The Living One: Day 11
Intention
To capture a vision of the living one who renews his Church in Australia.
Scripture
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
“But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’”
–Revelation 1:17–18
Reflection
What does Jesus think about the Church?
Before hearing his words to the seven churches, we need a clear vision of Jesus in Revelation 1. This chapter doesn’t give us a comfortable or domesticated Jesus. Instead, the Apostle John sees Christ in blazing majesty, with eyes like fire and a voice like the roar of many waters.
John collapses in fear, yet Jesus touches him and says, “Fear not”, because he is “the living one”.
This vision is so relevant for the Church in Australia today. Many dismiss the Church as irrelevant – a relic of the past. Others see our failures, compromises, and weaknesses and conclude there is no future. Yet Jesus sees the Church differently. The Church is his beloved bride, precious to him and secure in his hands.
Three things about Jesus stand out in Revelation 1 (if you’re able, read the whole chapter).
First, Jesus is Lord of history (Revelation 1:1–8). John describes him as the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. In uncertain times – whether under Roman emperors like Domitian or in a secularised twenty-first-century nation – Jesus reigns.
Governments rise and fall, cultural pressures shift, but Christ is sovereign over it all.
The Church in Australia can take heart: Rome was not in control then, and Canberra is not in control now. Jesus rules history.
Second, Jesus is Lord of the Church (Revelation 1:9–16). John sees him standing among the lampstands, representing the churches. His eyes see everything – our faithfulness, our failings, our hidden sins, our persevering love.
His voice is powerful; his word cuts like a double-edged sword. Yet, he doesn’t stand far off. Instead, he walks among us. The Church may look fragile, but it is Christ’s light in the world. What he thinks of us matters more than opinion polls or media headlines.
Third, Jesus is Lord of life (Revelation 1:17–20). He is “the living one”, once dead but now alive forevermore, holding the keys of Death and Hades.
No emperor could claim such power. Domitian died and remained dead. But death could not hold Christ down. He lives eternally, and his victory guarantees hope for all who remain in him.
Australia desperately needs this vision of Christ. Our congregations often feel small and weak, pressured by the culture around us. But Jesus has conquered death. He is alive, present with his Church, and his reign is unshakable.
The worst the world can do is temporary. The reign of Jesus never ends.
Video
Prayer
Gracious Father, we thank you that Jesus is alive and walks among his churches.
Forgive us when we lose heart, when we compromise, or when we shrink back in fear.
Renew our vision of Jesus as the risen King who holds history, the Church, and life in his hands.
Revive your Church in Australia: strengthen weary believers, raise up godly leaders, embolden gospel witness, and pour out your Spirit so that many might turn to you in repentance and faith.
We pray this with confidence because Jesus is alive forevermore. Amen.
Author Bio
Dave Miers is the pastor of Christ our Refuge, Brisbane – a new church plant in the Anglican Diocese of the Southern Cross. He is also the Managing Director of Good News Unlimited, where he creates devotional content.
Prayer Points for October 2025
- God to pour out his blessing and Spirit on every church in Australia and its leaders. Hebrews 13:7
- All churches in Australia to grow in Christlikeness and win people to Christ. Acts 6:7
- Widespread adoption of Reaching Australia 2033 and its plan to activate every believer in personal evangelism. Acts 1:8
- Revival for Australia and for millions to come to Christ. Isaiah 64:1–2
We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to faith in Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for family, faith, freedom, life, and the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ.
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God never died I am the alpha and the omega .He said .It’s not John describing him like that .It’s John telling you what God told him .
And again the puzzling thing in those chapters is the interchange of identities of God and Jesus .
The Bible is a “mystery” book imo .
Eg ,if the wages of Sin are death ,then how could Jesus ever die ? He committed no Sin .
Why did he say on the cross ,father why hast thou forsaken me ?
Why ,if he knew he had to “die ” for our sins ?
And if All liars go to hell then how could this truth ?
And where does it say he went to hell ? I don’t recall it .I recall him being placed in a cave provided by a rich man , and guarded by white clad beings and fed white food for three days ,then leaving the “place of the dead ” and going for a walk down the road .
And nowhere does it say categorically that he was dead It says, it was done, and the guard “pronounced” him dead It never says he was dead.
Which I noticed at age 12 .And I revisited that many times .
beware lest ye be deceived .
I’ve visited many church’s too ,some that have disappeared completely now , some that have become profitable operations ,and some that are worth undisclosed fortunes .I’ve not found one that doesn’t have some underbelly attached .And I’ve yet to find an actual Christian person anywhere that I believe qualifies Not one .Ever .
Buf you have to get real wake up and open your eyes to the Truth .
“many will come in my name ” .
and this is it ,the wife of a priest pastor whatever ,when she noticed my reaction to her husband’s thinking ,said to me ,”it’s just a job ” .I know a lifetime Anglican minister ,but he’s Buddhist really .I know a Catholic priest but he’s atheist really .I know others who certainly aren’t what they seem either and I know many flock full of seemingly sheepish souls who definitely are not what they would have you believe Rather like the Baker’s ,etc etc etc .A butcher or two and the inevitable candle stick maker .
and I don’t recall Jesus claiming to hold the keys to hell or history or any of that in his hands ..I recall him saying ,come leave your work your family your home ,come follow me and we shall be as fishers of men’s souls ..But it’s a big book and I only remember what I consider to be the salient points .
I love your passion, Nik. I see where you’re coming from. You are not alone in your thinking, Many can see the flaws in the denominational church structure and know what is taught through them is the opposite to the Great Commission.
Denominational Christianity says, ‘Come in from the world, keep quiet while we preach to you, and don’t forget to bring your money with you”. But, Christ said, ‘Go out into the world, preach the Gospel of repentance to all people, and don’t take any money with you.’
There are people who are obeying Christ’s Great Commission and those people experience the power of the Spirit working though them in the same way as the first disciples.
Just ask God to lead you to such a group. He will. He is faithful. And He will build his church.
You are not alone! God bless you today and everyday, Nick.
Thanks Pastor Dave. I love your devotional which reminds us of the power and majesty of Jesus Christ, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He walks among the churches with a sword in His hand, and as refining fire in His mouth- this is a reminder that He sees all things, and it is also a wakeup call to all of us, to be ready for His second coming – to be ready to meet Him face to face, as the Bride of Christ.
We can only bow down before Him and give thanks, as we examine our hearts and stand in awe of His great majesty. Yet we know too, Jesus died for us on the cross and paid the greatest price ever for our sin, by shedding His blood to atone for all sin, and then was raised from the dead by God and is now seated at the right hand of God. Nothing else could take away ou sin or deal with our sinful nature, but His blood, and then His spirit has been sent to live inside us. We could never earn our way to heaven through good works or by any other means- He made a new and living way.
What a mighty Saviour. Amen