Hidden Treasure – A Deeper Understanding

Revelation 1:10 – The Lord’s Day?  (A Brief Meditation)

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet…” This text tells us that Jesus has a special day.

What was John thinking when he wrote this verse? He was clearly saying that it was on a specific day that he heard the ‘great voice’. And he calls it the “Lord’s Day”. A starting point in determining the meaning of this verse is to read it in its immediate context. If this is done with an open mind it is seen that this could very well be referring to the day on which Jesus was resurrected.

The joy of the early disciples was in the fact that their dear Saviour had actually risen from the dead and was alive for evermore. (Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 ESV) The surrounding verses of verse ten are built around this fact. Verse 5 says, “….Jesus Christ…the faithful witness…the first begotten of the dead….”. Verse 18 says, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.”

A traditional interpretation is to go to Matt.12:8 which says, “For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.” The conclusion being that the sabbath must therefore be the Lord’s day. A careful reading of Matt. 12 is telling us that while the Pharisees were concerned with the letter of the law, Jesus is in control of even the law. This is someone who is more important than the letter of the law. Jesus was telling his fellow Jews that he was higher than even the Sabbath. Whether or not this is saying that this is Jesus ‘special’ day is purely conjectural.

Both of the above verses should be read in context. In the above passage from Matthew the subject is the appropriateness of working on the Sabbath. Jesus was saying that he was Lord of all, even of the Sabbath day. How many Bible studies and sermons have laboured the point that this text proves that the Lord’s day of Rev.1:10 is the seventh day Sabbath. Whereas the context would appear to favour the day that Jesus was resurrected rather than the day that he lay dead in the tomb.

A more definitive proof text may be Ps.118 verse 24.“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

It is interesting to take note of the fact that the day on which Jesus lay dead in the tomb was actually the Sabbath day. The Sabbath day is an integral part of the 10 commandment law. This is the law that Paul calls, “the law of sin and death”. (Rom.8:2) The law was always a display of God’s anger towards sin. “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient……” 1 Tim.1:9 The context in which the law was given was a fearful time. (Exodus 19)

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; [which] voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels” Heb.12:18-22

This is what Jesus took upon himself. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” Gal.3:13 “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Cor.3:6

Rev. 1:10 is emblematic of something more important than the law. Scripture is dependable. A more appropriate cross reference would be the passage that was used by many of the New Testament writers – even Jesus himself. “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps.118:22-24 This passage is used several times by the New Testament Bible writers (Matt.21:39,42; Mk.12:10,11; Acts 4:11; Eph.2:20; 1 Pet.2:6,7) When the Psalmist wrote the passage under inspiration, he was being more forward thinking than the letter of the law. He was talking about the gospel. “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” Acts 4:11

This passage from Ps.118:22-24 is quoted directly in Acts 4:2,10,11 in direct reference to the resurrection. “Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead…. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”

Where is the greatest emphasis here, on the fact that he (Jesus) lay dead in the tomb or on the fact that he was risen from the dead? “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,” 1 Pet.3:18 If the risen Christ is our hope then what day would John be talking about when he said “I was in the spirit on the Lords day”? When John spoke of the Lord’s day, was he embracing the law or the risen Christ?

“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps.118:22-24

Read in context this is talking about the resurrection as is evidenced by Paul’s quote in Acts 4 where he quotes this verse from Psalms. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” vs.10,11

Does this article prove that Rev.10 is talking about the first day of the week? There are sincere Christian people who believe either way, Saturday or Sunday. No! we don’t ‘prove’ things from Scripture. We look at the evidence. An open, honest appraisal would appear to come down on the side of the resurrection morning. But, as the Scriptures say, ‘spiritual things are spiritually discerned’. (I Cor.2:14) Always remember that our faith is based on evidence not demonstration. Our main tenets of faith cannot be proven. They are experienced. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb.11:1 “So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ himself.” Col 2:16,17 NLT

Christians worship the risen Christ rather than cling to a day upon which Jesus lay dead in the tomb, a day that lies in the very heart of a law that is called “the law of sin and death.” (Rom.8:2) “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Col.3:1-4

who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. [7] Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, [8] will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?   2 Corinthians 3:6-8 ESV

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