The Son of Man

Recap:

John was “ in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” As we described last week that this probably doesn’t mean that he was:

Galatians 5:16 NKJV

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Our text declares that John became en pneumati, “in the Spirit.” This phrase seems to suggest something more than just a time of spiritual meditation. However, the usual Greek word employed to depict a trance is (ekstasis) is not used here.

What we know is that John was in the Spirit, that is, having unclouded fellowship with Him and thus in a position to receive divine communications. This reminds us that a person must be near to hear.

I heard someone speak that they were given words from God but could not or would not pray. Immediately, I know they were not speaking on behalf of God.

Psalm 25:14 NKJV

14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.

Something that I noticed while studying this week was what John heard. He heard a “loud voice” like a trumpet.

Trumpets were a very different instrument from what our modern Jazz players use. The greek word implies a wind instrument used especially for communication. We are probably talking about a shofar or something similar to it.

But for all of its strength, the voice was intelligible. Isn’t that a beautiful picture of meekness, power under control.

vv. 12-13) Jesus and the lampstands

[12]John turns to see the voice. We can only imagine what went through John’s head as he turned. This was John’s opportunity to see Jesus again, after knowing Him so well during the years of His earthly ministry.

First, John doesn’t see Jesus but seven golden lampstands. These were not candlesticks, and they are probably not menorahs either. They were free standing oil lamp stands. [draw]

These oil lamps have a long history, and come in all different shapes and sizes. Some held enough oil to burn for 24 hours without needing a refill. While others were small and needed to be refilled every hour or so.

What did these seven golden lampstands represent?

The symbols found throughout Revelation mean something. And this is the first time we are seeing the “apocalyptic literature.” The seven lampstands they represent the seven churches. Which are: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

This image is pointing us to the golden lampstand that stood in the tabernacle and in the temple Exodus 25:31-37. But it is different. The OC lampstand was one lampstand with seven lamps on it. Here in the NC, we see seven individual lampstands.

“God had but one church of the Jews, but many among the Gentiles”—Poole

Light doesn’t come from the lampstands. IT comes from the oil lamps themselves. The stand merely makes the light more visible. Therefore, the lampstands are a good picture of the church. We don’t produce the light, we simply display it.

“A lamp is not light in itself, it is only the instrument of dispensing light, and it must receive both oil and fire before it can dispense any; so no Church has in itself either grace or glory, it must receive all from Christ its head, else it can dispense neither light nor life.”—Clarke

What is significant about the title “Son of Man” and who is this Son of Man?

[13] The title “son of man” has been heavily debated as to it origin and significance.

Jesus clearly used the term to describe himself:

Matthew 8:20 NKJV

20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Matthew 9:6 NKJV

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

Mark 2:28 NKJV

28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Luke 21:27 NKJV

27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

This title is also used in: Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 7:13–14 NKJV

13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

Why is it important for the Son of Man to be in the “midst of” the lampstands?

One thing, is that we might be over analyzing. As long as we don’t go against the rule of faith. The rule of faith is an outline of Christian beliefs, based in Scripture, which summarizes the apostolic proclamation about who God is and what God has done in the person and work of Jesus.

The exalted Christ is clad with a floor-length robe accented by a golden sash around the chest instead of the usual belt.

The clothing of Jesus indicates that He is a person of great dignity and authority. Long garments were typically, only worn by those who didn’t have to work much, so they were a picture of great status and authority.

The golden sash around the chest probably hints at the garments of the high priest: Exodus 29:5. Exodus 39:1-5 says that there were golden threads in the band that went around the chest of the high priest of Israel. Jesus’ band has more than a few golden threads. It is all gold! How much greater is the eternal, heavenly priesthood of Jesus!

Now one of the duties of the OT priest was to tend to the golden lampstand in the tabernacle. Every day they had to fill the oil. clean the soot, and trim the wicks. They had to closely inspect and care for the lamps so they would burn continually before the Lord. Here Jesus is, our High Priest, in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, carefully inspecting and caring for the lamps, helping them to always burn brightly before the Lord.

vv. 14-16) The description of Jesus

[14] What do you think the white hair like wool, white as snow could represent?

His head and hair speak of great wisdom and timelessness. Suggesting His existence prior to the incarnation. It also attests to purity and holiness. In the earliest known commentary on Revelation states, “By the ‘whiteness of the head’ is shown antiquity and immortality, and the source of his majesty, for ‘the head of Christ is God.’”

