The Son of God (Part 2)

Recap:

Jesus and the lampstands:

The lampstand represent the 7 churches and probably the whole universal church. And the Son of Man is in the midst of them probably means that He is the focal point of the church as well as the foundation upon each church is build.

The description of Jesus thus far:

Wool like hair = speaks of wisdom and timelessness.

White as snow = purity and holiness

Eyes like a flame of fire = searching and penetrating judgement. Our author intention here is to depict Jesus as perceptive, omniscient, capable of comprehending all, even the hidden mysteries. Later the same theme will be shown again as a picture of unavoidable.

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.

vv.14-16) The description of Jesus

[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.

After reading this description of Jesus, how has your understanding of Him deepened?

HW: Revelation 1:17-20

How does John react to seeing the Son of Man?

What does this show us about Jesus?

What does Jesus do when John reacts in that way?

What does this teach us about Jesus?

How does Jesus’ statement to John connect to His instruction to “fear not?”

What does it mean that Jesus has the keys of Death and Hades?

What implication does that hold for us?

What are the “things which you have seen,” “The things which are,” and “the things which will take place after this”

Who are the seven angels? Are they actual angels?

[ἄγγελος, ου, ὁ Messenger, angel.] 1) a human messenger serving as an envoy, an envoy, one who is sent. 2) a transcendent power who carries out various missions or tasks, messenger, angel

Why are churches referred to as lampstands?

What does this teach us about the role of the church in the world?

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.” ’