written in one book which is sent to all of them. The faults found in these churches may occur in greater or lesser degree in any assembly.

At the beginning of the letter to Laodicea (Revelation 3.14-22) this title of Christ is mentioned a second time, emphasizing in the solemn words that follow, the testimony of One who, because He is the Faithful Witness, overlooks nothing that requires His judgement, just as He misses nothing which calls for His commendation. Alas, although He says "I know thy works", He found nothing in them for His praise! His letter to Laodicea is a just, unbiased appraisal of the exact condition there, and what a shock it must have given them! We have here a picture of complacency and self-deception, the worst condition any church or disciple can get into a condition where Satan can find a most promising field for his activity. If there can be found reason for satisfaction in any church it is to be traced only to the richness of Christ. "No flesh should glory before God", but rather "glory in Christ Jesus". Any feelings of self-satisfaction are directly traceable to the devil, who is the great deceiver and specializes in self-deception.

"I counsel thee" (verse 18). His words to other churches are commands, but He appeals to Laodicea, as if to say, "Wake up and listen to My advice". "Buy of Me gold", He says. Gold speaks of divine glory, and this stands out in contrast to the condition of this church-wretched, poor, blind, naked. They had become the very opposite of God's purpose for a church of God. God's purpose is that we should become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1.4). While God gives us gifts of inestimable value, yet there are other costly things which must be bought. Salvation, for example, is a free gift which cannot be bought by us, but some things the disciple can gain only by giving to God, or perhaps giving up for God. "Buy the truth, and sell it not", said Solomon. No disciple can ever lay hold on divine truth and make it a valued possession without paying the price for it. But God gives a hundredfold in return for our small sacrifices. Christ spreads before us His incomparable riches. He also refers to white garments which are associated with righteous acts, and eyesalve so that eyes may be opened to discern the true riches. To the latter the Holy Spirit testifies through Paul: "Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1.18).

The severe words of reproof are a sign of His love; chastening is proof of His love. He, out of whose mouth proceeds a sharp two-edged sword, desires that we should become living and active like the word on which the church should feed. Not only can material riches close the eyes to the things of God, but also close the ear to the voice of Christ who stands at the door. How solemn are the words to the church at Laodicea, "If any man hear My voice". This is the ultimate appeal of a grieving Lord. There should be no question of "If". He said, "My sheep hear My voice". He should occupy the central place in the assembly, every ear listening for His voice.

Even as the judgement of this church is the most solemn of all, so the promised reward to the overcomer is the greatest of all: "I will give to him to sit down with Me in My throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne".

Many Old Testament scriptures portray the character and foreshadow the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day and dispensation. In Proverbs 8 the wisdom of Christ from everlasting to everlasting is set forth, the wisdom of His Person and the wisdom of His works, the rich substance of His recompense "Better than gold, yea, than fine gold" (verse 19). Verses 20 and 21 seem to foreshadow the Revelation manifestation of the risen Son of God walking in the midst of the churches:

"I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of judgement:

That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance, And that I may fill their treasuries."

His ways are righteous, His acts are just, and His rewards a rich inheritance. His great purpose and desire for His people are expressed in the words of Paul's prayer for the Ephesian saints: "that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3.19).

D.W. Millar, Hayes, Kent | Aug 1966
General