The Revelation Of Jesus Christ

by Jarvis, A. G. | Category: General | Dec 1964

(Revelation 1-5)

He stands unveiled, revealed, that all may see

The Son of Man, God's Man of destiny,

The One to whon1 all judgement has been given

On earth, in hell below, above in heaven,

In robe of spotless righteousness arrayed,

By word divine a Priest for ever made;

With golden girdle girt about the breasts

(Wherein divine compassion ever rests),

His head and hair like wool, as white as snow,

(This His eternal Deity doth show)

"Ancient of days," the timeless One is He,

Who ever was, and evermore shall be.

With eyes of flames and feet like burnished brass,

The Judge is seen, before whose gaze must pass

The deeds, the words, the thoughts of one and all,

(He counts the stars, and notes the sparrow's fall).

He knows our frame, remembers we are dust;

His every thought is love, and act is just.

His countenance, all glorious, serene,

Brighter than rays of mid-day is seen.

His messengers are held in His right hand,

As midst the seven churches He doth stand.

Like sound of many waters is His voice,

Yet "fear not" makes the prostrate John rejoice.

Out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword

Proceeds, the symbol of His precious word,

The word that called from darkest chaos - night

Sun, moon, and stars, to bathe the earth with light,

The word that He Himself on earth did say

Shall judge men of that last and fearful day.

His word is sent to seven churches too,

That hark'ning, they His will may learn to do;

Encourages with hope of high reward,

And warning gives - that His two-edged sword

On all who spurn His urgent, solemn call,

Surely on unrepentant ones shall speedy fall.

He walks amidst the churches, seeing all;

And solemnly His word is sent to all;

"Re that hath ears to hear, 0 let him hear,"

His words of counsel, guidance, warning, cheer;

Foretelling rich rewards for those who keep

His word, do not deny His Name, who seek

To overcome amidst earth's mortal strife.

To those who overcome amidst earth's strife

Is promised access to the tree of life.

Those holding fast what they of Him have learned,

Revering precious truths by others spurned,

A crown shall gain, no fading wreath of earth

E'en one of heaven's gold, of priceless worth,

And a white stone whereon a name is writ;

And on His throne with Him thereon to sit,

The morning star, for ever shining bright;

Ridden manna, and robe of lustrous white.

Such high awards await the faithful few

Who to their absent Lord are staunch and true.

Such promises should stimulate the heart

Of each disciple, so to play his part

In loving service for the coming King.

To Him obedience may they freely bring,

Each thought, each act, that so they may at last,

When this earth's test is then for ever past,

Receive from Him the thrilling words, "Well done,"

His greeting to the overcoming one.

Oh, moment of exceeding great reward,

Honour and praise from the ascended Lord;

In presence of His angels, owned and crowned,

Their praise from God shall from His throne resound!

'Twill far outweigh the greatest suffering here,

Such words from heaven's glorious King to hear.

An opened door in heaven now is seen,

Where foot of mortal man hath never been.

His angel's voice with trumpet sound proclaims

"Come hither," to where God for ever reigns.

He on the throne in unapproached light,

Rainbow encircled, seen in glory bright

As jasper and sardius on the throne,

Whom seraphs, angels, all in heaven own.

The beauteous rainbow round about the throne

Bespeaks the storm of judgement past and gone,

For all who come within these portals bright

Shall stand through grace before the throne of light.

In time creation too shall rest in peace,

When sin and Satan's baleful reign shall cease.

Arrayed in white, the central throne around,

The elders sit in glory, throned and crowned.

Out from the throne the lightning flash is seen,

The thunder rolls, while voices intervene.

Seven lamps of fire are burning brightly too,

Seven Spirits, yes, God's Spirit thus we view.

Before the throne there is the glassy sea,

Here is the mirror of eternity,

Like polished silver, all aflame with light,

Eternally undimmed, and clear, and bright.

Four living creatures also there appear,

While from their lips the endless cry all hear,

"Holy, Holy, Holy," echoing on;

The mighty undertone of heaven's song.

Such signs are chosen, to our minds to show

Glories beyond what creature minds can know.

Wonders that ever must surpass all thought,

Are thus within our range of vision brought.

In the right hand of Him upon the throne

A fast sealed book of mystery is shown.

An angel cries, "Who worthy is to take

This book, to open, and its seals to break?"

No one is found, of all that mighty throng,

To take the book, or even look thereon.

Tears, copious, sign of heavy grief are shed,

Until the Seer's eyes to One are led,

One like unto a Lamb, just newly slain,

The sign of Him who died and lives again,

The Lion of the tribe of Judah He,

Who died in shame upon Golgotha's tree.

('Twas there the mighty victory was wrought:

Alone, He there the fearful battle fought.)

'Midst heaven's myriads, unique He stands,

With Calvary's marks in side, and feet, and hands.

All eyes on Him are fixed, the Blessed One,

Who in earth's darkest hour, once cried, "'Tis done!"

Then on His Father's own right hand sat down,

The One to whom the Father gave the crown.

Where all is joy and gladness, peace and love,

He sits, who is for ever far above

All heavens, all authority and power

Thrones and dominions - (This His glorious dower,

Because alone He met hell's banded might,

And conquered Satan in the dreadful fight.

From the dark loneliness of Calvary's shame,

From death, the grave, He rose to endless fame.)

Down on their faces, prostrate, seraphs fall,

The four and twenty elders, one and all

Are yielding humble homage to the Lamb,

Upon the throne, beside the great I AM.

Now swells the song, "Worthy the Lamb once slain,"

The One who lived, who died, who lives again.

The myriad hosts of mighty angels stand,

In serried ranks around the central band,

All full of praises, loud, and high, and sweet,

To Him, the Man who sits with pierced feet,

And own Him worthy of the highest praise

That seraphs, elders, angels e'er can raise.

There are no words that angels ever learned

Can tell the worth of Him whom rebels spurned.

The Seer's vision carries him along

Until all vast creation joins the song,

On earth, and underneath, and on the sea,

Wherever living creatures e'er may be,

All, all must join the universal song,

And His high praises help to echo on.

Satan himself, king of the sons of pride,

Who ever sought the Saviour to deride,

Yes, even he shall by divine decree

Come to the Saviour's feet, and bow the knee.

Then shall the Saviour's triumph be complete,

When all creation bows at His blest feet.

And ever shall the thoughts of heaven go

Back to the cross, back to the Saviour's woe,

Then back returning, gaze upon the throne,

To see Him there, who once was all alone.

These sights will stir and stimulate each heart

To hymn His praise, each voice to take a part.

Sweet, loud, and long will rise their praises high,

And yet for higher, louder praise they'll vie.

No song like this was ever heard before,

As the crowned Victor, humbly they adore.

Oh! gladsome days of tireless, endless song,

To Him to whom all song, all praise belong.

"HE SHALL BE SATISFIED." All foes are gone,

Vanquished for ever by that potent One.

And death shall be no more, no sin, no night,

No sorrow, pain, nor tears to dim the sight.

And we shall see Him, - we shall like Him be,

And ever sing, "He loved even me".

Jarvis, A. G. | Dec 1964
General

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