Speaking

The next part of John’s vision has little to do with sight
but instead focuses on sound.

He hears the voice of Christ, and it is like the roar of many waters. His voice is loud and crushing and beautiful, like an immense waterfall. No single church received this description—I think because all churches need it. His word is vital to our lives.

His word, like the roar of many waters, is to become so loud to us that we cannot hear anything else. I do not mean to say we should never read or listen to or learn anything other than Bible verses. What I mean is that His word should become so strong to us that we are not easily swayed from Scripture. When the voice of Christ is louder than all other voices, we grow and our joy maximizes.

His word, like the roar of many waters, is the collection of various streams and rivers into one. Moses and David and Daniel and Matthew all converge into one rushing river that is the voice of Christ. It is about Him, and it is from Him. He is the author. He is the subject. The totality of the Bible, with all its various human authors and settings, has come together as the powerful voice of Christ. Eternally, this voice will sing to His people, overwhelming us with its sheer power.

His word, like the roar of many waters, is constant in nature. He is never silent, for the Bible has been written and is available to all. Jesus Christ, in this facet of His description by John, should be seen as speaking to His church. His Word is constant and steady, readily available. We need not go outside it. We need not neglect it. We need not think we have mastered it. No, we ought to listen to it in its constant flow.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:1–3).

If we allow the powerful Word of the glorified Christ to flow into us, it will fascinate and teach us for all eternity.

(Chapter 1)