“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.”

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.

After John received this full force of the person of Christ, he fainted dead away. He passed out cold. The glory of Christ was too much for him to handle. John was full of fear. 

When the glory of God appeared to others in the Bible, similar reactions occurred to other people: Job (42:5-6); Abraham (Ge 17:3), Isaiah (6:5), Ezekiel (3:23; 43:3; 44:4); Daniel 8:17; 10:8-9, 15-17) and the disciples (Mt 17:6). 

But He laid His right hand on me,

Jesus consoles John. He helped John recover from his fainting spell. God strengthens us with His power.

saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last“

Jesus gives John assurance by appealing to who He is. He is the ever-living one, the self-existent one. Jesus is before all who precede Him and He is after everyone who follows Him. 

Jesus is both the author and the finisher of history. He originates and He culminates time. He spans the whole of human history and has a plan for it all. If this person cares for us, why should we fear? Fear debilitates us. It paralyzes us from reaching our potential. 

Is 41:10. “Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

PRINCIPLE: 

Knowledge of Jesus as the originator and culminator of history eliminates our fears.

APPLICATION: 

We cannot apply truth with an attitude of fear. Fear and worry debilitate us. If we are going to understand God’s Word, our minds must be clear. We clear our minds by getting a good grasp of who Jesus is.

Mt 14:27, “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’”