The white hair and head also connect Jesus with the Ancient of Days in: Daniel 7:9

Daniel 7:9 NKJV

9 “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;

“The term of Ancient of Days belongs to God the Father, yet it also agreeth to Christ, who is equal with the Father as to his Divine nature.”—poole

“When we see in the picture his head and his hair white as snow, we understand the antiquity of his reign.”—Spurgeon

Not only does Christ’s head and hair speak of His timelessness. But it also speaks of His glory and splendor.

What i found fascinating is that there are only two facial features described to us. His head/hair and his eyes. His eyes are described as “like a flame of fire.”

What is fire often associated in Scripture?

Judgement.

Matthew 5:22 NKJV

22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

2 Peter 3:7 NKJV

7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Jesus’ eyes displayed the fire of searching, penetrating judgment. The intention of the author is to depict the Sonf of man as perceptive, even omniscient, able at a glance to seem comprehend, and judge even the most hidden mysteries. Later the same theme will be harnessed as a picture of unavoidability: Revelation 19:12

Revelation 19:12 NKJV

12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

[15] Brass?

The precise intent of the term is not know. Sometimes the word is rendered “copper” or “brass” or even “bronze.”

Bronze was made by smelting copper and tin ores together with charcoal. This material boasted greater hardness than copper, while retaining some of the latter’s characteristic gold color.

Now we move to the feet. Since fire is connected to judgement, these feet like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace speaks of someone who has been through the fires of judgement and has come forth with a refined purity. Jesus has been through the, “Refiner’s fire.”

Brass is a metal connected with judgement and sacrifice. In Exodus Israel’s alter for sacrifices was made of brass. (Exodus 27:1-6), it was even called the brazen altar. It is also associated with and suggest irresistible strength.

Voice?

The voice, which before had been noted for its penetrating crescendo, is now likened to the sound of rushing waters. Anyone who has ever stood near to a great waterfall has been impressed not only with the scenic grandeur but also with the roar of the falls, which drowns out every other sound. The resonance of the voice of the Son of man is like one of these torrential falls.

[16] What does the seven stars represent?

Either angels or messengers. The word is αγγελος and could mean either. Because of the context of of chapter one and chapters 2 and 3 it is most likely that these stars/messengers are the leaders or representatives of the seven churches mentioned already.

Because the numbers seven is the number of completion, we can say that “Jesus has the whole/complete church in His hands.”

What does a two-edged sword represent?

In the opening of his mouth, reveals a sharp, double-edged, broad sword. This last image, grotesque if reduced to canvas and paint, is intended by John to described the effects of every spoken word of the Son of Man. His word is piercing, cutting, separating, revealing and And absolutely irresistible: Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

One commentator notes that John didn’t necessarily see a sword coming out of Jesus’ mouth. “He heard him speak; he felt the penetrating power of his words; and they were as if a sharp sword proceeded from his mouth.”

“His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength:” The glory of Jesus is so great, so shining, that it is hard to even look upon HIm. Jesus has the same glory as in His transfiguration, when His face shone like the Sun: Matthew 17:2

Matthew 17:2 NKJV

2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

“What do you see in Christ’s right hand? Seven stars; yet how insignificant they appear when you get a sight of his face! They are starts and there are seven of them; but who can see seven stars, or, for the matter of that , seventy thousand stars, when the sun shineth in his strength? How sweet it is, when the Lord Himself is so present in a congregation that the preacher, whoever he may be, is altogether forgotten! I pray you, dear friends, when you go to a place of worship, always try to see the Lord’s face rather than the stars in his hand; look at the sun, and you will forget the stars.”—Spurgeon.

Everything in this vision speaks of strength, majesty, authority, and righteousness. There is an impressive difference between this vision of Jesus and the many weak, effeminate portrayals of Jesus seen today. But the Jesus that John saw is the real Jesus, the Jesus that lives and reigns in heaven today.

We should consider the fact that this is the only physical description of Jesus given to us in the Bible. The only other description that comes close is in Isaiah 53:2

Isaiah 53:2 NKJV

2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

In our modern pictures of Jesus, we like to think of Him as He was, not Jesus as He is. We prefer to see and know Jesus after the flesh. But Paul said: 2 Corinthians 5:16

2 Corinthians 5:16 NKJV

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

Benediction:

Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’