Revelation
Chapter one, Part two
A Portrait of Jesus
What about the strange guy with white hair, flaming eyes, and a sword coming out of his mouth?
Let’s find out.
Revelation 1:13-17
13 “… in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, robed in a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 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 …’”
Verses thirteen through sixteen are a picture of Jesus; not His appearance, but what He is, His characteristics. The picture is intended to show His disciples what they should be like.
In this passage, John employed symbolism to preach a lifetime of sermons in one brief but detailed image. And right under the noses of the Roman guards! Remember, symbolism is the use of one thing to represent another. For example; Jesus used the shepherd and flock relationship to describe His people, the church.
In verse 13, John describes the appearance of “… one like the Son of Man, robed in a garment down to the feet …” See also Daniel 3:25, Daniel 10:6.
A robe symbolizes righteousness. At the time of rebirth, we receive this robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10) It has been washed in the Lamb’s blood, and we will wear it to the wedding supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 21:9)
The words righteousness and justification both contain the same root Greek word, DIKAIOSIS. It denotes the act of pronouncing righteous, justification, acquittal; signifying being justified by acquittal from sin. Righteousness, which can be defined as right-standing with God, is a gift; bought by the blood of Jesus. We are justified and made righteous by God in Jesus. It is a sign of God’s mercy to us. Once we are born again and become new creatures, our righteousness remains, no matter what our sin.
Notice, holiness and righteousness are two different things. Jesus taught, “Be ye holy, as I am holy.” (1Peter 1:16) At our rebirth, Jesus’ blood washed away all sin. We became a new creature in Jesus Christ, free of the in-born sin inherent to mankind. However, we remain agents of free will after our conversion and can be tempted to sin by Satan. We must overcome Satan’s snares and be led by the Holy Spirit to repent, keep holy, clean, and sin-free.
God does not condemn us if we sin after salvation, though He does chastise us (Hebrews 12:5-8). Or, He may turn His back to us and allow the devil to take his best shot. (Job 1:12) But our sin reflects back on Him who gave His life that we might be free of sin. If we find ourselves in this state, we must confess and repent. (1 John 1:9) One way or another when we appear as a chaste bride at the wedding supper, our robes will be spotless. (Revelation 19:7-8)
In verse 13, the figure “was robed in a garment down to His feet …” A garment represents priestly service. Jesus our High Priest, wears a garment down to His feet. Feet signify service. “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.” (Nahum 1:15, Ephesians 6:15)
“… Jesus of Nazareth … went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil …” Acts 10:38
Jesus’ ministry was to heal the sick and preach the gospel. The Master put a lot of miles on His feet. As disciples, He instructs the church to don our priestly garments and follow Him; to do the same works as He did. We need to question our service if our sandals are not wearing out.
“… girded about the chest with a golden band.” The girdle represents strength and power. Gold speaks of kingship. Jesus is the King of Kings. (Revelation 17:14) The girdle being around the chest, or breast as some translations render the word, is symbolic for love, affection, and nourishment. A mother suckles her infant at her breast. In fact, in the name El Shadai (the All Powerful One), Shadai can be translated in ancient Hebrew as “the breasted one,” the nurturer. John demonstrates Jesus’ kingship with strength and power, yet with mercy and love.
Psalm 2:19, Psalm 23.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes like a flame of fire …
The head represents the thought life; the intellect and wisdom. “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth …” (Proverbs 3:19, Psalm 104:24)
Hair is a covering of glory. (1 Corinthians 11:15) A picture of Christ’s glorious holiness. Wool or snow is emphatic, the brilliance added to the glory. Eyes represent omniscience; God’s all-seeing eye. Fire symbolizes purification and testing. Flaming eyes show Jesus’ ability to discern and judge the thoughts and hearts of men. Don’t think you can hide anything from the eyes of Jesus.
“… He (Jesus) knew their thoughts, and said to the man with the withered hand, ‘arise and stand here.’” Luke 6:8
In verse 15, “His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace …”
Again the feet, which refer to Jesus’ ministry. Brass symbolizes strength, endurance, and judgement. “Refined in a furnace” demonstrates the purity of His ministry. During His time on earth, He did many amazing and wondrous miracles, which demonstrated His power. When He left, He sent the Holy Spirit so the church could do these things as well. “… and greater works than these he (you) will do, because I go to the Father.” John 14:12
The Son of Man laid down all power to go to the cross. Soon, The King of Kings will pick it all back up again. When He returns, His power will be fully displayed. “… He treads the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Revelation 19:15
Verse 15b gives an important mission of the church. “His voice like the sound of many waters …” His voice is composed of the millions upon millions of Christians. His Word is preached in all the churches which are His body. All the voices speaking will defeat the enemy, and is to fill all the corners of the earth with the Good News. His Word heals, supplies needs, and blesses. All people who are part of His body should speak it constantly, and pray always. (Ephesians 6:18)
Are Jesus’ Words being spoken in your favorite church? If not, you need to find out why, or find a fellowship where they are.
Verse 16b “… out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.”
The sword represents the Word of God. We are to use it to destroy the enemy (Satan), fight spiritual battles, divide asunder, and open to expose the hidden. Matthew 10:34-35, Hebrews 4:12-13.
His face and countenance shone like the sun. This refers to Jesus being the Christos, the anointed power and glory of God. In Exodus 34:29-30, Moses’ face shone after being in the presence of God Himself.
Christ was not Jesus’ last name. The Greek word CHRISTOS means the Anointed One, or the Anointed; the Messiah. In Mark 10:47-48, blind Bartimaeus cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” All Hebrews were taught that the Messiah would be the Son of David. In saying what he did, Bartimaeus rightly called Jesus the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One.
How did he know? Faith.
“The sun shining in all of its strength …” The joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) Feeling depressed, defeated, distressed? Step through the veil in prayer, and into the presence of Jesus. “In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11
Revelation 1:17-19
17 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. 18 I Am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I Am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys to hell and death.
19 Write the things you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this …”
“… He laid His right hand on me …” Remember, the right hand is symbolic of authority, strength, and blessing. In Jesus’ right hand, there are blessings forevermore.
In verse 18, Jesus again states His credentials. “I Am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I Am alive forevermore. Amen.”
This is one of the “heresies” the Pharisees couldn’t stand. It stepped on their religious toes. They crucified Jesus and locked Him away in a tomb. The fact He rose from the dead proved how wrong they were. Rome locked John away for preaching Jesus’ resurrection. But, praise God, they couldn’t stop Jesus from rising again, and they couldn’t stop John from preaching about Him.
In verses 19-20, we are again given the keys to interpreting this set of visions. Images in the Revelation are not actual, but symbolic and not as they appear. They must be interpreted.
In Matthew 11:15, Jesus said; “Let him who has ears listen and understand.” The Master repeated this verse ten times in the four gospels. Remember. Ten is the number of responsibility, trials and testing.
Are we listening? The test is coming. It begins in Chapter 2 and 3 with letters of praise or rebuke to seven churches. It ends with Him coming back for you.