I Came to be in Spirit
On four different occasions, John found himself “in the Spirit” and was transported to a new location where he received another vision.
In his first
vision, John came to be “in the spirit” where he saw a vision of
“one like a son of man” standing among the “seven golden lampstands.”
Now, in the fourth chapter, he “came to be in the spirit and was
summoned to heaven to receive a vision about the “throne,” the “sealed
scroll,” and the “slain Lamb.” - [In Spirit - Photo by Tadej Skofic on Unsplash].
At
four different times, John was transported “by the Spirit” to locations
where he received additional visions. The description, “I came to be in
spirit,” occurs twice; first, in the opening vision on Patmos, and second, when
he is called by the “same voice” to “come up here” before the “Throne”:
- (Revelation 1:10-20) - “I was in the isle called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I came to be in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.”
- (Revelation 4:2) - “Come up here, and I will show you the things which must come to pass after these. Straightway I came to be in the Spirit.”
In the first
vision, he heard a trumpet-like voice behind him, then turned and saw the
figure “like Son of Man” standing among “lampstands.” That figure
proceeded to dictate the seven letters to the “messengers” of the “churches
of Asia” - (Revelation 1:10-3:22. Compare - Daniel 7:13).
In this next
vision, John is summoned by that same “voice” to the “throne.” Once
there, he sees the “throne,” the “sealed scroll,” and the “Lamb”
who will break the “seven seals” that enclosed the “scroll.” The scene
before the “throne” is then followed by visions that present events from
the perspective of the “throne” - (Revelation 4:1-16:21).
The remainder of the book is divided into two sections, both of which begin when John finds himself “in the spirit” where he receives further visions.
In each case, he is “carried away in
spirit,” and each time by one of the seven angels that had the “seven
bowls of wrath.” In the last two sections, John sees visions of two cities,
“Babylon” and the “New Jerusalem” - (Revelation 17:1-5, 21:1-8,
21:9-22:15).
Thus, in the
third division, John is “carried away in spirit to the wilderness”
to see “Babylon.” The scene marks the start of the destruction of the
cosmic enemies of the “Lamb,” and it ends with a glimpse of “New Jerusalem”
as it descends from “heaven.” The division concludes with promises to
overcomers and dire warnings to the unrighteous, especially to liars
- (Revelation 17:1-21:8).
In the book’s
final division, John is “carried away in spirit to a great and high
mountain” from which he sees the holy city, “New Jerusalem.” And
this section also concludes with promises to overcomers and dire warnings to
the unrighteous, especially to liars.
Both final
sections conclude with the same warning. They are not in chronological order;
instead, they serve to contrast the two cities, “Babylon” and “New
Jerusalem” - (Revelation 21:9-22:15).
Thus, John
receives glimpses “in the spirit” into HOW the “Lamb”
will consummate his past victory by defeating all his cosmic foes, and in this
way, his people will stand victorious before him and the “throne” in the
holy city of “New Jerusalem.”