Revelation, Chapter 1 - The vision of Jesus

Two-Edged Sword Ministries

We read in chapter one, that John was on the isle of Patmos, worshipping God on the Sabbath, when he heard a voice behind him. The voice instructed him to send a message to seven churches situated in Asia Minor. We learnt hat John was imprisoned for performing missionary works during the latter part of the first century. When he turned around to face the voice, he saw the following in a vision :

Seven golden lampstands and;

Amongst the seven lampstands was someone like the son of Man.

We have mentioned that throughout the book of Revelation, there are many symbols that are used. The numbers are no exception and are very significant. "7" in biblical terms, represents perfection or completeness and also represents a judgment decreed by God to end an era in history.
Consider the following scriptural examples:

God completed his creation in seven days , (Genesis 1 & 2)

God warned Noah that after seven days he will cause the great flood (Genesis 7: 4),

Seven years of famine in Egypt (Genesis 41:48)

There are at least three hundred references to the word "seven" in the Bible. In almost all references; "Seven" is used by God to show how He brings about perfection in the affairs of men.

Revelation 1:13-17 gives us a detailed prophetic description of Jesus in His post resurrection body. All of these descriptions are extremely important as this imagery is used throughout Revelation to describe certain events that God is about to decree on the face of the earth. We are going to spend a bit of time on this opening vision. Don't be to hasty; but join us as we uncover the various truths surrounding the scriptures.

1. He was wearing a long robe with a gold belt around his waist:

The "gold belt around his waist" supports the reference to Jesus in the other books of the Bible as the High Priest - The owner of the churches. We must also remember that the Priest of the Old Testament days had many functions; although his most important function was always for the atonement of sins through a sacrifice. When Jesus was crucified, He became the Priests of Priests.

2. He was wearing a long robe with a gold belt around his waist:

Hair as white as snow", illustrates purity, wisdom and dignity. There are many references to the word " white " in the Bible:

In Genesis 30 : 35 - The white sheep' were separated from the black sheep'.

In Danial 7 : 9 - The Ancient of Days' "God" robe was white like snow.

In Danial 12: 10 - And many will be purified and be made white and tested.

In Matthew 17: 2 - Jesus changes before a few of his disciples and his clothing became white like the light.

In John 4: 35 - The fields are ready to be harvested, as they are white.

3. His eyes were like flames of fire:

Eyes like flames of fire is used to represent Jesus as all knowing and that of judgment. Similar references to judgment are found in Danial 7: 9; 10: 5 - 6; 1 Corinthians 3:13.
In various books of the Bible, although fire has more than 500 references in the Bible, it is in most of the occasions used to show Gods anger and impending judgment.

Examples of fire include God appearing in the bushes - and the thorn bush was burning with fire. (Exodus 3 : 2), Moses raised his staff to heaven and fire came down to earth and Jehovah rained hail on Egypt (Exodus 9 : 23), the people were evil and complaining - and God heard and his anger glowed - and the fire of Jehovah burnt among them and devoured them, (Numbers 11:1), God guided the Jews with a pillar of fire by night (Numbers 14:14) and when Lot left Sodom it rained fire from heaven and it destroyed everything (Luke 17: 29)

4. His feet was like glowing bronze

Feet were glowing bronze, suggests stability and strength coupled with the ability to trample enemies. We read in Isaiah 63: 1 - 5; that Jesus is to return to earth to trample the winepress of Gods wrath, once again indicating judgment on the earth.

5. His voice was the sound of raging waters

"Voice like the sound of raging water", suggests that although pleasurable to friends, it strikes terror in the heart of his enemies.

6. Out of His mouth came a sharp two - edged sword

This in itself suggests divine judgment and wrath. We see this many times in Revelation - In Jesus 2nd coming, He wages war at the battle of Armageddon with the nations of the earth. It appears that most of the descriptive characteristics of Jesus, points to Jesus returning to judge the wicked.

7. His face was as bright as the sun at full force

"Face like the sun" implies that he was shining with incredible force. Brilliant, pure and dazzling - hard to look directly at.

As mentioned before, these descriptions of Jesus flows throughout the book of Revelation. If you cannot understand its scriptural significance, you loose out on subtle distinctions.

Two-Edged Sword Ministries - South Africa

The message to the Seven churches

An introduction to the
book of Revelation