Revelation 1:9-20 ~ The View From Heaven

The second part of FOCUS' Revelation series continues to explore John's vision. In Revelation 1:9-20, we see this vision of one like a son of man (Revelation 1:13). Are the descriptions that follow merely just a visual account or do they paint hidden meanings? Let's take a look...

clothed with a long robe and a golden sash (Revelation 1:13)

• These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. (Exodus 28:4)
• The image of priesthood is illustrated here with regards to this "son of man".

The hairs of his head were white like wool, as white as snow (Revelation 1:14)

• As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool (Daniel 7:9)
• Reference is being made to the Ancient of Days i.e. God Himself, who is the judge of all judges.
• White was also the colour for victory.

His eyes were like a flame of fire (Revelation 1:14)

• seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance ... the appearance of fire enclosed all around ... Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. (Ezekiel 1:26-28)
• The fiery appearance signifies the glory of the Lord.
  

his feet were like burnished bronze (Revelation 1:15)

• Their legs ... sparkled like burnished bronze. (Ezekiel 1:7)
• And above the expanse of their heads there was the likeness of a throne ... Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. (Ezekiel 1:26-28)
• The idea of one sitting under the authority of the Lord appears here.
  

his voice was like the roar of many waters (Revelation 1:15)

• And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters (Ezekiel 43:2)
• The voice indicates the coming of the God of Israel.
  

In his right hand (Revelation 1:16)

• Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. (Exodus 15:6)
• This powerful "right hand" is able to deliver Israel from her enemy as sang by Moses and the Israelites.
  

from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword (Revelation 1:16)

• Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17)
• For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12)
• This "son of man" speaks the word of God.
  

his face was like the sun shining (Revelation 1:16)

• he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:15-16)
• The shining face resembles that belonging to God.
  

What then can we conclude from this analysis? This "son of man" bears the glory of God and speaks His Word. He sits under God's authority as God's priest who victoriously saves His people but judges and destroys His enemies. As alluded in my previous post on the Revelation series, this "son of man" is none other than Jesus Christ. Claiming to be the first and the last (Revelation 1:17), He echoes the sentiments of the Lord God who identifies Himself as the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). Again, He reiterates the point of his being the firstborn of the dead (Revelation 1:5) by telling us that He is the living one (Revelation 1:18).

Since it has been revealed that the seven lampstands are the seven churches (Revelation 1:20) of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, how then is this relevant to us today?

Very relevant indeed as we see how John has been instructed to write therefore the things that you have seen (Revelation 1:19). It is to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days ... for the vision is for days to come (Daniel 10:14). Jesus' presence in the midst of the lampstands comforts us in knowing that He is always among us, even through the most difficult of times.

The time is near (Revelation 1:3) ... how will you respond?